Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Sidewalks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Layton proposes $750,000 repair plan for Caves Creek sidewalks; homeowners asked to share tree-removal costs
Summary
City staff proposed replacing 3,300 feet of broken sidewalk, 260 feet of curb and 54 ADA ramps in Caves Creek Estates, attributing most damage to shallow-rooted trees. The city proposed covering sidewalk construction while asking homeowners to share 50% of tree-removal costs for trees causing current damage; the total project estimate is about $750,000.
City engineering staff presented a multi-part plan to repair extensive sidewalk damage in Caves Creek Estates, attributing most damage to root uplift from trees planted in park strips. Staff said the project includes replacing roughly 3,300 feet of sidewalk, 260 feet of curb and gutter, and updating 54 ADA ramps to current standards.
An arborist survey counted 517 trees in the subdivision and categorized each for current or potential future damage. Staff said about 163 trees have already caused damage and another 147 are likely to cause problems within five years. The city’s proposal calls for the sidewalk and ADA ramp work to be 100% city funded, while tree removal would be a 50/50 cost-share with homeowners for trees currently causing damage; homeowners would be expected to pay for any required replanting to meet the city’s approved tree list and planting requirements.
Staff described sequence logistics: a sidewalk contractor would remove and replace slabs, with a tree-removal contractor operating in close sequence to grind stumps and remove roots before the sidewalk work follows. If homeowners decline to participate in removal for trees identified as currently damaging, staff said the city ordinance allows the city to require sidewalk repair and to charge property owners for expenses if the homeowners do not comply with notices.
Estimated cost and timeline: Staff gave a preliminary total estimate of about $750,000 for repairs and removal; they said the city would cover roughly $550,000 and homeowners would be responsible for about $200,000 in tree-removal cost-share and tree-replacement costs. Staff said about 170 homes are expected to be affected and that, spread evenly, the homeowner share averages approximately $1,200 per residence (actual amounts vary by number of trees per lot). The project is proposed to start in spring, after snowmelt, and staff intends to coordinate outreach with the HOA before implementation.
Why this matters: The city framed the plan as a public-safety and ADA compliance initiative that also attempts to balance homeowner responsibility under CCRs with the practical scale of work in a mature subdivision. Council members asked about enforcement mechanisms, replacement standards, HOA remedies and the potential for cooperative purchasing to lower replanting costs.
Next steps: Staff will reach out to the HOA, post maps and notices, and bring updates back to council after homeowner outreach and any legal/CCR review.
