FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee met Wednesday to continue work on a draft “complete streets” policy that will be presented to the commission for adoption at an upcoming meeting.

“It is something we would like to see incorporated into new development,” said Planning Director Jonathan Smith of a policy that addresses a variety of transportation uses on streets within the city’s planning jurisdiction.

Several options for a draft policy were discussed, and the three members attending the meeting decided against using mandatory language in the policy statement, or the word “encourage,” settling on the word “consider” for a policy to guide new road construction or the redesign of existing streets to better accommodate pedestrian, bicycle and handicapped users.

“There are some places where we just don’t have the right of way to do this,” said Smith, regarding a reason for recommending policy language that would not require a “complete streets” approach in future city planning decisions.

The “complete streets” design is aimed at making roads “safe, comfortable and convenient for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and transit riders of all ages and abilities,” said Jane Finger, chairwoman of the Complete Streets subcommittee of Smart Coast, a local nonprofit research and education organization.

Finger has made several presentations about “complete streets” to local civic groups and at city meetings.

As a result, the City Council recently passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Tim Kant to write a letter of support for the “complete streets” concept to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“The residents of Fairhope have enjoyed an extensive network of sidewalks and trails throughout the City and have expressed an interest in expanding these facilities in an effort to maintain a connected and pedestrian-friendly community,” Kant wrote ALDOT in a June 26 letter. “The City of Fairhope is excited to work with Smart Coast and offers our full support for the Complete Streets subcommittee to work with (ALDOT) to help incorporate bike lanes and sidewalks into the design and construction of the future expansion of State Highway 181.”

The Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee was formed by the Planning and Zoning Commission in February as part of its efforts to timely implement the city’s Comprehensive Plan regarding pedestrian and bike plan strategies.

Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler, a member of the committee, said her department has plans to build a number of bike racks for the downtown area.

The committee also discussed some complaints received about flower beds constructed in the middle of some bike lanes on Fairhope Avenue. Several committee members said some bike riders have said the flower beds create safety problems in their current locations.

Smith said the committee would finalize its draft “complete streets” policy and present it to the commission for adoption in the near future.

“It is definitely the wave of the future,” said Charlene Lee of Smart Coast, who attended the meeting, about the “complete streets” concept. “It really increases the quality of life. We all want to live in a place where it’s safe to get around in lots of different ways.”