HomeMy WebLinkAboutHANSEN FARM - FDP190010 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - VARIANCE REQUESTHansen Subdivision | Right-turn Lane Variance Request
Administrative Engineering Variance Request Letter
Date: September 28, 2018
Project: Hansen Subdivision NE Project No. 911-015
PDP #170036
Attn: Marc Virata | Engineering Development Review
City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Dear Marc:
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Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007. 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 a
proposed site condition that does not comply with the current standards.
The criterion in question is that of Design Lengths for Right-turn Lanes. Specifically, the southbound
Timberline Road right-turn lane onto Twisted Root Drive. The Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for the Hansen
Subdivision by Gene Coppola (dated August 28, 2017) indicated that this right-turn lane was warranted
per LCUASS Section 8.2.6. Timberline Road near Twisted Root Drive is currently a 2-lane roadway (no
center-turn lane) and is appropriated for Capital Improvements to a 4-lane Arterial in the years 2020 or
2021.
Based on feedback from City Transportation Staff, the Timberline Road and Twisted Root Drive intersection
should be restricted to right-in/right-out only with this development. As such, the TIS was revised (dated
November 24, 2017) to assume Emergency Access Only onto Twisted Root Drive from Timberline Road in
the interim until the Capital Improvements along Timberline Road are complete. In coordination with
Poudre Fire Authority, an Emergency Access gate will be installed at the Twisted Root Drive leg of the
intersection with Timberline Road to limit use to emergencies only. Due to the Emergency Access Only
restriction in the interim, the full lane and taper lengths are not required.
According to the revised TIS, all traffic for the Hansen Subdivision can be managed in the interim through
the Timberline Road and Zephyr Road intersection, which will be improved to a traffic signal with this
development. Upon completion of the Capital Improvements along Timberline Road, the Emergency
Access gate will be removed, and a center median will cross the Twisted Root Drive intersection to restrict
movements to right-in/right-out only. Ultimately, the Timberline Road and Twisted Root Drive intersection
will enhance traffic circulation and connectivity.
In addition, the existing Timberline Road Right-of-Way lacks sufficient width north of Hansen Subdivision
to allow for the full lane and taper distances. The proposed improvements and Right-of-Way dedication
along Timberline Road within the Hansen Subdivision will accommodate for the full lane and taper lengths
with the Capital Improvements along Timberline Road. In other words, the Capital Improvements to
Timberline Road will provide the accommodations necessary to no longer require this variance. For a 50
mile per hour design speed, these lengths are 235 feet lane taper and 200 feet bay taper.
In conclusion, a variance is hereby requested to not construct the full lane and bay requirements for the
southbound right-turn lane at Timberline Road and Twisted Root Drive in accordance with LCUASS Figure
8-5. This request is due to the existing geometry of Timberline Road, the City’s desire for controlled
Hansen Subdivision | Right-turn Lane Variance Request
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access at the Timberline Road and Twisted Root Drive intersection, and lack of sufficient Right-of-Way
along Timberline Road neighboring the Hansen Subdivision. By restricting access to Emergency Vehicles
only at the Timberline Road and Twisted Root Drive intersection and providing full access to the Hansen
Subdivision through the Timberline Road and Zephyr Road intersection, this variance will not be
detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, will not reduce the design life of the improvement nor
cause the City of Fort Collins additional maintenance costs. Furthermore, the Hansen Subdivision will be
contributing Street Oversizing fees, which helps fund Capital Improvements like that of the planned along
Timberline Road.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Danny Weber, PE
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