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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-087 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2013/06/17RESOLUTION NO. 13-087 RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT IT IS THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK'S POLICY TO UTILIZE COMPLETE STREET PRINCIPLES IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DESIGN WHEREAS, Complete Streets consist of the planning, scoping, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of roads in order to reasonably address the safety and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities. Complete streets considers the needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users and vehicles, bicyclists, and commercial and emergency vehicles moving along and across roads, intersections, and crossings in a manner that is sensitive to the local context and recognizes that needs may vary throughout the community; and WHEREAS, in 2010 the City of St. Louis Park adopted resolution 10-027 to encourage the Minnesota Legislature, with input and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, to authonze development of a statewide Complete Streets Program, which would provide for the development of a balanced transportation system, through appropriate planning, that integrates multiple transportation modes, where appropriate, for transportation users of all types, ages and abilities; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park supports Hennepin County's adoption of a Compete Streets resolution and policy and its efforts to implement the polices; and WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has consistently followed Complete Street pnnciples in its planning and community design, and has demonstrated said commitment by adopting a transportation goal within the City's Comprehensive Plan to provide well-designed and well-maintained community streets that balance the needs of all users, residents, businesses and property owners; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets is consistent with the Council supported pnnciples of Active Living Hennepin County, to promote the integration of physical activity into the daily lives of St. Louis Park residents; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets are designed, constructed and maintained to assure safety and accessibility for all the users of our roads, trails and transit systems, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit nders, motonsts, commercial and emergency vehicles and for people of all ages and of all abilities; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets provide safe travel choices that encourage non -motorized transportation options, increase the overall capacity of the transportation network as well as decrease consumer transportation costs; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets will help St. Louis Park reduce greenhouse gas emissions as more people choose an alternative to the single occupant vehicle, thereby improving air quality and alleviating public health concerns; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments throughout communities; and Resolution No. 13-087 -2- WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school- age children, in recognition of the objectives of the national Safe Routes to School program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Physical Activity Guidelines and the City's Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan and Policy; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets improve the quality of life within our community; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets may influence or help reduce crashes and injuries and their costs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in order to develop and maintain a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound City transportation system for people of all ages and abilities, transportation and development projects shall incorporate a Complete Streets philosophy that expands transportation choices; and therefore BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, that it is the City of St. Louis Park's policy to utilize complete streets principles and to work with MnDOT, Hennepin County, and appropriate agencies so that Complete Street elements are evaluated where possible for City transportation projects by providing appropriate accommodations for pedestnans, bicyclists, motonsts, transit riders, and disabled persons through the ongoing creation of a multi -model transportation system. Reviewed for • dministration: 1I1111\ City M Attest: Adopted by the City Council June 17, 2013