The Transportation Commission on Oct. 22 recommended approval of Option 1 for the Pontiac Trail neighborhood reconstruction project, endorsing a full-street rebuild that includes sidewalks on both sides of the roadway and design elements intended to slow traffic.

Mario, the project presenter, described the street as a narrow existing pavement with low parking utilization and said the two draft cross-section options considered differed mainly by whether on-street parking is retained. Option 1 would retain parking and build a 24-foot travelway with sidewalks both sides; Option 2 removes parking for a 22-foot travelway and wider terrace space. Mario said his analysis estimated roughly a dozen tree removals under the 24-foot option but emphasized the numbers were conservative and subject to refinement in design. He also described traffic-calming elements under consideration, including chicanes and a neighborhood traffic circle.

Why it matters: Pontiac Trail is a neighborhood link with one motor-vehicle access point for a portion of the area; commissioners framed the vote as balancing long-term pedestrian access and safety, tree canopy preservation, and neighborhood character. Several residents, including a spokesperson for the Summit Woods neighborhood and the author of an alternate “Option 3” proposal that would add single-side sidewalks, spoke during public comment urging a design that preserves mature trees and the neighborhood’s character.

Commission discussion ranged from whether the Complete Green Streets guide’s sidewalk priorities require sidewalks on both sides to the technical question of whether a neighborhood “yield” street should be wider when it retains on-street parking. Harold asked about the guide’s minimum widths; staff said the guide’s “neighborhood yield” standard is typically modeled at 24 feet when parking is present and 18 feet for a narrower neighborhood street, and noted the guide does not clearly address streets with parking absent. Forestry and staff will continue to evaluate tree impacts.

Motion and vote: Alder Martinez Rutherford moved approval of Option 1 (sidewalks on both sides, 24-foot travelway with parking); Pepe Barros seconded. The chair called for unanimous consent and recorded the motion as carried.

Staff direction: Commissioners requested that staff prioritize saving mature trees where feasible and use narrowing and curb modifications at specific locations (traffic circles, curb radii adjustments, curb extensions) to reduce removals. Mario and Andy said that detailed design would continue, that tree-removal estimates are conservative, and that forestry would be consulted before finalizing the construction package.

Quotes: “Option 3 is the only proposal that truly balances accessibility, environmental responsibility, and community input,” said Lane Larson, who submitted the alternate design and read a letter from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired urging a predictable ADA-compliant route.

Ending: The commission recommendation will move the Pontiac Trail reconstruction package to Board of Public Works and the Common Council for assessment approval and final authorization. Staff indicated construction is intended within the 2026–2027 cycle depending on underground-work timing and contract schedules.