If a property owner downtown wants to put a bench or bike rack in front of his business, he will now need a permit from the city of Emporia.
In a battle of more regulation versus more accessibility, having sufficent room on sidewalks won out.
The Emporia City Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a sidewalk enhancement policy for the Central Business District.
Business owners need permission to put a bench, planter, bike rack or other permanent structures on the sidewalk. They will have to submit a drawing of the enhancement as part of the permit application.
The goal of the policy is to have a six-foot wide travel way on sidewalks throughout town. That was a recommendation from the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
“Some enhancements are already out there with benches, boxes and planters,” said City Manager Matt Zimmerman. “We felt it was important that we have a policy that provides some uniformity. There also were issues raised by the Accessibility Advisory Committee because there was some randomness about where they were putting them out. That was creating problems, particularly for those in wheelchairs and the blind.”
Zimmerman said all existing benches and bike racks are in compliance with the law and will not have to be removed. He said the policy is to protect pedestrian-impeding items in the future.
jamesbordonaro (James Bordonaro) says...
More Big Government mandates?
September 7, 2011 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
Instead of creating a policy that requires an application, why not just change the law that says the business owner must maintain 6' of clearance on the sidewalk? This way it would be easy on the city and business owner's part. If there isn't clearance, the police (or whoever the enforcer is) can issue a citation. I understand the reasoning behind this new policy, but there just has to be an easier way.....
September 7, 2011 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cookatwork (anonymous) says...
I agree with Pingeon! But the permit is another way for the city to make more money!
September 7, 2011 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Really, I mean really, CHEESE AND RICE!
WITH ALL THE "STUFF", GOING on right now, DO we need to worry about this?
Two years ago, NOTHING was allowed on city sidewalks
Who cares? and why should they?
Was anything said about the Granada and their tables and chairs outside? NO !
Because Walters and company decided that smoking in a private business was bad, we thought a bench outside would work. and as long as those benches were outside a "respectable' BUSINESS, it was O.K
THINK GRANADA CHOCALATES ), AND GRANADA COFFEE .
THEN;
A tattoo business opened up on Commercial Street and put a bench out.
NOW we have problems !
Teresa Walters and her friends want to see an end to this "problem" (as she sees it). and our city manager seems to "skate" hand in hand with her.
Leave it to the private sector and if someone has a problem with it, they can file a complaint with someone, or some entity.
Three or four foot on public sidewalks is all that
is needed downtown. We are 60+ million in debt, do we really need to think about THIS?
come on!
September 7, 2011 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
if I were a city commissioner, and the city manager brought this to me as an action item right now, I would seriously consider termination.
September 7, 2011 at 9:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Steve, Are the Tables @ Granada bolted down ? My daughter didn't think so. I don't drink their coffee, nor eat any candy. But my kiddo does. You are right ! there are many other concerns the commission needs to be working on. It's not who you know , or is it ??
September 8, 2011 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I think we all know that the City Commissioners approved a " Deficit " Budget, a water rate increase and in the same breath, told the public that they were going to reduce the solid waste pick up fee by the same 7%, in order to keep the publics total bill " Flat ", " The same " .
Well the result of all of this " Flim-Flamming ", " Juggling of Fees ", " Transfering of Funds ", double talk is going to/has resulted in yet another fee to businesses, if they wish to place a bench or bike rack in front of there businesses. And the I am sure that, with the need/passion of the City leaders to spend they will come up with other unique, improvised ways to " Stick it to the Public/Citizens and Visitors to Emporia !
Here is an idea to attract " Tourists/Tourism to Emporia, place a commercial ad on national T.V., radio, internet advertising and say, " Come, Visit the City of Emporia, Ks. and watch its " Murder " by its " Leaders " and learn how, " Not to Kill/Murder, Your City, Town or Country - Affordable/Nominal Fee will be required .
Please make reservations in advance .
September 8, 2011 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
METH, I LIKE THAT. I just wanted a billboard across from the fish place. Wanted a RECALL VOTE. But maybe a clip on UTUBE will help the word spread. I don't live there anymore but between these Forums & my kids I keep informed. Rent the bill board or have a protest march & I will be there.
September 8, 2011 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'll be there to shake your hand, tourguide.
Steve and meth are absolutely correct. This is nothing but another scheme by the city to stick this to Emporia one way or another.
For crying out loud, the city and their precious RDA talk constantly about the value of the tourist dollar to Emporia yet they want to tax the very idea of beautification of the city sidewalks where tourists are likely to wander. Whatabunchabull.
I suppose this will also relate to any small planter that may be outside the door to make the sidewalks look nice. Cheese and Rice!
You can't smoke indoors and now you can't sit outdoors. Buncha commies.
September 8, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
If the city wants to enact this fee, they'd damn well better start taking care of the condition of sidewalks, especially where streetwork has been done. Huge chunks of concrete and asphalt being left out for folks to trip over is not my idea of a tourist mecca.
Last year, I complained about the big chunks of asphalt left for MONTHS in a handicapped space on north Commercial. Finally when I spoke to the city manager himself, the asphalt chunks were removed, but little more than that. All the crumbs and small stones were left behind for a handicapped person to trip over. Now I notice that a similar mess is in that very handicapped space AGAIN!!!
C'mon City of Emporia, let's face it. All you want is the money for benches and planters. You don't seem to have any plan to take care of the sidewalks themselves. EVER!
September 8, 2011 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Local_Hispanic (Vic Rodriguez) says...
I think they want to make sure that there is enough room on the sidewalks so when the snow comes down the businesses can clear the sidewalks faster. Or else they will get fined again.
September 8, 2011 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
What is the cost of this "permit"?
September 8, 2011 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Vic, most businesses take away their planters and benches once winter arrives. One business I'm familiar with leaves their bench out because it is bolted down. The darn bench kept disappearing ala Midnight Bench Sales, so they bolted the new one down.
I wish you were right about those businesses clearing their sidewalks "faster." I have yet to see that, especially in the 600 - 800 block.
September 8, 2011 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
But of course, if the city owns the sidewalks, shouldn't they be shoveling those walks when it snows?
Just wondering.
September 9, 2011 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Snow removal is not in the budget. And it shouldn't be. If a business owner wants the business after a snowfall get the shovel out or pay someone else to do it. Even if its a 3 foot pathway for wheelchairs,
Downtown sidewalks can be kind of hard to keep snow off. If you don't get it cleared before people walk on it, sometimes it's better to leave some snow on to give it some traction. It's better than icy spots left in trampled snow. those 3 and 3 foot piles of shoveled snow at the curb are real inviting also.
September 9, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The city has been pretty good at getting the sidewalks at the pedestrian crossings cleaned off.
September 9, 2011 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )