Sandpoint lowers sidewalk fee
SANDPOINT — A reduced sidewalk fee was unanimously approved by the City Council Wednesday, along with two related code changes.
The fee was created to avoid the construction of new sidewalks across single lots that do not connect to an existing sidewalk on either side, sometimes referred to as “sidewalks to nowhere.” When a property owner is required to construct a new sidewalk across their property frontage, the code allows them to pay an in-lieu fee based on the width of their public street frontage. According to the original wording, funds from the fees are placed into a dedicated fund based on the “public land survey system” quarter section, and any fees must be spent within the same quarter section where the property is located.
The reduction will take the fee from $144 to $60. This change was recommended for several reasons, including that the current fee costs three times as much as a sidewalk, which incentivized property owners to build “sidewalks to nowhere,” accomplishing the opposite of what the program was designed for.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
