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It appears that Milford is the first township in Oakland County to have passed a Complete Streets resolution.
According to the Spinal Column:
Milford Township Planning Commission members are reviewing design features as part of the township’s “complete streets” policy to make streets more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.
This comes after the commission passed a complete streets policy resolution in January, which was then adopted by the Milford Township Board of Trustees in February.
The policy allows the Planning Commission to review all street plans to ensure all public and private street projects, including reconstruction, are built to follow the guidelines of the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials to accommodate all users of the rights-of-way or private road easements.
“This allows the township to be more involved in street improvements with help from the county and state planning process,” said Milford Township Building Official Timothy Brandt.
View Milford Township’s Resolution Here.
Originally posted by Todd Scott. Read the rest of the story and the resolution on m-bike.org
Grand Rapids (March 22, 2011) – Grand Rapids City Commissioners today adopted a Complete Streets Resolution. The Resolution assures that future transportation projects consider all user groups, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, people in wheelchairs and motor vehicles.
“This is a win for us today and also for the citizens of Grand Rapids,” Kevin McCurren, Chair of the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, said. “We worked hard to gain a Bicycle Friendly Community designation for Grand Rapids in October 2009 and we continue to advocate for safe and accessible cycling for everyone.”
The Complete Streets Resolution was written by City Planning Director Suzanne Schultz. Its passage is the first step toward Grand Rapids ultimately adopting a more comprehensive Complete Streets Policy Ordinance.
Complete Streets have bicycle lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks and attractive landscaping, which lead to a more active lifestyle. They offer the potential for improved public health, a cleaner environment and economic development. Communities that employ the design are more vibrant and inviting while also reducing long-term transportation costs.
Governor Granholm signed Complete Streets into law last year for the State of Michigan. Pubic Acts 134 and 135 require the Michigan Department of Transportation and local governments apply the Complete Streets model in planning and construction of transportation-related projects.
The Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition advocates for change to public policy where it affects cyclists. It is committed to transforming Grand Rapids into a safer cycling community.
To further advance cycling in Grand Rapids, the group will be hosting its second Grand Rapids Bicycle Summit, May 6 at GVSU’s Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. The daylong conference will offer keynote speakers and workshops for bicyclists, government officials, planners, health officials and the general public. To learn more and to register, visit BikeGrandRapids.org.
View the Resolution Here
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Michigan continues to lead the nation in adopting local complete streets ordinances and resolutions. On the heals of the League of Michigan Bicyclists receiving national recognition for the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, we are pleased to report that the momentum is not slowing down. In March we have the pleasure to add the City of Ann Arbor and Burt Township to our growing list of communities who have adopted policies that support all modes of transportation in future road projects. Based on census data, Michigan’s 32 policies equates to 24% (2,352,874) of our state’s population living in a community with a complete streets resolution or ordinance.
At its March 7, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council adopted a resolution expressing its commitment to the concept of “complete streets” – the idea that streets should be constructed to accommodate a full range of users, from pedestrians, to bicyclists, to public transit vehicles, to privately owned automobiles.
Read more of this article on the Ann Arbor Chronicle.
Strategic Alliance for Health Communities Resolve to Complete the Streets
The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians – Strategic Alliance for Health (SAH) Project is pleased to announce that all four SAH communities have passed Complete Streets Resolutions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Complete Streets are those that are designed and maintained to be safe and accessible for all users of all abilities, and not just motorized vehicles.
Sault Ste. Marie was the first SAH community to adopt a Complete Streets resolution in August of 2010. Manistique followed in September, with St. Ignace in December 2010. The City of Munising passed their resolution on February 21, 2011. SAH coalition members in each community worked with city leadership to develop the resolutions which demonstrate a commitment to plan, build and improve non-motorized transportation infrastructure as part of street repair and construction projects.
Improving the walkability and bikeability of their communities is one piece of the SAH project which is working toward making lasting policy, systems, and environmental changes to increase access to physical activity, healthy nutrition, and reduced tobacco use and exposure.
In June and July of 2011, the Sault Tribe SAH will be partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to bring the 2nd Annual Let’s Get Moving – Community Challenge to Manistique, Munising, St. Ignace, and Sault Ste Marie, along with the SAH mentored communities of Newberry and Kinross. The Community Challenge encourages the use of non-motorized transportation as community teams compete by earning miles for exercise, healthy nutrition and tobacco-free lifestyles. Each community will receive awards from BCBS-Michigan based on their team’s average per person mileage. The funds will be used by the cities to make some type of infrastructure change to enhance access to healthy behaviors within their community.
For more information about Complete Streets, the Sault Tribe SAH project or the Community Challenge, please contact one of the community coordinators:
- Kerry Ott, Manistique – [email protected]
- Randy Sundell, Munising – [email protected]
- Jeanette O’Rourke, St. Ignace – [email protected]
- Michelle Conway, Sault Ste. Marie – [email protected]
City Administrator, Mark Kibby, just shared the exciting news that Gibraltar adopted a Complete Streets resolution on January 24, 2011. Gibraltar becomes the 28th Michigan policy (that we are aware of) and 4th Wayne County community to adopt a resolution or ordinance. Gibraltar joins Taylor who recently adopted a Complete Streets ordinance, along with Hamtramck and Woodhaven who have passed resolutions in support of Complete Streets. In addition, numerous other communities in southeast Michigan, including the City of Detroit, are actively pursuing policies of their own.
We are pleased to report that the City of Woodhaven in Wayne County unanimously passed a resolution supporting Complete Streets on February 15.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MDOT) COMPLETE STREETS INITIATIVE AS OUTLINED IN PUBLIC ACT 134, AND PUBLIC ACT 135, OF 2010.
WHERAS, increasing walking and bicycling offers improved health benefits for the population and more livable communities; and
WHERAS, a Complete Street is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle, and transit regardless of age or ability, and
WHERAS, the Michigan Legislature has passed Complete Streets legislation that requires the Michigan Department of Transportation and local governments to consider all users in transportation related projects; and
WHERAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation, and retail destinations by improving pedestrian and vehicular environments throughout communities; and
WHERAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school-age children, in recognition of the national Safe Routes to School program; and
WHERAS, the City of Woodhaven recognizes the importance of street infrastructure and modifications such as sidewalks, crosswalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes, signage, and accessible curb ramps, that enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all users; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the city of Woodhaven, Wayne County, Michigan that:
FIRST: to the extent feasible, the City of Woodhaven will incorporate Complete Streets design considerations and practices as a routine part of infrastructure and planning and implementation; and
SECOND: that the City of Woodhaven supports the continued development of the City’s Master Plan, Infrastructure Plan, and Parks and Recreation Plan, that supports the ease of use, safety, and accessibility for all users within the City of Woodhaven.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF WOODHAVEN, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN THIS DAY OF ……………………….
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
_______________________
Kristie Keene, City Clerk
The Michigan Department of Community Health has reported that Escanaba adopted a Complete Streets resolution in January, 2011. Escanaba, becomes the sixth Upper Peninsula community to adopt a Complete Streets resolution or ordinance. Congratulations!
The Oxford Village Council unanimously voted to adopt a Complete Streets Resolution at its January 25, 2011 Council Meeting. The Resolution, originally drafted by the Economic Restructuring Committee of the Downtown Development Authority was unanimously supported by the DDA Board and forwarded to the Village Council for consideration of passage. According to Holly Madill, Michigan Department of Community Health’s Complete Streets Project Coordinator, Oxford is the 21st city to pass a Complete Streets Resolution.
Anna Taylor, member of the Economic Restructuring Committee and DDA Board member said, “I encourage any DDA that wants to address how to make their town a more vibrant and welcoming pedestrian community, to take a serious look at Complete Streets. The Village of Oxford is a designated Main Street, so a well thought out Complete Streets policy is essential to our future and can mean the difference between surviving and prospering. To that end, a welcoming pedestrian community is essential.”
Complete Streets are defined as roadways designed and constructed to accommodate safe access for all legal users regardless of age, ability or mode of transportation.
“For years, state roads and highways were designed with a one-size-fits all approach. Lost in that process was the safety needs of those who walk and bicycle, especially senior citizens and children. It was very difficult, if not impossible, for a local community like ours to change that process, to make it about more than just automobiles,” said Don Sherman, Chairman of the Economic Restructuring Committee.
The next step is to work with Dan Burden of The Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, one of the nation’s top walkability experts. “A comprehensive design is needed to look at how the M-24 highway, sidewalks, crosswalks, signage, streetscapes and public spaces can be improved for residents, businesses and visitors of all ages,” says Madonna Van Fossen, Oxford’s DDA Executive Director. Recently, Joe Young, Village Manager and members of the Economic Restructuring Committee made a visit to Lawrence Technological University which resulted in an offer to work with the Village on upcoming public space design projects.
See Oakland Press media coverage.
Download Oxford’s Complete Streets Resolution (PDF version) (Word Version)
On January 17, the Atlas Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to support a Complete Streets policy after hearing a presentation on Michigan’s new Complete Streets law.
As reported in the the Grand Blanc View:
Brown said Michigan created the policy to encourage local municipalities to accommodate the needs of walkers, bikers and joggers when planning to improve streets in the area. If municipalities take into consideration the suggestions made possible under the Complete Streets policy, Brown said towns could reduce pedestrian risk by 28 percent while also trying to combat health issues, such as obesity, by making it safer for residents to walk rather than drive to places.
“Michigan adopted the policy and joined the growing movement because of a list of important things that help make communities a little safer and healthier,” Brown had previously said.
With support for the policy in place, officials can look toward making improvements in the township, such as adding sidewalks and bike lanes, updating the pedestrian signs and signals in the area, creating crossing islands to slow vehicle traffic and widening of lanes, and having more of a say in the projects.
Brown had also previously told the board adopting the policy would open up communication between Atlas and MDOT or Genesee County.
“There is always a little bit of dialogue with MDOT, but it is limited and more heavily geared toward what MDOT or Genesee County wants,” Brown had said during his presentation last month. “I am sure you all have come up against widening or improvements and have your ideas pushed to the wayside. That will no longer be the case with complete streets in place. They will have to communicate with you.”
Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones said she thought this type of policy would be beneficial to all the community and said it was important for the board to be aware of it so they could better prepare for future projects.
Michigan Complete Streets Coalition 