Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, Lawrence City Manager
FROM:	Bart Rudolph, L-DC MPO Transportation Planner
CC:	Scott McCullough, Planning and Development Services Director Todd Girdler, L-DC MPO Senior Transportation Planner Chuck Soules, Public Works Director Cynthia Wagner, Lawrence Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Lawrence  Assistant City Manager
DATE:	2/4/10
RE:	Planning for Complete Streets

The Planning & Development Services Department has begun a process to review and update the City’s multimodal planning standards. Transportation Planners will be working with KU’s School of Architecture, Design & Planning to study the best practices in planning and implementation of multimodal streets. The project will incorporate the ideas and practices within the “Complete Streets” movement.

Research and developing a Complete Streets policy has been a long-standing goal of the Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee and supports the transportation goal established by the Lawrence City Commission in July 2009 to improve access for all citizens.

What are Complete Streets

Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe access and inviting road networks for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street. Complete Street policies direct planners and engineers to consistently design with all users in mind. Complete Streets improve safety, encourage walking and bicycling, address air pollution and climate change, and reduce oil dependence, and foster strong communities.

There are many types of Complete Streets.

Example from Pottstown, PA

This Complete Street includes a crosswalk, back-in/head-out angle parking, center turn lane, bike lanes, and sidewalks.

KU/PDS Department Project Details

The multimodal transportation planning project will include a comprehensive review of multimodal best practices and Complete Street policies in comparable Midwest cities, identify roadway types in Lawrence for possible implementation, and deliver a study and white paper that align with the goals of improved multimodal transportation planning. The Project is expected to be complete in May 2010.

Next Steps

To further educate and plan for multimodal streets in Lawrence, the Planning & Development Services Department plans to seek City Commission approval to apply for a grant from the Douglas County Community Foundation to host a one-day Complete Streets workshop. The workshop would be administered by the National Complete Streets Coalition and would be designed to help key stakeholders, elected officials, advisory board members, and city staff learn how to balance the needs of all users, and develop and implement effective polices specific to the needs of Lawrence. This workshop would help transition from the KU/PDS research project to developing a policy or set of guidelines for the City of Lawrence. The request to submit the grant application is expected to go before the City Commission next week and the workshop would be tentatively scheduled for April 2010.