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Davis County staff present consolidated Active Transportation Plan, commission to consider adoption
Summary
Consultants presented a countywide Active Transportation Plan that combines 15 municipal plans into a regional network of 200+ projects and a prioritized 'top 12.' Staff said the plan is timed to feed the Utah Trail Network and identified funding options including UTN, TIF Active (40% local match) and Prop 1. Commissioners discussed right‑of‑way limits, maintenance responsibilities and next steps for adoption.
Consultants for Avenue Consultants told the Davis County Commission at a work session that they consolidated more than 200 projects from 15 municipal active‑transportation plans into a single countywide map and recommended a set of regional routes and funding priorities. "We brought together 65 stakeholders" to develop a shared vision and five core goals, the consultant said.
The presentation emphasized regional routes that cross municipal boundaries and nine locations with preliminary design and cost estimates, including four high‑priority crossings on busy roads such as Antelope Drive and the David Drew Canal Trail. The consultant said stakeholders identified a 'top 12' set of projects intended to be geographically balanced across the county.
The county consultant also explained how the plan ties to state efforts. He said the Utah Trail Network (UTN) is collecting county routes and that "they cannot use eminent domain for trails anywhere," meaning UTN and UDOT generally prefer to work within existing right‑of‑way. He outlined other funding paths, noting the UTN program has roughly $45 million annually and describing TIF Active grants — which, he said, require a 40% local match — as another potential lever. He cited a Salt Lake City example in which $2.4 million in state funds were combined with local road work to add bike lanes.
Commissioners pressed staff on maintenance and jurisdictional responsibility. County staff said the county currently maintains pavement on three regional trails (Legacy, West Davis and the DNRG) but does not perform snow removal; most trails and winter maintenance are the responsibility of the cities. Commissioners also asked about right‑of‑way acquisition and whether preservation or Prop 1 funds could buy land; the consultant said UTN prefers to stay inside existing rights‑of‑way and that acquiring private property is difficult but possible.
The consultant said the project website and GIS data are hosted on the county site for review and that an updated final report will replace the current web download. Commissioners signaled they plan to place the Active Transportation Plan on a future commission meeting agenda for formal adoption and to coordinate outreach with UDOT and the statewide UTN process.
The work session did not include a formal vote. The commission and staff agreed on next steps that include preparing the final document for the county website and scheduling the plan for a forthcoming commission meeting where adoption can be considered.
