On Tuesday, April 17, the Saratoga Springs City Council heard about an opportunity to adopt a plan that proponents said would help all modes of transportation within and around the city.
There was general support for initiatives outlined in the Complete Streets Proposal, but the council decided to put the proposal to a vote in a meeting, perhaps in May.
If adopted, Saratoga will be the 50th Complete Streets Community, which is a countrywide effort under the National Complete Streets Coalition and is in line with the city’s Climate Smart Community Pledge, which was adopted in March.
“I am pleased to set the stage tonight for introduction of the Complete Streets draft policy for this council’s consideration. This is an idea that focuses on … ensuring that attention is paid to accommodate all users of all abilities including pedestrians, bicyclists … and transit riders,” said Mayor Scott Johnson. “In many ways this draft policy builds upon the vision of policies of the city that embrace and have been implemented over the years crating a vibrant sustainable place with a direct tie between land use and transportation. The timing now is quite opportune in this regard.”
For the Spa City, Shared Access Saratoga is spearheading the Complete Streets initiative, and has a growing list of members and supporters including Saratoga Hospital, Safe Routes to School, Sustainable Skidmore, Sustainable Saratoga and the city’s police department. The proposal took about nine months to draft.
The policy has four main immediate action items: to establish a shared access advisory board, to develop a Complete Streets checklist, to make information available on the city’s website and to recommend improvements to existing city policies.
New York state adopted a Complete Streets policy that went into effect in February that requires Complete Streets design guidelines be considered for planning design construction and reconstruction of roadways receiving federal or state funding. The Ballston Avenue project is an example and will be part of the Complete Streets.
Part of Tuesday’s regular council meeting gave the public a chance to voice opinions on the proposal, which at its heart aims to give equal access for bicyclists, motorists and walkers. There was standing room only and the crowd spilled into the hallway outside the meeting room, with advocates from the AARP, the Southwest Neighborhood Association and others groups gathered.
The City Council also received many letters in support of the policy, according to Mayor Johnson.
Tobin Alexander-Young got involved about five years, having picked the movement up from a few predecessors, including Ian Klepetar, a popular figure among biking enthusiasts.
“Everyone becomes a pedestrian the moment we get out of our vehicles or leave our homes. In that way this Complete Streets policy that we have created specifically speaks to each and every one of us in the room tonight,” said Alexander-Young. “Legally speaking … we’re moving toward a more organized sharing.”
The proposal creates a framework for cultural change as Saratoga and many other cities look to accommodate greener ways of getting around.
Erin Mitchell, AARP’s associate state director of community outreach for Saratoga, said her senior-oriented organization is on board.
“AARP along with the coalition here, we support Complete Streets initiatives, not only in Saratoga but throughout our state. As many folks have said here, having a Complete Streets policy only enhances and encourages people to come and live here, work and travel to Saratoga Springs. Over half of the over 65 population doesn’t drive … this makes roadways safer for all users.”
For more information on Complete Streets, visit the city’s website at www.saratoga-springs.org.