The Ocean Shores City Council, by a narrow 4-3 vote, effectively moved to continue planning for the Point Brown Avenue sidewalks and pedestrian improvements project without yet settling on a preferred alternative.
There was significant public outcry about the ongoing process to design sidewalks, bike lanes, new parking and other amenities along Point Brown from the city gates to Chance a la Mer. There was a request by several council members to limit the time for public discussion on each of the issues, but it was defeated with more than 80 people in attendance.
“All of these items have a tremendous impact on the community and community members,” Councilwoman Holly Plackett said. “And this is their opportunity to come and talk to us again as we … discuss moving forward.”
Several forums have been held recently to discuss the proposed alternative D for the Pt. Brown plan, and the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce formally addressed the issue on Monday after a meeting last week with Public Works Director Nick Bird.
Chamber Director Piper Leslie listed several concerns that businesses still have: “Ultimately, it seems there is no alternative that is a perfect fit.” She suggested a committee of business owners and city officials be formed to draft a more agreeable proposal.
Many business owners objected to the impact the project could have on parking. There are now an estimated 210 parking stalls in the Point Brown corridor, and the D alternative would result in 130 angled parking stalls, fewer than alternatives A and C. Total program costs are $12.87 million for alternative D, which is significantly lower than the $15.1 million cost of alternative A, or the $14.3 million cost of alternative B, and the $15.48 million cost of alternative C. Alternative D has the highest right-of-way cost of $2.04 million, but the lowest estimated construction cost of $8.2 million.
In a summary of the alternatives, Bird said he actually preferred alternative C because the savings would not be significant in matching funds for the city, while alternative D would cost businesses 52 parking spaces.. The city is expected to need $1.14 million in local matching funds for grants to fund the project, and the difference would only be $4,000 in the actual matching cost, Bird said.
Citizens and business/property owners who spoke against the proposal also were concerned with issues such as the design of roundabouts and angled parking, and lack of community support for the alternatives.
Chris Castle, a 27-year resident and business property owner, was adamantly opposed to the project: “We have been asking for crosswalks for a very long time. It should be something that is very, very simple. Sidewalks, sure, I’m not against them. But I am not for the extra roundabouts, I am not for the damage it does in limiting parking.”
Business owner June Bongirno (Waves of Bling) suggested another option that maintains “the eclectic flavor” of the beach town, such as boardwalks in front of some of the storefronts and painted bike lanes along with a walking path.
What it came time for action, Councilwoman Susan Conniry moved to vote all the alternatives down, saying citizens largely oppose them: “I think we truly need to stop this. I believe we need to talk about it and go forward.”
But the vote on her motion failed with Bob Crumpacker and Steve Ensley voting for it. Council members Bob Peterson, Jon Martin, Lisa Griebel and Plackett cast the votes to keep the project planning alive.
“The easy thing to do is to walk away and do nothing,” Martin said, adding that would be like sending a “statement that we will never have sidewalks.”
The council ultimately voted 7-0 to bring the issue back after a study session. Bird said a decision needs to be made within 30 days for funding application.
Mayor Crystal Dingler asked: “Is there room there to modify one of these options and make it work to answer some of the problems, or are we too far along? I don’t believe we are too far.”
