2013-11-04-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, November 4, 2013 Selectmen's Meeting Room,Town Office Building Present: Jeanne Canale,Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Francine Stieglitz. Liaisons present: Mark Valenti,John Livsey Guests present: David Kucharsky,Planning Department The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:05am by Judy Crocker. 1. Complete Streets: There was discussion about the Complete Streets program. David Kucharsky of the Planning Department presented an overview of the national program and how Lexington could benefit from adopting its policies and philosophies. The notes below are copied directly from a summary provided by Mr. Kucharsky. In 2006 the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) adopted a new Project Development and Design Guide which implemented"context sensitive" design concepts that are similar to those used in a Complete Streets design process. In 2009 MassDOT adopted a Complete Streets Design Policy. Through project development and design changes,this policy encourages the use of bicycles,public transportation,and requires provision for pedestrians and individuals with disabilities on all MassDOT-funded roadway projects. In 2010 MassDOT adopted a GreenDOT policy which contains three primary objectives; reducing greenhouse emissions promoting healthy transportation (biking,walking and using transit), supporting smart growth In 2012 MassDOt established a statewide Mode Shift Goal of tripling the share of travel in Massachusetts by bicycling,transit and walking by 2030 In 2013 MassDOT announced a Healthy Transportation Policy Directive will require all state transportation projects to increase bicycling,transit and walking options. This new directive is intended to promote multimodal access for all users Related legislation includes S68/H3091 (an Act relative to Active Streets and Healthy Communities) and H4165 (an Act relative to speed limits) . The question was raised as to whether the Selectmen endorse this policy. Not yet. Should the SWC endorse it and write a letter to the Selectmen? Plymouth just