Published: May 19, 2008 10:10 pm            

WHEATFIELD: Subdivision sidewalks debated

A local developer wants to include sidewalks in a new subdivision, but some town officials are concerned about the precedent it may set.

The issue came up for discussion during Monday night’s Town Board meeting, where officials expressed some concerns about who will maintain the sidewalks and whether allowing them in the new development will cost the town by creating additional requests to install sidewalks on existing streets.

Home builder James Zetes wants to put sidewalks in the Stoneridge development off of Shawnee Road. Supervisor Tim Demler said he’s not opposed to them, but the town currently lacks a policy on who will maintain sidewalks — neighborhood residents, a homeowners association or the town.

“We just can’t do this by the seat of our pants,” Demler said after the meeting. Also at issue is whether some residents even want the sidewalks. Demler said some people do, but others don’t, because they enjoy the rural feel the town has without them.

Demler said the town should maintain sidewalks, including clearing them in the winter and making any needed repairs. Town Attorney Robert O’Toole is going to examine a possible sidewalks policy.

The town could require that the Planning Board mandate sidewalks for subdivisions as a condition of approval. Zetes said that’s the case in Grand Island.

“Every new subdivision is required to put in sidewalks,” he said. “You need someplace for people to walk. In this subdivision, we would pay for the initial sidewalks as the houses are being built.”

Part of the problem, Demler said, is that if the town allows sidewalks in Stoneridge, residents along streets that don’t have sidewalks may want them, too.

“The more there are, the more work there is,” the supervisor said. “But we need a policy. Talk is cheap.”

Also on Monday, the Town Board adopted a local law regulating portable storage units, known as PODS. The law prohibits PODS from being placed in a front yard or a driveway for more than 30 days. The unit must be removed within that time period, unless the property owner files a written request for an extension.

The board scheduled a public hearing for 6:45 p.m. June 16 for a local law on campgrounds and RV parks, and another hearing for 7 p.m. that night on the Edgewater Subdivision.

        

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