LOCAL

City Council adopts Green and Complete Streets Policy, making Newport 'accessible to everyone'

Sean Flynn
Newport Daily News

NEWPORT — The City Council unanimously adopted a “Green and Complete Streets Policy” this week that says street projects will give consideration to pedestrians, bicycles and wheelchairs, in addition to all types of vehicles.

Also adopted was a new city ordinance that requires all street and public right-of-way projects to conform to the policy, which may be amended by the council from time to time.

“By doing it this way, if the policy needs to be fine-tuned or otherwise amended for whatever reason, the council need only amend the policy by resolution and need not amend the ordinance, which would require two readings,” said City Solicitor Christopher Behan.

“The other reason why the policy and ordinance should be separated is because the policy is just that,” Behan added. “It is a statement of best practices, including goals and objectives, while an ordinance is more of a regulatory provision which speaks to dos and don'ts.”

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A City Council resolution from December 2019 called on city staff, boards and commissions to develop such a policy, which they did over a 14-month period in 2020 and earlier this year, completing the task at the beginning of the summer.

Multiple people from the audience raised their hands to encourage council members to adopt the policy, which the council passed unanimously after the public comment period ended.

One of the first speakers was Elizabeth Davis, a member of the city’s Bike-Pedestrian Advisory Commission. She said members had worked on suggestions for the plan for the past year.

Valerie Larkin, board chairwoman for Bike Newport, said the nonprofit organization wrote and printed a “Green Streets” brochure.

“The policy makes the city better for everyone, not just bicyclists,” she said.

“It’s a small city, so you can get anywhere without a car,” said Natalie Harris. “Make the city accessible to everyone.”

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Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano eventually cut off the public comment period because she said the expressions of support were repetitive. It was not a popular decision among some people in the audience, and councilors Jamie Bova and Angela McCalla objected.

There were no objections to the policy though, either from the public or the council, which passed the measure by 5-0 vote. Council members Lynn Underwood Ceglie and Elizabeth Fuerte were absent.

Under the policy, special attention in the design and planning of all street projects should be given to addressing the needs of people with disabilities and the elderly. The proposed improvements should make a measurable difference in the ease of travel for vulnerable users.

The policy pursues a “Vision Zero,” which means strategies “to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.”

“The goal is to create, through a public and open process, a connected network of high-quality rights of way and open spaces providing public access to the water, accommodating all modes of travel and all transportation users, including people with mobility issues,” the policy says. It calls on the city to develop  a "connected multi-modal transportation system that is easily navigable.”

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Corridors frequented by vulnerable road users, such as active transportation routes to schools and senior centers, or those used by people with physical disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, shall be given priority.

The public process for major design decisions shall incorporate input from the city's Tree and Open Space Commission, Energy and Environment Commission and Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

There is a long list of standards from city, state and federal departments and agencies projects should adhere to. For example, the city has “Engineering Technical Standards,” “Subdivision Regulations,” and a Parks, Trees, and Open Space Master Plan and other documents that must be followed. When the city’s ongoing Transportation Master Plan is adopted, those standards must be followed as well.

Some exceptions to the policy are allowed, such as when topographic or natural conditions of streets prevent applying green and complete street standards.

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Councilor Kathryn Leonard welcomed the allowance of such exemptions. Bova said the granting of exemptions should be explained to the public in a transparent process.

The policy requires city departments to report to the city manager on the progress made implementing the policy's provisions annually. The report should include things like the number and location of Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps and crosswalks installed

The policy calls on the city to form partnerships with the state and neighboring communities to develop facilities and accommodations that further this green policy and “continue such infrastructure beyond the city's borders.”