Council to hold second reading of ordinance Jan. 20
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
While there has been widespread support toward a proposed ordinance that would take pedestrians and bicyclists into consideration in future street improvements, concerns about the cost of such an endeavor have been raised.
Several residents took to the microphone Dec. 16 as the Whitewater Common Council held a tentative first reading of a so-called complete streets ordinance that is aimed at serving as a guide toward future decisions concerning street designs.
While the ordinance itself would not cost the city anything more than City Attorney Wally McDonell’s time, its adoption could lead to additional expenses as street improvements are eyed in the years ahead.
Resident Ken Kienbaum described the proposed accommodations toward separate bike and pedestrian lanes as “a waste of public money.” He suggested the existing scenario of sidewalk usage as being sufficient.
Kienbaum also criticized the council for adding a bike lane to Wisconsin Street. “It’s seldom used,” he said. “It was all right the way it was.”
Fellow resident Larry Kachel also raised concerns about the ordinance and its necessity.
“My question is where is the money going to come from?” Kachel asked the council. “I’ve lived here for 47 of my 57 years and have never had a problem. I’m not against biking, but I am against this one-size-fits-all approach.”
Council member Ken Kidd spoke in support of the ordinance as deliberations got underway. Kidd said the provisions within the document would be in concert with the decisions taking place at the federal and state level as road improvements are implemented.
While the city has already been making decisions in favor of bike and pedestrian accommodations, the ordinance, Kidd said, represents a full-fledged “attitudinal shift.”
The council will hold a definitive second reading of the ordinance at its next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20.
