PETITION TO THE TOWN OF BRIGHTON, NEW YORK
IN SUPPORT OF SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION ALONG ELMWOOD AVENUE

To: The Honorable Supervisor and Members of the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, New York; the Town of Brighton Department of Public Works; and all other officials with jurisdiction over public infrastructure within the Town of Brighton.

Re: Petition in Support of the Construction of Public Sidewalks Along Elmwood Avenue Connecting to East Avenue starting at Brookside Drive and ending at Clovercrest Drive where there are currently sidewalks.

I. Preamble

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and taxpayers of the Town of Brighton, Monroe County, New York, respectfully submit this Petition to formally express our strong support for, and to request prompt action toward, the design, funding, and construction of a continuous public sidewalk along Elmwood Avenue, beginning at its intersection with East Avenue and running westerly to the eastern terminus of the existing sidewalk at Clovercrest Drive (the "Project").

II. Background and Need

High-Volume Corridor. Elmwood Avenue is a heavily traveled east-west arterial that connects residential neighborhoods in Brighton to schools, places of worship, the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, retail establishments, and the broader regional roadway network.

Pedestrian Safety Gap. The segment of Elmwood Avenue between East Avenue and Clovercrest Drive currently lacks a continuous pedestrian walkway. Pedestrians — including children walking to and from school, students, joggers, dog walkers, transit users, and individuals with mobility limitations — are presently forced to walk along the roadway shoulder, the grass verge, or private lawns, in close proximity to vehicular traffic traveling at posted speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

Connectivity. Sidewalks already exist west of Clovercrest Drive. Completing the missing segment from Clovercrest Drive easterly to East Avenue would create a continuous, ADA-compliant pedestrian connection linking the existing Elmwood sidewalk network with the East Avenue corridor and adjoining neighborhoods.

Public Health, Quality of Life, and Property Values. Walkable infrastructure has been shown to encourage physical activity, reduce vehicle trips, support local businesses, enhance neighborhood character, and increase residential property values — consistent with the goals of the Town of Brighton Comprehensive Plan.

Equity and Accessibility. A continuous, ADA-compliant sidewalk will provide safe pedestrian access for residents of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, and parents with strollers.

III. The Requested Action

The undersigned respectfully request that the Town of Brighton:

(a) Formally include the Project in the Town's capital improvement plan and prioritize it for design and construction at the earliest practicable date;

(b) Identify and pursue all available funding sources, including but not limited to Town capital funds, Monroe County funds, New York State Department of Transportation programs (including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and CHIPS), and federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and similar grants;

(c) Engage with affected property owners and residents in a transparent public process regarding the design, alignment, drainage, tree preservation, and any easement or right-of-way considerations;

(d) Coordinate with Monroe County and the New York State Department of Transportation as appropriate, given the classification of Elmwood Avenue; and

(e) Construct the sidewalk to current ADA accessibility standards, with appropriate curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signalization at the East Avenue intersection.

IV. Statement of Support

By signing below, each of the undersigned affirms that he or she:

Is a resident, property owner, or taxpayer within the Town of Brighton, New York;

Supports the construction of a continuous public sidewalk along Elmwood Avenue from East Avenue westerly to the existing sidewalk at Clovercrest Drive; and

Respectfully urges the Town Board and all relevant officials to take prompt action to advance the Project.