Well
Wolfpack has raised a valid point about Transit Shelters. However, I think there are two issues here.
I maintain that Transit Shelter signs are legal under the Sign Code. Wolfpack counters that Community Development erred in allowing the shelters where there is no Transit Service.
He may be right, however, the Sign Code does not regulate the shelter, it regulates the sign affixed to the shelter. It was difficult, but I have managed to unearth the definition of a Transit Shelter in the City Code.
Title 12 Chapter 8
OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREETS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Exceptions.
1. Transit shelters as approved by the City Commission and located so as to not unduly interfere with vehicle or pedestrian traffic and access to utilities and abutting properties in the immediate vicinity.
a. A transit shelter shall be defined as a structure occupying no more than one hundred twenty square feet in floor area and designed for the temporary shelter of transit passengers. (emphasis added)
This definition may lead you to believe the City intends for transit shelters to be located on an active bus route, but just to be difficult, they have something to add.
In the Growth Policy, it discusses improving transportation in Great Falls.
“Bus pull-outs and shelters can be required in new developments. The Great Falls Transit District has updated its Transit Development Program (TDP) which should be closely coordinated with this Growth Policy.”
This seems to suggest the City doesn’t care if the shelter is on an active bus route. So perhaps the intent is to plan ahead, and shelter passengers that, well, aren’t actually passengers just yet.
I dunno. I think the signs are legal, but I don’t know on the shelters themselves.
Leave a Reply