LUBA Materials Volume 2 of 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

Relationship of Classification to. Design and Operational Decisions Classification does not, by itself, determine the design of new streets or improvements to existing streets. The classification of a street provides a basic indication of how that street functions as part of the overall street network.-Since streets of like classifi- cation often have very different characteristics in terms of overall width, number of lanes, adjacent land use, and other key features, the classification itself only provides a starting point for the design of a new street, or improvements to an existing street. The actual design is influenced by a number of. factors, discussed more fully in the Design Stan- dards and Guidelines section of this document, Citizens are frequently concerned about potential changes that might occur on the street they live on, own a business on, or use as a driver, bicyclist, walker or bus rider. There are a number of plans, policies and ongoing practices that affect whether and how a given street might undergo a change of some sort, or conversely whether and how a decision might be made not to implementa change. The types of changes or decisions that are made regarding arterial and collector streets range from regulation of access, to various sorts of improve- ments to enhance use by different modes of travel, to major expansion or construction of new street segments. There is a relationship between the street's classification and these actions or decisions, but.many other factors are important in determining the particular outcome for each specific situation. The following chart (Figure 5) provides a summary of the priority or the likelihood of several specific kinds of outcomes on various street types. The text following the chart is intended to amplify and provide further explanation for each type of action, and the general process that the City follows in implementing various actions. Figure 5 Adding Upgrade Major New Regulate Traffic Adding Bike Urban (brridor Street Cass Access Calming Sidewalks Lanes St andards Irripravernent s Mileage Freeways/Expressways -v- Very High NIA NIA WA N/A High Very Low Urban Major Art erials -v High Low High High, High Medium Low Minor Art erials -a- High Medium High High High Medium Low Major Collectors -o.- Medium Medium High Medium Medium Low Medium Neighborhood Collect ors -o- Low High Medium Verylow Low WA Medium Local Streets -o- Very Low High Low NIA Very Low WA High 37 619