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Middleton advisory committee reviews Active Transportation Plan; neighbors urge alternate trail routing and pedestrian-signal fixes
Summary
An advisory committee reviewed an updated Active Transportation Plan and heard residents urge alternatives to a proposed trail behind homes and fixes to pedestrian-signal timing at an Allen/Century intersection, citing privacy, wetlands and safety concerns. Staff said options and further committee review are forthcoming.
A Middleton advisory committee meeting on the Active Transportation Plan heard residents urge changes to proposed trail alignments and pedestrian-signal timing, while staff described the plan’s goals and next steps.
Resident Eric Hurley told the committee the intersection of Allen and Century avenues creates a recurring hazard for pedestrians when drivers see a red traffic light but the pedestrian 'crosswalk sign' does not activate for up to 15 seconds. 'It takes 15 seconds for that to turn,' Hurley said, describing drivers who begin creeping into a right turn on red while pedestrians wait. He recommended changing signal timing so the crosswalk activates both when Allen Court has the green and when eastbound Century has the green, or adding a right-turn red arrow.
The staff presentation that followed emphasized design, build and maintain goals and added a new objective to link trails with recreational facilities. Scott, the staff presenter, said the plan is organized to help staff choose strategies and pointed to an implementation road map and a set of highlighted projects for northern subdivisions that will eventually form a loop across the city.
Several nearby homeowners raised objections to a proposed trail extension behind houses on Whittley Road. 'My backyard is my sanctuary,' said Cindy Elliot of 6816 Whittley Road, who told the committee the route would undermine privacy, disturb wetlands and require a costly boardwalk through springs and habitat. She asked the committee to keep the current, park-based connection or pursue alternate routes, noting the city’s recent acquisition of 14 acres north of the outlot could provide other options.
Another neighbor, who identified themselves as Klage, summarized alternatives park staff had previously suggested—one using porous pavement along a utility easement and another flatter route that connects to the Red Tail Ridge system—both of which would reduce boardwalk length and maintenance costs.
Committee members and staff repeatedly framed those comments as input the plan should reflect before maps are finalized. Scott said the plan will be circulated to other city committees during May, and that staff hope to publish a vetted draft in time for public open houses and Bike Week community events at the end of the month. He also noted that the lines shown on the plan's maps guide future development and can be incorporated into the city’s official map, which informs developer requirements.
On neighborhood traffic-management procedures, staff described an ongoing review of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to make it easier for residents to request traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps. For sidewalk concerns, staff pointed residents to the city’s 'report a concern' tool, which accepts photos and location data and typically receives a staff response within 24 hours.
The committee backed additional engagement steps, including involving students and parents in safe-routes-to-school work, using a 'data bike' from the metropolitan planning organization to document trail conditions, and developing clearer maintenance specifications and a five-year trails plan to guide repairs and prioritization.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on the ATP; staff said they will incorporate committee and committee-of-jurisdiction feedback and return the plan to the committee after circulating it to related committees and ahead of public input sessions.
