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Pepper Pike council debates whether to extend 10‑foot multi‑purpose trail or match 5‑foot sidewalks along Lander Road
Summary
Staff presented alternates to extend the Gates Mills Boulevard multi‑purpose Trail to Ursin and north along Lander Road. Council debated 10‑foot asphalt (grant‑eligible multi‑purpose trail) versus 5‑foot concrete (aesthetic consistency). Staff will pursue price negotiations for a 5‑foot concrete alternate and may call a special meeting to approve a change order.
City staff returned to council with alternatives for extending the Gates Mills Boulevard multi‑purpose Trail along Lander Road, laying out no‑build, a 5‑foot concrete sidewalk and 8‑ or 10‑foot asphalt multi‑purpose trail options. The discussion focused on functioning as a multi‑purpose trail (bicycles and strollers), grant conditions that require a 10‑foot paved trail to the Ursin campus, and the visual and maintenance trade‑offs of asphalt vs. concrete.
Don, the city project manager, explained that the grant application specified a 10‑foot asphalt spur to the Ursin South entrance and that the city is bound to construct that segment as submitted. “If you were to decide not to do the last 800 feet…you'd lose the grant,” staff said, noting the 10‑foot asphalt standard is the minimum design for a multi‑purpose trail anticipating bicycles and stroller traffic.
Several residents from Answorth and council members urged a 5‑foot concrete sidewalk for the extension north of the circle to match other City sidewalks and for aesthetic and long‑term durability reasons. One council member argued consistency and appearance favored concrete; another said aesthetics should not override the grant obligations and recommended keeping the 10‑foot asphalt where the grant requires it.
A council member moved to accept the five‑foot concrete alternate between the south and north driveways. Staff noted a wide spread among alternate bids for that item and asked council for latitude to negotiate with the contractor performing the project or to pursue a change order with the sidewalk contractor to achieve a lower price. Council expressed support for staff to negotiate pricing and to return with a firm contract or call a special meeting to approve a change order before seasonal deadlines.
Council also discussed a special surface color/specification for recreational trails and the need to give contractors timely direction to meet the construction season. Staff said it will pursue price negotiations, seek the best price for the city and return to council with a final recommendation and, if necessary, a special meeting to award a change order.
