Chapter 12.40
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Sections:
12.40.030 Complete streets infrastructure.
12.40.040 Goals to foster partnerships.
12.40.050 Best practice criteria.
12.40.060 Performance standards.
12.40.010 Purpose.
The city 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. Cost-effective opportunities to include complete streets practices shall be identified by the city as part of the standard operations and maintenance of city streets. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.020 Exceptions.
Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and people of all abilities are not required to be provided when:
A. A documented absence of current or future need exists;
B. Nonmotorized users are prohibited by law;
C. The activity is routine maintenance that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, and spot repair;
D. The costs would be disproportionate to the current need or probable future uses;
E. Drastically increase project costs and equivalent alternatives exist within close proximity; or
F. The cost is determined by the city to be of lower strategic priority and thus infeasible. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.030 Complete streets infrastructure.
The city shall incorporate complete streets infrastructure into existing public and private streets, as feasible, to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected transportation network for Lake Forest Park that balances access, mobility, health 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. “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; 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; transit priority signalization; traffic calming devices such as rotary circles, traffic bumps, and surface treatments such as paving blocks, textured asphalt, and concrete; narrow vehicle lanes; raised medians; and dedicated transit lanes. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.040 Goals to foster partnerships.
It is a goal of the city to foster partnerships with all Washington State transportation funding agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, King County, Shoreline School District, neighboring cities, citizens, businesses, interest groups, neighborhoods, and any funding agency to implement the complete streets ordinance. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.050 Best practice criteria.
The mayor or the mayor’s designee shall modify, develop, and adopt 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 (AASHTO), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments and enhance the appearance of such. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.060 Performance standards.
The city shall adopt performance standards as part of its strategic plan implementation with measurable benchmarks to continuously evaluate the complete streets ordinance 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, and number of exemptions from this policy approved. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)
12.40.070 Lead departments.
The departments of public works and the planning and building department shall be the lead departments in implementing complete street principles in future projects and will report at least annually to the mayor and city council on their progress. (Ord. 1139 § 1, 2016)