HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOUTH COLLEGE STORAGE (6020 S. COLLEGE) - PDP - PDP170012 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - VARIANCE REQUESTFORT COLLINS: 301 North Howes Street, Suite 100, 80521 | 970.221.4158
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Administrative Engineering Variance Request Letter
Date: May 9, 2017
Project: S. College Mini Storage Project No. 1269-002
Fort Collins, Colorado
Attn: Mr. Katie Andrews
Engineering Development Review
City of Fort Collins
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Dear Katie:
Public safety and convenience, maintaining public use, and optimizing the use of limited
physical capacity of right-of-way are among the objectives of the Larimer County Urban Area
Street Standards (LCUASS) – Repealed and Reenacted September, 2016. It is with those
considerations in mind that this variance request letter has been prepared. This letter is
provided pursuant to Section 1.9.4 of LCUASS to document the site condition proposed to
deviate from the current standards.
The criteria in question are the cross-section components for a Commercial Local Street
Section, as prescribed in Section 7.4 of LCUASS. In more specifics, the 50 linear footage prior
to the intersection of College Avenue and Skyway Drive. Said section dictates that the overall
Roadway measure at 50 feet (25 feet half width). For areas outside of an intersection, the half
cross-section allows for an 11’ travel lane, 6’ bike lane and 8’ parking area. Within an
intersection, the half cross-section allows for a 12’ travel lane and a 7’ bike lane on with a
12’ dedicated Left Turn lane bridging the centerline (6’ allocated on a half section). The
variance request is to allow for a reduced section within the aforementioned 50 linear footage
South College Storage | Variance Request | 05.09.17
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from a 25’ half section to a 19’ half section. This half section would allow for a 12’ travel
lane and 7’ bike lane required within a Commercial Local Street Section at an intersection.
Currently Skyway Drive is constructed at a half width of 17 feet to allows for a 11’ travel lane
and a 6’ bike lane. There is currently no curb and gutter constructed along the southern side
of Skyway Drive except at the intersection of College Avenue and Skyway Drive. The
intersection is composed of existing curb and gutter, 8’ cross-pan, handicap ramps,
pedestrian pushbutton pedestals and traffic pole and signals. At this time, it is not required to
make improvements to College Avenue and relocate all of this existing infrastructure into an
ultimate location required by the widening of College Avenue. Due to the difference in
classification and design speeds between Skyway Drive (Commercial Local, design speed of 30
MPH) and College Avenue (6-Lane Arterial, design speed of 50 MPH), the taper between
existing configuration and ultimate layout seemed better fit with the lower classified street
section. To further the reasoning to place this taper within the Skyway Drive section of the
intersection, the reduced half width will only eliminate the 6’ width required for the half of
the dedicated Left Turn lane. As indicated within a Memorandum by Delich Associates, dated
March 7, 2017, they state “No additional auxiliary lanes will be required at the S.
College/Skyway and Skyway/Mars intersections.” Without the need for a dedicated Left Turn
Lane, the proposed section would allow for the 12’ travel lane and the 7’ bike lane.
The variance requested in this letter will not have an adverse impact on the City’s capital and
maintenance costs, nor are they expected to reduce the design life of the respective
improvements. The requested variance will not be detrimental to public health, safety, or
welfare. Without the need for a dedicated Left Turn lane, all other components required for a
Commercial Local Street Section will be provided, therefore meeting the intent of the code.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
South College Storage | Variance Request | 05.09.17
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Nicholas W. Haws, PE , LEED AP
03.06.17