Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Scott McCullough, Director
Date:	March 5, 2012
RE:	Complete Streets Update

On October 25, 2011 the City Commission reviewed a draft Complete Streets Policy and took public comment on its contents.  The Commission directed staff to work with stakeholders and submit a revised policy that considered the public’s input (see clean version of revised policy and marked up version of revised policy from original version).

The following timeline highlights the effort put forth to date on implementing the Commission’s direction.

• November 18, 2011 – Staff from Planning and Public Works attended the policy review work group meeting of the Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee to discuss the draft policy that was presented to the City Commission.  Input was provided and staff revised the policy to address the comments.
• January 12, 2012 – A revised policy draft was distributed for comment to the Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee, Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods, The Chamber of Commerce, and the Lawrence Homebuilder’s Association.
• January 24, 2012 – Planning and Public Works staff met with a representative of the Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee to discuss additional comments from that group.
• January 27, 2012 – A second draft was created based on comments received and distributed for comment to the Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee, Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods, The Chamber of Commerce, and the Lawrence Homebuilder’s Association.
• February 15, 2012 – The attached letter from Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee was received.  It notes that the majority of the committee stands in support of the revised policy as drafted, but the letter does note that a few members desired revisions on two points as outlined in the letter.

The two points noted in the Livewell Lawrence Complete Streets Committee letter are discussed below.

1. The phrases “feasible and fiscally appropriate” or similar language throughout the document is unnecessarily repetitious.
1. Staff believes that it is necessary to provide clear intent that the policy takes into account fiscal constraints when implementing the policy and planning street projects.  That it is repeated is not harmful to the policy statement and the language clearly reflects this value of the policy in the most appropriate sections of the policy.
2. There was concern about the interpretation of the phrase “absence of current or future need” in the list of reasons for excluding Complete Streets elements from a Street Project.  The alternatives to this phrase that were discussed by the committee included “documented absence of current or future need” and “documented absence of current and future need.”
1. While staff has conveyed that many elements of Complete Streets are implemented by the city today, staff has been careful in crafting this policy so as to not substantially add to the time and expense of designing and constructing transportation projects.  The city documents need in several ways today – bike/pedestrian counts, traffic counts, a 2012 study to analyze deficiencies in transit infrastructure (sidewalks, bus stops, etc.), gap sidewalk analysis, etc.  Staff is concerned that the exercise of documenting need, in addition to what the city already documents, would add unnecessary time and expense to projects.  In addition, if a specific project calls for it, the City Commission can request additional documentation related to current or future need.

The revised policy maintains the essential elements of the policy reviewed by the City Commission on October 25, 2011 with the following revisions:

1. Clarifies how Complete Streets elements will be used for new and major street projects compared to routine street maintenance.
2. Enhances the definition of “Users” to include more categories of users of the public right-of-way.
3. Relocates the “Exceptions” section to a more appropriate place in the policy.
4. Adds a “Data Collection, Progress Reporting and Public Input” section to demonstrate effectiveness of the policy and encourage public advisory boards and committees to use the data in their decisions about transportation.

Staff reiterates that the city currently employs the values of Complete Streets in transportation projects.  Staff regularly seeks and is awarded state and federal funds to develop the city’s multi-modal transportation network and close identified gaps.  Multi-use recreation paths, sidewalks, bike lanes, transit facilities, etc. have all contributed to an enhanced network for the public.

Action Requested:  Receive policy and direct staff to prepare a resolution adopting the policy, if appropriate.