City staff in Penticton are recommending that the Martin Street bike lane go on a “sign diet” to address feedback from the community.
Council asked staff on Aug. 1, to review the section in a joint motion from councillors Campbell Watt, Ryan Graham and Amelia Boultbee.
That review is now complete and it included consultation with businesses along the street, as well as with residents.
One of the main points of issue from residents was the number of signs along the bike lane and staff are recommending that about 40 of them be removed, along with eliminating two driveways.
First, the city is proposing to close off the connection between Martin Street and the parking lot at Slackwater Brewing. The other driveway proposed to be axed is access to a city parking lot in the 300 block of Martin Street.
The dezign-line produce and wavy barrier between the lane and the street is also up for replacement, with staff proposing black bollards, concrete barriers and landscaped planters instead.
The changes, if council approves them, would cost an estimated $200,000. That cost would come out of the city’s gaming reserve, which stood at $1.8 million as of December 2022, according to the staff report to council.
Council will weigh what to do with the project at their Oct. 3 meeting.
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