Planning board approves sidewalk estimate, releases part of developer's bond for Pembroke Pines

The planning board voted to accept a town engineer estimate of $59,600 for completing the Whittemore Road sidewalk tied to the Pembroke Pines development and then approved releasing $40,320 of the phase 2 site-restoration bond back to the developer while retaining the remainder to cover potential sidewalk completion costs.

Staff explained that Kinder Morgan must relocate gas-company equipment before the sidewalk can be completed without a large jog; staff said Kinder Morgan told town officials "they are planning to move the equipment. They said by the end of September, that project, will be done," a timetable members called helpful but not a guarantee. Several board members voiced concern about relying on a third party (the gas company) to meet the schedule and questioned whether the retained bond amount would be sufficient in the event of cost escalation.

After discussion the board first voted to accept the engineer's estimate and then took a second vote to release $40,320 of the site-restoration bond. Both motions passed by voice vote with multiple 'ayes' and at least one member opposing on the grounds that pipeline relocation costs may not have been fully included in the estimate. Staff said the original sidewalk bond estimate was intended to cover the full sidewalk and that the town currently holds $100,000 for site-restoration overall; the approved approach releases a portion tied to work accepted as complete while leaving funds to ensure pedestrian accessibility can be finished if needed.

The board requested a confirmation of earlier bond figures from the town engineer and directed staff to ensure the retained funds are appropriate to complete the sidewalk in foreseeable contingencies.