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Commission hears neighborhood opposition to sidewalks in Northwest 7th Place and North Main project
Summary
Staff presented three design options for Northwest 7th Place and North Main with estimated costs ranging from about $3.36 million to more than $6 million; residents largely opposed sidewalks, and commissioners directed staff to return with an Option 3 variant (no sidewalks, possible shoulder/bike lane) and a May update.
City staff presented three conceptual designs and cost estimates for the Northwest 7th Place and North Main improvement project and answered extended public comment about drainage, wetlands and sidewalks. Kevin (city staff) outlined the options and warned wetland permitting, stormwater treatment and water-main replacement would be major cost drivers.
"I would assume 6,000,000 plus, for that roadway," Kevin said when describing the most extensive option that would add 36-foot paved widths and sidewalks on both sides. The staff-recommended alternative (Option 2) included a 28-foot roadway with sidewalks on one side and an estimated budget of $4,688,000. The lowest-cost schematic (Option 3) would avoid most wetland impacts and omit sidewalks and stormwater detention, with an estimated construction budget of $3,359,000.
Multiple residents urged the commission not to add sidewalks and asked that the city address recurring ditch and flooding problems first. "Who's gonna pay for this? Does our taxes gonna go up?" Suzanne Valois (a resident) asked, prompting staff to clarify funding sources. City staff and commissioners said the project has allocations in the capital improvement plan (CIP) and that the work is expected to draw on existing street and water funds rather than a new tax increase; staff cited roughly $590,000 noted in the CIP and additional planned budget allocations toward the project.
Commissioners heard technical concerns about wetlands and Alder Creek drainage, and staff said an updated wetland delineation and stormwater design will be required before final design. After public comment, commissioners conducted an informal show-of-hands poll; the room and online participants largely opposed sidewalks. Commissioners directed staff to return in about 4-6 weeks with refined Option 3 alternatives (no sidewalks, with possibilities for an extended shoulder or a dedicated bike/pedestrian path) and committed to an update in May. No formal action to select a final design was taken; staff will prepare more detailed design options and cost estimates for the commission to consider.
