I’ve written about existing sidewalk buffers or lack thereof (sidewalk buffer widths), and a solution for areas without sidewalk buffers (street trees in the parking lane), and now on to sidewalk standards. Sidewalk areas are composed of the sidewalk, sidewalk buffer (also called planting strip or furniture zone), and pedestrian scale lighting.

Design criteria:

• All new or reconstructed streets will have sidewalks, sidewalk buffers, and pedestrian scale lighting
• Reallocated or mitigated streets will have sidewalk buffers added if right-of-way can be reallocated
• Sidewalk areas may also include sidewalk-level bicycle facilities
• Attached sidewalks (sidewalk adjacent to the curb) will not be used for new or reconstructed streets
• Sidewalk width:
  • Minimum sidewalk width will be six feet in areas of 85% of more residential
  • Minimum sidewalk width will be eight feet in all other areas
  • Sidewalks must be completely free of obstructions, encroachments, or driveway aprons into their minimum width
  • Sidewalks adjacent to and within 1/8 mile of schools will be a minimum of 8 feet; sidewalks used for drop off/pickup will be a minimum of 10 feet
• Sidewalk buffer width:
  • Minimum sidewalk buffer width will be eight feet in order to accommodate a canopy of mature trees; if a lesser width is available, parking areas will be considered for tree placement
  • Sidewalk buffer may also accommodate street related infrastructure and utilities, street furniture, bike and scooter parking, dining areas, bioswales, and other related uses
• Sidewalks will receive priority use of right-of-way; travel and parking lanes, and bike facilities, will be placed in remaining right-of-way
• Bus stop amenities will not be placed within the sidewalk minimum width; the sidewalk buffer may serve as clear sidewalk abutting the curb, with appropriate design and transition; transit amenities may also be placed on transit islands away from the sidewalk and sidewalk buffer
• Sidewalks will be continuous over driveways and alleys, without interruption of design or materials
• Pedestrian scale lighting will be provided along the street length; motor vehicle scale lighting will not be considered sufficient; intersections and crosswalks may be lit with motor vehicle scale lighting

Design diagrams:

• Sidewalks of six or eight feet, with sidewalk buffers of at least eight feet
• Tree planters or wells in the parking lane or curb extensions
• Alley entrances and sidewalk crossings of alleys
• Driveway crossings of sidewalk, with design indicating walking priority
• Bus stop amenities (benches, shelters, etc.) with a sidewalk area clear of encroachment
• Transit island diagram here or in the transit section