PRINCIPLE NO. 13 More Flexible Sidewalk Standards
Promote more flexible design standards for residential subdivision sidewalks.
Where practical, consider locating sidewalks on only one side of the street and providing common walkways linking pedestrian areas.
Notes:
Most codes require that sidewalks be placed on both sides of residential streets (e.g. double sidewalks) and be constructed of impervious concrete or asphalt. Many subdivision codes also require sidewalks to be 4 to 6 feet wide and 2 to 10 feet from the street. These codes are enforced to provide sidewalks as a safety measure. However, rather than enforcing rigid requirements across the board, developers should design sidewalks with the goal of improving pedestrian movement and diverting it away from the street.
Communities may wish to consider allowing sidewalks on only one side of the street or eliminating them where they don't make sense. Communities should also consider reducing sidewalk widths to 4 feet and placing them further from the street. In addition, sidewalks should be graded to drain to front yards rather than the street. These alternatives will reduce impervious cover or mitigate its effects while still providing practical, safe, and attractive travel paths.