Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Complete Streets Design Guidelines
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Connor Descheemaker at the April 4, 2018 Formal City Council meeting regarding Complete Streets Design Guidelines (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council "enact within 15 days a resolution(s), ordinance(s), or measure(s) that will adopt the Complete Streets Design Guidelines dated March 8, 2018 and recommended to the full Council by the Complete Streets Advisory Board per Ordinance G-5937, to inform and guide the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of public streets".
Background
The purpose of the Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual is to support the City’s vision for a more sustainable transportation system that is safe and accessible for everyone. Complete Streets principles, policies, and design guidelines provide infrastructure that encourages active transportation such as walking and bicycling, transportation choices, and increased connectivity. On July 2, 2014, the City Council established the Complete Streets Advisory Board as well as the Complete Streets Guiding Principles.
The Complete Streets Advisory Board (CSAB) is comprised of community (voting) and City staff (non-voting) members, and meets monthly to discuss and develop elements of the complete streets program. As outlined in the ordinance that established the CSAB, the duties include preparing and recommending for adoption by Council a Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual to guide the construction, design, maintenance, and operations of streets within the City.
Stakeholder Input and Legal Analysis
It is standard practice that any proposed design guidelines be reviewed by the Law Department for a complete, due-diligence legal analysis; as well as reviewed professionally against adopted codes and ordinances for conformance and conflict identification and resolution; then presented for public comment and vetted with affected stakeholders. The CSAB recommended the proposed Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual (Attachment B) for City Council approval with a 6-1 vote at its Jan. 2, 2018 meeting. At this meeting the CSAB also unanimously approved a recommendation for submittal of the Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual to appropriate Boards and Commissions with the goal of requesting Council approval in May or June of 2018.
The proposed Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual was presented at the March 15, 2018 Development Advisory Board (DAB), which recommended it be heard by the DAB Technical Subcommittee in April, with a subsequent DAB hearing scheduled for May 17, 2018. A presentation of the Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual to the Planning Commission is scheduled for May 3, 2018 and the Citizens Transportation Commission on May 31, 2018. This item is tentatively scheduled for possible action by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on June 12, 2018 and possible action by the City Council on June 20, 2018.
Options for Council Action
A. Pass an ordinance to adopt the CSAB-recommended Complete Streets Design Guidelines dated March 8, 2018.
B. Direct staff to continue the public review and comment process as noted above regarding the Complete Streets Design Guidelines, as approved by the CSAB on Jan. 2, 2018.
C. Provide other direction to staff.
Staff recommends Option B. This will allow the proposed guidelines to be reviewed and commented on by appropriate Boards and Commissions, the public and stakeholders, prior to City Council action.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.