Architect makes case for multi-use pathway

“This is the entrance into your city,” Sauer said. “This is something that would be good for joggers, walkers, cyclists; it would be a paved path for anyone who wants to use it.”

The nearly mile-long pathway would run on the south side of State Route 40 between the Northmont High School/Middle School campus, east to Hoke Road.

There, Sauer noted, it would connect with an existing pathway that is part of a regional pathway that extends as far south as the Ohio River.

“You could start at Northmont High School and end up in Cincinnati,” Sauer said.

An early estimate discussed at the Oct. 21 meeting put the cost for such a project at around $500,000. Sauer did not state that figure as definitive because many factors will play into the cost analysis. Those factors include placing a bridge over a culvert just east of the school complex and the type of barriers that would separate the pathway from the existing roadway.

Sauer said funding sources include state of Ohio Nature Works and Clean Ohio grant programs, as well as grant programs from Ohio Department of Transportation.

“The bigger the local match of funds will be beneficial to getting a grant,” Sauer said.

He also said if the city is flexible and can wait a while, the grant application cycles will be more favorable.

In other business before council, the first of two readings was held on a proposed ordinance dealing with driveway approach maintenance in the city.

Clayton director of community services Joe Klosterman introduced Ordinance 10-10-12, which calls for driveway approaches, the section between the curb and the sidewalk, to be maintained by the property owner in the same good condition as their driveway.

Although the approach is technically in the city “right-of-way,” the actual maintenance thereof is the responsibility of the property owner according to Clayton city codes.

Failure to maintain the approach is subject to a criminal charge of a minor misdemeanor.

Clayton City Manager David Rowlands said the city leaf collection program is under way. He said residents can visit www.clayton.oh.us to see when their streets will have leaf collections.

Rowlands asked that residents place leaves at the curb the Sunday preceding the week of pick-up.

The next meeting of Clayton city council will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 in Council Chambers at the Clayton Government Center, 6996 Taywood Road.