Alternative Pedestrian Routes to Parking Areas, Neighborhoods, and Businesses

• Author: Kyler Massner
• Pages: 118-125

118 Sustainable Development Code: Climate Change

ALTER NATIVE PED EST RIAN

ROUT ES TO PARKI NG

AREA S, NE IGH BOR HOO DS,

AND BUS INE SSE S

Kyler Massner (author)

Charlie Cowell, Jonathan Rosenbloom & Brett DuBois (editors)

INTRODUCTION

Local governments seeki ng to increase pedestrian mobility can help by enact-

ing ordinances that require a lternative pedestrian routes to and from parking

areas, neighborhoods , and businesses.1 Alternative pedest rian routes include

pathways that allow pedestrians safe passage.2 S ome examples include dedi-

cated bicycle or pedestrian pathways over 8 feet wide th at connect to existing

paths.3 At a minimum, these ordinances prioritize pedestrian mobility and

require developers to provide pedestrian infrastructure.4 In addition, these

ordinances strongly disfavor culs-de-sac or dead-end streets which are per-

mitted only if the developer provides a “cut through” or “access” easement

for pedestrians, or to protect environmental features such a s rivers, forest,

and ha bitats.5

When a local government seeks to require alternative pedestrian routes

in its zoning or subdivision codes, success c an be best realized when accom-

panied by a pedestrian mobility section within a comprehensive plan that

identies current and future pedestrian needs.6 In conjunction with ordi-

nances, such a plan can be used to develop a complete system of alterna-

tive pedestrian pathways with safe crossings, ecient routes, and a variety of

pedestrian facilities. With a comprehensive plan in place, local governments

can require compliance with the plan for all required pathways/sidewalks on

new or rede velopment projects .7

Whether or not a local government chooses to develop a pedestrian plan,

requirements for alternative pedestrian routes can be done within existing

codes as either stand-alone ordinances or in st andards for district or overlay

zones. ese ordinances require all new or redevelopment projects to install

pathways which connect to existing pedestrian infrastructure.8 ese ordi-

nances also require developers to provide multiple alternative pedestrian

pathway options to areas both on and o site, which are visible, convenient,