Agenda for Tuesday October 13th Meeting
12 October 2009
Tomorrow will be the October Green L.A. Transportation Work Group meeting. It happens every month at 2pm on the second Tuesday of the month. Note the new location – the Califonia Endowment.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 2pm-4pm
at the California Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda Street, LA 90012
Meeting room on 2nd Floor – at Community Partners
Green L.A. Coalition encourages attendees to use transit, bike or walk to the meeting. The site is one block north of Union Station, with convenient access via Metro Red and Gold Lines and numerous bus lines. If bicycling or driving, parking is available on-site.
Agenda Items
1. Campaign Updates
- Wilshire Bus-Only Lanes
- Complete/Living Streets
- In-Lieu Parking
- City Measure R Funding for Bike/Ped
- How do we want to follow-up on SB 375?
2. Working Group Business
- Revisit Workplan Priorities
- Select New Co-Chairs (discussion, likely to be decision in November)
3. Announcements
Living Streets Tenets
30 September 2009
by Jen Petersen
In July, a GLATWG Complete Streets subgroup met to discuss how to move towards Los Angeles-specific implementation of the State of California’s Complete Streets Act of 2007/8. We decided that the first and most crucial step in this direction would be to define what we wanted ‘Complete Streets’ to mean, and to look like, given the contemporary state of streets in LA. And so we fashioned a list of tenets for what we dubbed Living Streets –because we wanted to specify that we don’t aim to complete our streets, which would imply that an objective completeness is possible–but to bring them alive, and invite them to a dynamic role in the life of our city.
The key proposition behind our tenets for Living Streets, is that by focusing on the basic mobility needs of people, rather than cars, we can make more efficient use of our City, retraining our streets as a healthy circulatory system for us, and begin to remedy some of the uninviting characteristics of life in Los Angeles. In other words, if we reapportion our abundant street space for people-scaled urban needs for closeness, beauty, and safety, we will pave the way for better residential and business development patterns that support high quality residential and commercial life.
Our ’10 Tenets for Living Streets’ follow.
10 Tenets for Living Streets Los Angeles
Overarching, supra-tenet:
**Our streets prioritize people, not automobiles**
1.) Living streets integrate income equity into their design and function.
2.) Living Streets are designed for people of all ages and physical abilities whether they walk, bicycle, ride transit, or drive.
3.) Living Streets integrate connectivity and traffic calming with pedestrian-oriented site and building design to create safe and inviting places.
4.) Living Streets connect people through:
* everyday interaction
* shared responsibility to street design and planning.
5.) Living Streets strengthen and enhance neighborhoods.
6.) Living Streets encourage active and healthy lifestyles.
7.) Living Streets integrate green management and conservation of water, energy, and plant life.
8.) Living Streets are inviting places–with engaging architecture, street furniture, landscaping, and public art.
9.) Living Streets foster healthy commerce.
10.) Living streets vary in character by neighborhood, density and function.
(Created by Aurisha, Deborah, Dorothy, Jen, Ryan on August 5, 2009)
Agenda for Tuesday August 11th Meeting
11 August 2009
Green L.A. Coalition Transportation Work Group meets later today (mark your calendars – we meet from 2pm-4pm the second Tuesday of each month):
Tuesday, August 11th
2PM
Coalition for Clean Air
(811 West 7th Street, Ste. 1100, LA 90017) (in Downtown Los Angeles, above Metro Red and Blue Lines’ 7th Street Station)
Revised Draft Agenda
1. Complete Streets (Update and Planning, 30 minutes)
2. Metro Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Board Meeting Update (quick, 5 minutes)
3. Meeting with Deputy Mayor de la Vega (discussion, 15 minutes)
4. Bus Only Lane updates (Bus Riders Union, 20 minutes)
5. SB 375 – Beth Steckler/Climate Plan update (quick presentation, discussion 20 minutes)
6. Parking Policy (update, 5 minutes)
7. Park(ing) Day (quick discussion, 10 minutes)
8. National Infratsructure Bank (update, 5 minutes)
Los Angeles Complete Streets Slide Show Presentation
17 July 2009
What a Future Complete Street might look like for Sixth Street near Alvarado
Jen Petersen and Ryan Snyder presented this “Complete Streets Get Traction in the City of Angels” slide show at this week’s Green L.A. Transportation Work Group meeting.
Agenda for Tuesday July 14th Meeting
9 July 2009
It’s the second Tuesday of the month next week, so we’ll be hosting the regular monthly meeting of the Green L.A. Transportation Working Group.
NEW LOCATION: we’ll be meeting at the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities at 1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. It’s a block north of Union Station, so plenty of easy bus and rail access.
MEETING AGENDA – Green L.A. Coalition Transportation Work Group
Tuesday July 14th 2009, 2pm-4pm
Center for Healthy Communities
1. Update/Next Steps following Mayoral Meeting
A. Complete Streets
B. Bike/Ped Funding
2. LRTP check-in
3. Los Angeles Sustainablity Collaborative Introduction (Colleen Callahan)
4. Los Angeles Taxi Worker Alliance Introduction (Betty Hung)
5. Developing connections between GLATWG and Economic Development Community (Jen Petersen)
6. Measure R Update (speaker pending)
7. SB 375 update
8. Announcements
Complete Streets: GLATWG Mayoral Ask
17 June 2009
This morning, Green L.A. Coalition had a meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Here’s the mayoral ask from the Transportation Work Group:
The City of Los Angeles has prioritized car traffic over other modes. This over-dependence on automobiles has resulted in many problems locally — from congestion, to smog, to obesity, to a rash of recent collisions resulting in pedestrian fatalities — and globally — from resource wars, to global warming. Continuing our imbalanced reliance on cars hurts Los Angeles economically, environmentally, and erodes our quality of life.
While there are some notable smaller-scale initiatives, mostly from the City Planning Department, the culture of LADOT continues to approach streets as if the only users are cars. There is a new paradigm emerging nationally for “Complete Streets” — streets that are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and cars.
Green L.A. Ask:
We urge the Mayor to move Los Angeles into the era of Complete Streets. There are four arenas where Mayoral action is necessary to make this vision a reality:
1. Adopt a Complete Streets policy, including reworking existing street standards.
2. Ensure that future city budgets reflect the city’s commitment to accommodating pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, by dedicating more funds specifically for such modes. This includes dedicating local return funds from Measure R for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit services.
3. Use the Mayor’s leadership at Metro to emphasize Complete Streets regionally, including incorporating a Complete Streets policy in Metro’s Call for Projects, where pedestrian and bicycle projects need to be given more funding.
4. Direct deputy mayors for environment, transportation, and economic development to work together and meet with us on a regular basis to make Los Angeles streets livable, vibrant, environmentally-friendly and efficient for all.
The mayor responded affirmatively, though not necessarily committing to specifics. He cited his leadership on Measure R, pledged to keep Metro fares low, and stated his interest in a “more serious bicycle program.” The mayor concluded with a call to the assembled environmental and environmental justice communities to “stand up more” so that our agenda can move forward and not get bogged down by the “retrenched group of folks who weigh in against everything we do.”
Environmental Deputy Mayor David Freeman followed. Freeman was generally very good – refreshingly straightforward and emphasizing “actions that end up in results.” He placed a lot of importance on climate change which he considers the most important issue facing us today. He was generally supportive of bikes, but his interest, though, was more in getting cleaner/renewable energy and ultimately getting L.A.’s fleet of cars to be powered by renewable energy.
(For more information on GLATWG Complete Streets campaign, see older posts here, here, and here.)
This blog entry follows an earlier one which began to explore the possibilities for a Green L.A. Transportation Work Group campaign for a complete streets policy for the city of Los Angeles. I recently spoke with Stefanie Seskin of the national Complete Streets Coalition and here are some of her recommendations for how to proceed in Los Angeles.
She recommended exemplary ordinances in the cities of Seattle, Washington and Orlando, Florida as potentially helping shape ours in Los Angeles.
The national coalition recommends ten specific points be included in the ordinance. Per the national coalition, a good complete streets policy:
1. Includes a vision for how and why the community wants to complete its streets.
2. Specifies that ‘all users’ includes pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses, and automobiles.
3. Encourages street connectivity and aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected network for all modes.
4. Is adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads.
5. Applies to both new and retrofit projects, including design, planning, maintenance, and operations, for the entire right of way.
6. Makes any exceptions specific and sets a clear procedure that requires high-level approval of exceptions.
7. Directs the use of the latest and best design standards while recognizing the need for flexibility in balancing user needs.
8. Directs that complete streets solutions compliment the context of the community.
9. Establishes performance standards with measurable outcomes.
10. Includes specific next steps for implementation of the policy.
Stefanie also alerted me to a local development that I wasn’t aware of. There is actually already a Los Angeles City Council motion on complete streets – actually two. Councilwoman Jan Perry put forth a motion CF 07-0002-S141 for the city to endorse the state Complete Streets legislation AB1358 (described in my earlier post.) That motion is still pending, though it’s moot now because the state legislation already passed.
In December 2008, Councilmember Ed Reyes introduced a motion CF 08-3349, which was seconded by Councilmember Wendy Greuel. CF 08-3349 calls for:
the Planning and Transportation Departments to prepare a report that delineates the City’s plan to implement AB1358
This motion is still pending, though the departments of Planning and Transportation issued a report on May 8th. The report states that
a number of actions have already occurred and additional activities are underway that will facilitate the transformation of our roadways into “Complete Streets.”
The report continues by citing various plans that the city is working on. I don’t think that any of these plans actually fulfill the Complete Streets mandate in the state legislation. Most of these are a step in the right direction, for example: the Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay, the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, Green Streets and Green Alleys, and the Downtown Street Standards. Some are a bit more questionable as Complete Streets endeavors, including the Bike Plan, the Transportation Strategic Plan and various Community Plan Updates.
Overall the report is rather frustrating to me, as Complete Streets legislation is meant to foster routine accomodation of all road users, while the city’s approach seems to be to a little bit here and there, while continuing its incomplete streets policy throughout most of the city. The report should come before the city’s Planning and Land Use Management committee soon, and I expect that Green L.A. Transportation Work Group members will be there to make our positions known.
Agenda for Tuesday June 9th Meeting
9 June 2009
TOMORROW, Tuesday, June 9th 2PM-4PM
Green LA Transportation Working Group Meeting
@ Coalition for Clean Air
811 West 7th Street, Ste. 1100, LA 90017
AGENDA
1.) Complete Streets Campaign Strategy
2.) Mayor’s Meeting Review and Finalizing Asks
3.) Communications
a. Blog
b. Googlegroup
4.) Updates/Report Back
a. Measure R
b. LA Bike Plan
c. SB 375
d. Wilshire Bus-Only lanes
5.) Announcements
6.) Next Meeting Date
Complete Streets image from New York City (from L.A. StreetsBlog)
In late 2008, one of the priorities that the Green LA Transportation Working Group (GLATWG) identified was “complete streets.” This blog entry is an attempt to draft what we might mean by complete streets, and what the policy implications/goals might be for complete streets for the city of Los Angeles.
What are Complete Streets?
Here’s a definition from the completestreets.org website (from the National Complete Streets Coalition):
“Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.”
There are similar definitions on Wikipedia, and on websites of other non-profits that are campaigning for them – for example, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Good magazine recently ran this interactive photo-simulation that does a great job of showing the Complete Streets concept.
Many states, cities and other municipalities have adopted various versions of complete streets policies (see listing of examples here.) Cities that have adopted policies include Santa Barbara, CA and Colorado Springs, CO. Some cities, such as Austin, TX have various principles and guidelines for their policies. Recently Complete Streets policy has gone into effect in the states of Hawaii (where it was adopted legislatively as SB718), and Delaware (where it was implemented via executive order from governor.)
The state of California adopted Complete Streets policy in 2008. California’s policy was adopted legislatively as AB1358, authored by then-Assemblymember Mark Leno of San Francisco. The state bill (per this press release) requires:
“…cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled people, as well as motorists.”
The state mandate applies when a city updates its mobility/transportation element of its general plan. The city of L.A. actually pretty good language in our General Plan Transportation Element. Some examples from the existing city of Los Angeles transportation plan adopted in 1999:
“…reduction of vehicle trips, and through focusing growth in proximity to public transit.”
“Provide bicycle access in or near mixed use corridors, neighborhood districts, and community centers…”
“…maintain pedestrian-oriented environments…”
In my opinion, this plan language generally doesn’t get carried out when it comes to actual street design (with a few notable exceptions, for example the city Urban Design Studio’s Downtown Design Guidelines.)
Some of the language from governmental policies is a bit more formal, and allows a bit more wiggle room in its implementation. For example, in the above-mentioned Delaware executive order, after stating that Delaware’s streets will accommodate all users, it goes on to qualify that:
“Ensure that any exemption to the Complete Streets Policy is specific and documented with supporting data that indicates the basis for the decision”
What would Complete Streets policy/outcome/goals look like for the city of Los Angeles? (ie: what are GLATWG’s goals for our complete streets campaign?)
This is where we need to hear from you. GLATWG has suggested using complete streets as a way of framing our demands. All of our campaigns – from bus-only lanes to parking reform to tracking modal share – can be seen as parts of a larger overall campaign.
Should GLATWG push for the city of Los Angeles to adopt an explicit Complete Streets policy? Should it be done legislatively (via the City Council) or via executive order (via Mayor Villaraigosa)? What should such a policy include? How can we make it most effective?
If you have recommendations, ideas, examples, concerns, please add them to the comments on this post. Please include links to sample policies, images, ideas, etc. Thanks!
Notes from April 14th Meeting
12 May 2009
Notes taken by Stephanie Taylor.
Green LA Coalition Transportation Work Group Meeting 4/14/09
at Coalition for Clean Air – 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Notes
AGENDA
1. Work Plan – Identify benchmarks and timelines
2. City Budget
3. Mayor’s Meeting Review and Confirm Accomplishment & Ask
4. Presentation on Cicolvia
5. Updates/Report Back
1. Federal Stimulus
2. Federal Reauthorization
3. Metro Board – new members
4. Measure R – any immediate steps (?)
5. National Bike Summit
Work Plan
1) Complete Streets:
* Need to create a statement about Complete Streets to add to the blog.
Legal definition… state level, Caltrans Deputy Directives 64.
Also, add resources. – walkability checklist.
Action Items:
1. Joe will write a statement. Complete Streets has all modes, cars, bikes, transit, ped… doesn’t favor one mode.
2. Jerard will send out email asking for photos with a blog link
3. Joe made a blog, we could post comment with links and do a flickr page.
4. Stephen Box will add legal definitions. Add the Good magazine links.
Find any research on sidewalk standards.
5. Stephen Villavaso will send links on Austin Complete Streets.
2) Wilshire Bus Only Lane:
Ask the BRU – to see what the status is. Follow their lead. If we wanted to we could generate a list of possible good prospects for additional bus only lane. The city of LA is doing this but reluctantly… if there was an outcry for more, maybe they’ll move quicker.
Action Item:
1. Joe will follow up with BRU to see if pressure points.
City Budget:
City of LA- budget comes out on Monday. Facing $530 million deficit.
The bike and ped budget is a mystery.
If we had an ask: Don’t gut the bike and ped budget.
We could look it at the budget and analyze to try to influence the council to modify it for bike and ped projects. Budget should be tied to a departmental strategic plan to establish priorities to hold them accountable and let departments be rewarded for performance.
Action items:
1) Take a look at Measure R with budget.
2) Stephanie will ask Jaime de la Vega about how the Measure R Local Return allocation will be decided.
Parking Ordinance:
* Do we want to get CRA support on the ordinance? Look at downtown parking study. Yes, we should meet with CRA.
* Would it revise traffic impact analysis? No in transit rich places, have 20% excess parking. The traffic impact analysis guides the …
* Parking update- The City of LA is attempting to sell their parking revenue for upfront money. Chicago sold their parking revenue for $500 million. Not a good idea- it would privatize meter readers… bust union labor. City gives up control and ability to use parking policy as a tool.
* Damien will write a blog about it tomorrow.
* The Mayor’s office was excited, but the council liked the revenue but had questions about control. The mayor formed a task force.
* Budget gimmicks for one time borrowing is bad because it doesn’t address the structural problems.
* Push to have city to have a public private partnership template.
* The TOD Parking report will be done by April 30. Next step to shop it around to city council.
Measure R/Local Returns:
How other cities are using local returns (report from Tom Johnson):
* City of Bellflower- Pacific Edison train tracks – put a bike path. Used their Fed Stimulus.
* Long Beach – wants to spend $1 million on bike improvements – shared road, bike box- safe place to weight.
* Lakewood Blvd – Caltrans is responsible for its a highway. So if want to make a bike lane, need to go with city. City has to submit plan to Caltrans, but Caltrans hasn’t told them what to submit.
* A lot of cities haven’t figured out what to do with Local Return money.
* Increase connectivity to LA and other cities.
Action Item:
1. Set up a meeting with Rita Robinson as a new Metro board member. First need to develop an ask.
Ciclovia Presentation:
Stephen Villavaso and Bobby Gadda of the LA Bicycle Coalition gave a presentation on the Ciclovia and LA’s effort (ClicLAvia). Would like to pilot a Ciclavia in LA in the summer. Talking to Garcetti’s office about Hollywood Blvd.
Action Items:
1) Raise awareness of the Ciclavia concept. Share the link on facebook.
2) Send the link to the workgroup
3) When the right time, the group can write a support letter.
