Petaluma DAT12The City can also take advantage of the ongoingPetaluma Active Transportation Plan to developguidelines for selecting bikeways and crossingtreatments. For example, the City may choose to requirecertain bikeway types by street type to provide safeand comfortable conditions for new and less confidentbicyclists. This could include Class I bikeways (shareduse paths) and Class IV bikeways (protected bikelanes) on arterial roads, Class IV bikeways and Class IIbikeways (standard or buffered bike lanes) on collectorstreets, and Class II bikeways and Class III bikeways(bicycle routes and bike boulevards) on local streets.In the meantime, the City should use available nationalresources such as FHWA's Bikeway Selection Guideand FHWA's Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety atUncontrolled Crossing Locations.Critical Next StepReview and update street design and constructionstandards.Create a neighborhood traffic calmingprogramResidents generally expect their residential streets tohave low volumes of motor vehicle traffic and low motorvehicle speeds. During the early stages of the COVID-19pandemic when the need for additional outdoor spacewas at a premium, Petaluma—like many other cities—implemented "Slow Streets." These included temporarybarriers to reduce and slow motor vehicle traffic,creating a more inviting space for people walking andpeople bicycling. Even after the removal, the need for aformal neighborhood traffic calming program remains.ImplementationBuilding on the momentum of the recent installation ofa mini traffic circle at Bassett Street and Upham Street,the City should create a program to manage, study,and respond to requests for traffic calming treatmentsin Petaluma's neighborhoods. The program would alsoserve as a tool for the City to pilot design solutions andimplement bike boulevards, such as the one planned forThe current street design standards should be updated to reflect current best practices.5th Street. In addition to more traditional traffic calmingtreatments such as curb extensions and speed humps,the City should explore or continue to explore mini trafficcircles, raised crosswalks, chicanes, and one-lane pinchpoints.Critical Next StepStudy the feasibility of creating a neighborhood trafficcalming program.Create a downtown parking programMotorists can currently park in one of the 660 on-streetspaces or 980 off-street spaces in downtown Petalumawithout paying a fee. Table 11.1 in Chapter 11 of the City'sZoning Code presents required parking minimums byuse, including the following for a single-householdbuilding: 1 covered space and 2 additional coveredor uncovered spaces. Free and abundant parkingcontributes to the attractiveness and convenience oftravelers using single-occupant vehicle trips rather thanwalking, bicycling, or using transit.ImplementationTo reduce vehicle miles traveled and its associatednegative impacts, the City must consider creating adowntown parking program that charges fees basedon parking location. For example: to prevent motorists
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