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Complete Streets supporters in Southeast Oakland County have made significant advances in recent months, including the formal adoption of the Royal Oak Non-motorized Transportation Plan, a Complete Streets resolution for Oakland County, and most recently, the adoption of Complete Streets Guidelines by the Road Commission for Oakland County.
On December 12th, a community meeting is being organized by local bicycle advocates to discuss the the implementation of bicycle infrastructure such as marked bicycle routes, sharrows, bicycle boulevards, and road diets. A desired outcome of the meeting is to develop a strategy for a multi-city push for Complete Streets implementation that links the various Oakland County communities together with a safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian network.
Meeting Details:
- Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 (12/12/12)
- 7:00 pm
- Royal Oak Public Library, 222 East 11 Mile Road, downtown Royal Oak
Residents and people who walk and bike through Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Royal Oak and Southfield are welcome and encouraged to attend. There is no need to register - just show up.
The meeting will also include three guest speakers:
- Todd Scott, Detroit Greenways coordinator for the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. Mr. Scott has helped bring millions of dollars of grant funds into the Detroit area to fund bicycle infrastructure and is a nationally-known expert on mapping bicycle routes.
- Heather Carmona, Executive Director of the Woodward Avenue Action Association. Ms. Carmona was key in winning federal funding for the recent improvements to the Woodward-12 Mile intersection, is currently leading an 11-city effort to make Woodward Avenue a Complete Street from Detroit to Pontiac, and is helping to organize a Gran Fondo bicycle ride planned for next year.
- Tom Dusky, Green Cruise coordinator for the Southeast Michigan Sierra Club. The Green Cruise is a celebration of non-motorized transportation held annually in Ferndale.
The meeting is sponsored by the Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board, Huntington Woods Environmental Committee, Berkley Environmental Advisory Committee, Woodward Avenue Action Association, and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
For more information, contact:
Tom Regan - 248-797-1075
As a result of planning efforts for “Complete Streets,” the City of Lathrup Village has adopted an ordinance that will help facilitate future street, bike facility, and sidewalk improvements.
With assistance of Lathrup Village‐based Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc., a Michigan planning firm that specializes in downtown planning and transportation consulting, the City Council and Planning Commission have been developing a Non‐Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP), a Non‐Motorized Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a Complete Streets Ordinance. The purpose of these efforts is to guide the planning, design, construction and reconstruction of roadways, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and other transportation facilities, making them “Complete Streets.”
Recent legislation adopted in Michigan provides a method for achieving “Complete Streets” in communities across the state. “Complete Streets” is a relatively new term that describes a transportation network that provide safe and efficient access to users, whether they travel by car, truck, transit, assistive device, foot, or bicycle. In Lathrup Village, plans for street and sidewalk repairs are made annually. However, the City recognized the need to address non‐motorized transportation more fully and with an emphasis on improving the connectivity in and around the entire City, despite the physical boundaries of Southfield Road and I‐696, which bisect the City from east to west, and north to south, respectively.
The Reverend Oscar King III, a Lathrup Village Planning Commissioner, sums up the “Complete Streets” planning efforts by noting, “In my sense, it redefines Lathrup Village so that it becomes something more than somewhere people drive through, getting to somewhere else. It becomes a destination, a wellplanned destination, that can respond to what was, what is, and allow us to plan for the future.”
Birchler Arroyo Associates Inc. vice‐president Rod Arroyo agrees, “With the Complete Streets Ordinance, the City is taking a big picture approach to creating a complete transportation network for its residents and businesses. “ The new ordinance will require the City to consider how improvements can be made to the non‐motorized transportation network when other types of public infrastructure projects are undertaken.
The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the Complete Streets‐Non‐motorized Transportation Plan on November 8 and anticipates that the plan will be adopted as an amendment to the City’s Master Plan by December.
Download the Lathrop Village Complete Streets ordinance
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Lathrup Village, Michigan is in a highly desirable location in southern Oakland County. Conveniently located off I‐696, the City is within easy reach of the areas major cities and destinations. It has a population of over 4,500 and covers 1 1/2 square miles. The majority of its commercial uses are located on Southfield Road, an important north‐south arterial. Jeff Mueller is the City Administrator. Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc. is a planning and transportation consulting firm located in Lathrup Village, MI. Since 1989, Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc., has been a leader in community planning and transportation consulting in southeast Michigan. The firm’s award‐winning plans and tools have been recognized at the state and national levels for planning excellence. For more information on Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc., please contact Rod Arroyo at 248.423.1776 or visit their website: www.birchlerarroyo.com
The Oakland Township Board of Trustees voted to pass a resolution supporting the Michigan Complete Streets program [on April 12], which helps “ensure that engineers and planners design roadways to accommodate all users, not just motorists,” according to the coalition’s website [that’s us!].
“In many cases, this means curb ramps, audible or tactile signals for blind pedestrians, longer crossing times, smooth sidewalks and bike paths that are free of obstacles and transit stops that can be easily boarded,” the website says.
Read the rest of this article by Jen Anesi in the Oakland Township Patch
See additional coverage on M-Bike and Romeo Observer
Marquette Township, Ispeming and Oakland Township adopt complete streets resolutions.
Holland, East Lansing and Lansing Township close.
First meeting scheduled for Complete Streets Advisory Council.
Complete streets continues to gain momentum around the state. Last week, two Upper Peninsula communities, Marquette Township and the City of Ishpeming both passed Complete Streets resolutions. “Marquette Charter Township has been a leader in providing for the health, safety, welfare, and ease of mobility for those preferring non-motorized modes of transit. In 2003 our Planning Commission required that all new or substantially reconstructed roads must provide an adjacent non-motorized alternative. So, moving forward with the Complete Streets process was a natural for us,” said Randy Girard, Township Manager for the Charter Township of Marquette.
We have learned that the City of Marquette is also working on a policy and should be bringing it before City Council within a month or two. When passed this would make three policies withing Marquette County. Our hats off to our partners at the Marquette County Health Department for all their great leadership in moving these policies forward.
According to the Oakland Township Patch, the Oakland County Board of Trustees voted last night to pass a resolution “supporting Michigan Complete Streets program.” We have not seen the actual language of the resolution yet, but are honored to have the official endorsement of the Board of Trustees for our work to advance complete streets across the state. We look forward to working with the Township in helping to advance their efforts to safely accommodate all roadway users.
Oakland Township becomes the second Oakland County township, after Milford Township, to adopt a Complete Streets resolution. As with Milford Township, Oakland Township does not have jurisdiction over roads. It is the Road Commission for Oakland County who owns, builds, and maintains them within the county. The Complete Streets state law passed last August, however, does state that a “county road agency shall consult with the municipality and agree on how to address the respective complete streets policies.” Other townships that have adopted complete streets include Marquette Township, Union Township and Atlas Township. We will be keeping a close eye on these communities to see how the road commissions and townships work together to implement complete streets.
Oakland Township wasn’t the only municipality busy last night advancing complete streets. We learned via our Facebook Page, that the City of Holland Planning Commission passed a complete streets draft resolution which will be sent to the City Council for approval within the next few months. “The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) feels that a complete streets policy will assist in the City of Holland becoming the friendliest city in America,” said John D. Langdon, Governmental / Public Affairs Coordinator for MARP.
Additionally, a steering committee composed of community leaders and local residents in Lansing Township are guiding a process of developing a complete streets ordinance and non-motorized transportation plan. They are hosting townhall meetings tonight and tomorrow evenings (April 13 & 14) to discuss the proposed ordinance. They have also launched a public survey for community members to provide input.
Just down the road, the City of East Lansing is planning to bring their draft ordinance up for a vote within the next couple of months. Hearing news of the progress in Lansing Township and East Lansing to adopt complete streets, Meridian Township Trustee Veenstra expressed interest in following suit. Also in Mid-Michigan, the City of Mason is showing signs of support by featuring complete streets on the front cover of their latest newsletter.
In statewide news, we are pleased to report that the first meeting of the Complete Streets Advisory Council has been scheduled for April 27, 2011, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the VanWagoner Transportation Building, 425 W. Ottawa Street, Lansing. The meeting will be held in the Lakeshore Learning Center Conference Room, located near the first floor lobby.
Editor’s Note: Thank you to m-bike who posted the initial report on Clawson’s Complete Streets policy.
On December 7, 2010, Clawson city council adopted a resolution in support of Complete Streets. City Manager Mark Pollock provided the following background on Complete Streets prior to the unanimous vote.
“Complete Streets” is a design or planning principle to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. The City of Clawson already incorporates many of the goals of the “Complete Streets” philosophy into the projects it undertakes. This is evidenced by the recent renovations of the downtown main intersection and streetscape projects. The resolution supporting a “Complete Streets” Policy pledges the City’s continued commitment to the complete streets philosophy and may assist the City in applications for funding available under the revised statutes. My recommendation is the resolution supporting a “Complete Streets” Policy for the City of Clawson be approved and forwarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and State Transportation Commission (STC).
Clawson becomes the fourth Oakland County municipality to adopt a Complete Streets resolution or ordinance, joining Berkley, Ferndale and Novi.
From the Clawson City Council minutes of December 7th, 2010:
CM 12-194-10 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A “COMPLETE STREETS” POLICY FOR THE CITY OF CLAWSON
MOTION BY: Councilmember Airriess
SUPPORTED BY: Councilmember Moore
RESOLVED, the resolution supporting a “Complete Streets” Policy for the City of Clawson be approved and forwarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and State Transportation Commission (STC).
A RESOLUTION
of the Council of the City of Clawson, Michigan
Supporting a “Complete Streets” Policy for the City of Clawson
WHEREAS, “Complete Streets” are defined as a design framework that enables safe and convenient access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and drivers of all ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, “Complete Streets” are achieved when transportation agencies routinely plan, design, construct, reconstruct, operate, and maintain the transportation network to improve travel conditions for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit, and freight in a manner consistent with, and supportive of, the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, development of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure offers longterm cost savings and opportunities to create safe and convenient nonmotorized travel; and
WHEREAS, streets that support and invite multiple uses, including safe, active, and ample space for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit are more conducive to the public life and efficient movement of people than streets designed primarily to move automobiles; and
WHEREAS, increasing active transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling and use public transportation) offers the potential for improved public health, economic development, a cleaner environment, reduced transportation costs, enhanced community connections, social equity, and more liveable communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Clawson’s Master Plan addresses multiple forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS, “Complete Streets” principles have been and continue to be adopted nation-wide at state, county, MPO, and city levels in the interest of proactive planning and adherence to federal regulation that guide transportation planning organizations to promote multi-modal transportation options and accessibility for all users; and
WHEREAS, in response to the Complete Streets Initiative, the State of Michigan adopted an amendment to the Planning Enabling Act in 2010 stating that a community’s master plan shall include all components of a transportation system and their interconnectivity including streets and bridges, public transit, bicycle facilities, pedestrian ways, freight facilities and routes, port facilities, railroad facilities, and airports, to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in a manner that is appropriate to the context of the community and, as applicable, considers all legal users of the public right-of-way.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF CLAWSON RESOLVES:
That the Council of the City of Clawson hereby declares its support of “Complete Streets” policies.
That the Planning Commission is hereby directed to review the master plan in order to determine whether the elements required under Public Act 134 of 2010 Section 33(b)(i) have been satisfied and if not, to prepare an amendment which will bring the master plan into compliance with Public Act 134 of 2010.
Introduced and Passed at a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2010.
AYES: Councilmember Airriess, Mayor Luebs, Councilmember Moore and Palmer
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Phillips
ABSTAINED: None
MOTION CARRIED:
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Registration begins at 8 a.m.)
Location
SEMCOG Offices
535 Griswold St., Ste. 300
Detroit, MI
Register Now
Objective
This workshop will provide local government engineers and planners responsible for designing public rights-of-way and recreational facilities, and ADA coordinators, with information about federal regulations pertaining to public rights-of-way and outdoor developed areas.
Read the rest of this entry »
Oakland County residents, please take note. This petition was posted on LMB’s Facebook page this morning. Yet another great example of effective grassroots organizing and the need for comprehensive Complete Streets policies in Michigan.
Keep Our Kids Safe - Support Square Lake Road Bike Path
Sign petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/finish-square-lake-to-opdyke-bike-path.html
This is a dangerous stretch of road that has no bike path or sidewalk, near the I-75 ramps.
Target: Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services
Background: The Bloomfield Hills Surf Club was established in 1962 as a private community swim club serving dozens of surrounding communities. In 1966, the I-75 business loop cut through these communities leaving the Surf Club isolated from those communities.
With the population growth in the area over the past 40 years, it is impossible for children to get to and from the Surf Club and the surrounding neighborhoods safely without the use of a motor vehicle. Surrounding the area are numerous bike and pedestrian paths, but none that allow for the safe passage across the 6 lane, I-75 feeder section of Square Lake Road. In addition, the surrounding communities have no access to newer paths connecting to the larger Clinton River Trail and Oakland County trail system.
Without pedestrian access to this area, the community immediately surrounding the Surf Club has no safe access to the Oakland County trail system, and The Surf Club is inaccessible to families that would like to safely visit without the use of a motor vehicle.
Sign the Square Lake Woodward to Opdyke extension Petition -
Online petition - Keep Our Kids Safe - Support Square Lake Road Bike Path
