Ordinance Amaneding and Supplementing Chapter 2 Subsecton 61 Pedestrian Advisory Board

XXXX-25 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 2, SUBSECTION 61, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE ESTABLISHING A COMPLETE AND GREEN STREETS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CREATING A COMPLETE AND GREEN STREETS POLICY ORDINANCE No. 2025-XX WHEREAS, safe, convenient, accessible, equitable, healthy, and environmentally and economically beneficial transportation for all users is a priority of the Township of West Orange and WHEREAS, Complete and Green Streets is a means to provide a comprehensive, integrated, connected multi-modal network of transportation options through planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of new and retrofit transportation facilities along the entire right-of-way for all roadway users of all ages and abilities; and WHEREAS, The Township of West Orange established a Complete Streets Policy by adopting Resolution No. 13-02 executed by Planning Board Secretary on the 9 th day of July 2013; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council wishes to amend and add to its Complete Streets policy with a new Complete and Green Streets Policy to allow for safe, accessible, and convenient travel, reducing serious injuries and fatalities for all users of the roadway; and WHEREAS, “all users” include motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation vehicles and their passengers, delivery trucks and movers of commercial goods, persons with disabilities, older adults, and residents of Priority Communities; and WHEREAS, Complete and Green Streets allows for multiple modes of travel, aside from personal automobiles, so that those who are unable to drive, who cannot afford a car, or choose to reduce their car usage may travel by transit, by bicycle, or on foot safely; and WHEREAS, Complete and Green Street policies support the goals of the Township of West Orange master plan and supporting elements; and WHEREAS, New Jersey is federally designated as a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Focus State due to high numbers of pedestrian/bicycle-involved fatalities, and New Jersey’s pedestrian fatality rate continues to significantly exceed the national average; and WHEREAS, traffic crashes are preventable and the only acceptable number of traffic deaths for the Township of West Orange is zero; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets that incorporate sustainable Green Streets design elements, such

are preventable and the only acceptable number of traffic deaths for the Township of West Orange is zero; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets that incorporate sustainable Green Streets design elements, such as green stormwater infrastructure, traffic calming treatments, shade trees, and the use of recycled materials, protect and create a healthier natural and social environment, improve air and water quality, and reduce localized flooding; and WHEREAS, Complete and Green Streets implementation enhances access to local businesses, encourages reinvestment, increases property values and employment, and stimulates private investment, especially in retail districts, downtowns, and tourist areas; and January 2025 1 of 26

WHEREAS, Complete and Green Streets encourage an active lifestyle through increased physical activity, social connectivity, and sense of community belonging, thereby lowering risk of obesity, reducing chronic disease, improving mental health, and promoting wellness; and WHEREAS, Complete and Green Streets implementation provides the opportunity to enhance the historic character of our communities and our understanding of our shared history in a way that promotes the economic and social vitality of our communities and should be considered in the design of infrastructure improvements; and WHEREAS, procedures should be implemented that ensure fair treatment, equitable funding and resource distribution, and meaningful involvement of all communities in all phases from selection, planning, and design to construction and long-term maintenance; and WHEREAS, a balanced and flexible transportation system where all people can easily and safely walk and bicycle to everyday destinations — such as schools, shops, restaurants, businesses, parks, transit, and jobs — enhances neighborhood economic vitality and livability; and WHEREAS, low- and moderate-income areas, whether in rural, urban, or suburban communities, are typically the least safe for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially for children walking and biking to school, due to long-standing infrastructure disparities and higher concentration of streets with faster-moving and higher-volume traffic; and WHEREAS, implementation of the Complete and Green Streets policy should not negatively impact the affordability of the neighborhood for current residents; and WHEREAS, the Complete and Green Streets policy applies to new, reconstruction, retrofit, and resurfacing projects, including design, planning, construction, maintenance and operations, for the entire right-of-way; and WHEREAS requests for all exceptions must be submitted in writing, with supporting documentation, and made publicly available with a minimum of 30 days allowed for public input; and WHEREAS, all initial planning, concept and design studies of infrastructure projects consider design elements that improve public health, environment, economy, equity, and safety. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of West Orange, State of New Jersey, that Chapter 2-61: “Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board” of the Township’s Revised General

ety. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of West Orange, State of New Jersey, that Chapter 2-61: “Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board” of the Township’s Revised General Ordinances is hereby amended and supplemented to include “Complete and Green Streets Policy” and adopts the Complete and Green Streets Policy attached hereto, and made part of this Ordinance as follows: 2-61.7-West Orange Complete and Green Streets Policy Township of West Orange shall develop an integrated and connected multimodal transportation system of Complete and Green Streets that serve all neighborhoods and populations. Towards this end: 1. All transportation projects shall result in Complete and Green Streets that allow safe, environmentally healthy, economically sound, equitable, accessible, and convenient travel along and across streets for users of all ages and abilities and for all modes of transportation, including January 2025 2 of 26

motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation vehicles and their passengers, delivery trucks and movers of commercial goods and strive to meet the following goals: a. Environment: Improve air and water quality; reduce flooding; mitigate traffic congestion. b. Safety: Eliminate all road fatalities, significantly reduce crash severity and injury, and improve personal safety through increasing the number of people walking and bicycling. c. Economic: Stimulate economic prosperity. d. Health: Increase physical activity and social connectivity with the goal of lowering the risk of obesity, reducing chronic disease and promoting wellness. e. Equity: Implement policies and distribute funding and other resources equitably and responsibly in all neighborhoods, particularly in Priority Communities; improve non-motor vehicle transportation systems. 2. This section shall apply to all public and/or private transportation projects, including those using funds awarded by federal, state, regional, county, municipal, or any other public agency. This shall include new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, repaving, rehabilitation, private development projects, and maintenance of highways, roads, and streets. 3. The Mayor, and the Municipal Engineer and Planner shall routinely work in coordination with each other and adjacent jurisdictions, and any relevant advisory committees/teams, to implement Complete and Green Streets and to ensure consistency with the Municipal Master Plan and Elements and any other existing Pedestrian/Bicycle/Multimodal Plans, Stormwater Management Plans, Pollution Prevention Plans, and Historic Preservation Plans. 4. Within two years of the effective date of this Policy, the Council shall inventory and audit procedures, policies, plans, documents, training programs, performance measures and other guidance documents to be consistent with this policy. The purpose of this audit is to identify areas where tenets of this policy will need to be incorporated. This includes, but is not limited to, funding, planning, designing, operating, and maintaining transportation infrastructure. The Council will use this audit to incorporate this policy as updates to its procedures, plans, policies, etc. as they are scheduled. 5. Transportation projects and Master and Capital Plans shall include, when appropriate, sustainable design elements,

policy as updates to its procedures, plans, policies, etc. as they are scheduled. 5. Transportation projects and Master and Capital Plans shall include, when appropriate, sustainable design elements, including, but not limited to: a. Green stormwater infrastructure practices b. Traffic calming c. Shade trees and other vegetation d. Rain gardens e. Bioswales f. Permeable pavements — including those made from recycled materials such as rubber, concrete, glass, and plastic. 6. Transportation projects and Master and Capital Plans shall include, where appropriate, pedestrian and bicycle design elements and transit amenities, including but not limited to: curb extensions, sidewalks, radar feedback signs, pedestrian countdown signals, pedestrian refuge islands, road diets, lane width reductions, chicanes, roundabouts, bike lanes, protected bike lanes, bike parking, lighting, wayfinding, seating, trash receptacles, transit amenities, etc. January 2025 3 of 26

7. The Council shall utilize the most current editions of guides, manuals, and best practices on street design, historic preservation, construction, operations, and maintenance that apply to bicycle, pedestrian, transit, stormwater and highway facilities. All manuals, standards, and guidelines shall be made publicly available online. 8. The Mayor shall lead the implementation of this Policy and formally coordinate with the Director of Planning, Municipal Engineer, Economic Development Commission, Downtown West Orange Alliance, Public Works, Director of Health, etc. with advice and input from Planning Board, Zoning Board, Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board, Land Use Committee, Environmental Commission, etc. to set benchmarks to ensure the successful implementation of the Complete and Green Streets Policy including in Priority Communities consistent with Environmental Justice principals. Key Terms & Definitions Complete Streets: An integrated transportation network designed to enable safe and convenient travel and access along and across streets for all users of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, movers of commercial goods, and transit riders. Environmental Justice: Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means that: 1. People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health. 2. The public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision. 3. Community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and 4. Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. Green Streets: Streets with landscaped features installed in the rights-of-way that capture and allow stormwater runoff to soak into the ground, while still preserving the primary function of a street as a conduit for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Stormwater runoff is excess

stormwater runoff to soak into the ground, while still preserving the primary function of a street as a conduit for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Stormwater runoff is excess water generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. Green Street Stormwater Infrastructure Practices: Includes types of green infrastructure techniques used to manage stormwater, including but not limited to: 1. Street tree trenches/boxes: utilize soil, gravel, and plants to infiltrate and filter stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces 2. Bioswales: shallow channels that convey, slow down, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. January 2025 4 of 26

3. Vegetated curb bump outs: a vegetated curb extension that protrudes into the street either mid-block or at an intersection, creating a new curb some distance from the existing curb. 4. Permeable pavement: a stormwater drainage system that allows rainwater and runoff to move through the pavement’s surface to a storage layer below, with water eventually seeping into underlying soil. Types of permeable pavement include pervious concrete, porous asphalt, interlocking concrete pavers, and grid pavers. Green Stormwater Infrastructure: An approach to managing stormwater by infiltrating it in the ground where it is generated using vegetation or porous surfaces, or by capturing it for later reuse. Infiltration is when water falls to the earth as precipitation and seeps into the soil. Priority Communities: The term Priority Communities refers to categories of underserved and adversely impacted populations. There is a wide range of definitions used to quantify and locate underserved populations developed by agencies and organizations dedicated to social equity by law or mission. Each municipality should evaluate who and where there are concentrations of underserved or marginalized populations based on available data. Below are some of the categories to consider when defining Priority Communities: 1. Minority Concentrations 2. Low-Income Concentrations 3. Other Indicators of Underserved and Adversely Impacted Populations: a. Female Head of Household with Children b. Persons with Limited English Proficiency c. Carless Households d. Elderly Populations/Children e. Persons with Disabilities f. Hispanic Populations g. Other Ethnic Minorities h. Families in Poverty with Children Traffic Calming: The combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. Traffic calming objectives include: 1. Achieving slow speeds for motor vehicles 2. Reducing collision frequency and severity 3. Increasing the safety and the perception of safety for non-motorized users of the street(s) 4. Reducing the need for police enforcement 5. Enhancing the street environment (e.g., streetscaping) 6. Encouraging water infiltration into the ground using Green Street stormwater infrastructure practices 7. Increasing access for all modes of transportation, and reducing cut-through motor

etscaping) 6. Encouraging water infiltration into the ground using Green Street stormwater infrastructure practices 7. Increasing access for all modes of transportation, and reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic January 2025 5 of 26