Resolution No. 2022-27 | Updated Complete Street Policy | Adopted 05/16/2022
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GILROY RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2012-46 AND
ADOPTING THE UPDATED 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; and
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; and
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; and
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"; and
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 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; and
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; and
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; and
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Resolution No. 2022-27
Updated Complete Street Policy
City Council Regular Meeting | May 16, 2022
Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Gilroy previously adopted Resolution No. 2012-
46 adopting the Complete Streets Policy, which referenced the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission for
review of projects; and
WHEREAS, the Complete Streets Policy needs to be updated to reference the Planning
Commissions in-lieu of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission as the project review duties of the
Bicycle Pedestrian Commission now rest with the Planning Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Gilroy
as follows:
1. That the City of Gilroy adopts the updated 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.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of May 2022 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ARMENDARIZ, BRACCO, HILTON,
LEROE-MUÑOZ, MARQUES, TOVAR,
BLANKLEY
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
APPROVED:
Marie Blankley, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
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Exhibit A
This Updated Complete Streets Policy was adopted by the City Council of the City of Gilroy on
May 16, 2022 by Resolution No. 2022-27.
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY OF THE 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, suburb an, 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 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 ex cluded
if an exemption is approved via the process set forth in section C. 1of this policy.
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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 Planning Commission early in the planning and design stage, to ensure the Gilroy
Planning 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. Planning Commission Consultation. Transportation projects and new development
projects with private and public streets shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission
early in the planning and design stage, to provide the Planning 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
1. 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 publicly available for review.
Federal guidance on exceptions can be found from the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design.cfm
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CERTIFICATE OF THE CLERK
I, THAI NAM PHAM, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the attached
Resolution No. 2022-27 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 held on Council
held Monday, May 16, 2022, 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 Monday, May 16, 2022.
____________________________________
Thai Nam Pham, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk of the City of Gilroy
(Seal)
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