HomeMy WebLinkAbout4207AN ORDIN�►NCE of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington, amending Title 6 of the
Kent City Code by adopting a new chapter 6.14
pertaining to "complete streets."
A. The complete streets concept promotes streets that are safe
and convenient for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit
riders, freight haulers and motor vehicle drivers of all ages and abilities.
B. Streets constitute a large portion of public space generally,
and should be corridors for all modes of transportation.
C. Streets that support and invite multiple uses are more
conducive to the public life and efficient movement of people than streets
designed primarily to move automobiles and freight.
D. Trends in energy and transportation costs, air quality, public
health and economic development necessitate a more comprehensive
approach to mobility.
E. The City of Kent engaged residents during the Let's Go Kent
project in 2010, which focused on improving the walking and biking
network. Residents repeatedly expressed the desire for better walking and
biking options.
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F. There are practical limits to the expansion of roadways in
response to traffic congestion. Promoting pedestrian, bicycle and transit
travel as an alternative to automobile usage can reduce congestion, reduce
the negative environmental impacts of automobiles, and also reduce
transportation costs for residents and commuters.
G. A 2007 Washington State Department of Transportation
survey found that a lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, such as
sidewalks and bicycle lanes, is a primary reason why Washington residents
do not walk or bicycle more frequently.
H. The United States Congress and the National Association of
Local Boards of Health specifically recommend complete streets policies as
a strategy to increase pedestrian and bicycle travel modes. Complete
streets legislation has been adopted by the United States Department of
Transportation and numerous state transportation agencies, as well as
cities such as Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Portland, San Francisco, San
Diego, Boulder and Chicago. The complete streets concept is also
supported by the Institute of Traffic Engineers, American Planning
Association, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
American Public Health Association, and many other transportation,
planning and public health professionals. Washington State's complete
streets grant program is described in RCW 47.04.320 and 47.04.325.
I. The Strategic Plan adopted by the City Council includes a
vision of a safe, connected and beautiful city, culturally vibrant with richly
diverse urban centers. Safety and connectivity can only be achieved if all
users' needs are taken into account during planning and implementation of
roadway projects.
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J. The Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan for
the City of Kent both contain policies and goals supportive of complete
streets concepts, including: policies to promote walking and bicycling,
policies regarding level of service for pedestrians, bicycles and transit,
policies to provide non -motorized facilities; and many more.
K. Planning staff introduced a description of and the need for
complete streets at aregularly-scheduled Land Use and Planning Board
("LUPB") workshop on May 23, 2016, and received authorization from the
LUPB to draft a policy and ordinance to implement the complete streets
concept for new development within the City of Kent.
L. The City determined that due to the procedural nature of this
amendment (which includes no development regulations), neither
notification to the State nor State Environmental Policy Act review is
required.
M. Planning staff presented the draft ordinance and policy at a
public hearing held by the LUPB on June 13, 2016, The LUPB moved to
recommend to the City Council adoption of the ordinance and policy as
presented by staff.
N. The Public Works Committee, at its regularly -scheduled
meeting on June 20, 2016, moved to accept the recommendation of the
LUPB, and forward the matter for consideration by the full City Council,
0. The City Council, at its regularly scheduled meeting on July
19, 2016, adopted the ordinance and policy as presented by staff.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
3 Amend KCC Title 6
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SECKLON Is -New Chapter. Title 6 of the Kent City Code is
amended by adding a new chapter 6.14, entitled "Complete Streets," to
read a� 'follows:
•
Sec. 6.14.010 Vision. The city endorses the concept of complete
streets, which promotes roadways that are safe, convenient and attractive
for all users regardless of age and ability, including pedestrians, bicyclists,
transit riders, freight haulers and motor vehicle drivers. The vision of
complete streets is a community in which all residents and visitors can
safely and efficiently use the public right-of-way to meet their
transportation needs regardless of their preferred mode of travel.
Sec. 6.14.020 Policy.
A. The city will plan for, design, construct, operate and maintain
an appropriate and integrated transportation system that will meet the
needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, transit riders, freight
haulers, motorists, emergency responders and residents of all ages and
abilities.
B. Transportation system facilities that support the concept of
complete streets shall include, but are not limited to: pavement markings
and signs; street and sidewalk lighting; sidewalk and pedestrian safety
improvements; Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and Title VI
compliance; transit accommodations; bicycle accommodations, including
signage and markings; and, as appropriate, streetscapes that appeal to
and promote all modes of travel. The system's design will be consistent
with and supportive of local neighborhoods, recognizing that transportation
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needs vary and must be balanced in a flexible, safe and cost-effective
manner.
Sec. 6.14.030 Applicability. The city will plan for, design and
construct all new city transportation improvement projects to provide
appropriate and safe accommodation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit
riders, freight haulers, motor vehicles and persons of all abilities. Those
involved in the planning and design of projects within the public right-of-
way will give consideration to all users and modes of travel from the start
of planning and design work consistent with approved plans.
Transportation system improvements shall be viewed as opportunities to
create safer, more accessible streets for all users. This shall apply to new
construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation. The city may create a
checklist that will assist in considering modes of travel in the planning and
design of transportation system improvements. ADA -specific projects, such
as the installation of ramps or other improvements required for improved
accessibility, are exempt from complete streets consideration, as are
ordinary maintenance activities such as mowing, sweeping, spot repair,
joint sealing, pothole filling, and installation of raised pavement markers.
Sec. 6.14.050 Plans and standards. As city plans, guidelines and
standards are updated, consideration shall be given to complete streets
concepts to ensure that new regulations and practices comply with this
chapter and the latest in applicable complete streets research and best
practices. Examples of plans and standards include, but are not limited to
the Design and Construction Standards and the Transportation Master
Plan. Resources to be referenced in developing these standards and plans
shall include, but not be limited to the latest editions of National
Association of City Transportation Officials' Urban Street Design Guide and
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
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A. The mayor, after consultation with the public works director,
thK:; economic and community development director, and the parks and
human services director, may determine that a project is exempt from the.
requirements of this chapter, based on the following circumstances:
1. The project would require the accommodation of street
uses that are prohibited by law;
2. The accommodation of a specific use is expected to
have adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams,
wetlands or floodplains, or on historic structures or sites (eligible for listing
in national, state or local preservation registers), above and beyond the
impacts of currently existing infrastructure;
3. Topographic challenges make accommodation of a
specific use infeasible;
4. The establishment of complete streets facilities would
be contrary to public safety;
5. The cost would be excessively disproportionate to the
need or probable future use; or
6. The inclusion of complete streets facilities would create
a disconnected section (less than 300 feet) of improvements where
additional improvements at either end are unlikely to occur within ten
years.
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B. Where the above exemptions allow complete streets facilities
to be omitted from a roadway project, the city shall consider whether
bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users and persons of all abilities can be
accommodated by nearby facilities, and shall strive to provide complete
streets connections to those facilities,
cooperate with other transportation agencies, including the Washington
State Department of Transportation, King County Metro and Sound Transit,
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.
SECTION 2. -Severability. If any one or more section, subsection,
or sentence of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this
ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3. -Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon
approvaI
of the city attorney, the city clerk and the code reviser are
authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the
correction of clerical errors; ordinance, section, or subsection numbering;
or references to other local, state, or federal laws, codes, rules, or
regulations.
SECTION 4. - Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and
be in force 30 days from and after its passage, as provided by law.
UZ�)-1"�COOKE, MAYOR
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ATTEST:
SUE HANSON, INTERIM CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BRUBAKER, CITY ATTORNEY
PASSED:
APPROVED:
PUBLISHED:
qday of , 2016,
day of t j d , 20169
day of , 2016.
I hereby certify that this is a true copy of Ordinance No.
passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, and approved
by the Mayor of the City of Kent as hereon indicated.
P:\Civil\ordinance\6.14 -Complete Streets Ordinance,docx
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