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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO DEVELOP, IN COORDINATION WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, AND OTHER APPLICABLE ENTITIES, A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A �COMPLETE STREETS� PROGRAM FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

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WHEREAS, ensuring that Miami-Dade County�s roadways, rights-of-way, and transportation corridors are safe for all users, of all ages and abilities, is an important public policy; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has one of the highest pedestrian and bicyclist crash rates in the United States; and
WHEREAS, initiatives designed to make walking, biking, and transit use safer and more convenient offer the potential for a healthier citizenry, cleaner air, reduced traffic congestion, more livable neighborhoods, less reliance on fossil fuels and imported sources of energy, and more efficient use of road space and resources; and
WHEREAS, the term �Complete Streets� refers to roadways, rights-of-way, and transportation corridors that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users (including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities) by:
* making it easier for them to cross the street, bicycle to and from work, and walk to restaurants, shops, and other area establishments;
* making it safer for them to walk to and from >>schools, parks,<<1 bus stops and train stations;
* accommodating their mobility needs in a safe, integrated, holistic, context-specific, and mutually-supportive manner; and
WHEREAS, a �Complete Streets� Program could among other things:
* contribute to the development of green infrastructure;
* improve pedestrian and biker safety;
* increase transportation options;
* reduce congestion;
* reduce reliance on carbon fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
* improve air quality;
* improve community health;
* enhance community aesthetics;
* augment economic growth;
* create more livable communities by emphasizing critical elements of walkability, including shade, aesthetically pleasing walkways, and buffers from automobile traffic;
* contribute to the development of a connected and complete transportation network that will reduce hazards and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially vulnerable elements of the population, who may be unable to operate a motor vehicle, such as young children, the elderly, and the physically disabled; and
* support a more livable and sustainable community for persons of all ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, many communities throughout the United States and the State of Florida are either in the process of implementing, or have already implemented, �Complete Streets� Programs, including Broward County, as recently reported in the Sun-Sentinel and Miami-Herald newspapers; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation has adopted �Complete Streets� style standards as part of its Roadway Design Criteria, and has incorporated transportation design guidelines for livable communities in both the Plans Preparation Manual and the Florida Greenbook; and
WHEREAS, Section 335.065, Florida Statutes, states that bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be established in conjunction with the new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, traffic operating intersection improvements, or other change of any state transportation facility, and special emphasis shall be given to projects in or within one mile of an urban area; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Development Master Plan, Objective TE-4, provides that Miami-Dade County shall develop, by 2015, a �Complete Streets� Program to be considered in the design and construction of new transportation corridors and the reconstruction of existing corridors, wherever feasible; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Development Master Plan, Policy TE-4A and Policy TC-3C, provides that Miami-Dade County shall develop, by 2015, a �Complete Streets� Program that will be sensitive to the needs of the users of all modes of transportation, including bicyclists and pedestrians, and shall include the following components:
* street typology based on land use context due to how a roadway passing through different land uses will vary in character;
* hierarchy of street types and designs;
* Provision of sidewalks and bicycle facilities;
* adequate landscaping and street furniture;
* bus lanes and transit facilities;
* improved aesthetics and design for the safety of all users, including vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors; and
WHEREAS, a �Complete Streets� Program would further the goals, objectives and policies of the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Development Master Plan, including Objective TE-4 and Policies TE-4A and TC-3C; and
WHEREAS, a �Complete Streets� Program also would further the principles in the Miami-Dade Parks and Open Space System Master Plan; the guidelines and principles in the County�s Urban Design Manuals; the policies of the GreenPrint Sustainability Plan; and the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization�s Long Range Transportation Plan >>and Transportation Improvement Program<<; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization is in the process of conducting a �Complete Streets� Case Study involving three corridors, with the goal of developing a �Complete Streets� Manual for implementation within the County; and
WHEREAS, for the benefit of the County�s residents and the many visitors who use its roadways, sidewalks, and public transit systems each year, a plan for the implementation of a �Complete Streets� Program in Miami-Dade County should be developed as a coordinated effort between the Miami-Dade County Department of >>Regulatory and Economic Resources<< [[Planning and Zoning]], Office of Sustainability, Public Works >>and Waste Management<< Department, Parks>>,<< [[and]] Recreation >>and Open Spaces<< Department, and Transit Department, >>or their successors,<< as well as the Florida Department of Transportation, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, municipalities in Miami-Dade County, and other applicable entities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board directs the Mayor or designee to develop, in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and other applicable entities, a plan for Board approval to implement a �Complete Streets� Program in Miami-Dade County that adheres to the principle that all persons of all ages and abilities who travel by automobile, motorcycle, public transit, bicycle, or walking are equal legitimate users of roadways and shall be provided safe access, in a context-specific manner, to transportation corridors, roadways, and public rights-of-way in the County.
Section 2. In developing a plan for implementing a �Complete Streets� Program, the Mayor or designee shall endeavor to:
* balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, and car drivers with important community values, such as fiscal constraint, public safety, environmental protection, and historic preservation;
* incorporate the �Complete Streets� principles into an interdisciplinary, integrative, multimodal transportation policy with implementation guidelines;
* incorporate innovative and context-sensitive design standards for developing �Complete Streets� that accommodate all user needs;
* incorporate the �Complete Streets� >>guidelines<< [[concept]], wherever feasible, into all planning, design, approval, and implementation processes for any construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, alteration, or repair of streets, bridges, or other portions of the transportation network, including pavement resurfacing, restriping, and signalization operations, if the safety and convenience of users can be improved within the scope of the work;
* direct all appropriate departments to incorporate the �Complete Streets� concept into routine aspects of planning, design, construction and operations; to approach every transportation project and program as an opportunity to improve public streets and the transportation network for all users; to work in coordination with other departments, agencies, and jurisdictions to achieve �Complete Streets� principles; and when applicable, to assess and pursue changes to regulations, plans, and programs needed for implementation;
* encourage other entities and agencies with transportation jurisdiction in and around Miami-Dade County to similarly adopt and implement �Complete Street� principles for their own projects and plans;
* seek public involvement and promotion of �Complete Street� principles, in coordination with partnering entities, agencies, and organizations, to provide public awareness for the transportation, quality of life, public safety, and health benefits of the �Complete Streets� Program.
Section 3. The Mayor or designee shall provide the final �Complete Streets� implementation plan referenced in section 1 above to this Board on or before December 31, 2015, and shall place the final implementation plan on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.� In addition, the Mayor or designee shall provide to the Board status reports regarding the �Complete Streets� implementation plan within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution and on a quarterly basis thereafter until such time as the final plan is presented to the Board for approval.� The Mayor or designee shall place such status reports on applicable agendas of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.

1 The differences between the substitute and the original item are indicated as follows: Words stricken through and/or [[double bracketed]] shall be deleted, words underscored and/or >>double arrowed<< are added.