2012-11-13 study Complete Streets

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The key elements of an ordinance for Complete Streets are:  When land is developed, improved or renovated the developer is asked to take into consideration Complete Streets principles beginning at the planning stage and then follow a checklist to ensure that has been done.  Is context-sensitive and flexible; residential is different than major thoroughfare  Does not require additional expenditures that are not currently planned  Does not require new projects  Is not the Bike/Walk master plan. Ms. Hanly noted that there is not a traffic signal to assist people crossing Olive from the north side of Olive in order to access the major attractions on the south-side of Olive such as the ball fields, swimming pool, Centennial Commons, etc. She also noted seeing people in wheelchairs riding down Olive Blvd. due to lack of accessibility to the sidewalks. Ms. Hanley stated that Complete Streets is a process as much as it is an outcome; it is changing expectations at the concept stage. She said the potential was enormous for making Olive Blvd more dynamic and economically vibrant with the Complete Streets concept. Ms. Hanly noted that a Complete Street policy would require City, Plan, Traffic, Green Practices or Park commissions to consider Complete Streets’ principles; it would not require specific designs or standards; and would not require specific improvements. The goals for Complete Streets would be to create a complete network of roads that serve all users and to save money by not needing to retrofit in the future. Ms. Hanly spoke on the reasons for a Complete Streets approach. First would be equity for all abilities: cars, bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, access public transportation boarding areas. Second would be equity for all ages. A benefit received would be improved health. Ms. Hanley noted the states with the lowest level of biking and walking have the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. She said if the infrastructure was built, it would encourage people to be more active. Safety also comes when people are walking around and becoming more aware of their surroundings, creating a connection and belonging. Ms. Hanly stated that Complete Streets creates destination communities such as Delmar in the Loop. Ms. Hanly noted that the task force had tremendous positive feedback from the commissions and some made note that the language should be even stronger than initially suggest. With that feed-back, the task force came with a proposal which Ms. Lynnette Hick presented. Ms. Hick said from the meetings’ feedback, the consensus was that the ordinance needed to have more teeth, more standards. She said staff developed a resolution with a date set to develop a stricter ordinance. A resolution leading to an ordinance would be submitted to the Council at a future meeting. Questions: Ms. Carr passed out Resolution 2009 – 18 which was the resolution on community sustainability to be viewed. She said one of the problems she has with the resolution and the ordinance was more technical than with content. Ms. Carr noted the form of U City’s government; the Council cannot direct anyone who works for Mr. Walker, they can only direct the City Manager or City Clerk. She said when the ordinance was put together, the Parks and Public Works Director Mr. Wilson changed it from the City Manager to the Public Works and Parks Director and she felt that was unacceptable. Ms. Carr stated that the problem with the resolution and ordinance was the lack of standards, costs, and the ability for Council to decide how the funds of the City would be appropriated in a real time 2