ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and the Director of Public Works with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Adopting a COMPLETE STREETS POLICY for the City of Peoria. (Refer to Item #13-401)
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BACKGROUND: As stated by the National Complete Streets Coalition, "Streets are a vital part of livable, attractive communities. Everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity, ought to have safe, comfortable, and convenient access to community destinations and public places-whether walking, driving, bicycling, or taking public transportation. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars or, worse, creeping traffic jams."
The term "Complete Streets" describes a comprehensive, integrated transportation network with infrastructure and design that allows safe and convenient travel along and across streets for all users of all abilities. A Complete Streets Policy means that each street design will utilize Complete Streets practices appropriate for that particular roadway. Though a policy has not yet been adopted by the Peoria City Council, Staff has been utilizing Complete Streets ideals in the design and construction of infrastructure projects on city rights-of-way, for years. Adoption of the Policy will also allow for privately-developed areas to work in concert with publicly-developed areas.
According to Smart Growth America, to date, over 700 agencies at the local, regional, and state levels have adopted Complete Streets policies.
On September 10, 2013 (Council Minutes Item #13-401) the City Council held a Policy Session to provide direction regarding a Complete Streets Policy. At that meeting, Livable Transportation Engineer Ian Lockwood gave a presentation on Complete Streets and led a Council discussion. Further discussion was needed and Council gave no specific direction at that time, but Complete Streets was gaining momentum.
In 2014 the Traffic Commission was refocused as the Tran...
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