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Home My Public Portal AboutComplete Streets Policy AdoptedELECTED OFFICIALS: Mark S. Sideris, Council President Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 Resolution # 6 R-2017-�YT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY Whereas, on June 9, 2015 the Honorable Town Council referred to the Public Works Vice Vincent J. iceirilll, Jr., Subcommittee the creation of a Complete Streets Policy; and nt Michael F. Dattoli, Whereas, on July 13, 2015 the Public Works Subcommittee held a meeting where policy Councilor At Large was discussed and recommended that the Department of Public Works and the Aaron P. Dushku, CouncllorAt Large Department of Community Development and Planning draft a updated Complete Streets Susan G. Falkoff, Policy Document; and Councilor At Large Anthony Palomba, Whereas, on February 1, 2016, a review of the updated Complete Streets Policy was Councilor At Large made by the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee; and Angeline B. Kounelis, District A Councilor Whereas, on March 3, 2016, the Public Works Subcommittee held a meeting and Lisa J. Feltner, recommended a final draft Complete Streets Policy be submitted to the Honorable Town District B Councilor Council I .eth M. Woodland, District D Councilor Whereas, on May 9, 2017, the Town Council convened a duly noticed meeting to review and act on the Complete Street Policy. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the City Known as the Town of Watertown that the attached Town of Watertown Complete Street Policy is hereby approved and referred to the Town Manager for implementation. Council Member I hereby certify that at a regular Meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was present, the above Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of for, o against, Q present on May 9, 2017. lam/ G-a�G Marilyr& Pronovost, Town Council Clerk Mark S. Sideris, Town Council President Town of Watertown COMPLETE STREETS POLICY Intent and Purpose Complete Streets are designed and operated to provide safety and accessibility for all users of Watertown's roadways, trails, and transit systems, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, commercial vehicles, and emergency vehicles. All users include users of all ages and of all abilities. Complete Streets create safe and efficient connections between residential, educational, commercial, recreational, civic, and retail destinations. The use of Complete Streets principles has been shown to have a positive impact on public health by improving air quality, promoting physical activity, and increasing access to healthier food options. Therefore, the purpose of the Town of Watertown's Complete Streets Policy (Policy) is to accommodate all road users by creating a road network that meets the needs of individuals utilizing a variety of transportation modes. It is the goal of the Town to formalize the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of streets so that they are safe for all users of all ages and abilities as a matter of routine. The Policy shall apply to all transportation infrastructure and street design and construction projects requiring funding or approval from the Town of Watertown, as well as approved private developments. Projects funded by the State or Federal Government shall be subject to the Policy, except as may be modified by the funding agencies guidelines and standards. To the extent possible, the Policy shall apply to state-owned streets, as may be modified by MassDOT guidelines and standards. Terms The following words and phrases, whenever used in this Policy, shall have the meanings defined in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise: Complete Streets is the planning, scoping, design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of roads in order to address the safety and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets considers the various needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users and vehicles, bicyclists, and commercial and emergency vehicles moving along and across roads, intersections, and crossings in different neighborhoods. Complete Streets principles include the development and implementation of projects in a context sensitive manner that is sensitive to the community's physical, economic, and social setting. Complete Streets Infrastructure refers to physical street features that contribute to a safe, convenient, or comfortable travel experience for users. Examples of such features include but are not limited to, sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes, bulb outs, crosswalks, refuge islands, pedestrian and traffic signals (including countdown and accessible signals), signage, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities, public transit stops and facilities, transit priority signalization, roundabouts, traffic bump -outs, surface treatments such as paving blocks, textured asphalt and concrete, narrowed vehicle lanes, boulevard landscaping, and modification of on -street parking. Street means any right of way, public or private, including arterials, connectors, alleys, ways, lanes, or roadways by any other designation, as well as bridges, tunnels, and any other portions of the transportation network. Page 1 of 4 Watertown Complete Streets Policy References to Complete Streets in other Town Policy Documents Goal 3 of Watertown's 2015 Comprehensive Plan is to "promote, improve, and enhance pedestrian and bicycle access and facilities to ensure that Watertown can accommodate non -motorized forms of transportation" (Comprehensive Plan, pg. 56). Goal 4(D) of the Transportation section of the Plan states, "the Town should consider developing a Complete Streets Policy and checklist or toolbox that is appropriate for the community goals" (Comprehensive Plan, pg. 60). Watertown's 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update includes the goal (Goal 6) of making Watertown friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists and promoting healthier lifestyles. There are several objectives that seek to implement this goal, the first of which is to "develop multi -use path connections (i.e. Watertown Community Path and the Watertown -Cambridge Greenway)". The Watertown Design Guidelines document, adopted June 30, 2015 requires that private development projects be reviewed under nine elements, one of which involves transportation planning. Specific Complete Street concepts are integrated into guidelines for Public Realm Interface and Parking and Access. Implementation Strategies In order to meet the goals, policies, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan, the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update and the Design Guidelines, as well as honor the Town's commitment to Complete Streets, the Town shall: 1. Integrate Compete Streets planning into all types of projects, including but not limited to new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repair or other changes to Town streets. Approach every newly designed project as an opportunity to improve the streets and the transportation network for all users. 2. Recognize that the transportation network comprises vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit components and that a Complete Streets approach strives for a connected, integrated system that provides transportation choices to many destinations. A network approach is essential in balancing the needs of all users. Rather than trying to make each street perfect for every traveler, the Town will aim for a comprehensive network of streets that emphasize different modes while still providing access for each one. The Town shall continuously seek out opportunities to ensure safe and efficient passage for all transportation components. 3. Recognize that Complete Streets may be achieved through single elements incorporated into a particular project or incrementally through a series of smaller improvements or maintenance activities over time. Implementation will differ depending on the method used to maintain, repair, or reconstruct a street, and such method is a function of pavement condition. a. Routine repairs and road maintenance activities, limited to short segments of longer established roadways are meant to provide temporary repair and provide the least opportunity to implement Complete Streets, In these instances, existing conditions shall be analyzed and opportunities for low cost Complete Streets elements, such as signage, striping, and street trees shall be considered. b. The mill and overlay method, which is used when the structural integrity of a street is in satisfactory condition, prolongs the useful life of a roadway by removing the top wearing Page 2 of 4 Watertown Complete Streets Policy surface. This process minimizes excavation of the road. In such cases, an incremental approach will be taken to implementing Complete Streets, recognizing that options for geometric changes are limited. c. The road reclamation and full depth reconstruction methods, which are used when the structural integrity of a road is compromised, physically breaks up or removes and replaces the roadway base and binder course to rehabilitate the road. This method provides the maximum opportunity for implementation of Complete Streets, 4. Consider the following Complete Streets principles; a. Continuous sidewalks should be provided on both sides of a roadway, minimizing the number of pedestrian crossings required. b. On the streets with sidewalks on one side, the sidewalk should be provided on the side that minimizes the number of pedestrian crossings. c. Pedestrian and bicyclist requirements must be fully considered in the design of intersections, including: taking into consideration crossings and pedestrian curb cut ramp locations; pedestrian and bicyclist mixing zones; pavement markings; minimizing curb radii at corners; walking speed; pedestrian and bicyclist flow capacity; traffic control; yielding; and delays. d. All new and reconstructed sidewalks must be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB). e. Along roadway segments, greater separation of motorvehicle and non -motorized users should be considered by implementing cycle tracks, buffered or conventional bicycle lanes, bicycle boxes, shoulders, or buffered sidewalks. f. Where motorized and non -motorized users cannot be separated, driver attentiveness should be improved and traffic calming should be prioritized to implement a low -speed shared street [not to exceed 30 mph or the posted speed) compatible with bicycle and pedestrian speeds on non- federal aid eligible roads. g. Consider the context of the surrounding built and natural environment. h. Include Streetscape elements such as street trees, street furniture, rain gardens and other green infrastructure. L On public transit corridors, involve and coordinate with transit agencies such as the MBTA to enhance service through implementation of smart technology and passenger amenities. S. Make exceptions to the Complete Streets Policy only in following circumstances, and only when approved by the Complete Streets Working Group: a. Where bicycles or pedestrians are prohibited by law. b. Where the cost or impacts of accommodation is excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use. c. Where the existing right of way Is constrained in a manner that inhibits addition of transit, bicycle, or pedestrian improvements. In this case, the Town shall consider alternatives such as lane reduction, lane narrowing, on -street parking relocation or reduction, shoulders, signage, traffic calming, pavement markings, or enforcement. d. When using Complete Street strategies would constitute a threat to public safety. Page 3 of 4 Watertown Complete Streets Policy Complete Streets Working Group In implementing Complete Streets, the Public Works Department (DPW) will convene a multi -disciplinary Complete Streets Working Group that will include representatives from DPW, Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP), Police, Fire, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. This group will review Complete Streets opportunities, completed projects, and other topics regarding Complete Streets at least twice a year. The group will also seek advice and input from relevant state agencies and transit authorities and determine the appropriate public participation component for a given project. Additional responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, producing and updating, as needed, a Complete Streets prioritization plan to identify and eliminate gaps in the Complete Streets Infrastructure for bicyclists, transit, and pedestrians. The Working Group will also be responsible for approving any exemption from the Complete Streets Policy using the criteria referenced above. Evaluation Success of the Complete Streets Policy will be evaluated by measuring, but not limited to the following: 1. Linear feet of new or reconstructed sidewalks; 2. Miles of new or restriped on -street bicycle facilities; 3. Number of new or reconstructed curb ramps; 4. Number of new or repainted crosswalks; and 5. Number of new street trees. The Complete Streets Working Group will review data on implementation success and may set target goals for future improvements. References The latest design guidance, standards, and recommendations available will be used in the implementation of Complete Streets, including the most up-to-date versions of: 1. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Project Development and Design Guide, 2006, as amended. 2. MassDOT Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide, 2015, as amended. 3. National Association of City Transportation Officials Urban Bikeway Design Guide 4. National Association of City Transportation Officials Urban Street Guide (see above) 5. Institute of Transportation Engineer's (ITE) Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach 6. Institute of Transportation Engineer's (ITE) Street and Highway Design Manual, 7. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), A Policy on The Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 8. Watertown Comprehensive Plan (2015, as amended) 9. Watertown Open Space and Recreation Plan (2015, as amended) 10. Watertown, Massachusetts Design Guidelines (June 30, 2015) 11. Watertown Stormwater Ordinance (February, 2016) Page 4 of 4