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Board debate highlights DOT policy shift on Route 9W sidewalks
Summary
Planning staff told the board DOT now favors sidewalks in the state right‑of‑way under complete‑streets policies, prompting discussion about continuity of sidewalks on Route 9W and whether to require a sidewalk reservation or easement at the Mekeel site.
Board members used the Mekeel site discussion to revisit sidewalk policy along Route 9W, where connectivity gaps and crossing safety were raised as practical concerns for requiring sidewalks on one side of the road.
Pat Hines summarized DOT's recent practice shift: "DOT's policy has done a complete 180 in the last five or six years. They used to want them on the private property. Now sidewalks are on state highways. For their complete streets, they want them in the state right‑of‑way." Members debated whether requiring a sidewalk on the east side of the road (the site side) makes sense if the hamlet sidewalk is predominantly on the west side and would force pedestrians to use a mid‑block crossing; Steve Jennison asked whether the board should require reservations or easements to allow future sidewalks to be built without forcing unsafe crosswalks.
Board members agreed to await DOT's formal response to the Lead Agency circulation and asked staff to include County Planning's input when considering whether to require a sidewalk dedication or reservation as part of the site‑plan conditions.
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