[Added 10-23-2023]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A right-of-way that is planned, designed, constructed, operated,
and maintained in such a way as to enable safe, comfortable, and convenient
access by users. A few examples of features of complete streets include:
sidewalks; frequent and safe crosswalks; median islands; accessible
pedestrian signals; curb extensions; Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) accessible curb ramps; adequate street drainage facilities;
narrower, speed-reducing travel lanes; rumble strips; bike lanes;
bicycle detection at intersections; bicycle parking facilities; street
trees; street lighting; street furniture; comfortable and accessible
public transportation stops; and roundabouts.
The long-term capital plan for the Town as it pertains to
complete streets, developed in accordance with the Right-of-Way Manual
and consistent with the Complete Streets Policy.
The policy for complete streets, as endorsed by the Town
of Fairfield, prepared in accordance with the guidelines established
by The National Complete Streets Coalition (NCSC) ensuring that streets
are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balancing the needs
of different transportation modes, and supporting local land uses,
economies, cultures, and natural environments.
New construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, rehabilitation,
repair, or maintenance of the existing transportation network located
within the right-of-way or that may affect it, whether such project
is funded wholly, partly, or not at all by the Town. An improvement
project does not include ordinary repair designed to keep transportation
network facilities in safe working condition, such as mowing, cleaning,
sweeping, spot repair, pothole filling, or signage repair and replacement.
Fairfield's local traffic authority, which is responsible
for approving aspects of complete streets, as described in this article.
This "Safe and Livable Streets Ordinance."
Refers to the planning, design, construction, operation,
or maintenance phase of complete streets implementation.
Departments, boards, commissions, and committees as listed
in Appendix 1,[1] as amended from time to time, that are expected to participate,
to varying degrees, in one or more complete streets phase.
An area, public or private, dedicated for use by pedestrians
and vehicles, such as streets, highways, bridges, bike paths and lanes,
and walkways.
The practical, working manual regarding processes, design
and materials specifications, choices, preferences, and selection
to be applied by the Town of Fairfield and its relevant complete streets
Town bodies for the implementation of complete streets, to meet the
standards and objectives of the Complete Streets Policy and this article.
Those who (or care about those who) live, visit, attend school,
work, shop, and vacation in Fairfield.
The Town of Fairfield.
All people who use or benefit from the right-of-way, including,
but not limited to, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation
riders, motor vehicle drivers and passengers, emergency vehicle operators,
and commercial vehicle operators and includes people of all ages and
abilities, including children, senior citizens, and individuals with
disabilities.
Describes a belief that even one life lost in a traffic crash
is unacceptable and traffic deaths are preventable, and a commitment
to using all available tools to eliminate conditions and behaviors
that lead to serious injuries and deaths.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and people who use wheelchairs, who
accounted for approximately 20% of the 42,915 people who were killed
in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
This article is meant to achieve the following:
A.
Contribute to the safety, health, fitness, and quality of life of
stakeholders by providing safe, convenient, and efficient connections
for users between homes, schools, work, shopping and dining, recreation,
places of worship, and other community destinations.
B.
Improve the Town's existing transportation network by facilitating
a variety of transportation modes and by creating a connected, comprehensive
network for users.
C.
Increase Fairfield's economic vibrance and make it more sustainable
in a way that attracts and retains businesses and residents, including
retirees and young adults.
D.
Design the Town's rights-of-way to contextually complement and
enhance the surrounding land use and neighborhoods. Recognize that
Fairfield is made up of multiple commercial cores surrounded by historically
significant neighborhoods and ensure that these neighborhoods remain
vibrant and livable through context-appropriate design of rights-of-way.
E.
Employ development best practices and sustainable design as it relates
to streetscapes so that they are considered integral components of
the infrastructure of the Town.
F.
Reduce traffic congestion through improved and expanded transportation
options for users.
G.
Reduce the frequency and severity of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian-related
crashes, deaths, near-misses, property damage and complaints by designing
and managing rights-of-way to encourage travel at appropriate volumes
and safe speeds.
H.
Require that the First Selectman appoint a Complete Streets Coordinator with the requisite qualifications and authority, described in § 91-30.
I.
Require that the Town's policies and objectives for complete streets comply with this article and are incorporated and updated as necessary in the Complete Streets Policy, described in § 91-30, and adhered to by relevant complete streets Town bodies.
J.
Require that the framework and details for implementation and maintenance in compliance with this article and Complete Streets Policy are incorporated and updated as necessary by the Town in a Right-of-Way Manual, described in § 91-30, and adhered to by relevant complete streets Town bodies.
K.
Require that the Town develop and annually update a detailed Complete Streets Plan and provide capital funding in the annual budget for the implementation of the Complete Streets Plan, as described in § 91-30, in compliance with the Complete Streets Policy and Right-of-Way Manual, as an essential component of the Town's annual budget.
L.
Align the objectives, expectations, and procedures for and among
relevant complete streets Town bodies and stakeholders regarding complete
streets, their implementation, operation, and maintenance.
M.
Ensure transparent, fair procedures for communicating to, and hearing
and incorporating feedback from, stakeholders regarding complete streets.
A.
A full-time equivalent coordinator (herein referred to as the "Complete
Streets Coordinator") responsible for understanding, focusing on,
and facilitating the implementation of complete streets in Fairfield,
including monitoring of and reporting on the Town's compliance
with this article, shall be designated by the Board of Selectmen.
(1)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall have in-depth knowledge and
experience relating to complete streets concepts, design, and implementation,
as well as the needs of users, with up-to-date understanding of current
design standards and practices, with the minimum qualifications of
a Planner II/Associate/Junior Planner, or equivalent experience, such
as civil or professional engineering, and pursuing the professional
qualifications as designated by the American Planning Association.
(2)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall have experience identifying
and pursuing relevant potential public and private funding sources
to assist in the funding of complete streets, including but not limited
to grants.
(3)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall be of appropriate position
and authority to coordinate relevant Complete Streets Town Bodies
as well as represent the Town with local, regional, state, and federal
authorities, cooperatives and organizations, and Stakeholders for
timely analysis, planning, fulfillment, operations, and maintenance
of complete streets.
(4)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall have the appropriate position
and authority in the Town administration to monitor and report on
project-related planning and design, bidding, expenditures, and progress
against the Complete Streets Plan and budgets, and to ensure that
plans and processes are followed in accordance with the Right-of-Way
Manual.
(5)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall be responsible for ensuring
compliance with, and ongoing consistency among, the Complete Streets
Policy, annual Complete Streets Plan, and Right-of-Way Manual.
(6)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall provide a quarterly, public
written update to the relevant complete streets Town bodies and shall
provide updates to the LTA at each meeting.
(7)
The Complete Streets Coordinator shall remain informed and contribute
to the Vision Zero Council of Connecticut policy initiatives, remain
informed of the USDOT's Complete Streets Policies, The National
Complete Streets Coalition's Policy Framework, and any other
relevant professional initiatives.
B.
A Right-of-Way Manual shall be developed and periodically updated
(as needed but at a minimum every two years) under the coordination
of the Complete Streets Coordinator, working closely with the Town
Engineer and Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), or
their department designees, with significant input from other Relevant
Complete Streets Town Bodies as applicable, and prepared in accordance
with the Complete Streets Policy, Vision Zero Council of Connecticut
and other relevant guidelines.
(1)
The Right-of-Way Manual shall include, but not be limited to, acceptable
and minimum design and materials standards, facilities, amenities,
and operating standards to be consistently applied in the development
of complete streets, based on accepted best practices and available
data.
(2)
The Right-of-Way Manual shall include a mission statement, policy
objectives, and defined metrics used to prioritize planned projects
to implement the Complete Streets Policy.
(3)
The Right-of-Way Manual shall include thorough descriptions of processes
to direct relevant complete streets Town bodies and decisionmakers,
and to ensure shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, and
authorizations, including among stakeholders, for each phase, and
for seeking and granting exceptions.
(4)
Relevant complete streets Town bodies shall review the Right-of-Way
Manual and subsequent updates and notify the Complete Streets Coordinator
of any issues or inconsistencies found.
(5)
The Right-of-Way Manual draft shall be completed and posted on the
Town website within 12 months of the passage of this article, with
30 days required for submission of stakeholder comments, and an additional
30 days for incorporation if applicable, before finalization.
(6)
The Right-of-Way Manual shall be adhered to by all relevant complete
streets Town bodies during any phase.
C.
A Complete Streets Plan shall include a list of planned projects,
each with priority level, projected timing of work, cost, funding
sources, risks, benefits, and projected ongoing costs for operations,
monitoring, and maintenance.
(1)
The Complete Streets Plan shall include a twelve-month fiscal year
plan to be incorporated in the annual Town capital plan and budget.
(2)
In conjunction with, and as an essential element of, the Complete
Streets Plan, the Town shall maintain an updated, comprehensive map
and condition of existing and proposed complete streets infrastructure
and make it available to the public.
D.
The Complete Streets Plan shall be incorporated into the Town's
plan of conservation and development (POCD).
E.
The Town shall apply the Right-of-Way Manual to all improvement projects within the Town, except as may be excluded under § 91-31 of this article.
F.
All new private development projects, which propose improvements
along, adjacent to, or within the right-of-way ("private projects"),
shall comply with the Right-of-Way Manual and Complete Streets Policy.
Approval of any other necessary permits is contingent upon meeting
the requirements of the Right-of-Way Manual and Complete Streets Policy.
Private Projects shall be reviewed by the LTA for consistency with
the Right-of-Way Manual and Complete Streets Policy as part of the
existing approval process.
G.
DPW shall be responsible for obtaining all required approvals and
coordinate with third parties, including CTDOT, property owners, utility
companies, developers, and other agencies, commissions, and departments
as necessary to ensure that the design, necessary approvals, adjacent
property owner consent, construction, maintenance, and repairs of
the public right-of-way are carried out in accordance with the specified
design, all applicable state and local ordinances, and the Right-of-Way
Manual, provided there is no statute, settlement agreement, or judicial
decision to the contrary. DPW shall also be responsible for obtaining
all approvals and coordinating with third parties to minimize conflicts
in plans and schedules with the Complete Streets Plan and manage and
coordinate appropriate adjustments to either the Complete Streets
Plan or schedule of work by third parties.
H.
In recognition of the unique nature of the built environment and
the diverse needs of users, stakeholder input shall be reasonably
considered, but the needs of the community shall be prioritized to
achieve the objectives of the Complete Street Policy. This includes
providing safety for and balancing the needs of all users, addressing
neighborhood needs, ensuring a strong sense of place, and designing
individual streets in a manner that is sensitive to the residential
and business area context.
I.
The Town shall encourage relevant professional development for the
Complete Streets Coordinator, selected staff in the Engineering Department,
and DPW regarding complete streets best practices.
J.
The Town shall actively promote public information and education
and solicit feedback about complete streets from stakeholders. Feedback
sought should include, from time to time, scientifically designed
and statistically valid surveys by qualified professionals of well-defined
target groups.
K.
The Town and Complete Streets Coordinator shall coordinate complete
streets planning and construction with relevant regional, state, and
federal groups and authorities, including the Connecticut Metropolitan
Council of Governments (MetroCOG), the Greater Bridgeport Transit
Authority (GBTA), adjacent municipalities, CTDOT, the Zero Vision
Council of Connecticut, and the USDOT Safe Streets programs and grants
to facilitate effective application of resources.
A.
The Town recognizes that, under certain circumstances, it may not
be feasible or practical to implement one or more elements of the
Right-of-Way Manual. In such a case, a petition ("petition") documenting
the reason for an exception ("exception") shall be made by the Town
("petitioner") and submitted through the Complete Streets Coordinator
to the LTA, with separate copy sent to the relevant complete streets
Town bodies for informational purposes.
B.
Any petition for exception shall be posted to the Town's website
and shall be subject to a thirty-day public comment period. At the
end of this period, comments received shall be compiled and included
in the final documentation of petition for exception transmitted by
the Complete Streets Coordinator to the LTA.
C.
The LTA shall act on the petition for exception within 60 days of
receipt thereof. If the LTA fails to act on the request within that
time, the petition for exception shall be deemed denied without prejudice.
D.
Exceptions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1)
"Clear accountable exceptions" outlined in the Complete Streets Policy.
(2)
Facilities that are under the jurisdiction of another entity, such
as the federal government or CTDOT, with such facilities being addressed
on an individual basis to achieve improvements that advance the Complete
Streets Policy. With reference to the State of Connecticut's
Complete Streets policies and laws, the Town shall proactively pursue,
and work cooperatively with, CTDOT to plan and implement complete
streets improvements within these rights-of-way.
E.
Owners of private streets and ways shall also be encouraged to adhere
to the Right-of-Way Manual and Complete Streets Policy.
A.
Annually, the Complete Streets Coordinator, the Chairperson of the
LTA, the Director of Public Works, and Town Engineer shall present
to the BOS, BOF and RTM at which they will report on, at a minimum,
the following:
(1)
Implementation of the Complete Streets Plan, including, but not limited
to, the performance measures listed in Appendix A of the Complete
Streets Policy.
(2)
Annually enter and monitor Fairfield's position in Smart Growth
America's ranking of National Complete Streets scores on the
100-point scale using the standardized set of 10 elements.
(3)
As appropriate and practical, evaluation of the effectiveness of
individual completed projects, including volume of users, new users,
cost, implementation time, scope compliance, and satisfaction levels.
(4)
Evaluation and statistics regarding conflicts within the right-of-way
in Fairfield, including crashes, injuries, deaths, complaints, and
property damage.
(5)
Any Town-wide or Town area-specific survey results, if applicable
(and only if conducted according to best statistical practices to
achieve a high degree of confidence in results).
(6)
Total dollar amounts invested in complete streets implementation
and improvements by the Town, broken out by type.
(7)
New developments in regional, national, and international complete
streets design, engineering, and other best practices.
(8)
Descriptions of potential amendments to this article, the Complete
Streets Policy, Plan, and Right-of-Way Manual under consideration
for any reason.
This article shall take effect upon adoption and all sections
contingent upon completion of the Right-of-Way Manual shall take effect
upon its completion.
