Council Passes Brick Paver Resolution

Today the Council passed the Resolution (with amendments) I proposed to restrict the use of brick pavers, cobblestones and stamped concrete on public walkways. The intent of the Resolution is to make sure our public spaces are accessible to everyone, including those with limited mobility, while at the same time continuing to allow creative design. To learn more, see my April 14 post.

Committee Amends Brick Paver Resolution

Yesterday the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee modified my proposed Resolution to prohibit the use of brick pavers in the construction of streets, sidewalks and other public rights-of-way.

The committee, which I chair, amended the Resolution so that it would ban further use of cobblestones and stamped concrete from public rights-of-way but would permit brick pavers if they are installed according to specifications that are in accordance with the Bethesda Streetscape Standards. The brick pavers only would be allowed in urban districts charged with maintaining them or where there is a permanent maintenance and liability agreement in effect that provides for their maintenance.

We worked hard on this Resolution to include the interests of various stakeholders. With the amendments we have been able to ensure access to public facilities for people with disabilities while at the same time maintaining many options for aesthetics and creative design.

I originally proposed the Resolution in response to recommendations from the Commission on People with Disabilities and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

The Commission on People with Disabilities noted that wheelchair users and others with limited mobility find uneven surfaces to be extremely difficult to navigate. The Commission stated that these pavements create barriers for people with mobility and visual disabilities.

The County Department of Transportation has reported that brick-paver surfaces are more difficult and costly to maintain than concrete or asphalt surfaces. People who push baby strollers also have indicated the brick pavers cause difficulty.

The full Council will take action on the resolution Tuesday, April 21.

Your Thoughts on Brick Pavers

Since I introduced the resolution to restrict the use of brick pavers on public walkways, I have received quite a bit of feedback, mostly from accessibility advocates in favor of the plan.

Not everyone agrees, though. Some have questioned why I’m pursuing such a measure when we have so many big economic issues on our plate. I would argue that access to public facilities is even more important during hard times and that this measure has a cost-saving element to it. Still, I agree that we have some big tasks ahead of us as we enter the budgeting season.

Others have said that brick pavers are so aesthetically superior to concrete that we should find a way of continuing to use them, especially in historic or shopping districts.

I’m curious to know what you think. Have you had experience with brick pavers?