To: Board of Trustees, Oakland Township
From: Bob Yager
I would like to see my suggestion below on the Board of Trustees agenda for discussion and acceptance, denial, or modification
Safety Path and Trails construction plans must be first approved by our Planning Commission and then recommended to the Board of Trustees for approval. This will ensure that all requirements of Zoning Ordinance No. 16, passed January 23, 2018, are met.
In particular, I am concerned about paths that have been approved by our Board of Trustees without review by the Planning Commission that contain paths narrower than the 10-foot width required by this ordinance. In my view this creates an unacceptable risk level of bicycle / bicycle or bicycle/pedestrian collisions.
From February 23, 2021, Board of Trustees Minutes
“4. Gallagher Path Bid Approval
The Board heard an overview of the project from Trustee Zale. MOTION by Buxar, supported by Zale to approve payment not to exceed $565,000 to All Star Power Excavating, LLC and PEA Group for the construction and engineering services for the Silverbell/Gallagher/PCT Path.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Abbate, Buxar, Elder, Giannangeli, Mabry, Mangiapane, Zale
Nays: None Absent: None
Motion carried 7/0.”
I find no record of review by Planning Commission.
Visit the Gallagher Road path to see this in person. That is why AASHTO recommends ten feet. (See section 16-338 of our ordinance)
Enforcing a 10-foot width requirement may require you to revisit your unspoken “ban” on using your powers of eminent domain to construct paths with a safe width.
This is a timely issue as SPTC is in the planning stages for a narrow six-foot-wide path down Snell Rd. from Rochester to Stony Creek Metropark.
Oakland Township Sentinel 