Chapter 10.94
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Sections:
10.94.040 Exceptions, exemptions, and considerations.
10.94.050 Intergovernmental cooperation.
10.94.090 Performance measures.
10.94.010 Vision – Purpose.
Promoting pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation travel reduces negative environmental impacts, promotes healthy living, advances the well-being of travelers, supports the goal of compact development, and meets the needs of the diverse populations that comprise the community. The vision of the city is a community in which all residents and visitors, regardless of their age, ability, or financial resources, can safely and efficiently use the public right-of-way to meet their transportation needs regardless of their preferred mode of travel. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.020 General policy.
The city will plan for, design, construct, operate, and maintain an appropriate and integrated transportation system that will meet the needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, transit vehicles and riders, freight haulers, emergency responders, and residents of all ages and abilities. Transportation facilities that support the concept of complete streets include, but are not limited to, pavement markings and signs; street and sidewalk lighting; sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements; Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI compliance; transit accommodations; bicycle accommodations including appropriate signage and markings; and as appropriate streetscapes that appeal to and promote pedestrian use. The system’s design will be consistent with and supportive of local neighborhoods, recognizing that transportation needs vary and must be balanced in a flexible, safe, and cost-effective manner. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.030 Projects.
Those involved in the planning and design of projects within the public right-of-way will give consideration to all users and modes of travel from the start of planning and design work. Transportation improvements shall be viewed as opportunities to create safer, more accessible streets for all users. This shall apply to new construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.040 Exceptions, exemptions, and considerations.
The city shall evaluate and carry out projects as follows, and the city manager or city council may authorize exceptions and exemptions to this chapter as follows:
(A) Where a street project would require the inclusion of street uses prohibited by law, the street project may exclude such street uses.
(B) For ordinary maintenance activities, such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint or crack sealing, or pothole filling, the elements of this chapter shall be applied only to such activities.
(C) For ordinary maintenance paving projects, the city should evaluate conditions of existing facilities supporting alternate transportation modes and appropriate modification of existing pavement markings and signage related to such alternate transportation modes.
(D) For street reconstruction projects and maintenance paving projects that involve widening of pavement, elements of this chapter may be excluded when the accommodation of a specific use is expected to:
(1) Require more space than is physically available;
(2) Be located where both current and future demand is proven to be absent;
(3) Drastically increase project costs and equivalent alternatives are available within close proximity;
(4) Cause adverse impacts on environmental resources, such as streams, wetlands floodplains, or on historic structures or sites, over and above the impacts of the existing infrastructure; or
(5) Result in cost that is disproportionate to the current need or probable future use.
(E) For street projects, sidewalks may be excluded outside of areas identified as appropriate for sidewalks in an adopted sidewalk policy. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.050 Intergovernmental cooperation.
The city will cooperate with other transportation agencies, including the Washington State Department of Transportation and Snohomish County, to ensure the principles and practices of complete streets are embedded within their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities. The city will specifically cooperate to ensure that the transportation network flows seamlessly between jurisdictions in accordance with local and regional road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian plans. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.060 Design criteria.
The city, through its public works department, or engineer, shall maintain design criteria, standards and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design, construction and operation as identified in state statutes and GFMC Title 19. To the greatest extent possible, the city shall adopt the same standards, with particular emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle markings and wayfinding signage (as permitted through this code). Resources to be referenced in developing these standards shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the latest editions of:
American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Washington State Department of Transportation Design Manual, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.070 Community context.
Implementation of this chapter shall take into account the goal of enhancing the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.080 Network.
Appropriate attention should be given to projects which enhance the overall transportation system and its connectivity for access to parks or recreation areas, schools, shopping/commercial areas, public transportation, employment centers, existing pedestrian or bicycle networks, or regional bicycle pedestrian plans prepared by other associated groups, such as Snohomish County. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.090 Performance measures.
The city manager or designee shall report to the city council on an annual basis on the transportation projects undertaken within the prior year and planned within the coming six-year period and the extent to which each of these projects has met the objectives of this chapter. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]
10.94.100 Implementation.
This chapter will be primarily implemented through developing bike and pedestrian network plans on a regional basis within the city and in conjunction with Snohomish County’s regional plans. These plans shall specify the type and location of improvements and shall be implemented as funding becomes available. Special emphasis shall be placed on those elements of these plans that can be accomplished with little or no additional expense, such as providing bike lanes where existing pavement is adequate or where road shoulders are sufficient to allow for safe bicycle use. [Ord. 959 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.]