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Commissioners weigh sidewalk extension on Primrose, consider school-facilities tax and sidewalk-in-lieu funds
Summary
Commissioners discussed proposed sidewalk work on the north side of Primrose and adjacent connections, noting right-of-way donations, rising construction costs and potential funding from the town’s sidewalk-in-lieu fund and school facilities tax.
At the June 23 work session commissioners discussed a multi-segment sidewalk proposal that would extend pedestrian infrastructure near Primrose, the Morton Britton House and Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
Commissioner Carpenter presented the project and said the town’s sidewalk-in-lieu fund holds about $54,000. Staff estimated the construction plus engineering for a single leg of the proposal would be on the order of $100,000; the commissioner proposed using the sidewalk-in-lieu funds for roughly half the cost and supplementing any remainder from the school facilities tax fund.
Staff said property owner Tommy Duggar has agreed to donate right-of-way for part of the project, reducing acquisition costs. Commissioners discussed practical obstacles: steep grades in front of Duggar’s property (which could require retaining walls), drainage concerns near Ebenezer Church, and the need to determine whether adjacent property owners might be required to construct sidewalks when they redevelop.
Commissioners and staff agreed Section A of the proposal — the northern Primrose leg where right-of-way is available from the property owner — was highest priority and feasible within current funds if in-house engineering and modest additional funding are available. Staff cautioned engineering costs can be large and noted prior sidewalk projects’ engineering exceeded early estimates.
The board directed staff to evaluate whether engineering can be performed in-house or whether consultant engineering will be required, identify exact drainage work tied to the sidewalk, and return with cost estimates and funding options at the July work session. TAPS (the town’s walk-bike committee) and staff will coordinate to ensure crosswalk/traffic-safety features are adequate where sidewalks would channel schoolchildren across Nolensville Road.
