HomeMy WebLinkAboutBACON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2003 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5844 SOUTH TIMBERLINE ROAD - Filed GC-GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE - 2008-03-03MEMORANDUM
TO: Mr. Ted Sheppard, Case Planner
City of Fort Collins Planning Dept.
FROM: Tom Ochwat P.E.
SUBJECT: Adjacent Roads
DATE:
BE Y ON D E N G IN E E R INC
January 18, 2002
PROJ #: 2003 Elementary School
Timberline Site
The 2003 Elementary School has 2 adjacent roads. The road to the south (Timbers Trail
Road) has been designed by TST to a full width per the Timbers P.U.D. plans. The road to the
west is the existing Timberline Road (2 lanes) and is being designed to a full width by Dave
Evans Associates as a separate contract with the Poudre School District. These Timberline Road
plans to be submitted separately.
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Interoffice Memorandum
Date: June 18, 2002
To: Cam McNair, City Engineer
Thm: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager
From: Susan Joy, Development Review Engineer
RE: Variance Request for the 2003 Elementary School
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Nolte Associates Inc., on behalf of the Developer for the 2003 Elementary School, has submitted four variance
requests to the City of Fort Collins design standards. The project is located on the northeast corner of Timberline
Road (a major arterial) and Zephyr (a collector).
1. Separation between Driveways and an Intersection: In accordance with Table 7-3, the minimum distance
fl`L between a driveway and an arterial street intersection with a raised median is 660'. This design has proposed a
Cv/ 383' separation between the bus driveway on Timberline and Zephyr Road. The school kept the bus drop off
and parent/student drop off locations separate to minimize the conflict between the automobiles and the larger
buses. In order to do that, one driveway is taking access off Zephyr Road and the other, off of Timberline.
The bus driveway was placed as far north of Zephyr as the property allows and will only be active during the
AM and PM pickup and drop off times. The slower speeds in the school 20mph zone will reduce the
opportunity for conflict between the two points. Eric Bracke, City Traffc Engineer, met with the applicanu
early in the design phase and is comfortable with granting the variance request at this time.
tl 2. Sight Distance Requirements: In accordance with Table 7-3, the minimum sight distance between driveways
U and street intersections is 1030'. The sight distance from the bus driveway to the south is 952' based on
proposed grades and viewer's height of 3.5'. Eric Bracke, City Traffic Engineer has reviewed the variance
request and supports the proposed design and variance request. We feel that granting the variance is justified
because the bus driver's viewpoint is substantially higher and the slower speeds in the school zone reduce the
sight distance needed on Timberline Road,
3. Curb Return Radii: In accordance with Table 8-2, a 20' curb return is required on a High Volume Driveway
l off of an Arterial. The variance request is to allow for 30' curb returns at the bus entry onto Timberline Road
to allow for more room for the buses to queue when exiting the site. The engineer goes on to state that it will
O� benefit emergency services as well by providing a larger turning radius for the emergency vehicles.
ZS Similar variance requests have been submitted in the past for Staley Elementary School and the 2004 High
,rn 1 School. While the City did not approve the 30' radii, a variance was granted allowing for the 25' radii at the
bus entrances. I have enclosed a copy of the last variance request and response for your review.
We believe that the variance for the 30' curb returns should not be granted but would support granting a _
__wriance_ for the 25_'raddius_3t the bus entrances This would be consistent with previous variances granted to
the School District, allow for the greater turning diameter of the buses and emergency vehicles, and maintain
pedestrian safety at the driveway/arterial intersection.
4. Drainage Runoff: It: was determined that this variance request was really unnecessary and that the design as
proposed meets City standards. Section 9.4.1 LB of LCUASS states that "concentrated storm water runoff
from property adjoining the right-of-way shall not be discharged across the sidewalk". The berms along
Timberline vary in height with the largest being 3' tall and do not concentrate drainage but rather sheet Flows
across the sidewalk. Since the grade from back of walk slopes toward the street, the water will not collect on
the sidewalk or present a maintenance or safety issue. Basil Hamdan with Stortn Water has reviewed the design
and detemtined that the sheetflow from the bemts is minimal and will not cause a maintenance problem or
threaten public health and safety.
recommend approval for the above variance requests with the exception of the 30' curb return request. A
compromise of a 25' curb return would meet the school district's needs and still provide a safe driveway for the
pedestrian traffic. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional
clarification.
Sincerely,
Susan Joy
Enclosures
Transportation Services
Engineering Department
City of Fort Collins
June 20, 2002
Thomas Ochwat, P.E.
Nolte Associates, Inc.
1901 Sharp Point Drive, Suite A
Fort Collins, CO 80525
RE: 2003 Elementary School — Variance Requests
Dear Tom,
This letter is in response to the variance requests, dated April 17 and May 28, 2002
The variance request for the minimum separation between a driveway and an intersection was
granted. The proposed 383' separation between the bus driveway on Timberline Road and
Zephyr road is approved as designed.
The variance request for the minimum sight distance between driveways and street intersections
was granted. The; proposed sight distance of 952' is approved as designed.
The variance request for the drainage off the berms into public right of way was waived. It was
determined that the proposed design met current city standards.
The variance request for the 30' curb returns for the bus driveway off Timberline was denied.
However, Cam McNair, City Engineer, approved 25' curb returns rather than enforcing the
standard of 20'. The 25' radii would allow for the greater turning diameter of the buses &
emergency vehicles while remaining consistent with what has been approved for other school
locations in the past.
This variance request does not set a precedence or change the application of our design standards
in other situations. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Joy at
221-6605.
Sincerely,
kc: rea 3nepara, me
281 North College Avenue • 1'.0. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6605 • FAX (970) 221-6378
www.ci.fort-collins.co.us
Transportation Services
tngmeenng Department
City of Fort Collins
April 3, 2002
Mr. Tom Ochwat
Nolte Associates, Inc.
1901 Sharp Point Drive, Suite A
Fort Collins, CO 80525
RE: Variance Requests, 2004 High School
Dear Mr. Ochwat:
I have reviewed your variance requests for this project, and have made the following determinations:
1. With regard to the curb return radii, I cannot support your request as submitted. The purpose of the
tight curb return standards is to promote safety by forcing automobiles to slow down for turning
movements at intersections. This is important for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as
automobiles. The reduced curb return radius also provides some additional advantages (albeit slight) for
pedestrians, by lessening the crosswalk distances that pedestrians must traverse. These safety
considerations should be especially important for this school site. I can allow a 25-ft radius for the bus
entrance at Rock Creek Drive. This is what we permitted for Staley (now Zach, I believe) Elementary
School at their bus entrance on Kechter Road. Since the primary traffic at the other entrances will be
automobiles, the standards should be applied without variance. That is, the entrance on Ziegler Road
needs to be designed with a 20-ft curb return radius, and the entrance on Cambridge Ave needs to have a
15-ft radius.
2. Regarding the drainage variance, that is approved. The private drive is actually designed as a street
and will function as a street, although it will be "privately" maintained by PSD. The drainage standard in
LCUASS 9.4.11 need not apply to this situation.
As always, varying the standards in these cases is not to be construed as setting precedent for varying
these standards in other situations in the future. Each case must be evaluated and decided on its own
conditions and merits.
Feel free to call me at 221-6605 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
` moldCto
—
Cam McNair, PE
City Engineer
cc: Mike Herzig
Dave Stringer
Marc Virata
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05/23/2002 12:12
(3702260204
TSTINC
PAGE 02
Fi
Ms. Traci Downs
Larimer County Engineering
218 West Mountain Avenue
P.O. Box 1190
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190
Re: Timberline Road improvements Variance Request
Timbers P. U.D.
Pnxect No.: 0695-097
April 15, 2002
Dear Traci:
This letter is in regards to a variance request identified during a March 28, 2002 meeting with
the City of Fort Collins for the design of the Timberline Road improvements associated with the
Timbers P.U.D. Per Section 1.9.2 of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards
(LCUASS), the following information outlines the variance that the City stated they would
support for the Timberline Road improvements.
The current Timbers PUD Traffic Impact Study, prepared by Ms. Janet Hruby of TransPlan
Associates, Inc., states that a northbound right turn lane into then Timbers PeUD ver,se Clty of Fort
nted
or necessary based on the traffic generated by the proposed p j
Collins is requesting that we install a right turn lane based on information provided in the Traffic
Impact Study for the Poudre School District by Mr. Matt Delich, PE.
When determining the lengths for the northbound right turn lane, per LCUASS Section 8.2.6 and
based on the NCHRP 279, a 180' taper with a 255' turn bay is required (436' total). As the
Timbers P.U.D. frontage to Timberline is approximately 300', the installation of this turn bay
would disturb the recently installed shallow bury utilities (ie: gas, electric, telephone and
television), city and district approved infrastructure, existing curb, gutter and sidewalk,
landscaping and irrigation constructed by the approved Westchase PUD development. As
discussed at the meeting on March 28, we are presenting a design that allows for a turn lane to
be constructed within the frontage of the Timbers P.U.D. This turn lane would have a 120' taper
(10:1) and 180' of storage. This design corresponds to a CDOT design for 30 mph.
This design will have no impact on the capital and maintenance requirements of the local
jurisdiction, This variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare and
will allow for a right turn lane from Timberline Road to Zephyr Road to be added to the
Timberline Road improvements.
TSTINC.748 whalers way. BUM 119n
f Fnrt Collins, CO gU525
consulting EnginearS (970)22"557
Metro (nfo) 595A303
Fax (970) 224-0201
email info®lcfinc.com
wxw'Wmcom
05/23/2002 12:12 '9702260204 TSTINC PAGE 03
TST, INC.
We appreciate your review and approval of this variance, which will enhance the design of
Timberline Road and the Timbers PUD. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our
office.
Respectfully,
TST, INC. CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Eric M. Fuhrman, P.E.
EMFlamb
cc: Mr. Byron Collins, Paragon Point Partners
Mr. Dave Stringer, City of Fort Collins Engineering
Mr. Thomas Ochwat, Nolte Associates, Inc.
April 17, 2002
FC019501
Mr. Cam McNair, P.E., City Engineer
Transportation Services/Engineering Department
City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
SUBJECT: Variance Requests:
LCUASS Table 8-2 - Curb Return Radii
LCUASS 9.4.11A — Runoff
Dear Mr. McNair:
BEY ON D E N G IN E E R ING
We are requesting a variance for 30' curb return radii (from 20') at the bus entrance along Timberline Road to
the 2003 Elementary School site. This request is in behalf of Poudre School District's Transportation
Department and their standards for minimum turning radii for their buses.
We believe that a deviation from the City's Standard Criteria of 20' maximum curb return radii is warranted
for this entrance. There will be a relatively high amount of bus traffic in the morning and afternoon periods
that will be occurring at this entrance to this site as compared to standard intersections around the City. In
addition, it is anticipated that buses will be waiting in queue to exit from the site, while the possibility of other
buses turning into this entrance. Additionally, this entrance has been designated as the access for fire
emergency vehicles. 'We believe that by increasing the turning radii to 30' coupled with a wider entrance
width, conflicts between incoming turning vehicles and buses waiting to exit will be minimized and school
safety increased.
The second variance request relates to runoff from the proposed berms along Timberline Road. This request is
in response to the comment from Ms. Susan Joy of the Engineering Planning Department and related to the
2003 Elementary School Utility Improvement Plans. The runoff produced from the landscaped berms will be
minimal. A proposed inlet located just north of the elementary school along Timberline Road will collect this
runoff and then conveyed via storm sewer to an on -site water quality/detention pond. Thus, this runoff will be
accounted for and will not adversely impact Timberline Road.
Thank you for your time and consideration regarding these variance requests. Please call 419-1316 if you
have questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Nolte Associates, Inc.
Tom Ochwat, P.E.
Project Manager
Cc: Ms. Tammie Simpson, PSD
NOLTE ASSOCIATES, INC.
1901 SHAM' POINT D41VE. SUITE A
FORT COLLINS. CO 80S25
970 221.2400 TEL 97C 221.2415 FAX
WWW NOLTE.COM
n:\fc0195\docum nts\20020417varimcereq.doc
APPRov
By: Date:
a24- -.
Interoffice Memorandum ® City of Fort Collins
Date: May 24, 2002 Engineering Department
To: Cain McNair, City Engineer
Thru: Dave Stringer, Development Review Manager]: ,
From: Susan joy, Development Review Engineer
RE: Variance Request for the Timberline Road Improvements/limbers PUD
TST Inc., on behalf of the Developer for the Timberline Road Improvements, has submitted a variance
request to the City of Fort Collins design standards. In accordance with LCUASS section 8.2.6, the
Developer is required to construct a right hand turn bay with 180' of taper and 255' of storage. The
right hand turn lane in question is located on the southeast corner of Zephyr Road and Timberline Road.
The right hand turn lane would serve The Timbers PUD to the south of Zephyr and the 2003
Elementary School to the north of Zephyr.
Westchase PUD, which is located to the south of The Timbers, has completed Timberline Road
improvements to the ultimate street section on the west side of the road to the south property line of
The Timbers. All utilities, pavement, curb, gutter, and sidewalk have been installed. Constructing the
right hand turn lane to meet our current street standards would involve removing the newly installed
infrastructure as well as the landscaping and irrigation systems for approximately 135'. It was decided in
a meeting with the school district on March 28, 2002 that the City would support the variance request
for constructing the right hand turn lane within the Timbers property boundaries.
It is our opinion that this variance can be supported based on the fact that the traffic volumes are
greatest during the school pickup and dropoff times and the speed limits are reduced to 20mph. A
shorter taper length will not present a threat to public health and safety because the traffic will be
traveling at less than the design speed of 30mph.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and if you need any additional clarification.
Sincerely,
Susan joy
Enclosures
i
Transportation Services
9_ni;inccrin,� 1)cpartment
Citv of For, Collins
May 24, 2002
Eric Fuhrman, P.E.
TST, Inc.
748 Whalers Way, Building D
Fort Collins, CO 80525
RE: Timberline Road Irnprovements — Variance request for the Right Hand Turn Lane
Dear Eric,
This letter is in response to the variance request, dated April 15, 2002, to construct a 300'
right hand turn lane instead of the 435' as required by section 8.2.6 of LCUASS.
The variance request is granted. The right hand turn lane may be designed with a 120' of
taper and 180' of storage as proposed.
This variance request does not set a precedence or change the application of our design
standards in other situations. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Joy at 221-
6605.
Sincerely,
A,.
Susan Joy
Development Review Engineer
Cc: Ted Shepard, Tom Ochwat, file
L_-
2003 Elementary School
The Timbers
,I,
Westchase PUD ' r
1�1
ICE liRILBY1 RD -_ J
Timberline Road Improvements
Right Hand Turn Lane at Zephyr
May 28, 2002 NJO=TE
FC'019501 B EYOND E NG I NEE RI NG
Mr. Cam McNair, RE., City Engineer
Transportation Services/Engineering Department
City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
SUBJECT: Variance Requests — Driveway Entrance/Sight Distance:
LCUASS Table 7-3 — Technical Design Criteria
Dear Mr. McNair:
We are requesting driveway entrance and sight distance variances on behalf of Poudre School District for the
2003 elementary school site on Timberline Road, north of Zephyr Road. At our meeting on March 281h these
deviations from City criteria were discussed and determined to require variance requests. The variances relate
to the high volume driveway (bus entrance for the school site) along Timberline Road, north of the proposed
Zephyr Road intersection.
City design criteria calls for a minimum distance of 660-feet between a driveway and an arterial street
intersection when a raised median exists in the street. The proposed design provides 383-feet of separation
between the bus entrance driveway and Zephyr Road. The school entrance was placed as far north on the
property as possible to maximize the separation between the driveway and Zephyr Road intersection. This
area will be a school zone and slower speeds are anticipated when the driveway will be active. At the
preliminary design concept meetings with Eric Bracke, City Traffic Engineer, this driveway location was
recognized as being the best possible solution.
The sight distance requirement for intersections and driveways along an arterial road is 1030-feet from the
high volume driveway (bus entrance). The sight distance to the north along Timberline Road exceeds the
required 1030-feet. This calculation is based on the existing and proposed vertical grades along Timberline
Road. The sight distance from the driveway (bus entrance) to the south is 952 feet. This calculation is based
on the proposed street: design grades and viewer's height of 3.5-ft. The proposed driveway placement
optimizes sight distance. The variance is justified because the majority of traffic using this driveway will be
school buses. The driver's viewpoint is substantially higher than 3.5', lengthening sight distance for both the
bus driver and approaching motorists. Moreover, as noted earlier, Timberline will be posted with school zone
speed limits. Slower travel speeds reduce needed sight distance.
Thank you for your time and consideration regarding these variance requests. Please call me (419-1316) if
you have questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Nolte Associates, Inc
Tom Ochwat, P.E.
Project Manager
Cc: Ms. Tammie Simpson, PSD
NOLTE ASSOCIATES, INC.
1901 SHARP POINT DRIVE, SUITE A
FORI COLLINS. CO 80525
970 221.2400 TEL 970. 221.2415 FAX
WWW.NOLTE CUM