Subject
title
Authorization for the City Manager to Sign License Agreements for the Construction of a Sidewalk along Virginia Avenue between Woodland Road and England Terrace.
end
Department
PW - Traffic & Transportation
Recommendation
Staff recommends authorization for the City Manager to sign license agreements with property owners at 107 Virginia Avenue and 200 England Terrace for the Department of Public Works to install a sidewalk along the east side of Virginia Avenue between Woodland Road and England Terrace.
Discussion
Residents along Virginia Avenue completed and submitted a sidewalk petition to the Department of Public Works (DPW) in early 2024. The segment of Virginia Avenue between Woodland Road and England Terrace does not have a sidewalk on either side of the street and is often used by residents and pedestrians in the surrounding area for a shorter route to the Rockville Metrorail Station. DPW works to reduce the number of streets in the city without sidewalks through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and the Sidewalks capital improvement projects as well as through community-initiated requests such as this.
City staff evaluated the feasibility of installing a sidewalk on this segment and proposed two alternatives to the residents. The residents identified a sidewalk along the east side of the street as the better option. However, this section requires removing three trees on private property. City staff sought opportunities to limit the tree impacts such as using permeable pavement, encroaching onto the roadway, or reducing the sidewalk width by a foot; however, these methods were deemed infeasible. Residents were made aware of the tree impacts.
The City Attorney’s Office prepared agreements between the City and property owners identifying the need to enter private property and remove the trees to build the sidewalk. The property owners of the impacted properties have signed the agreements (Attachment 1).
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time that this agenda item has been brought to the Mayor and Council.
Public Notification and Engagement
DPW staff has worked directly with the residents along Virginia Avenue between Woodland Road and England Terrace to identify a feasible sidewalk alignment, consider alternatives, and evaluate impacts of a new sidewalk.
Fiscal Impact
This project will be funded through the Sidewalks: FY21 - FY25 CIP (Attachment 2).
Next Steps
After the agreements are fully executed, DPW staff will continue to coordinate with residents and plan for the construction of the sidewalk in spring 2025.