§ 98.101. Function and Duties of the Complete Streets Commission.

A.

Function and Duties. The Complete Streets Commission shall consult in the development, implementation, and operation of a comprehensive complete, livable, and green streets plan/strategy. In this role, the Commission may monitor and advise and shall:

1.

Create a complete, livable, and green streets plan that does the following:

a.

Ensures the needs of all users, including the young, the old, and the differently abled, are balanced throughout the surface transportation network to the greatest reasonable measure;

b.

Recognizes the importance of a network-based approach to implementation of Green and Complete Streets elements;

c.

Incorporates the current state of best practices in transportation design, environmental stewardship, and maintenance, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

i.

AMATS Regional Transportation Plan;

ii.

NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide;

iii.

AASHTO Greenbook;

iv.

Rainwater and Land Development Manual;

v.

ITE's Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares;

vi.

The Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices;

vii.

NAFTO Street Design Guide; and

viii.

Evaluating Complete Streets Projects: A Guide for Commissioners.

d.

Coordinates land use and transportation planning, including the preservation of historic resources;

e.

Considers context-sensitive solutions such as road diets (using excess roadway capacity for bicycles, pedestrians, and transit areas instead of single occupancy vehicles), mid-block crosswalks, transit waiting environments, pedestrian and bicycle signals and signal upgrades, curb extensions, sidewalks, bicycle parking, sidewalk cafe areas, streetscapes and amenities, landscaping, and the incorporation of storm water best management practices to promote green and complete street elements;

f.

Enhances the functionality, interconnectedness and aesthetic appearance of the City's surface transportation network;

g.

Applies to both new construction and to reconstruction projects;

h.

Protects the safety, security, mobility, and individual freedom of the residents of Akron; and

i.

Contains the following exemptions:

i.

Automatic Exemptions.

I.

Projects and improvements that are limited in scope and/or are purposed to routine maintenance or repairs by the City of Akron within the roadway;

II.

Utility repairs or replacement;

III.

Roadway spot-repairs;

IV.

Asphalt rejuvenation and crack sealing; and

V.

Resurfacing of existing non-striped residential roads.

ii.

Discretionary Exemptions to be approved upon consideration by the Director of Public Service by weighing the following factors against the environmental, economic, and social benefits of the green and complete streets plan:

I.

Project areas where bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited by law;

II.

Project areas that already provide alternative facilities or accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists within the same transportation corridor;

III.

Financial hardship to the project sponsor, which exists when compliance with the Plan constitutes a minimum of thirty percent of the total project cost.

IV.

Absence of necessary funding, manpower, or equipment to effectively operate and maintain all aspects of the Plan;

V.

Severe topographic or natural resource constrains;

VI.

Existing structures that do not allow for implementation of Complete and Green Street elements;

VII.

Inclusion of Complete and Green Street elements that could result in a threat to the safety and welfare of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists;

VIII.

The street is not on a public transit route and therefore public transit enhancements are not necessary; and

IX.

Conflicts with existing ordinances, policies, and regulations.

2.

Advise, consult, and work collaboratively with City personnel in the future construction of complete, livable, and green street improvements;

3.

Maintain a comprehensive log of all completed complete, livable, and green street projects, including summaries of the total cost of each completed project;

4.

Solicit input from various parties/entities which may include relevant City departments, residents and City Council members in making recommendations to City personnel;

5.

Advocate for further construction of complete, livable, and green streets projects whenever it is in the best interest of the City to do so and act as a liaison between the City and individuals/groups interested in implementing complete, livable and/or green street projects;

6.

Investigate and produce written annual status reports, as more fully described in Section 98.102 below;

7.

Facilitate the construction of complete, livable, and green street projects in accordance with the City's comprehensive or specific development plans; and

8.

Assist in the maintenance of the green and complete improvements by identifying, contacting, and interfacing with private groups that are capable of providing for the maintenance of the improvements while also conducting training for local youth, veterans, the unemployed, the underemployed, and re-entry residents. The Commission shall maintain a list of such organizations and furnish the list to City personnel upon request.

(Ord. 156-2017)