Committee member raises sanitation liability concern over one-way alleyways in new developments

A committee member raised a public-safety and liability concern about one-way alleyways in recent residential developments.

The commenter said he had driven through some new developments and observed engineered one-way alleyways that compel vehicles to travel a single direction. He asked how garbage pickup is to be accomplished when sanitation trucks use mechanical arms and may need to operate against the designated flow of traffic. The committee member noted that, while police and fire have statutory exemptions that allow them to move against traffic, city sanitation drivers may not have the same authorization and that the city could face liability if a sanitation truck is involved in an accident while operating against the flow of traffic.

DRC members asked staff to consult the sanitation division to determine operational practices and whether the one-way configuration presents a policy or liability concern that warrants changing standard details or approval practices for new subdivisions. No formal action was taken; staff was asked to follow up with sanitation operations and report back.