Lakemoor's 'Complete Streets' initiative recognized by national group

The results won't be evident for awhile but a policy adopted by Lakemoor officials has been ranked highly by a national group concerned with the safe access to destinations for residents and visitors.

Lakemoor's "Complete Streets" initiative, adopted last year, tied for third among the best written policies of 2014 as ranked by the National Complete Streets Coalition. The coalition is a program of Smart Growth America, a nonprofit alliance of public interest organizations and transportation professionals.

The village tied for third with Dawson County, Montana, with 88.8 points out of 100. Ogdensburg and Troy, both in New York, ranked first and second. Last year, 74 communities nationally adopted complete streets policies.

The policy creates a comprehensive framework to make village streets safe, more interconnected and more accessible to all modes of transportation, said Matt Dabrowski, Lakemoor's community and economic development director.

Dabrowski said complete streets works in conjunction with the village's revised comprehensive plan and serves as a guide for development.

"It's an important milestone in rebounding and changing the image of the community," he said.

Several criteria are used to evaluate new developments or street projects, Dabrowski said.

For example, the village is seeking an easement from a pending development by William Ryan Homes to provide a connection to the neighboring Lakemoor Farms subdivision.

Lakemoor adopted its policy, in part, to connect neighborhoods, calm traffic, improve safety and provide greater access and mobility for residents.

"This is just another initiative in implanting the comprehensive plan," Dabrowski said.

"This may be a minor thing for some towns (but) for us, it's a big achievement."