EDITORIAL: Sidewalk rule creates needless burden on homeowners

Coeur d'Alene's proposed amendments to the municipal sidewalk code, while well-intentioned, represent an ill-conceived approach that would place undue financial burdens on homeowners while potentially creating a patchwork of disconnected concrete paths throughout certain neighborhoods. 

The proposal would require property owners to install sidewalks when undertaking home improvements valued at $45,000 or more, regardless of whether surrounding properties have sidewalks or not. This approach fails to address the fundamental issue of creating continuous, functional pedestrian infrastructure. 

Picture this: A homeowner in an older neighborhood decides to modernize their aging home and update their kitchen. Suddenly, they're hit with an additional $10,000 bill to install a sidewalk that might literally lead nowhere. Rather than a comprehensive infrastructure plan, we'd end up with disjointed segments of concrete scattered throughout the city, sidewalks that begin and end abruptly, serving little practical purpose. 

As Councilor Dan Gookin rightly observed, this mandate essentially tells citizens, "Here comes government and by the way, you have to do this."  

The cost of a sidewalk installation could also discourage homeowners from making upgrades to aging properties, leading to deterioration of our housing stock over time. 

While the city says certain improvements like roofing or siding wouldn't "typically" trigger the requirement, the vague language in the proposed amendments leaves too much room for interpretation, creating uncertainty for homeowners planning renovations. As Councilor Christie Wood emphasized, "If it's not written, it's not there." 

The city's concern for pedestrian safety is valid. About 30% of Coeur d'Alene's neighborhoods lack sidewalks, and pedestrians have to walk in the streets. However, this piecemeal approach isn't the solution.  

Coeur d'Alene needs a coherent strategy for pedestrian infrastructure, not a fragmented approach that burdens homeowners while failing to create functional sidewalk networks. The City Council was wise to table this proposal. When they revisit it next month, they should reject this mandate and instead develop a community-wide solution that ensures our sidewalks actually lead somewhere.