§ 152.356 SIDEWALKS.

   (A)   Sidewalks shall be appropriately related to and coordinated with surrounding existing and proposed pedestrian ways and transportation patterns. Sidewalks and pedestrian ways shall connect where necessary to permit the convenient and safe movement of pedestrians. To provide convenient access for pedestrians, each new development or expansion to an existing use/site that exceeds 50% or more of the current tax or appraised value shall:

      (1)   Provide sidewalks with direct access to adjacent development , neighborhoods, parks , bus stops, and street sidewalks or an alternative pedestrian system approved by the Town of Swansboro;

      (2)   Investigate the possibility of using utility easements as connecting trails;

      (3)   Preserve existing trails unless a superior alternative is provided;

      (4)   Submit written plan clearly identifying the party responsible for ongoing maintenance of any pedestrian facilities not located on public right-of-way or other easement ;

      (5)   Construct walkways along all public and private streets unless environmental conditions dictate otherwise; and

      (6)   All crosswalks should be clearly marked with paint, thermo-plastic, or contrasting surface material.

   (B)   Unless a variance for this requirement is granted by the Board of Commissioners , sidewalks are required along both sides of all streets constructed in an approved subdivision; on corner lots , sidewalks shall be installed along both streets . Sidewalks and sidewalk/ driveway intersections shall be constructed consistent with the specifications of the Town of Swansboro as they may be amended from time to time.

   (C)   In order to provide, where feasible, unbroken pedestrian routes between developments , sidewalks shall be installed along the perimeter of all sides of a subdivision which abuts an existing street tight-of-way. This may require the construction of sidewalks along with the front, rear, and side property lines when a lot abuts one or more existing or proposed streets .

   (D)   As provided in G.S. §136-44.14, whenever curb and gutter construction is used on public streets , wheelchair ramps for the handicapped shall be provided at intersections and other major points of pedestrian flow. Wheelchair ramps and depressed curbs shall be constructed in accordance with published standards of the NCDOT.

   (E)   Sidewalks shall be constructed to a minimum width of five feet, and shall consist of a minimum thickness of four inches of concrete. All sidewalks shall be placed in a right-of-way , unless the development is platted as a planned unit or group development . The edge of a sidewalk shall be one foot from the edge of the property line, sidewalks shall consist of a minimum of six inches of concrete at driveway crossings. Sidewalks shall be located in the dedicated non-pavement right-of-way of all roads or other approved easement .

   (F)   Construction or payment in lieu of. At the request of the developer , the Board of Commissioners or permit approval authority may accept a payment in lieu of construction. The fee in lieu of amount shall be 25% plus the cost of estimated construction and installation of sidewalk. All payments received by the town in lieu of construction shall be expended for capital improvements of sidewalk facilities within the town or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

(Ord. 2005-O3, passed 3-15-2005) (Am. Ord. 2013-O13, passed 5-21-2013)