Chapter 12.10
COMPLETE STREETS

Sections:

12.10.010    Purpose.

12.10.020    Definitions.

12.10.030    Complete streets infrastructure.

12.10.040    Implementation of complete streets principles.

12.10.050    Freight/truck routes consideration.

12.10.060    Goals to foster partnerships.

12.10.070    Exceptions.

12.10.080    Best practice criteria.

12.10.010 Purpose.

The city of Zillah will, to the maximum extent practicable, 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 or reconstruction projects of public streets. Through ongoing operations and maintenance, the city of Zillah will identify cost-effective opportunities to include complete streets practices where possible and feasible. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.020 Definitions.

“Complete street” means a road that is designed to be safe and accessible for drivers, bicyclists, transit vehicles and riders, freight, emergency service providers, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The complete street policy focuses not just on changing individual roads, but on changing the decision-making process so that all users are routinely considered during the planning, designing, building, and operation of all roadways.

“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; traffic calming devices such as rotary circles, traffic bumps, and 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 traveling 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, motor vehicle drivers, and public transportation riders and drivers. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.030 Complete streets infrastructure.

As feasible, Zillah will incorporate complete streets infrastructure into existing public streets to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected transportation network that balances access, mobility, health, economy, and safety needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency responders, freight and users of all ages and abilities. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.040 Implementation of complete streets principles.

Zillah will incorporate complete streets principles into the city’s comprehensive plan, public works standards, parks and recreation comprehensive plan, traffic circulation plan, and other plans, manuals, rules, regulations, and programs as feasible and appropriate. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.050 Freight/truck routes consideration.

Because freight is important to the basic economy of the city 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 will be considered for truck routes. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.060 Goals to foster partnerships.

It is a goal of the city of Zillah to foster partnerships with all Washington State transportation funding agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Improvement Board, Yakima County, Zillah School District, citizens, businesses, interest groups, neighborhoods, and any funding agency to implement the complete streets ordinance. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.070 Exceptions.

Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and/or people of all abilities are not required to be provided in new construction or reconstruction street projects when:

A. A documented absence of current or future need exists, as identified in city plans and future travel demand models; or

B. Nonmotorized uses are prohibited by law; or

C. Routine maintenance and repair of the transportation network are performed that do not change the roadway geometry or operations; or

D. The cost exceeds more than 20 percent of the total project cost for new construction; or

E. The public works director issues a documented exception concluding that application of complete streets principles is unnecessary or inappropriate because it would be contrary to public safety; or

F. Where there are significant adverse environmental impacts to streams, wetlands, steep slopes, or other critical areas; or

G. Where the establishment would be contrary to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan; or

H. Where their inclusion in a small, isolated project would create a very short section of improvements with problematic transitions on either end or that are in an isolated area unlikely to be followed by similar improvements at either end, resulting in little progress on implementing complete streets networks. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)

12.10.080 Best practice criteria.

The public works director will 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 (AASHTO), Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) guidelines and standards, while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environment and enhancing the appearance of such. (Ord. 1463 § 1, 2018)