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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/17/2013 - RESOLUTION 2013-104 AMENDING THE MASTER STREET PLAAgenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY December 17, 2013 City Council STAFF Paul Sizemore, FC Moves Program Manager Aaron Iverson, Senior Transportation Planner SUBJECT Resolution 2013-104 Amending the Master Street Plan Relating to the Intersection of Conifer Street and College Avenue and Relating to Sunchase Drive and Carriage Parkway. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to present two proposed amendments to the Master Street Plan. The first involves a change to the configuration of the intersection of College Avenue and Conifer Street. The second amendment is a mapping clarification to correctly identify Carriage Parkway as the north/south collector street between Mulberry and Prospect. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Amendment #1 Overview and Analysis Currently the intersection of Conifer Street and College Avenue is offset to the south of the intersection of Hickory Street and College Avenue by approximately 240 feet. Each leg of this offset T intersection is signalized. The City’s Master Street Plan calls for these two roads to be realigned to form a single four- leg signalized intersection. This realignment would be accomplished by curving Conifer Street into the Hickory Street alignment to the east of College Avenue. Early consultation with a developer interested in building on the property located at the northwest intersection of Conifer Street and Red Cedar Circle prompted City staff to evaluate this proposed realignment. An effort was initiated to determine whether the Master Street Plan should be amended to eliminate this proposed realignment (allowing the offset intersections to remain in their current configuration), or if there are alternative intersection configurations that would be preferable. An interdepartmental team was assembled to perform an analysis by applying 6 evaluation criteria to 4 possible alternative configurations. Each alternative was reviewed according to its impact to traffic operations, regional connectivity and functional classification, historic resource considerations, real estate and land use funding impacts, access control, and the Triple Bottom Line. Additionally, the North Fort Collins Business Association was consulted and provided feedback on the alternative configurations. The outcome of the staff analysis revealed that eliminating the realignment would not cause significant negative impacts to traffic operations in the near or long term. Of the alternatives evaluated, the existing Master Street Plan configuration resulted in the greatest potential for negative impacts across the evaluation criteria. The alternative with the greatest potential for positive outcomes, while minimizing the Agenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 2 potential for negative outcomes, is to amend the Master Street Plan to eliminate the realignment to reflect the current intersection configuration. Conclusions Staff recommends amending the Master Street Plan to eliminate the realignment of Hickory Street and Conifer Street at College Avenue (Attachment 1) for the following reasons: The realignment proposed by the Master Street Plan results in greater potential for negative consequences across a wide variety of criteria, without providing benefits of corresponding significance. The existing configuration of the intersection operates well in both the near and long term, and results in the most positive overall outcomes across the evaluation criteria. Amendment #2 Overview and Analysis In reviewing the Master Street Plan in association with potential development activity in the northeast part of Fort Collins, a mapping issue with a north/south collector was identified. Currently the Master Street Plan shows a collector street connecting between Mulberry and Prospect (east of I-25) following the alignment of Sunchase Drive. Sunchase Drive was not built and does not function as a collector street. Sunchase Drive is clearly a residential street with a high number of individual residential driveways feeding directly onto the roadway. A future connection south from Sunchase Drive, as shown on the existing map, was not planned for or accommodated. If that connection was ever created, at least one house would have to be purchased and removed. Approximately 0.11 miles to the east, Carriage Parkway was built as a collector street with nearly the same north/south alignment. Carriage Parkway has no individual residential driveways accessing the roadway (two shared driveways do have direct access for four homes). Additionally the southern terminus of Carriage Parkway was “stubbed” with a clear planned connection for the roadway to continue south. Conclusions Staff supports modifying the Master Street Plan as shown in Attachment 2, which moves the collector roadway from Sunchase Drive to Carriage Parkway for the following reasons: Sunchase Drive was built as, and functions as, a residential street with multiple individual residential driveways. A southern extension or connection from Sunchase Drive was not accommodated and would require removal of at least one house. Carriage Parkway was built as, and functions as, a collector street. A southern extension of Carriage Parkway was planned and built. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACT Financial impacts of Amendment #1 will be realized by the City as well as private property owners. To implement the current Master Street Plan configuration aligning the two intersections would require the purchase or dedication of significant right-of-way from at least two properties, potentially taking entire properties. The proposed amendment removes the need for such significant right-of-way. Private property owners impacted by the existing alignment will be able to develop or redevelop larger portions of their properties with the proposed amendment. Agenda Item 17 Item # 17 Page 3 There are no financial impacts from the proposed Amendment #2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The two proposed amendments to the Master Street Plan have minor environmental impacts. The existing configuration of the College and Conifer would have impacted a historic structure (the El Palomino Motel), the proposed amendment (Amendment #1) reduces or eliminates the impact to this historic resource. No environmental impacts are known for Amendment #2. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION At its November 20, 2013 meeting, the Transportation Board reviewed this amendment and voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation. A letter of support from the Transportation Board and meeting minutes are attached (Attachments 3 and 4). PUBLIC OUTREACH Staff met with the North Fort Collins Business Association to discuss Amendment #1. The Association did not have any objections to removing the realignment from the Master Street Plan, and suggested that staff look for options to extend Conifer street further west in the future. ATTACHMENTS 1. Proposed Amendment #1 (PDF) 2. Proposed Amendment #2 (PDF) 3. Transportation Board Letter to Council (PDF) 4. Transportation Board Draft Minutes, November 20, 2013 (PDF) 5. Amendment #1 Analysis (PDF) Master Street City Plan of - Fort Proposed Collins Amendment 1 Collector 2 Lanes Arterial 2 Lanes Arterial 4 Lanes Major Arterial 6 Lanes Potential Grade Separated Rail Crossing Potential Interchange Streets Railroads City Limits Collector 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 4 Lanes - Outside GMA Major Arterial 6 Lanes - Outside GMA Interstate Unincorporated Land in GMA Outside GMA 0 0.065 0.13 0.195 0.26Miles Scale 1:7,716 Note: sub-adoptedarea, Other corridor, collector and and neighborhood local streets plans not shown of the will city. be developed in accordance with Streets Master Street and Arterials Plan. The outside City of of GMA Fort Collins are shown is not for fiscally contextual responsible purposes for only these and improvements. are not part of the CITY GEOGRAPHIC OF FORT COLLINS INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP PRODUCTS These and were map not products designed and or all intended underlying for general data are use developed by members for use of the by the public. City The of Fort City Collins makes for no its representation internal purposes or only, warranty dimensions, as to contours, its accuracy, property timeliness, boundaries, or completeness, or placement and of location in particular, of any its map accuracy features in labeling thereon. or THE displaying CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARTICULAR MAKES PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OF MERCHANTABILITY OR IMPLIED, WITH OR RESPECT WARRANTY TO THESE FOR FITNESS MAP PRODUCTS OF USE FOR OR THE UNDERLYING FAULTS, and assumes DATA. Any all responsibility users of these of map the use products, thereof, map and applications, further covenants or data, and accepts agrees them to hold AS the IS, City WITH harmless ALL from made and this against information all damage, available. loss, Independent or liability arising verification from any of all use data of contained this map product, herein should in consideration be obtained of by the any City's users having of these liability, products, whether or direct, underlying indirect, data. or consequential, The City disclaims, which and arises shall or may not be arise held from liable these for any map and products all damage, or the loss, use thereof or by any person or entity. Amended:2013 Printed: November February 21, 15, 2011 Adopted: March 17, 1981 SHIELDS COLLEGE VINE DRAKE TRILBY MULBERRY TAFT HILL OVERLAND HARMONY LEMAY DOUGLAS TIMBERLINE HORSETOOTH LAPORTE PROSPECT ZIEGLER WILLOX C O U N T Y R Master Street City Plan of - Fort Proposed Collins Amendment 2 Collector 2 Lanes Arterial 2 Lanes Arterial 4 Lanes Major Arterial 6 Lanes Potential Grade Separated Rail Crossing Potential Interchange Streets Railroads City Limits Collector 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 4 Lanes - Outside GMA Major Arterial 6 Lanes - Outside GMA Interstate Unincorporated Land in GMA Outside GMA 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8Miles Scale 1:28,900 Note: sub-adoptedarea, Other corridor, collector and and neighborhood local streets plans not shown of the will city. be developed in accordance with Streets Master Street and Arterials Plan. The outside City of of GMA Fort Collins are shown is not for fiscally contextual responsible purposes for only these and improvements. are not part of the CITY GEOGRAPHIC OF FORT COLLINS INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP PRODUCTS These and were map not products designed and or all intended underlying for general data are use developed by members for use of the by the public. City The of Fort City Collins makes for no its representation internal purposes or only, warranty dimensions, as to contours, its accuracy, property timeliness, boundaries, or completeness, or placement and of location in particular, of any its map accuracy features in labeling thereon. or THE displaying CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARTICULAR MAKES PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OF MERCHANTABILITY OR IMPLIED, WITH OR RESPECT WARRANTY TO THESE FOR FITNESS MAP PRODUCTS OF USE FOR OR THE UNDERLYING FAULTS, and assumes DATA. Any all responsibility users of these of map the use products, thereof, map and applications, further covenants or data, and accepts agrees them to hold AS the IS, City WITH harmless ALL from made and this against information all damage, available. loss, Independent or liability arising verification from any of all use data of contained this map product, herein should in consideration be obtained of by the any City's users having of these liability, products, whether or direct, underlying indirect, data. or consequential, The City disclaims, which and arises shall or may not be arise held from liable these for any map and products all damage, or the loss, use thereof or by any person or entity. Amended:2013 Printed: November February 21, 15, 2011 Adopted: March 17, 1981 SHIELDS COLLEGE VINE DRAKE TRILBY MULBERRY TAFT HILL OVERLAND HARMONY LEMAY DOUGLAS TIMBERLINE HORSETOOTH LAPORTE PROSPECT ZIEGLER WILLOX C O U N T Y R Garry W Steen, Chair Transportation Board MEMORANDUM Date: November 22, 2013 To: Mayor Weitkunat and Councilmembers From: Garry Steen, Chair, Transportation Board RE: Master Street Plan Amendments During our Transportation Board meeting on November 20, Paul Sizemore and Aaron Iverson presented two proposed amendments to the Master Street Plan. Per our meeting minutes: 1) The offset intersection of College Avenue at Conifer Street. College Avenue is a 4- lane arterial. Hickory and Conifer are 2-lane collectors at an off-set “T” configuration. Conifer is proposed to curve out of its current configuration and connect with Hickory. The property across Conifer to the north of Jax Outdoor Gear is proposed for development, although the current Master Street Plan realignment of Conifer runs through it. Analysis was done using six evaluation criteria: traffic operations, regional connectivity, historic resources, real estate land use and funding, access control, and a triple bottom line analysis. Four possible alternatives were developed: A) Do not amend the plan. B) Amend the plan to eliminate the realignment and leave the intersection as-is. C) Amend the plan to realign Hickory rather than Conifer. D) Amend the plan, extend Conifer to the new Mason. The preferred alternative is to amend the Master Street Plan to eliminate the realignment of Hickory Street and Conifer Street. After careful consideration and discussion, a motion was made and seconded to support this staff recommendation. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote. 2) Map clarification of location of the collector street between Mulberry Street and Prospect Road east of I-25. This amendment involves moving the collector from Sunchase Drive to Carriage Parkway. Sunchase is a residential street located in the Sunflower Active Adult Community. Carriage Parkway, in the Clydesdale Park subdivision, was built as and functions as the collector. The amendment will make the map a true representation of what is actually happening in the area. Carriage Parkway was built with the eventual extension already stubbed out. ATTACHMENT 3 The preferred alternative is to amend the Master Street Plan to move the north/south collector between Mulberry and Prospect from Sunchase Drive to Carriage Parkway. Again, after careful consideration and discussion, a motion was made and seconded to support this staff recommendation. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote. The Transportation Board was appreciative of the through and comprehensive analysis to both staff recommendations regarding these amendments to the Master Street Plan. As always, I would be happy to discuss this issue at your convenience. Sincerely, Garry W. Steen Chair, Transportation Board ATTACHMENT 4 FC Moves 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.224.6058 970.221.6239 - fax fcgov.com/transportation Planning, Development & Transportation DATE: September 18, 2013 TO: Mark Jackson, Deputy Director of Planning, Development, and Transportation FROM: Paul Sizemore, FC Moves Program Manager CC: Aaron Iverson, Senior Transportation Planner Rick Richter, Director of Infrastructure Services Clark Mapes, City Planner Karen McWilliams, Historic Preservation Planner Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer Amy Lewin, Transportation Planner RE: Proposed Master Street Plan Amendment- Intersection of Hickory Street and College Avenue & Intersection of Conifer Street and College Avenue Executive Summary The City’s Master Street Plan currently calls for the future realignment of the offset intersections of Hickory Street and Conifer Street with College Avenue. An applicant for development has requested an amendment to the Master Street Plan to eliminate this realignment. Staff has evaluated the request and several alternative configurations using a variety of evaluation criteria to ensure both mid and long-term outcomes are considered. Based on this analysis, staff supports the applicant’s request to amend the Master Street Plan to eliminate the realignment of the Hickory and Conifer intersection with College Avenue. Background This evaluation is being undertaken in response to a request for an amendment to the Master Street Plan. Amendments to the Master Street Plan are first evaluated by City staff, and then appear before the Transportation Board for a recommendation to City Council, which is the final decision-making body. The applicant, Robert Sasick, is considering the development of a parcel at the northwest corner of Conifer Street and Red Cedar Circle. One block to the west of this property, the intersection of Conifer Street and College Avenue is offset from the intersection of Hickory Street and College Avenue by approximately 240 feet. The Master Street Plan calls for the realignment of the offset intersections of Hickory/College and Conifer/College to create a single signalized intersection. In order to achieve this realignment, Conifer will be required to make a reverse curve through the subject property and the Palomino Hotel property into the Hickory alignment. Figure 1 overlays the Master Street Plan on top of an aerial photo of the vicinity. ATTACHMENT 5 2 The applicant is requesting that the Master Street Plan be amended to eliminate the proposed realignment so that the existing offset T configuration may remain. In support of this request, he has submitted an intersection operational analysis evaluating the Level of Service (LOS) of the intersection in the long term horizon (2030). This operational analysis is one of several long range planning considerations that must be taken into account in the evaluation of this request. A team of technical staff from the Planning, Development, and Transportation (PDT) Service Area has identified seven factors that are included in this evaluation: • Traffic Operations • Regional Connectivity and Roadway Functional Classification • Historic Resource Considerations • Real Estate/Land Use and Funding Impacts • Access Control Plan and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) • Triple Bottom Line (environmental, economic, and social impacts). • Alternative Configurations Traffic Operations The close proximity of Conifer and Hickory along College Avenue has created concerns in the past about inadequate left turn lane storage in between the two intersections. The intersections were evaluated in 2009 as part of the City’s North College Capital Improvement Project. The study was completed by PBS&J, an engineering consultant hired as a subcontractor by the City on the N. College project. The study found that maintaining two intersections but providing side by side left turn lanes to increase turn storage worked in the Figure 1: Aerial with Master Street Plan 3 long range (2035) with projected traffic volumes. The City subsequently rebuilt the intersections with this design as an interim improvement until the realignment of Conifer occurred. The applicant for the proposed development provided an intersection operational analysis in support of the request to amend the Master Street Plan. The analysis was prepared by Delich Associates and is dated July 15, 2013 (Attachment A). This study projects the peak hour traffic and intersection operations in the long range (2030) horizon, using peak hour traffic forecasts contained in the “Aspen Heights Transportation Impact Study” dated November 2011. The traffic volumes assumed in the Delich study were higher than what were forecast in the previous PBS&J study. Both the realigned and the offset configuration were analyzed. The study concluded that even with the higher projected volumes the intersection will continue to operate at an acceptable level of service and required storage for all turning movements can be provided in either an aligned or offset configuration. Regional Connectivity and Roadway Functional Classification The City’s Growth Management Area includes a significant un-annexed area northwest of the City, generally to the west of Shields and north of West Vine. As these areas are gradually annexed and developed at urban densities, the importance of connections between key commercial and residential districts and this northwest area will increase. Upon full implementation of the Master Street Plan, the realignment of the subject offset intersection and the construction of missing segments in the Hickory alignment west of College Avenue will result in a continuous corridor running from Shields Street to Timberline Road. While there are other east- west routes in the vicinity, such as Willox Lane to the north and realigned Vine Drive to the south, the nearest corridor making a continuous connection between Shields and Timberline is Mountain/Lincoln Avenue, over one mile to the south. Figure 2 illustrates the proposed Hickory/Conifer corridor in context. Figure 2: Hickory/Conifer Corridor Context Map 4 On the Master Street Plan, the Hickory/Conifer alignment is designated as a two lane collector roadway from Shields to Lemay, at which point it becomes a two lane arterial between Lemay and Timberline. The purpose of a collector road is to collect traffic from the surrounding local road network and provide a higher degree of mobility, with a proportionally lower level of access. Arterial roadways are typically intended to provide main travel routes between destinations with a high degree of mobility and limited access. With a collector level functional classification, the segment of Hickory/Conifer impacted by this request should be functioning to collect and disperse traffic between the local and arterial road networks rather than serving as an arterial route between destinations in itself. The collector network in this area should serve as a link between the neighborhoods in the area and surrounding arterials: College Avenue, Willox Lane, Shields Street, Lemay Avenue, and realigned Vine Drive. Figure 3 is an excerpt of the Master Street Plan showing functional classifications of the road network in the vicinity. Historic Resource Considerations The Master Street Plan currently indicates a realignment of Hickory Street so that it crosses directly through the El Palomino Hotel at the northeast corner of Hickory and College. A combination of Fort Collins’ adopted codes for the protection of historic properties, and the federal Section 106 review process, means that it is unlikely that the El Palomino Motel property would be able to be demolished or significantly altered without a lengthy and costly undertaking. This Postwar motel complex has been identified as the best example of the once numerous motor court motels which historically dotted North College Avenue. The property was most recently evaluated for historic eligibility in 2010, by Historitecture, LLC, at which time it was assessed as qualifying for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, under both Criterion A: Commerce and Criterion C: Architecture. It also qualified for listing as a Fort Collins Landmark under Standards 1 and 3. These finding support earlier Figure 3: Master Street Plan Excerpt 5 assessments of eligibility made by Amy Pallante, State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Coordinator, and CDOT Region 6 Historian Robert Autobee. The eligibility of a property for landmark designation does not designate the property as a landmark; it does define which of the various City review processes the development application would be reviewed under. This property’s eligibility for historic designation would mean that development proposals and building plans would be reviewed for compliance with Land Use Code Section 3.4.7. This code section ensures that, to the maximum extent feasible: (1) historic sites, structures or objects are preserved and incorporated into the proposed development and any undertaking that may potentially alter the characteristics of the historic property is done in a way that does not adversely affect the integrity of the historic property; and (2) new construction is designed to respect the historic character of the site and any historic properties in the surrounding neighborhood. Additionally, if the proposed alteration or demolition of the property occurred as a result of a project receiving any federal funding or requiring any federal licensing, regulation or oversight, the project would be required to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Section 106 of this law requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects on important sites and buildings, and to resolve adverse effects, such as the demolition of a historic property or alterations that would jeopardize a property’s eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The involvement of federal and state review agencies often significantly increases both the length of time for project approval, and the cost associated with evaluating and, if agreed to, with implementing alternative compliance measures. Real Estate/Land Use and Funding Impacts In order to implement the intersection configuration currently proposed by the Master Street Plan, several properties would bear a considerable impact from the realignment of Conifer Street. The new road alignment, whether reverse curved as shown on the Master Street Plan or without curvature as shown on the Access Control Plan, would run through the center of the applicant’s property. If the surrounding properties were owned by a single entity, this impact could be largely offset by the abandonment of the existing Conifer alignment and the incorporation of this unneeded right-of-way into the adjacent developable property. However, because there are differing property owners on each side of Conifer, the only option for the development of the subject property would be to accommodate the collector road alignment through the center of the parcel, leaving small triangular pieces of privately owned property on either side of the new right-of-way. At this time a final engineered alignment has not been established; however, there is the real possibility that this approach would render the remainder property undevelopable. In addition to the impacts to the applicant’s property, the current Master Street Plan alignment places the new road alignment directly through the Palomino Hotel property, which contains existing buildings subject to the historic resource considerations described in the previous section of this memorandum. There are several scenarios that could be applied to the right-of-way acquisition and construction of the road realignment as it is currently shown on the Master Street Plan. The first scenario is that the construction is left entirely to development and redevelopment activity. Because multiple properties are impacted, construction of the segment affecting the applicant’s property cannot be completed until the Palomino property is either redeveloped or acquired for roadway construction. If the current development proposal proceeds, right-of-way for the new road alignment would be dedicated through the center of the property, 6 considerably impacting the development potential of the property. Further, funding is not currently programmed for the additional right-of-way acquisition and construction costs to complete the project, leaving this interim configuration with unbuilt right-of-way in place for an unknown period of time. In this scenario, the final configuration would not be realized until the Palomino property redevelops or until the City steps in with some future funding source to acquire property and construct the new road and intersection. This approach results in a considerable number of unknown variables and places the financial impact of the project on the owners and developers of the affected properties. An alternative scenario recognizes the difficulties and limitations associated with the development-driven approach to constructing the realignment. In this case, the City would actively seek to acquire property needed for the roadway, and would program construction as a capital project. At this time, no funding has been programmed or identified for this project. While this intersection currently operates at an acceptable level of service, and will continue to do so through the long range planning horizon, there are other improvements identified in the Capital Improvement Plan that address more pressing safety and operational issues. This introduces another unknown element: whether and when the priority for this project would rise to the level that the required funding for planning, acquisition, and construction can take place. In the intervening time the affected properties would be rendered undevelopable, or would be required to make interim arrangements for right-of-way reservation similar to the development-driven scenario described above. It is important to note the potential impact of any change to the Master Street Plan on an area’s ability to redevelop according to the vision established by City Plan and the Transportation Master Plan. In some cases, modifications to the transportation network can result in a greater or lesser opportunity for future consolidation and redevelopment of property. The proposed realignment does not appear to be critical to implementation of the vision for the North College area, or to impact the ability to consolidate and redevelop property to achieve that vision. Access Control Plan and CDOT North College Avenue is a part of the state and federal highway system, and is subject to an adopted Access Control Plan (ACP). Any change in the configuration of street intersections with College Avenue will require an amendment of the ACP to reflect the new configuration. Both the City of Fort Collins and CDOT are signatories of the ACP, and an amendment will require the consent of both parties. Preliminary conversations with CDOT staff involved in this process have not revealed any significant objections to the proposal to continue the offset T configuration. Triple Bottom Line Analysis Environmental The roadway realignment proposed by the Master Street Plan is within a developed urban area and has negligible impact upon the natural environment. It is unlikely that traffic volumes or vehicle miles traveled will be significantly impacted by the proposed realignment. If the realignment occurs and the two signals are consolidated, there is the potential for a small reduction in congestion which could equate to a slight 7 reduction in vehicle emissions; however, this reduction has not been quantified. Whether the Plan is implemented as it currently exists or if it is amended to eliminate the realignment, it is unlikely that any significant differences in environmental impact will result. Economic There are numerous economic considerations that must be accounted for in this evaluation. If the Master Street Plan is not amended and the realignment of the offset intersections is required, there will likely be financial impacts to property owners as well as the City which are discussed in-depth in the Real Estate and Funding section above. Impacts to private property could potentially render land undevelopable. Overcoming the challenges associated with historic resources considerations would be a timely and expensive process. Due to the complexities and costs of implementing the realignment it is likely that the resulting project would become a City capital project, and because the intersection operations are acceptable in the current configuration for the design year there is no mechanism to begin the process of funding design and construction. Considering all of these factors, it is difficult to identify a strategy that would successfully fund the design and construction of a project to implement the Master Street plan in its current configuration. Social The social impacts of the proposed street plan amendment are limited to potential impacts on driver behavior and how commuters use the Hickory/Conifer road alignment. If the realignment occurs, it is possible that the corridor may function more as an arterial (destination to destination) route rather than its designated collector function. Elimination of one of the two signals on College could also impact the way that bicycles use the corridor because crossing straight at a signalized intersection is an easier maneuver for cyclists than navigating an offset intersection. Alternative Configurations Staff has identified a total of four possible alternatives for this intersection: Do not amend the Master Street Plan This option keeps the Master Street Plan as it is, and requires the realignment of Hickory and Conifer as shown on the current plan. Amend the Master Street Plan to remove the Hickory/Conifer realignment This option would amend the Master Street Plan so that the existing offset intersection of Hickory and Conifer is permitted to remain. Amend the Master Street Plan to realign Hickory rather than Conifer One alternative configuration would be to amend the Master Street Plan to retain Conifer in its current alignment, and instead realign Hickory on the west side of College (see Figure 4). This would accomplish the goal of eliminating the reverse curve passing through the applicant’s property, but would allow for the realignment of the offset intersection as intended by the current Master Street Plan. This alternative would directly conflict with a Union Pacific (UP) Railroad spur, and would result in the relocation of the proposed 8 road curvature onto vacant property on the west side of College Avenue. Discussions with UP indicate that the railroad does make occasional use of the spur, and does not have any plans to terminate its usage. Amend the Master Street Plan to extend Conifer to the new Mason Street alignment Another alternative configuration would be to amend the Master Street Plan so that the Conifer alignment remains and is extended across College Avenue to the proposed Mason Street alignment (see Figure 5). The existing intersection of Hickory and College could then be closed, retaining right-of-way as necessary to continue local access. This option would impact the private properties in the new Conifer alignment, as well as the railroad spur discussed in the previous alternative. By eliminating the curve into the Hickory alignment, some of the impacts to future development along Hickory are eliminated. This option does not result in an alignment of the intersection, but does allow a relocation of the offset to the new Mason Street alignment rather than College Avenue. Figure 4: Hickory Realignment Alternative Figure 5: Conifer Extension Alternative 9 Analysis The factors identified in this memorandum allow the development of a decision matrix to represent each alternative and compare how well they address the critical issues associated with this decision process. The alternatives are rated as positive, negative or neutral for each of the topic categories. The option demonstrating the most potential for positive outcomes is highlighted in yellow. A short narrative explanation is provided below the matrix. Decision Matrix Alternative Traffic Operations Regional Connectivity Historic Resources Real Estate, Land Use & Funding Access Control TBL Analysis Do Not Amend Plan Positive Neutral Negative Negative Neutral Negative Amend Plan, No Realignment Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral Positive Amend Plan, Realign Hickory Positive Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral Negative Amend Plan, Extend Conifer to New Mason Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Traffic Operations: the most positive outcomes derive from not amending the plan, or amending the plan to realign Hickory rather than Conifer, because these options allow for the elimination of one existing signal on College Avenue. The other alternatives remain neutral because they still allow acceptable traffic operations in the design year. Regional Connectivity and Functional Classification: none of the options offer exceptional positive or negative consequences. Because Hickory and Conifer are collector roadways, it is neither critical nor detrimental to realign the intersection from the standpoint of regional connectivity. Historic Resource Considerations: The option to implement the plan as it currently exists results in the greatest challenges to historic resources because of the impact to the El Palomino Hotel. The other options avoid these impacts. 10 Real Estate/Land Use and Funding: The most potential for negative impacts is associated with not amending the plan, and to a lesser degree amending the plan to realign Hickory. Both of these options present considerable funding and financial challenges to property owners and the City. The option that minimizes the real estate and funding challenges is to amend the plan to eliminate the realignment. This amendment would not adversely impact the potential for the area to develop according to the vision established by City Plan and the Transportation Master Plan. Access Control Plan: Based on preliminary feedback, there appears to be little potential for significant negative or positive impacts to the Access Control Plan for any of the options. Triple Bottom Line Analysis: While some environmental and social considerations were identified in the triple bottom line analysis, the dominant factor in this analysis is economic. Because of the significant financial impacts to private property owners as well as the City, amending the plan to eliminate the realignment presents the most positive outcome while the options that seek realignment of either Hickory or Conifer present the most negative outcomes. Recommendation The preferred alternative is to amend the Master Street Plan to eliminate the realignment of Hickory Street and Conifer Street. This option presents the most potential for positive outcomes across a full spectrum of considerations, while minimizing the potential for negative outcomes. Based on this analysis, staff supports the request to amend the Master Street Plan. - 1 - RESOLUTION 2013-104 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AMENDING THE MASTER STREET PLAN RELATING TO THE INTERSECTION OF CONIFER STREET AND COLLEGE AVENUE AND RELATING TO SUNCHASE DRIVE AND CARRIAGE PARKWAY WHEREAS, currently, the intersection of Conifer Street and College Avenue is offset to the south of the intersection of Hickory Street and College Avenue by approximately 240 feet; and WHEREAS, each leg of this offset T intersection is signalized; and WHEREAS, the City’s Master Street Plan call for these two roads to be realigned to form a single four-leg signalized intersection; and WHEREAS, after extensive analysis and study, City staff recommends that the Master Street Plan be amended to eliminate the realignment of the intersection of Hickory and Conifer Streets with College Avenue because the realignment will present the possibility for greater negative consequences than are presented by the existing alignment; and WHEREAS, City staff has also identified a problem with respect to a north/south corridor east of Interstate Highway 25 between Mulberry Street and Prospect Road because the current Master Street Plan identifies Sunchase Drive as a collector street in that vicinity; and WHEREAS, Sunchase Drive was not built to function as a collector street and is directly accessed by numerous residential properties and driveways; and WHEREAS, City staff has determined that a better north/south alignment in the vicinity between Mulberry Street and Prospect Street would be along Carriage Parkway, which was constructed to function as a collector street, has no individual residential driveways and was planned and designed as a collector street; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed amendment to the Master Street Plan pertaining to the intersection of Conifer Street, Hickory Street and College Avenue and the amendment pertaining to the north/south street between Prospect Road and Mulberry Street east of Interstate Highway 25 is in the best interests of the City and that the Master Street Plan amendments should be amended accordingly. NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the Master Street Plan amendments relating to the intersection of Conifer Street, Hickory Street and College Avenue and relating to Sunchase Drive and Carriage Parkway as more particularly described on Exhibit “A,” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, are hereby approved and made a part of the City’s Master Street Plan. - 2 - Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 17th day of December, A.D. 2013. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk Master Street City Plan of Amendment: Fort Collins Conifer Street Collector 2 Lanes Arterial 2 Lanes Arterial 4 Lanes Major Arterial 6 Lanes Potential Grade Separated Rail Crossing Potential Interchange Streets Railroads City Limits Collector 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 4 Lanes - Outside GMA Major Arterial 6 Lanes - Outside GMA Interstate Unincorporated Land in GMA Outside GMA 0 0.065 0.13 0.195 0.26Miles Scale 1:7,716 Note: sub-adoptedarea, Other corridor, collector and and neighborhood local streets plans not shown of the will city. be developed in accordance with Streets Master Street and Arterials Plan. The outside City of of GMA Fort Collins are shown is not for fiscally contextual responsible purposes for only these and improvements. are not part of the CITY GEOGRAPHIC OF FORT COLLINS INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP PRODUCTS These and were map not products designed and or all intended underlying for general data are use developed by members for use of the by the public. City The of Fort City Collins makes for no its representation internal purposes or only, warranty dimensions, as to contours, its accuracy, property timeliness, boundaries, or completeness, or placement and of location in particular, of any its map accuracy features in labeling thereon. or THE displaying CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARTICULAR MAKES PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OF MERCHANTABILITY OR IMPLIED, WITH OR RESPECT WARRANTY TO THESE FOR FITNESS MAP PRODUCTS OF USE FOR OR THE UNDERLYING FAULTS, and assumes DATA. Any all responsibility users of these of map the use products, thereof, map and applications, further covenants or data, and accepts agrees them to hold AS the IS, City WITH harmless ALL from made and this against information all damage, available. loss, Independent or liability arising verification from any of all use data of contained this map product, herein should in consideration be obtained of by the any City's users having of these liability, products, whether or direct, underlying indirect, data. or consequential, The City disclaims, which and arises shall or may not be arise held from liable these for any map and products all damage, or the loss, use thereof or by any person or entity. Amended:2013 Printed: November February 21, 15, 2011 Adopted: March 17, 1981 SHIELDS COLLEGE VINE DRAKE TRILBY MULBERRY TAFT HILL OVERLAND HARMONY LEMAY DOUGLAS TIMBERLINE HORSETOOTH LAPORTE PROSPECT ZIEGLER WILLOX C O T Y AD 5 4 Master Street City Plan of Amendment: Fort Collins Carriage Parkway Collector 2 Lanes Arterial 2 Lanes Arterial 4 Lanes Major Arterial 6 Lanes Potential Grade Separated Rail Crossing Potential Interchange Streets Railroads City Limits Collector 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 2 Lanes - Outside GMA Arterial 4 Lanes - Outside GMA Major Arterial 6 Lanes - Outside GMA Interstate Unincorporated Land in GMA Outside GMA 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8Miles Scale 1:28,900 Note: sub-adoptedarea, Other corridor, collector and and neighborhood local streets plans not shown of the will city. be developed in accordance with Streets Master Street and Arterials Plan. The outside City of of GMA Fort Collins are shown is not for fiscally contextual responsible purposes for only these and improvements. are not part of the CITY GEOGRAPHIC OF FORT COLLINS INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP PRODUCTS These and were map not products designed and or all intended underlying for general data are use developed by members for use of the by the public. City The of Fort City Collins makes for no its representation internal purposes or only, warranty dimensions, as to contours, its accuracy, property timeliness, boundaries, or completeness, or placement and of location in particular, of any its map accuracy features in labeling thereon. or THE displaying CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARTICULAR MAKES PURPOSE, NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OF MERCHANTABILITY OR IMPLIED, WITH OR RESPECT WARRANTY TO THESE FOR FITNESS MAP PRODUCTS OF USE FOR OR THE UNDERLYING FAULTS, and assumes DATA. Any all responsibility users of these of map the use products, thereof, map and applications, further covenants or data, and accepts agrees them to hold AS the IS, City WITH harmless ALL from made and this against information all damage, available. loss, Independent or liability arising verification from any of all use data of contained this map product, herein should in consideration be obtained of by the any City's users having of these liability, products, whether or direct, underlying indirect, data. or consequential, The City disclaims, which and arises shall or may not be arise held from liable these for any map and products all damage, or the loss, use thereof or by any person or entity. Amended:2013 Printed: November February 21, 15, 2011 Adopted: March 17, 1981 SHIELDS COLLEGE VINE DRAKE TRILBY MULBERRY TAFT HILL OVERLAND HARMONY LEMAY DOUGLAS TIMBERLINE HORSETOOTH LAPORTE PROSPECT ZIEGLER WILLOX C O U N T Y R OAD 5 4 G CARPENTER R O A D 3 8 E LINCOLN MOUNTAIN VISTA TIMBERLINE TAFT HILL LEMAY LEMAY VINE BNSF RAILROAD GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD GREAT WEST E R N R AI L R OAD Proposed Collector Alignment S U N C HA S E D R E MULBERRY ST E PROSPECT RD S COUNTY ROAD 5 CARR I AGE PKWY G CARPENTER COU NTY R O A D 3 8 E LINCOLN MOUNTAIN VISTA TIMBERLINE TAFT HILL LEMAY LEMAY VINE BNSF RAILROAD GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD GREAT WEST E R N R AI L R OAD Proposed Collector Alignment N COLLEGE AVE HICKORY ST RED CEDAR CONIFER ST X X X EXHIBIT A OAD 5 4 G CARPENTER R O A D 3 8 E LINCOLN MOUNTAIN VISTA TIMBERLINE TAFT HILL LEMAY LEMAY VINE BNSF RAILROAD GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD GREAT WEST E R N R AI L R OAD Proposed Amendment S U N C HA S E D R E MULBERRY ST E PROSPECT RD S COUNTY ROAD 5 CARR I AGE PKWY ATTACHMENT 2 OAD 5 4 G CARPENTER COU NTY R O A D 3 8 E LINCOLN MOUNTAIN VISTA TIMBERLINE TAFT HILL LEMAY LEMAY VINE BNSF RAILROAD GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD GREAT WEST E R N R AI L R OAD Proposed Amendment N COLLEGE AVE HICKORY ST RED CEDAR CONIFER ST ATTACHMENT 1