Pelham Boulevard Reconstruction Assessment (RES 26-240)

At a glance

Based on uploaded (human-made) captions; staff names are partly garbled, so staff are identified by role.

What: ratifying the special assessment for the Pelham Boulevard (Franklin to Mississippi River Boulevard) reconstruction, part of the 2026 streets and sales tax program.
Where it stands: ratified 7-0 on 2026-10-14 after a hearing with mostly opposing testimony.
Next: individual owners may appeal; council said the policy may be reviewed.

Road narrowed from 32 to 24 feet, an off-street bike lane, raised bike crossings, a 14-foot road shift to save large trees (about 160 of 202 boulevard trees kept), new lighting and sewer work, and tighter driveways under the parkway ordinance.
Assessments total just under 12% of cost, below the 25% starting point, because many properties hit the special benefit cap.

Homeowners objected to assessments from about $8,300 to over $14,000, citing removed mature trees, lost parking, and no clear property value benefit.
Owners said the special benefit analysis was opaque and relied on older sales data; an attorney for two commercial owners argued the generalized method is arbitrary under state court rulings and asked for removal or reduction.
Council members thanked staff, called the policy a choice that can be reconsidered, and found no extenuating circumstances.

2026-10-14 - City Council - Staff report, opposing testimony from owners; assessment ratified 7-0.