Denver residents are anticipating the rollout of a sidewalk fee program, following a unanimous council vote that approved the changes on Monday evening. The fee, which was voted into existence after the passage of Ordinance 307 in November 2022, faced several delays before this recent development. According to KDVR, the policy alters the approach to sidewalk maintenance in the city, effectively shifting the onus of repairs from individual property owners to the municipality itself, albeit funded by a new fee structure imposed on property owners.
The fee system establishes a base rate of $150 per year for most property owners, with Denver properties spanning more than 230 linear feet of sidewalk facing an "impact fee" of an additional $3.50 per foot, as stated by The Denver Post. It aims to achieve a revenue-neutral program that is projected to bring in about $40 million annually, in line with voter expectations from the 2022 ballot measure.
Denver resident Herrington, who does not currently have a sidewalk on his property, estimated facing annual bills of approximately $2,400 under this plan. "All I’m asking is that larger lots should pay more but that it be a reasonable amount in relation to the fees that are being charged," he said, as per The Denver Post. Councilman Paul Kashmann, expressing excitement about progress, hinted that there may be further adjustments to the program.
Despite the unanimous vote, council members like Kevin Flynn acknowledge the challenges ahead, particularly with future endeavors such as property acquisition necessary for sidewalk widening in tight spaces. "I am looking forward to the implementation aspect of this because I think there’s a lot of challenges there as well," Flynn said, as noted by Denver7, before casting his vote on Monday. Flynn, who originally opposed the 2022 ballot measure, was also part of the task force that formulated the program adjustments currently being put into motion.
The decision ultimately paves the way for Denver to begin collecting the sidewalk fees starting in January, a measure that supporters believe will lead to improved pedestrian infrastructure citywide. Meanwhile, the final vote on the sidewalk fee structure is anticipated for next Monday, September 16, with the possibility of additional tweaks to address the concerns raised by property owners like Herrington.
