Walkable Novi Committee Current Meeting Agenda/Packet March 17, 2012 - 6:00pm Civic Center Conference Room C Agenda 2012-2013 Capital Improvement Plan/Budget Funding Update MDOT May Meeting Letter of Support / ITC Community Sports Park Trail & Trail Connector 2012 Meeting Schedule Committee meets at 6:00pm at the City of Novi Civic Center unless noted otherwise. January 12, 2012 March 8, 2012 May 10 17, 2012 July 12 19, 2012 September 13 20, 2012 November 8 15, 2012 Meeting Agenda/Packet Archive Click here for an Archive of Meeting Agendas/Packets.

The City of Novi has had a long standing interest in providing pathways and sidewalks to connect neighborhoods with destinations throughout the City and Region. Currently the City has over 200 miles of pathways and sidewalks. The location of the City’s existing pathways and sidewalks can be viewed by clicking the link below.
Existing Pathways and Sidewalks

Non-Motorized Master Plan 2011

To further these efforts, the City Council contracted with the Greenway Collaborative to produce a comprehensive Non-Motorized Master Plan to expand on the Pathway and Sidewalk Prioritization Analysis and Plan (see below). The Non-Motorized Master Plan provides recommendations for in-road facilities, sidewalks, trails, road crossings, design standards, priority considerations, funding, and non-motorized routes. This Plan, financed with Federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant funds, includes an expanded implementation strategy to help the City continue its efforts to provide a safe, convenient and enjoyable environment for bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users while demonstrating the potential energy savings new facilities could provide.

Safe Biking in Novi Same Road, Same Rules, Same Rights The safety of bicycle riders is a responsibility shared by both motorists and cyclists. Bicyclists are not out of place on the roadway – they are part of the traffic. Every bicycle rider has the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle driver. All persons who use public roads must understand state traffic laws and use caution and common sense. Bicyclists' and motorists' actions are more predictable and safer when everyone follows traffic laws. Here are some important safety tips for sharing the road. As a motorist: Yield to bicycles in a bicycle lane. Do not drive in a bicycle lane except when making a turn. Do not park in a bicycle lane. If parked at a curb, look before opening a car door. You may be in the path of, and could hit, a bicyclist, pedestrian or other car. Look carefully for bicycles: scan intersections before entering or turning and yield to bicycles as you would for any vehicle. Pass a bicycle the same way you would a car, or any other vehicle, allowing at least three feet of space. Motorists must stop for bicyclists crossing in a crosswalk. There is a crosswalk at the intersection of any two streets, whether painted or not. Bicyclists must dismount if using a crosswalk to cross the street. As a bicyclist: Obey all traffic laws when riding in the street. In some downtown business districts, bicycling on sidewalks is prohibited; walk with your bike. Bicyclists have the choice to ride on the roadway, on the shoulder of a road, in a bike lane, or on a sidewalk (except where prohibited). Bicyclists riding on a sidewalk or crossing in a crosswalk are granted all the rights and responsibilities of a pedestrian. Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks. Use an audible signal to warn pedestrians before passing, such as “on your left.” Check out more bicycle safety/etiquette at this website.

Public input on the Non-Motorized Master Plan was received at Fall for Novi, through a web-based survey, at two public workshops and at the homeowner’s association leadership breakfast. Updates on the Plan development were available throughout the process on the City’s webpage. Review and comment were provided throughout the Plan development by the Walkable Novi Committee, which includes members of the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Commission and the Parks Foundation

Following the favorable recommendation by the Walkable Novi Committee, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, received comments and recommended adoption of the Plan. On February 28, 2011, the Novi City Council adopted the Non-Motorized Master Plan.

While implementation of the Plan will likely occur over many years, it is anticipated that a greater number of individuals will choose walking and bicycling as the preferred mode of transportation for many local trips as the Plan improvements are implemented. These choices will lead to healthier lifestyles, improved air and water quality, an improved quality of life for residents, and a more energy efficient and sustainable transportation system.

Adopted Non-Motorized Master Plan Executive Summary (5.7 MB) 2/28/11 Overview Map (4.8 MB) 2/28/11 Non-Motorized Master Plan - Part 1 of 4 ( 8.4 MB) 2/28/11 - Contents, Executive Summary, 1-Introduction, 2-Inventory Analysis Non-Motorized Master Plan - Part 2 of 4 ( 9.0 MB) 2/28/11 - 3-Proposed Facilities Non-Motorized Master Plan - Part 3 of 4 (13.9 MB) 2/28/11 - 4-Proposed Policies, 5-Design Guidelines Non-Motorized Master Plan - Part 4 of 4 ( 6.4 MB) 2/28/11 - 6-Outreach & Education, 7-Appendix

 

Pathway and Sidewalk Prioritization Analysis and Process
(see PDF files below)

In March 2008, the City Council created the Walkable Novi Committee bringing together members of the City Council, Planning Commission, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Commission and Novi Parks Foundation. This Committee works with various City Departments and it reviews and makes recommendations on non-motorized transportation and recreation plans and projects throughout the community. The Committee also reviews and approves the annual update of the City’s Pathway and Sidewalk Prioritization Analysis and Process. The Committee meets monthly.

Since October 2006, City of Novi funds were used to build over 24,000 feet of pathways and sidewalks within the City’s borders. Since its adoption in December of 2006, the City of Novi's Pathway and Sidewalk Prioritization Analysis and Process (PSPAP) has been used as a tool to help develop the City's sidewalk and pathway construction schedules.

The PSPAP includes a provision for an annual update. During the fall of 2010, Community Development Planning Staff prepared a draft 2010 update of the PSPAP worksheets and maps for review and approval by the Walkable Novi Committee using data collected through the end of September 2010. Completed segments were identified, new segments were added, and the ranking criteria were revised for some segments. After the data was updated, all segments were assigned “tier 1” category points and then ranked by those points. The top 20 ranked segments were then assigned “tier 2” points assigned a final ranking.

On November 17, 2011, the Walkable Novi Committee members present approved the 2011 PSPAP update. Both the Planning Staff and the Walkable Novi Committee continue to support the use of the PSPAP as a tool to identify near term and long term sidewalk and pathway projects.

Pathway and Sidewalk Prioritization Analysis and Process 2011 Update (approved 11/17/11)