[Added 10-23-2023]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMPLETE STREET
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.
COMPLETE STREETS PLAN
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.
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.
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
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.
LOCAL TRAFFIC AUTHORITY (LTA)
Fairfield's local traffic authority, which is responsible for approving aspects of complete streets, as described in this article.
ORDINANCE
This "Safe and Livable Streets Ordinance."
PHASE
Refers to the planning, design, construction, operation, or maintenance phase of complete streets implementation.
RELEVANT COMPLETE STREETS TOWN BODIES
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.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
An area, public or private, dedicated for use by pedestrians and vehicles, such as streets, highways, bridges, bike paths and lanes, and walkways.
RIGHT-OF-WAY MANUAL
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.
STAKEHOLDERS
Those who (or care about those who) live, visit, attend school, work, shop, and vacation in Fairfield.
TOWN
The Town of Fairfield.
USER
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.
VISION ZERO
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.
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
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.