Walkways are situated between lots, and are intended to provide access from home to work, to a park, as a route to school, or simply to a convenient store. Unfortunately, some locations attract vandalism and other criminal activity and property owners living adjacent to them sometimes request they be closed.
In December of 2009, City Council adopted a new revised policy “Walkway Evaluation and Closure” Policy C07-017. The policy was changed to include options to alleviate problems encountered in local walkways.
To request the closure of a walkway
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Adjacent property owners submit a letter requesting the closure to City of Saskatoon, Infrastructure Services, 222-3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK S7K 0J5.
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The walkway will be reviewed according to Policy C07-017 “Walkway Evaluation and Closure”.
Procedures
1. The purpose of the Walkway Evaluation and Closure Policy is to establish criteria for an evaluation process to be followed in cases of walkway concerns involving vandalism and threats to public safety. The policy outlines remedial options that will be considered before a closure is considered.
2. The receipt of a complaint will trigger a preliminary CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environment Design) review to determine the condition of the walkway. This review may include removing any vegetation that may be restricting the sight lines; identifying graffiti on the fences and following the proper procedure for removal; determining if street lighting is needed; and installing bollards to eliminate vehicular traffic travelling through the walkway.
3. If a walkway inspection reveals vandalism or public safety issues that cannot be addressed by the preliminary CPTED review, proactive remedial actions to address public concern will be addressed. Reports of any illegal activity would be forwarded to the Police. The Administration will facilitate a community meeting with the property owners adjacent to the walkway and the surrounding area to inform residents of the walkway issues and to determine options to improve the safety. If closure is generally agreed upon by the community or if the remedial actions are unsuccessful, the closure process will be triggered.
Closure Process
1. Based on the outcome of the Community Meeting, the walkway will be considered for closure if at least one adjacent property owners is willing to purchase the land; and all fees and land costs are paid by the applicant(s) prior to a public hearing.
2. The application fee for each adjacent property owner shall be $1,000. And the land cost for each adjacent property owner acquiring land shall be $1,000.
3. All costs over and above the application fees and land costs stated above will be paid by the City of Saskatoon except for the cost of utility relocations, which will be the responsibility of the applicants.
4. Walkway applications must be received in writing and signed by all property owners indicating reasons for closure.
5. The closure will be analyzed by using pedestrian routing software. The program will provide detailed information on the walking routes in a service area to specific destination points.
· A service area is defined as an area in which the walkway would serve as walking route to specific destination points.
· A destination point will include commercial development sites, schools, community centers and transit stops.
· A service area will include all the residents within 5 minute, 10 minute, 15 minute and 20 minute walking route times.
· The pedestrian routing program will identify if there is an alternative route existing to provide an equivalent level of service.
· The walkway will be recommended for closure if the impact to the walking distance is less than 5 minutes.
· The Administration will be responsible in making the recommendation for closure.
6. Walkways serving as a part of the storm water management system will not be considered for closure unless suitable arrangements can be made for the adequate provision of this service.
7. All walkway applications for closures are submitted to the Planning and Operations Committee for approval of a Public Hearing. If the Planning and Operations approve the application, a public notice is advertised in the Star Phoenix two weeks prior to the Council hearing were the walkway is approved for temporary closure. At this time, the applicants are able to temporarily block off access to the walkway, but are not allowed to build any structures on the walkway prior to the legal survey.
8. Infrastructure Services will coordinate the steps for closure including acquiring documentation from Legal Surveyor (typically this take 4-6 months). Once all documentation has been received, a final report will be submitted to City Council for approval of the bylaw
Walkway maintenance
To provide a consistent level of service, all walkways are maintained according to the walkway maintenance policy Walkway Maintenance A07-021.
Regular Maintenance
· All walkways are to be maintained in accordance with this policy.
· Regular maintenance includes removal of litter and debris, as well as snow clearing.
· All primary walkways are inspected monthly or in response to complaint or vandalism.
· All secondary walkways are inspected four times a year (spring, summer, fall and winter) or in response to complaint or vandalism.
· All walkways that exhibit abnormal litter and/or vandalism problems are directed to the General Manager of Infrastructure Services in order that more remedial actions can be taken.
Primary Walkways – are those walkways that have been identified as the essential walkways and connect rights of way to park or trails and include street to street connections if the walkway runs through a park.
Secondary Walkways – are those walkways that provide access between two or more right-of-ways.
Maintenance Area Map (PDF)
For more information on walkway closures or maintenance, please contact:
City of Saskatoon - Infrastructure Services
Traffic Management Group
Shirley Matt, Traffic Safety Engineer
975-3145