Transportation System Plan Update
STREET DESIGN WORKING GROUP

Street Design Links:

• Review meeting materials and notes

Other Links:

• View draft chapters of the 2007 TSP 
• Return to TSP Update Home Page

The 2007 Transportation System Plan (TSP) update project includes an innovative element that will develop alternative street design options for use in private development and capital improvement projects. 

What is street design? 

A street's design determines how it will look and function. How a street looks and functions is ultimately dependent upon which street elements are included, their dimensions, and how they relate to each other. A street with two travel lanes and a gravel shoulder, for example, has a very different character than one with four travel lanes and sidewalks. Street elements include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Travel lanes 
• Parking lanes 
• Bicycle lanes 
• Sidewalks 
• Traffic calming devices 
• Landscape strips 
• Storm water swales 

Why does the City need more street design options? 

The City needs more street design options and more flexibility when applying existing street design standards for a number of reasons. Three of the main reasons are listed below. 

• When making improvements to existing streets, the City's street design standards often need to be modified to "fit" the existing street conditions. 
• Even when a typical street design would work, the City would like to allow more environmentally friendly designs where appropriate. 
• More flexibility would enable the City to respond to the character of the surrounding natural and built environments. 

What did the Street Design Working Group focus on at their meetings? 

Three Street Design Working Group meetings were held during the months of May and June 2007. The first meeting was primarily educational and focused on answering the following two questions: why do we need more street design options and what are our street design options? The second meeting's discussion revolved around these questions: what are the pros and cons of each street design option and what street design options are preferred? The third meeting concluded with the following questions: where should different street design options be used and what are the group's recommendations with regard to policies, action items, and street design preferences? 

What were the key recommendations? 

The following is a summary of the group's key recommendations. For additional information, click on the link at the top of this page or review the meeting materials at the bottom of this page. 

• Standards. Develop a baseline cross section for each street functional classification and a street design prioritization approach when the baseline design elements don't fit. 
• Flexibility. Build more flexibility into street design standards. 
• Alternative Designs. Develop street design standards for green streets, skinny streets, and alternative pedestrian facilities. 
• Balance. Balance the larger community's needs, local design preferences, and best practices when developing street design standards. 
• Landscaping. Provide for landscaping (including street trees) wherever feasible. 
• Maintenance. Consider maintenance costs and issues when developing design standards and design alternatives. 

If you would like more information about the Street Design elements of the TSP update, please contact Susan Shanks, Associate Planner, at 503-786-7653 or .

TSP Street Design Meeting Agendas and Notes