Pedestrian Facilities

Walking is the most popular form of recreational activity in the United States. In 2007, walking represented 25% of all trips less than one mile long in Sonoma County9. Walking should be encouraged as a daily form of transportation by establishing pedestrian networks that provide safe, convenient access to transit, jobs, shopping and recreation, especially in the urbanized areas of the County.

Walking is encouraged everywhere in Sonoma County, however, people are most likely to chose walking in areas with high residential density, and relatively short distances to schools, parks, shopping, and jobs. In the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, these conditions are found within Urban Service Areas, which are communities identified by the General Plan with sufficient public services and existing patterns of development that support urban levels of development intensity.

In general, improved pedestrian facilities will have the greatest benefit within Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities with relatively dense mixed used development, such as Kenwood. The following polices apply to Urban Service Areas, but should be considered in other areas of the County where conditions support enhanced pedestrian facilities. 

Policy 4.01

Require new development in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities to provide safe, continuous and convenient pedestrian access to jobs, shopping and other local services and destinations. Maintain consistency with City standards for pedestrian facilities in Urban Service Areas that are within a city’s Sphere of Influence or Urban Growth Boundary.

Policy 4.02

Require pedestrian-oriented street design in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities. 9 MTC Travel Forecast 2007 2010 Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 22

Policy 4.03

Encourage development of amenities that enhance the walking experience, such as landscaping, public art, seating and drinking fountains, in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities.

Policy 4.04

Require centrally located shared parking in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities whenever feasible for commercial uses rather than requiring individual businesses to provide separate parking areas.

Policy 4.05

Where discretionary projects in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities are found to create additional demand for pedestrian travel, require the project to directly provide or participate in the funding of pedestrian improvements such as sidewalks, gap closures, steps, safety improvements, and/or trails that will improve pedestrian access to destinations located within ½ mile of the project site.

Policy 4.06

Require discretionary projects within the Urban Growth Boundary or Sphere of Influence of a city to provide sidewalks consistent with city design standards.

Policy 4.07

Use pedestrian-level lighting rather than conventional full height lighting standards within the Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities wherever appropriate.

Policy 4.08

Provide high-visibility crosswalk marking at all intersections in Urban Service Areas, unincorporated communities, and wherever feasible countywide. Wherever possible, avoid mid-block pedestrian crossings, and where mid-block crossings are necessary, install signalization, refuge islands and signage warning vehicles to stop for pedestrians and watch for cyclists.

Policy 4.09

Require development projects in Urban Service Areas and unincorporated communities that conflict or interfere with development of future planned pedestrian facilities to provide development of equivalent facilities within the same area.

Policy 4.10

Design sidewalks and pedestrian paths to provide defensible space and adequate sight lines between adjoining development to insure safety and security. Sidewalks should feel comfortable and welcoming at all times of the day and night.