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City paves over sidewalk requirement

The street-scapes next to developments in Penticton’s industrial zone will not necessarily become more convenient, or perhaps safe, for pedestrians.

The street-scapes next to developments in Penticton’s industrial zone will not necessarily become more convenient, or perhaps safe, for pedestrians.

Council voted 6-1 Monday to eliminate the requirement for sidewalks within the industrial area, although the changes will still require a sidewalk to be constructed where a site is being developed adjacent to an existing sidewalk connection.

In addition, the sidewalk that currently exists along Warren Avenue East through the industrial area that connects to Dartmouth Drive, which provides pedestrian access from the Wiltse residential area through the industrial area to the commercial shopping precinct along Main Street, will be retained.

The move came after both the development services committee and city staff studied, discussed and then recommended the change.

According to the city’s development engineer Drasko Ticeric, there are various standards for different areas of the city with specific requirement for sidewalks: on one side of the road, both sides of the road or for none at all.

He said current city bylaws require the construction of sidewalks on both sides of the road within the area.

“This requirement has been regulated inconsistently,” he reported. “In most circumstances the developer has provided cash in lieu for the sidewalk. In other cases, the requirement for the sidewalk has been waived through the development variance process.”

According to city staff, the industrial area is “primarily auto-oriented” and does not generally create “pedestrian-oriented activity.”

Only Coun. Garry Litke voted against the change.

“I agree that the current regulations might be too onerous and unreasonable for the industrial area, but I think to completely eliminate sidewalks from that area would be a mistake because once eliminated we cannot go back,” said Litke, who noted he sees many workers walking in the streets of the industrial zone during lunch and after work.

“Not everyone that works in the industrial zone drives a car,” he said. “So I think the complete removal of sidewalks would be a mistake. I agree there doesn’t have to be one on both sides of the street but on one side of the street on some of the streets I think would be a good compromise.”