Resolution 2012-46RESOLUTION NO. 2012 - 46
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GILROY ADOPTING A COMPLETE STREETS
POLICY
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, users and operators of public transportation, seniors,
children, youth, and families;
WHEREAS, City of Gilroy acknowledges the benefits and value for the public health
and welfare of reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing transportation by walking,
bicycling, and public transportation;
WHEREAS, City of Gilroy 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;
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 ";
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
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46
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;
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;
WHEREAS, City of Gilroy 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 CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GILROY as follows:
1. That the City of Gilroy adopts the Complete Streets Policy attached hereto as Exhibit
A, and made part of this Resolution, and that said exhibit is hereby approved and adopted.
2. That the next substantial revision of the City of Gilroy General Plan circulation 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.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of November, 2012 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ARELLANO, BRACCO, DILLON,
LEROE- MUNOZ, TUCKER, WOODWARD and PINHEIRO
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
Shawna Freels,
Mayor
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46
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Exhibit A
This Complete Streets Policy was adopted by the City Council of the City of Gilroy on
November 5th, 2012 by Resolution No. 2012 -46.
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY OF CITY OF GILROY
A. Complete Streets Principles
1. Complete Streets Serving All Users. City of Gilroy expresses its commitment to
creating and maintaining Complete Streets that provide 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, users and operators of public
transportation, seniors, children, youth, and families.
2. Context Sensitivity. In planning and implementing street projects, departments and
agencies of City of Gilroy shall maintain sensitivity to local conditions in both residential
and business districts as well as urban, suburban, and rural areas, and shall work with
residents, merchants, and other stakeholders to ensure that a strong sense of place ensues.
Improvements that will be considered include sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes,
bicycle routes, paved shoulders, street trees and landscaping, planting strips, accessible
curb ramps, crosswalks, refuge islands, pedestrian 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.
3. Complete Streets Routinely Addressed by All Departments. All relevant departments
and agencies of City of Gilroy shall work towards making Complete Streets practices a
routine part of everyday operations, approach every relevant project, program, and
practice as an opportunity to improve streets and the transportation network for all
categories of users, and work in coordination with other departments, agencies, and
jurisdictions to maximize opportunities for Complete Streets, connectivity, and
cooperation. The following projects provide opportunities: pavement resurfacing,
restriping, accessing above and underground utilities, signalization operations or
modifications, maintenance of landscaping/related features, and new development of
private and public streets.
4. All Projects and Phases. Complete Streets infrastructure sufficient to enable reasonably
safe travel along and across the right of way for each category of users shall be
incorporated into all planning, funding, design, approval, and implementation processes
for any construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, operations, alteration, or repair
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46
of streets (including streets, roads, highways, bridges, and other portions of the
transportation system), except that specific infrastructure for a given category of users
may be excluded if an exemption is approved via the process set forth in section C. 1 of
this policy.
B. Implementation
1. Plan Consultation and Consistency. Maintenance, planning, design of transportation
projects and new development projects affecting the transportation system shall be
consistent with local bicycle, pedestrian, transit, multimodal, and other relevant plans,
except that where such consistency cannot be achieved without negative consequences,
consistency shall not be required if the head of the relevant department provides written
approval explaining the basis of such deviation. Such deviations shall be presented to the
Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission early in the planning and design stage, to ensure
the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission has an opportunity to provide comments and
recommendations.
2. Street Network/Connectivity. As feasible, City of Gilroy shall incorporate Complete
Streets infrastructure into existing streets to improve the safety and convenience of users
and to create employment, with the particular goal of creating a connected network of
facilities accommodating each category of users, and increasing connectivity across
jurisdictional boundaries and for existing and anticipated future areas of travel origination
or destination.
3. Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Consultation. Transportation projects and new
development projects with private and public streets shall be reviewed by the Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission early in the planning and design stage, to provide the Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission an opportunity to provide comments and recommendations
regarding Complete Streets features to be incorporated into the project.
4. Evaluation. All relevant agencies or departments shall perform evaluations of how well
the streets and transportation network of City of Gilroy are serving each category of users
by collecting baseline data and collecting follow -up data on a regular basis.
C. Exemptions
Leadership Approval for Exemptions. Projects that seek Complete Streets exemptions
must provide written finding of why accommodations for all modes that were not
included in the project and signed off by the Public Works Director or equivalent high
level staff person. Projects that are granted exceptions must be made publically available
for review. Federal guidance on exceptions can be found from the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel
http://www.thwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle pedestrian /guidance /design guidance /desi
gn.cfm
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46
I, SHAWNA FREELS, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the
attached Resolution No. 2012 -46 is an original resolution, or true and correct copy of a city
resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a regular meeting of said Council
held on the 5th day of November, 2012, at which meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
the City of Gilroy this 6th day of November, 2012.
(Seal)