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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 Iof3 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. 2of3 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 3of3 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