Chapter 12.02
COMPLETE STREETS
Sections:
12.02.050 Intergovernmental consideration.
12.02.090 Performance measures.
12.02.100 Implementation of complete streets principles.
12.02.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation travel to reduce negative environmental impacts, promote healthy living, advance the wellbeing of travelers, support the goal of compact development, and meet the needs of the diverse populations that comprise our community. It is intended to help achieve the goals and objectives of the city of Ilwaco (“city”) as 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.
The city will plan for, design, construct, operate, and maintain an appropriate and integrated transportation system that plans for the needs of all users in new roadway construction, retrofit, or reconstruction projects. The system’s design will be consistent with sound engineering principles and supportive of local neighborhoods, recognizing that transportation needs vary and must be balanced in a flexible, safe, and cost-effective manner. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.020 Definition.
A “complete street” means a road that is designed to provide safe access to all users, including bicyclists, motorists, public transit vehicles and users, freight vehicles, school buses, emergency responders, wheelchair users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The complete streets concept focuses not just on individual roads but on changing the decision-making process so that all users are routinely considered during the planning, designing, building and operating of all roadways. 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 and promote pedestrian use. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.030 Projects.
Those involved in the planning and design of projects within the public right-of-way will consider 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. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.040 Exceptions.
Exceptions to this chapter may be determined by the city planner or their designee(s) under the circumstances listed below:
A. Street projects may exclude those elements of this policy that would require the accommodation of street uses prohibited by law;
B. Ordinary and routine maintenance of the transportation network designed to keep assets in serviceable condition that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint or crack sealing, or pothole filling do not require that elements of this policy be applied beyond the scope of that maintenance activity;
C. Repairs made pursuant to pavement opening and restoration allowed by approval of the city administrator or city engineer;
D. Ordinary maintenance paving projects should include evaluation of the condition of existing facilities supporting alternate transportation modes as well as modifying existing pavement markings and signage that support such alternative modes as appropriate.
E. Street reconstruction projects and maintenance paving projects which involve widening pavement may exclude elements of this policy when the accommodation of a specific use is expected to:
1. Require more space than is physically available; or
2. Be located where both current and future need is proven absent; or
3. Incur costs that would be disproportionate to the current or probable future need; or
4. Have adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams, wetlands floodplains, steep slopes or other critical areas; or
5. Have significant adverse impacts on neighboring land uses or on historic structures or sites above and beyond the impacts of currently existing infrastructure, including impacts from right-of-way acquisition; or
6. Be unnecessary or inappropriate because it would be contrary to public safety.
Street projects may exclude the development of sidewalks in areas falling outside those identified as appropriate for sidewalks based on an adopted sidewalk policy. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.050 Intergovernmental consideration.
The city will foster partnerships and cooperation with other transportation agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation and Pacific County to ensure the principles and practices of complete streets are embedded within their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities. The city will specifically cooperate to ensure the transportation network flows seamlessly between jurisdictions in accordance with local and regional road, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian plans. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.060 Design criteria.
The city shall maintain design criteria, standards and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design, construction and operation as identified in Chapter 14.04, Streets. To the greatest extent possible, the city shall adopt standards with emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle markings and wayfinding signage as permitted through this code. Resources to be referenced in developing these standards shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the latest editions of: American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Washington State Department of Transportation Design Manual, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.070 Community context.
Implementation of this chapter shall consider the goal of enhancing the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.080 Network.
Appropriate attention should be given to projects which 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 associated groups such as the Washington State Department of Transportation and Pacific County. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.090 Performance measures.
The city administrator or their designee(s) shall report to the city council on an annual basis on the transportation projects undertaken within the prior year and planned within the coming six (6) year period and the extent to which each of these projects has met the objectives of this policy. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
12.02.100 Implementation of complete streets principles.
The city will incorporate complete streets principles into the city’s comprehensive plan, public works standards, and other plans, manuals, rules, regulations and programs, as appropriate. Implementation may also be done through developing transportation network plans on a regional basis within the city and in conjunction with regional plans. These plans shall specify the type and location of improvements and shall be implemented as funding becomes available. Special emphasis shall be placed on those elements of these plans that can be accomplished with little or no additional expense, such as providing bike lanes where existing pavement is adequate or where road shoulders are sufficient to allow for safe bicycle use. (Ord. 958 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)