City Council Approves Blue Zones-Friendly 'Complete Streets' Policy

For the last four years, Cedar Falls has had a "complete streets" policy to consider accommodations for bikes and pedestrians when implementing road projects.

On Monday, the city council adopted a new version of that policy to be in line with Blue Zones guidelines.
 
Not everyone on the council was happy with the move, which passed on a 4-2 vote. Council members Susan de Buhr and Tom Hagarty voted against it. Council member Nick Taiber was absent.

de Buhr said she was concerned with language in the new resolution, which includes the words, "shall:" "Bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities shall be included in new street construction, reconstruction, and other transportation improvement projects."

Exceptions to the rule should be documented, under the resolution.

"I think this is too restrictive," de Buhr said.

Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews, however, said the council would still have discretion to design street projects as it sees fit.

"The bottom line is the City Council will still make that determination," he said.

He said the measure simply formalized things the city was already doing.