[Ord. No. 2012-06, 10-23-2012]
This article shall be known and cited as the "Complete Streets
Ordinance of the Charter Township of Meridian."
[Ord. No. 2012-06, 10-23-2012]
An ordinance intended to provide safe, convenient, and comfortable
routes for multiple modes of transportation including but not limited
to walking, bicycling, personal vehicles and public transportation
while encouraging healthy, active living, reduced traffic congestion
and dependence on fossil fuels, and improved safety and quality of
life for residents of Meridian Charter Township.
[Ord. No. 2012-06, 10-23-2012]
For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein.
Roadways planned, designed, and constructed to provide appropriate
access to all legal users in a manner that promotes safe and efficient
movement of people and goods whether by car, truck, transit, assistive
device, foot, or bicycle.
The construction, reconstruction, retrofit, or alteration,
and includes the planning, design, approval, and implementation processes,
except that "street project" does not include maintenance such as
cleaning, sweeping, mowing, spot repair, or interim measures on detour
routes.
Legal users of the public right-of-way, including pedestrians,
bicyclists, motor vehicle drivers, public transportation riders and
drivers, and people of all ages and abilities.
[Ord. No. 2012-06, 10-23-2012]
(1)
The Township shall encourage the use of complete streets practices
as a routine part of operations, and shall approach every transportation
project and program as an opportunity to improve public and private
streets and the transportation network for all users, and shall work
in coordination with the Ingham County Road Department[1] and the Michigan Department of Transportation to facilitate
the implementation of complete streets infrastructure to the extent
feasible, pursuant to this article.
[1]
Editor’s Note: All instances of "Ingham County Department
of Transportation and Roads" in this article were amended to read
"Ingham County Road Department" at the request of the Township.
(2)
The Township shall advocate for complete streets infrastructure when
projects are near public facilities (e.g. schools, government facilities,
libraries, public health facilities, parks, hospitals, etc.), lands
and connections described in the Township "Greenspace Plan," and where
there are opportunities for connections across jurisdictions. The
Township shall advocate for complete streets infrastructure when projects
serve traditionally underserved or marginalized populations.
(3)
The Township shall consider, to the extent possible, complete streets
infrastructure, including boulevards and medians, sufficient to enable
safe travel along and across the road right-of-way for each category
of users for every street project on public or private streets; provided,
however, that such infrastructure may be excluded, upon agreement
of the Township and the Ingham County Road Department or Michigan
Department of Transportation, subject to each agency's powers
and duties, where documentation and data indicate that:
(a)
Use by non-motorized users is prohibited by law;
(b)
The cost would be excessively disproportionate to the need or
probable future use over the long term;
(c)
There is an absence of current or future need; or
(d)
Inclusion of such infrastructure would be unreasonable or inappropriate
in light of the scope of the project.
(4)
The Township shall review and either revise or develop proposed revisions
to all appropriate planning documents of the Township to integrate,
accommodate, and balance the needs of all users in all street projects
on public and private streets.
(5)
The Township, in conjunction with the Ingham County Road Department
or Michigan Department of Transportation, will promote the development
of standards to implement complete streets infrastructure.
[Ord. No. 2012-06, 10-23-2012]
(1)
The Township shall collect data to measure how well the streets within
the Township are serving each category of users, at each revision
period of the Township bicycle and pedestrian pathway plan.
(2)
The Township shall promote the use of performance standards with
measurable benchmarks reflecting the ability of users to travel in
safety and comfort.
(3)
The Township shall promote the use of procedures to allow public
participation in policy decisions and transparency in individual determinations
concerning the design and use of streets.
(4)
The Township shall implement, administer, and enforce this chapter
through partnership with the Ingham County Road Department or Michigan
Department of Transportation.
(6)
The Township shall review policies to implement complete streets
infrastructure and may consider the following:
(a)
Addressing short-term and long-term steps and planning necessary
to create a comprehensive and integrated transportation network serving
the needs of all users;
(b)
Assessing potential obstacles to implementing complete streets
practices throughout the Township, and identifying alternative solutions
to those obstacles;
(c)
Recommending adoption of policies containing additional steps,
if useful; and
(d)
Proposing revisions to all applicable plans to integrate, accommodate,
and balance the needs of all users in all street projects.
