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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-19 City Commission Packet Materials - A5. Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Commission Memorandum REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: Shawn Kohtz, City Engineer Chris Naumann, Downtown Bozeman Partnership SUBJECT: Downtown Sidewalk Zones: A Framework for Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action MEETING DATE: July 15, 2019 RECOMMENDATION: City Commission to provide direction to revise the downtown sidewalk encroachment policy and permit program. BACKGROUND: Downtown Bozeman Partnership approached the City and requested an update to the downtown sidewalk encroachment policy identifying several issues. General walkability conditions have deteriorated on the downtown sidewalks with an increase in both the number of encroachments and pedestrians utilizing downtown. The highest priority of a policy update is to ensure Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards are met. Current requirements are defined in Bozeman Municipal Code 34.05 – Downtown Sidewalk Encroachment Program. Establishing well defined sidewalk zones consistent with National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Street Design Guide with specific allowed uses may provide better compliance with standards and improve the walkable character of downtown. UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None. FISCAL EFFECTS: None. ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission. Attachment: Downtown Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Presentation 572 A Framework for Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Downtown Sidewalk Zones 573 Downtown Sidewalk Zones Downtown Encroachment Policy needs to be updated to ensure uniform zones for designated purposes. ADA requirements and best-practices provide a very simple framework to ensure our sidewalks accommodate everyone and all uses. 574 Downtown Sidewalk Zones The “Furnishing Zone”is home to all of the streetscape amenities such as trees, bike racks, trash and recycling receptacles. Along Main Street this zone is approximately 4-5 feet wide from the back of the curb. Source: NACTO National Association of City Transportation Officials 575 Downtown Sidewalk Zones The “Pedestrian Zone”is the most important of the three zones with a minimum of 6 feet of clear area to allow people to move freely in both directions. 5 feet complies with Federal Highway Administration’s minimum ADA requirement, but 6-8 feet is preferable. Source: NACTO National Association of City Transportation Officials 576 Downtown Sidewalk Zones The “Frontage Zone” is along the building frontage where encroachments would be allowed. The width of this zone along Main Street equals about 4 feet. Encroachments include sandwich boards, planters, merchandise, and café seating. Source: NACTO National Association of City Transportation Officials 577 Downtown Sidewalk Zones The fourth zone involves the sidewalk corners at each intersection. These areas need to be reserved for pedestrians to transition from the sidewalk pedestrian zone to the street crosswalks. Other than traffic signal standards and control boxes, these areas must remain clear of all other encroachments. The intersection zone would be delineated by a minimum distance from the outer edge of the truncated dome pedestrian ramp. Source: City of Seattle Right-of-Way Improvement Manual 578 Downtown Sidewalk Zones Another example from “Colorado Downtown Streets” manual developed by the Colorado Department of Transportation in conjunction with Colorado Main Street and Community Builders. 579 Downtown Sidewalk Zones Downtown Encroachment Policy needs to be updated to ensure maintain uniform zones for designated purposes. ADA requirements and best-practices provide a very simple framework to ensure our sidewalks accommodate everyone and all uses. 4 feet 4 feet 4 feet 580 A Framework for Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Downtown Sidewalk Zones Most Significant Policy Changes Being Proposed: •Define 4 sidewalk zones with specific purposes •Intersection, Furnishing, Pedestrian, Frontage •Require all business encroachments to be in the Frontage Zone •Side streets encroachments would be further curtailed due to 10ft sidewalk widths. •Eliminate off-site signage 581 A Framework for Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Downtown Sidewalk Zones NEXT STEPS: •City Commission Direction •Draft UDC revisions •Adopt new standards and corresponding permit policies •Effective Date: January 1, 2020 Working Group: Cyndy Andrus—City Mayor Andrea Surratt—City Manager Anna Rosenberry—Asst. City Manager Chris Saunders—Community Development Shawn Kohtz—Public Works Katherine Maines—Public Works Linda DuPriest—Public Works Consultant Chris Naumann—Downtown Bozeman Partnership Framework Presentations: Downtown URD Board—June 18, 2019 Downtown BID Board—June 25, 2019 Downtown Association Board—July 2, 2019 City Commission—July 15, 2019 582 A Framework for Revising Downtown Bozeman Sidewalk Encroachment Policy Downtown Sidewalk Zones Prepared by City Public Works Department in conjunction with the Downtown Bozeman Partnership Sources: NACTO National Association of City Transportation Officials https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design-elements/sidewalks/ Seattle Right-of-Way Improvement Standards https://streetsillustrated.seattle.gov/design-standards/ Colorado Downtown Streets Manual http://hermes.cde.state.co.us/drupal/islandora/object/co%3A26064/datastream/OBJ/view 583