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Bel Air budget debate centers on Bolton bike lanes, mall connections and park trails
Summary
Commissioners and staff debated proposed bike lanes on Bolton Street, developer-funded work at the Hartford Mall, smaller town-funded extensions near the hospital, and several park trail connections; some commissioners worried about narrow vehicle lanes and cyclist safety at intersections.
Commissioners spent an extended portion of the April 24 budget work session debating the town’s bicycle and pedestrian implementation plan, proposed bike lanes on Bolton Street and McPhail Road, and several short trail connections linking neighborhoods with parks and downtown.
Staff displayed maps showing developer-required improvements along Bolton Street adjacent to the Hartford Mall — a yellow stretch the developer must install — and two blue extensions the town was asked to consider funding. Lisa, a town finance staff member, confirmed the town would not pay for the developer’s required yellow work but could fund the blue extensions; commissioners discussed deferring the larger mall extension (a roughly $40,000 item in the draft) to FY27 while possibly funding a smaller $20,000 extension near the hospital in FY26.
The technical plan would reduce certain through-car lanes to create bike lanes and shared-use paths in places. Staff said some sections would have an 8-foot shared-use path, while curbside bike lanes adjacent to travel lanes would be striped. Several commissioners raised safety concerns. “The most dangerous place for a bicyclist is an intersection,” Mayor Eddy said, and several asked how proposed crossings on Maryland Route 24 would be handled; staff replied crosswalks and signalized crossings would be used and some sidewalks widened to eight feet where they would function as shared-use paths.
Commissioner Taylor and others voiced skepticism about narrowing vehicle lanes and noted that narrower lanes tend to slow drivers but can increase motorists’ discomfort. Staff explained the developer’s medians and center-turn restrictions aim to calm traffic and that intersections — not midblock lane counts — generally determine traffic capacity.
Related park and trail proposals discussed included: - a Giles-to-Maitland connection (a narrow path between residential lots; staff said drainage and landowner outreach are needed before proceeding), - a potential Lynnwood/Shamrock connection through woods to link Linwood and Rockfield Park (staff recommended first asking John Carroll/Archdiocese about an easement), and - an Alice Ann Park package that includes a fitness cluster and paved connection to Lester Way (staff received bids that raised the local match estimate; they recommended a $25,000 town match against possible grants).
Why it matters: The bike/ped projects are meant to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity across Bel Air and to link the Mom Paw Trail, Kelly Fields and the Hartford Mall. Commissioners weighed connectivity and active-transportation goals against motorist experience and intersection safety.
Budget decisions: Staff recommended postponing the $40,000 mall-side augmentation to FY27 and asked commissioners to decide now about a smaller $20,000 extension near the hospital; commissioners indicated the hospital-side extension was suitable for FY26 funding while the mall extension could wait.
Next steps: Staff will provide counts or other cyclist-use data when available, confirm timing for developer work (the developer told staff it planned to start work in early 2026), and continue outreach to property owners and John Carroll about easements and drainage concerns.
