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Safe & Active Genesee for Everyone (SAGE), which is a project of the Crim Fitness Foundation, recently developed a template Complete Streets resolution for Genesee County municipalities, townships, and villages to use.
They reported today that the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission commission adopted their resolution. Way to go SAGE and Genesee County!
As we reported on October 1, MDOT’s appropriation in the 2011 transportation budget included boilerplate language related to the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program and Complete Streets in Section 321 that states,
“In evaluating and awarding enhancement grants, the department shall give preference to applicants which have adopted complete streets policies. In addition, the department shall give preference to enhancement grant applications which further complete streets policy objectives. The department shall report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on transportation, and the house and senate fiscal agencies, on or before March 1, 2011, on the specific actions taken to comply with the intent of this section.”
Complete Streets was an easy fit into TE Program criteria as Complete Streets objectives and TE projects are both aimed at producing an enhanced transportation network that plays an important role in the livability of our communities. The Complete Streets legislation advanced the importance of cooperation and coordination among transportation agencies and stakeholders to consider the context of the area and stakeholder needs when developing transportation projects.
Amber Thelen, MDOT’s TE Program Manager said “The TE Program looks forward to the successful transportation projects and potential TE projects that will come from this type of project development process.”
As a result, MDOT has updated the TE project competitiveness factors to include Complete Streets. Specifically, the following items were added as factors that make a project competitive for TE funding:
- “Projects identified as a result of a community’s Complete Streets stakeholder involvement process.”
- “Projects supporting a community’s Complete Streets policy…”
These updated factors are included on page 2 of the, “Project Competitiveness Details” document found at www.michigan.gov/tea.
MDOT has also proposed changes to their updated online grant application per this screen shot. The updated online grant application system will be implemented next year. In the meantime, applicants who have Complete Streets policies are asked to provide information about their policy and how the proposed TE project supports this policy within “Attachment A” (the narrative section) of the current online grant application.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed project with a grant coordinator before starting an application. A map and contact information for the grant coordinators is available at www.michigan.gov/tea, under “Contact Us.”
Questions can be directed to:
Amber Thelen
TE Program Manager
Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Economic Development
(517) 241-1456
[email protected]
The Michigan Complete Streets Coalition is pleased to report that on Monday, October 25, Ferndale’s City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1101. The ordinance adds language to the Ferndale Codified Ordinances to encourage the implementation of a non-motorized network plan to provide Complete Streets that accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation passengers, and users of all ages and abilities.
Ferndale becomes the third Oakland County community to adopt some sort of Complete Streets policy. They are joined by Berkley and Novi who recently adopted resolutions. Ferndale’s policy is unique, however, as it is an ordinance and ultimately is more enforceable than the resolutions of support adopted by Berkley and Novi. Ferndale becomes the third Michigan community to adopt such an ordinance, joining Lansing and Saline. In total, Michigan now has 13 resolutions and ordinances in place, in addition to our recently adopted statewide Complete Streets law.
Congratulations Ferndale! We would like to especially recognize Luke Forrest, Vice Chair of Ferndale’s Planning Commission and City Councilwomen Melanie Piana for their leadership on this ordinance.
Michigan’s new Complete Streets law, Public Act 134 and 135 of 2010, was cited this week in Opinion No 7251 by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. It states that a county road commission does not have to get the permission of a property owner to build a pathway in the easement of a county-built road.
The question dealt specifically with construction of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway in the easement of a county road. “Easements may only be used for lawful purposes,” Mr. Cox said, “but construction of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway in such an easement would constitute a lawful purpose. So, permission of a property owner would not be required to construct such a pathway.”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
9:30 – 11:30 am
Holland City Hall,
270 River Avenue, Holland
Please join a lively presentation and discussion concerning how we can make Downtown Holland more welcoming to bicycle riders of all ages and levels of expertise and how the bicycle can become the travel mode of choice for more folks coming Downtown and the interface with other ways of moving about.
Leading our discussion will be Dan Burden, Director of Walkable and Livable Communities, Port Townsend, WA. This discussion is being sponsored by the Holland Downtown Development Authority and the City’s Department of Community and Neighborhood Services. Questions can be directed to Phil Meyer, Department Director, at 616-355-1363 or [email protected].
Dan Burden is an internationally recognized authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, livability, sustainability and Smart Growth. He brings together many disciplines and issues – street design, traffic calming, living streets, public safety, bicycling, and greenways – into a holistic vision for creating healthy, livable, sustainable and prosperous communities. Mr. Burden is founder and Executive Director of Walkable and Livable Communities, Inc. He has worked in over 2,700 cities and towns across the country, including the City of Holland.
What kind of design fosters community, enhances economic growth, and promotes good health? How can we creatively plan for streets that are for everyone, not just cars, and for travel alternatives such as walkable paths, bike trails, and a coordinated network of viable public transit options? At the same time, how do we preserve a sense of place, a unique character and identity that feels like home?
To explore these questions, Disability Network/Lakeshore and our partners will host a Livable Communities event on Tuesday, November 9th from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. located at the Alpenrose Restaurant in Holland, MI. As a community member interested in issues regarding health, recreation, sustainability, and economic growth of a community, we would like to invite you to attend!
Christopher Zimmerman of Arlington, VA, will be the evening keynote speaker on the topic of economic development as related to smart growth. Mr. Zimmerman, a County Commissioner, specializes in affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and other related urban design. Marjora Carter, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx, will provide a live video feed; and Dan Burden, founder and Executive Director of Walkable and Livable Communities, Inc., will be on hand for the question and answer session.
The invitation for this event is attached to this email. For more information, or to register for this event, visit: www.dnlakeshore.org/events.html. The registration deadline for this event is Monday, November 1st.
Lastly, we would like to thank our sponsors for making this event possible: MAX Transit , City of Zeeland, Hope College , Herman Miller, Lumir Properties, LLC and Holland Charter Township .
On Monday, October 4, Berkley City Council voted unanimously to formally adopt a policy in support of Complete Streets, and directed the Berkley Planning Commission to begin preparing a Master Plan amendment that updates and expands the multimodal transportation section. Berkley’s policy becomes the ninth Complete Streets resolution adopted in Michigan, accompanied by two communities that have passed ordinances.
At the previous Council meeting on September 20, 2010, Berkley City Council held a work session to discuss Complete Streets. Mr. Brad Strader, President and Managing Partner of LSL Planning, presented an overview to Council and the public. The Council then engaged in an informative discussion with city administration, staff, and residents from the community including members of the Berkley Environmental Advisory Committee, who submitted a formal letter in support of Complete Streets.
Councilmember Steve Baker, who has worked on Complete Streets with Berkley residents, business owners, and members of various committees and boards over the past six months, said his motivation is to make Berkley an even more desirable place to live, work, and play. “Berkley is a very walkable community, and this policy is a step forward as we create an even more inviting sense of ‘place’ for our residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.”
“This is not a requirement for us to rip up existing roads and start over,” Baker said. “A Complete Streets policy, and our upcoming Master Plan amendments, is a win-win for Berkley. This better positions Berkley to compete for scarce funding resources and grants, and it helps to further enhance the quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
The Marquette Area Bikeability Committee in cooperation with the Marquette County Complete Streets Program welcomes all area residents to join an upcoming discussion regarding complete streets.
Complete Streets are roadways that are designed and maintained with all users in mind, including motorists, bicyclists, public transit vehicles, and pedestrians.
The event will be held on October 13th at 6:30PM in the Citizens Forum room at Lakeview Arena. This free presentation will cover basic information regarding Complete Streets and include a presentation of the proposed City of Marquette plan with complete street corridors and improvement opportunities. There will be time for public comment and public feedback, suggestions, and questions are welcomed and encouraged. If you are interested in attending this event please contact Dayna Keranen, Community Development Coordinator at the Lake Superior Community Partnership; 906-226-6591.
Please consider attending and providing feedback and suggestions with regard to safe commuting for all area residents.
For more information please visit our Facebook page
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity presents
NEW WEBINAR SERIES: Keeping Kids Moving: How Equitable Transportation Policy Can Reverse Childhood Obesity
Register for the following webinar sessions:
- Thursday, October 7
“On the Go: Complete Streets and Public Transportation”
This session will highlight strategies for effective advocacy and implementation of complete streets policies and offer advice for ensuring that access to public transportation and active living opportunities are equitably provided to all communities. - Thursday, October 21
“Feet to the Streets: Alternatives to Motorized Transportation”
This webinar will discuss strategies for creating opportunities that encourage non-motorized transportation including: developing systems of trails and bike paths, implementing incentives for reducing dependence on motorized transportation, and promoting innovative land use strategies that support a variety of modes of active transportation.
The City of East Lansing will hold a public Complete Streets Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
The public forum, which will be facilitated by Michigan Complete Streets Coalition partner Greenway Collaborative President Norm Cox, will provide public education on East Lansing’s draft Complete Streets Ordinance and provide community members an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the draft ordinance.
The City of East Lansing was recently awarded a grant to establish a Complete Streets Ordinance by the Michigan Department of Community Health. The Complete Streets Ordinance would create a policy that all future road projects consider all modes of transportation including vehicles and bicycles, as well as pedestrians.
“The Complete Streets Ordinance would guide all future street design,” said Department of Public Works Director Todd Sneathen. “It would lay out the framework to better integrate safe and healthy transportation options such as sidewalks, bike paths and bike lanes.”
