Title
Affirming that existing city regulations meet the intent of Minnesota Statute 174.40 requiring safe routes to school infrastructure in new subdivisions.
Body
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 174.40, subd. 4a specifies that a statutory or home rule charter city is eligible to receive funding from the state’s Safe Routes to School program only if it has adopted subdivision regulations that require safe routes to school infrastructure in developments authorized on or after June 1, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has an established Safe Routes to School program and intends to continue applying for state funding to support program goals; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Leg. Code Chapter 69, Subdivision Regulations, Sec. 69.406 Review of Divisions of Land, requires a subdivision to be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan for City Council approval, with particular attention to requirements for such things as streets, sidewalks, schools, playgrounds, and other public uses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Leg. Code Chapter 69, Subdivision Regulations, Sec. 69.501 Streets, requires that streets shall conform to the Comprehensive Plan and that no new residential subdivision shall be created without provision for streets that meet City requirements and design standards, including standards for how new streets connect with existing streets in adjoining subdivisions and discourages cul-de-sacs except where necessary; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan, in Transportation Plan Policy 1.1, requires complete streets that account for safety and convenience of the vulnerable populations, including children, and Policy 3.11 requires safe connections to schools, libraries, parks and recreation centers, with improved crossings and comfortable pedestrian environments at high demand intersections.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul currently requires safe routes to school infrastructure for new subdivisions and meets the intent of the legislation in Minnesota Statutes 174.40.