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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCARIBOU - Filed GC-GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE - 2009-07-211f North Star Amm., design, inc. June 14, 2002 Dave Stringer City of Fort Collins 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 Re: Caribou Apartments — Request for Variance From Off Street Parking Setback Proj : 168-01 Dear Dave: The following is a request for variance from Drawing 19-03 - Minimum Off Street Parking Setback Distance in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". This variance is requested for six drives off of the private streets running through the Caribou Apartments multi -family project. Drawing 19-03 shows that the minimum distance from the street flowline to the first off street parking space is to be 40' for a local street with traffic above 750 ADT and driveway traffic of less than 100 ADT and 50' for a local street with driveway traffic greater than 100 ADT. The reason for this requirement is to provide room for cars to manuver in and out of the first parking stall with no impact on the street operation. It is proposed that the parking setback be reduced to 20' on the driveways within this site. The variance from this standard is requested because of the geometry and use of the site. The private street running through the site has two legs which are each 450' long. There is a 90 degree corner between the two streets. All of the parking for the multi -family site is off of this private street system — the site is completely self-contained. Justifications for the variance are as follow: The private street system is expected to act more as a private drive than a private street. The two legs are quite short and speeds are expected to be less than a typical local street because of the 90 degree corner in the middle of the system. Cut -through traffic is not anticipated to be an issue because the only available movement is from eastbound Caribou to southbound Timberline. At the intersection of these two streets, there is a traffic signal and a right turn lane. Staying on the major streets will be faster and less arduous than cutting through the apartment complex. Because this site is a multi family project, there will be considerably fewer trips than a commercial or retail type of project. This site's criteria for offsets are from 40' to 50'; a "big box" retail store off of a Collector Street would be required an offset of 50' to 60'. There will not be dozens of movements in and out of the first parking spaces on this type of project as opposed to a commercial parking lot. With this reasoning, the parking adjacent to the proposed Clubhouse has been offset to meet the standard. This building will be more likely to have "drop in" trips for visits to the complex office and common areas. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-11 88 Fax .`17 ko Interoffice Memorandum �- , a OL Date: October 3, 2002 0,, y "`n`�� To: Cam McNair, City Engineer a'� pell Thru: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager From: Katie Moore, Development Review Engineer RE: Variance Request for Caribou Apartments North Star Design, on behalf of the Developer for the Caribou Apartments project, has submitted a variance request to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variance is regarding the maximum grade break on a flowline profile. The variance request is to allow for a greater -than -standard grade break (0.53%) at one location on the west flowline of the 4-lane design of Timberline where a portion o curb an gutter placed in the ultimate 6-lane location (due to a right turn lane) connects with a portion of curb that will, in the short term, act as a taper for the right turn lane. This taper portion will later be removed with the ultimate 6- lane construction of Timberline. Typically, the City requires the maximum grade break to be 0.4%. The engineer feels that this variance can be supported because this grade break will later change, an meet standards, when the 6-lane configuration of Timberline is built. It is my opinion that this variance can be supported based on the argument above. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional clarification. Transportation Services Engineering Department City of Fort Collins Development Review Engineering December 13, 2002 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: Variance requests for 5 items for Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for variances to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. Four of the five variances have been approved by the City Engineer: • The request for greater than maximum allowed grade breaks at the locations specified in the request. • Less than minimum allowed flowline grade for portions of Timberline already constructed to a lower grade. • Less than minimum intersection separation on an arterial (approved at 500 feet). • Less than minimum horizontal curve length on an arterial where Timberline had already been designed with a 123-foot radius. These variances have been approved by the City Engineer only for this project. The last item, concerning the allowance of drainage flows over public sidewalks, was essentially denied. In the judgment of the City Engineer, the upper limit of sheet flow area allowed to drain over a public sidewalk is 750 square feet as opposed to the 500 square feet stated in the standards; drainage in amounts greater than 750 square feet has been deemed to interfere with pedestrian use of the sidewalk, and therefore will not be permitted. Any driveway approach that does not meet this standard must be redesigned to restrict the amount of flow over the sidewalk to below the permissible amount of 750 square feet. As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, Katie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6605 • FAX (970) 221-6378 wwwdfort-collins.co.us 1 North Star Awmw design, inc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 3 — Maximum Point Grade Break REVISED Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.2, "Grade Break" in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". It is requested that on the 4 lane design of Timberline Road, a 0.73% grade break be allowed at FL STA 26+26 and a 0.54% grade break be allowed at FL STA 27+54. At STA 26+26, the curb is transitioning from its ultimate location back to existing. The continuation of the ultimate design requires a straight grade at this point. If a vertical curve is added at this time, the elevations of this curb will not fit the ultimate design and it would need to be reconstructed in the future. City comments have requested that the horizontal taper be shortened to preserve a storm inlet in the ultimate configuration. By shortening the taper, a grade break also occurs at STA 27+54 and the break at 26+26 is larger than previous submittals. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. o F��sr Sincerely, .•••�' ��'2s,•�l ��l Michael Oberlander, PE, L s��h'AL North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star `, design, inc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 5 — Minimum Flowline Grade Proj : 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.1. — General Design Elements — Minimum Flowline Grade in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with grades varying from 0.4% to 0.5%. In the past, the minimum grade allowed was 0.4%. Portions of the east side of Timberline Road were constructed at this grade. This project will widen the road and will need to match the existing grade in order to avoid complete reconstruction of the roadway. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star '01 Aftw design, inc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 6 — Street Spacing Proj : 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Table 7-3 — Technical Design Criteria — Minimum Distance Between Intersections in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". This variance is requested to allow Shorebird Drive to be located 500' south of Caribou Road rather than the 660' stated in the Table. The Table has been changed in the October 1, 2002 Standards to allow a range from 460' to 660'. This site meets the current standards and simply needs a variance from the old Standards. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or a information that you may need for the approval of this variance. 01 O�p,DO RF ,.�. ...n.._ _ A Sincerely, �S/ONAL El Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star "01 ay.,, design, inc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 7 — Minimum Curve Length Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Table 7-5 — General Design Elements — Minimum Curve Length in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with horizontal curves shorter than the standards. The east side of Timberline Road is constructed and this project will simply widen the road to the west. The plans that constructed the east half of the road did not meet the present standards; the east curb and the crown of the road have curves shorter than the 400' specified in the Standards. The proposed design of the west side of the road has the same horizontal control as the east side. This will produce a road that has constant width from flowline to flowline and from crown to the new west flowline. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, I North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star '01 `., design, inc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 4 — Driveway Drainage Proj : 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 9.4.1 LB — Access Requirements — General - Drainage in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". This variance is requested to allow for more than 500 square feet of driveway to drain over the adjacent sidewalks on the Caribou Apartments Project. There are seven drives onto the private streets within the project. Every drive either has a highpoint at or very close to the back of walk or has an inlet within the parking area to accept flows. Even with the inlets, some of the drives have more that 500 square feet of drainage over the walk. Current Standards (October 1, 2002) state that sheet flow is allowed where it will not interfere with pedestrian use of the sidewalk. Under the current standards, no variance would be required for this site. The drainage structures provided will take the bulk of the storm flows and any concentrated flow in the curbs from the parking areas. Minor amounts of drainage will flow over the walks, but they will not interfere with the use of the walks. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance.<<.••.. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 3450 8 m= `�S�ONAL 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax x �tC17 �f Jaya r# �e )�A CL Interoffice Memorandum Date: December 9, 2002 �' ^ To: Cam McNair City Engineer Thru: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager From: Katie Moore, Development Review Engineer RE: Variance Requests for Caribou Apartments North Star Design, Inc, on behalf of the Developer for the Caribou Apartments project, has submitted variance requests to the Latimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variances are for: l . Greater than maximum allowed grade break. It is proposed to be 0.73% instead of 0.4% at one location, 2. Less than minimum allowed flowline grade. The request is for a 0.4% grade instead of 0.5%, 3. Less than minimum intersection separation on an arterial. The spacing is proposed to be 500 feet as opposed to 660 feet, 4. Less than minimum horizontal curve lengths on an arterial. The curve is proposed to be approximately 123 feet as opposed to 400 feet, 5. Greater than maximum allowed drainage over a public sidewalk. At two driveway locations, the square footage of area draining over the sidewalk is proposed to be approximately 750 s.f. and approximately 2500 s.f. instead of the standard maximum of 500 square feet. Regarding item 1, typically the City requires that flowline grade breaks be no greater than 0.4%. The engineer proposes a 0.73% grade break at one location and a 0.54% grade break at another, and feels that this variance can be supported because these grade breaks only apply to the interim (4-lane) condition of Timberline Road, and with the construction of the ultimate (6-lane) Timberline Road, these areas will meet standards. It is my opinion that this variance can be supported for the engineer's reasons above. Regarding item 2, typically the City requires that the minimum flowline grade of a street be 0.5% to facilitate the flow of water in the gutters. The engineer proposes a 0.4% grade for portions of Timberline Road and feels that this variance can be supported because these_ortions have already been "constructed at this grade, and the project will widen the road and needs to match the existing grade in order to avoid complete reconstruction of the roadway. It is my opinion that this variance can also be supported for the reasons above. Item 3: The City typically requires at least 660 feet between street intersections on an arterial. The engineer proposes a 500 foot separation of the proposed street to the existing Caribou Street and feels that this can be supported because the newest street standards (passed October, 2002) allow for a range of separation distances from 460 feet to 660 feet for the separation requirement, and this site meets that requirement. It is my opinion that this variance can . be supported because what is proposed meets the newest standards which are more flexible than the standards this project was submitted under. Item 4: The City's typical requirement for the length of a horizontal curve on an arterial is 400 feet for driveabillty purposes. A length of approximately 123 feet is nronosed by the engineer and he feels that this variance can be supported because the proposed design mimics what has already been constructed on the opposite side of the road, which was designed under older standards. The engineer argues that matching the curves will produce a road with constant width from flowline to flowline and from the crown to the new west flowline. It is my opinion that this variance can be supported for the reasons stated above. Regarding Item 5, typically the City requires that a maximum of 500 square feet of sheet flow be allowed to drain over a public sidewalk for pedestrian safety and also for maintenance issues. The engineer proposes two driveway locations where this maximum would not be met. In one location, approximately. 750 square feet would drain over the walk, and in another approximately 2500 square feet of flow would drain ov a walk The engineer feels that the variance can be supported because under current standards (enacted after submittal of this project) no variance would be required for this site, and only minor amounts of drainage will flow over the walks and will not interfere with the use of the walks. The designer has proposed inlets in the parking lot within close proximity of the areas in question, and it appears that the parkin lot ades can be adjusted to direct flows to these inlets. If directing flows to the inlets is not possible, then the option o to ng the parking lot flows to outlet in the drainage swale then diverting them to the proposed under -walk drains near the parking lots may be used. It appears that a minimum of parking redesign could be done to direct these flows away from the public sidewalk. Even though the requested variance Is to the old standard, the drainage across the sidewalk is sufficient enough that the designer would need to apply for a variance to the October, 2002 street standards to allow this drainage as proposed. Therefore, it is my opinion that this variance should not be supported because it appears (on the grading and drainage P ans) that the water could quite feasibly be diverted from passing over the sidewalk, and because the areas proposed to drain over the sidewalk seem to be in the high -to -excessive range. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional clarification. Transportation Services Engineering Department Development Review Engineering City of Fort Collins October 1, 2003 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: The variance request for vertical curve length Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for a variance to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variance requested variance has been approved by the City Engineer from the standard length of 440 feet to 380 feet. This va only for this project As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. In response to the request to update City standards to reflect the most current AASHTO standards, the City currently has no plans for further revisions to this standard, but will examine the possibility of changes sometime in the future. Mike Herzig may be contacted regarding this topic. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, *'-� 'X�� Katie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins cc: file Bob Barkeen 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6605 • FAX (970) 221-6378 www.fcgov.com The private street system that these drives access from will have parallel parking. Drivers will have to yield as cars are backing into these parking spaces. Because all of the buildings have entries facing the street, it is expected that the on -street parking will be utilized often. This will, again, make the private street "feel" more like a private drive where drivers have to be cautious of other traffic entering and leaving parking spaces. A 20' parking setback is proposed. This will allow for cars to enter an exit the first parking space without encroaching into the private street. For the above reasons, a variance is requested to allow six drives to have a 20' parking setback from the private street. It is not anticipated that this variance from the above Standard will compromise the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. North Star `, design, inc. September 4, 2003 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 8 — Vertical Curve Length Proj: 168-02 - "Timberline Road at Caribou Apartments" Dear Katie: The following Variance Request is in response to Comment 195 of the Caribou Apartments FCP Submittal: 12/9/02 — The vertical curve centered on Station 22+00 has been shortened from the last submittal, and is too short. See Figure 7-17 for length requirements. 8/19/03 — While the curve meets new AASHTO requirements, the City's standards are more restrictive, and a variance would be required for the shorter length vertical curve. If the new AASHTO graph is used to support the variance, please address the Decision sight distance also required under AASHTO on page 115. Based on the above comment, a variance is requested for the length of the crest vertical curve on the west flowline of the Timberline Road 6-Lane design. The curve provided is 380 feet; Figure 7-17 in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001" requires that the curve length be 440 feet for a grade break of 2.8% and a design speed of 50 mph. Timberline Road has been designed to match as closely as possible the existing roadway. The plans do not require a complete reconstruction of the road to expand it to a 6-lane road in the future. The length of the curve in question was shortened in order to make the existing cross slopes and longitudinal slopes work with the future design. The shorter curve length will not provide any safety or ridability issues as the curve is considerably longer than the AASHTO Manual (2001) standards require thus providing more than the standard stopping sight distance (SSD) for the design speed. The AASHTO standard for 50 mph SSD is 425 feet; the City's standard is 400 feet and the calculated SSD provided with the 380 foot vertical curve is 575 feet (this distance is approximately that required for a 60 mph design speed). It appears that the City's standard simply has not been updated from the 1990 AASHTO Manual, which included Figure 7-17. With Figure 7-17, curves are considerably longer than necessary and, with excessively long curves, drainage problems may result. Decision sight distance (identified in the comment) is not relevant to this location. As discussed in the 2001 AASHTO Manual, decision sight distance is a consideration when "...drivers must make complex or instantaneous decisions, when information is difficult to perceive or when unexpected or unusual maneuvers are required." The Manual continues that "Examples of critical 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone . 970-686-1 1 88 Fax locations where these kinds of errors are likely to occur, and where it is desirable to provide decision sight distance include interchange and intersection locations where unusual or unexpected maneuvers are required, changes in cross section such as toll plazas and lane drops, and areas of concentrated demand were there is apt to be `visual noise' from competing sources of information, such as roadway elements, traffic, traffic control devices and advertising signs." In the 6-lane configuration of Timberline Road, there will be a continuous median in this location. All traffic will be going straight south, there are no lane changes or drops, no cross traffic (because of the median), and the only intersection in the area is the roadway entering the Caribou Apartments site. The intersection is completely located on the north side of the crest of the hill and will be visible to southbound traffic while they are still north of Caribou Drive (at least 1000 feet away). None of the items identified regarding decision sight distance are present in this area. Following is the AASHTO Figure that has been used as the supporting documentation for this variance. I would respectfully request that the City review and update their Standards to avoid the need for this variance in the future. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. cc: Matt Baker E > �Q .J > co <c v a a as as Iq N (90� V 'epn,6 to aouue� al�tge6�� N �1 i 0 Development Review Engineering July 5, 2006 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: Variance requests for the Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for variances to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. All of the requested variances, designated A, B, C, D, F, G and H dated June 21, 2006, have been approved by the City Engineer for the Caribou Apartments project: As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office Sincerely, Randy Maizland Development Review Engineer City of Fort Collins North Star '01 `r design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance A - Off Street Parking Setback Proj: 168-01 Dear Sheri: The following is a request for variance from Drawing 19-06 - Minimum Off Street Parking Setback Distance in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". This variance is requested for six drives off of the private streets running through the Caribou Apartments multi -family project. Drawing 19-06 shows that the minimum distance from the street flowline to the first off street parking space is to be 40' for a local street with traffic above 750 ADT and driveway traffic of less than 100 ADT and 50' for a local street with driveway traffic greater than 100 ADT. The reason for this requirement is to provide room for cars to maneuver in and out of the first parking stall with no impact on the street operation. It is proposed that the parking setback be reduced to 20' on the driveways within this site. The variance from this standard is requested because of the geometry and use of the site. The private street running through the site has two legs which are each 450' long. There is a 90 degree corner between the two streets. All of the parking for the multi -family site is off of this private street system — the site is completely self-contained. Justifications for the variance are as follow: The private street system is expected to act more as a private drive than a private street. The two legs are quite short and speeds are expected to be less than a typical local street because of the 90 degree corner in the middle of the system. Cut -through traffic is not anticipated to be an issue because the only available movement is from eastbound Caribou to southbound Timberline. At the intersection of these two streets, there is a traffic signal and a right turn lane. Staying on the major streets will be faster and less arduous than cutting through the apartment complex. Because this site is a multi family project, there will be considerably fewer trips than a commercial or retail type of project. This site's criteria for offsets are from 40' to 50'; a "big box" retail store off of a Collector Street would be required an offset of 50' to 60'. There will not be dozens of movements in and out of the first parking spaces on this type of project as opposed to a commercial parking lot. With this reasoning, the parking 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone 0 970-686-1 1 88 Fax adjacent to the proposed Clubhouse has been offset to meet the standard. This building will be more likely to have "drop in" trips for visits to the complex office and common areas. The private street system that these drives access from will have parallel parking. Drivers will have to yield as cars are backing into these parking spaces. Because all of the buildings have entries facing the street, it is expected that the on -street parking will be utilized often. This will, again, make the private street "feel" more like a private drive where drivers have to be cautious of other traffic entering and leaving parking spaces. A 20' parking setback is proposed. This will allow for cars to enter an exit the first parking space without encroaching into the private street. For the above reasons, a variance is requested to allow six drives to have a 20' parking setback from the private street. It is not anticipated that this variance from the above Standard will compromise the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. Q `ADO R 428 0. �ss�OrdA L North Star alaw design, inc. June 14, 2002 Dave Stringer City of Fort Collins 281 North College Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 Re: Caribou Apartments — Request for Variance From Off Street Parking Setback Proj : 168-01 Dear Dave: The following is a request for variance from Drawing 19-03 - Minimum Off Street Parking Setback Distance in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". This variance is requested for six drives off of the private streets running through the Caribou Apartments multi -family project. Drawing 19-03 shows that the minimum distance from the street flowline to the first off street parking space is to be 40' for a local street with traffic above 750 ADT and driveway traffic of less than 100 ADT and 50' for a local street with driveway traffic greater than 100 ADT. The reason for this requirement is to provide room for cars to manuver in and out of the first parking stall with no impact on the street operation. It is proposed that the parking setback be reduced to 20' on the driveways within this site. The variance from this standard is requested because of the geometry and use of the site. The private street running through the site has two legs which are each 450' long. There is a 90 degree corner between the two streets. All of the parking for the multi -family site is off of this private street system — the site is completely self-contained. Justifications for the variance are as follow: The private street system is expected to act more as a private drive than a private street. The two legs are quite short and speeds are expected to be less than a typical local street because of the 90 degree corner in the middle of the system. Cut -through traffic is not anticipated to be an issue because the only available movement is from eastbound Caribou to southbound Timberline. At the intersection of these two streets, there is a traffic signal and a right turn lane. Staying on the major streets will be faster and less arduous than cutting through the apartment complex. Because this site is a multi family project, there will be considerably fewer trips than a commercial or retail type of project. This site's criteria for offsets are from 40' to 50'; a "big box" retail store off of a Collector Street would be required an offset of 50' to 60'. There will not be dozens of movements in and out of the first parking spaces on this type of project as opposed to a commercial parking lot. With this reasoning, the parking adjacent to the proposed Clubhouse has been offset to meet the standard. This building will be more likely to have "drop in" trips for visits to the complex office and common areas. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 60550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax I The private street system that these drives access from will have parallel parking. Drivers will have to yield as cars are backing into these parking spaces. Because all of the buildings have entries facing the street, it is expected that the on -street parking will be utilized often. This will, again, make the private street "feel" more like a private drive where drivers have to be cautious of other traffic entering and leaving parking spaces. A 20' parking setback is proposed. This will allow for cars to enter an exit the first parking space without encroaching into the private street. For the above reasons, a variance is requested to allow six drives to have a 20' parking setback from the private street. It is not anticipated that this variance from the above Standard will compromise the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. Transportation Services Cngineenng Uepartrnent City of Fort Collins July 17, 2002 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Development Review Engineering �AOiAt�CZ Re: The variance request for parking setbacks for the Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for a variance to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variance requested was a reduction of parking setback distance from 40 feet to 20 feet at the all driveways on the private streets in this development. This variance has been approved by the City Engineer only for this project. As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, r Katie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins cc: file Bob Barkeen 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6605 • FAX (970) 221-6378 www.fcgov.com North Star *saw design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance B — Local Street Centerline Design Information Proj: 168-01 Dear Sheri The following is a request for variance from Section 3.3.4 — Information Required on Public Improvement Plans — Street Improvements, as it relates to centerline information on local streets in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". It is requested that the design information for the local streets on the above project be limited to true flowline profiles and horizontal stationing. This project has approximately 900 linear feet of local residential streets. These streets have been designed per the above Standards. The information shown on the plans is consistent with past projects that have been designed, approved, and built since the inception of the LCUASS. This information includes centerline and flowline horizontal geometry, stationing down each flowline, a typical section with minimum and maximum cross slopes, and flowline profiles along the flowline stationing (true length and grade), stations and elevations in the plan view of all PC's and PT's, and spot elevations at intersections and critical locations. A variance from the portions of the standards regarding centerline profiles is requested for the following reasons: The streets have been designed with a centerline profile. This information has been transferred to the true flowline profiles that are shown on the plans. Adequate information is shown on the plans to determine that both sides of the street are within a few hundredths of each other. Centerline profile information (if provided) would not be used during the construction of the street. On streets this narrow, surveyors do not stake (bluetop) the crown of the street. Typically, the minimum cross slope (2%) is extended off of the higher curb to the center of the street to provide for the crown elevation. Information provided on plan sheets, which is not used for the construction, can lead to confusion and construction errors. The amount of space that a third profile takes up on a plan sheet will lead to "jamming" the additional information onto the page and make it more difficult to find the information that is needed for construction. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone 0 970-686-1 1 88 Fax Interoffice Memorandum Date: July 11, 2002 To: Cam McNair, City Engineer Thru: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager" From: Katie Moore, Development Review Engineer RE: Variance Request for Caribou Apartments North Star Design, Inc, on behalf of the Developer for the Caribou Apartments project, has submitted a variance request to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variance is for parking setbacks at all driveways onto the local street(s). The parking setback distances are requested to be shorter (20 feet) as opposed to the standard parking setbacks of 40-50 feet. Typically, the City requires that parking spaces be set back a minimum of 40 feet from the flowline of a local street when the parking lot has greater than 100 ADT and the parking lot has greater than 100 ADT (LCUASS drawing 19-03). This distance is to minimize conflicts between cars maneuvering in the parking lot and cars entering and exiting the roadway. The engineer proposes a 20 foot setback, and feels that this variance can be supported because the streets are expected to act more as private drives than streets, cut through traffic is not anticipated to be an issue, and speeds are expected to be slower than typical because of the 90-degree bend in the street. The engineer argues further that because this development is residential (as opposed to commercial) there will not be "dozens of movements in and out of the first parking spaces on this type of project as opposed to a commercial parking lot." After discussing the Issue with the City Traffic Engineer, it is our opinion that this variance can be supported based the judgment that the smaller setbacks will not create a problem in this instance. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional clarification. �y.. The Fort Collins Checklist in the Standards, Number V. Q., states that Local and Collector Street have both flowlines profiled. Number V. R. states that Arterial Streets have the Centerline and Flowlines profiled. This criteria is more in line with what is proposed above. Just as cross sections are not required on Local streets (because they would not be used) we are requesting, on this project, that the centerline profile be exempt as well. A "check sheet" with flowline elevations directly across from each other will be provided at your request. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. This variance will not compromise the constructability of the plans. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. lit Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, L North Star Design, Inc. North Star `w design, inc. September 26, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance — Local Street Centerline Design Information Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 3.3.4 — Information Required on Public Improvement Plans — Street Improvements, as it relates to centerline information on local streets in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". It is requested that the design information for the local streets on the above project be limited to true flowline profiles and horizontal stationing. This project has approximately 900 linear feet of local residential streets. These streets have been designed per the above Standards. The information shown on the plans is consistent with past projects that have been designed, approved, and built since the inception of the LCUASS. This information includes centerline and flowline horizontal geometry, stationing down each flowhne;` a typical section with minimum and maximum cross slopes, and flowline profiles along the, flowline stationing (true length and grade), stations and elevations in the plan view of all PC's and PT's, and spot elevations at intersections and critical locations. A variance from the portions of the standards regarding centerline profiles is requested for the following reasons: • The streets have been designed with a centerline profile. This information has been transferred to the true flowline profiles that are shown on the plans. Adequate information is shown on the plans to determine that both sides of the street are within a few hundredths of each other. • Centerline profile information (if provided) would not be used during the construction of the street. On streets this narrow, surveyors do not stake (bluetop) the crown of the street. Typically, the minimum cross slope (2%) is extended off of the higher curb to the center of the street to provide for the crown elevation. • Information provided on plan sheets, which is not used for the construction, can lead to confusion and construction errors. The amount of space that a third profile takes up on a plan sheet will lead to `tramming" the additional information onto the page and make it more difficult to find the information that is needed for construction. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-688-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax _ 0 The Fort Collins Checklist in the Standards, Number VI. S., states that Local and Collector Street have both flowlines profiled. Number VI. T. states that Arterial Streets have the Centerline and Flowlines profiled. This criteria is more in line with what is proposed above. Just as cross sections are not required on Local streets (because they would not be used) we are requesting, on this project, that the centerline profile be exempt as well. A "check sheet" with flowline elevations directly across from each other will be provided at your request. It is my understanding that discussions between consultants and the City (Mike Herzig) will begin in October on this issue. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. This variance will not compromise the constructability of the plans. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 1 North Star `w design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance C — Maximum Point Grade Break Proj : 168-01 Dear Sheri: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.3, "Grade Break" in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". It is requested that on the 4 lane design of Timberline Road, a 0.73% grade break be allowed at FL STA 26+26 and a 0.54% grade break be allowed at FL STA 27+54. At STA 26+26, the curb is transitioning from its ultimate location back to existing. The continuation of the ultimate design requires a straight grade at this point. If a vertical curve is added at this time, the elevations of this curb will not fit the ultimate design and it would need to be reconstructed in the future. City comments have requested that the horizontal taper be shortened to preserve a storm inlet in the ultimate configuration. By shortening the taper, a grade break also occurs at STA 27+54 and the break at 26+26 is larger than previous submittals. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 8055D 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1 1 88 Fax 1 North Star `.._design, inc. up, P! - I ANC-,1= C� November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 3 — Maximum Point Grade Break REVISED Proj : 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.11.2, "Grade Break" in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". It is requested that on the 4 lane design of Timberline Road, a 0.73% grade break be allowed at FL STA 26+26 and a 0.54% grade break be allowed at FL STA 27+54. At STA 26+26, the curb is transitioning from its ultimate location back to existing. The continuation of the ultimate design requires a straight grade at this point. If a vertical curve is added at this time, the elevations of this curb will not fit the ultimate design and it would need to be reconstructed in the future. City comments have requested that the horizontal taper be shortened to preserve a storm inlet in the ultimate configuration. By shortening the taper, a grade break also occurs at STA 27+54 and the break at 26+26 is larger than previous submittals. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance.. F Sincerely, ��ApDO R .0 10 Michael Oberlander, PE\LZ'Pt'9tjO North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-688-0939 Phone • 970-888.1188 Fax Transportation Services Engineering Department Development Review Engineering City of Fort Collins October 7, 2002 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: The variance requests for centerline profile and maximum grade break for Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for variances to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. g -The first variance requested was to waive the requirement for the centerline profile of the local streets. �—� The second variance requested was to allow a greater -than -maximum grade break at one specific location on Timberline. These variances have been approved by the City Engineer only for this project. As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerelly, -rlerru Katie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins cc: file Bob Barkeen 281 North College Avenue - P.O. Box 580 - Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 - (970) 221-6605 - FAX (970) 221-6378 www.ci.fort-collins.co.us s 001 North Star `• design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance D — Minimum Flowline Grade Proj: 168-01 Dear Sheri: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.2. — General Design Elements — Minimum Flowline Grade in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with grades varying from 0.4% to 0.5%. In the past, the minimum grade allowed was 0.4%. Portions of the east side of Timberline Road were constructed at this grade. This project will widen the road and will need to match the existing grade in order to avoid complete reconstruction of the roadway. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone 0 970-686-1 1 88 Fax North Starr i r `,.. design, Lnc. November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 5 — Minimum Flowline Grade Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.1. — General Design Elements — Minimum Flowline Grade in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with grades varying from 0.4% to 0.5%. In the past, the minimum grade allowed was 0.4%. Portions of the east side of Timberline Road were constructed at this grade. This project will widen the road and will need to match the existing grade in order to avoid complete reconstruction of the roadway. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star amow design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance F — Minimum Curve Length Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Table 7-5 — Centerline Arc Length in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with horizontal curves shorter than the standards. The east side of Timberline Road is constructed and this project will simply widen the road to the west. The plans that constructed the east half of the road did not meet the present standards; the east curb and the crown of the road have curves shorter than the 400' specified in the Standards. The proposed design of the west side of the road has the same horizontal control as the east side. This will produce a road that has constant width from flowline to flowline and from crown to the new west flowline. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado B0550 970-686-6939 Phone 0 970-686-1 1 88 Fax ` i. . North Star `, design, inc. i November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 7 — Minimum Curve Length Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Table 7-5 — General Design Elements — Minimum Curve Length in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". This variance is requested to allow portions of Timberline Road to be designed and constructed with horizontal curves shorter than the standards. The east side of Timberline Road is constructed and this project will simply widen the road to the west. The plans that constructed the east half of the road did not meet the present standards; the east curb and the crown of the road have curves shorter than the 400' specified in the Standards. The proposed design of the west side of the road has the same horizontal control as the east side. This will produce a road that has constant width from flowline to flowline and from crown to the new west flowline. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, I North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 870-686-1188 Fax Transportation Services Engineering Department Development Review Engineering City of Fort Collins October 7, 2002 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: The variance requests for centerline profile and maximum grade break for Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for variances to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The first variance requested was to waive the requirement for the centerline profile of the local streets. The second variance requested was to allow a greater -than -maximum grade break at one specific location on Timberline. These variances have been approved by the City Engineer only for this project. As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, Katie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins cc: file Bob Barkeen 281 North College Avenue - P.O. Box 580 - Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 - (970) 221-6605 - FAX (970) 221-6378 www.ci.fort-collins.co.us North Star �r fto„ design, inc.�--- November 19, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 � - L' '-, C' f- P- 617a- /1g�CI r�� Z00 I � Zoo Z- 'gtoo' is Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance 6 — Street Spacing Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: I j O IA-) (")1'71-%%)'" The following is a request for variance from Table 7-3 — Technical Design Criteria — Minimum Distance Between Intersections in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". This variance is requested to allow Shorebird Drive to be located 500' south of Caribou Road rather than the 660' stated in the Table. The Table has been changed in the October 1, 2002 Standards to allow a range from 460' to 660'. This site meets the current standards and simply needs a variance from the old Standards. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or this variance. AO Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. that you may need for the approval of 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 6055D 070-686-6838 Phone • 870-686-1188 Fax Transportation Services Engineering Department Development Review Engineering City of Fort Collins December 13, 2002 Mr. Michael Oberlander, PE North Star Design Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit 1 Windsor, CO 80550 Re: Variance requests for 5 items for Caribou Apartments Dear Mr. Oberlander, This letter is in response to your request for variances to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. Four of the five variances have been approved by the City Engineer: The request for greater than maximum allowed grade breaks at the locations specified in the request. . `✓ - Less than minimum allowed flowline grade for portions of Timberline already constructed to a lower grade. - Less than minimum intersection separation on an arterial (approved at 500 feet). f • Less than minimum horizontal curve length on an arterial where Timberline had already been j� designed with a 123-foot radius. These variances have been approved by the City Engineer only for this project. The last item, concerning the allowance of drainage flows over public sidewalks, was essentially denied. In the judgment of the City Engineer, the upper limit of sheet flow area allowed to drain over a public sidewalk is 750 square feet as opposed to the 500 square feet stated in the standards; drainage in amounts greater than 750 square feet has been deemed to interfere with pedestrian use of the sidewalk, and therefore will not be permitted. Any driveway approach that does not meet this standard must be redesigned to restrict the amount of flow over the sidewalk to below the permissible amount of 750 square feet. As with all variances to the street standards, the variances granted for this project are based on the particular situation under design and the judgment that we (the designer and the City) apply to determine whether there is a public safety concern. The variances for this project in no way set any precedence for relaxing these standards on other projects without complete analysis and justification. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, Ka ie Moore Project Engineer City of Fort Collins 281 North College Avenue - P.O. Box 380 - Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 - (970) 221-6605 - FAX (970) 221-6378 www.ci. fort-collins.co. us North Star *am design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments- Request for Variance G - Vertical Curve Length Proj: 168-02 - "Timberline Road at Caribou Apartments" Dear Sheri: The following Variance Request is in response to comments made prior to the mylar submittal of the Caribou Apartments FCP. I do not find a formal approval letter for this variance, but I think that since it only was related to the conceptual 6-lane Timberline Design, that it may not have been approved (those sheets do not have signature blocks on the plans). The comments that Katie Moore had that this variance addressed were: 12/9/02 - The vertical curve centered on Station 22+00 has been shortened from the last submittal, and is too she- cAP Figure 7-17 for length requirements. 8/19/03 - While the c City's standards are more restrictive, and a varia aQZF-4 off4-3 _ vertical curve. If the new AASHTO graph is use p� /'H ��� Decision sight distance also required under AASH7 4Z /•( r Based on the above co l-PU51� )f the crest vertical curve on the west flowline of th 5�1--- provided is 380 feet; Figure 7-17 in the "Larimer ( �� `''� ��%(Tb !002" requires that the curve length be 440 feet for �� F3 cd(ciZ mph. Timberline Road has /`-1 x10 �%_ �"' the existing roadway. The plans do not require Cv v nd it to a 6-lane road in the future. The length o�,r to make the existing cross slopes and longitudin The shorter curve 1 - iility issues as the curve is considerably longer than the AASHTO Manuai �zvvi) require thus providing more than the standard stopping sight distance (SSD) for the design speed. The AASHTO standard for 50 mph SSD is 425 feet; the City's standard is 400 feet and the calculated SSD provided with the 380 foot vertical curve is 575 feet (this distance is approximately that required for a 60 mph design speed). It appears that the City's standard simply has not been updated from the 1990 AASHTO Manual, which included Figure 7-17. With Figure 7-17, curves are considerably longer than necessary and, with excessively long curves, drainage problems may result. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone 19 970-686-1 1 88 Fax Decision sight distance (identified in the comment) is not relevant to this location. As discussed in the 2001 AASHTO Manual, decision sight distance is a consideration when "...drivers must make complex or instantaneous decisions, when information is difficult to perceive or when unexpected or unusual maneuvers are required." The Manual continues that `Examples of critical locations where these kinds of errors are likely to occur, and where it is desirable to provide decision sight distance include interchange and intersection locations where unusual or unexpected maneuvers are required, changes in cross section such as toll plazas and lane drops, and areas of concentrated demand were there is apt to be `visual noise' from competing sources of information, such as roadway elements, traffic, traffic control devices and advertising signs." In the 6-lane configuration of Timberline Road, there will be a continuous median in this location. All traffic will be going straight south, there are no lane changes or drops, no cross traffic (because of the median), and the only intersection in the area is the roadway entering the Caribou Apartments site. The intersection is completely located on the north side of the crest of the hill and will be visible to southbound traffic while they are still north of Caribou Drive (at least 1000 feet away). None of the items identified regarding decision sight distance are present in this area. Following is the AASHTO Figure that has been used as the supporting documentation for this variance. I would respectfully request that the City review and update their Standards to avoid the need for this variance in the future. This variance from the above Standards will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Vl3 ,/ �461�oF Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI FSSIONA .ECG North Star Design, Inc. >Y I ! E E J s � 4i �\ > r Y o �j > >Y tp 'f N O O m �A N w w w w `►J �1 i O 0 North Star `,► design, inc. June 21, 2006 Ms. Sheri Wamhoff City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance H — Timberline Right Turn Lane Length Proj: 168-02 - "Timberline Road at Caribou Apartments" Dear Sheri: The following is a request for variance from Figure 8-5 — Guidelines for Design Lengths of Right Turn Lanes in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, October 2002". This variance is requested to allow the proposed temporary southbound right turn lane into the project to be shorter than standard. In a meeting on June 5, 2006, Eric Bracke stated that he would be willing to allow the proposed street connection from Caribou Apartments into Timberline Road (Shorebird Drive) — earlier this year he had voiced concern with this intersection. He additionally stated that a variance would be required for intersection spacing and the length of the proposed right turn lane. First, since the original approval of the Caribou Apartments PDP (2003), the intersection spacing criteria has changed and the spacing allowed in Chapter 7 of the LCUASS is now a range of 460' to 660'. This criterion is met and does not require a variance as the proposed CL-CL spacing is 495'. The design of the right turn lane requires some explanation. During the initial design of the project, it was the City's desire to have a street connection to Timberline. This was based on the desire for a "grid" street system and local street addressing of the buildings within the site. It was obvious that a full movement intersection would not be possible or safe because of the other intersections in the area, so it was decided that a right in / right out would be allowed. The only way to limit the movement to the intersection is to either add a median in Timberline Road or to build a substantial pork chop island. The latter was agreed to and approved as shown in the drawings. To provide the large pork chop island, Timberline will be widened west to its 6-lane location and a pocket right turn lane will be provided for southbound traffic. This right turn lane is a total of 336' long, which is less than the Standard for deceleration length on an Arterial. It should be noted that the traffic study only shows a maximum of 15 trips into the intersection during the peak hour. The threshold for having a right turn lane is 50 trips for a 4-lane arterial signed at 40 mph (LCUASS Figure 8-4). Based on this criteria, it is acceptable to have the 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1 1 88 Fax proposed 15 trips without an additional lane. (some deceleration is acceptable in the travel lane without substantial impact to the through movements). If a median were provided in Timberline Road, no right turn lane would be required because of the small number of trips. The problem with adding the median is that it would shorten the left turn length for northbound Timberline at Caribou Road. Also, the median would require considerably more construction in Timberline, and none of this construction would be salvageable when the street is ultimately widened to 6 lanes. It was agreed that the pork chop island, in combination with a short right turn lane was the best solution to the majority of the issues. When Timberline is widened to 6 lanes, the warrant for a right turn lane is 200 trips, and this site in total does not approach that threshold. At the posted speed of 40 mph, the required lane length would be 315'; the lane is proposed to be 336' long, which does not meet the Standard for 50 mph design speed, but will be effective at the posted speed. Because the traffic using this intersection does not meet the warrants for a right turn lane, and is sufficient based on the posted speed, this variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, 4288 1 Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. ---� O o � .� L a r , U) O co N Q Q Q. co � ro o QOp � c co 0 YJ Q J Q Al O co c co Q N J � a N c ,�¢� v a) m Q° o x > O m °- a O o � � v _ o LL Y c U) ° o N a N d c O 0 0'^ o � = 0 .y co W y O C T T (Hd/) -jnOH )IL -ad ui sujn1 IyB! d 3 o L ca r- Q. O 0) c) o a)O N c mc1 c0 U � E U 0 Q O Lo c Q m J ° L Qr Q � N >a_ �� 0 0 N a aN E E co LL `� O U) m o cc °a Al > c N o : O C/) U)cl N le F- Q a)o O ZO r ° ° a a � 0 0 0 It o F- T 000 (0 N (Hd/V �nOH �1�ad ui suanl �yBi�{ TRAFFIC VOL. GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN RIGHT TURN LANES IJU MER COUNTY DESIGN REVISION NO: FIGURE URBAN AREA STREET STANDARDS FIGURE DATE: 08/07/00 8—¢ � } � (00� ;{ k � � $ k 0k» _ « �§ o § cW I �� o f£ 5, c E c \ ƒ7 41 \%c ' aAo s j` � �3£( �A °off«§§ ƒ2 f� » 2\ . `©i� EE �r \ 77c 0 ]{ \31: Rfo § E ��87 @2/!£ =� Vi A ~ 0/2 I . { f f C §i E !2 CD t // ° } §f \ k § �k °E ` \ \F ) ` 7 \ �k \ ($co 0 , J Af { k \ ) e. z c } E« 0a mE `E / /C 3 \ c ,275a \` E2 ) tf®©- k| a c $§ / ( k kk j @e§ (- @ � §§ @ { cc k R , n 2§ e f = m n _ \ m } § ) 2 \ { (@ mf { \a§gg / ƒ « 2 ; m m n m ¥ -mac t co E a \ { \ � / / ) k / 2 \ ( � . t k c 2 ) 7 ) c / =� 2 6 $�c § §k k ` 6 a w ' ) \ / \k /[\() \ƒ\� k \ t k\) -Cc 'o9 c / § a) ) § ) E E { } $;f) (§�z 2-0 Rn 3} LL kk)f 0m212 /� 2 \ ƒkit GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN LENGTHS OF RIGHT TURN LANES LARDIER C0UNW DESIGN REVISION NO: FIGS URBAN AREA STREET STANDARDS DATE: 12/15/00 8-5 From: Eric Bracke To: Randy Maizland Date: 7/3/2006 10:46:50 AM subject: Caribou Apts - Variance Request I have had an opportunity to review the variance request for the Caribou Apartments for the right-in/right- out access onto Timberline.culous and should of never Although I believe that the a r'all,ccessI understand point is the parameters ely l of the request. been allowed on amajor The request is approved. Eric 1 North Star `, design, inc. September 3, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance — Local Street Centerline Design Information Proj : 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 3.3.4 — Information Required on Public Improvement Plans — Street Improvements, as it relates to centerline information on local streets in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001 ". It is requested that the design information for the local streets on the above project be limited to true flowline profiles and horizontal stationing. The local streets on this project have been designed with centerline stationing and that information has been transferred to the true flowline profiles shown. Other reasoning for this variance was discussed in the same variance requested (and approved) for Eagle Cliffs. These justifications have not been reiterated in this letter. I can provide you with a "check sheet" with flowline elevations directly across from each other if you would like. It is my understanding that discussions between consultants and the City (Mike Herzig) will begin in October on this issue. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. This variance will not compromise the constructability of the plans. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. n Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 8055O 970-686-6939 Phone - 970-686-1188 Fax 1 North Star Anow design, inc. September 26, 2002 r Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance — Local Street Centerline Design Information Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 3.3.4 — Information Required on Public Improvement Plans — Street Improvements, as it relates to centerline information on local streets in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". It is requested that the design information for the local streets on the above project be limited to true flowline profiles and horizontal stationing. This project has approximately 900 linear feet of local residential streets. These streets have been designed per the above Standards. The information shown on the plans is consistent with past projects that have been designed, approved, and built since the inception of the LCUASS. This information includes centerline and flowline horizontal geometry, stationing down each flowline, a typical section with minimum and maximum cross slopes, and flowline profiles along the flowline stationing (true length and grade), stations and elevations in the plan view of all PC's and PT's, and spot elevations at intersections and critical locations. A variance from the portions of the standards regarding centerline profiles is requested for the following reasons: The streets have been desi4Zed with a centerline profile. This information has been transferred to the true flowline profiles that are shown on the plans. Adequate information is shown on the plans to determine that both sides of the street are within a few hundredths of each other. Centerline profile information (if provided) would not be used during the construction of the street. On streets this narrow, surveyors do not stake (bluetop) the crown of the street. Typically, the minimum cross slope (2%) is extended off of the higher curb to the center of the street to provide for the crown elevation. Information provided on plan sheets, which is not used for the construction, can lead to confusion and construction errors. The amount of space that a third profile takes up on a plan sheet will lead to "jamming" the additional information onto the page and make it more difficult to find the information that is needed for construction. 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado B0550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-1188 Fax F rw The Fort Collins Checklist in the Standards, Number VI. S., states that Local and Collector Street have both flowlines profiled. Number VI. T. states that Arterial Streets have the Centerline and Flowlines profiled. This criteria is more in line with what is proposed above. Just as cross sections are not required on Local streets (because they would not be used) we are requesting, on this project, that the centerline profile be exempt as well. A "check sheet" with flowline elevations directly across from each other will be provided at your request. It is my understanding that discussions between consultants and the City (Mike Herzig) will begin in October on this issue. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. This variance will not compromise the constructability of the plans. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. Interoffice Memorandum Date: September 30, 2002 To: Cam McNair, City Engineer Thru: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager, From: Katie Moore, Development Review Engineer RE: Variance Request for Caribou Apartments North Star Design, on behalf of the Developer for the Caribou Apartments project, has submitted a variance request to the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. The variance is regarding the centerline profile, the requirement for which is requested to be waived completely. The variance request is for the elimination of the requirement to show centerline profiles for the local street designs. Typically, the City requires that centeriine profiles be shown for all street designs. This is to allow for greater accuracy of design and to facilitate the reviewing engineer's ability to check the design. The engineer feels that this variance can be supported because the centerline profile information would not be used for construction, the additional information shown on the sheets vyould add to confusion and construction errors, and that although the text of LCUASS requires the centerline profile, the c ecklist does not require it on local streets. It is my opinion that this variance can be supported based on the fact that the engineer has provided centerline spot elevations in the critical locations. Cook 1I Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional clarification. 1 North Star *ma„ design, inc. September 3, 2002 Ms. Katie Moore City of Fort Collins Engineering 281 North College Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, Colorado 50522-0580 Re: Caribou Apartments— Request for Variance — Maximum Point Grade Break Proj: 168-01 Dear Katie: The following is a request for variance from Section 7.4.1.B.2, "Grade Break" in the "Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards, March 2001". It is requested that on the 4 lane design of Timberline Road, a 0.53% grade break be allowed at FL STA 25+79. At his location, the curb is transitioning from its ultimate location back to existing. The continuation of the ultimate design requires a straight grade at this point. If a vertical curve is added at this time, the elevations of this curb will not fit the ultimate design and it would need to be reconstructed in the future. This variance from the above Standard will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare. Please call me with any questions or additional information that you may need for the approval of this variance. Sincerely, Michael Oberlander, PE, LSI North Star Design, Inc. %.5 Q 9� AL ENG\�� 700 Automation Drive, Unit I Windsor, Colorado 80550 970-686-6939 Phone • 970-686-11 88 Fax