Anderson City council adopts Complete Streets guideline, assigns BPAC advisory role

The Anderson City Common Council on Aug. 21, 2025, voted to adopt Resolution 13-25, a Complete Streets guideline and policy intended to guide future street design and development and to formalize the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission's (BPAC) advisory role in project planning.

Council members said the resolution had been tabled previously for language revisions; the version approved at the special meeting incorporates changes discussed between council members and the administration and was approved for form and legality by council counsel. "My hope is that this enacts real change," Ben said during the discussion, describing the aim of the policy to build safer streets from the design phase onward.

The resolution clarifies that BPAC is an advisory body with authority under the ordinance that created it to advise multiple city departments. According to language discussed at the meeting, BPAC is composed of nine members: three appointed by the mayor, two appointed by the city council and four who serve by virtue of office (superintendent of parks and recreation, superintendent of the street department, the city engineer and the metropolitan planning organization executive director). Members serve three-year terms and may designate an alternate to attend in their stead. The council also discussed whether BPAC members must be sworn in; that procedural question was left to staff to confirm.

Councilors pressed for implementation and oversight. Some members said they were concerned in prior years that advisory input arrived too late in projects, after design decisions had been made. One council member said he wants the impetus for implementation to rest with the engineering department, the Board of Works and the mayor's office rather than being solely on BPAC. Councilor Hartless said she remained cautious but would vote in favor: "While I am still on the fence about this and my confidence level is not real high about the success level of this partnership, I'm hopeful ... I do think this does need to happen though, and therefore my vote is yes."

Council members also noted operational details the city would need to provide for BPAC to play an active role, including regular meeting schedules and advance access to paving plans. During the meeting a councilor said portions of the upcoming paving budget will focus on redoing alleys downtown; councilors asked whether those projects would be designed to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians or only vehicles. Staff and the city engineer were asked to provide paving schedules and project lists so BPAC could engage earlier in the planning process.

The council voted to adopt Resolution 13-25. The vote was recorded as: Turner, yes; Hartless, yes; Dixon, yes; Cole, yes; Landers, yes; Graham, yes; Newman, yes; President Stevenson, yes. After the vote, a council member moved to adjourn and the meeting ended.