2019-006 - Adopt a Complete Streets Policy for the TownRESOLUTION 2019 -006
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY FOR THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) One Bay Area Grant
(OBAG) program requires that all cities and counties that wish to submit OBAG grant
applications must have a General Plan Housing Element adopted and certified by the California
Department of Housing and Community Development for Regional Housing Need Allocation
(RHNA) and an adopted Complete Streets Policy resolution or proof of a General Plan compliant
with Assembly Bill (AB) 1358, the Complete Streets Act of 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Town's Housing Element was certified by California Department of
Housing and Community Development on May 20, 2015; and
WHEREAS, 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, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities,
motorists, movers of commercial goods, emergency responders, users and operators of public
transportation, seniors, children, youth, and families; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos acknowledges the benefits and value for the public
health and welfare of reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing transportation by other
forms of active transportation, including, walking, bicycling, scootering, and public
transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos recognizes that the planning and coordinated
development of complete streets infrastructure provides benefits for local governments in the
areas of infrastructure cost savings, public health, and environmental sustainability; and
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Resolution 2019 -006 February 19, 2019
WHEREAS, the State of California has emphasized the importance of complete streets
by enacting the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 (also known as AB 1358), which
requires that when cities or counties revise general plans, they identify how they will provide
for the mobility needs of all users of the roadways, as well as through Deputy Directive 64, in
which the California Department of Transportation explained that it "views all transportation
improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in
California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the
transportation system "; and
WHEREAS, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (known as AB 32) sets a
mandate for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in California, and the Sustainable
Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (known as SB 375) requires emissions
reductions through coordinated regional planning that integrates transportation, housing, and
land -use policy, and achieving the goals of these laws will require significant increases in travel
by public transit, bicycling, and walking; and
WHEREAS, numerous California counties, cities, and agencies have adopted Complete
Streets Policies and legislation in order to further the health, safety, welfare, economic vitality,
and environmental well -being of their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos, therefore, in light of the foregoing benefits and
considerations, wishes to improve its commitment to complete streets and desires that its
streets form a comprehensive and integrated transportation network promoting safe,
equitable, and convenient travel for all users while preserving flexibility, recognizing community
context, and using the latest and best design guidelines and standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos that
the Complete Streets Policy 3 -01 attached hereto as Exhibit A is made a part of this Resolution
and is hereby approved and adopted.
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Resolution 2019 -006 February 19, 2019
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos that the next
substantial revision of the Town of Los Gatos General Plan Transportation Element shall
incorporate Complete Streets policies and principles consistent with the California Complete
Streets Act of 2008 (AB 1358) and with the Complete Streets Policy adopted by this resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on the 19`h day of February 2019 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Marcia Jensen, Rob Rennie, Marico Sayoc, Bar a Spec r, Mayor Steven Leonardis
NAYS: None. /
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ATTEST:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIIF 'RNIA
DATE: 2 l/
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
FOR i
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Resolution 2019 -006 February 19, 2019
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
".n:,l Di.r. �Ya��u:e +onra....1",Ya1,vn ^.,nn• ..iair:.,ranm
TITLE: COMPLETE STREETS POLICY I POLICY NUMBER: 3 -01
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/19/2019
ENABLIIyG1�CTTONS: 2019 -006 1 REVISED DATES:
PURPOSE
PAGES: 3
To set policy level guidance for the implementation of complete streets.
SCOPE
The Complete Streets Policy outlines the basis for applying complete streets principles in
transportation projects Town -wide.
POLICY
A. Complete Streets Principles
1. Complete Streets Serving All Users. The Town of Los Gatos expresses its commitment
to planning, designing, building, and maintaining complete streets that provide and
support safe, comfortable, and convenient travel along and across streets (including
streets, roads, -highways, bridges, and other portions of the transportation system)
through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network that serves all categories
of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of
commercial goods, emergency responders, users and operators of public transportation,
seniors, children, youth, and families.
2. Context Sensitivity. In planning and implementing transportation projects, all
departments of the Town of Los Gatos shall maintain sensitivity to the surrounding
context, local conditions in both residential and business districts as well as urban,
suburban, and rural areas and shall be designed with community input from, but not
limited to, residents, merchants, and other stakeholders, to ensure that a strong sense
of place ensues. Improvements that will be considered include, but are not limited to:
sidewalks, shared use paths, protected bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards, paved
TITLE: Complete Streets Policy PAGE: POLICY NUMBER:
2 of 3 3 -01
shoulders, street trees and landscaping, planting strips, accessible curb ramps,
crosswalks, refuge islands, pedestrian and traffic signals, signs, street furniture, bicycle
parking facilities, public transportation stops and facilities, transit priority signalization,
and other features assisting in the provision of safe travel for all users, such as traffic
calming circles, transit bulb -outs, and road diets as feasible and consistent with the
Town's Transportation Element of the General Plan.
3. Complete Streets Routinely Addressed by All Departments. All relevant Departments
of the Town of Los Gatos and outside agencies whose work affects Los Gatos roadways
shall work towards making complete streets practices a routine part of everyday
operations. The following projects are samples of where opportunities may be
provided: pavement resurfacing, restriping, accessing above and underground utilities,
signalization operations or modifications, and maintenance of landscaping and related
features.
4. All Projects and Phases. This Policy shall be incorporated into all planning, funding,
design, approval, and implementation processes for any construction, reconstruction,
retrofit, repaving, rehabilitation, expansion, maintenance, operations, alteration, or
repair of new or existing streets, roads, public easements, highways, bridges, and other
portions of the transportation system.
B. Implementation
1. Plan Consultation and Consistency. Any proposed improvements should be evaluated
for consistency with local bicycle, pedestrian, transit, multimodal, and other relevant
plans. The findings of the evaluation shall be available to the Los Gatos Bicycle and
Pedestrian Advisory Commission and the Transportation and Parking Commission early
in the planning and design stage to ensure the Commissions have an opportunity to
provide comments and recommendations.
2. Street Network /Connectivity. As feasible, the Town of Los Gatos shall incorporate
complete streets infrastructure into existing streets to improve the safety and
convenience of users, with the particular goals of creating a comprehensive, integrated,
and connected network of facilities accommodating each category of users and
increasing connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries and key destinations, both for
existing and anticipated future areas of travel origination or destination.
Stakeholder Consultation. Transportation projects shall be available for review by
stakeholders, including the Los Gatos Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and
the Transportation and Parking Commission early in the planning and design stage to
TITLE: Complete Streets Policy PAGE: POLICY NUM
3 of 3 3 -01
provide an opportunity for comments and recommendations regarding complete streets
features that are incorporated into the project.
4. Evaluation. The Town of Los Gatos shall collect baseline data on Complete Street
facilities, including but not limited to: mileage of bike lanes and sidewalks, number of
street crossings, and pedestrian signals. Follow -up data should be collected on a regular
basis.
5. Approval. The Town Council shall have the ultimate approval authority for all project
designs and may incorporate the input received through the implementation process or
other relevant processes.
C. Exemptions
Approval for Exemptions. Projects that seek complete streets exemptions must provide
a written finding of why accommodations for all modes are not included in the project.
The finding should be approved by the Parks and Public Works Director or designee.
Projects that are granted exemptions must be made publicly available for review.
APP Oim RM:
Robert Schultz, To n ttorney