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2001-147 ORDINANCE NO d0(~/-- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE DENTON PLAN 1999- 2020 BY ADOPTING A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE COMPONENT OF THE DENTON MOBILITY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF DENTON, PROVIDING A SAVINGS AND A REPEALING CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, on December 7, 1999, the City of Denton adopted the Denton Plan, 1999- 2020, and WHEREAS, the City of Denton Englneenng and Transportation Department recommends the adoption of a Pedestrian and Bicycle Linkages Component to the Denton Mobility Plan of the Denton Plan, 1999-2020 as particularly described in Exbablt "A" which is attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference (the "Pedestrian and Bicycle Component"), and WHEREAS, on ^pm 1 3 _, 2001, the Planning and Zomng Commission held a public heanng and recommended approval of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Component, and WHEREAS, the City Council, after a public heanng on ^pm I 3 , 2001, finds that the recommended Pedestrian and Bicycle Component is in the best interests of the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Denton, Texas, NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS SECTION 1 The City Council has reviewed the Pedestrian and Bicycle Component and hereby adopts such Pedestrian and Bicycle Component as a component to the Moblhty Plan of the Denton Plan, 1999-2020 SECTION 2 All ordinances or parts of ordinances in fome when the provisions of this ordinance became effective which are inconsistent or in conflict with the terms or provisions contmned in tlus ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict only The non- conflmtlng sections, sentences, paragraphs, and phrases shall remain in full fome and effect SECTION 3 A copy of this orchnance shall be attached to the Denton Plan, 1999-2020 showing the amendment herein approved SECTION 4 This orchnance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval PASSED AND APPROVED th~s the~.j/2~ day of ~ ,2001 EULINE BROCK, MAYOR ATTEST JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM PAGE 2 Denton Mobility Plan--Pedestrian & Bicycle Linkages Component Purpose The purpose of the pedestrian and bicycle hnkages component of the City of Denton Mobility Plan is to establish guidelines to facilitate pedestrian mobility and the use of non- motorized vehicles The Mobility plan - Pedestrian & Bicycle Llnkafles There is recogmtion by many that more attention should be pa~d to bike and pedestrian facilities vntban our commumty Much attention has been paid in the past to ensunng the effective movement of motorized velucles, however, there has been sigmficant input by various mdiv~duals and groups of a need for better coordination and implementation of non.motorized mobihty to meet the various needs of our commumty The opportumty to develop and expand the erastmg network of on-street and off-street transportation alternatives vnttun the city is an exciting long-range wsion for Denton City leaders recogmze that transportation planmng includes addressing the access and mobility needs of pedestrians and bicyclists to work and non-work destinations such as schools, umversities, government centers, retail and commercial centers, offices, entertainment venues, churches, recreational facilities, and vatlun local neighborhoods Ttus Master Plan includes a conceptual Mobility Plan that w~ll provide guidance for the development and implementation of pedestrian and bicycle linkages w~ttun the following tuerarchy Sidewalks, Btcycle& Pedestrtan Trails, Bike Routes, and Greelnvcty Corrtdor~ As discussed in the published Denton Comprehensive £1an, with supportive land use and transportation policies, walling and bicycling can be practical alternatives to driving (especially for short trips), contribute greatly to the quahty and v~tahty of the street scene, and help aclueve environmental goals Pedestrian and bike improvements to intersections, sidewalks, and other facilities can ~mprove access and safety, and are particularly important for children, semor adults, people wqth d~sabiht~es, low/moderate income citizens, and people who choose to use flus mode of transportation City leaders should emphasize CIP funds to be utilized where erdst~ng land uses do not currently have sidewalk and bicycle linkages New developments vall continue to provide these systems as a part of new private development lmtiatlves in both residential and commercial environments The focus is to increase the amount of walkdng and bicychng that local citizens utihze for alternate modes of transportation Tlus can be aclueved by creating desirable, safe, convement environments that are conducive to wallang and bicycling The Denton Comprehensive Plan has outlined several strategies to meet this goal A Create an Urban Trail System to facilitate walhng and b~cyclmg as wable transportatmn chotces, prowde recreatwnal opportumt~es, and hnk major parks and open spaces w~th Denton neighborhoods B Integrate pedestrian and b~ke facilities, sennces, and programs into both c~tywlde and regional transportatmn systems where appropriate to prowde Pedestrian amemt~es and weather protectmn, Safe and convement pedestrian and b~ke access to transit stops, transit centers and stations, L~ght~ng and security, Additional ~mprovements for persons w~th d~sabfl~t~es and special needs, B~ke capacity on buses, raft, and other modes of transportatmn, Covered, secure b~ke parking at transit centers and stations C Recogmze the ~mportance ofwallong m the c~ty and the contribution wallong makes to aclueve personal mobility and enwronmental objectives Enhance the pedestrian enwronment throughout the c~ty D Through ~mplementatmn of the comprehenstve plan and/or neighborhood planmng, designate Key Pedestrian Streets w~tban the lughest-denstty portions of urban centers and neighborhood centers Design and operate the streets to be safe and attractive for pedestrians, ~mprove access to transit, encourage street-level act~wty, and faethtate social interact~on Integrate pedestrian fac~ht~es ~nto street ~mprovements on these streets E Accelerate the ~mprovement of eyastmg pedestrian facilities and develop and maintain new facfl~ties throughout the c~ty Increase pedestrian actlwty, enhance pedestrian safety, and promote a pleasant walking enwronment, wth special consideration to pedestrian facilities including recommended school walking routes, access to transit, access for people w~th d~sabfl~tles, and access to and w~thm urban center and neighborhood center environments F Provide and maintain direct, continuous bicycle routes, and make all appropriate streets b~cycle-fnendly Accelerate development of bike facfl~ties m, around and between m~xed-use centers, neighborhood centers, and other key locations Facd~tate b~cychng, where appropriate, by techmques such as prowdmg separate trails or bicycle lanes The Mobility Plan ~neluded hereto addresses a tuerarchy of potential transportation routes across the overall c~ty The proposed mobd~ty network includes four modes of non- motorized transportatton S~de~,all~s for pedestrian connections along streets, B~cycle and Pedestrian Trails for conneetmns to major destinations, Bd~e Routes for s~gmficant bicycling activities, and Greenway Corridors along exasting drainage ways to serve a vnde range oftroal users Sidewalks The sidewalk system represents the most basic off-street transportation network vnttun the C~ty and should be readdy available along city streets and throughout neighborhoods Sidewalks separate pedestrians from the roadway and prowde safe places for cbaldren to play Sidewalks may be instrumental in reducing the number of pedestrian accidents by keeping pedestrians away from mowng velucles Street furnxshmgs, signs, utility poles, mailboxes, and other objects need to be considered so that pedestrian movement Is not impeded The sidewalk ~s the primary dewce used for the conveyance of pedestrians and wheelchoars Although Texas law recogmzes bicycles as velucles, it is understood that the sidewalk may be used by bicyclists when designed as a Class II Trml The walkable path of any new sldewalk shall be located away from the moan lanes of traffic, preferably more than three feet and typically w~tlun a foot of the property hne Extstmg vegnt atton, st eep slopes, drmnage crossings and other impediments must be transltioned around Such transitions should be gradual- a pedestrian or wheelchasr should not have to make a turn of more than 20 degrees to stay on path Walk-able paths shall be five feet m w~dth and be made of hard surfaced materials such as concrete, masons, or other concrete block material All walk-able paths shall follow the most recent ADA standards and Texas Access~bihty Standards Please note that the above paragraph addresses the walk-able path and not the sidewalk proper It is understood that there may be instances where it is desirable to have a paved pedestrian area sigmficantly greater in size than the utilitarian needs that a walk-able path requires Such areas would include the typical downtown street setting, pedestrian pavilions, and mass transit stops In these areas, the walk-able path should he defined by the absence of obstructions - newspaper stands, furmture, signs, planters, trees wells, artwork and other features proposed should be clear of the walk-able path These features may occupy other parts of the paved areas The sidewalk network is the primary system of pedestrian movement and thus should be g~ven priority consideration In funding and development A review of sidewalks along arterials and collectors and in the wclmty of schools, parks, and neighborhood centers should occur to establish funding priorities Disconnected sidewalk sections in fully developed areas should be connected to ensure a continuous path Development w~ll be expected to install sidewalk in accordance w~th exastlng practice and modified w~th the development code An addmonal priority area would be to connect trails, and parks to other city parks and recreational facllmes throughout the commumty Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails Bicycle and Pedestrian Trails can prowde dual sermce for both types of non-motorized transportation Many bicyclists, skaters and scooter users, and other non-motorized forms of transportation are an afterthought in many street and sidewalk designs The establishment of a trml system in conjunction vnth bicycle lanes and sidewalk linkages will prowde for an effective alternate for short trips, commutes to school and work, and recreational trips The bike and pedestrian trail system shall be established for both utditanan and recreational purposes These trails shall be eight feet in wdth w~thout obstructions Trmls should link to other bike and pedestrian modes to serve as a conduit for those using the trail for transportation as well as to encourage use of the trails by those who use non- motorized transportation as recreation Such trads may be placed m street right-of-way, but may also occupy non-street areas such as parks and designated off-street right-of- way Smular to sidewalks, the trail should be placed away fi.om the back of curb, three feet or more is preferable The trml shall be designed to accommodate long distance bike n&ng safely Any proposed trail, and any fundmg for a proposed trml, should take into account the need to modify erasting driveways so that the trail may be used for its intended use ADA and Texas Accessibility Standards shall be followed Trmls shall connect major actlwty concentration points m the city such as the two universities, downtown, parks, shopping districts and employment centers Trmls through erastmg developed areas should consider the restrictions of the eyastmg right of way and not be forced into insufficient right-of-way Ad&t~onal right-of-way should be acquired if there is insufficient right-of-way to accommodate a tra~l Trails shall also be the device utilized w~ttun the greenway comdors Bike Routes Bike routes should be established and linked w~th bike trails to encourage the use of bicycles and to pro,nde continuous paths between residential, recreational, employment, and shopping areas of thc city Bike routes shall generally be considered on collector streets and other streets where the average speed of the traffic does not exceed 40 rmles an hour Routes may be designated by signs and by pavement markings and should be clear of fixed obstructions, utday covers, and drainage dewces When considenng a bike route, consideration should be paid to those routes where on-street parking and drive approaches are numnmzed Routes shall also be considered along paths parallel to heavy traveled arterials and in the outside lanes when designated ~n order to encourage bmychng as a primary means of transportation Routes shall be in the direction of motorized traffic only and not against the flow of traffic Bike routes can be prowded w~tban either an on-street network or off-street network The Institute of Transportation Engineers states in its publication "The Traffic Safety Toolbox" that "Bicyclists make up 1-3% of the commuter trips in most American cities Bmychng Itself Is bigger There are 96 nulhon bmychsts, and 27 5 nulhon ofthem nde regularly" Route Planning The Pedestrian and Btcyle Lmkages Component of the Denton Mobility Plan shows a network of sidewalks, trmls, and bike routes that should be considered w~tlun the city Th~s should not be seen as a final design New developments should consider paths in the design of the development to connect to the proposed paths as well as facilitate internal movement and movement towards the facihtles proposed Staff should consider completing routes and links when rehabilitating or adding to exastmg streets and sidewalks Funding Cost estimates prepared for the CIP, CDBG or other sources ofpubhc funding should consider those obstacles that may prevent the completion of such facilities including drainages, retaimng walls, railing, bridges, pavement markings, vegetation removal and right-of-way/easement acquisition The Mobility Plan proposes a series of designated bike routes that will pro'nde a network across an extended region of Denton Some of these pnonty areas include prowding bike routes from the UNT campus and TWU campus to the various population centers that contribute students, staff, and other people to these campuses Another priority vnll be to pro'nde bike routes that connect the major parks w~t~n the city Eventually, the bike routes should also integrate into the proposed greenway comdors along the creeks and drainage ways Greenway Corridors One of the most v~sionary aspects of the Mobihty Plan is to create a series ofgreenway corridors along the major drainage ways in Denton These greenway comdors w~ll offer a very exciting diversity of recreational activities w~ttun a natural setting and can be used for transportation connections for commuters also Such actvatles rmght ,nclude walking/logging/equestrian trails, nature trails, interpretive areas, bird watching, picnicking, and sightseeing These greenways will need to be carefully coordinated vnth other city functions such as engmeenng, drainage, and traffic to ensure that a holistl¢ approach is taken in planmng any improvements vnth the drainage corridor It will also be important to maintain a wide enough corridor to ensure the natural en~qronment is not impacted by potential development activities Several creek corridors have been identrfied w~th the Mobility Plan as potential greenways to serve as part of a long-range, non-motorized transportation network These include Cooper Creek to the north, Pecan Creek ~n the central portion of Denton, and l-hckory Creek in the southern portion of Denton Each of these areas differ in natural character and amount of erdstmg development, but each offer a variety of opportumties for trail and recreational development Opportumties erdst to connect to erasting trails like the equestrian trails operated by the Cross Timbers Group around Copper Canyon and the Ray Robert Greenbelt trail that ties to US 380 operated by the CORP$(COE) Public Recommendations Input from the public was concentrated primarily m the need for bicycle trads The number one and overwhelming request was for single track dirt b~ke trmls These are low cost and low ~mpact trads cut into natural areas that allow recreation and commumng w~th nature The Dallas OffRoad Bicycle Association (DORBA) has comnntted through our local police contact -Tom Woods to help build these hnd oftrads in Denton There are also potential sponsors through area b~cycle shop connections to commumty associations like K~wams and others The second largest request was for trads hke the Wlute Rock Lake Tra~l that actually brmg Tourism dollars to that area The Rads to Trads is the first start on that type project but more need to be rnplemented The Oreenbelts in the major creeks seem to be the best locations for the multipurpose type trails Long term these can provide access to nature walks including a large committed group of bird watchers who can see more species in Texas than in any other state according to local experts Agmn, bird watclung tours can bnng tourism to Denton in a low impact approach that respects the natural environment by depending on it Finally, the City of Denton needs to become more pedestrian and b~cycle friendly to encourage the development and use of these modes of transportation Tbs was a primary concern expressed by all those who attended the pubhc meetings Tmungs and push buttons at intersections v~ll need to have more time allocated to safe crossings and velucles must be prolubited from turmng across pedestrian and b~cycle movements when they have protected phases Refer' to attachment #1-Denton Mobdtty Plan-B~c¥cle and Pedestrtan Linkages Comnonent Denton Mobility Plan Pedestrian and Bic cie Linka es Com onent N Mobility Plan--Pedestrian and Bicycle Linkages Legend E ~1 E~dsflng Sidewalk Roads Floodplain  Proposed Greeflweyl Drainage Con,dot ~ Lake~ '< '"'":':~" Proposed On Road Bike System Streams City Limits S Proposed Ped~tflan Brk~ C~y of Denton Engineering GIS Proposed Ralrs to Trails Convem k~ ~ Parks Created 7/11/00 3000 0 3000 Feet P~opo~d S~,~E Revised 10/20/00, 2/05/01 ' '