Adding Safety to Your Step, City to Create 'Complete Streets'

As a result of the 11 brainstorming sessions from the Green City Initiative workshops, Aliso Viejo will one day be home to "complete streets."

A complete street keeps all users in mind and provides adequate space for walking and biking. It aims to create a safer way to travel the city by foot and pedal and address vehicle management.

The whereabouts and design of Aliso Viejo's complete streets have not been announced yet, but Albert Armijo, director of planning services and head of the Green City Initiative team, promised the design would "blow you away."

"The streets are designed to handle much more traffic than they do," Armijo said.

Vehicle management was at the top of residents' wish lists from the initiative. From the pollution caused by vehicles to the desire for a "park once" approach. The complete streets can help with both of these issues, Armijo said. The complete streets will make it possible to reduce pollution and safely get around the city without using a car. Park your car at home or in a central city location, like Town Center, and use the complete streets and walking paths to get where you need to go.

The Green City Initiative workshops encouraged residents to share ideas and concerns about the city's mission to "go green." Despite some worries, overall attendees were enthusiastic, Armijo said.

Besides vehicle management, workshop attendees hope to see more ways to conserve energy within the city. Their comments and suggestions are now being considered as the initiative is being written.

Any green additions to the city's general plan will be optional for residents, Armijo said. People will not be forced to change their own lifestyles, he said. But the city will try to save energy and resources within city buildings — City Hall, the Aquatic Center, Conference Center and Family Resource Center.

"Part of the idea behind the Green City Initiative is to save people money and enhance the economic stability of the city," Armijo said.

The "green team" is currently writing the Green City Initiative, which will be added to the city's general plan at the end of the year. Armijo hopes to have the initiative ready for review by the City Council in March.

"The workshop was a great experience," Armijo said. "People got interested and their comments helped generate the plan. I was very pleased about that. It is what we hoped for and what we got."

While there are no specifics yet, Armijo said there would also be many additions made to the city, including community gardens and local art presented around the city.