Planning Commission

1 of 53 AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Date: Wednesday, AUGUST 23, 2023 Time: 4:00 P.M. Where: Room 301, City Hall 1. Call to Order 2. Attendance 3. Approval of Minutes – May 24, 2023 4. Correspondence 5. Additions or Deletions to the Agenda 6. Public Hearings/Deliberations: 7. Old Business: 8. New Business A) Updated 2006 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan 9. Comments by the Public 10. Comments by the Staff and Commission Members 11. Adjournment 10 N. DIVISION ST. P.O. BOX 1717 BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN 49016-1717 PHONE (269) 966-3320 FAX (269) 966-3555 WWW.BATTLECREEKMI.GOV  2 of 53 CITY OF BATTLE CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION 10 North Division, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Minutes for Wednesday, May 24, 2023 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: By Commissioner Gray at 4:03 p.m. ATTENDANCE: Commissioner Gray asked for attendance to be noted. Commission Members Present: Comm. Godfrey III, present Comm. Spranger, present Comm. Gray, present Comm. Morris present Comm. Newman, absent Comm, O’Donnell, present Comm. Hughes, present Mayor Behnke, present Comm. Fields, absent Commissioners Absent: Newman, Fields. Staff Present: Melody Carlsen, Administrative Assistant, Travis Sullivan, City Planner, Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, Marcel Stoetzel, Deputy City Attorney. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 26, 2023 MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE THE APRIL 26, 2023. SECONDED BY MAYOR BEHNKE. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. CORRESPONDENCE: None. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS: Deletion of item B. SIX MONTH EXTENSION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT S07-23 on the published agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS/DELIBERATION A. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #S06-23: Petition from AECOM Technical Services (Pierre Roberson) on behalf of Chris McCoy, Executive Director, New Level Sports Ministries, requesting a special land use permit to allow for Parking as a Principal Use on a vacant parcel located on W Van Buren Street, parcel #0601-39-542-0. Property is zoned “T-4 Downtown Commercial District”. Pursuant to Section 1240.14 and 1281.05 of the City of Battle Creek Zoning Code. Staff Presentation: Travis Sullivan gave the staff report. The applicant is seeking special use approval for a new parking lot (Parking as a Principal Use) on a portion of the vacant Parcel #0601-39-542-0 which fronts onto W Van Buren St. The applicant is proposing 28 parking spaces (including 3 ADA spaces) and a total of 7,600 square feet of paved area. The proposed parking lot is intended for 24-hour use 7 days per week, as needed for the various uses associated with the Youth Village. Staff recommends approval of this item. 1  3 of 53 Commissioner Gray asked if the Petitioner was present to speak with the Commission. Mr. Pierre Roberson of AECOM, the applicant, was present to speak and answer questions by Commissioners. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GODFREY TO APPROVE SPECIAL USE PERMIT S06-23. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPRANGER. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Morris had a question about storm water requirements. Commissioner Godfrey asked if there were plans to have fencing in the back of the property. ROLL VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. APPROVAL OF AMENDED PC BYLAWS Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor, gave the staff report outlining the proposed changes to the Planning Commission Bylaws for approval. The proposed changes do not change the content or requirements of the current Planning Commission Bylaws. MOTION MADE BY MAYOR BEHNKE TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAWS. SUPPORTED BY COMMISSIONER MORRIS. ROLL VOTE: Commissioner Gray asked everyone in favor to signify by saying “aye”: ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED, MOTION APPROVED. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC: None. COMMENTS BY THE STAFF AND COMMISSION MEMBERS: Commissioner O’Donnell wished everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend, remember our military and those who we have lost. ADJOURNMENT: 4:14 p.m. 2  4 of 53 Battle Creek City Planning Commission Staff Report for the August 23, 2023 meeting To: Planning Commissioners From: Darcy Schmitt, Planning Supervisor Date: August 15, 2023 Subject: Update to the 2006 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Summary In the spring of 2019, City staff with the support of seven community members, and a representative from the Bicycle Advisory Committee formed the Non-motorized Transportation Plan Advisory Committee. This committee with the assistance of a planning consultant kicked off the planning effort to update the 2006 Non- motorized Transportation Plan. It involved an extensive public participation process that included but was not limited to public workshops, mapping exercises, social media outreach, and a community-wide survey to gather input on which streets, paths, rivers, etc. are used by the community; and where issues with those areas exist. Due to COVID and staffing changes creating a gap in time between activities to solicit input and the plan completion, additional outreach took place in June of this year. Outreach included placing the updated 2006 Non-motorized Transportation Plan on the City website in early June of 2023 along with an electronic form to encourage additional comments on the updated plan. The comment form was open to the community until the beginning of August 2023. On June 21, 2023, the City held a virtual meeting to allow planning consultant Lynee Wells to introduce the plan, provide a brief description of each section of the document, answer questions, and receive additional comments. The updated plan strives to accomplish the following:  Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections and safety  Enhance canoe/kayak/stand up paddle board water trails and amenities  Maintain existing infrastructure for continued use  Strategic decision-making for growth and value-added features  Examine sidewalks, bike lanes, Linear Park (multi-use pathway), and trails for safety, extensions, and maintenance  Increase healthy outdoor options for neighbors and visitors  Ensure safe routes to school for kids, parents, and teachers  Reduce pollution by providing more route options for non-motorized transportation users  Enhance connections to the Iron Belle Trail, North Country Trail, and Great Lakes-to-Lakes Trail systems  Add more connections between people and places  5 of 53 Update to the 2006 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Page 2 of 3 There are six sections dividing the plan making it easy to read and understand. It will guide decisions for future non-motorized transportation infrastructure for the next 15 years with a goal of revisiting the plan yearly for changes in the City’s non-motorized transportation needs. Executive Summary: The Executive Summary summarizes the goal areas and strategies for the multi- modal community, educates the reader on the 2006 Non-motorized Plan and the changes made in the updated plan. The 2006 Non-motorized Transportation Plan was the first for the City. The City’s non- motorized transportation system includes public use of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Rivers and Goguac Lake, connections to employment nodes, public parks, schools, downtown and connections to regional trails. Between 2006 and 2019, the City established 40 miles of new non-motorized transportation routes, consisting of new bike lanes, shared use trails, and wide street shoulders. Introduction and Background: The Introduction and Background summarizes the background on creating non-motorized transportation systems, public engagement, highlights the vision statements, and lays out the roles and coordination needed to implement the plan. The importance placed on health and the high cost of gasoline has increased the demand for and investment in safe non-motorized transportation infrastructure. Nationally, regionally and locally, incidents of crashes between cars, bicycles and pedestrians continue to increase. Reducing these statistics through improvements to non- motorized transportation infrastructure is vital. Public involvement in the development of the plan was essential to determining the route priorities of those in the community that are most affected. The plan summarizes these efforts. The responsibility to implement this plan includes the Planning Commission and City Council, several City departments, representatives of area schools, and various community groups. Terms and Current Conditions: The Terms and Current Conditions discuss the existing conditions, defines the key terms, and describes the existing network and plans. An understanding of all of the City’s transportation networks is important in the development of the plan. Understanding how each of these modes of transportation interface provides a better picture of where gaps in the system are located and important insight into how to bridge the gaps. Facility Types and Best Practices: The Facility Types and Best Practices describe the facility types, their dimensions, best placement and standards, and key findings. There are multiple types of non- motorized facilities tested over time. These include on-street bike lanes, sidewalks, multi-use pathways, intersection crossings, and bus facilities. The plan highlights different options for each type and explains the best circumstance for using each type. Support facilities are also important when planning for non-motorized transportation facilities. These facilities include bike racks, use and wayfinding signage, seating, shade and lighting. The plan also describes how to best implement the support facilities. Recommended Bicycle, Pedestrian and Water Trail Facility Improvements: The Recommended Bicycle, Pedestrian and Water Trail Facility Improvements describes the core routes for improvements, provides standards for ranking projects, and provides maps for existing and proposed facilities. Implementation: The Implementation describes the many processes and recommendations for implementation. This document will be revisited annually and its recommendations will be incorporated into the upcoming update to the Master Plan and be utilized during the development of the Capital Improvement Plan, which is updated annually.  6 of 53 Update to the 2006 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Page 3 of 3 Recommendation: The Non-motorized Transportation Plan was developed with the assistance of the Non-motorized Transportation Steering Committee, which consisted of seven members of the community, a member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and City staff. Community engagement included Neighborhood Planning Council meetings, public service announcements through social media, a webpage devoted to meeting announcements and project updates, a community-wide survey about non-motorized transportation needs and opportunities (completed by 226 people), workshops, public walking and biking tours, and a virtual meeting to introduce the final document and take additional comments. The recommendations in the plan will be incorporated in the upcoming update to the Master Plan. For these reasons, staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Commission approval of the update to the 2006 Non-motorized Transportation Plan.  7 of 53 BATTLE CREEK 2023 NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN  8 of 53 Table of Contents 01 02 Executive Summary Introduction and Background This section is a summary of the Goal Purpose/Benefits Areas and Strategies for a Multi-modal Vision statement Community, Educate reader of NMT, Roles 2006 plan and now this plan. Key Terms 03 04 Terms and Current Conditions Facility Types and Best Practices Why non-motorized Summary of activities Existing conditions Process for developing recommendations Bike facilities (regional, local, recreational) Key findings Sidewalks Transit Housing Density Crash Map 05 06 Recommended Bicycle, Implementation Pedestrian and Water Trail Section 1: Facilities (with table) Facility Improvements Section 2: Policies (with table) Section 1: Core Routes for Improvements Section 3: Programs (with table) Maps of recommended improvements •Bike •Ped •Bus Support Facilities •All together by quadrant •All together city wide Section 2: Water Trail •Description of features •Map of route Section 3: Decision-Making Matrix Overview •Decision-Making Matrix (Table)  9 of 53 01 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The City of Battle Creek takes The City of Battle Creek not transportation users. Between pride in its extensive network of only provides extensive public 2006 and 2019, nearly 40 trails, paths, sidewalks, water parks and trails, it is miles of new routes were trails for its residents, workers, well-connected to several established, consisting of new and tourists. This network regional trails. The Great bike lanes, shared use trails, provides bike lanes, sidewalks, Lakes-to-Lakes bike trail runs and wide street shoulders. This shared use and hiking trails, through downtown Battle Creek was accomplished through and water routes that on its way from South Haven gaining local and state policy connect people to parks, and Port Huron. The Iron Belle support, adopting new land use schools, downtown amenities, hiking trail also runs through regulations, maintaining transit, and recreational downtown Battle Creek as it existing infrastructure, and opportunities. The City stretches from Detroit to Iron adopting new local policies. continues to plan for public use Wood in the Upper Peninsula. These efforts have won the City of the Battle Creek and Further, the North Country hik- of Battle Creek a Silver Bicycle Kalamazoo Rivers, and the ing trail which stretches through Friendly Community award in Goguac Lake for kayakers, many Midwestern states also 2017 by the League of canoer, and Stand Up Paddle passes through downtown American Bicyclists national boarders. Battle Creek. organization. Since 2006 with the adoption of the City’s first community-wide non- motorized transportation plan, strides have been made in creating more healthy and safe choices for non-motorized 3  10 of 53 New planning efforts, community continues to desire ensuring safe and well- community needs, and new routes and maintenance connected routes for infrastructure designs need of existing routes. These have non-motorized users. Staff updating. The 2006 plan is still been mapped and provide especially extends particular being used but new community areas of focus for future gratitude to those who took needs have arisen. Also, new planning and investment efforts the time to complete the public non-motorized infrastructure for the next 15 years. engagement survey, attend designs have become various workshops, join the acceptable for use nation- Challenges and constraints will advisory committee, and assist wide and can be effective need to be overcome when in the subject plan. Various city in Battle Creek. Further, City accomplishing some goals of departments provided staff’s capacity has increased this plan. Over time, the invaluable support in gathering to better address these changes community’s priorities may data, information, maps, etc. through a new non-motorized change but ensuring the transportation plan. community and policymakers maintain support of the long- The 2023 Non-Motorized term vision of the plan will be Transportation Plan gathered key for its full implementation. community’s needs through various public engagement The plan wouldn’t be possible opportunities prior to the without the community taking COVID pandemic. The pride and strong interest in Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Advisory Committee Members Jacob Schacht, Manager’s Office: Running/ Walking interests Duska Brumm, Director of Parks & Rec. Carl Fedders, City Assistant DPW Director Mike Wood, Bicycle Advisory Committee Diane Wichman, Community Member Adam Jenks, Community Member Simon Insley, Community Member Mary Nelsen, Community Member Randall Champlin, Community Member Susan Anderson, Community Member Sandy Bliesener, Community Member 4  11 of 53 02 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Introduction The Battle Creek non-motorized plan delves into the many benefits of establishing a city-network of routes, pathways, water-based amenities, etc. for daily, weekend, and seasonal use. The design and locations of those elements greatly influence where people choose to go, or avoid, and ensure that where they want to go will be safe and meets their needs. 55  12 of 53 BACKGROUND In the past +20 years, bicycle and running stores, communities across the nation health clinics, etc. have been investing in and reaping the benefits of Michigan communities of all providing healthy and sizes are adopting and sustainable transportation implementing non-motorized choices for their community transportation plans to address through planning, building, and the needs of bicyclists, adopting policies for pedestrians, and water-based non-motorized users (i.e. users for not only recreational pedestrians, bicyclists, or tourists needs but also for kayakers, etc.). During the same daily neighborhood-scale use. period, the nation continues to This includes commuting to deal with an increase in work, neighborhood pathways avoidable health-related connections, dog walking, and illnesses resulting from poor walking/biking to school. This diets, sedentary lifestyles, and plan includes an emphasis on lack of exercise. Communities future transportation routes that are improving their streets with connect areas where there is a sidewalks and bike lanes, concentration of people, lower adding river walks and bike income families, and people trails, increasing education and with fewer choices about programming around healthy how they move about the outdoor activities, and community, to regional trail partnering with local networks, bus routes, and organizations such as schools, employment centers. 6  13 of 53 WHY NON-MOTORIZED FACILITIES MATTER Nationally, regionally and locally, incidents of crashes between pedestrians and bicyclists is increasing despite advances in vehicular technology and safety features. Additionally, miles traveled by vehicle has decreased as a result of fuel prices, work from home, and migration to urban areas where multi-modal transportation can be better than suburban contexts. According to a 2014 analysis in Governing magazine, census tracts with high poverty rates had twice as many pedestrian deaths. Studies also show that Black, Indigenous and People of Color experience higher rates of bicycle and pedestrian crashes at a disproportionately higher rate than their white counter- parts. See the crash map for the City of Battle Creek for additional insights into trends and locations over the last 5 years of data collection. 5-YEAR CRASH HISTORY COMPARED TO HOUSEHOLD INCOME Household Income 7  14 of 53 CITY OF BATTLE CREEK VISION, MISSION AND VALUES The provision of non-motorized facilities in a community supports and helps to accomplish its vision/ mission and would be implemented in a manner that aligns with its values. Vision Values The City of Battle Creek is •Healthy outdoor options •Safe access to parks an extraordinary community for residents, workforce, and schools. where people choose to live, and tourists. work, and play. •Commitment of planning •Transportation options for short-and long-term Mission for all users. community needs of non- The City of Battle Creek is a motorized transportation. safe, prosperous, and culturally •City-wide enriched community. transportation network •Conserving river, lake, integrating all neighborhoods. and wetland habitats and hydrology conditions when •Community input when incorporating community addressing transportation amenities. needs. 8  15 of 53 PURPOSE Alignment with the city values and the investment in non-motorized facilities is evident through the following (in no particular order): Improve Healthy Choices & Recreational Options Active lifestyles, increase social interaction, and enhance physical and mental well-being. Increased Transportation Choices Ability to select from options when moving about the city and community. Provide Safe Transportation Routes Integration of transportation modes (walk, bus, bike, drive) and slow vehicle speeds. Environment & Preservation Low impact and efficient transportation improves air quality and individual and environmental health. Increased Economic Benefit Transportation costs are second to housing in a household budget. A single-occupancy vehicle is the most costly form of transportation. Increased Community Pride People out and about, as well as awareness and awards are often found in communities that have non-motorized transportation. Reduce Downtown Parking Dependency, More Land for Taxable Purposes Thirty-percent of traffic downtown are folks looking for parking. Biking, walking and transit reduce congestion. Less land devoted solely to cars frees it up for multi-use which generate more taxes and foot traffic for business. 9  16 of 53 Public Engagement Public engagement was led by Engagement included: the City of Battle Creek Planning Department staff and consisted •Neighborhood Planning of informal and formal meetings, Council meetings workshops, user-group discussions, mapping exercises, and a •Public Service Announcements community-wide survey. An through City social media advisory committee assisted in channels determining priorities of routes, •Bicycle Advisory Committee projects, and initiatives. Hundreds of •A new webpage devoted to (BAC) met several times and Battle Creek residents participated the non-motorized transportation members participated in in the plan development, and even plan (NMTP) which included links community events to help identify more will benefit from its to the survey, the 2006 plan, areas of improvement in terms of implementation. meeting announcements and connections and safety project updates. improvements. •Community-wide survey about •Public walking and biking tours non-motorized transportation which enabled staff to visualize needs and opportunities, and experience issues such as completed by 226 people. missing sidewalks, lacking pedestrian safety measures such •Workshops and mapping to as marked crosswalks, signage, identify roadway condition issues, tight curve radii, or street trees gaps in sidewalk network, bike which help to calm traffic and The inclusive and robust public lane routing, and water trail missing bicycle amenities, such as engagement for this plan connections. racks, repair stations, or protected happened pre-COVID, meaning bike lanes that public events, meetings, and •Community event participation gathering was occurring and an that included outreach at Spring •The NMTP Advisory Group important component of plan into the Arts and materials at City was established and consisted of development. With the onset of Hall asking folks preferred members of the public and city COVID, the plan development routing for non-motorized modes staff who collectively developed stalled, and staffing changes of travel. the priorities for non-motorized resulted in a pause with the plan facilities and connections, as well finalization and adoption. The as developed the decision- pause did not change the making methodology to prioritize overarching goals, priorities, or future capital improvements, implementation strategies. policies and ordinances and Instead, COVID has shown that future programs. non-motorized facilities are necessary at all levels of the community as they provide safe alternatives to move about outdoors and contribute to an active, healthy lifestyle. 10  17 of 53 Coordination Department of Public Works This plan addresses goals • Right-of-way (ROW) Improvements and Maintenance: sidewalks, and policies that may impact bike lanes, crosswalks, Linear Path, etc. various City departments. Here is a short list of City • Implementing ROW Improvements: sidewalks, bike lanes, departments/divisions and crosswalks, Linear Path, etc. entities and their listed corresponding realm of • Ensuring Traffic Safety: new or re-routed sidewalks, bike lanes responsibilities impacted by this plan. Parks & Recreation • Infrastructure Improvements: Linear Park, pathway connections to existing/ future parks, boat launches Transit • Infrastructure Improvements: pathway connections to bus stops/ station, ensure bicyclist & pedestrians have routes to reach bus stops/ station Police & Fire Departments; First Responders • Provide safety and emergency response of non-motorized users • Provide pre- and post-development analysis of a site or neighborhood through utilizing Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) to ensure or increase safety of the public Schools • Awareness of kids’, parents’, teachers’ routes and needs for walking/cycling to school • Overall education of physical activity and exercise Planning Commission & City Commission • Discuss and adopt a budget toward funding non-motorized transportation infrastructure (new builds and maintenance). • Discuss and adopt any new resolutions/ ordinances requiring public and/ or private construction of non-motorized transportation infrastructure Community Groups • Neighbors and facility user groups who link the City with those most impacted by the facilities 11  18 of 53 03 TERMS AND CURRENT CONDITIONS Consistency matters, not only in designing and building non-motorized facilities, but also in the language used to define them. Below are key terms commonly used within the plan, as well as images where relevant: •Non-motorized Transportation •Facilities (Walking, Biking, Riding Scooters/Boards) (General term for things in the street used by non-motorized travelers) •Network •Wayfinding (Term for how all non-motorized (Term for signage and markings facilities work together in a connected, to assist with traveling various seamless, intuitive manner) non-motorized routes) 12  19 of 53 CURRENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS The City of Battle Creek consists of a mix of transportation networks of streets and highways, commercial and passenger trains, sidewalks, trails and bicycle routes, and the city-owned airport (Battle Creek Executive Airport). Street Network The I-94 highway is located along the southern area of the city and carries the most amount of traffic and provides a critical trucking route through the Midwestern states as it connects to major cities such as Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Downtown Battle Creek is connected to I-94 via the M-66/ 194 highway, which is especially heavily used during the commuting hours. The City of Battle Creek controls its city streets, with the exception of M-66, M-37, M-89 and M-96, which are state trunk lines controlled by Michigan Department of Transportation. Within the City, these trunk lines are: Michigan, Dickman, Columbia, Capital and Bedford. Transit Network The City of Battle Creek public transit system provides bus service routes throughout the community and into adjacent areas. There are over 600 bus stops throughout the area, with sheltered stops and service to the downtown Transportation Center where people can access regional bus and train services. Train Network Train usage continues in Battle Creek with cargo service provided by CSX and passenger services through Amtrak. City of Battle Creek Parks The parks and recreation system within the city provides over 1,100 acres of land and amenities such as waterparks, playgrounds and ball fields, and passive amenities such as wilderness hiking trails and river kayaking. Connecting places where people recreate by sidewalks and bike facilities, as well as transit helps increase usage by providing options for access to parks and recreation. Bike Lanes, Paved Paths, Hiking Trails, Sidewalks, Water Trails The City boasts over 30 miles of bike lanes, approximately 30 miles of paved pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly paths, and several miles of hiking trails. Sidewalks are primarily found within the original city boundaries, including the many historic districts. Connecting the sidewalk system is a baseline goal of this non-motorized plan. 13  20 of 53 The locally-famous Linear Park is a paved pathway that winds around the downtown area and beyond. This pathway runs through residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. This pathway is used for recreation, access to bus stops, commuting routes to work, and access to schools. This pathway is also part of regional trails such as the Iron Belle and the Great Lakes to Lakes systems. Battle Creek also has water trails along two local rivers: Battle Creek River, and Kalamazoo River. Both have access points for kayakers and canoes. Regional Transportation Plans The City has a legacy of investing in non-motorized infrastructure. This plan is intended to help continue that legacy and propel the City into leading non-motorized planning and connecting as a hub serving the local system and larger regional network. Past plans from the community, region, and at the County level were reviewed to ensure that recommendations align with the goals and implementation steps that have been proposed. The following section summarizes some of the key goals and takeaways from these plans that were considered in the development of this plan. Battle Creek Area Transportation Study The Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the greater Battle Creek area and is responsible for maintaining a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative transportation planning program for vehicular and non-vehicular modes. BCATS has adopted the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Battle Creek Area Transportation Study which contains a chapter for pedestrians and non-motorized users and recommends the following: •Incorporating the Non-Motorized Transportation Network Master Plan into the City of Battle Creek’s Comprehensive Master Plan •Installing bike racks on Battle Creek Transit line-haul buses •Development of a city-wide bike rack program targeting not just City of Battle Creek parks, schools and the library but also major employers, the downtown, hospitals, the industrial park, the retail mall, and Binder Park zoo •Expanding opportunities for water travel on the area’s rivers (an effort has been underway for several years to explore opportunities for white water rafting along sections of the rivers in downtown Battle Creek) •Public education/media campaign to encourage safe and proper use of the non-motorized system •Establish a maintenance program and financial support for the expanding non-motorized system •Development of a coordinated signage and way-finding program for the non-motorized system 14  21 of 53 Southwest Area Non-Motorized Investment Plan (MDOT) The MDOT Southwest Region provides a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan to integrate non-motorized considerations into Southwest Michigan’s planning and programming activities. The MDOT Non-Motorized Investment Plan Map for Calhoun County depicts proposed and existing non-motorized routes in Battle Creek and the surrounding area. A primary objective of the plan is to develop ingress and egress routes between Battle Creek and surrounding communities. These include routes along Michigan State Highways M-96, M-89, M-37, M-66, and the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. The Plan also calls for a non-motorized route along the perimeter of the City of Battle Creek. The Plan complements local efforts to develop a non-motorized network in Battle Creek by ensuring safe and enjoyable access to and from the City’s key destinations for people throughout the region. City of Battle Creek Master Plan The City-wide Master Plan contains various goals, objectives and implementation steps to ensure measured, deliberate and planned development within the City. Goal 4, which addresses revitalization of corridors (streets) and business districts, includes short and medium-term priorities to enhance the sidewalk system and non- motorized network to connect housing to commercial areas. The plan also calls for reimagining the river in Goal 6, and the use of the Linear Path, as features that can become important and useful routes for moving about the community. Finally, Goal 9 recognizes the challenges associated with reliance on single-occupancy vehicles resulting in congestion. Instead, investment in transit and bike facilities is a tool to offer more choices to residents, whether they are making daily trips to school or work, or running errands. City of Battle Creek Consolidated Plan and Strategic Priorities The City’s 2020-2024 Strategic Priorities speak to improving quality of life, livability, access and wellbeing for community members. An essential tool for each of these areas of focus can be found in expanding choices for how people move about the community, whether to access recreation, business districts, or employment or neighborhoods. Non-motorized transportation, being human powered, can be a safe, reliable and affordable option. When there is a cost effective way to access all parts of the City, people find that their household disposable income increases, their health and wellness is improved, and more broadly, there is an increased sense of belonging to their community. Investing in non-motorized facilities helps implement many of the strategic priorities of the City. 15 15  22 of 53 04 FACILITY TYPES AND BEST PRACTICES This chapter discusses specific types of transportation infrastructure for non-motorized users (pedestrians, bicyclists, ADA use, canoers/ kayakers, etc.). Further, this chapter provides recommended infrastructure such as bike lanes or multi-use paths, bus support facilities and water trails. This is intended to assist policymakers and various City departments in establishing appropriate infrastructure based on the user, land use, and street design. Simply, this chapter recommends what to build and best practices for various facilities. Variations in design may be necessary as additional information or development changes may arise. This chapter does not serve as a construction guide or discuss details of pavement material, compaction standards, or similar items. Some physical dimensions are noted to help describe infrastructure designs. 16 16  23 of 53 NON-MOTORIZED FACILITY TYPES This section describes non-motorized transportation infrastructure, its design, general purpose, and appropriate location. Not providing any infrastructure or the wrong type can place the non-motorized user in an unsafe situation. These design types are categorized as ‘on-street’ and ‘off-street’ areas. On-street designs are those typically within the travel way or between curbs or shoulders of the street, such as bike lane. Off-street designs are those outside of the travel way or beyond the curbs, such as multi-use paths. ON-STREET FACILITIES Function. A wide paved shoulder is designed to accommodate Wide Paved Shoulders pedestrians and bicyclists, typically provided along low traffic volume streets without curbs. Dimensions. 4’ wide min.; 5’ wide adjacent to railing, bridge, or signs. Benefits. Provides space for emergency/temporary vehicular use, enforcement activity use, snow storage space, areas for non-motorized users (pedestrians and bicyclist), a buffer between the driving lane and edge of pavement. Recommended places. Roads without curbs; suburban-neighborhoods; rural/ country roads. Example: Wide paved shoulder is along W. Columbia Avenue, north of I-94. Recommended items. Apply bicycle pavement marking and signage when along a bike/ hiking route. Considerations. When speeds are more than 30 mph or if additional travel lanes are present, relying on a wide paved shoulder may not provide safe enough accommodations for non-motorized users and the shoulder should either be widened or replaced by a buffered bike lane. 17  24 of 53 Traditional Bike Lane Benefit. Improved sense of safety and comfort, results in fewer bike-to-car accidents, creates predictability between cars and bicyclists, and increases bicycle ridership. Recommended Places. Along streets having slightly higher travel speeds and/ or volume in residential and commercial neighborhoods. Posted speeds ≥ 25 mph. Examples: Riverside Drive, Capital Avenue SW, Territorial Road, etc. Recommended Items. Use signage to inform all users of usage of the road or the presence of the bike lane. Function. Considerations. Bike lanes designate space specifically for bicyclists Since bike lanes are typically at the same grade within the roadway. These are often located to the right elevation as adjacent cars, some bicyclists feel side of the road between the car travel lane and curb or uncomfortable due to the fear of collision with cars. At parked car. These often contain bike symbol pavement intersections, the solid striped bike line may become marking and sign. dashed to indicate appropriate area for a car to drive across the bike lane. Dimensions. 4’ wide min.; 5’ wide preferred (including gutter) Buffered or Separated Bike Lanes A buffered bike lane is a traditional bike lane with an added outside buffer space at least 18 inches (1.5’ feet) wide to provide greater distances to faster moving traffic and/ or when high bicyclists volume is present. Buffers can be created with paint, bollards, or barricades and separate the lane from the travel lane to reduce the instance of “dooring” or lane departures by vehicles into a bicycle space. 18  25 of 53 OFF-STREET FACILITIES Sidewalks, Intersections and Crossings Pedestrians are the main users of sidewalks, and are often the most extensive non-motorized transportation feature in a community. Sidewalks can be found in downtowns, within residential neighborhoods, throughout parks, along commercial streets, between buildings and parking lots, etc. According to Ch. 1022 Sidewalks, of the City’s Code of Ordinances, the City of Battle Creek requires sidewalks to be built to a minimum of five feet wide, and that same width shall be free of obstructions for pedestrian travel. Pursuant to Section 1281.04 (d), of the City’s Zoning Ordinance the City requires sidewalks to be provided internal and external of a proposed residential or commercial subdivision by the developer. Dimensions. Min. 5’ wide per City ordinance Min. 6’ wide adjacent to curb Min. 12’ wide in downtowns, shopping districts, schools, sport complexes, etc. minimum. 4’ buffer separation between curb and sidewalk to accommodate street trees. Considerations. Ensure sidewalks are well maintained to reduce uneven surfaces leading to tripping hazards. Avoid clearing large trees when installing new sidewalks. Be aware of drainage issues where sidewalks cross driveways. Where outdoor dining, landscaping, outside sales, etc. is provided, ensure adequate pedestrian sidewalk width to allow for barrier free unobstructed continuous access of 4’. 19  26 of 53 Sidewalks at Intersections should be marked with high visibility ladder, zebra or continental pavement crossing instead of the standard parallel or dashed lines for greater visibility. High visibility crossings for ladder painting would include areas near schools, hospitals, and business districts. Mid-block Crossings are areas between intersections where pedestrians wish to cross. Crossings may be at a bus stop, park, plaza, building entrance, etc. Creating a curb extension or bulbout will bring the pedestrian more in line with and visible with traffic. The crosswalk should be aligned as close as possible to the direction of pedestrian travel. A stop bar for vehicles should be placed several feet in advance of the crosswalk; 8 feet preferred. The width of striping should be wider than the walkway it connects to comfortably accommodate people passing by each other. Ensure sidewalks provide ADA accommodations at intersections such as ramps, detectable warning surfaces. Pedestrian Islands are another option for mid-block crossing often used at multi-lane roads or intersections. This provides a curbed area (island) that encloses and protects pedestrians from cars (see image) and also offers a resting spot for pedestrians waiting for the next gap in traffic so they do not have to cross the entire road at once. 20  27 of 53 Rapid Flashing Beacon are signs that enhance pedestrian conspicuity and increase driver awareness at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks. A pedestrian actuated rapid flashing beacon accompanies a pedestrian warning sign and is placed on both sides of a crosswalk below the pedestrian crossing sign and above the diagonal downward arrow plaque pointing at the crossing. The flashing pattern can be activated with push buttons or passive (e.g., video or infrared) pedestrian detection, and should be unlit when not activated. High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Signals (HAWK) are used to assist people with safely crossing busy streets. HAWKs work the same as other button-activated traffic signals, either by pushing a button or an automatic sensor, which directs the person walking or biking to wait for the signal to change and traffic to stop allowing them to cross safely. For a driver, the HAWK signal appears differently than other traffic lights. At rest, HAWKs remain dark. Once triggered, it will then go through a series of yellow and red sequences requiring motorists to slow down and stop. After the people walking and biking cross, the HAWK will go dark again, allowing motorists to continue through the intersection. In-street Crossing Signs are highly-reflective and either drilled into the street or on rubber bases and helpful in alerting distracted drivers of pedestrian crossing zones. They provide enhanced conspicuity at non-signalized intersections and mid-street crossings in order to alert motorists to local laws concerning yielding to, or stopping for, pedestrians in crosswalks. Their innovative component design makes maintenance easy and cost efficient. 21  28 of 53 MULTI-USE OR SEPARATED PATHWAYS A multi-use/separated pathway is a wide sidewalk that is physically separated from a street curb or shoulder that accommodates walkers, bicyclists, rollerblades, skateboarders, and others. Hence the terms ‘multi-use’ and ‘separated’ pathway. The extra width is needed to provide two-way traffic flow. Function. Multi-use pathways are often found near recreational amenities, in suburban or low density areas, and along one side of a roadway. Dimensions. Min. 10’ wide; 14’ wide for multiple designated users Benefits. Multi-use pathways often provide a smooth surface for the comfort of bicyclists, rollerbladers, skaters, skateboarders, wheelchair users, or other roll/ wheel users. Since these pathways are located away from a street curb and moving vehicles, they are often used by all ages and abilities and often serve a recreational versus commuter purpose. Recommended Places. Multi-use pathway spurs should connect to the Linear Trail and other regional pathways such as the Iron Belle Trail, North Country Trail, and the Great Lakes to Lakes Trail. Recommended Items. Multi-use pathways should be designed to link neighborhoods, help guide users to reach major destinations, ensure wayfinding signage is used often enough to guide users where the pathway intersects streets, bus routes, and other on-street facilities. Considerations. These pathways often bear significant costs to construct and repair; therefore, strategic route planning should be applied. 22  29 of 53 Bus Facilities Bus riders are pedestrians first and foremost. Whether embarking on the ride or departing their trip, walking or biking is how riders begin or end their trip. Best practice includes a sidewalk connecting the bus stop with a paved pad where a bus stop sign, route information and ideally, bench and shelter are located within a clean, safe and well-lit accessible environment. Water Trail Facilities A water trail is a stretch of a river, lake, or ocean that has a mapped route to create an educational, scenic, or challenging experience for canoers, kayakers, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarders, or other water-based non-motorized user. Communities across the country are seeing the value of creating water trails for their residents, businesses, and tourists. Currently, the City of Battle Creek has not adopted standards or requirements for establishing a water trail along the local rivers or lakes (Battle Creek River and Kalamazoo River, and Goguac Lake). Water trails largely consist of two main aspects: 1) waterbody route (river section, lake, shoreline, etc.); and 2) the boat launch site (need image). The route is largely determined by the natural shoreline and/or destination for the trail user. 1) 2) The launch site, as its name implies, is the place where the user puts in/ takes out the canoe, kayak, SUP, etc. The launch site is the first and last experience for the water trail user, and therefore, maintenance and overall design of the site should be considered in that context. Some basic amenities to be aware of are: restrooms, trash receptacles, access and parking (vehicular or hike-in), physical launch type (dock, ramp, natural shoreline, etc.), and signage (maps and information). The National Water Trails and Michigan Water Trails Manual are recommended resources to guide policy decisions for designating and improving water trails in the Battle Creek area. 23 23  30 of 53 FACILITY SUPPORT FEATURES Bicycle Parking Bicycle parking facilities include bike racks, lockers, and lock-ups. These are needed to extend bicycle use from an opportunity for recreation to a feasible mode of transportation. Providing adequate, secure bicycle parking ensures that the bicyclists are accommodated and encourages bicycling as a non-motorized transportation mode. Parking should be conveniently located, well lit, and easily visible for bicyclists arriving at their destination. Recommended rack include the “inverted U”, “A”, and “post and loop”. Bike racks should also be properly spaced to allow easy, independent access to each bike. This includes providing sufficient space between racks and buildings, wall, and parking cars, as well as between other bikes. A bike corral is a row of bike racks installed at street-grade instead of on the sidewalk. Bike corrals help provide ample bike parking without occupying sidewalk space and should be placed where there are high concentrations of users. Long-term bicycle parking facilities are preferred to occur inside a building or covered, such as in a private residence, parking structure or commercial building for security purposes or under a shelter from weather conditions. 24  31 of 53 Signage Signage for non-motorized transportation is used in many ways such as wayfinding signs which guide or inform travelers about a biking or walking route or identification signage used for trail maps. Signage located along streets are typically regulated by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to ensure all signs comply with federal transportation standards. Outside of streets, signage may be regulated by the local community, but should be consistent with commonly used color-coding, logos, and symbology such as when used to signify a park or regional trail. Seating, Shade and Lighting Other comforts for the traveling public include seating, whether within a furnishing zone in a sidewalk space or along a multi-use path, shade, and lighting. Feeling safe and comfortable help users to make the choice to use modes other than the vehicle to move about. Well lit spaces to wait for a bus, lock a bike, or take rest help with visibility and increase a sense of safety. During site plan review for new development, placing bus stops, bike racks and benches where street, parking lot or building light is planned is best practice. 25 25  32 of 53 05 RECOMMENDED BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN AND WATER TRAIL FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS Recommended Improvements Recommended improvements to the City’s bicycle, pedestrian and non- motorized facilities are included in several maps as well as in the City’s GIS database for reference. These improvements represent an analysis of several qualitative and measures, including: •Unfinished improvements from the 2006 NMTP (still desired) •New community needs received from the public engagement data •Gaps in network or linkage needed •Land use mix and neighborhood character 26  33 of 53 TOP PRIORITY 1. Road diet on M-89 from Washington to City Limits or Jackson St ROADWAY 2. Golden Ave: Between I-194 and Capital Ave. SW IMPROVEMENTS •Add Bike Lanes or wide paved shoulder on both sides of street 3. 28th Street S.: Between Columbia Ave. and Hupp Rd Based on all improvements •Add multi-use path on west side of street shown on the map, some routes garnered higher •Add Wide paved shoulder on both sides of street priority than others and 4. A) Blackhawk Dr.: Between Chalmers and 24th St. S. warrant greater funding priority. These top •Add sidewalk (one side does not have sidewalk) improvements were B) 24th Street S.: Between Hupp Rd and Gethings determined by: •Add sidewalk along 24th as a priority •Add Bike Lanes or wide paved shoulder on both sides of street •Proximity to schools, 5. A) Glenn Cross Rd: Between M-66 and Capital Ave. SW parks, employment centers, dense residential •Re-balance street by reducing vehicle travel lanes to accommodate bicycle infrastructure areas B) Minges Creek PL: Between Glenn Cross St. and Beckley Rd. •Existing conditions of •Add bike lanes on both sides of street by re-balancing street space and reducing vehicle lane street and adjacent land uses 6. Highland Blvd W.: short section between end of road and Helmer Rd N. •Add multi-use path to connect side along Helmer Rd N. to end of •Traffic patterns Highland Blvd W. 7. 26th St. S.: Between Iroquois St. and Columbia Ave.; and School Street •Jurisdictional ownership •Add sidewalk along west side of 26th St.; and sidewalk along of right-of-way north side of School Street 8. Intersections •Linear Park & Capital Ave.: Add refuge island • Linear Park & McCamly: Add refuge island •Linear Park & N. Division: Add refuge island •Capital Ave @ George B - Willard Beach: Add refuge island 9. Parkway Drive between Washington Ave. N and Helen M Montgomery Ave. •Add sidewalk along the north side (Claude Evans Park) that will connect the sidewalk along N. Washington to the Linear Park 10. Hamblin Ave. between S. Washington Ave. and E. Michigan Ave. Add buffered bike lane on both sides and/or road diet with bike infrastructure 11. Willard Ave. E. between Eldredge St. and Fell Park •Missing gap; add new sidewalks on both sides street 12. Add wayfinding signs along select Linear Park street intersections 27  34 of 53 WATER TRAILS IMPROVEMENTS •Kayak, Canoe, and SUP water access points with on-site amenities, including: trash receptacles, seating, lighting, appropriately-sized vehicular loading/unloading areas, route and information signage •Connect boat launch to existing streets’ sidewalks/Linear Park •Wayfinding signage to local destinations/businesses/ parks/parking •Street signage and limited lighting on bridges 28  35 of 53 Decision-Making Ranking As funding becomes available, and the City must prioritize non-motorized projects for implementation, the questions number 1-11 below may be used to rank projects and make decisions about future non-motorized investments. This ranking was developed as part of the community engagement process. As a project is elevated through the budgeting, planning or design process, staff may consider evaluating projects and asking how the following are achieved: 1. Will improve and/or enhance non- motorized safety 2. Frequency of estimated daily usage 3. Coincides with other project schedules (i.e. road reconstruction, park development, etc.) 4. Ease of implementation (few design conflicts and associated construction costs) 5. Includes school-related usage 6. Provides connections to existing non-motorized facilities 7. Serves multiple destinations (convenient) 8. Degree of impact on vehicular traffic capacity 9. Part of a planned non-motorized network 10. Connects to other transportation modes 11. Meets/creates new localized high demand for a specific user group, such as kayaker 29  36 of 53 30 37 of 53 31  38 of 53 06 IMPLEMENTATION This plan is intended to be used and implemented over time by City policymakers, local residents, and local government officials and offices such as engineering, planning and community development, and Battle Creek Transit. Implementation will occur through building new infrastructure, maintaining and renovating existing assets, creating new local education/awareness campaigns, and establishing new policies that increase the City’s non-motorized transportation network, users, and overall experience. Implementation will also require continued coordination with partners such as MDOT and Calhoun County Road Department, as well as neighborhoods, businesses, and user groups. In addition to the facility improvements included in Chapter 5, new policies and programs to improve the overall user experience, safety, awareness, and education are needed. Some policies are one-time action steps, such as creating a new sidewalk survey; while others are on-going, such as supporting an annual ‘Bike Week’ event. Many, if not all, of these policies/programs will likely be initiated and/ or completed by City staff or committees. However, staff may need to rely on local residents, volunteers, business owners, etc. to build sustaining support and gain local knowledge. Local and neighborhood champions/leaders will be sought to carry out certain long-term endeavors. 32  39 of 53 1) Policies. The below policies are designed to implement various goals of this plan, address elements of equality and equity among transportation users, and become effective at time of plan adoption. Prioritize rebalancing streets to create space equity for modes other than the single occupancy vehicle. Utilize urban street standards for non-motorized facilities including the National Association of City Transportation Officials guidelines. Ensure that all bus stops and bus stations are designed with appropriate access points, crosswalks, non-motorized connections, and additional measures for people with disabilities such as ADA ramps with tactile strips. Establish adequate wayfinding signage for non-motorized users at critical intersection points or streets. Ensure sidewalks remain clear of debris, weather-related elements, signage, and other items for year-round pedestrian use. Establish a dedicated downtown sidewalk and pathway funding source for maintenance and repair. Connect adjacent neighborhoods via a non-motorized pathway such as a multi-use path. The connection should be between public rights-of-way or parks. Bicycle racks/ storage should be located within close distance to and conspicuous from transit stops. Continue inter-agency stakeholders coordination and discussions with MDOT, Calhoun County Road Department and user groups. 33  40 of 53 2) Implementing Actions. The following are action-oriented elements that when initiated or accomplished will implement various goals of the plan over time. These elements may be accomplished by the City and/or general public. Short-Term Accomplishments (By 2025) Annual Data Review Review pedestrian and bicyclist crash data with the City’s planning, GIS, transit, and public safety, to discuss measures for improvements. This review can inform budget priorities and capital improvement planning. Publish Non-Motorized Transportation Network Map Provide a map on the City of Battle Creek website that shows existing and proposed non-motorized transportation routes such as sidewalks, Linear Park, boat launches, etc. to assist the public in navigation, inform them of future routes, shows various connections, and other uses. The map should be updated annually at minimum. The map should also be shared with various entities that may benefit from route planning efforts and local connectivity. Install Sidewalks and Pedestrian Safety Features Install sidewalks where system gaps are evident, especially near high density housing, and commercial areas, HAWK signals, and convert traffic lights to have leading pedestrian intervals to allow people to cross prior to the vehicle to allow people to cross the street safely throughout the City. Attain Gold Rating through the League of American Bicyclists Obtaining Gold rating will result in efforts which increase local ridership, increase bicycle education/awareness, make Battle Creek more bicycle-friendly, and add more value to the bicycle community. Gold rating requires various policies, advocacy and facilities be in place for biking. Establish Wayfinding Signage for the Linear Park and Regional Trails Provide wayfinding signage for all trails at all major street crossings. Signage should contain name routes, map, and interactive QR code for smart phone usage. Continue using kiosks with paper maps at major crossings, parks, and schools. Establish Community Outreach Policy for Non-Motorized Transportation Improvements Create a list of City staff or committee assigned to assess, respond to, research, and, possibly implement the non-motorized transportation items voiced by the community. Create a public response notification. 3434  41 of 53 Determine schedule of infrastructure maintenance and replacement Establish a schedule of maintenance and period of full replacement (i.e. lifespan) of existing sidewalks, streets, pathways, and other non-motorized infrastructure to determine necessary funding levels for keeping the non-motorized infrastructure network in proper condition. Long-Term Accomplishments (By 2035) Develop a City-wide Bike Rack Program Focus on providing bike racks at all public parks, schools, and public facilities such as City Hall, Willard libraries, Transit Center, etc. With the assistance of local private/ public partnerships provide installation of bike racks in the downtown area, at major employers and destinations throughout the City. Seek National & Michigan Water Trails Designation. Have the Kalamazoo River & Battle Creek Rivers become designated Water Trails through the US National Park Service & Michigan Water Trails organization to increase outdoor use of local rivers, create more tourism in the downtown and greater Battle Creek area, and increase pride for local rivers and lakes. Establish safe, proper bicycle-riding media campaigns. Develop a safety and education media campaign to raise awareness of Battle Creek’s non-motorized transportation network. The education campaign should be targeted at non-motorized users as well as vehicular drivers. The campaign should encourage alternatives to automobile travel and should also include strategies to increase helmet and light usage, rider conspicuity, and safe bicycle and pedestrian behavior. Explore Safe Routes to School Program Discuss safe routes to school programming with local schools to support and encourage safe and healthier options for parents and/ or children to walk, bike to their local schools. Establish a dedicated funding stream for non-motorized transportation improvements Seeking new or existing funding streams to ensure high cost improvements (new or major renovations) are implemented. Funding streams could be continuous grant acquisitions, new local millage, new or existing tax increment monies, etc.. Route Placemaking Elements Support placemaking features such as cultural, historical, or environmental elements along non-motorized pathways using educational signage, art, interactive learning items, etc.. 35  42 of 53 Support local bike share program Support the local Battle Creek BCycle bike share program through increased marketing, incentives to users, provide educational material, etc. Discuss and coordinate efforts with BCycle organization when installing new BCycle stations. Bike, Walk, Kayak Maps Create and distribute maps for local major employers, schools, housing committees, realtors to inform and encourage the community to enjoy the outdoors and active lifestyles. Use QR codes and digital maps for ease of updating and access. On-Going Accomplishments Seek land acquisitions for route planning Continuously monitor and investigate land acquisition opportunities that would enable the extension and/or continuous connection of the non-motorized system. Trail/Pathways Education & Enforcement Have the Battle Creek Police Department inform and educate the community about safe and proper use of the non-motorized network, including bicycle and pedestrian laws. Also seek to increase Officer bicycle patrol. Update various relevant community committees/groups Provide progress updates to the City Commission, neighborhood/user groups, Planning Commission, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Sustainable BC, etc. Revisit Plan Annually 3636  43 of 53 3) Ordinance 1. Complete Streets and Vision Zero. Create and adopt a Complete Streets Policy and Amendments. Adopt Regulatory Ordinance to create accountability for all street users, as well as a Vision Zero policy that aims to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities to zero. The following items seek Internal Connections. 2. A developments’ internal sidewalk or pathway the necessary change for shall connect to abutting public rights-of-way, the City of Battle Creek to and park property where applicable. enact regulations to further implement the 3. Bike Racks. Require all public buildings to install bike racks within a short walking distance from the main goals of this plan. building’s entrance. The bike rack should be located in a conspicuous location from the site entrance, nearest public right-of-way, or within the building’s associated on-site parking lot. 4. Transit Connections. Bus stops and bus stations shall have ADA accessible connections to the nearest sidewalk or ADA pathway. 5. Development Incentive. Reduce parking requirements when a continuous sidewalk, paved pathway, or marked paved area is provided between a building’s main entrance and a bus stop, or when the use is within a walking distance to a transit stop or along an established bike route. 37 FUNDING 44 of 53 area, such as improvements within downtown Battle Creek and the Battle Creek Public School. More information A list of common funding can be found at www.wkkf.org/. sources for non-motorized Battle Creek Community facilities is provided below. Foundation This foundation seeks to promote giving, build endowment, and provide City of Battle Creek leadership to improve quality of life in Funding Sources Battle Creek. The Foundation serves as an umbrella agency for several funds City of Battle Creek General Fund and grant programs including the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Educational The City’s general fund is funded through Fund. The Foundation makes grants to local income taxes, property taxes, local non- profit organizations located in licenses/ permits, fines/ forfeitures, or directly affecting residents in Battle interest, and state shared revenues Creek and the surrounding Calhoun (i.e. sale tax). Much of this fund covers County. Average grant awards are payroll expenses, debt obligations, between $5,000 and $10,000. More police/ fire departments, etc. Little of information can be found at this finances City improvements of street, www.bccfoundation.org/. sidewalk, or pathways. Those items are typically financed through ‘Act 51’ funds or the City’s Capital Improvements Miller Foundation Program. This foundation seeks to support and sustain growth and change for the future City of Battle Creek Capital of the greater Battle Creek community Improvements Program (CIP) while enhancing quality of life. The foundation focuses on assisting local The program assigns funds to specific non-profit, charitable organizations, and City improvements, such as road repairs, governmental agencies with projects building construction, land acquisition, that provide for economic development, studies/ analysis, and equipment for a neighborhood improvement, improving six-year period. A new CIP is created educational outcomes for youth, and every six years. Cities across the nation eliminating barriers to employment for have a CIP to plan and prioritize certain all in Battle Creek and the surrounding public improvements. area. More information can be found at www.themillerfoundation.com/. Streets Mileage 1.5 Mils dedicated to streets Various Tax Increment Financing capital improvement. Authorities (TIFA) There are various TIFAs within the City of Battle Creek area that might assist in Local Funding Sources funding or provide resources in helping to fund non-motorized transportation W. K. Kellogg Foundation improvements. Some of these are directly This foundation provides grants to administered by the City of Battle Creek various non-profits, schools, and while others are through other government entities that improve the organizations. TIFAs include: Downtown health and wellness of communities Development Authority TIFA, Columbia locally and abroad. Grants from the Avenue TIFA, Fort Custer Industrial Park foundation are made in four areas: 1) TIFA, and Battle Creek TIFA. Health, 2) Food Systems and Rural Development, 3) Youth and Education, and 4) Philanthropy and Volunteerism. The foundation has supported numerous programs, activities, projects, and events in the Greater Battle Creek 38  45 of 53 Government Funding the Trust Fund Board (e.g., trails, regional Programs significance, public access to lakes and rivers, wildlife habitat, hunting access). Act 51 of 1951 (‘Act 51 Funds’) Any individual, group, organization, or unit of government may submit a land The City of Battle Creek receives money acquisition proposal. However, only through the Michigan Transportation state and local units of government Fund ‘Act-51’which funds local can submit development proposals. transportation projects. At least 1% is A 25% local match is required. No spent on non-motorized assets such as minimum or maximum amount for land bike lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian traffic acquisition projects. For development infrastructure, pavement markings, ADA projects, there is a $15,000 minimum ramps, etc. The amount the City receives and $500,000 maximum. More on an annual basis fluctuates based on information can be found at www. fuel pump tax and car registry fees paid michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350- to the State. Previous years’ amounts for 79134_81684_79209_81657---,00. non-motorize use have been around html $80,000. In FY 21 the City reported over $240,000 in non-motorized Transportation Equity Act – 21st expenditures. More information Century (TEA-21) about the Michigan Transportation Fund can be found at https://www. This program provides federal funds michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151- to improve the Nation’s transportation 68212_64050_64074_64091---,00. infrastructure, enhance economic growth html and protect the environment. TEA-21 creates new opportunities to improve air Michigan Transportation and water quality, restore wetlands and Alternatives Program (TAP) natural habitat, and rejuvenate urban areas through transportation This competitive grant program awards redevelopment, increased transit and federal dollars to specific transportation sustainable alternatives to urban sprawl. projects such as bike paths, pedestrian More information can be found at and bicycle safety improvements, and www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/ preservation of historic transportation facilities that enhance Michigan’s Congestion Mitigation and Air intermodal transportation system and Quality Improvement Program provide safe alternative transportation options. These investments support This program was created to reduce place-based economic development congestion on local streets and improve by offering transportation choices, air quality. Funds are available to promoting walkability, and urban communities designated as improving quality of life. Grant “non-attainment” areas for air quality. applicants include: cities, transit Pedestrian and bicycle projects are agencies, county road eligible for funding. More information commissions, etc. A local match of 20% can be found at www.fhwa.dot.gov/ of construction costs is required. More environment/cmaqpgs/ index.htm. information can be found at www. michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151- 9621_17216_18231---,00.html Michigan Department Natural Resources (MDNR) Trust Fund This trust fund provides funding for projects which provide for natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. Applications are evaluated on criteria such as natural resource access and conservation, proximity to population clusters, applicant’s committed matching funds, applicant’s financial need, and priority projects of 39  46 of 53 Non-Government/ Bikes Belong Non-Profit Funding The Bikes Belong Coalition is sponsored by Organizations members of the American Bicycle Industry. Their mission is to put more people on bikes DALMAC Fund more often. The program funds bicycle- This Fund was established in 1975 to related facilities, education, and capacity improve and expand bicycling, building. Requests for funding can be up to promote good will towards bicycling, $10,000 for projects such as bike paths, and increase bicycle safety in Michigan. trails, lanes, parking, and transit, and safe The DALMAC Fund awards applications routes to school. Applications are reviewed for construction/design of bicycle on a quarterly basis. More information can facilities, bicycle educational/promotion be found at www.bikesbelong.org. programs, purchase of bicycles and related equipment, and developing Safe Routes to School Program bicycle routes and maps. This fund is This national program seeks to improve expected to grant a minimum of the safety of children walking and biking $50,000 in 2020. The DALMAC Fund to school and encourage healthy physical supports safety and education programs, activities through planning, building, and bicycle trail development, state-wide programming efforts around schools. This bicycle organizations, and route program offers small and large grants for mapping projects. More information can schools providing at least one K-8 grade be found at www.biketcba.org. level range. Small grants provide approximately $5,000/ school for Land and Water Conservation non-infrastructure related projects such Fund as planning programs, training, etc.; and The National Park Service distributes approximately $200,000/ school for large money through this Fund to the MDNR grants address infrastructure needs such as for land acquisition and development of sidewalks, crosswalks, etc. Small grants are outdoor recreation facilities. Due to administered by the Michigan Fitness limited funds within this program, the Foundation, large grants are administered MDNR has focused funding outdoor by MDOT. More information can be found development projects. Applications at https://saferoutesmichigan.org/. require a 50% local match. More information can be found at www.lwcfcoalition.com. Kodak American Greenways Awards Kodak, The Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society provide small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways. The annual grants program was instituted in response to the President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors recommendation to establish a national network of greenways. The application period typically runs from March 1st through June 1st. Program goals are to: develop new, action-oriented greenways projects; assist grassroots greenway organizations; leverage additional money for conservation and greenway development; and, recognize and encourage greenway proponents and organizations. Maximum grant is $2,500. More information can be found at www.conservationfund.org. 40 47 of 53 41  48 of 53 www.battlecreekmi.gov 49 of 53 50 of 53 51 of 53 52 of 53  53 of 53 Submi ed: 6/19/2023 Do you support this plan for the city? NO Please explain your answer above in as much detail as possible: I can only speak on what I have observed in my neighborhood ‐ Prairieview. , Currently bike travelers are rare, an increase in the future is doubtful, even with proposed enhancements. This seems unnecessary and a waste of resources ‐ 6. Highland Blvd W.: short section between end of road and Helmer Rd N. •Add multi‐use path to connect side along Helmer Rd N. to end of Highland Blvd W Current traffic laws are not being enforced; adding ordinances does not increase safety. Complete Streets and Vision Zero. Create and adopt a Complete Streets Policy and Adopt Regulatory Ordinance to create accountability for all street users, as well as a Vision Zero policy that aims to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities to zero. I can't help but wonder if the cost vs benefit has been thoroughly thought through. ‐‐ Submitted: 7/7/2023 Do you support this plan for the city? YES Please explain your answer above in as much detail as possible: Hi, my name is Allen O'Shell, and I was involved in a more recent cyclist collision that may not be in your data yet. Thankfully it was very minor, and I only le it with some scrapes and bruises. It was on SW Capital in the bike lane on my bike at the Dollar General by Summer St. Bo om‐line, a driver wasn't looking for cyclists in the bike lane while failing to use their turn signal to denote that they were turning into the Dollar General, leaving me without warning to stop for them as they quickly turned into the Dollar General, leaving me forced to slam on my brakes. This, of course, was very avoidable, as all the driver had to do was turn signal beforehand. I feel as though that stretch of road between Fountain St to Columbia Ave is not at all safe for cyclists as‐is. I think it is very important to implement more protec ons for cyclists there, adding space to buffer between all of the people turning right into businesses, or to remove the bicycle lanes en rely, as the high density traffic has so many hidden vehicles and turning vehicles, that cycling in that area should either be protected or not incen vized to ride on the side of the road. This goes similarly for walking on the sidewalk, I recently witnessed a collision with a pedestrian outside of Long John Silvers, assumedly deceased due to the high traffic volume of turning into businesses. I am quite certain there needs to be a high priority to ensure the safety of pedestrians on that stretch of road. I think steering the city of Ba le Creek into a more walkable, rideable, and safer place for pedestrians and cyclists is a wonderful plan as a whole. One thing that may not have been covered however, is a plan to educate cyclists to keep them more safe. I have experienced someone cycling on the wrong side of the road, whether it be a bike lane, or not. It leads me to believe that a lot of people would have a hard me adjus ng to riding with traffic, and that should be addressed even if it is a miniscule way. Whether that be social media promo on, or programs teaching the youth and elsewise the dangers, safety precau ons, and laws around cycling. I will always gladly be available to talk to if you want some advice regarding cycling across Ba le Creek, as it is very important to me, being that it is my only means of ge ng around, at over 3,000 Miles traveled in the past 2 years. Thanks so much for reading, my contact info is allenoshell@gmail.com if you'd like to speak with me personally.