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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1014~--------r-----------------------------------,.--~------------ / _1. /1 ~,' .__ RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION of the City of Kent, Washington adopting the City of Kent Comprehensive Transportation Plan. WHEREAS, the City of Kent has experienced a dramatic increase in economic and population growth in the past decade, resulting in strain-s on its transportation system; and the area surrounding the City has grown as well, and traffic passing through Kent to get to major freeways has had a significant impact on the City's road system; and this increase in traffic needs, coupled with the recent decline in available funding programs, has required the City to thoroughly evaluate existing problems and find possible solutions in order to adequately prepare for the future; and WHEREAS, the consulting firm of Wilsey and Ham was retained in 1981 by the Department of Public Works to prepare a -report analyzing the transportation system, to project needs caused from growth until the year 2000, and to recommend a Comprehensive Transportation Plan to guide the City; and WHEREAS, a Citizen's Advisory Committee was formed with representatives from business, the residential community, the school district, Planning Commission, and City Council; and WHEREAS, a Technical Advisory Committee was formed with representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Puget Sound Council of Governments, METRO, Commuter Pool, King County, and the adjacent cities of Auburn, Renton, and Tukwila; and WHEREAS, meetings designed for information exchange with the Citizen' 's Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee and the general public were held during 1981 and 1982 at which time the consultants presented study progress reports, solicited responses to findings and preliminary recommendations; and WHEREAS, the City Council commenced its public hearing on the Transportation Plan on February 6, 1984; and WHEREAS, said public hearing was continued until Tuesday, February 21, 1984 at which time the goals and policies used to develop the Transportation Plan were approved and the arterial '...,/ plans developed therefrom were approved with the understanding that the new east-west arterials identified in the plan should be considered only as study corridors, which implies their potential but recognizes a need for additional joint agency study and concurrence; and \fflEREAS, the public hearing was continued until March 5, 1984 and later March 19, 1984 to consider the pedestrian, bicycle, and truck elements of the Transportation Plan; and WHEREAS, on April 2, 1984 the pedestrian, bicycle, and truck elements of the Transportation Plan were approved, as modified; and WHEREAS, the Council has determined that financing alter- natives should be deferred until participating agreements with interested agencies are developed and until the City develops a Comprehensive Capital Improvement Financing Program; and WHEREAS, further hearings on the Transportation Plan were conducted on April 16, 1984 at which time the City Attorney was directed to prepare a resolution adopting the Transportation Plan; and WHEREAS, on May 7 further hearings were conducted on the arterial access policies of the Transportation Plan; and WHEREAS, the Council having considered the Transportation Plan during the above-identified hearings over the past few months; NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City of Kent Comprehensive Transportation Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein, a copy of which is also filed with the City Clerk, is hereby adopted. City of day of Passed at a regular meeting of t~e City Council of the Kent Washington this ~ day of ~< 1984. Concurred in by the Mayor of the City of Kent, this ..:.£:__ ~ '1984. / 1' \__ . .-/" - 2 - ATTEST: ·~~ MARIE J~~y CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM: P. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct Resolution No. (orf , passed by~ Council of the Kent, Washington, the 7 day of , 1984. copy of City of '-...~ (SEAL) ~~~ MARIEJ SNICIT1 CLERK 170-10 - 3 - CITY OF KENT (~) 00~00~800 (~ Transportation Study CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN as adopted by the Kent City Council May 7' 1984 CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAH TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II. Arterial Plan .............................................. 4 III. Pedestrian Element ..•.....••...•.••..••.••...••..••••••.•.. 7 IV. Bicycle Element . • . • . . • • • . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • . • . • • . . • • • . . . 8 V. Truck Element······································'······· 11 VI. Arterial Access Policy ••••.••••...•••...••••••.•••••••••..• 13 VII. Appendix: Transportation Policies .......................... 15 Page -2- CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN INTRODUCTION The City of Kent has experienced a dramatic increase in economic and population growth in the past decade, resulting in strains to its transportation system. The areas surrounding the city have grown as well, and traffic passing through Kent to get to major freeways has also had a significant impact on the city's street system. The consulting firm of Wilsey & Ham was retained in 1981 by the City of Kent to analyze the existing transportation system and the comprehensive land use plan, and recommend a comprehensive transportation plan which would serve the future needs of the City and its sphere of influence. The firm completed their work in 1983. A Community Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee reviewed Wilsey & Ham's work in progress. The Community Advisory Committee was composed of representatives from the residential and business community, the School District, and the Kent Planning Commission and City Council. The Technical Advisory Commitee was made up of transportation planners from adjacent agencies, including the cities of Renton, Tukwila, and Auburn; the Washington State Department of Transportation; the Puget Sound Council of Governments; METRO; Commuter Pool; and King County. Both committees made modifications to the recommended transportation plan. The City Council held a series of hearings on the recommended transportation plan during the months of January through May, 1984. This document summarizes the plan adopted on May 7, 1984. Additional technical information is available through the Department of Public Works. Page -3- CITY OF KEtrf COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ARTERIAL PLAN The Arterial Plan, shown in Figure 1, was developed to provide for transportation needs which would result from implementation of the City of Kent's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The arterial system established is more extensive than is needed in the next fifteen years. However, when the Kent area is fully developed at some time ln the future, the entire arterial system will be necessary. This Arterial Plan does not delineate the exact size or precise roads, but does establish the principal function that each corridors will serve in the overall transportation system. Arterial Plan does not distinguish between existing arterials and have yet to be built. location of of the road Also, the those which Figure 2 lists the projects which would be necessary to complete the Arterial Plan. The new east-west arterials suggested on the Arterial Plan (i.e. 192nd/196th and 272nd/277th Streets), have been designated study corridors which implies their potential, but recognizes a need for additional joint agency study and concurrence. Page -4- ' ' ' \ . \ \ ~ \ ~ I \ ,216tl>. I-~. I /. I ( I \ ... ... = ···--···---··~ ... • ... r.: '--· ._.. .... ---~-. . .-./ "' 1 ... :.-. I ~et • •'--•--=---...-.,. --._.,. .ro,..l ...... \ ·-·-·-~, ........ :·...,~ ·-'· ·'5 ~ "' FUNCTIONAL 192n4 \ 240tl>. I l ... :: I .. ., .• ~ CLASSIFICATIONS STATE ROUTES freeway 1111111111 expressway • ............ pri~pal arte_rtal minor arterial • • · • • ~ colt,ctor LOCAL ROUTES 24~~-\-·-. --· expressway 24Bt .. I . I \ J Om I -.---primary arterial . CITY OF KENT Arterial Plan figure 1 I ' 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 12. 17. 18. 21. 25. 34. 36. 37. 38. 40. 42. 41. 43. 44. 45. 49. so. 13. 15. 16. 20. 22. 23. 6. 9. 10. 27. 28. 14. 24. 26. 33. 39. 46. 47. 48. 7. 29. 30. 19. TRANSPORTATION PLAN PROJECT LIST SR 516 Bypass, Reith to Washington SR 515 Bypass, Petrovitsky to Grady S 180th Widening, Petrovitsky to SE 196th SR 515 Widening, Petrovitsky to SE !96th Pctrovitsky Widening, SR 515 to 116th SE Petrovitsky Widening, !16th SE to 140th SE S 180th & East Valley intersection S 180th & West Valley intersection SE 208th & 108th SE intersection Petrovitsky & 140th SE intersection S 212th & East Valley intersection Washington Ave & SR 516 intersection SR 516 & Reith intersection Willis & Central intersection SR 516 & 132nd SE intersection Smith & Central intersection Kent-Kangley & 277th Ext. intersection S 277th & 83rd S intersection SE 277th & 104th SE intersection SE 277th & 124th SE intersection Pedestrian Program Bicycle Program SR 515 Widening, SE 196th to SE 256th 83rd S/ Auburn Way Widening SR 516 Widening, 116th SE to SR 18 James & Central intersection SE 240th & 104th SE intersection S 212th & West Valley intersection SE 192nd/196th New Route, SR 515 to East Valley S 277th Extension, West Valley to 132nd SE SR 167/S 212th Interchange SE 192nd & SR 515 intersection S !96th & East Valley intersection ·SR 515 Widening, Petrovitsky to Grady Petrovitsky & SR 515 intersection SE 208th & 132nd SE intersection 84th S & SR 167 intersection SE 240th & 132nd SE intersection SE 192nd & 116th SE intersection SE 208th & ll6th SE intersection SE 240th & !16th SE S 196th/200th New Route, East Valley to Orillia S !96th & West Valley intersection .S 200th & Orillia Road intersection Kent-Des Moines Road & SR 99 intersection FIGURE 2 Page -6- 'x x XX X X X X XI xi .J ~·~· - I I : X lx x [(xl XX lx 1 ----·1-----· X X X I xxxx ~~ ~ [_ XX XX XX X XX IX X !x x I X X XI X X' X X X ~ ~I X X X X x! X X XX X XXX XXX X X X X X X X X X X X YEAR NEEDED ~---1983. 1983 1983 1983 1983 1983 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1986 1986 1986 1986 1986-94 1986-90 1987-94 1987 1987-89 1988 1988 1988 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1995 1995 1995 2000 LOCAL FUNDS NEEDED (EXCL. ·NEW ROUTES) $ 65,000 $ 60,000 $ 88,000 $541,000 $ 61,000 $787,000 $ 22,000 $ 22,000 $ 44,000 $ 69,000 TOTAL $1,759,000 CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN PEDESTRIAN ELEMENT Kent and the surrounding area have been developed for transportation by car. Pedestrians have taken a back seat. As a result, few people walk. However, accommodations must be provided for those who do walk. School children have no choice and must walk to school. Others have no driver's license or no car and must walk. Some choose to walk. As Kent develops, residential and commercial densities will increase and walking will become more convenient and therefore more common. Unfortunately, facilities for pedestrians are often lacking, particularly in the East Hill area. The Pedestrian Element of the Transportation Plan consists of two sections: new standards and needed improvements. The following pedestrian standards will be implemented on all new arterial construction in the City of Kent: 1) Paved walkways of minimum five foot width on both sides. 2) Walkways should be separated from travel lanes where possible by a curb, ditch, or planting strip. 3) All arterial walkways in urban areas should be lighted. Those in residential areas should receive no less than 0.2 average horizontal footcandles and those in commercial areas no less than 0.9 footcandles. The uniformity ratio (average to minimum) should exceed 6:1. 4) Marked pedestrian transit stops and crossings safely. crossings schools, should be provided at all major where pedestrians can make such The following improvements should be built as soon as funds are available: 1) Canyon Drive (SR 516) from Hazel to Kent-Meridian High School - separated shoulder on south side. 2) 116th Avenue SE from SE 240th to SE 234th -paved shoulder on west side. 3) Woodland Way from Reiten to Maple and Maple to 267th -paved walkway on east side. 4) West Valley Highway (SR 181) from James Street to Green River bridge -sidewalks on both sides. 5) Frager and Russell Roads from Kent-Des Moines Road to S 200th Street -paved shoulders on both sides. Page -7- CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN BICYCLE ELEMENT The Bicycle Element of the Transportation Plan primarily serves the needs of school children, but it is also intended to serve commuting and recreational bicyclists. As in the Pedestrian Element, the Bicycle Element is composed of two parts: standards to be applied to new construction and proposed improvements intended to correct existing problem areas. New standards: 1) A bicycle route system should be established as indicated on Figure 3. 2) Normally the bicycle route will be a widened outside traffic lane, a minimum of 15 feet wide, as shown in Figure 4. 3) On grades in excess of 5%, the bicycle facility will consist of either an outside traffic lane of minimum 16 feet width or a shared sidewalk of minimum seven feet width. 4) On arterials with no curbs, the bicycle facility will consist of a minimum five-foot paved shoulder on both sides. 5) All constructed facilities will be signed as bicycle routes, and no parking will be allowed on the bicycle facility. Improvement Projects: 1) Totem Junior High School ramps reposition bicycle racks, build 2) Star Lake Elementary School -install bicycle racks, obtain easement and pave paths. 3) Kent Elementary School -provide paved path 4) Scenic Hill Elementary School -install ramps, bicycle racks. Page -8- AjCMhW&i@ W'"' 'F•*MM:I I I !z E Cl) .... w (/) ~ ~ en 8 s LL 0 Cl) ;:1 :;l -i I (; CJ ~ "C .~ c ! 0 aJ CD m I l CD ... N ..J -.. --P"'l>l --tnaH --· -:: -----.. I I II II I I I I II I I~ I I I II II(, -z~ ~ " .. .. --" .. " .. , ~ -", ~ -\)~ lllllllllllllllllll'llllllllll~lllllll 111111 ~ 1111111111111 ~ : pal(l .. : •• ;$· --... -... .... .. ..... .... -~ .. ~-w ·u. ·.,J ..,_ ... -~: ~ .. ~: ~ ~ t{q~~:'-1£1-,-~-~- .. :1 I I I I I I II I I I I 1: ""' .. _ ., , : : ~ --It~.:"' - -: :tllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.lllllllll 11111:1111 'f : IP9lt : 'P9tt : : ._, J -: : : .:J ~ : : -: -.:-~ Ill I 1111111111 1111111 II II I II I {It II II I I II I I I)-,. : "!:.. _1---.. : ~ -~ .; VI ar.~ -• -', • ..., . ":.. 01, ~,, : : _,. I I I I I I I II I I 11 I I I I i I II II II Q Ill 111111 L · 0:, " "' - --tntol -.. ., ... - --llllf. ~ ""' c ..... - -" .. ,, ... -..... _. ,d -.. (\ ~ ,. ..... ...... ..,11111 ; ~ ~= ~ ..,.' :lllltllllllf-!..111111~ #1~ : N,. ........ ----=:::::::.:-.;;__ ":. .. uqn·,11 ,: -,,, :tn" .. ":_:ou1111T ':, -:. -''UIII : ~ ...... ._,, ~I. : -... 1, "tr'IA ""' L't 'IS .. • .. .J ,,, -E. . -:-J;J 1 1111111.:.1111111111111p1111111111 011\., : : - tn'ri -·ua l"TIY<l. :1 ~ -rw.ou;o:J .. ''lllt··lll 1C::111 -... -- .: ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~-·~ ~ ~-~~~--.. ~----------------==-- --T ,.. fllllllllllllllllrll taru -.. -- ('I) Cl) ... :::J 0') ~ .... e N ( PA'JBD ~0/>..DWA.Y SHOVL-Ot::IZ. {IYP.'l Edge of Pavement j CITY OF KENT Transportation Sludy &!0 r BIKE ROUTE If-KENT 6 <;f' Lane Line Minimum Shoulder Width .. PAVED ROADWAY SHOULDERS .. ····--···-·--·--·---'-fN1uR£ 4 ______ ) CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN TRUCK ELEMENT The Truck Element of the Transportation Plan is designed to meet the following objectives: 1) Improve and protect the quality of residential neighborhoods and public/recreation areas. 2) Provide direct access to major truck destination areas. 3) Minimize street maintenance and capital costs. Maximize the overall life of the street network. 4) Insure that special roadway needs of trucks are met in the street system. Streets in Kent will be divided into three categories, truck routes, non-truck routes, and other routes. Truck Routes: 1) SR 515 (Benson Highway, 104th Avenue SE) 2) SR 516 (Kent-Des Moines Road, Willis Street, Central Avenue, Smith Street, Canyon Drive, SE 256th Street, Kent-Kangley Road) 3) SR 167 (Valley Freeway) 4) SR 5 (Interstate 5) 5) SR 181 (West Valley Highway, Washington Avenue, 64th Avenue S, 68th Avenue S) 6) S 180th Street (SW 43rd Street) 7) S 212th Street (Orillia Road) 8) S 228th Street (S 224th Street) 9) S 277th Street Trucks should be prohibited from certain streets because of steep grades, inadequate structural strength, or incompatible land use. No-Truck Routes: 1) S 240th Street (James Street) between Central Avenue and 94th Avenue S -this restriction will take effect when the first new east-west arterial is opened. 2) Reith Road between SR 516 and Military Road 3) S 218th street between 92 Avenue S and lOOth Avenue SE Page -11- 4) 35th Avenue S/37th Place S/40th Place S between 42nd Avenue S and Military Road 5) All residential access streets, except for deliveries. All other arterials could be used by trucks, but they would not be signed as truck routes. Page -12- CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ARTERIAL ACCESS POLICY Uncontrolled arterial access leads to increased congestion and collisions. However, prohibiting access entirely precludes reasonable use of abutting properties. On the city arterial·system, property access shall be provided, but controlled. Access to city arterials shall be controlled as specified in ARTERIAL ACCESS REGULATIONS (Page 14). These standards shall be applied only to new developments within the City. Page -13- CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ARTERIAL ACCESS REGULATIONS All new driveways shall be criteria. Deviations may be justification by the applicant. developed permitted in accordance with the following design by the Director of Public Works after 1. All single family residential lots shall be permitted one driveway access, not more than 25 feet wide. 2. The number of driveway accesses for commercial and industrial lots shall depend on the amount of street frontage as follows: less than 250 feet 250-500 feet 500-750 feet more than 750 feet 1 driveway 2 driveways 3 driveways 4 driveways Driveway widths for industrial lots shall be 30-40 feet. Driveway widths for commercial lots shall be 25-35 feet. 3. Commercial or industrial developments may warrant a private intersection opening instead of a standard driveway approach. The private intersection opening differs in that radii are provided to allow easier turning movements. The following additional criteria shall be met before a private intersection can be approved: A) A left turn lane is provided on the abutting street, if warranted. B) Traffic signalization is provided by the applicant, if warranted. C) A minimum 100 feet of storage lane is provided between the street and parking, maneuvering, and loading areas wlthin the development. D) No other driveway openings shall be approved within 150 feet of the private intersection opening. E) Ahe driveway approach shall be marked for two-way traffic. F) The driveay is expected to serve more than 1,500 vehicles daily, or a substantial number of oversized vehicles. G) C11r.b radii shall be limited to l) f~et for co'n'n~ceL-tl properties and 20 feet for industrial properties. 4. All driveway approaches shall be perpendicular or radial to the city street. S. No driveways onto arterial streets may be permitted within 100 feet of any arterial intersection, or within SO feet of any other intersection. Exceptions may be granted if no other access is possible. 6. Direct access onto arterials shall be restricted if an alternate street access is available. Page -14- GOALS AND POLICIES GUIDING THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN USER GOALS AND POLICIES GOAL: Establish a balanced, safe and efficient transportation system for all modes of travel. r~ake available needed mobility for all. GENERAL USER POLICY: 1. A broad range of transportation facilities will be provided for all purposes and modes of travel. AUTOMOBILE POLICIES: 2. 8oth existing traffic volumes and future growth in travel by automobile should be reduced, to the extent possible, by supporting programs and physical improvements which encourage ridesharing and higher levels of transit use. 3. Automobile traffic remaining after the maximum likely use of ridesharing and transit will be provided sufficient facilities for operation at or just below capacity (Level of Service 11 E11 ) during peak hours. 4. The arterial system shall have appropriate spacing of arterials to distribute traffic evenly and provide sufficient capacity (within four through-lanes on each arterial) for full development of land in and around Kent. In cases where ideal spacing cannot be achieved, up to six through-lanes may be provided but, generally, pavement widths should be minimized. 5. The arterial system will be planned, designed and operated to accommodate appropriate types of vehicular traffic; through traffic will primarily be accommodated on freeways and major arterials, and local traffic will be accommodated primarily on local access streets and collectors. State design standards and arterial classification definitions will be used in describing the Kent street system. 6. Access to development along expressvmys and major arterials should be to collector and access streets whenever possible rather than direct dri ve1-1ay access. • Proposals for new development should address provision of local access street~ in common with other property owners as a part of the proposal. 7. Existing and future arterials and intersections will be planned, desiqned and operated so that accident rates are within the normal range for each class of arterial. TRANSIT POLICIES: 8. METRO will be encouraged to provide fixed route, scheduled service to employment and population centers in Kent. Page -15- .· 9. The City will consider modifications of employment and population density to meet METRO service criteria as a ~eans of securing fixed-route, scheduled service. 10 For population and employment areas not meeting METRO service criteria for fixed-route scheduled service, METRO will be encouraged to develop paratransit services. 11. Transit and paratransit service should be provided to adequately connect the resident population with industrial, commercial, recreational and educational areas in Kent. 12. Transit and paratransit services should be provided to adequately connect the resident population with METRO Park-and-Ride facilities in and near Kent. 13. The City will work to encourage transit use through provision of physical and operational improvements on public rights of way to facilitate transit movement and transit patron access. 14. The City shall identify transit facility needs to be provided by METRO (shelters, signs, route and schedule information posted). 15. The City will develop guidelines and programs that will encourage employers to provide or subsidize transit and ridesharing for their employees. 16. The City shall encourage ~IETRO to provide transit and paratransi t service to nonmotorized trails and paths at feasible access points. PEDESTRIAN POLICIES 17. Pedestrian travel shall be separated from vehicular travel on the arterial system, and facilities for pedestrian travel shall be provided on all arterials. 18. Adequate lighting shall be provided on the pedestrian network. 19. Pedestrian crossings of arterials shall be provided at a minimum of every one-half m1le. 20 All-weather walking surfaces S'lall. be provided for the pedestrian network along arterials. 21. Pedestrian facilities on local access stree~ will be provided by property owners. 22. Pedestrian access to transit will be provided. Page -16- 23. Vehicles and pedestrians will be separated in parking areas through appropriate design and traffic control devic€s. The City will institute guidelines for pedestrian facilities within new development. Existing development will be encouraged to meet pedestrian facility guidelines. 24. Nonmotorized trail policies of the Shoreline Master Plan will be follovJed. (See Shoreline Master Plan for the City of Kent). BICYCLE POLICIES: 25. Bicycle circulation shall be safely integrated into existing and all nevJ traffic circulation facilities or improvements. 26. Along arterial and residential streets in the vicinity of eiementary and middle schools, roadway shoulders or sidewalks should be provided to permit school children to ride bicycles outside of the motorized traffic stream. 27. Existing streets shall be developed to the extent physically and economically feasible before seeking new routes and a mixture of circulation modes within the corridor sha11 be ·encouraged. 28. Detection devices for bicycles shall be provided at all locations with actuated traffic signals. 29. Bicycle storage facilities shall be provided at all municipal buildings. The City shall also encourage and promote the use of such storage facilities at other public and private locations to facilitate the use of bicycles. 30. Establishment of 11 Bikes-on-Busesn· transit stops shall be encouraoed to serve residential and business areas and bypass topographical barriers to buses. 31. Secure bicycle storage lockers or racks should be provided at all major transit stops. 32. Bicycle lockers which provide security from theft and weather should be encouraged at all Park-and-Ride lots . . 33. Provision of bicycle lockers or racks secure from theft and weather shall be required at every major new structure vJit~in working and trading areas. 34. Safe bicycle operation for all ages shall be promoted through programs such as user training, educational campaigns, and bicycle-route mapping. 35. Educational campaigns shall be promoted to educate motor vehicle drivers about bicycle operations. Page -17- 36. Multi-function use of bike facilities should be considered where the users will not be in conflict with each oth~r (wheelchair ramps, motor bikes, pedestrian facilities, etc.). GOOD MOVEMENT POLICIES: 37. Truck routes shall be established which provide adequate truck access and circulation without impacting other transportation modes. 38. Loading zones on public right-of-\'Jay may be pennitted for access to commercial and industrial property not having off-street loading facilities. Loading zones on major arterials will not be pennitted. 39. Conflicts of rail facilities with other modes of travel will be minimized. On major arterials, grade separation of highway and rail facilities will be considered if rail line use results in peak hour conditions \'/Orse than level of Service 11 £'1 • 40. Basic mobility needs of the elderly and handicapped shall be provided for. Transportation programs and facilities will be developed so that the elderly and handicapped can travel between their residence and their place of employment, shopping areas, and access points to the METRO system. COMMUNITY GOALS AND POLICIES GENERAL COMMUNITY POLICY: 1. Transportation facilities in Kent will be developed and improved to enhance the community and to assure continued economic growth. The transportation system vlill support the community ·development, and environmental objectives of Kent. ENVIRONMENT-RELATED POLICIES: 2. The transportation system will be planned, designed and operated to minimize traffic noise in residential neighborhoods. 3. The transportation system will be planned, designed and operated to minimize energy sonsumption, and vehicle-generated air pollution. 4. The arterial system will be planned and designed to complement the visual character of the nearby landscape. 5. The streets of Kent will maintain and enhance the natural environmental amenities. 6. The transportation plan will acknowledge and provide for the policies of scenic roads, access points and trails in Special Interest Districts. Page -18- COMMUNITY ACCESS AND CIRCULATION POLICIES: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. \ Access and circulation within residential, commercial and industrial areas should be separated from major arterials. Adequate on-site vehicle, truck, and pedestrian circulation should be provided within major developments, and access to major arterials will be provided through collector and secondary arterials rather than directly by driveways. Accordingly, property owners adjacent to major arterials should cooperate \'lith one another and the City in planning and designing secondary and collector arterials to consolidate access to new development. Parking lots in new commercial and industrial development will be landscaped and screened from the road by berms, landscaping or structured walls as appropriate. _. Bicycle and pedestrian linkages between residential areas and nearby commercial areas and transit stops will be assured, and are a priority for implementation. Pedestrian circulation and amenities will be provided in the CBD and major commercial areas. Parking areas and commercial circulation roads bordering residential areas will be screened from residents• sight and hearing. Street naming and address systems will facilitate locating destinations and foster community identity. SYSTEM OWNER/OPERATOR GOALS AND POLICIES GENERAL OWNER/OPERATOR POLICY: 1. The City shall plan, design and operate the transportation system in a cost-effective manner; and financing of the continued maintenance and operation as well as system improvements will be equitably distributed among those v1ho use and pay for area roads. The City • s management of transportation will be an open process regularly examined by the public, their elected representatives and affected agencies. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION POLICIES: . 2. The City will establish a continuing process for identifying and evaluating trnsportation system needs for use in decision-making. 3. Travel forecasts used as a basis for evaluation of system needs will be based upon the most current population, employment and urban arterial data, and will be coordinated with the Puget Sound council of Governments (PSCOG) prior to the City making capital program decisions. Page -19- 4. The City shall urge PSCOG to adopt and incorporate regional elements of the City•s comprehensive land use and transportation olans as elements of the Subregional Plan. 5. The transit element of the transportation plan will be based upon the METRO Transit Plan. 6. The City shall coordinate transportation planning decisions with King County, Auburn, Tukwila, Renton, and the Washington State Department of Transportation as appropriate. 7. The City, when negotiating a cost sharing agreement with other jurisdictions for transportation improvements shall work for a formula which most equitably divides project costs among all parties rather than attempt to arrive at a cost sharing agreement more advantageous to Kent than to the others. The formula should be based upon the most appropriate factors, the most common of which include: cost of construction in each jurisdiction, proportion of each jurisdiction•s traffic estimated to use new projects; an assessment based upon the value of perceived benefits to each jurisdiction; or some combination of these methods. 8. The Circulation element of the comprehensive plan shall be consistent with the Federal Aid Urban Systems designation. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS POLICIES: 9. The City shall rehabilitate or replace viaducts, bridges, and retaining walls which have serious problems with safety and load ratings, have a remaining life of less than five years, or are economically inefficient to operate. 10. The City shall rehabilitate or replace roadways with severe problems regarding surface base, drainage or maintenance costs. 11. The City will ensure that the maintenance program is conducted at service maintainence levels sufficient to achieve reasonable life for transportation facilities. 12. The City shall modernize and/or replace traffic control devices to reduce trouble calls, higher than average maintenance costs, and City liability. SYSTEM FINANCING POLICIES: 13. Allocation of fund sources to types of transportation system improvements will depend upon the definition of equitable assessment listed below. These fund allocation policies will set the priorities of the capital and operating budgets. Priorities by fund are shown in the following table. Page -20- a. Improvements primarily upgrading facilities and the roadway system to minimum standards should be the responsibility of existing property owners and system users \oJi th the following qua 1 ifi cations: (1) The responsibility for provision of funds for capacity improvements on existing arterial links, or new arterial links for system continuity should be borne equally by existing residents and those moving into Kent as residents or empl ayers. TYPE OF FUNDS FUIJDING ALLOCATION PRIORITIES PRIORITY OF IMPROVEMDIT I. Traditional Gas Tax Regular Property Tax F.A.U.S. & Federa 1 Shared State Shared II. General Obligation Bonds I I I. Develoement Assessment -Subarea IV. Development Assessment -Individual V. Improvement District 1 • Maintenance 2. Major rehabilitation 3. Safety 4. TSM 5. Environmental and Neighborhood 6. Economic development 7. New roads -infrastructure 1. Major rehabilitation 2. Safety 3. TS~1 and capacity improvements 4. New roads and infrastructure 5. Economic development 6. Regional environmental 1 • New roads -infrastructure 2. TSM and capacity improvements 3. Safety 1. Only mitigation of direct impacts 1. Environmental and neighborhood 2. Economic development 3. New roads -infrastructure 4. Maintenance 5. Major rehabilitation 6. Safety 7. TSM Page -21- .. (2) Safety and structural rehabilitation improvements should be the general funding responsibility,of the City. These kinds of projects will have the highest priority for allocation of new general obligation bond revenues. b. Improvements primarily for the provision of new infrastructure should be funded by assessments or fees against new development. c. Right-of-way dedicated to the City, by developers of property abutting planned arterials, shall be considered as a portion of the development assessment. d. Improvements primarily for protecting neighborhood environments and for correcting local environmental problems should be funded through the improvement district process. e. Improvements intended to help achieve economic development objectives can be funded through any form of funding mechanisms. Page -22-