HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMPLETE STREETS Policy 2015 TOWN OF ITHACA
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Section 1. Definition of"Complete Streets"
"Complete Streets" means streets that are designed, maintained and operated to
enable safe access for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, emergency
responders, public transportation users of all ages and abilities and adjacent landowners.
Section 2. Complete Streets Policy
The Town shall pursue a safe, reliable, efficient, integrated and connected multimodal
transportation system that will promote access, mobility and health for all users including
pedestrians, bicyclists, users of mass transit, people of all ages and abilities, motorists,
emergency responders, freight providers and adjacent landowners.
Section 3. Scope of Complete Streets Policy Applicability
(a) All Town-owned transportation facilities in the right of way including, but not
limited to, streets, bridges, and all other connecting pathways, shall be designed,
constructed, reconstructed, operated and maintained so that users of all ages
and abilities can travel safely and independently.
(b) Landscaping and amenities shall be encouraged to provide shade, create buffers
and promote aesthetically welcoming environments within the right-of-way.
(c) Privately constructed streets and parking facilities requiring Town approval shall
adhere to this policy.
(d) The Town shall foster partnerships with the private sector, state, county,
neighboring communities and school districts to develop facilities and
accommodations that further the Town's Complete Streets Policy and continue
such infrastructure beyond the Town's borders.
(e) The Town shall approach every transportation improvement and project phase
as an opportunity to create safer, more accessible streets for all users. These
phases include, but are not limited to, planning, programming, design, right-of-
way acquisition, construction, construction engineering, reconstruction,
operation and maintenance
Section 4. Exceptions
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Town Board for Town projects, or
by the Planning Board for any other projects that come before it, or the Director of Public
Works for emergency work and be documented with supporting information that indicates the
basis for the decision. Such documentation shall be publically available.
Exceptions may be considered for approval when:
Adopted April 13, 2015
(a) An affected roadway prohibits, by law, use by specified users (e.g., pedestrian malls)
in which case a greater effort shall be made to accommodate those special users
elsewhere.
(b) The activities are ordinary maintenance activities designed to keep assets in
serviceable condition (e.g., mowing, cleaning, spot repair and surface treatments
such as chip seal) or other interim measures that do not change the existing
shoulder, guiderails or road footprint.
(c) The Director of Public Works or the Town Board issues a documented proposed
exception concluding that the application of the Complete Streets Policy is
unnecessary, unduly cost prohibitive, or inappropriate because it would be contrary
to public safety.
(d) The existing and planned population, employment densities, traffic volumes, or level
of transit service around a particular roadway as documented is so low that future
expected users of the roadway will include very few pedestrians, users of public
transportation, or bicycles.
Section 5. Design Standards
The Town shall follow accepted or adopted design standards and use the best available
based upon resources identifying best practices in street design, construction, operations and
maintenance. In recognition of context sensitivity, public input and the needs of many users, a
flexible, innovative and balanced approach that follows other appropriate design standards
may be considered, provided that a comparable level of safety for all users is feasible. Design
standards include, but are not limited to, those from the following: the American Association of
State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), The NYS Department of Transportation, the
Institute of Traffic Engineers, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), and
the Model Design Manual for Living Streets.
Section 6. Performance Measures
The Town shall measure the success of the Complete Streets Policy using, but not
limited to, the following performance measures reported on a calendar year basis:
• Total distance of new bike lanes
• Linear feet of new and reconstructed pedestrian accommodations
• Number of improved crosswalks
• Number of improved transit stops
• Rate of crashes and injuries reported
• Number of children walking or cycling to school
• Number of new street trees
• Satisfaction levels as expressed on customer surveys
Adopted April 13, 2015
Section 7. Implementation and Reporting
The Town of Ithaca shall view Complete Streets as integral to everyday transportation
decision-making practices and processes. To that end:
(a) The Department of Public Works, the Planning Department, other relevant
departments, and committees will incorporate this Complete Streets Policy into all
existing plans, manuals, checklists, rules, regulations and programs as feasible.
(b) The Department of Public Works, the Planning Department, and other relevant
departments will review current design standards, including subdivision regulations
which apply to new roadway construction, to ensure that they reflect the best
available design standards and guidelines and effectively implement this Complete
Streets Policy where feasible.
(c) The Town Board Public Works and Planning Committees will monitor progress as
appropriate.
(d) The Town shall encourage staff professional development and training on non-
motorized transportation issues through attendance at conferences, classes,
seminars, workshops and webcasts.
(e) Town staff will be alert to outside funding sources for Complete Streets
improvements and apply when feasible.
(f) An annual report based on the performance measures in Section 6 will be submitted
for each calendar year to the Town Board along with a summary of all exceptions
granted.
Adopted April 13, 2015