Chapter 12.44
COMPLETE STREETS
Sections:
12.44.030 Integration of complete streets.
12.44.040 Intergovernmental cooperation.
12.44.050 Implementation and performance measures.
12.44.010 Intent and vision.
A. Intent. The intent of this chapter of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code is to promote pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation because these modes of travel can:
1. Reduce negative environmental impacts.
2. Promote healthy living.
3. Advance the well-being of travelers.
4. Support the city’s comprehensive plan.
5. Meet the needs of the diverse populations that comprise our community.
B. Vision. The city’s complete streets vision is of 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. 3738 § 2, 2017).
12.44.020 Policies.
The public works and development services departments implement and maintain design criteria, standards and guidelines for street design, construction and operation within a number of different chapters of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code within MVMC Titles 12, 14, 16, and 17 that will be used to carry out the complete streets policies within this chapter.
A. Implementation of the complete streets policies within this chapter will take into account the goal of enhancing the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments.
B. Priority will be given to projects that 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 governmental agencies such as Skagit County or Skagit Council of Governments.
C. The design of transportation systems 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.
D. 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, agricultural vehicles, emergency responders, and residents of all ages and abilities.
E. 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 all users. (Ord. 3738 § 2, 2017).
12.44.030 Integration of complete streets.
City staff charged with 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.
A. Transportation improvements shall be viewed as opportunities to create safer, more accessible streets for all users.
B. All street projects performing new construction, reconstruction, and major rehabilitation, regardless of funding sources, will be assessed to determine whether the complete streets policies and standards can be appropriately applied to each respective project.
C. Excluded from the requirements of this chapter are:
1. Street preservation activities solely for the purposes of repairing or extending the useful life of the existing street surface (for example, thin overlays, and surface seals).
2. Ordinary maintenance activities such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint or crack sealing and pothole filling.
a. While ordinary maintenance paving projects are excluded from the requirements of the policy, consideration will be given toward modifying existing pavement markings and signage to support alternate modes of transportation where feasible.
3. Emergency activities.
D. Exceptions. The public works director and development services director can through a Type I decision process make exceptions to the complete streets policies within this chapter under the circumstances listed below:
1. Street reconstruction and maintenance paving projects that involve pavement widening when the accommodation of a specific use is expected to:
a. Require more space than is physically available; or
b. Be located where current and future demand is absent; or
c. Drastically increase project costs and equivalent alternatives exist within close proximity; or
d. Have adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams, wetlands, floodplains, or on historic structures or sites above and beyond the impacts of currently existing infrastructure; or
e. Create costs that would be disproportionate to the current need and/or probable future use.
2. Street projects may exclude the development of sidewalks in areas outside those identified as appropriate for sidewalks and those streets where sidewalks are not required as per Chapter 16.16 MVMC. (Ord. 3738 § 2, 2017).
12.44.040 Intergovernmental cooperation.
The city will cooperate with other transportation agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation and Skagit County to request that the principles and practices of complete streets are incorporated into their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities. The city will cooperate to the extent practicable to ensure the transportation network flows seamlessly between jurisdictions in accordance with local and regional road, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian plans. (Ord. 3738 § 2, 2017).
12.44.050 Implementation and performance measures.
A. Implementation. Within the city this policy will be primarily implemented through developing nonmotorized network plans. On a regional basis, the city will work with Skagit County’s regional plans to develop nonmotorized network plans. These plans shall specify the type and location of improvements and will be implemented as funding becomes available. Special emphasis will be placed on those elements of these plans that can be accomplished with little or no additional expense.
B. Performance Measures. At the request of council the public works director and/or designees shall report about the transportation projects undertaken within a given time frame and the extent to which each of these projects have met, or are expected to meet, the objectives of the complete streets policies within this chapter. (Ord. 3738 § 2, 2017).