Special committee to address Shelby sidewalk issues
Shelby is forming a special city committee to address the growing concerns over pedestrian safety and the lack of sidewalks in certain areas.
Councilman Nathan Martin, chairman of the Utilities and Streets Committee, proposed the formation of the ad hoc committee during a recent council meeting.
”The first part we talked about, and obviously this is the most extensive part of our meeting, was dealing with sidewalks,” Councilman Martin told the City Council on May 15.
He spoke of the need for a strategic plan for sidewalks throughout the community.
”The primary reason for that conversation has evolved around the safety of pedestrians, mainly residents walking the street where no sidewalks are located or are available,” he said. “It is a safety issue. It needs to be discussed to make sure pedestrians are protected.”
”At the request of the committee, the administration was asked to discuss, research the topic,” Martin continued in reference to the Utilities and Streets Committee.
The administration did the research, he said.
”What they found is that the planning commission authorized the exemption of sidewalks in numerous subdivisions and, thus, removing the developer or homeowners from installing sidewalks at that time,” Martin said.
Few meeting records are available from the archives on this matter, but the administration does not have a statutory authority to overturn those decisions of the planning commission, Martin said.
”That’s the official stance of the administration and of the committee. Basically what was done, was done. We’re accepting that,” Martin said.
”It’s the recommendation of the administration that council entertain an ad hoc committee for the discussion of sidewalk construction and repair for the community as a whole,” Martin detailed.
”Ordinance 14-2019 does provide statutory authority to address the construction and repair of sidewalks, but council provides that direction,” Martin further explained.
The same applies under the Shelby City Charter in Section 94, which provides the underlying statutory authority to address construction/ repair of sidewalks, Martin said.
”Again, council provides that direction,” he said.
”So the administration feels that they would have difficulties in developing the strategic plan based on the fact that council is the main directing point of that,”
Martin said.
In a significant decision, the current planning commission recently met and decided to mandate sidewalks on Technology Parkway and a section of Glenwood Drive between Samantha Drive and Technology, Martin also said.
”The new sidewalks on Technology Parkway were provided, paid for by the owner of the property on Technology Parkway up there,” Martin said.
”The vision/desire was to have sidewalks for the residents to use. The owner of Lloyd Rebar witnessed many walkers, runners in the street, and decided to follow through with the vision for the safety of the pedestrian because they obviously have a lot of trucks moving in and out of there. So I appreciate that,” Martin said.
He motioned “that council establish an ad hoc committee for the discussion of sidewalk construction/repair within the community as a whole.”
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag presided over the meeting as the request was made.
”We have a motion by Mr. Martin and a second by Mr. Gates to establish an ad hoc committee to
study and give direction in regard to the construction and repair of sidewalks citywide,” Schag said in summarizing the request and referencing Councilman Garland Gates.
Martin spoke of the significance of the committee.
”I think that having such a committee, first of all, it would take this out of our standing committees, give it a little more. I don’t know if importance is the word, but similar to what we do with parking, making sure that we have a system in place to kind of look at where we are with the sidewalks and the community,” he said.
”And if there’s even a need for making changes or addressing that, and having an avenue for that as well as an avenue for discussion from the public within that framework. I think that it would be a good thing going forward,” Martin added.
The vote was 5-0 with Martin and Gates joined by Councilmen Charles Roub, Derrin Roberts, and Steve Mclaughlin in establishing the ad hoc committee.
”I believe the rules of council require we name or give the responsibility of naming committee members to the president of council” – the mayor, Councilman Gates mentioned. “Rule 5, Committees, paragraph 1: Presiding officer shall appoint committees as deemed necessary for the efficient handling of council business.”
Mayor Schag then made the appointments, stating, “Councilman Martin and Councilman Gates will make up the ad hoc committee. You gentlemen, of course, will set the date as you see fit, and those will be public meetings.”
Councilman Martin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I appreciate that. If my colleagues will give me a week or so, I’ll make sure we get some things on the schedule as far as that goes.”
The committee’s first meeting is now planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 in the conference room at 5 Water St. in Shelby, the city later announced.
The formation of the
ad hoc committee comes a little more than three months after Martin renewed his concern, first expressed in late 2020, over a lack of sidewalks in the community.
”...My hope is that we look at a more comprehensive program, especially considering the vast amount of areas that are not compliant with having sidewalks,” Martin said at the Feb. 6, 2023 City Council meeting. ”Whether they’re grandfathered or not, that’s a question of whether that’s actually the case.”
On May 15, Martin also highlighted the significance of addressing the concerns raised by citizens during an earlier meeting, particularly regarding specific areas.
”There was significant discussion during a portion of it. There were six or seven citizens who expressed their concerns regarding the sidewalks and specifically along Glenwood, Samantha Drive area, the Technology Parkway, etc. like that,” Councilman Martin said.
”My hope is that the ad hoc committee will provide an avenue for further discussion and bringing concerns from citizens and us to come
up with a solution if indeed we deem that there is a solution we seek,” he said.
The formation of the ad hoc committee demonstrates the city of Shelby’s commitment to addressing sidewalk issues and prioritizing pedestrian safety. With Councilman Martin leading the committee and Councilman Gates joining him, the residents can look forward to a dedicated effort in finding solutions to the sidewalk issues and ensuring the safety of pedestrians throughout the city.
Mayor Schag praised the team of Martin and Gates, who already serve together on the Finance Committee and have worked together on other issues. “You two make a dynamic duo,” the mayor said.
This is the second ad hoc committee formed in 13 months within Shelby.
In April 2022, one was named to address parking issues, focusing on downtown Shelby. Councilman Roberts is chairman of that committee, which includes Councilman Roub, who suggested the committee’s formation. It features Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs as the administrative liaison.