Independence City Council adopts Complete Streets Policy - Missouri's 16th policy

Monday, June 6th, the Independence City Council adopted a Complete Streets resolution.  The resolution, sponsored by City Councilman Jim Schultz, outlines the reasons for the Complete Streets policy, defines the meaning of Complete Streets, outlines the intent of the city to follow Complete Streets principles in all future public works projects, and outlines the city's intention to update its plans, policies, and training procedures in light with Complete Streets principles. 

Independence City Council
Independence City Council

The new policy, adopted by a unanimous vote of the Independence City Council, now puts the number of Complete Streets policies in Missouri at 16--compared with just five policies a year ago.

Now more than 1.1 million Missourians live in a city with a Complete Streets policy.  Five of the six largest cities in Missouri--Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Independence, and Lee's Summit--have a Complete Streets policy.   And the only one missing--Springfield, the state's third largest city--is currently working on a Complete Streets policy as part of its long-range planning process.

We urge municipalities across Missouri to follow the lead of Independence and the other ten cities in Missouri that have adopted Complete Streets policies--policy that ensure that cities are building accommodation for bicycling, walking, transit users and citizens old, young, able, and disabled, into every street project.

The entire text of the Indendence Complete Streets Resolution is below or available as a PDF file.

 

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY FOR THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI
 
WHEREAS Independence strives to be a sustainable and vibrant city with a dynamic spirit of cooperation among its diverse citizens businesses organizations educational systems and governments and
 
WHEREAS the City desires to promote public health by encouraging walking and bicycling as a part of active living and
Independence City Council
Independence City Council
 
WHEREAS older citizens and citizens with disabilities often rely on transit mobility aids and walking to meet basic transportation needs and benefit greatly from complete and well designed streets and
 
WHEREAS the usual and customary users of the City roads streets and bridges include pedestrians bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities as well as drivers and passengers of automobiles motorcycles buses and trucks and
 
WHEREAS the City envisions transportation as a planned regionally integrated multi modal accessible and wellmaintained system that facilitates movement about the city and encourages growth and economic development This system includes vehicular bicycle pedestrian aeronautical rail and mass transit components The system provides safe efficient and sustainable transportation of people goods and services to and from places where people live work worship shop play learn and seek medical care and
 
WHEREAS this goal implements the Complete Streets system in conjunction with other policies regulations and plans such as the Thoroughfare Plan Unified Development Ordinance Parks Master Plan and Public Works Manual
 
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI AS FOLLOWS
 
SECTION 1 That this policy shall be known as the Complete Streets Policy
 
SECTION 2 That the purpose of this policy is as follows Complete Streets Policy sets forth guiding principles and practices to be considered in transportation projects so as to encourage walking bicycling and transit use while promoting safe use and operation for all users
 
SECTION 3 That the following definitions shall apply in the policy:
 
"Complete Street" means a transportation corridor for all users including pedestrians bicyclists transit riders cars trucks motorcycles and buses Complete Streets are designed and operated to safely facilitate movement of people of all ages and abilities from destination to destination along and across a continuous travel network.
 
 
"Complete Street Elements" means transportation improvements facilities and amenities that accommodate aonrd promote multiple modes of travel including pedestrian bicycle and transit in addition to cars trucks motorcycles and buses.
 
"Public Improvement Project" means new roads trails sidewalks and facilities or reconstruction thereof as well as private improvement projects constructed aonrd maintained in whole or part with City funds owned or leased by the City aonrd intended to be dedicated to the City.
 
SECTION 4 That this Policy applies to the design and construction of Public Improvement Projects and including those in private improvement projects The City shall consider public plans standards regulations and ordinances that further this Policy.
 
SECTION 5 That the guiding principles and practices of the Complete Streets Policy are as follows:
 
1. Complete Streets are designed to serve everyone including pedestrians bicyclists transit riders and motorists including persons of all ages and abilities
 
2. The design and construction of all Public Improvement Projects should include Complete Street Elements identified in and required by:
 
  a. public plans adopted by the Planning Commission such as the Comprehensive Plan Thoroughfare Plan and Capital Improvement Plan and
 
  b. development related ordinances such as the Unified Development Ordinance and the Public Works Manual.
 
3. Complete Street Elements should be considered within the balance of mode and context of the community, including, but not limited to environmental sensitivity, cost, budget, demand, probable use, space and area requirements and limitations, and legal requirements and limitations
 
4. The City intends to incorporate Complete Streets principles into all public strategic plans standards and regulations including the Unified Development Ordinance, the Public Works Manual, the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Traffic Code and other relevant ordinances practices and policies upon subsequent updates. The Complete Streets principles, where applicable and appropriate, should be incorporated into other City plans, manuals, rules, practices, policies, training procedures, regulations, and programs as directed by the City Manager.
 
5. It is a goal of the City to foster partnerships with the State of Missouri, Jackson County, Cass County, school districts, citizens, businesses, Mid America Regional Council (MARC), neighboring communities, any other pertinent agency or group, and neighborhoods in consideration of functional facilities and accommodations in furtherance of the City's Complete Streets Policy and the continuation of such facilities and accommodations beyond the City's borders or maintenance.
 
6. The City recognizes that Complete Streets may be achieved through elements incorporated into a single project or incrementally through a series of improvements or activities over time.
 
 
SECTION 6 That this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage unless subsequently amended or repealed
 
PASSED THIS 6 DAY OF JUNE 2011 BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI

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