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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvila Ranch DEIR Public Comment received 1-17-17 (Department of Transportation, Fukushima)From: Newland, Larry C@DOT[ Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 12:42 PM To: Corey, Tyler <tcorey@slocity.org> Cc: Ryan, Cori <c_ryan@slocity.org> Subject: Caltrans Comments/Avila Ranch DEIR RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO JAN 18 2017 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Hi Tyler and Corey, an email (or text confirmation that you received this email and attachments in one piece would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Larry Newland, AICP Caltrans District 5 Planning Manager, South (805) 549-3103 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 50 HIGUERA STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401-5415 PHONE (805) 549-3101 FAX (805) 549-3329 TTY 711 t;M:,,lwww_dpt ,ca&ov'dist05t September 14, 2015 Mr. John Rickenbach City of San Luis Obispo 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Serious drought! Help save water! SCH# 2015081034 05-SLO-101-025.91 COMMENTS ON THE (NOP) NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR THE AVILA RANCH PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Dear Mr. Rickenbach: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the NOP for the Avila Ranch project. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) appreciates early coordination on projects such as this. Caltrans offers the following comments for your consideration: 1) Caltrans supports local planning efforts that are consistent with state planning priorities that promote an integrated multimodal transportation system for interregional, regional, and local needs. 2) To ensure the traffic study in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) includes the information needed to analyze the cumulative and project -specific impacts of this effort, it is recommended that the analysis be prepared in accordance with the Department's Guide for the Preparation of Traffic Impact Studies. Further, Caltrans is willing to review a scope of work prior to the kickoff of the traffic study. 3) Since Caltrans is responsible for the safety, operations, and maintenance of the state transportation system, our Level of Service (LOS) standards should be used to determine the significance of the project's impact. Caltrans endeavors to maintain a target LOS at the transition between LOS C and D on all state transportation facilities. Therefore, LOS D would constitute an impact, which may be different than the city's threshold. 4) For the traffic study, we request that the analysis include the following facilities: a. US 101 mainline b. State Route 227 mainline "Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability" Mr. John Rickenbach Page 2 c. US 101 / S. Higuera (and ramps) d. US 101 /Los Osos Valley Road (and ramps) e. State Route 227 / Buckley Road 5) Caltrans is supportive of efforts to include multimodal connections both across and within the proposed project. Caltrans encourages the city to explore options to reduce vehicular trips by carefully planning formal connectivity between land uses types. 6) Any mitigation measures recommended on the state highway system will require an encroachment permit from Caltrans. As part of the application process, additional studies or analyses may be required depending on the type of work proposed. 7) Given the proximity of the project to San Luis Obispo Airport, the city should consult with the Department's Division of Aeronautics to ensure the compatibility of land use and airport operations. 8) Caltrans owns property between Vachell Lane and S. Higuera Street. It is the long-term goal of the Department to develop the property to accommodate its future office needs and maintenance operations. To facilitate these needs, Caltrans is working with San Luis Obispo County to grant an easement for the extension of Buckley Road to S. Higuera Street. While there may be utility of this extension for the Avila Ranch project, Caltrans is pursuing this road extension irrespective of the benefits that it may provide to adjacent development including the Avila Ranch project. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (805) 549-3131 or adam.fukushima@dot.ca.gov. Sincerely, Adam Fukushima, PTP Caltrans District 5 Development Review "Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation systern to enhance California's economy and livability"