HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD NO 5143ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD AMENDING CHAPTER 13.12 OF THE BAKERSFIELD
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 13.12.035 RELATING TO
DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS AND
SPECIFICATIONS TO INCORPORATE A COMPLETE STREETS
POLICY.
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield sees the need to create a complete and
connected network for all transportation users; and
WHEREAS, the Complete Streets approach is a nationally recognized
framework for designing context -sensitive street facilities that enable efficient
travel by all users, including the estimated one third of Americans who do not
drive; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of municipalities and more than half of U.S. states
have adopted ordinances and policies incorporating Complete Streets
Concepts; and
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2023 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 108-
2023 to update the City's Complete Streets Policy, in furtherance of the City's
goals to incorporate Complete Streets Concepts into the planning, design,
design review, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of
projects and programs affecting all City property; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is therefore to mandate
compliance with the Complete Streets Policy as appropriate, to formally
implement the Complete Streets approach, and to express the City's
commitment to creating and maintaining Complete Streets within public rights -
of -ways and transportation corridors within the City; and
WHEREAS, the intent of this ordinance is to ensure that residents and
visitors, regardless of their age, ability, gender, ethnicity, or financial resources,
can comfortably, safely, and efficiently use the public right-of-way and meet
their transportation needs regardless of their preferred, legal mode of travel; and
WHEREAS, implementing complete streets features should aim to improve
Multimodal Levels of Service as described in the National Academy of Sciences,
National Highway Cooperative Research Board through "Report 616 and any
successor document" so as to promote the convenience and comfort of
facilities for transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists and other non -motorized users of
the public right of way; and
Ordinance Amending Section 13.12.035 o�`�AKF9
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ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, by utilizing a Complete Streets approach, the City desires to
continually prioritize the image and identity of street corridors and improve
economic activity on those corridors by providing a framework for current and
future development that integrates sidewalks, bike facilities, transit amenities,
and safe pedestrian and bicycle access to and from their site, in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and
WHEREAS, the Vision Zero movement seeks to eliminate all traffic fatalities
and severe injuries nationwide - while increasing safe, healthy, equitable
mobility for all; and
WHEREAS, a strong Complete Streets approach is essential in any
municipality striving to be a Vision Zero city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council therefore finds that commitment to Complete
Streets is important to a Vision Zero goal, and will improve community health by
reducing the risk of injuries, encouraging physical activity like walking and
bicycling that reduce the incidence of chronic health conditions like obesity
and heart disease.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield
as follows:
SECTION 1.
13.12.010 Purpose.
13.12.020 Improvements defined.
13.12.030 Standards and specifications.
13.12.035 Complete Streets.
13.12.040 Duty of public works director/city engineer.
13.12.050 Modifications.
Section 13.12.035 is hereby added to Chapter 13.12 of the Bakersfield
Municipal Code to read as follows:
13.12.035 Complete Streets
A. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply unless the
context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
1. Accessibility. The ability to reach desired destinations for all transportation
system users.
Ordinance Amending Section 13.12.035 o�gAK' 9q
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ORIGINAL
2. Complete Streets Features. Include but are not limited to sidewalks,
crosswalks, accessible curb ramps, curb extensions, raised medians,
refuge islands, modern-day roundabouts and mini -circles, traffic signals
and accessible pedestrian signals such as audible indications and
pedestrian countdown signals, shared -use paths, bicycle lanes, paved
shoulders, street trees, planting strips, signs, pavement markings, including
multi -modal pavement striping, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities,
public transportation stops, and facilities, including streetscapes,
dedicated transit lanes, and transit priority signalization.
3. Context Sensitive Solution. A process in which a full range of stakeholders
are involved in developing complete streets transportation solutions that
identify and incorporate appropriate complete streets features designed
to fit into, enhance, and support the surrounding environment and
context, including land use.
4. Multi -Modal. The movement of people and goods by more than one
method of transportation. A street that accommodates walking,
bicycling, mobility devices, transit, and driving is multi -modal.
5. National Industry Best Practices. Guidelines established by national
industry groups on complete streets best policy and implementation
practices, including but not limited to reports by the American Planning
Association and the National Complete Streets Coalition.
6. Transportation Facility or Project. The planning, design, construction,
reconstruction, maintenance, or improvement of public highways,
roadways, streets, sidewalks, traffic control devices and signage, and all
facilities or improvements related to public transit.
7. Users. Motorists, bicyclists, individuals dependent on mobility devices,
transit riders, pedestrians, and others who depend on the transportation
system to move people and goods.
B. The City shall implement a Complete Streets Policy as follows:
1. On July 12, 2023, the City Council established a Complete Streets Policy
by Resolution 108-2023 to guide and direct more comprehensive and
balanced planning, design, construction and enforcement of city
transportation systems.
2. The Complete Streets Policy shall be reviewed and updated every five
years, as appropriate in the discretion of the City Council.
Ordinance Amending Section 13.12.035
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3. The Public Works Department shall, based on a context sensitive design
and development process, employ a multi -modal approach, and
incorporate Complete Streets features in the planning, design,
construction, maintenance, enforcement, and operation of transportation
facilities and projects, including but not limited to the reconstruction,
rehabilitation, restriping, or resurfacing of any transportation facility under
the jurisdiction of the City, in accordance with the Complete Streets
Policy.
4. The Public Works Department shall evaluate and initiate updates, if any, of
existing ordinances, codes, subdivision standards, rules, policies, plans,
and design guidelines to ensure their consistency with the Complete
Streets Policy and principles. Design standards, guidelines, and manuals
shall consider incorporating national industry best practice guidelines and
shall be updated from time to time by the directors as necessary to reflect
current best practices.
5. The Public Works Department shall provide training for its staff in Complete
Streets features, policies, principles, and implementation procedures that
may be applicable to the performance of their duties.
C. Multi -modal approaches and implementation of Complete Streets features
are not required if the Public Works Director, or his/her designee determines, in
writing with appropriate documentation, before or during the design process,
that:
1. Use of a street or highway by nonmotorized users is prohibited;
2. The safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists may be placed at
unacceptable risk;
3. There is a phased approach to ultimate buildout and interim phases of
multi -modal approaches are not feasible;
4. The cost would be excessively disproportionate to the projected need or
future use over the long term, as determined by the City Council;
5. There is no documented current or future use to support implementation
of Complete Streets features at the location, as determined by the City
Council.
D. Before December 31 of each year following the enactment of this ordinance,
a report shall be submitted to the council detailing efforts made to comply with
the Complete Streets ordinance during the prior fiscal year.
Ordinance Amending Section 13.12.035
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ORIGINAL
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the
Bakersfield Municipal Code and shall be effective thirty (30) days from and after
the date of its passage.
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
NOV 2 9 2023 , by the following vote:
COUNCILMEMBER:
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBER:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCILMEMBER:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBER:
APPROVED: NOV 2 9 2023
By:
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By:G
ASHLEY Z RANO
Deputy City Attorney
✓ ✓ 1,, ✓ ✓ ✓
ARIAS, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREEMAN, GRAY, KAUR
J LIE DRIMAKIS, CPMC, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
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Ordinance Amending Section 13.12.035
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ORIGINAL
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING DOCUMENTS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
County of Kern )ss.
JULIE DRIMAKIS, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
That she is the duly appointed, acting and qualified City Clerk of the City of
Bakersfield; and that on the 1 St day of December 2023 she posted on the Bulletin
Board at City Hall, a full, true and correct copy of the following: Ordinance No.
5143, passed by the Bakersfield City Council at a meeting held on the 29th day
of November 2023 and entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD AMENDING
CHAPTER 13.12 OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 13.12.035
RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS TO
INCORPORATE A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
City Clerk and Ex Officio of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
'B ATY City Clerk
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