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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERFIELD THIRD FILING - PDP - PDP130037 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - VARIANCE REQUESTw DELICH ASSOCIATES Traffic & Transportation Engineering 2272 Glen Haven Drive Loveland, Colorado 80538 Phone: (970) 669-2061 Fax: (970) 669-5034 "7/, 1/ r November 6, 2013 Mr. Joe Olson, P.E. Fort Collins Traffic Engineer P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 Dear Joe This letter pertains to the short range operation at the Vine/Lemay intersection as it relates to the Waterfield development. The "Waterfield Transportation Impact Study," dated November 2013, indicated that the westbound left - turn movement will operate at level of service (LOS) F during the afternoon peak hour, under the background traffic condition and the total traffic condition. According to Section 4.5.3A.b Intersection Delay in the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards (LCUASS), in the "Commercial Corridor" land use category at signalized intersections, the LOS thresholds are: Overall — LOS D; Any Leg — LOS E; and Any Movement - LOS E. In order to mitigate the LOS F condition, two options exist: 1) build the Lemay Avenue overpass along with the street network to have it function as intended; or 2) build all or some of various intersection improvements at the existing Vine/Lemay intersection. Either of these mitigation measures is considered to be an alternate design as mentioned in the variance process outlined in LCUASS. After discussions with Fort Collins Traffic Operations staff, it was agreed that a variance should be submitted with regard to the LOS F condition. The alternate design of building the Lemay Avenue overpass, along with the necessary street network to have it function as intended, is a multi -million dollar project that is a disproportionate improvement for this development. It would likely qualify as having unusual and exceptional practical difficulty as well as an exceptional and undue hardship on this development. The alternate design of making improvements at the existing Vine/Lemay could include: 1) widen the north and south legs of Lemay Avenue to introduce left-tum lanes and potentially right -turn lanes; and 2) widen the east and west legs of the Vine Drive to introduce right -turn lanes and lengthen the left-tum lanes. These improvements have practical difficulties. Foremost is gaining approval from the railroad to widen the Lemay Avenue crossing of the railroad tracks in order to build the left-tum and right -turn lanes that would be part of the mitigation measure. In order to widen three of the four legs of the intersection, acquisition of suitable right-of-way would be needed which would impact the Alta Vista neighborhood and the Andersonville/San Cristo neighborhood. Some homes would need to be removed which would displace existing families. Since the Lemay Avenue overpass would not require any improvement of the Vine/Lemay intersection, it is not part of the Master Street Plan. Therefore, it is an unnecessary expenditure of money. While the vehicle delay for the eastbound left-tum movement is at LOS F, it does not cause the City of Fort Collins additional maintenance costs. The delay is to the travelling public; however there are alternative routes available should the motorists decide to use them. It is important to note that this LOS F condition only occurs during one peak hour on an average weekday and only impacts one turning movement. In light of the above information, it is respectfully requested that the LOS F condition for one traffic movement during one peak hour be accepted at the Vine/Lemay intersection. The variance will not be detrimental to the public health, welfare and safety; will not reduce the design life of the existing intersection; and will not cause the City of Fort Collins additional maintenance costs. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, 4V� Z ), oft Matthew J. De11b P ,c PTOE e "u�2iASY o File: 1334 VAR LT! :.� /ti�lAL '.