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Council reaffirms Sunset Drive sidewalk project and limits budget to $1 million; engineering to finalize design options
Summary
Vista City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the previously approved Sunset Drive sidewalk project and to limit expenditures to a $1 million budget while staff finalizes designs and materials.
Council Member O'Donnell brought forward a long-standing sidewalk project for Sunset Drive after multiple residents described walking conditions on the street as hazardous and inconsistent.
Residents told the council that parts of Sunset Drive lack continuous sidewalks, forcing pedestrians onto narrow shoulders, dirt and gravel. "By putting a curb or a beat median or an edge at the limit line, creating a safe place to walk and keeping the traffic in their lanes would be greatly appreciated," said a long-time resident who testified.
Council discussion recognized the project's history: the council had previously approved and budgeted the project but later deferred execution pending a broader sidewalk prioritization effort. O'Donnell argued the city should honor the prior approval and move forward, noting frequent pedestrian use and safety risks.
Council members discussed technical constraints, including limited right-of-way in parts of the corridor. Several members suggested lower-cost alternatives such as decomposed-granite (DG) paths where full concrete sidewalks are infeasible; staff noted DG is roughly 30% less costly but can require more maintenance. The deputy mayor and others suggested the corridor could be eligible for pilot street-lighting enhancements, and staff confirmed the engineering team believes the $1 million budget would cover an appropriate scope but asked to be allowed to return with final costings and drawings.
Councilmember O'Donnell moved to reaffirm the original approval and implementation of the Sunset Drive sidewalk project and to proceed within an allocated budget of $1,000,000, with direction for staff to return if costs exceed that amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Ending: Public Works will develop final engineering designs, consider DG and other context-sensitive materials where right-of-way is limited, and return with a construction schedule and any required easement or utility coordination.
