Foliage blocking sight distances at intersections on Division is a problem throughout the city and I heartily endorse the proposal to address each and every one. If the homeowner doesn't comply within say a two week time period, the city should notify the homeowner that the work will be done by a contractor hired by the city, the homeowner will be billed and if the city isn't paid, there will be a lien placed on the property.
I agree that the left turn lanes on Division are in need of more work including barriers if nothing else works.
I disagree with using sharrows on Division where there is a bike path. It leads only to confusion and the very real potential for litigation that would not end in a satisfactory way for the city. I think any judge would say: "Make up your mind, city. Do you want bicycles on the streets where the law says they have a right to be? If a bicyclist has three choices (in their minds): street, bike lane or sidewalk, how are they to decide?"
Personally I don't think bicycles should EVER be allowed to share space with pedestrians on sidewalks. Even the short distance across Sand Creek to the beach should not be shared unless the bicyclist is walking his bike across.
Many of the sidewalks (dare I say most) in Sandpoint are in a terrible state where they exist and where they don't, they force adults and children to walk in the street. Voluntary compliance with the "notion" that everyone's sidewalk should be safe is problematic. Complaint driven doesn't work because neighbors don't want to offend their neighbors even when the condition of the sidewalk is very dangerous. This situation is age-old in Sandpoint (and no doubt in communities everywhere) and will never be solved until the city council bites the bullet, divides the city into ten sections, passes an LID for one section at a time and hires a contractor to bring that section into compliance. Homeowners would have 10 years to pay for the work. The second year, a second section is in an LID and so on until 10 years later, the entire city would have decent sidewalks everywhere. Of course, this takes foresight and political fortitude and those are and have always been in scarce supply wherever politicians are more concerned about being re-elected than taking a daring step to do the right thing.
This is at least the third survey/study/proposal what have you that the city has paid for in the past 30 years on these issues. As Mayor Ray Miller used to say every time someone suggested another study, "Oh, great - another 'study' to pay for, listen to the presentation and then put it on the bookshelf along side all of the other studies." He would suggest that there was enough brain power among the council and staff to forget the studies and just do what needed to be done. Alas, that has yet to happen.
My final comment is that the city council can pass new ordinances until the cows come home to adopt ideas and plans. But it all comes down to staff and money. Who will do the work or see that it is done and how will it be paid for? And perhaps most importantly, who will enforce the laws? How many officers will it take to properly monitor traffic on Division every day? How many officers will it take to monitor bicyclists using sidewalks inappropriately?
Build the sidewalks in a systematic way (LIDs) and the city will be much safer. It's just common sense.
Thank you for making these workshops available on Zoom.
On the question of 'Primary' sidewalks being created/enhanced or replaced:
1) I'm not sure what the plans are for adding a sidewalk on Ontario across from the boat launch/Memorial Field. Since the street is wider there than down the street, not to mention all of the telephone poles there, I would hope you would consider building out the sidewalk in the street. There are people who barely have enough driveway to pull out of the street who would be impacted by encroachment of a sidewalk.
2) I was very surprised to see that Lakeview Blvd and Euclid Ave were NOT included as "primary" pedestrian areas. As you know, there is no continuous sidewalk on EITHER side of Lakeview Blvd. This IS the area where people walk, bike and drive ALL DAY LONG. If you have ever been to Memorial Field during any kind of event, this is a very dangerous area as people are walking in the middle of the street to and from their cars, most often in the dark, while others are in their cars trying to get in/out of events.
I would strongly urge you to INCLUDE Lakeview Blvd and Euclid in the 'Primary Pedestrian' plan. I would also recommend new sidewalks are added on BOTH sides of Lakeview Blvd, at a minimum on one side, and at the end of Euclid Ave where it meets Lakeview. The trees have heaved up the sidewalks making it very dangerous for walkers.
Thank you.