HomeMy WebLinkAboutMisc. Article 7. General Development Standards
7.12 Traffic Impact Analysis
This section establishes requirements and procedures pertaining to traffic impact analysis
(TIA). These requirements are intended to inform the applicant of the City's expectations,
expedite the City staff's review process of TIA reports, provide standard criteria for
evaluating development proposals, and establish equitable mitigation and cost sharing
policies.
The TIA is intended to develop public/private partnerships to coordinate land use and
transportation facility development. Both the City of College Station and the land
developer share in the responsibility to consider all reasonable solutions to identified
transportation problems.
College Station requires TIAs be done for both zoning and site plan processes. Each of
these has specific purposes that are complementary of one another. Both types of TIAs
do, however, share the goal of identifying the relationship between land use and
transportation needs. Below is a brief description of the purposes of each process.
A. Purpose
1. Zoning TIA
The goal of this process is to determine the effect of a proposed use on the
existing roadway system and to ensure the balance between future land uses
and the ultimate roadway system. This allows a zoning proposal to be
evaluated based on the roadway system's ability to accommodate a proposed
development proposal in the current and long-term scenarios.
The TIA, done at the time of zoning change request, is to determine the
traffic loading that the proposed zoning will impose on the approved
thoroughfare system and to determine that the system, as planned, can
handle the traffic loading at Level of Service D or better in the peak hour.
'Conclusions drawn from the analysis, along with other land use and service
factors, shall be taken into consideration by the Planning and Zoning
Commission and the City Council in approval or disapproval of zoning
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2. Site Plan TIA
This process is done simultaneously with the submittal of a site plan. The goal
of this study is to look at a specific development of known size and use and to
determine the effect of that use on the existing roadway system. It uses
existing traffic volumes and assumes the existing roadway configuration to be
used for analysis. This process should ensure that the roadway system is
adequate to accommodate the proposed use and may recommend mitigation
measures necessary to ensure efficient traffic flow around the proposed site
(as based on intersection and roadway levels of service).
A TIA is intended to define the immediate impacts of the proposed
development and any necessary transportation improvements (public or
private) required to ensure a satisfactory level of service on all affected
thoroughfares. A TIA is designed to mitigate traffic impacts by optimizing
roadway capacity, access design, and traffic control. A TIA may not be used
to deny development permitted by zoning, nor shall it be used to modify road
Article 7. General Development Standards
Section 7.11 Outdoor Storage and Display
design contrary to the Comprehensive Plan. Specific improvements to the
existing roadways consistent with the Thoroughfare Plan may be needed to
gain approval of site plan proposals.
B. Definitions
1. Trip Generation Rates - The City's criteria for trip generation for various
categories of land use and density. For Zoning TIAs, these rates are shown by
zoning district in the tables below. Site plan TIAs shall use those rates set
forth in the latest edition of the trip generation informational report published
by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) unless the proposed use
does not have a corresponding rate in the Trip Generation Manual. Alternate
trip generation rates shall not be accepted but shall instead be adopted for
City-wide use on the basis of a general study of local conditions.
Trip Generation (Peak Hour): Residential Land Uses
Zoning Maximum ITE Land Use Trip Rate/ Trip Rate /
Classification Units/ Acre Code Unit Acre
A-O 0.2 210 1.01 0.2
A-OR 1.0 210 1.01 1
R-1 8.0 210 1.01 8
R-1B 6.0 210 1.01 6
R-2 12.0 210 1.01 12
R-3 14.0 230 0.52 7.3
R-4 20.0 220 0.62 12.4
R-6 30.0 220 0.62 18.6
R-7 N/A
P-MUD Determined by Administrator
Trip Generation (Peak Hour): Non-Residential Land Uses
Zoning Maximum ITE Land Use Trip Rate / Trip Rate/
Classification Units/Acre* Code KSF Acre
A-P 16,000 sf 710 1.55 25
C-1 13,500 sf 820 3.75 50
C-2 16,000 sf 710 1.55 25
C-3 11,000 sf 820 3.75 40
M-1 N/A 110 N/A 7.5
M-2 N/A 120 N/A 2.2
C-U N/A
R&D N/A 760 N/A 16.8
PDD Determined by Administrator
* Density maximum calculated based on existing developments in the City of College
Station.
2. Design Year - The design year is the point in time upon which assumptions
pertaining to land use, population, employment, and transportation facilities
are based. All TIAs shall use a design year based on the expected date of
project occupancy.
3. Peak Hour - Peak hour of adjacent street traffic during the weekday,
typically either between 7:00 and 9:00 am or 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
4. Base Volumes - Base volumes shall be based on current traffic counts
adjusted to the expected date of project occupancy. When available, all base
data shall be supplied by the City Traffic Engineer. In all cases when ground
counts are needed and are not available, the developer or his agent shall be
required to collect such data.
s. Level of Service (LOS) - Level of service is a measure of the level of
congestion experienced on roadways. The desirable minimum level of service
of the City of College Station is Level of Service D in the peak hour. Level of
service shall be measured of both link and intersection operations.
C. Applicability
A TIA will be required by the city's Planning Department for zoning requests
and site plans submitted for approval. All TIAs shall be performed by a
consultant certified to perform traffic engineering with the Texas Board of
Professional Engineers. Requirements for mitigating negative traffic impacts
shall apply to all zoning cases and site plans. In certain cases, due to project
phasing, a TIA might be required with a concept plan submittal.
1. Zoning TIA
Any zoning request which generates at least 250 trips in the peak hour
requires a TIA. A zoning request involving multiple zoning districts is required
to have a TIA based on the total traffic generated.,A TIA may be required fgr
rezoning request that generate less than 250 trips in the peak hour, where
the peaking characteristics could have a detrimental impact on the
t . .• . '• -m as .e ermine. •y e Administrator,or his designee.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that a TIA is not
required for a rezoning request. In cases where a TIA is required, the
rezoning application will be considered incomplete until the TIA is submitted.
2. Site Plan TIA
Any site plan generating 250 trips in the peak hour requires a TIA. A TIA may
be required for site plans submitted for approval that generate less than 250
trips in the peak hour, where the peaking characteristics could have a
detrimental impact on the transportation system as determined by the
Administrator or his designee.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that a TIA is not
required for a non-residential site plan application. In cases where a TIA is
required, the site plan application will be considered incomplete until the TIA
is submitted.
D. Methodology
A pre-submission consultation with the Administrator or his designee is required.
Details o - -• s -• . . ysis an. e stu.y area wi •e determined at this
meeting. In certain instances, traffic from other approved but not built
developments may have to be accounted for in traffic assignments. Staff may also
require specific assumptions such as percent trucks be altered to match local
conditions. Peak hour analysis might be directed to reflect the peak 15 minutes for
certain types of land uses. All of these types of issues will be addressed at the pre-
submission consultation.
1. Zoning TIA Content
a. Study Area - A map(s) shall be included delineating the TIA study area
and all existing and planned streets therein. The study area shall be based
on the total daily estimated trip generation and will be defined in the pre-
submission consultation meeting with the Administrator or his designee.
Article 7. General Development Standards
Section 7.11 Outdoor Storage and Display
b. Existing Zoning - A description of the existing zoning in the area
proposed for rezoning including: existing land area (gross and net) by
zoning classification.
c. Proposed Zoning - A description of the proposed zoning including land
area (gross and net) by zoning classification.
d. Thoroughfare Network - Describe existing and proposed thoroughfares,
and traffic volumes within the study area
e. Impact Determination - The TIA will describe the volume/capacity (V/C)
ratio for all thoroughfares and delay projections for intersections in the
studied area to determine if LOS D is maintained. The analysis shall
contain the following minimum information:
1) Proposed Trip Generation - Show in tabular form trip generation
rates (see Table 1) and the total trips generated based on proposed
zoning.
2) Existing Trip Generation - Show in tabular form trip generation
rates (see Table 1) and the total trips generatied based on existing
zoning.
3) Net Increased Trip Distribution and Assignment - Proposed trip
generation minus existing trips generated and the assignment of new
trips generated is to be calculated. The net increased trips generated
by the development are to be added to the base volumes projected
by design year. Twenty-four hour and peak hour volumes must be
calculated. Distribution and assignment calculations must be
provided.
4) Level of Service Analysis - Show in tabular form, 24 hour and
peak hour LOS for existing and proposed zoning. Calculations shall
include all thoroughfare links and intersections. Calculate level of
service and percentage change (when compared to base volumes)
for each link and intersection.
5) Neighborhood Traffic Analysis - If a proposed rezoning could
increase the traffic on a minor collector or residential street at least
ten (10) percent, a neighborhood traffic analysis shall be performed.
This analysis will include an evaluation of existing and projected
traffic levels of the affected streets. If the projected traffic levels
exceed the limits indicated in the BCS Design Guidelines, mitigation
to lower this traffic may be required.
6) Conclusions - Summarize points of conflict and congestion, identify
all thoroughfare links and intersections exceeding Level of Service D
and the percentage change by the proposed zoning change.
f. Mitigation - Traffic produced by the proposed zoning plus the assumed
background traffic should not exceed Level of Service D. Locations
exceeding Level of Service D, where proposed zoning contributes five (5)
percent or more of the traffic, should be mitigated. Acceptable methods of
mitigating negative traffic impacts are:
1) Access Management requirements in addition to those provided in
Article 7.3 and the City of College Station Engineering Design
Guidelines relating to driveway and median opening spacing.
2) Modified zoning and/or density reduction or relocation.
3) Amendments to the city's Thoroughfare Plan shall not be accepted as
a means of mitigating negative impacts. Minor amendments to
thoroughfare and intersection design (e.g., turn lanes, acceleration
and deceleration lanes, and associated rights-of-way) may be
accepted on a case by case basis.
For residential developments where the actual development density is
lower than the allowable maximum as stated in this UDO, an updated TIA
(based on actual development density) may be submitted with the
preliminary plat to reduce the mitigation requirements.
g. Planning and Zoning Commission Report - The Planning and Zoning
Commission shall make a report to the City Council on all TIAs it considers
in conjunction with requests for rezoning. The Planning and Zoning
Commission may make a recommendation for approval, modification, or
denial of the zoning case based on other planning factors in addition to its
review of the TIA.
Where the identified impacts of the proposed zoning cannot be adequately
mitigated, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall recommend to the
City Council one or more of the following actions:
1) Denial of the zoning case in total or in part.
2) Any other action deemed appropriate to mitigate negative traffic
impacts.
The Planning and Zoning Commission may recommend, in addition to
measures defined above, that a study of the Thoroughfare Plan be
made to determine amendments required to ensure long-term
capacity.
2. Site Plan TIA Content
a. Study Area - A map(s) shall be included delineating the TIA study area
and all existing and planned streets therein. The study area will be defined
in the pre-submission consultation meeting with the Administrator or his
designee;
b. Existing Zoning and Development - Describe existing zoning including
land area (gross and net) by zoning classification, square footages,
numbers of hotel rooms, dwelling units, etc. Also, describe any existing
development on-site and how it will be affected by development
proposals;
c. Thoroughfare Network - Describe existing thoroughfares, signals and
signal phasing, and traffic volumes within the study area;
a. Proposed Development - Describe the proposed development including
land area (gross and net), square footage, number of hotel rooms,
dwelling units, etc. Also describe roadway conditions as expected by date
of occupancy. Indicate roadway and intersection capacities at study date;
e. Impact Determination - Determine the level of service for all
thoroughfares and intersections in the study area. The analysis shall
contain the following minimum information:
1) Proposed Trip Generation - Calculate total trip generation by use
(assuming full development and occupancy) and report any
reductions for passer-by, mixed use, etc. Show trip generation by
use in tabular form with land use trip generation rates and trips
generated.
2) Trip Distribution and Assignment - Trips generated by the
proposed development are to be added to the base volumes
Article 7. General Development Standards
Section 7.11 Outdoor Storage and Display
projected for the design year. Peak hour volumes must be
calculated. Distribution assumptions and assignment calculations
must be provided.
3) Level of Service Analysis - Show in tabular form, 24 hour and
peak hour V/C ratios for links and intersections within the study
area. This analysis should be done for the following traffic conditions:
existing traffic, background traffic, background plus project traffic.
Analyze all points of ingress and egress, median breaks, and turn
lanes associated with the proposed site.
4) Neighborhood Traffic Analysis - If a proposed site plan could
increase the traffic on a minor collector or residential street at least
ten (10) percent, a neighborhood traffic analysis shall be performed.
This analysis will include an evaluation of existing and projected
traffic levels of the affected streets. If the projected traffic levels
exceed the limits indicated in the BCS Design Guidelines, mitigation
to lower this traffic may be required.
s) Conclusions - Provide a summary of points of conflict and
congestion. Identify all thoroughfare links or intersections exceeding
a Level of Service D and the percent increase in total traffic produced
by the proposed site plan. Identify any operational problems (e.g.,
drives, median openings, and signalization) within the study area.
f. Mitigation - Traffic levels exceeding Level of Service D, where the
development is contributing 5% or more of the total trips shall be
mitigated to predevelopment levels. Problems demonstrated by the TIA
can be corrected by:
1) Access Management requirements in addition to those provided in
Article 7.3 and the BCS Design Guidelines relating to driveway and
median opening spacing;
2) Modifying density or intensity of use (e.g., reduction in square
footage or percentage of commercial use);
3) Phasing construction until additional roadway capacity becomes
available;
4) On-site improvements including access controls and site circulation
adjustments; and
s) Off-site improvements including the construction of additional lanes
where the surrounding thoroughfares are not fully developed or
intersection improvements, including signalization, where the
surrounding area is approaching full development.
g. Costs of Mitigation - Mitigation improvements which are attributable to
the proposed development shall be funded at the developer's expense.
Any other improvements shown which are consistent with the
Thoroughfare Plan may be repaid by the City in accordance with its cost
sharing policies.
212.014 Replatting Without Vacating Preceding Plat
A replat of a subdivision or part of a subdivision may be recorded and is controlling
over preceding plat without vacation of that plat if the replat:
(1) is signed and acknowledged by only the owners of the property being
replatted.
(2) is approved, after a public hearing on the matter at which parties in interest
and citizens have an opportunity to be heard, by the municipal authority
responsibility for approving plats; and
(3) does not attempt to amend or remove any covenants or restrictions.
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