Transportation panel approves design exception for Florence Street sidewalks

The Transportation and Parking Commission voted 7-0 Tuesday to grant a design exception that will allow the city to construct sidewalks on only one side of Florence Street while staff completes engineering work on complex drainage and utilities.

Commissioners said the vote lets design work proceed while the Department of Public Works studies drainage and other constraints that make sidewalks on both sides infeasible. Donna, presiding commissioner, opened the discussion and asked the commission to consider a "complete street policy design exception vote in accordance with city ordinance 285-51."

DPW staff described the project as a full reconstruction of Florence Street from about 25 feet west of Route 9 to Main Street in Leeds, roughly 3,650 feet in length and about 30 feet wide. DPW staff said a third-party engineer is analyzing significant drainage that feeds into Arch Street and Florence Street and that a water transmission main through the corridor limits where sidewalks can be placed.

"We cannot reconstruct the roadway until we sort of navigate that complex drainage system," the DPW presenter said. The presenter also noted speed concerns based on a July 2022 study of 23,700 vehicles that found the 80th percentile speed was 38.4 mph in a posted 30 mph zone.

Commissioners asked about narrowing the roadway to add sidewalks or bike lanes, and staff said narrowing could be considered but that the utilities and drainage near Arch Street and existing water transmission mains constrain where pavement and sidewalks can be built. The DPW gave a project estimate of $1.2 million under the current design assumptions and said adding sidewalks or cutting through previously unpaved frontages would raise costs substantially.

Devon made the motion to grant the engineering design exception and Councilor Deborah Clemmer seconded. Beth called the roll; the tally was seven yes votes and the motion passed.

DPW staff said they will return with detailed construction plans and neighborhood outreach about potential traffic-calming measures such as speed tables or pedestrian signals, depending on drainage and design findings.