Sidewalks could be a requirement: Proposal would affect new subdivisions
Developers of new or larger subdivisions could be required to build sidewalks in developed areas under a proposal being considered by members of the McMinnville Regional Planning Commission.
If passed, the regulations would apply to all proposed subdivisions that require a new street to be constructed to serve the development, or to subdivisions that contain 10 lots or more, according to a summary of the regulations. As presently proposed, regulations would require developers to install sidewalks on at least one side of the street.
The issue was raised during this month’s regular meeting and has been discussed before, but no action has been taken yet. Commission members said they want to afford time for upcoming public hearings, and indicated a formal vote on the matter could come in June at the earliest.
The proposal notes sidewalks would be built for the safety of pedestrians, school children and to facilitate an effective means of non-vehicular movement.
City planner Joe Barrett of the Local Planning Assistance Office in Cookeville, who advises the city on various planning and zoning requirements, added the city wants to increase community interaction in subdivisions.
“Basically, there are no regulations in place right now and they’re trying to encourage more interaction in different neighborhoods,” Barrett said.
As far as paying for sidewalk construction, the proposal notes the developer would be required to post funds into an escrow account to be utilized by the city, with cost estimates required to be documented to the city. Construction would be performed by the city’s Public Works Department after grading.
Barrett said funds would be estimated similarly to how road construction is estimated and noted the escrow system is common in Tennessee, noting about a third of Tennessee cities use such a system.
Also under the proposal, all sidewalks should be installed within five years after the date of the final plat approval, provided at least 75 percent of the “developable” lots have principal buildings constructed upon them.
The proposals apply only to subdivisions, one member of the planning commission said, noting the distinction between them and the city’s other sidewalks. Existing sidewalks within the city have been recently debated in part due to the re-establishment of an ordinance where police officers are supposed to issue parking tickets to people who park on sidewalks.