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Council backs staff to explore zoning incentives and national bike/run certifications as part of bike‑ped update
Summary
Council reviewed an updated bike‑pedestrian plan and directed staff to investigate zoning incentives to improve links within developments as well as the feasibility, costs and renewal requirements for Bike Friendly Community and Run Friendly Community certifications.
Staff presented the Newman City Council with an update to the city’s bicycle and pedestrian plan and the council instructed staff to investigate two policy directions: zoning incentives to encourage internal links in new developments and pursuing national certifications.
The plan presented was an update of the previous bike‑ped plan and the staff member said the document in the packet matches what council saw at the retreat. Councilmember Thompson asked staff to explore amendments to the zoning ordinance that could incentivize internal link improvements (for example, green‑space bonuses or amenity link credits) and staff agreed to return with recommendations.
Council also asked staff to investigate two national, nonprofit certifications — a “Bike Friendly Community” designation and a “Run Friendly Community” designation — and to include expected application requirements, renewal timelines, and manpower/time costs in the implementation section of the plan. Staff said the certifications are typically renewable (one councilmember cited five‑year renewal cycles as likely) and that having the designations could assist in some grant applications.
“Having those designations says to the community…we are bike friendly, we are run friendly,” Mr. Thomas said, noting potential accountability and grant advantages. Council asked staff to circulate application materials to council members so they could review time and cost implications before staff returns with formal recommendations.
Direction: staff will add the certification objectives to the plan’s implementation strategy, prepare recommended zoning‑incentive language or approaches, and provide the council with documentation on application requirements, costs and renewal obligations.
No formal ordinance change or certification application was approved at the meeting; council provided direction to staff to study the items and report back.
