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Staff proposes rerouting Creekside sidewalks off Ninth Street; council asks for on-site review
Summary
Staff recommended an alternate sidewalk alignment using existing neighborhood sidewalks (via Griffith and Walnut) instead of installing a new sidewalk along heavy-traffic Ninth Street; council asked for field review and more information on right-of-way and easements.
City staff brought forward a proposed amendment to the Creekside development agreement on Oct. 7 that would relocate a planned sidewalk alignment off Ninth Street and instead use a safer route through existing neighborhood streets and sidewalks.
Municipal development staff explained the original Creekside agreement called for extending sidewalks along Ninth Street (from Popwood/Griffith toward Elm and then to State Street and Creekside). Staff said the Ninth Street corridor has limited right-of-way, significant utility poles and other constraints that make a continuous 5-foot sidewalk difficult without acquiring property or easements from multiple homeowners. Staff presented an alternate route that would use existing sidewalks via Griffith and Walnut with a short new segment on Walnut to connect to State Street and Creekside, and said the alternate would provide a safer pedestrian path and the same linear footage of sidewalk without the same level of property impacts.
Council members asked whether the original developer was attempting to avoid sidewalks; staff clarified this was a staff-proposed relocation for safety and constructability, not a developer evasion. Council members requested an on-site drive-through of Ninth Street and asked staff to return with options showing property impacts, property acquisition needs (approximately 13 properties may be affected in some scenarios) and right-of-way limitations.
Nut graf: Staff proposed rerouting the sidewalks the Creekside developer was to construct to improve pedestrian safety and avoid numerous conflicts with poles and private front yards; council asked staff for a field review and a formal comparison of options before deciding whether to amend the existing development agreement.
Ending: Staff will prepare an options memo that quantifies right-of-way impacts, potential land acquisitions and design trade-offs and will schedule a site visit for council.
