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Northampton disability commission urges flexibility in Complete Streets ordinance to stretch sidewalk funds
Summary
City DPW Director Lascalia told the Disability Commission the 2015 Complete Streets ordinance's concrete-and-both-sides requirements are forcing frequent waivers and limiting the number of sidewalks the city can repair; the commission asked DPW to draft targeted edits and return in December with Planning Director Carolyn Nish.
The Northampton Disability Commission on Oct. 8 heard a detailed presentation from Department of Public Works Director Lascalia on how the city's 2015 Complete Streets ordinance affects sidewalk repairs and paving choices.
Director Lascalia told commissioners the ordinance began as a state grant requirement tied to Pleasant Street reconstruction and is now an "aspirational" policy that in practice can constrain how the city uses limited funds. "The complete streets ordinance requires that we install concrete sidewalks," she said, adding that the rule to install sidewalks on both sides of many streets can consume all available money for a single project. She said that in some cases the requirement would have forced the city to spend $250,000 on concrete for one street and leave several other streets with no repairs.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the ordinance's strict material and both-sides mandates can slow repair timelines, raise taxpayer costs and reduce the number of locations the city can address with a fixed budget. Lascalia explained the city maintains long lists of infrastructure needs across roughly 160 miles of roadway and that many paving and sidewalk projects do not align geographically or financially.
The director pointed to specific sections of the ordinance that create practical problems. She described A11, which requires mill-and-overlay projects to include appropriate traffic-calming, accessibility improvements and sidewalks in priority areas, and B1, which directs concrete (or bituminous) sidewalks on both sides of streets in business and dense residential districts and within radiuses of schools and downtown centers. "If you're mill and overlaying, even if you're just doing this, you must be doing work on the sidewalks," Lascalia said.
Commissioners pressed for options. Councilor Jeremy Debs asked for a comparison of concrete and asphalt on durability and ADA compliance; Lascalia responded that while concrete panels are durable and more common in large cities, they are more expensive and need special de-icing agents to avoid surface damage. Several commissioners suggested small textual edits to add discretion, such as inserting the words "if feasible" into the ordinance language so Public Works can choose lower-cost, code-compliant alternatives where appropriate.
Process and next steps: Commissioners agreed they want to see draft amendments before the next meeting. Director Lascalia said she and Planning Director Carolyn Nish would prepare suggested edits and return in December to present them. "I would certainly be prepared with some suggestions if you felt like that would be appropriate," she said.
Money and priorities: Councilor Debs reported that City Council reappropriated about $823,000 for sidewalks; the DPW's multi-page priority list will not cover every spot with that amount. Commissioners flagged high priority locations, including Bedford Terrace, North Elm Street near schools, and numerous spots in the South Street neighborhood. Commissioners noted state-funded projects such as Picture Main Street and gas-line work by Eversource may influence what the city can accomplish locally.
Public input and outreach: Two public commentators urged clarity and outreach: one asked the commission to consider more inclusive language than "walkability" to reflect non-ambulatory mobility, and another said Picture Main Street schematics do not adequately address the needs of people using walkers and wheelchairs and asked how DOT and DPW have reached mobility-impaired residents.
What did not happen: The commission did not vote to adopt any ordinance changes at this meeting. Members indicated they want to review DPW's proposed edits and discuss a recommended approach before making a formal referral to City Council.
The commission plans to review the draft edits at its December meeting, when Director Lascalia said she will bring Planning Director Carolyn Nish to present the proposed language and rationale.
