Chapter 12.19
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Sections:
12.19.040 Complete streets infrastructure.
12.19.050 Goals to foster partnerships.
12.19.010 Purpose and vision.
The city of Fife shall, to the extent practical, scope, plan, design, construct, operate and maintain appropriate facilities for the safe accommodation of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency responders, freight and users of all ages and abilities in all new construction, retrofit or reconstruction projects. Through ongoing operations and maintenance, the city of Fife shall identify cost-effective opportunities to include complete streets practices. (Ord. 1990 § 1, 2018).
12.19.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
A. “Complete street” means a road that is designed to be safe for drivers, bicyclists, transit vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
B. “Complete streets infrastructure” means design features that contribute to a safe, convenient, or comfortable travel experience for users, including but not limited to features such as: sidewalks; shared use paths; bicycle lanes; automobile lanes; paved shoulders; street trees and landscaping; planting strips; curbs; accessible curb ramps; bulbouts; crosswalks; refuge islands; pedestrian and traffic signals, including countdown and accessible signals; signage; street furniture; bicycle parking facilities; public transportation stops and facilities; traffic calming devices such as rotary circles, traffic humps, and surface treatments such as paving blocks, textured asphalt, and concrete; narrow vehicle lanes; and raised medians.
C. “Street project” means the construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, alteration, or repair of any street, and includes the planning, design, approval, and implementation processes.
D. “Users” means individuals or vehicles that use streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, freight, automobiles, public transportation vehicles and riders, and people of all ages and abilities, including children, youth, families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. (Ord. 1990 § 1, 2018).
12.19.030 Exceptions.
Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and/or people of all abilities are not required to be provided under the following circumstances:
A. When elements of this policy would require the accommodation of street uses prohibited by law;
B. For routine maintenance activities such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, overlaying, joint or crack sealing, or pothole filing;
C. Paving projects which involve widening pavement may exclude elements of this policy when the accommodation of a specific use is expected to require more space than is physically available, is located where both current and future demand is proven absent, or would drastically increase project costs and equivalent alternatives exist within close proximity;
D. Adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams, wetlands or floodplains, or on historic structures or sites above and beyond the impacts of currently existing infrastructure;
E. Cost would be disproportionate to the current need or probable future use;
F. Development of sidewalks in areas falling outside those identified as appropriate for sidewalks on the basis of an adopted sidewalk policy;
G. In instances where a documented exception is granted by the public works director. (Ord. 1990 § 1, 2018).
12.19.040 Complete streets infrastructure.
As feasible, the city shall incorporate “complete streets infrastructure” into existing public streets to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected transportation network for the city that balances access, mobility, health and safety needs of pedestrians (Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI compliance), bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency responders, freight and users of all ages and abilities, ensuring a fully connected, integrated network that provides transportation options. (Ord. 1990 § 1, 2018).
12.19.050 Goals to foster partnerships.
It is a goal of the city of Fife to foster partnerships with all Washington State transportation funding agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), the Federal Highway Administration, citizens, businesses, interested groups, neighborhoods, and any funding agency assisting in the city’s implementation of the complete streets program. (Ord. 1990 § 1, 2018).