Ordinance No. 2021-20 Relating to Complete Streets Ordinance-Approved 082421Page 1 of 5
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-20
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington,
adopting a new Chapter 12.02, Complete Streets, of the Bainbridge Island
Municipal Code.
WHEREAS, Complete Streets are roadways planned, designed, and constructed
to provide access to all legal users in a manner that promotes safe and efficient movement
of people and goods, whether by car, truck, transit, assistive device, foot, or bicycle; and
WHEREAS, increasing walking and bicycling offers improved health benefits
for the population and makes Bainbridge Island a more livable community; and
WHEREAS, the Washington legislature has passed Complete Streets legislation
that encourages the Washington State Department of Transportation and local
governments to consider all users in transportation related projects; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability
by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work,
recreation, and commercial destinations by improving pedestrian and vehicular
environments through communities; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for
school age children, in recognition of the national Safe Routes to Schools program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island recognizes the importance of street
infrastructure and modifications such as sidewalks, crosswalks, connecting pathways,
multi-use paths, bicycle lanes, signage, and accessible curb ramps that enable safe,
convenient, and comfortable travel for all users; and
WHEREAS, funding from the Washington State Complete Streets Grant
Program is only available to jurisdictions that have adopted a Complete Streets
Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Island-wide Transportation Plan, which is part of the
City’s Comprehensive Plan, contains guidance that aligns with the values of a complete
streets policy; and
WHEREAS, the City is in the process of developing a Sustainable Transportation
Plan, a portion of which will provide guidance on transportation priorities that align with
the values of Complete Streets policies; and
WHEREAS, the City has demonstrated the values of complete streets policies in
recently completed transportation project, including the Winslow Way Reconstruction,
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the Sound to Olympics Trail, the Olympic Drive Improvements, and the Wyatt Way
Reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2020, the City Council discussed developing a
Complete Streets Ordinance as part of the Public Works 2021-22 biennial budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Chapter 12.02 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code,
Complete Streets, is hereby adopted to read as follows:
Chapter 12.02
COMPLETE STREETS
Sections:
12.02.010 Purpose
12.02.020 Definitions
12.02.030 Complete Streets Infrastructure
12.02.040 Implementation of Complete Streets Principles
12.02.050 Intergovernmental Cooperation and Partnerships
12.02.060 Exceptions
12.02.070 Best Practices Criteria
12.02.010 Purpose.
The City of Bainbridge Island shall, to the maximum extent practicable, scope, plan ,
design, construct , operate and maintain appropriate facilities for the safe
accommodation of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency
responders , freight, and users of all ages and abilities in all new construction or
reconstruction projects of public streets . Through ongoing operations and
maintenance efforts, the City of Bainbridge Island shall identify cost-effective
opportunities to include Complete Streets practices.
12.02.020 Definitions.
A. “Complete Street” means a road that is designed to be safe and accessible for drivers,
bicyclists, transit vehicles and riders, freight, emergency service providers, and
pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The Complete Streets policy focuses not just on
changing individual roads, but on changing the decision maki ng process so that all users
are routinely considered during the planning, designing, building, and operation of all
roadways.
B. “Complete Streets Infrastructure” means design features that contribute to a safe,
convenient, or comfortable travel experience for users, including but not limited to,
features such as sidewalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes, automobile lanes, paved
shoulders, street trees, and landscaping planting strips. Curbs, accessible curb ramps, bulb
outs, crosswalks, refuge islands, pedestrian, and traffic signals, including countdown and
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accessible signals, signage, street furniture, and bicycle parking facilities. Also, includes
traffic calming devices such as rotary circles, traffic bumps, and surface treatments such
as paving blocks, textured asphalt, and concrete, narrow vehicle lanes, and raised
medians.
C. “Street,” for the purposes of this chapter, means any public right of way, including
arterials, connectors, alleys, ways, lanes, and roadways by any other designation, as well
as bridges, tunnels, and any other portions of the transportation network, that is open for
use by the general traveling public.
D. “Street Project” means the construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance,
alteration, or repair of any street, and includes the planning, design, approval, and
implementation processes.
E. “Users” means individuals that use streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motor
vehicle drivers, and public transportation riders and drivers.
12.02.030 Complete Streets Infrastructure.
As feasible, the City of Bainbridge Island shall incorporate Complete Streets
Infrastructure into existing public streets to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected
transportation network that balances access, mobility, health, economy, and safety needs
of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency responders, freight and
users of all ages and abilities.
12.02.040 Implementation of Complete Streets Principles.
The City of Bainbridge Island will incorporate Complete Streets principals into the City's
Comprehensive Plan, public works standards, parks and recreation comprehensive plan,
traffic circulation plan, and other plans, manuals, rules, regulations, and programs as
feasible and appropriate.
12.02.050 Intergovernmental Cooperation and Partnerships.
The City will cooperate with other transportation agencies including the Federal
Highways Administration, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Kitsap
County and Kitsap Transit to ensure the principles and practices of Complete Streets are
embedded within their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities. The
City will cooperate to ensure to the maximum extent practicable the transportation
network flows seamlessly between jurisdictions in accordance with local and regional
road, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian plans.
Additionally, it is a goal of the City of Bainbridge Island to foster partnerships with other
agencies and organizations such as the Bainbridge Island School District, The Bainbridge
Island Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District, City Committees, residents,
businesses, interest groups, and neighborhoods to procure grant funding and implement
the Complete Streets ordinance.
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12.02.060 Exceptions.
Facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and/or people of all abilities are not
required to be provided in new construct ion or reconstruction Street Projects when:
A. A documented absence of current or future need exists, as identified in City plans and
future travel demand models; or
B. Non-motorized uses are prohibited by law; or
C. Routine maintenance and repair of the transportation network is performed that does
not change the roadway geometry or operations; or
D. The cost exceeds more than 20% of the total project cost for new construction; or
E. The Public Works Director issues a documented exception concluding that application
of complete streets principles is unnecessary or inappropriate because it would be
contrary to public safety; or
F. Where there are significant adverse environmental impacts to streams, wetlands, steep
slopes, or other critical areas; or
G. Where the establishment would be contrary to the Transportation Element of the
Comprehensive Plan; or
H. Where their inclusion in a small, isolated project would create a very short section of
improvements with problematic transitions on either end or that are in an isolated area
unlikely to be followed by similar improvements at either end, resulting in little progress
on implementing Complete Streets networks.
12.02.070 Best Practice Criteria.
The Public Works Director shall modify, develop and adopt policies, design criteria,
standards and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design,
construction and operations including but not limited to the latest editions of American
Association of State Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE) and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
guidelines and standards, while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding
built and natural environment and enhancing the appearance of such.
Section 2. Severability. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, be declared
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid for any reason, or should any portion of this
ordinance be preempted by state or federal law or regulation, such decision or preemption
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application
to other persons or circumstances.
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Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days from its
passage and publication as required by law.
PASSED by the City Council this 24th day of August, 2021.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 24th day of August, 2021.
Rasham Nassar, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: July 23, 2021
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: August 24, 2021
PUBLISHED: August 27, 2021
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2021
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 2021-20