Chapter 12.15
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Sections:
12.15.070 Freight/truck routes.
12.15.080 Intergovernmental coordination.
12.15.090 Best practice criteria.
12.15.100 Performance standards.
12.15.120 Funding for complete streets.
12.15.010 Purpose.
The town of Yacolt prides itself on the quality of life available to its residents, and encourages active living and safety by providing safe, convenient, healthy and comfortable routes for walking, bicycling, and public transportation.
The vision of Yacolt is a community in which all users regardless of age, ability, or preferred mode of travel can safely and efficiently use the public right-of-way to meet their transportation needs. Yacolt recognizes that complete streets will increase the health and safety of residents, improve economic vitality, and improve connectivity for all modes of transportation within the town.
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that planning for all users is included during planning, design, construction, maintenance, and replacement of all town transportation projects and plans. The town of Yacolt shall, to the maximum 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 town shall identify cost effective opportunities to include complete streets practices. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.020 Definitions.
“Complete street” means a road that is designed to be safe and accessible for all transportation users including drivers, bicyclists, transit users, freight, emergency service providers, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
“Complete street infrastructure” means design features that contribute to a safe, convenient, and comfortable travel experience for users, including but not limited to features such as: sidewalks; shared-use paths; bicycle lanes; automobile lanes; paved shoulders; landscaping; curbs; accessible curb ramps; bulb-outs; crosswalks; refuge islands; pedestrian and traffic signals, including countdown and accessible signals; signage; street furniture; bicycle parking facilities; traffic calming devices; 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 is open for use by the general 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 that use streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation riders and drivers. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.030 Applicability.
This chapter shall apply to all areas within the town limits of Yacolt. The provisions of this chapter shall, to the maximum extent practicable, apply to all new construction, improvements, and replacement or rehabilitation of the town of Yacolt’s transportation network, whether performed by the town or a private party. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.040 Exceptions.
Not all roadways or projects are suitable for all complete streets elements. The following activities and projects are exempted from the complete streets program:
A. Where a documented absence of current or future need exists;
B. Where application of this policy would require the accommodation of street uses that are prohibited by law;
C. Emergency utility repair requiring roadway repair or reconstruction;
D. Where routine maintenance of the transportation network is performed that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, chip seal, seal coats, and spot repair;
E. Where the cost would be disproportionate to the current need or probable future uses;
F. Where there would be significant adverse environmental impacts to streams, wetlands, steep slopes, or other critical areas;
G. Where complete streets elements are not practical, are contrary to public safety, or are prohibited; and
H. In instances where a documented exception is granted by the town council. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.050 Projects.
Those involved in 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. Community engagement will be encouraged during project planning and development. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.060 Network.
Projects should enhance the overall transportation system and its connectivity for access to parks or recreation areas, schools, downtown, existing pedestrian or bicycle networks, or regional bicycle pedestrian plans prepared by other associated groups such as Clark County. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.070 Freight/truck routes.
Because freight is important to the overall economy of Yacolt and has unique right-of-way needs to support that role, freight will be the major priority on streets classified as truck routes. Complete street improvements that are consistent with freight mobility but also support other modes and user needs shall be considered for truck routes. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.080 Intergovernmental coordination.
It is a goal of the town of Yacolt to foster partnerships with all Washington State transportation agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, Clark County, C-Tran, the Battle Ground School District, and any funding agency to implement the complete streets policy. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.090 Best practice criteria.
Transportation facilities shall be designed to include complete streets elements that will best serve the transportation needs of all users. The priority shall be on the needs and comfort of all users, considering issues such as street design and width, desired operating speed, street lighting, beautification and connectivity.
The town council or its designee shall modify, develop and adopt policies, design criteria, standards and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design, construction, and operations including but not limited to the latest editions of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, Institute of Transportation Engineers, and National Association of City Transportation Officials, while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments and enhancing the appearance of such. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.100 Performance standards.
The town of Yacolt shall put into place performance standards with measurable benchmarks to continuously evaluate the complete streets policy for success and opportunities for improvement. Performance standards may include transportation and mode shift, miles of bicycle facilities or sidewalks, public participation, number of ADA accommodations built, number of ADA accommodations retrofitted, and number of exemptions from this policy approved. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.110 Implementation.
This policy will primarily be implemented during the annual development of Yacolt’s six-year transportation improvement plan. The town will also work to incorporate complete streets principles into the comprehensive plan and associated documents. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]
12.15.120 Funding for complete streets.
Complete streets may be achieved through single projects or incrementally through a series of smaller improvements or maintenance activities over time. It is the city’s intent that all sources of transportation funding be drawn upon to implement complete streets. The city believes that maximum financial flexibility is important to implement complete streets principles. [Ord. 598 § 1, 2024.]