Trib: Battle over potential sidewalk ordinance heats up in Ross

mcknight

This is what pedestrians face in one of the few spots on McKnight Rd that acknowledges their existence

Ross Township Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee, Walk Bike Ross, fighting for better pedestrian connections

Ross Township Business and Economic Development Corporation representative opposes sidewalks – says they are a danger to pedestrians

Find out more about the Walk Bike Ross and other bike/ped committees on our Take Action page.

A proposal to require sidewalks outside new or renovated Ross businesses is generating dissension in the township, as one local group lobbies for more pathways for walking and biking and a business association questions the move.

Ross commissioners could adopt an ordinance later this fall to formalize sidewalk requirements.

The ordinance could require developers to add sidewalks to plans for new businesses across the township, and force businesses that renovate structures to add them. Officials, meanwhile, recently asked for sidewalks to be added to two projects.

“We’ve missed a lot of good opportunities in the past to add in pedestrian connections, and I don’t want us to miss any more opportunities to make it a pedestrian-friendly area,” Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer said.

David Martin, who leads the Ross Township Business and Economic Development Corporation, disagrees.

“The business community is totally against the sidewalks,” said Martin, whose organization represents 60 businesses. “How am I supposed to ask businesses to come in with that?”

Businesses would incur higher costs if they have to build sidewalks, Martin said, and the result could be fewer businesses coming to the township. He said putting sidewalks on busy roads doesn’t make sense because it will be dangerous to have pedestrians walking along them as cars zip by.

Read the full article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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