GREENE COUNTY NAVIGATION:
Complete Streets
In a truly walkable community, commercial services, schools, and other activity centers are located within walking distance
of housing. Walkable and bikeable communities encourage social interaction and expand transportation options. The pattern and design of development should serve a range of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, moving them around the community in a convenient and efficient manner. One key facet of developing a walkable community is a complete streets program.
A complete street indicates a roadway designed with the safety of all users in mind. A complete street means people can access basic services, shops, and work and school by foot or on bicycle. Most importantly, a complete street is designed based on its surroundings; sometimes, it does not make sense to have a dedicated bus lane or narrower travel lanes. See Figures 1 and 2.
Jefferson has the zoning and subdivision framework to encourage best practices for complete streets. Further actions to advance the use of public street environments for all users could range from statements of support to adopted resolutions to adopted policies. More information on Complete Streets can be found in Appendix G.
Jefferson should adopt a complete streets policy via ordinance. The policy should safely accommodate different forms of surface travel and should provide direction for those designing transportation infrastructure in the county. A model complete streets policy is included as an appendix.
The policy should integrate complete streets planning and evaluation into all current and future transportation and development projects, including privately built roads intended for public use. Complete streets should be evaluated and implemented as appropriate in all new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, repaving, and major maintenance projects.
The comprehensive plan should be used as a guide in balancing differences in street types and users when applying complete streets principles. It is important to implement context sensitive solutions that fit within the surrounding neighborhoods, commercial districts, and rural areas.
