Chapter 11.80
COMPLETE STREETS
Sections:
11.80.030 Complete streets infrastructure.
11.80.040 Implementation of complete streets principles.
11.80.050 Performance standards.
11.80.060 Goal to foster partnerships.
11.80.070 Best practices criteria.
11.80.080 Freight/truck route consideration.
11.80.010 Purpose and vision.
The city of Othello 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, and reconstruction projects of public streets. Through ongoing operations and maintenance, the city of Othello shall identify cost-effective opportunities to include complete streets practices. The complete streets policy focuses not just on changing individual streets but on changing the decision-making process so that all users are considered during the planning, designing, building, and operation of all roadways. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.020 Definitions.
“Complete street” means a road that is designed to be safe and accessible for drivers, bicyclists, transit vehicles and riders, freight, emergency services providers, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
“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, vehicle lanes, paved shoulders, street lighting, street trees and landscaping, planting strips, curbs, accessible curb ramps, bulb-outs, 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 bumps, and surface treatments such as paving blocks, textured asphalt and concrete, narrow vehicle lanes, and raised medians.
“Street” means any public right-of-way, including arterials, connectors, alleys, ways, lanes, and roadways by any other designation, as well as bridges, tunnels, and any other portions of the transportation network that are open to the general traveling public.
“Street project” means the construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, alteration, or repair of any street, and includes the planning, design, approval, and implementation processes.
“Users” means individuals or vehicles that use streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle drivers, freight, public transportation vehicles and riders, and people of all ages and abilities, including children, youth, families, older adults and individuals with disabilities. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.030 Complete streets infrastructure.
As feasible, Othello shall incorporate complete streets infrastructure into existing public streets to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected transportation network that balances access, mobility, health, economy, and safety needs of pedestrians, 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. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.040 Implementation of complete streets principles.
The city of Othello will incorporate complete streets principles into the city’s comprehensive plan, public works design standards, park and recreation plan, and other plans, manuals, rules, regulations, and programs as appropriate. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.050 Performance standards.
The city shall maintain a summary of transportation projects undertaken within the prior year and planning projects within the upcoming six-year period and have the ability to explain the extent to which each of these projects has met the objectives of this policy. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.060 Goal to foster partnerships.
It is the goal of the city of Othello to foster partnerships with all entities that deal with transportation, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), Quad County Regional Transportation Planning Organization (QUADCO), Adams County, Othello School District, citizens, businesses, interest groups, neighborhoods, and any funding agency assisting in the city’s implementation of this chapter. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.070 Best practices criteria.
The public works department shall modify, develop, and adopt policies, design criteria, standards, and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design, construction, and operations including the latest editions of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) guidelines and standards, while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environment and enhancing the appearance of such. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.080 Freight/truck route consideration.
Because freight is important to the economy of the city and has unique right-of-way needs to support that role, freight will be the major priority on streets classified as truck routes. Complete streets improvements that are consistent with freight mobility but also support other modes and user needs shall be considered for truck routes. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).
11.80.090 Exceptions.
Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and/or people of all ages and abilities are not required to be provided in the following situations:
(a) A documented absence of current or future need exists; or
(b) When elements of this policy would require accommodation of street users prohibited by law; or
(c) Routine maintenance and repair of the transportation network is performed that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint or crack sealing, or pothole filling; or
(d) For new construction, the cost to add the facilities exceeds twenty percent of the total project cost; or
(e) The city council issues a documented exception. (Ord. 1549 § 1 (part), 2020).