City staff seeks Ped/Bike committee input on Fourth Avenue sidewalk project

City staff briefed the Sandpoint Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee on a planned Fourth Avenue sidewalk project and asked committee members to inspect the corridor and prepare priority recommendations for the next meeting.

Brandon Steggen, city engineer, said Fourth Avenue between Superior (near Lake Street) and Pacific has gaps in sidewalk and that a city-funded project — previously identified in capital planning and supported by a local option tax — is in the multiyear plan. Steggen asked committee members to walk the stretch and note constraints, such as steep front-yard drops and existing curbline locations, which could affect whether the project requires moving the curb line or more complex construction.

Steggen said parts of the street have narrow right-of-way adjacent to steep slopes and that some existing sidewalks sit inside the right-of-way but not at the curb edge. Committee members asked whether the project budget is dedicated to Fourth Avenue; staff said money has been identified but exact project budget and detailed scope remain to be confirmed. Members were asked to consider priorities (connectivity, ADA access, stormwater treatment) and whether to recommend changes to the project limits.

Committee members also discussed how sidewalk construction interacts with the city’s policies on property owner responsibilities: new building permits typically trigger sidewalk requirements, and subdivisions require curb and sidewalk or bonding mechanisms before final plat. Staff emphasized that this city-funded project is distinct from individual property-triggered sidewalks and that committee recommendations should be realistic given funding constraints.

No formal action was taken. Staff said Fourth Avenue will be placed on a future agenda so the committee can present formal recommendations after walking the corridor.