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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvila Ranch DEIR Public Comment received 1-17-17 (Department of Transportation, Newland)From: Newland, Larry C@DOT [ Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 12:42 PM To: Corey, Tyler <tcorey(slocity.org> Cc: Ryan, Cori ccryari@slocittl or ,> 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 http://www.doLca.izov/distO5/ Flex your power! Be energy efficient! January 17, 2017 Mr. Tyler Corey 05-SLO-25.91 City of San Luis Obispo Community Development SCH: 2015081034 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401 Dear Mr. Corey: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) prepared for the Avila Ranch Development Project. This project includes an amendment to the Airport Area Specific Plan (AASP) and a rezoning to allow up to 720 new residential units to be built in five phases. The project also includes 15,000 -square -feet of neighborhood commercial space that will create a town center component. Caltrans supports the strategic project goals of providing additional work force housing to address a jobs -housing imbalance while incorporating Transportation Demand Measures (TDM) and creative site -planning reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and automobile -dependency. These objectives are consistent with the Caltrans' Strategic Management Plan 2015-2020 and state planning priorities. Caltrans staff met with city Public Works staff on January 3, 2017 and discussed the following topics and concerns: It is unclear whether the Transportation Impact Study '(TIS) for the Avila Ranch project used the pre -or post -reconfiguration of the recently completed Los Osos Valley Road (LOVR) Interchange project for establishing a baseline condition. The summary (pages 3.12-3 and 3.12-5) indicates the LOVR Interchange evaluation of existing conditions was based on the pre -reconfigured condition. However, that assumption does not appear consistent with the analysis in the Technical Appendix P. Additionally, the Avila Ranch TIS did not include the ramp merge/diverge analysis, which was included in the LOVR interchange project analysis. The latter indicates three of the ramps will operate at level of service (LOS) D or LOS E in the AM peak hour. This finding is inconsistent with the LOS C statement in the Avila Ranch DEIR. Potential inconsistencies with regard to existing conditions at this location, as well as CEQA-level analysis conducted for the LOVR Interchange, should be revisited prior to the release of the FEIR. 2. In the Environmental Setting portion of the DEIR, it is stated that the mainline section of US 101 in the vicinity of Los Osos Valley Road experiences moderate levels of congestion. However, empirical data shows conditions are worse than described. Currently, demand is exceeding capacity at this location daily during most weekday peak -hour periods. Caltrans' 2014 Transportation Concept Report shows severe congestion and longer periods of forced -flow conditions becoming more frequent by 2040. The analysis should clearly quantify and disclose the proposed development's potential impacts to US 101 mainline operations. In the Environmental Setting portion of the DEIR, the baseline assumption is made that a full interchange will be built at the Prado Road/US 101 intersection. Please note the ultimate need and viability of a full interchange or overcrossing is still under evaluation, and has yet to be fully determined. "Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation systent to enhance California's econonty and livability" Mr. Tyler Corey January 17, 2017 Page 2 4. It does not appear that the US 101/South Higuera Street interchange and ramp operations were analyzed as advised in Caltrans' Notice of Preparation comments, dated September 14, 2015 (enclosed). Additionally, the impacts to mainline SR 227 were not sufficiently considered in the project analysis. Please note that SLOCOG's recently completed 2016 SR227 Operations Study identified deficiencies and strategies for improving this important transportation link to the city. While specific improvement packages for the corridor have yet to be determined, it will be important for this development and others to contribute fair share mitigation fees prior to occupancy. As indicated on page 3.12-34, it is essential for the AASP Public Facilities Financing Plan to evaluate and collect fees for future SR 227 improvements. 5. (Public Services -Schools) - Demand for new enrollment at the closest elementary school to this development, Los Ranchos Elementary, would likely generate significant new AM peak hour demand at the SR227Buckley Road intersection. Likewise, the transportation impacts of peak - hour school trips for Laguna Middle School and San Luis Obispo High School would also increase at certain locations. It is unclear whether school-based AM peak -hour trips were sufficiently factored into the trip distribution and traffic analysis for this development. The table on page 3.11- 3 indicates a less than significant impact on the school facilities, but does not address the related traffic impacts of school -trip vehicles originating from the Avila Ranch and the impact of these trips on key transportation nodes such as SR227Buckley Road, and the LOVR interchange. We suggest completing these analyses before releasing the FEIR. Further, we hope the city and applicant will consider exploring possible TDM measures such as participating financially in a school bus transportation program or other transit program. 6. (Hydrology and Water Quality) - The document shows a flood plain delineation differing from the FEMA map. This is important as both the Avila Ranch property and the adjacent downstream Caltrans property are within the same designated 100 -year flood plain. The Avila Ranch project, in addition to the Buckley Road extension, may have implications for the development potential of the Caltrans' property. The potential inconsistency in flood plain delineation must be addressed at the earliest opportunity and prior to the adoption of a Buckley Road alignment. 7. (Off Site Project Improvements) - The transportation mitigation for phase two of the development identifies the Buckley Road extension and a parallel Class 1 bicycle path through the Caltrans parcel immediately west of the development. We were surprised by the inclusion of this feature in the DEIR. In meetings, as recent as summer 2016, with the developer's representative, our understanding was that other options for routing the Class 1 facility would be developed. Caltrans purchased this parcel some years ago for the purpose of developing a new District office and maintenance facility. In the last year, we have met with both the county Public Works staff and Avila Ranch representatives to refine an alignment connecting the Buckley Road/Vachell Lane intersection with South Higuera Street. This is an important improvement to the local transportation network that should move forward either with or without the Avila Ranch development. Caltrans is generally agreeable to an alignment concept bifurcating the parcel, encompassing sufficient width to accommodate a 12 -foot -travel -lane and eight -foot shoulder in each direction, and the inclusion of a 14 -foot -wide, two-way, left -tum lane to accommodate the movement of "Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and li.nability" Mr. Tyler Corey January 17, 2017 Page 3 large combination vehicles. Further, county public works staff concurs with this geometric concept with the understanding that this road extension will likely become part of the county road system. Caltrans recently made an agreement with the San Luis Obispo Land Conservancy that allows for a temporary use of a large portion of the parcel that will facilitate the development of the Octagon Barn/Bob Jones trail complex, an essential element to the city's bicycle and pedestrian network. However, because the plans for the Caltrans' facilities are conceptual only, it remains unknown how the impacts of hydrology and cumulative right-of-way demands would affect the property's development potential. Additionally, we have concerns about possible bicycle and pedestrian conflicts induced by a Class 1 facility that intersects a busy maintenance yard driveway. Large truck and trailer vehicles will be entering and exiting the Caltrans maintenance yard daily. Our interest is in developing an alignment and roadway design that accommodates all users in a safe and efficient manner. Please explore other options to route a Class 1 facility that will offer a safer, higher -quality user experience for bicyclists and pedestrians. We welcome the opportunity to meet with the city and developer representatives to further explore these options. Ultimately, because of the need to ensure the long-term viability of the parcel, details regarding the specific alignment, width and geometry of the road extension must be resolved prior to any construction. We hope this letter helps your agency better identify transportation issues associated with the State Highway System. Our interest is to work with our local partners in helping to support sustainable development. We want to commend both the city and developer in addressing the work -force housing and transportation needs of the community while implementing developments that support multimodal choices and improved quality of life. We also appreciate the pro -active and collaborative approach the applicant and developer's representatives have taken with this project. If you have any questions, please contact me at 805-549-3103 or larry.newland(rMot.ca.gov. Sincerely, NCE C. NEWLAND, AICP Planning Branch Chief, South Enclosure: 2015 Notice of Preparation Comments "Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's econonty and livability"