An ordinance aimed at making Bellaire streets safer for pedestrians was approved Monday by the Bellaire City Council.
Before voting, the council heard from five citizens who loudly and proudly urged the council to approve the ordinance. Mayor Andrew Friedberg also read nine written comments from citizens who supported the ordinance.
The ‘safe passage’ ordinance establishes protection for individuals who use the roadway, such as joggers and cyclists.
Now that it’s adopted, motorists will have to give the road users three feet distance between them when passing them on the street. Commercial vehicles will have to observer a six-foot distance.
Council member Pat McLaughlan abstained himself from voting citing that the ordinance “has wonderful intentions with a wonderful objective.” He added that there won’t be enough enforcement on it and called it “a feel good proposed ordinance.”
Friedberg — who calls the new ordinance an aspirational law — acknowledged council member McLaughlan’s thoughts.
“The law still has merit and benefit as an encouragement and a reminder to all of us to exercise common sense,” said Friedberg.
In other council action, the city council appointed three new members to the L.I.F.E. Advisory Board. The new members are Kevin Newman, Patricia ‘Trish’ Parrack and Maxine Epstein.
Newman will fill an unexpired term starting April 4 and ending on June 30, 2016. Parrack and Epstein are filling the unexpired terms that start April 4 and end June 30, 2017.
The Bellaire City Council also heard a presentation from the Citizens for a Beautiful Bellaire in regards to a survey they conducted soliciting input on how to beautify Bellaire.
Some of the questions in the survey — conducted by Christopher Butler — asked citizens about their likes and dislike with the city as it relates to improving the aesthetics of the city and strength and weaknesses of the city, to name a few.
The presentation and its finding are available at beautifulbellaire.com.
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