SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Contractors with Marsh Bridges subdivision will have to install a complete set of sidewalks before construction can begin on the new Summerdale subdivision.

During its regular meeting last week, the Summerdale Town Council unanimously denied the builders’ request to wait until the subdivision is complete before the walkways are put in.

During discussion of the issue at the council workshop, town officials discussed the fact that they had implemented the requirement because previously-created subdivisions had left sidewalks unfinished.

Town regulations dictate the previously mentioned requirement. However, Councilwoman Norma Wilson Giles said the Summerdale Planning Commission recommended a waiver for this project due to pressure from developers.

“The Planning Commission is kind of concerned,” she said last week. “For lack of a better word, they were pushed to make a recommendation.”

Mayor David Wilson said the builders of Marsh Bridges had the argument that the sidewalks would be damaged in the housing construction.

“It puts everything on the town instead of the developer,” Councilman Travis Townsend said during last week’s delberation of the issue. “The developer is the one that should stand up and do what needs to be done.”

However, with last week’s vote, the town reiterated its requirement that completed walkways are required in order or a subdivision to be built, and that any damage in that process needs to be repaired.