Brunswick City Zoning Code

The Town of Brunswick (the "Town") strives to be a community in which all residents and visitors, regardless of their age, ability, or financial resources, can safely and efficiently use the public right-of-way to meet their transportation needs regardless of their preferred mode of travel. Promoting pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation travel reduces negative environmental impacts, promotes healthy living, advances the well-being of travelers, supports the goal of compact development, and meets the needs of diverse populations.

The Town's street system design will be consistent with, and supportive of, local neighborhoods, the historic downtown, Bowdoin College, and the Route 1 Corridor, recognizing that transportation needs vary and must be balanced, flexible, safe, and cost effective.

A.

It is the policy of the Town of Brunswick to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain an appropriate and integrated transportation system that meets the needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, transit vehicles, freight haulers, emergency responders, and residents of all ages and abilities. Those involved in the planning and design of projects within the public right-of-way will give consideration to all users and modes of travel at the start of planning and design work.

B.

Street improvements shall be viewed as opportunities to create safer, more accessible streets for all users. This shall apply to new construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.

C.

Implementation of this policy shall consider opportunities for enhancing the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments. Transportation facilities, including roads, should be adapted to fit and enhance the character of surrounding neighborhoods.

D.

Special attention should be given to projects that enhance the overall transportation system and its connectivity. Specifically, high priority should be given to:

1.

corridors providing primary access to one or more significant destinations such as parks or recreation areas, schools, shopping/commercial areas, public transportation or employment centers;

2.

corridors serving a relatively high number of users of non-motorized transportation modes;

3.

corridors providing important continuity or connectivity links to existing pedestrian or bicycle networks;

4.

projects identified in regional or local thoroughfare, bicycle and pedestrian plans.

A.

Projects covered by this policy are those that provide an opportunity to include pavement markings and signs; street and sidewalk lighting; sidewalk and pedestrian improvements; Americans with Disabilities Act Title VI compliance; transit accommodations; bicycle accommodations; and streetscapes that appeal to and promote pedestrian use.

B.

Maintenance projects and activities, which include repaving, typically do not provide an opportunity to increase roadway width, add sidewalks, or otherwise add additional assets. These projects may offer the opportunity to improve conditions with signage, restriping, reducing travel lane widths, or other non-widening options. System preservation projects should not decrease the safety for any road users.

A.

Projects that meet one or more of the following criteria are exempt from this policy:

1.

accommodation of a street use prohibited by law;

2.

require more space than is physically available; or

3.

require that the project would be located where both current and future demand is not evident; or

4.

create an increase in project costs beyond the approved budget; or

5.

would have adverse impacts on environmental resources such as streams, wetlands, floodplains, or on historic structures or sites above and beyond the impacts of currently existing infrastructure.

B.

Ordinary maintenance activities such as mowing, snowplowing, sweeping, spot repair, joint and crack sealing or pothole filling do not require that elements of this policy be applied beyond the scope of that maintenance activity.

C.

Street projects may exclude the development of sidewalks in areas falling outside those identified as appropriate for sidewalks on the basis of an adopted sidewalk policy or other plans.

A.

The Town, through its Public Works and its Planning and Development departments, shall utilize design criteria, standards, and guidelines based upon recognized best practices in street design, construction, and operation. To the greatest extent possible, the Town shall follow the standards with particular emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle markings and wayfinding signage.

B.

Resources to be referenced in developing these standards shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the latest editions of:

1.

American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials ("AASHTO") policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Guide to Planning, Designing, and Operating Pedestrian Facilities, and Guide to Development of Bicycle Facilities;

2.

Institute of Transportation Engineers ("ITE") Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach;

3.

National Association of City Transportation Officials ("NACTO") Urban Bikeway Design Guide;

4.

U.S. Access Board Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines;

5.

Highway Capacity Manual and Highway Safety Manual; and

6.

The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

C.

The Town may consider innovative or non-traditional design options that provide a comparable level of safety and utility for users as those listed above.

A.

This policy shall be administered by the Town Manager, in consultation with the Town Engineer and Department of Planning and Development. The Town Manager's determination as to whether a project complies with this policy shall be final.

B.

The Brunswick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee ("BBPAC"), the Town appointed committee, shall be briefed on potential future projects covered by this policy when those projects are included in the Town's capital improvement program ("CIP"). This will allow BBPAC an opportunity to provide its views regarding complete streets issues early in the planning and design process.

C.

BBPAC shall also be notified, as early in the development process as practical, of projects not included in the CIP. If BBPAC determines that a project, with a value greater than $100,000, is not consistent with this policy, BBPAC may appeal to the Town Manager or his designee. Such appeal shall be made within thirty (30) days of notification. The Town Manager shall respond to BBPAC's appeal within thirty (30) days of that appeal. Projects with an estimated value equal to or less than $100,000 are not subject to appeal.

A.

The Town will cooperate together and with other transportation agencies including the Maine Department of Transportation ("MDOT") to ensure the principles and practices of complete streets are embedded within their planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities.

A.

BBPAC shall monitor compliance with the policy and make recommendations for its improvement. BBPAC shall report to the Town Council on an annual basis on transportation projects undertaken within the prior year and planned within the coming year highlighting the extent to which each of these projects has met or will meet the objectives of this policy.

A.

To meet a public emergency affecting public safety, public property, or public convenience, the Town Manager may waive any portion of this policy.

Proposed to Town Council: August 15, 2016

Adopted by Town Council: August 15, 2016