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Council approves special charge to add sidewalk on portion of Silvernail Road after public comment
Summary
After public comment from nearby residents and a split recommendation from Public Works, the council unanimously approved a special-charge resolution to install sidewalk on Silvernail Road from just east of Sussex Lane to the existing sidewalk.
The Common Council voted unanimously April 15 to approve a resolution creating a special charge for property owners abutting a new sidewalk segment on Silvernail Road, extending sidewalk east from Sussex Lane to the point where an existing sidewalk ends.
The item originated at the Board of Public Works, which considered a larger proposal but recommended only the shorter section (the portion east of Sussex Lane). Several nearby residents spoke during public comment, urging the council not to require sidewalk installation on the steeper western section; they described limited pedestrian use, winter clearing burdens for older homeowners and safety concerns about maintaining a new sidewalk.
Public Works staff explained the city's normal practice: when a capital project reconstructs a roadway, new sidewalk where practical is typically constructed and costs for new sidewalk are assessed as a special charge against abutting parcels under city ordinance 6.115. Staff told the council that adding the smaller eastern section now would be less expensive than constructing it later as a standalone project; staff also provided estimated per-parcel assessment figures for the section being voted on (approximately one smaller parcel at about $1,500 and two larger segments around $4,000 each).
Alder Van Trieste said she supported excluding the steeper western stretch and wanted time to consult with affected residents; Alder Rick Lemke urged moving forward with sidewalks for long-term safety and connectivity. Following discussion, Alder Piper moved to approve the resolution as recommended by Public Works; Alder Heather Slavin seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
What passed: a resolution authorizing the city to install sidewalk along Silvernail Road from just east of Sussex Lane to the existing sidewalk and to assess abutting properties via a special charge. Staff said notices to affected owners will follow the statutory process and that construction as part of the 2025 CIP remains the lowest-cost approach.
Next steps: Staff will issue the required notices under the special-charge process and proceed with installation as part of the ongoing Silvernail Road reconstruction project unless the council later votes to extend the area under consideration.
