Residents and officials clash over communication timeline as multimodal path moves toward construction
Related: Lakewood Police Reports: OVI Arrests, Domestic Incidents and Motor Vehicle Thefts
Lakewood City Council’s Public Works and Sustainability Committee met October 13 to discuss improving public input processes for major infrastructure projects, with the controversial Bunts Road multimodal path serving as a catalyst for the conversation.
Council Member Bullock introduced Resolution 2025-48, which calls for enhanced public engagement on active transportation plan projects. The resolution aims to create additional avenues for community input beyond existing planning commission and Complete and Active Streets Advisory Board processes.
The discussion highlighted tension between established project timelines and resident concerns about adequate notification and participation opportunities.
Project Timeline and Funding
Public Works Director Gordon outlined the Bunts Road project timeline, noting public engagement began April 25, 2024, with resident notification letters and yard signs. A public meeting was held May 7, 2024, at Lakewood High School, followed by a planning commission meeting June 6. The public comment period closed June 9, 2024.
City Engineer Mark Papkey explained the project has secured approximately $12 million in outside funding from multiple sources including NOAKA, ODOT, Ohio Public Works Commission, Ohio EPA and the county. The city has spent $1.7 million on design and engineering work.
Papkey said the project is currently at the federal authorization stage, with final plans submitted to ODOT for approval. He emphasized the importance of meeting deadlines to maintain the city’s ability to manage locally administered public authority projects.
Missing deadlines could jeopardize future funding opportunities and limit the city’s control over road projects, potentially forcing the city to accept ODOT’s bare minimum improvements rather than comprehensive infrastructure upgrades that include water, sewer and active transportation elements.
Resident Concerns
Multiple Bunts Road residents addressed the committee, expressing frustration with the notification process and project scope.
Amy Herburger said initial notification did not specifically mention a 10-foot-wide multimodal path. She said more than 1,400 residents have formally objected to the current plan and raised concerns about safety, traffic flow, environmental impact and property values.
Shannon Morland argued that residents were not involved from the project’s inception. She said the city presented two plan options after initial design work was completed, and the planning commission selected one plan June 6, three days before the public comment period closed.
Matt Herburger questioned whether the project timeline allows for adequate stakeholder input, comparing it to private sector project planning that begins with extensive consultation of those most affected.
Proposed Process Changes
Bullock’s resolution distinguishes between two goals: improving future project processes and addressing the current Bunts Road project. He suggested city council could serve as a venue for public input that falls outside the narrower scope of planning commission and advisory board responsibilities.
The resolution would establish council’s authority to convene public input hearings for active transportation projects and reserve the right to take further action on city infrastructure projects.
Bullock clarified he is not proposing to rescind the active transportation plan or complete streets ordinance, but rather to create a parallel process for broader community engagement and communication.
Council President Kepple questioned what practical outcome would result from passing the resolution, noting council has already unanimously adopted the active transportation plan, complete streets ordinance and CASE advisory board. She suggested any attempt to repeal those policies would require different legislation.
Council Member Hamilton-Steiner requested documentation of all project timelines and deadlines. She suggested the discussion should focus more broadly on implementation processes for all city plans, including the active transportation plan, Madison Park master plan and climate action plan.
Environmental Review
In response to environmental concerns raised by residents, Papkey explained that federally funded projects must undergo environmental documentation review. All analysis is submitted to ODOT for review and approval, with a categorical exclusion generated to ensure federal environmental standards are met.
Committee Action
Committee Chair Evans said the resolution in its current form is not ready for favorable referral to full council. He acknowledged room for improvement in communication while noting newly established processes through complete streets and CASE have not yet been fully implemented.
Bullock expressed willingness to revise the resolution if council colleagues would consider it. Hamilton-Steiner indicated she sees value in the concept but believes it needs additional work.
The committee voted to defer the resolution, keeping the conversation open for future discussion.
Director Gordon sought confirmation that the city should continue following and implementing the active transportation plan, including the shared-use path called for on Bunts Road. Evans confirmed nothing discussed contradicts that direction.
The committee also acted on five submerged land lease resolutions for shoreline stabilization projects. Two were deferred at residents’ requests, while three were referred favorably to full council.
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