A key Sturgeon Bay committee has recommended extending 12th Avenue to form an aligned intersection with Egg Harbor Road.
The Board of Public Works, made up of the City Council members plus Mayor Thad Birmingham, voted 5-2 in favor of the plan Tuesday.
The matter was brought forward at the request of Alderman Bob Schlicht, who says extending 12th Avenue across Egg Harbor Road to either Delaware Street or Bonnie View Drive has been discussed since 1969 and has been recommended in the city's previous three comprehensive plans.
Schlicht says with the recent changes at 8th Avenue and Georgia Street, now is a good time to look at the project, which he says will improve safety and traffic flow.
But not everyone was on board.
Mayor Birmingham, one of the no votes, says he's not against the plan per se but he says he can't justify spending taxpayer money on it right now. And he says his phone hasn't been ringing off the hook with residents clamoring for the move.
"I typically will borrow for needs and pay cash for wants," says Birmingham. "Right now there's not a whole lot of cash around so we're basically focusing on needs. I just don't feel at this time that that road is needed."
Alderman Ron Vandertie also voted against the proposal. Alderman Stewart Fett was absent.
The recommendation to enter into negotiations to acquire right of way for the potential project now heads to the City Council.
