HomeMy WebLinkAboutboard of directors itemsOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
JULY 15, 2014 AGENDA
Subject Action Required Approved By
Complete Streets Policy,
MSP 14-03 Amendment Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Submitted By: Information Report
Planning and Development Bruce Moore
SYNOPSIS
Adoption of a Complete Streets Policy for Little Rock — to
work such that all streets are safe for all modes of
transportation, and a Master Street Plan Amendment to
clarify the Bike Plan section and require the Class II and
III routes be constructed.
FISCAL IMPACT
None determined.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval. At their June 12, 2014
hearing the Planning Commission recommended approval
9 for, 0 against, 2 absent.
CITIZEN
Notices were sent to the `Ordinance Contact List' groups
PARTICIPATION
and organizations interested in development issues. A
public hearing before the Little Rock Planning
Commission was held June 12, 2014.
BACKGROUND
The Bike Friendly Community Committee of Little Rock
approached the City of Little Rock about adopting a
Complete Streets Policy. After some discussions with
Staff in early 2013, a resolution of intent to adopt a
Complete Streets Policy- was approved by the Little Rock
Board of Directors in April 2013 — Resolution No. 13675.
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
The City Manager's Office first brought together staff
from Parks & Recreation, Public Works and Planning
Departments to discuss the issue. Individuals from various
interest groups —health, aging, bicycle, public transit, and
development community, were invited to participate and
meetings were held in late 2013 and early 2014.
The goal for the group was to develop a consensus that
could be used as a guide to the City and development
community for a road system that would be safe and
available for all types of transportation. The group also
reviewed how roadways were built and maintained in
Little Rock as well as the current regulations related to
this.
Staff has prepared two ordinances that we believe will
establish a Policy and then help to implement that Policy.
The Complete Streets Policy states that the City of Little
Rock's goal is a safe, reliable, efficient, integrated and
connected multimodal transportation system for all modes
and individuals. It does state some conditions under which
a particular project would not be expected to fully meet the
intent of Complete Streets. The second ordinance is
intended to improve facilities and safety for bicyclists and
include bicycles as a valid part of the transportation
system.
2
PLETE STREET POLICY
Name: Complete Streets Policy and Master Street Plan Amendment related to
Bike Plan requirements
Location: Jurisdiction wide
Request: Approve a Complete Streets Policy for Little Rock and Amend the Master
Street Plan to help implement that policy.
Source: Staff
PROPOSAL 1 REQUEST:
To approve a Complete Streets Policy for Little Rock, this policy indicates that streets
should be constructed and maintained such that all forms of transportation may safely
and freely use the streets of Little Rock — pedestrian, non -motorized and motorized. To
help implement this proposed policy a second item is presented to modify the Master
Street Plan as it relates to dedication, construction, and marking for Bike Paths, Lanes
and Routes within Little Rock.
ANALYSIS:
The Bike Friendly Community Committee of Little Rock approached the City of Little
Rock about adopting a Complete Streets Policy. This group of volunteers reviewed
similar policies and recommendations from some national organizations to write a policy
they wanted the City of Little Rock to adopt. After some discussions with Staff in early
2013, a resolution of intent to adopt a Complete Streets Policy- was approved by the
Little Rock Board of Directors in April 2013 — Resolution No. 13675. This resolution
instructed Staff to develop a Policy over the next year, so that the Board could adopt it.
The City Manager's Office first brought together staff from Parks & Recreation, Public
Works and Planning Departments to discuss the issue. Individuals from various interest
groups —health, aging, bicycle, public transit, and development community, were invited
to participate and meetings were held in late 2013 and early 2014. The intent of the
group was to develop a `Policy Statement' for the Board of Directors and to look at
changes that might need to be made in Little Rock to help implement that Policy.
The goal for the group was to develop a consensus that could be used as a guide to the
City and development community for a road system that would be safe and available for
all types of transportation. The City's roads should be safe and usable for pedestrians,
non -motorized vehicles, and motorized vehicles. Several members of the group
provided examples of ordinances and resolutions from other communities in Arkansas
and around the country. The group also reviewed how roadways were built and
maintained in Little Rock as well as the current regulations related to this.
COMPLETE STREET POLICY Cont.
The core policy is that the City will develop a safe, reliable, efficient, integrated and
connected multimodal transportation system that will promote access and mobility for all
users, and will ensure that the safety and convenience of all users of the transportation
system are accommodated, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, users of public
transportation, emergency responders, freight haulers, people of all ages and abilities,
and adjacent land users. The Complete Streets Policy starts with this and then states
that the city shall incorporate complete streets infrastructure into existing public streets
to create a comprehensive, integrated, and connected transportation network that
balances access, mobility and safety needs of all users of all ages and abilities and the
needs of adjacent land users, thus providing a fully connected, integrated network that
provides transportation options throughout the City whenever feasible.
The second issue was seeing if Little Rock's existing development criteria and
regulations assure that the goal of Complete Streets can be met. It was felt by the
committee looking at the issue that generally the existing regulations (ordinances) do
encourage much of what is required for by the Complete Streets Policy. That is, there
are pedestrian and vehicle requirements with the various classes of roads within Little
Rock. One area found lacking was the requirements related to bicycle facilities.
Several changes to the Master Street Plan — Bike Plan section are proposed to assure
that bicycles are treated as a valid mode of transportation and with safety in mind.
These changes require both public and private development to include bicycle facilities
where appropriate at Class III and Class II levels (Bike Routes and Lanes). The Plan
would continue to require only public projects to provide Class I level bike facilities (Bike
Paths).
Staff has prepared two ordinances that we believe will establish a Policy and then help
to implement that Policy. The Complete Streets Policy states that the City of Little
Rock's goal is a safe, reliable, efficient, integrated and connected multimodal
transportation system for all modes and individuals. It does state some conditions
under which a particular project would not be expected to fully meet the intent of
Complete Streets. The second ordinance is intended to improve facilities and safety for
bicyclists and include bicycles as a valid part of the transportation system.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
Notices were sent to the City contact list for ordinance amendments. This list includes
engineers, developers and neighborhood organizations. Staff has received no contacts
as a result of the mailing.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the Complete Streets Policy and of the Master Street
Plan amendment as it relates to bicycle facilities.
2
COMPLETE STREET POLICY (Cont.)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JUNE 12, 2014)
Tony Bozynski, Director of Planning & Development reviewed the process used to work
on this effort. He also indicated that the Board had instructed Staff to development the
Policy Statement. Since the City Manager's Office had been instructed by the Board of
Directors to develop the Complete Streets Policy, Mr. Bozynski turned the meeting over
to Mr. Bryan Day, Assistant City Manager. Mr. Day indicated that over the last decade
or so, various communities around the country have been adopting similar 'Policies'.
The purpose is to address all modes of transportation —walking, biking, vehicular, and
others. Even the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has begun looking
at such a Policy.
There are two ordinances; the first is the Complete Streets Policy. Mr. Day reviewed
Section 1 of the ordinance and explained the reasoning for the wording. We have tried
to include the best practices from other Policy statements around the country. Section II
indicates that all projects would be subject to this Policy not just public projects. Section
IV indicates the national documents the City will use to help assure best practices are
used. Section V indicates what exceptions might be used. But Mr. Day assured the
Commission that this means in the future on all projects `Complete Streets' principles
will be considered.
The committee also reviewed the related ordinances and found some changes needed
in the Bike Plan — the second ordinance. Mr. Day indicated that for Class I Bike Paths
(separate paths) the majority would need to be completed by the public sector.
Mr. Day indicated that these items will go to the Board of Directors in July.
Commissioner Nunnley asked about multi -module versus intra -module. Commissioner
Berry explained what each was. Mr. Day indicated the City Manager and Director of
Public Works would be responsible to assure the Policy is followed. Mr. Berry indicated
this type of Policy was good business and helped attract new businesses and younger
workers.
Mason Ellis spoke in support. He indicated that the ability to walk and bike to work and
home was a factor in his decision on where to settle. Mr. Ellis expressed appreciation
for all the work on this effort.
Commissioner Dillon moved the approval and Commissioner Nunnley seconded. By a
vote of 9 for, 0 against and 2 absent the motion was approved.
3
ORDINANCE NO.
2
3 AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY FOR
4 THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
5
6 WHEREAS, the State of Arkansas is in the process of developing a complete streets policy
7 for state funded highway projects and over 600 other cities and communities across the United
8 States have adopted a complete streets policy, and
9 WHEREAS, the City of Little Rock has adopted a Master Street Plan that provides standard
10 designs, parameters, and infrastructure requirements for certain specified types of streets and
11 highways used by motorists, including those using automobiles, buses, trucks and commercial
12 vehicles, fire trucks, police vehicles, and ambulances, to travel safely throughout the city, and
13 WHEREAS, the city's adopted Master Street Plan recognizes that well-designed streets also
14 provide for the needs of persons walking along or needing to safely cross the streets and
15 bicyclists using the streets, whether as a safe route to school, commuting to work or on errands,
16 or as a form of healthy recreation, and the city utilizes design standards that address the special
17 needs of persons with disabilities, including persons with visual impairments or in wheelchairs,
18 to safely travel along and across streets, and
19 WHEREAS, the Master Bike Plan, a part of the Master Street Plan, was adopted in its most
20 recent form on December 6, 2011, and its previous heavy emphasis on the development of
21 separate bike paths was changed to the creation of consistent and safe routes throughout the city
22 through signage, sharrows, striping and dedicated bike lanes, thereby both reducing development
23 costs and aiding the development of a more comprehensive bike route system in a shorter period
24 of time, and
25 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to further advance the development of the city's
26 transportation network to provide streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access and
27 the ability to move safely along and across streets for all users, including motorists, public
28 transportation users, bicyclists and pedestrians, of all ages and abilities, and
29 WHEREAS, by adopting this ordinance, the Board of Directors recognizes the steps the city
30 has already taken to provide for the needs of all users of city streets and highways and affirms its
[PAGE 1 OF 41
ORDINANCE
To adopt a complete streets policy
I desire for the further advancement of fully integrated active transportation networks within the
2 city.
3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
4 THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
5 Section 1. Complete streets policy. It is the policy of the city to develop a safe, reliable,
6 efficient, integrated and connected multimodal transportation system that will promote access
7 and mobility for all users, and will ensure that the safety and convenience of all users of the
8 transportation system are accommodated, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, users of
9 public transportation, emergency responders, freight haulers, people of all ages and abilities, and
10 adjacent land users. Complete streets may be achieved through single large projects or
11 incrementally in a series of smaller improvements or maintenance activities over a period of
12 time, utilizing maximum financial flexibility with the intent that all sources of transportation
13 funding opportunities will be drawn upon to implement complete streets.
14 Section 2. Applicability. Except as provided in Section 5 below, the city will apply this
15 complete streets policy to all street projects for public streets, regardless of funding source,
16 including those involving new construction, reconstruction, retrofit, repaving, rehabilitation, and
17 change in the allocation of pavement space on an existing street. The exceptions will allow the
18 city to remain flexible to the unique circumstances of different streets so that sound engineering
19 and planning judgment will produce context -sensitive designs.
20 Section 3. Complete streets infrastructure. As feasible, the city shall incorporate complete
21 streets infrastructure into existing public streets to create a comprehensive, integrated, and
22 connected transportation network that balances access, mobility and safety needs of all users of
23 all ages and abilities and the needs of adjacent land users, thus providing a fully connected,
24 integrated network that provides transportation options throughout the city. "Complete streets
25 infrastructure" means design features such as: sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes,
26 automobile lanes, paved shoulders, street trees and landscaping, planting strips, curbs, accessible
27 curb ramps, bump outs, crosswalks, refuge islands, pedestrian and traffic signals, including
28 countdown and accessible signals, signage, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities, public
29 transportation stops and facilities, priority signalization, narrow vehicle lanes, raised medians,
[PAGE 2 OF 41
ORDINANCE
To adopt a complete streets policy
I dedicated bus lanes, traffic calming devices such as traffic circles and traffic bumps, and surface
2 treatments such as paving blocks, textured asphalt and concrete.
3 Section 4. Best practices criteria. The public works department shall continue to utilize
4 design criteria and standards for streets infrastructure based upon recognized best practices in
5 street design, construction and operations including but not limited to the latest editions of
6 American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (ASHTO) and Institute of
7 Transportation Engineers (ITE), while also taking into account the context and character of the
8 surrounding built and natural environments to enhance the appearance of such environment. The
9 city manager shall ensure that complete streets design principles are incorporated in city plans,
10 proposed ordinances, regulations and programs as appropriate and that training of city staff in
11 best practices in regard to design of streets for multimodal transportation occurs.
12 Section 5. Exceptions.
13 (a) Complete streets principles and practices will be included in street construction,
14 reconstruction, repaving, and rehabilitation projects except under one or more of the following
15 conditions as determined by the director of public works:
16 (1) The project involves a street or highway on which certain users, such as
17 pedestrians or bicyclists, are prohibited by law, such as an interstate highway or a
18 pedestrian mall.
19 (2) Routine maintenance of the transportation network is involved that does not
20 change the roadway geometry or operations, such as sweeping, mowing and spot
21 repair.
22 (3) Where an equivalent project along the same corridor is already programmed to
23 provide the needed infrastructure or facilities.
24 (4) Scarcity of population, travel and attractors, both existing and projected into the
25 foreseeable future, indicate an absence of need for such accommodations, or the
26 street is outside an established existing bus transit route and where it is reasonably
27 determined that a future bus transit route will not exist.
28 (5) The cost of complete streets accommodations is excessively disproportionate to
29 the need or probable use. Construction may not be practically feasible or cost -
30 effective because of significant or adverse environmental impacts to historic
[PAGE 3 OF 4]
ORDINANCE
To adopt a complete streets policy
I resources, streams, flood plains, wetlands, remnants of native vegetation, steep
2 slopes or other critical areas.
3 (b) The director of public works shall employ a checklist to document the complete streets
4 analysis on each street project.
5 Section 6. Performance standards. The public works department shall develop performance
6 measures to evaluate the progress in developing complete streets. The city manager shall
7 regularly evaluate the success and opportunities for improvement regarding the city's efforts to
8 provide complete streets according to measurable benchmarks. Performance standards may
9 include linear feet of new sidewalks, percentage of streets with low design speeds, and public
10 participation, such as numbers of public transit riders.
11 Section 7. Fostering partnerships. It is a goal of the city to foster partnerships with federal,
12 state and other transportation funding agencies, citizens, businesses, interest groups and
13 neighborhoods to implement the complete streets ordinance.
14 Section 8. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause,
15 phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such
16 declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance, which shall
17 remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or
18 unconstitutional were not originally a part of the ordinance.
19 Section 9. Repealer. All laws, ordinances and resolutions, or parts of the same, that are
20 inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance, are hereby repealed to the extent of such
21 inconsistency.
22 ADOPTED:
23 ATTEST: APPROVED:
24
25
26 Susan Langley, City Clerk Mark Stodola, Mayor
27 APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
28
29
30 Thomas M. Carpenter, City Attorney
[PACE 4 OF 41
ORDINANCE
To adopt a complete streets policy
I ORDINANCE NO.
2
3 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MASTER STREET PLAN
4 (ORDINANCE NO. 20,117) TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
5 DEDICATION, CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF BICYCLE PATHS
6 AND ROUTES IN THE MASTER STREET PLAN TEXT (MSP14-03);
7 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
WHEREAS, a diverse committee of citizens and City staff members have met to discuss how best to
safely and conveniently accommodate all modes of transportation along, across and through the City's
network of streets and highways and to recommend code changes to implement safe routes throughout the
City for all users; and,
WHEREAS, changes to the Master Street Plan are needed to improve the City's transportation
network;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
Section 1. The last sentence of the first paragraph of Section I of the Master Street Plan text is
hereby deleted and replaced by the following language:
Applicants for site plan review and building permit are not required to dedicate, mark or
construct any Class I bicycle path or route as described in the Plan. Where only a
segment of a block is being developed with no connectivity, either existing or anticipated
to occur within the next year, to any other bicycle lane or route, in such case signage and
bicycle markings shall not be required for the street abutting the development along Class
II Bike Lanes or Class III Bicycle Routes.
Section 2. In the Master Street Plan, Section 4: Bicycle Plan, under Bicycle Facilities and
within the first paragraph of the Class III Bicycle Routes subsection, the words "special signage"
in the first sentence and the word "signage" in the last sentence are hereby deleted and replaced
with the word "sharrows".
Section 3. To correct an error in the Master Street Plan text in Section 4: Bicycle Plan, in the fifth
paragraph under Construction Standards, the word "build" is deleted and replaced with the word "built".
Section 4. In the Master Street Plan text, Section 4: Bicycle Plan, in the seventh paragraph under
Construction Standards, the second sentence is deleted and replaced with the following sentence:
[PAGE 1 OF 2]
ORDINANCE
To amend Master Street Plan to Revise Requirements
For Dedication, Construction and Marking of Bicycle
Paths and Routes in Master Street Plan Text
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Sharrows should be provided.
Section 5. In the Master Street Plan text, Section 4: Bicycle Plan, in the Construction Standards
section in the first paragraph under Signage and Marking, the last sentence is deleted and replaced with
the following sentence:
Requirements for signs and graphics painted on the pavement, including sharrows and
bicycle emblems, vary depending upon the class of a particular bicycle route.
Section 6. In the Master Street Plan text, Section 4: Bicycle Plan, in the Construction and Standards
section and the fourth paragraph under Signage and Marking, the first two sentences are deleted and
replaced with the following language:
Class III Bicycle Routes require sharrow markings on the pavement according to traffic
engineering requirements. Class I Bike Paths, when constructed, and Class II Bike Lanes
should be marked with on -street bicycle graphics in white paint with directional arrows
directing the flow of bicycle traffic. Class III Bicycle Routes should be marked with on -
street bicycle graphics as described above.
Section 7. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or
word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or
adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the resolution, which shall remain in full force and
effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part of the
ordinance.
Section 8. Repealer. All ordinances and resolutions of the City in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 9. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days from and after its passage.
PASSED:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Susan Langley, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
Thomas M. Carpenter, City Attorney
ORDINANCE
To amend Master Street Plan to Revise Requirements
For Dedication, Construction and Marking of Bicycle
Paths and Routes in Master Street Plan Text
Mark Stodola, Mayor
[PAGE 2 OF 2]