EVALUATION CRITERIA

To provide safer access throughout Montgomery County for pedestrians, including people with disabilities, by retro-fitting new sidewalks in communities and other areas that have already been developed. Will installation of a sidewalk meet a purpose and provide a public need for the community-at-large? Is there available public right-of-way? Can the sidewalk be constructed without engineering design? Do associated costs fall within the program’s criteria?

EVALUATION PROCESS

MCDOT evaluates all requests and conducts an on-site investigation to determined the following factors:

• Will installation of a sidewalk meet a purpose and provide a public need for the community-at-large?
• Is there available public right-of-way?
• Can the sidewalk be constructed without engineering design?
• Do associated costs fall within the program’s criteria?

Notification :

MCDOT limits notification for a requested sidewalk project to property owners residing adjacent to the proposed construction and to a HOA (if applicable). A letter is sent to residents with the following information included:

• Location Map to identify the proposed project
• Construction Impacts details showing construction impacts to the public right-of-way for sidewalk installation
• Comments & Feedback Survey Form to be returned to MCDOT to address any concerns regarding the proposed construction

FINAL DECISION

Coordination Process :

A public hearing is required by law if MCDOT determines that the proposed sidewalk meets the program’s criteria and appears to serve a public need.

• MCDOT will notify residents and HOA/CA (if applicable) of the scheduled public hearing date/time/location
• The hearing allows citizens an opportunity to present oral and written testimony to a Public Hearing Officer for support or opposition to the proposed project. The Hearing Officer considers all the information presented and recommends to the County Executive whether or not the project should be authorized for construction.

Notification to community of final decision by the Public Hearing Officer.

• MCDOT will promptly notify the community of the Hearing Officer’s recommendation. If construction is authorized by the County Executive, MCDOT will inform residents of the pending construction.

MCDOT will coordinate the sidewalk installation with property owners

• MCDOT will send notification to property owners regarding the scheduled sidewalk construction.
• MCDOT will post notification on-site of upcoming construction
• A construction inspector will be available on-site throughout the construction phase to resolve any concerns that may arise with the sidewalk installation.