2026-05-26 WS City Council Agenda
Richfield City Council Agenda
May 26, 2026 -- 5:45 PM
Richfield Municipal Center
Bartholomew Conference Room
6700 Portland Avenue South
1. Call to Order
2. Item Discussion
a. Sidewalks and Tree Planting Policies
3. Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96 hours in advance to the
City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the Council Chambers Agenda Packet book located by
the entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the City of Richfield website.
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City Council Meeting 5/26/2026
Agenda Section: Item Discussion
Agenda Item: 2.a.
Report Prepared By:
Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer
Joe Powers, City Engineer
Department Director:
Kristin Asher, Public Works Director
Item for Consideration:
Sidewalks and Tree Planting Policies
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The work session will be a continuation of the discussion started at the April 14, 2026
Policy Proposal Work Session regarding Council Member Hayford Oleary’s proposed
updates to the City’s Sidewalk Policy and associated tree planting guidelines. The
sidewalk and tree planting policies are complementary and will impact future residential
street design, urban tree canopy goals, and winter maintenance operations.
Low volume residential roads and sidewalks have long service lives, and these policies
will impact neighborhoods in Richfield for the next 50 to 100 years. This requires a long-
term vision and recognition that these policies affect each other. Potential priorities to
consider include:
• Pedestrian accessibility
• Neighborhood character
• Sustainability
• Fiscal responsibility
• Physical constraints
o Limited public right of way
o Existing and planned tree planting
o Snow storage
o Utilities
It will likely not be possible to achieve an ideal version of each of these priorities, and
tradeoffs will be necessary. These priorities may also shift depending on the type of
project (sidewalk retrofit behind the existing curb vs a full reconstruction).
The upcoming work session is intended to provide Council with an opportunity to
discuss these broader policy considerations and help establish guiding principles for
future sidewalk and streetscape decisions.
Because these policy decisions have long-term effects, public engagement will be an
important component of the discussion. The City’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan
update presents an opportunity to gather community input on what priorities the
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community values, to ensure that future policies have community support.
Staff are seeking guidance on how to frame this discussion for public input. Should staff
draft an updated policy, or would Council prefer to collect input from residents prior to
considering an updated policy?
Questions for Consideration
1. What should residential streets prioritize over the next 100 years: pedestrian
connectivity, urban tree canopy, vehicle parking and thru space, or a balance of
these goals?
2. Should sidewalks be considered a standard feature on all residential streets or
vary based on context?
3. Should sidewalks be included on one side or both sides of the street?
4. How should the city consider existing boulevard trees with the placement of
future sidewalks?
5. For sidewalk retrofits, should the city be moving curb lines to install sidewalks?
6. Who will be responsible for snow removal and what will be the expected service
level of snow removal?
7. Are there specific land use contexts where sidewalks should be prioritized, such
as near schools, parks, trails, transit routes, or higher-density housing?
8. How should the City define success for residential streets from a long-term
community planning perspective?
9. What tradeoffs are acceptable?
Other/future considerations – stormwater system impacts, parking, and long-term
construction/maintenance costs.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Continue discussion on potential changes to the city's sidewalk and tree planting
policies.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Richfield's current sidewalk policy was adopted in 2016. The 2018 Pedestrian Master
Plan contained multiple recommendations for updates to that policy.
Currently, there are approximately 44 miles of sidewalks in Richfield, with an additional
2 miles planned for upcoming construction.
EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
POLICIES (RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, STATUTES, ETC.)
Current sidewalk inclusion is based on the 2016 Sidewalk Policy
CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S)
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2016 Sidewalk Policy
2. 260526_Work Session Tree Location Visual
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CITY OF RICHFIELD
Sidewalk Standards Policy
August 2016
Sidewalk placement is based on street classifications. Sidewalks requested or approved by
City Council will meet the sidewalk standards outlined below.
Street Classifications
• Minor Arterial
o Sidewalks should be provided on both sides of minor arterial streets.
• Collector
o A sidewalk should be provided on only one side of collector streets.
• School Route
o A sidewalk may be provided on one side of roadways on major school routes.
• Local Residential
o Sidewalks are not provided on residential streets.
o Most residential streets are 36 feet wide from back of curb to back of curb
within a 60-foot right of way. This provides adequate width for two lanes of
vehicular tra*ic, parking on both sides, and for pedestrians to walk on the
streets.
Sidewalk Standards
The minimum width for sidewalks should be six (6) feet to accommodate the operation of
city sidewalk plows.
The following sidewalk layout options work within a twelve (12) foot right-of-way area:
1. Six (6) foot green space behind curb, six (6) foot sidewalk, zero (0) foot green space
between private property. (Collector and Local Residential)
2. Zero (0) foot setback behind curb, 10 foot sidewalk with two (2) foot green space.
(Minor Arterial)
Both of these choices o*er an acceptable ease of maintenance and snow storage. The
minimum green space in order for trees to grow is six (6) feet. City Sta* maintains all
sidewalks on public right of way.
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