HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-2016 BAC Agenda Packet
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MISSION: The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is to provide oversight and
policy direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its
relationship to bicycling outside the City.
ROLL CALL: Paula Huddleston (Vice Chair), Lea Brooks, Ken Kienow, Catherine Riedstra, Howard
Weisenthal, and Jim Woolf
PUBLIC COMMENT:
At this time, the public is invited to address the Committee concerning items not on the agenda
but are of interest to the public and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Bicycle
Advisory Committee. The Committee may not discuss or take action on issues that are not on
the agenda other than to briefly respond to statements made or questions raised, or to ask
staff to follow up on such issues.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Bicycle Facilities in the Avila Ranch DRAFT EIR (60 min) – Fukushima
ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting will be held January 19, 2017
Agenda
Bicycle Advisory Committee – Special Meeting
Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Thursday, December 1, 2016 – 5:30 pm (Note earlier time)
The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs, and
activities. Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance.
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ACTION ITEMS:
Agenda Item #1: Bicycle Facilities in the Avila Ranch DRAFT EIR (60 min) -- Fukushima
1) BACKGROUND
The Avila Ranch Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been released for a 45-day public
comment period, which ends January 11, 2017. The project involves developing a 150-acre site
at the northeast corner of Buckley Road and Vachell lane within the boundaries of the Airport
Area Specific Plan for a new residential neighborhood. The entire DRAFT EIR can be found at
http://www.slocity.org/Home/Components/News/News/4823/17?backlist=%2Fhome
On September 17, 2015 and November 19, 2015, the BAC reviewed the bicycle facilities plan for
the Avila Ranch development and provided comments. With the completion of the DRAFT EIR,
City staff is seeking feedback from the BAC on the proposed mitigations to bikeway impacts.
2) PROJECT INFORMATION
Avila Ranch is a proposed new master planned residential development. The project includes
approximately 720 dwelling units of various housing types, a centrally located “Town Center”
with 15,000 square feet of neighborhood serving retail and office uses, and 71.30 acres of open
space and park uses. Project amenities would include riparian corridor enhancement,
permanent open space dedication, community gardens and bike facilities.
3) PROPOSED BICYCLE FACILITIES
The proposed project includes Class I and Class II bike facilities on Buckley Road, Class II bike
facilities on proposed collector streets, and a Class I bike path bordering Tank Farm Creek
corridor through the project. The project also proposed to extend Buckley Road to South
Higuera with Class II bike facilities.
Staff Recommendation: Review the findings of the DRAFT EIR relative to bicycle transportation
and determine whether the findings are consistent with the Bicycle Transportation Plan.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held: January 19, 2017
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Executive Summary to the Avila Ranch Draft Transportation Impact Study
2. Proposed Avila Ranch Circulation Map
3. Development Phasing from the Avila Ranch Development Plan
Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Central Coast Transportation Consulting
895 Napa Avenue, Suite A-6
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 316-0101
February 2016
Prepared For: City of San Luis Obispo
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
1Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Executive Summary
This study evaluates the potential transportation impacts of the Avila Ranch project located in the
City of San Luis Obispo. The Project consists of 720 residential units and 15,000 square feet of
neighborhood commercial space. The Project would generate 6,776 new daily trips, 414 new AM
peak hour trips, and 616 new PM peak hour trips added to adjacent streets.
Fourteen intersections and six roadway segments were analyzed during the weekday morning (7-9
AM) and evening (4-6 PM) time periods, as shown on Figure 1.
The study locations were evaluated under six scenarios: Existing Conditions, Existing Plus Project,
Near Term, Near Term Plus Project, Cumulative and Cumulative Plus Project. Project impacts are
identified based on thresholds in the City of San Luis Obispo General Plan as well as Caltrans and
the County of San Luis Obispo where appropriate. Impacts and mitigation measures are summarized
below.
Existing Plus Project
# Location Mode Impact Mitigation Measure Phase
1 LOVR & 101 SB Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing WB left turn
queue exceeding capacity
Reconstruction of LOVR Interchange
currently underway and mitigates this
impact. This measure is programmed in
the LOVR subarea fee and Citywide
TIF.
1
2 South St. &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates NB right turn queue
exceeding capacity
Extend NB right turn lane. Mitigation is
not currently programmed. 1
4 Prado & Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing NB left turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Add a second NB left turn lane & widen
Prado Rd. creek bridge west of Higuera.
This measure is programmed in the
MASP & AASP fee programs.
1
5 Tank Farm &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing SB left turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Add a second SB left turn lane.
Mitigation is not currently programmed. 1
6 Tank Farm &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing WB left turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Add a second SB left turn lane.
Mitigation is not currently programmed. 1
7 LOVR &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing EB left turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Retime traffic signal once interchange
reconstruction complete. Add direction
signing to encourage project traffic to
access the Ontario ramps to the south.
1
8 LOVR &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing SB right turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Retime traffic signal once interchange
reconstruction complete. Add
directional signing to encourage project
traffic to access the Ontario ramps to
the south.
1
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
2Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Existing Plus Project
9 Buckley & Hwy
227 Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates existing NB left turn
queue exceeding capacity.
Add a second NB & SB thru lane.
Project shall pay its fair share to be
determined by County & State
1
10 Buckley & Hwy
227 Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates NB thru volume
exceeding capacity.
Add a second NB & SB thru lane.
Project shall pay its fair share to be
determined by County and State
1
11 Buckley & Hwy
227 Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates SB thru volume
exceeding capacity.
Add a second NB & SB thru lane.
Project shall pay its fair share to be
determined by County and State
1
12 Higuera &
Suburban Auto
Westbound right turn queues
exceed storage length with Project
traffic.
Revise project proposal to extend shared
westbound left/right turn lane to 250
feet by restriping roadway.
1
13
LOVR (450' N
of Los Verdes
Dr. to Higuera)
Auto
Volumes currently exceed capacity
and the segment operates at LOS
F during the PM peak hour. The
addition of project traffic
exacerbates this deficient
condition.
The LOVR Interchange project does
not include widening of NB LOVR
from Higuera to 450’ north of Los
Verdes Drive, widening of this
remaining section will address the
impact.
1
14 Tank Farm &
Horizon Ped
Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds. Project
traffic does not affect this.
North side of Tank Farm is fenced
farmland with insignificant pedestrian
demand. Roundabout control would
provide adequate pedestrian crossing
when destinations are present on north
side of road.
1
15 Vachell &
Higuera Ped
Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds due to
lack of pedestrian connectivity.
Restrict pedestrian crossings across
Higuera Street and direct pedestrians to
cross at LOVR or Suburban. Complete
continuous sidewalk connection on
Higuera between Vachell and LOVR.
1
16 LOVR & 101 SB Bike
Bicycle level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds. Addition
of project traffic exacerbates this
deficiency
Reconstruction of LOVR Interchange
currently underway. This measure is
programmed in the LOVR subarea fee
and Citywide TIF.
1
17 Higuera (Buckley
to LOVR) Ped
Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds due to
lack of continuous sidewalk
accessing project.
Install sidewalk and ADA ramps on the
east side of Higuera to provide a
continuous path of travel from Buckley
to LOVR.
1
18
LOVR (101 NB
Ramps to 450' N
of Los Verdes
Dr.)
Ped
Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds. Low
level of service is due to high
vehicle volumes. Addition of
project traffic is not expected to
result in a noticeable degradation
or contextual impact.
Install Class I path parallel to Higuera
from Higuera & Buckley to LOVR (Bob
Jones Octagon Barn Connection). This
measure is not currently programed.
1
19
LOVR ( 450' N
of Los Verdes
Dr. to Higuera)
Ped
Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds. Addition
of project traffic is not expected to
result in a noticeable degradation
or contextual impact.
Reconstruction of LOVR Interchange
currently underway. This measure is
programmed in the LOVR subarea fee
and Citywide TIF
1
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
3Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Existing Plus Project
20
Buckley Rd.
(Higuera to
Project Entrance)
Ped Pedestrian level of service is below
minimum GP thresholds.
Project proposes to construct parallel
Class I facility prior to Phase 2 which
would mitigate this impact.
2
21
Internal
intersections &
driveways.
Auto
Potentially significant safety impact
at Earthwood and Venture due to
closely spaced intersections.
Potentially significant safety impact
at high Desnsity residential on
Earthwood and commercial on
Horizon due to unknown access
point locations.
Intersections and driveways accessing
arterial and collector streets shall follow
the FHWA Access Management Manual
in regards to spacing, shared driveways,
and access restrictions to address
potential safety impacts.
1-6
22 Venture Drive Auto
Forecasted volumes exceed
General Plan threshold for current
street designation. Geometry
conducive to speeding.
Amend general plan reclassifying
Venture Drive to a residential collector.
Implement residential trip reduction
plan and traffic calming measures.
1
23 Earthwood Lane Auto
Forecasted volumes exceed
General Plan threshold for current
street designation. Geometry
conducive of speeding.
Amend General Plan reclassifying
Earthwood Lane to a residential
collector. Implement residential trip
reduction plan and traffic calming
measures.
1
24 Horizon Lane Auto
Forecasted volumes exceed
General Plan threshold for current
street designation. Geometry
conducive of speeding.
Amend General Plan reclassifying
Horizon Ln. to a residential arterial
from Buckley to Project boundary and
to a Commercial Collector from the
Project Boundary to Tank Farm.
Implement residential trip reduction
plan and traffic calming measures.
1
25 Vachell Lane Auto
Forecasted volumes exceed
General Plan threshold for current
street designation.
Amend General Plan reclassifying
Vachell Ln. to a commercial collector 1
26 Vachell Lane Bike
Discontinuous Class II bicycle
network providing access to
Project area.
Install Class II bike lanes on Vachell
between Higuera and Buckley 1
27 Suburban Rd. Ped
Lack of pedestrian connectivity to
Project area. Forecasted volumes
exceed General Plan threshold for
current street designation.
Install sidewalks and ADA ramps to
complete a continuous pedestrian
connection from Higuera to Earthwood
Ln. Amend General Plan to designate
Suburban Road as a commercial
collector.
1
28 Buckley Rd. Bike
The project proposes bike lane
geometry that is inconsistent with
the City's bicycle transportation
plan.
Class II bike lanes along Buckley shall
be at least 8' wide 1
29 Buckley Rd. Bike
The project description has
conflicting proposals for Bike
facilities along Buckley Rd.
The project shall install bicycle facilities
consistent with the Bicycle
Transportation Plan.
1
Attachment 1, Page 4 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
4Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Existing Plus Project
30 All Phasing
Auto
Bike
Ped
Sequencing is not specified in the
project description. Developing
phases in an order not consistent
the phase numbering will
invalidate this analysis and the
recommended impacts.
Sequencing of the development phases
shall be done in the order of the phase
numbering. 1-6
31 Phases 1&2 Auto
Bike
Constructing Buckley Extension as
part of Phase 2 will cause the
volume on Venture and
Earthwood to exceed General Plan
thresholds, route heavy
commercial traffic thru the
neighborhood, and not provide a
bicycle route connection to the
Project during Phase 1.
Public Vehicle Access to Phase 1 shall
only be provided via Earthwood Ln &
Suburban Rd. Access points at Vachell
shall be restricted to emergency vehicle
and bicycle & pedestrian traffic. Class II
bike lanes shall be installed on Vachell
from Buckley to S. Higuera. Left turn
restrictions at Higuera & Vachell,
extension of Buckley Rd., and full access
from Project to Vachell Lane shall be
provided prior to Phase 2.
1 & 2
32 Phases 4
Auto
Phase 4 will generate volumes that
cause Earthwood Ln. to exceed
General Plan thresholds.
Complete the Horizon lane connection
to the north to provide a second route to
Suburban lane prior to Phase 4. 4
Bike
Ped
Connecting Horizon/Jesperson to
Buckley without frontage
improvements on Buckley will
create discontinuous bicycle and
pedestrian access to the project
from Buckley Rd.
Complete Buckley Rd. frontage
improvements as part of Phase 4.
4
In addition to the Existing Plus Project impacts and mitigation, the following impacts are noted for
Near Term Plus Project.
Near Term Plus Project
Location Mode Impact Mitigation Measure Phase
33 LOVR &
Higuera Auto
Project traffic exacerbates near
term SB right turn queues
exceeding capacity
Install second SB right turn lane.
This measure is not currently
programmed.
Post 4
34 Tank Farm &
Horizon Auto
The northbound approach would
operate at LOS F both with and
without the project.
Install a northbound right turn
lane. Post 4
35 Tank Farm &
Higuera Bike
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates WB approach
exceeding General Plan bicycle
level of service threshold.
Project proposal to install parallel
Class I paths from Buckley to
Tank Farm mitigate this impact.
Post 4
36 LOVR &
Higuera Bike
Project traffic degrades the bicycle
level of service to below City
General Plan thresholds
Install Class I path parallel to
Higuera from Higuera & Buckley
to LOVR (Bob Jones Octagon
Barn Connection). This measure
is not currently programmed.
Post 4
Attachment 1, Page 5 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
5Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Near Term Plus Project
37 Buckley Rd. &
Higuera Bike
Project traffic exacerbates near
term bicycle level of service being
below General Plan thresholds.
Intersection is under County
jurisdiction which has no Bicycle
Level of Service Threshold.
Installation of a parallel Class I
path from LOVR to Higuera and
Higuera to Broad as called for in
the Bicycle Plan would mitigate
this impact.
Post 4
38
Higuera
(LOVR to
Suburban)
Ped
Project traffic exacerbates near
term pedestrian level of service
being below General Plan
thresholds.
Install Class I path parallel to
Higuera from Higuera & Buckley
to LOVR (Bob Jones Octagon
Barn Connection). This measure
is not currently programmed.
Post 4
39
LOVR
(Higuera to
450' N Los
Verdes)
Ped
Project traffic exacerbates near
term pedestrian level of service
being below General Plan
thresholds.
Install Class I path parallel to
Higuera from Higuera & Buckley
to LOVR (Bob Jones Octagon
Barn Connection). This measure
is not currently programmed.
Post 4
In addition to the Existing and Near Term Plus Project impacts and mitigation, the following impacts
are noted for Cumulative Plus Project.
Cumulative Plus Project
Location Mode Impact Mitigation Measure Phase
40 Prado &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates queues exceeding
capacity for north, south, and
west left turn movements.
Install two left turn pockets, two
thru lanes, and a right turn pocket
on all approaches. This measure
is not currently programmed.
Post 4
41 Tank Farm &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates SB left turn queues
exceeding capacity.
Install second SB left and second
NB right turn lane with overlap
phasing. This measure is not
currently programmed.
Post 4
42 Tank Farm &
Higuera Auto
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates WB left turn queues
exceeding capacity
Install a second SB left turn lane
and second NB right turn lane
with overlap phasing. This
measure is not currently
programmed.
Post 4
43 Buckley &
Vachell Auto
The southbound approach would
operate at LOS F during the PM
peak hour with the Project in
place and would meet the peak
hour signal warrant.
Installation of a traffic signal or a
single lane roundabout would
provide acceptable operations.
Post 4
44 Prado &
Higuera Bike
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates bicycle level of service
exceeding General Plan threshold.
Installation of a parallel Class I
path along Prado Rd. will mitigate
this impact.
Post 4
45 LOVR &
Higuera Bike
Addition of project traffic
exacerbates bicycle level of service
exceeding General Plan threshold.
Presence of the existing parallel
Class I paths between LOVR &
Prado (Bob Jones) in addition to
the installation of a new parallel
Class I path bewteen LOVR &
Post 4
Attachment 1, Page 6 of 7
Central Coast Transportation Consulting February 2016
6Avila Ranch
Draft Transportation Impact Study
Cumulative Plus Project
Higuera (Bob Jones Octagon
Barn Connection) would mitigate
this impact. This measure is not
currently programmed.
Details supporting these recommendations are provided in the body of this report.
Attachment 1, Page 7 of 7
Attachment 2, Page 1 of 1
Avila Ranch Development Plan
Avila Ranch, LLC
735 Tank Farm Road
San Luis Obispo, CA
Attachment 3, Page 1 of 6
Avila Ranch Development Plan Page 26
Revised: December 18, 2015
The Avila Ranch project will encourage long term housing affordability by including design and
development strategies that serve to provide lower cost housing. The cost of housing over time is most
closely related to the size of the dwelling unit, the size of the lot, and costs of maintenance. Within each
of the residential zones there will be a broad range of dwelling unit sizes R-2 units will range in size from
approximately 1,350 square feet to 2,000 square feet, with an average size of approximately 1,675
square feet. R-3 units will range in size from 1,100 square feet to 1,750 square feet with an average of
approximately 1,500 square feet, and R-4 units will range in size from 650-square foot studios to 1,150
square foot two-bedroom , two-bathroom units. Maintenance expenses, to the extent feasible, will
also be included in a Community Facilities District to reduce the necessity for Homeowners Associations,
and the additional costs associated with that maintenance and governance structure. Landscaping will
also be designed to be low-maintenance and water efficient to reduce monthly water expense and land-
scape maintenance. Passive and active solar energy strategies will also be included to reduce monthly
energy costs.
Revitalizing Tank Farm Creek
One of the key project components is the revitalization of Tank Farm Creek, which is used as the
principal organizing element for the overall project design. The original course of the creek’s channel
will be re-established to its historic route and connected to the Chevron property. Aesthetically and
topographically, the site feature defines the neighborhoods, creates a unifying open-space element,
provides the principal connecting feature through and to the project and provides the potential to pro-
vide pedestrian and bicycle access to the project’s parks and open space. The north-south utilitarian
drainage channel extension of Tank Farm Creek will be eliminated and the storm runoff flows that rely
on that portion of the channel will be collected at the north property line and conveyed underground to
a controlled discharge point. Figure 8 shows how the various land uses will relate to and interact with
the Tank Farm Creek Corridor open space. Figure 9 shows the sections of Tank Farm Creek and its in-
tended usage to accommodate peak flows, and an area for a multi-use Class I bike path through the site.
Project Phasing
Figure 10 shows the phasing of the land uses. This phasing is primarily determined by the re-
quired location of sewer and circulation facilities, existing road improvements, and site topography.
Phase descriptions are as follows:
Phase 1 includes up to 185 R-2 units, completion of the Buckley Road frontage improvements
along the phase boundary, completion of the sewer pump station and force main, extension of Venture
Road along the phase frontage, extension of the potable and recycled water facilities, and extension of
dry utilities to the phase, and extension of Earthwood to Suburban. This phase would also include the
Attachment 3, Page 2 of 6
Avila Ranch Development Plan Page 27
Revised: December 18, 2015
Figure 8 Land Plan and Tank Farm Creek
Attachment 3, Page 3 of 6
Avila Ranch Development Plan Page 28
Revised: December 18, 2015
Figure 9 Tank Farm Creek Sections
Attachment 3, Page 4 of 6
Avila Ranch Development Plan Page 29
Revised: December 18, 2015
Class I Bike Path from Class II Diversion to Vachell, as described in the Circulation section, a pedestri-
an/bike bridge Tank Farm Creek Bridge for Class I Bike Path, a Class II Bike Lane Bridge on South Side of
Buckley and the Buckley/Tank Farm Creek Bridge, the extension of the Earthwood Collector (w/Class II)
to Suburban, and a transit stop along the Venture Extension. This phase, if possible, will also include a
permanent or interim Class I bike path from Vachell to the Octagon Barn parking lot, subject to right of
way availability and governmental approvals. This phase will be designed as two principal neighborhood
clusters, with each having its own architectural and design identity.
Phase 2 will include the development of 29 R-2 units and the extension of the wet and dry utili-
ties along the phase frontage. This phase will also include the extension of Buckley Road from Vachell
to Higuera, including Class II bike lanes and a Class I bike path.
Phase 3 includes 91 R-2 units, and 125 R-4 units, as well as the completion of intracts, and the
completion of the connection to Horizon Lane (but not the offsite connection itself). This phase would
also include the development of the mini-parks in that phase. The R-4 portion of the project would in-
clude the development of 35 inclusionary housing units for lower income households.
Phase 4 includes the development of 185 R-3 units, and development of the neighborhood park.
This phase would include the construction of the vehicle and pedestrian bridge from Venture to Jesper-
son, and the completion of Jesperson to the Buckley. Seventy of these units are intended to fulfill the
inclusionary housing requirement for moderate income households. This phase also includes the devel-
opment of the neighborhood park.
Phase 5 includes 105 R-1 units. This also includes the development of the west mini
park/community gardens and the portion of the open space/buffer area within the phase.
Phase 6 includes the development of the Town Center neighborhood commercial sites and re-
maining project frontages.
Attachment 3, Page 5 of 6
Avila Ranch Development Plan Page 30
Revised: December 18, 2015
Figure 10 Phasing Plan Phase 4 Attachment 3, Page 6 of 6