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Select Board votes to keep existing downtown crosswalk safety setbacks after debate and Stantec recommendation
Summary
After hearing legal and engineering guidance and public comment, the Select Board voted to maintain current 20-foot safety setbacks at downtown crosswalks rather than immediately restoring parking spaces next to crosswalks; Stantec recommended adopting the setback ordinance language (petition 22) over the conflicting petition 26.
The Wolfeboro Select Board on May 6 voted to retain the existing safety setbacks around downtown pedestrian crossings after a lengthy debate over two voter-approved but contradictory warrant articles.
The board considered two petitioned articles: Petition 22, which the petition text described as establishing a permanent 20-foot setback from crosswalks to the nearest parking space and adoption by ordinance; and Petition 26, which asked the town to restore parking spaces immediately beyond existing crossings. Jonathan Burke of Stantec reviewed practice and recommended the town adopt the 20-foot setback approach.
A Select Board member opposed maintaining the current configuration on procedural grounds, saying the public had not been given adequate notice and that voters had recently expressed preferences. Another board member disagreed, citing safety and the state guidance that supports a setback before and after crosswalks to protect pedestrians and drivers backing from spaces.
After public comment and attorney and consultant memos in the board packet, a board motion to "maintain the existing safety setbacks for the crosswalks and to direct Public Works to mark them as they currently exist" was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript (votes entered by name on the record). The board agreed to hold a future work session that includes Stantec and other stakeholders to review downtown corridor options and signage, and to coordinate with N.H. Department of Transportation where appropriate.
