40.350.010    Complete Streets Program

A. Purpose.

1.    The purpose of the complete streets program pursuant to RCW 47.04.320 is to encourage local governments to provide street and road designs that incorporate safe access to all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and public transportation users, with the goals of:

a.    Promoting healthy communities by encouraging walking, bicycling, and using public transportation;

b.    Improving safety by designing major arterials to include features such as wider sidewalks, dedicated bicycle facilities, medians, and pedestrian streetscape features, including trees where appropriate;

c.    Protecting the environment and reducing congestion by providing safe alternatives to single-occupancy driving; and

d.    Preserving community character by involving local citizens and stakeholders to participate in planning and design decisions.

2.    Clark County may plan, scope, design, and construct facilities for the safe accommodation of all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and public transportation riders.

3.    The county shall leverage local funding for complete streets projects with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, and other funding programs to implement complete streets.

B.    Applicability.

    The complete streets program applies to transportation facilities consistent with the Clark County Standard Details Manual and Sections 40.350.015 and 40.350.030.

C.    Definitions.

    For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

Complete streets	“Complete streets” means a transportation system that supports multiple uses, is more conductive to public life and the efficient movement of people along streets designed primarily to move automobiles and trucks, and is designed to allow active and ample space for pedestrians, bicycles and transit and safe and convenient travel along streets/roadways for all users.
Users	“Users” means including, but not limited to, persons of all ages and abilities, including children, youth, families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, pedestrians, bicyclists, commercial vehicles, delivery/service personnel, motor vehicle drivers, transit users and drivers, emergency service providers, freight and adjacent land users.

D.    Design.

1.    Complete streets program projects shall be planned, scoped, designed and constructed pursuant to Section 40.350.030(C), Specifications for Design and Construction.

2.    The County Engineer may, at their discretion, determine that there are exceptions to the provision of these facilities. The conditions that might preclude the inclusion of complete streets facilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.    Their inclusion would be contrary to public safety; or

b.    Their construction is not practically feasible because of significant adverse environmental impacts to streams, wetlands, steep slopes, or other critical areas; or

c.    Their construction is not practically feasible because of significant adverse impacts on neighboring land uses, including impacts from right-of-way acquisition; or

d.    There is no identified need for the improvement.

(Added: Ord. 2019-11-05)