ORD 18-859 - Relating to Complete Streets Policy Revisions ORDINANCE NO. 18-859
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Federal Way, Washington, relating
to Complete Streets policy revisions to build streets for all users and
travel modes; amending FWRC 19.135.205. (Amending Ordinance
No. 12-718)
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the need to periodically modify Title 19 of the Federal
Way Revised Code ("FWRC"), "Zoning and Development Code," in order to conform to state
and federal law, codify administrative practices, clarify and update zoning regulations as deemed
necessary, and improve the efficiency of the regulations and the development review process;
and
WHEREAS, this ordinance, containing amendments to development regulations and the
text of Title 19 FWRC, has complied with Process VI review, Chapter 19.80 FWRC,pursuant to
Chapter 19.35 FWRC; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the City Council to adopt a revised Complete
Streets policy which provides stronger development regulations for the accommodation of
pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users of all ages and abilities, as well as motorists,passengers,
and freight within the City of Federal Way; and
WHEREAS, complete streets are designed to provide safe access to users of all ages and
abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists,passengers, and freight; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the complete streets program is to: (1) promote the health and
fitness of the Federal Way community by encouraging walking, cycling, and the use of public
transit; (2) improve safety by scoping, planning, and designing arterials to include features such
as wider sidewalks, dedicated multi-use pathways, dedicated bicycle facilities, medians, and
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 1 of 9
streetscape features; and (3) protect the environment and reduce congestion by providing safe
alternatives to single occupancy driving; and
WHEREAS, walking and cycling enhances physical and mental health through physical
activity, helps reduce obesity, and helps to reduce air pollution; and
WHEREAS, Federal Way's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element goals include
providing a connected system of pedestrian and bicycle facilities that are integrated into a
coordinated regional network as well as providing for an enhanced high capacity transit system;
and
WHEREAS, Federal Way's Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element policies
support increased access to non-motorized and alternative modes of transportation and
emphasize transportation safety and efficiency; and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Determination of Nonsignificance ("DNS") was properly
issued for the Proposal on September 7, 2018, and no comments or appeals were received and
the DNS was finalized on October 12, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission properly conducted a duly noticed public hearing
on these code amendments on October 24, 2018; and
WHEREAS, due to absences of three of the seven Planning Commissioners, the four
Planning Commissioners in attendance voted three to one in favor of recommending adoption of
the code amendments; and
WHEREAS, FWRC 19.80.240(1)(a) requires a majority vote of the entire membership of
the Planning Commission to recommend that the City Council adopt the code amendments; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the entire membership of the Planning Commission did not
recommend that the City Council should adopt the code amendments; and
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 2 of 9
WHEREAS, pursuant to FWRC 19.80.240(1)(c), the code amendments were sent to the
Land Use & Transportation Committee of the Federal Way City Council without a Planning
Commission recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use & Transportation Committee of the Federal Way City Council
considered these code amendments on November 5, 2018, and recommended adoption of the text
amendments.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings. The City Council of the City of Federal Way makes the following
findings with respect to the proposed amendments.
(a) These code amendments are in the best interest of the residents of the City and will
benefit the City as a whole by reinforcing the city's commitment to ensuring
infrastructure improvements are made with the consideration for safe and convenient
travel for all modes of transportation..
(b) These code amendments comply with Chapter 36.70A RCW, Growth Management.
(c) These code amendments are consistent with the intent and purpose of Title 19 FWRC
and will implement and are consistent with the applicable provisions of the Federal
Way Comprehensive Plan.
(d) These code amendments bear a substantial relationship to, and will protect and not
adversely affect, the public health, safety, and welfare.
(e) These code amendments have followed the proper procedure required under the
FWRC.
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 3 of 9
Section 2. Conclusions. Pursuant to Chapter 19.80 FWRC and Chapter 19.35 FWRC, and
based upon the recitals and the findings set forth in Section 1, the Federal Way City Council
makes the following Conclusions of Law with respect to the decisional criteria necessary for the
adoption of the proposed amendments:
(a) The proposed FWRC amendments are consistent with, and substantially implement,
the following Federal Way Comprehensive Plan goals and policies:
TP1.1 Reduce reliance on drive alone trips by prioritizing and implementing
supportive local-level transit, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV), and non-motorized
improvements.
TP1.5 Enhance mobility using the existing footprint of the roadway and
technological advancements. When widening roadways, impacts to non-motorized
users and transit vehicles and passengers should be minimized.
TP1.10 Coordinate with transit agencies to provide convenient non-motorized
access to transit facilities.
TP2.3 Prioritize transportation projects considering concurrency, safety,
multimodal enhancements, environmental impacts, and cost effectiveness.
TP2.4 Assure cost-effective maintenance of transportation facilities under the
City's jurisdiction,including non-motorized facilities.
TP3.8 Encourage non-motorized improvements that minimize the need for
residents to use motorized modes by extending the existing non-motorized system
and providing:
1. Access to activity centers and schools;
2. Linkage to transit, park& ride lots, and school bus networks;
3. Completion of planned pedestrian/jogging or bicycle trails;
4. Designating a network of streets that can safely and efficiently accommodate
bicycles; and
5. Extend sidewalks to all streets.
TP3.10 Provide a one-mile grid of bicycle facilities connecting major activity
centers,recreational facilities, and schools.
TP3.11 Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle features as design elements in the City
Center as reflected in the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan Vision and City Center
Street Design Guidelines.
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 4 of 9
TP3.12 Include sufficient area in rights-of-way for bike lanes, sidewalks, and
landscaped medians to provide separation from motorized traffic. Use landscaped
medians to separate opposing traffic when safety and aesthetic purposes dictate the
need.
TP3.17 Coordinate development of the non-motorized system with surrounding
jurisdictions and regional system extensions.
TP4.4 Protect existing and acquire future right-of-way consistent with functional
classification cross-section (transit, rail,bike, and pedestrian) needs.
TP4.7 Enhance the viability of regional and local transit service by establishing
design standards for streets that move transit, pedestrian, and cyclists in the City
Center.
TP5.8 Encourage the provision of a robust transportation alternative rich
environment so that all members of the community, including those with
transportation disadvantages, have viable travel options or alternatives.
(b) The proposed FWRC amendment bears a substantial relationship to the public health,
safety, and welfare because it ensures that transportation improvements consider the safety
and mobility of all modes of travel, and the varying abilities of citizens t o move throughout
the community safely and easily on foot and bicycle.
(c) The proposed amendment is in the best interest of the public and the residents of the
City of Federal Way because complete streets are focused on the safe and convenient
movement of people using all modes of travel. Complete streets also support
economic development as access to commercial areas and between neighborhoods
and commercial areas is enhanced with greater emphasis on connectivity. Livability is
improved as it becomes easier to move about the community.
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 5 of 9
Section 3. FWRC 19.135.205 is hereby amended to read as follows:
19.135.205 Complete Streets.
(1) Complete Streets Policy. The city of Federal Way will plan for, design, and construct all new
and retrofitted transportation projects to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation for
pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit passengers users of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks,
buses, and automobiles motorists, passengers, emergency responders, and freight, with a goal of
street connectivity that creates a comprehensive, integrated, connected network for all modes
because all users of the network are legitimate and equally deserving of safe facilities.
(2) "Complete Street"means a road that is designed to be safe and accessible for motorists,
bicyclists, school and public transit users, freight,emergency responders, and pedestrians of all
ages and abilities. The complete street policy focuses not just on changing individual roads,but
on changing the decision-making process so that all users are routinely considered during the
scoping,planning, design, construction, operation. and maintenance of all roadways.
"Complete streets infrastructure"means design features that contribute to a safe, convenient, or
comfortable travel experience for users, including but not limited to features such as: sidewalks;
shared use paths; bicycle lanes; automobile lanes; paved shoulders; street trees and landscaping;
planter strips; curbs; accessible curb ramps; bulb outs; crosswalks; refuge islands; pedestrian and
traffic signals, including countdown and accessible signals; signage; street furniture; bicycle
parking facilities; mini-roundabouts; traffic calming devices such as speed humps and traffic
circles, and surface treatments such as paving blocks and textured pavement; narrow vehicle
lanes; and raised medians.
(3) The City of Federal Way shall incorporate complete streets infrastructure into the
Transportation Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan, ADA Transition Plan, Public Works
Develo sment Standards Parks and Recreational Master Plan and all other •lans manuals rules
regulations, and programs as feasible and appropriate.
(4) The City of Federal Way will foster partnerships with all Washington State transportation
funding agencies including the Washington State Department of Transportation,the
Transportation Improvement Board, the Federal Highway Administration, King County, Federal
WaySchool District, citizens, businesses, interest groups, neighborhoods, and anyfunding
p
g
agency to implement Federal Way's complete streets policy.
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 6 of 9
(5) The Public Works Director, or their designee, shall modify, develop, and adopt policies,
design criteria, standards, and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design,
construction, and operations, including but not limited to the latest editions of the American
Association of State Transportation Officials and Institute of Transportation Engineers guidelines
and standards,while reflecting the context and character of the surrounding built and natural
environment and enhancing the appearance of such.
(26) Exceptions. Facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users and/or persons of all ages and
abilities are not required to be provided in new construction, retrofit, or reconstruction projects,
except in any of the following extraordinary circumstances:
(a) Where establishment would be contrary to public safety The project involves a roadway
on which non-motorized use is prohibited by law. In this case an effort shall be made to
accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists elsewhere, including on roadways that cross or
otherwise intersect with the affected roadway; or
(b) Where there is no identified current or long-term need, as established in city plans and
future travel demand models; or
(c) . . - - •. - . . - . . - •. ; - --- -
with problematic transitions en either end, er that are unlikely to be followed by similar
improvements at either end, resulting in little progress-en implementing multi modal
networks as set forth in the transportation chapter of the Federal Way Comprehensive Plan;
Where the cost of accommodation is excessively disproportionate to the need or_probable
use; audzor
(d) Where a modification, deferment, or waiver to the req-uirements-ef this chapter has been
_ • . •
(d) Where routine maintenance and repair of the transportation network is performed that
does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, spot
repair, surface treatments, re-paving, pavement overlay, or interim measures; or
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 7 0.1'9
(e) Where emergency repairs require an immediate, rapid response; however,temporary
accommodations for all modes should still be made. Depending on the severity of the
repairs, opportunities to improve multimodal access should still be made; or
(f) Where a reasonable and equivalent project along the same corridor is already
programmed to provide facilities exempted from the project at hand.
Any exception to this policy for public projects requires documentation and supporting data to be
approved by the City Council upon review and recommendation from the Land Use and
Transportation Committee. Supporting documents and data for all requested exemptions shall be
made publicly available. Exceptions to this policy, as outlined above, may be granted by the
Public Works Director for private development projects in response to a modification, deferment,
or waiver request under FWRC 19.135.070. Supporting documents and data for all such granted
exceptions shall be made publicly available with ability for public comment.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared separate and
severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or portion of
this ordinance, or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall
not affect the validity of the remainder of the ordinance, or the validity of its application to any
other persons or circumstances.
Section 5. Corrections. The City Clerk and the codifiers of this ordinance are authorized
to make necessary corrections to this ordinance including, but not limited to, the correction of
scrivener/clerical errors, references, ordinance numbering, section/subsection numbers and any
references thereto.
Section 6. Ratification. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective
date of this ordinance is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 8 of 9
Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective five (5) days after passage
and publication as provided by law.
PASSED bythe CityCouncil of the Cityof Federal Waythis 4th dayof December, 2018.
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY:
II
f' FE'RELL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
•
S 'H NIE COURTNEY C, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
alkZ
J. RYAN CALL, CITY ATTORNEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 11/14/2018
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 12/04/2018
PUBLISHED: 12/07/2018
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/12/2018
ORDINANCE NO.: 18-85q
Ordinance No. 18-859 Page 9 of 9