* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
title
Street and Transportation Projects - Complete Streets
FOR the purpose of directing the Departments of Transportation and Planning to apply "Complete Streets" principals to the planning, design, and construction of all new City transportation improvement projects; providing certain exceptions; requiring annual reports on the implementation of "Complete Streets" principals; and generally relating to transportation improvement projects.
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Recitals
Baltimore's streets provide the critical framework for current and future development while playing a major role in establishing the image and identity of the City. Recognizing this, City planners and transportation officials have made consistent efforts to improve the streetscape and make the City's transportation network responsive to the changing needs of our citizens. These efforts have included an expanded focus on measures to make streets more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians.
While these efforts have borne fruit, allowing Baltimore to rank above many southern and western cities in pedestrian safety, a recent study showed that Baltimore was still more dangerous for pedestrians than many peer cities in the Northeast and Midwest. Maryland as a whole also ranks near the bottom in spending on street accommodations for cyclists and pedestrians.
In recognition of the fact that any effort to create more liveable neighborhoods in Baltimore must include further improvements to the streets that are such a critical component of public space, a more systematic approach to inviting all people to make use of the streets must be adopted. "Complete Streets" principals require that the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and people of all abilities, as well as freight and motor vehicle users, be taken into account when designing and implementing changes to transportation networks. The systematic application of these principals to all transportation projects would create a comprehensive framework to open up all streets to the full range of diverse users present in Baltimore, by encouraging walking, bicycling, and transit use while promoting safety for all street users.
Adoption of a "Complete Streets" philosophy for transportation projects is especially advantageous in an urban area such as Baltimore where many people do not have regular access to a car. Ensuring that the needs of all citizens are met by applying "Complete Streets" principals across the board will improve access to communities throughout Baltimore, make the City more liveable, encourage healthy behaviors, and reduce negative environmental impacts city-wide.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Department of Transportation and the Department of Planning are directed to plan for, design, and construct all new City transportation improvement projects to provide appropriate accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and persons of all abilities, while promoting safe operation for all users.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Department of Transportation is directed to incorporate Complete Streets principals, as applicable, into all Department plans, manuals, rules, regulations, and programs.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the application of Complete Streets principals may be waived for a specific project if the Director of Transportation issues a documented exception concluding that application of Complete Streets principals would be contrary to public safety.
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Complete Streets may be achieved through single projects or incrementally through a series of smaller improvements over time. It is the Mayor and City Council's intent that all sources of transportation funding be drawn on to implement Complete Streets.
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Department of Transportation is directed to report to the Mayor and City Council annually, on the anniversary of the effective date of this Resolution, on the Department's progress towards implementing Complete Streets throughout Baltimore. These reports must incorporate performance measures established to gauge how well streets are serving all users.
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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