News

By Jane Smith

    Delray Beach might be the first city in Florida to have a sidewalk policy.
    The program, approved unanimously June 7 by the City Commission, went into effect on June 8. It promotes the health and safety of residents, ensures modes of transportation other than vehicles and creates a clear method for spending dollars collected in areas where sidewalks can’t be built.
    “Kudos to all,” said Jim Smith, chairman of the sidewalk and cyclist advocacy group called SAFE (Safety As Floridians Expect). “It will serve as a guide for the city as it establishes objectives, goals and priorities for the construction and maintenance of sidewalks.”
    Smith told commissioners that they would be the first in Florida to have set a city sidewalk policy. His group made suggestions, including sidewalks within 2 miles of all schools and along all public roads that lead to parks, greenways/trail systems and public facilities.
    The program’s goals included his group’s suggestions and added sidewalk requirements along public roads leading to transit system stops and in the central business district.
    The policy also provides a method for citywide spending of the fees collected in such areas as historic districts where sidewalks are not part of the character of the neighborhood.
    In addition, the sidewalks will be built wide enough to allow for wheelchair access and have curb ramps, cross slopes and other features to promote accessibility.
    All told, the policy took about 10 months to create, said Mark Stivers, principal planner, who drafted the policy and sought input from city departments and outside groups.
    Stivers started to work on a text amendment to the in-lieu sidewalk fee ordinance shortly after he joined the city in July 2015. From that amendment, the city attorney suggested an overall sidewalk policy, Stivers said.  
    His boss, Planning Director Tim Stillings, told commissioners it was an “aspirational policy.”
    Mayor Cary Glickstein added, “It also is tangible. Now we can use the in-lieu funds collected.”