CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the 2023 and 2024 New Sidewalk Program
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On September 1, 2022, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) recommended approval of the 2023 and 2024 Annual New Sidewalk Program (approved 5-0).
BACKGROUND:
The New Sidewalk Program was established in 2004 following the adoption of the Comprehensive Sidewalk Policy, a guiding document that defines the policies and programs for implementation of the pedestrian component of Naperville’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The New Sidewalk Program annually installs new public sidewalk in locations that are lacking sidewalk along the roadway (sidewalk gaps). Every few years, locations for a multi-year program are reviewed by TAB and the City Council for approval. To date, the program has installed 13.8 miles of sidewalk in 118 gap locations.
Gap locations are prioritized using a scoring system that takes into account numerous factors such as roadway classification, proximity to schools, connectivity to the existing sidewalk network, presence of sidewalk on the opposite side of the roadway, and constructability. During consideration of previous programs, City Council expressed support for locations that are beneficial to students, are located within the City’s corporate boundaries, do not pose considerable constructability challenges, and are located in front of incorporated properties. Therefore, locations that do not meet these criteria are filtered out.
To provide greater opportunity for resident input, property owners who live along high-scoring neighborhood gap locations are then surveyed before those locations are proposed to TAB. Locations with a high level of opposition are removed from near-term consideration. Gaps along arterial roadways are prioritized based on vehicular speeds and volumes.
DISCUSSION:
In preparation for the upcoming New Sidewalk Program, City staff identified the highest-scoring 36 neighborhood gaps and sent surveys to all 248 adjacent properties. The surveys requested property owners provide a response expressing either their support for or opposition to sidewalk being constructed in the proposed locations.
After removing locations that were opposed by two-thirds of respondents, notification letters were then sent to the properties located along the 17 remaining locations. These letters informed residents that their block is under consideration for near-term sidewalk installation and invited them to attend the upcoming TAB meeting to provide additional feedback. There was one contingency location approved in 2019 that has not been scheduled for construction, and this location was brought forward into the proposed 2023-2025 program.
All identified high-priority arterial gap locations have been scheduled for construction, but staff identified one arterial gap location falling into the medium-priority category, which is defined as a posted speed limit under 40 mph but an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 20,000 vehicles per day or greater. Notification letters were sent to the properties located along these locations, informing property owners that this gap segment was under consideration for near-term sidewalk installation and inviting them to attend the upcoming TAB meeting to provide feedback.
In addition, two locations were identified that do not meet the typical gap sidewalk selection process criteria. Both locations are in front of City-owned property. One location, along Bauer Road, was identified during the review process for the Avenida development. The other location, on Stauffer Drive, was identified through a resident request. Notification letters were sent to the properties located near these locations, informing property owners that this location was under consideration for near-term sidewalk installation and inviting them to attend the upcoming TAB meeting to provide feedback.
Transportation Advisory Board
At the September 1, 2022 TAB meeting, staff presented the gap locations. Based on annual funding, property owner support, and neighborhood groupings, staff proposed locations for a 2023, 2024, and 2025 program.
Seven residents provided testimony in person, and two residents provided input via email. Residents expressed opposition to sidewalk on Franklin Ave, Wright St, West St, Victoria Ct, and Cottage Ave, citing existing landscaping and the lack of a perceived need for a sidewalk. These 5 locations were all in the proposed 2025 program. One resident expressed support for the Stauffer Dr sidewalk extension, and one resident provided general feedback on the selection process. The meeting minutes and resident feedback are attached.
Based on the selection process and public input received, TAB approved the 2023 and 2024 New Sidewalk Program recommendation, with the additional guidance that staff should further investigate the resident concerns heard and revisit the 2025 program. The attached maps depict which construction year each location is planned for.
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2023 Program |
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Washington St from Osler Dr to Gartner Rd - East |
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Bauer Rd from Royal St George to West St - North |
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Sleight St from Wellner Rd to Hillside Rd - East |
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Sunset Dr from Thornwood Dr to Loomis St - North |
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Thornwood Dr from Sunset Dr to Hillside Rd - East |
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2024 Program |
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Stauffer Dr from Hidden Springs to DuPage River Trail - South* |
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10th Ave from Webster St to Main St - North |
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12th Ave from Eagle St to Webster St - North |
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12th Ave from Main St to Washington St - North |
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14th Ave from Eagle St to Main St - South |
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Webster St from 14th Ave to 12th Ave - East |
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Main St from 14th Ave to 11th Ave - West |
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11th Ave from Webster St to Washington St - North |
*Note: this connection was recently completed as part of a joint initiative with the Naperville Park District.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The New Sidewalk Program has traditionally been programmed at $300,000 per year. Consistent with past funding levels, the proposed Calendar Year 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program includes $300,000 for the New Sidewalk Program in CY23 and CY24.