Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/04/2017 - Special

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Pearson Farm Residential Development EAW Draft — March XX, 2017 Spack Consulting has completed trip generation studies in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and found local trip generation rates for residential uses to be lower than the comparable ITE rates. For the purposes of this study, ITE trip generation rates were used to provide a conservatively high estimate. The peak hour traffic in the study area occurs between 4:45 and 5:45PM. Based on recent traffic counts, it is expected that traffic from the project will also peak during this time. Within this peak hour, the residential project is expected to generate 297 trips, consisting of 189 entering vehicles and 108 exiting vehicles. The Traffic Impact Study included in Appendix E provides a full description and analysis of the peak hour traffic and traffic recommendations. Availability of Transit and Alternative Transportation The Ramsey Metro Transit Station is located about 1.5 miles southeast of the project area along the railroad and Highway 10/169. The station includes a park and ride lot and access to the Northstar Commuter Rail Line. The Northstar Line offers service between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis, stopping at stations in Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley. b. Discuss the effect on traffic congestion on affected roads and describe any traffic improvements necessary. The analysis must discuss the project's impact on the regional transportation system. If the peak hour traffic generated exceeds 250 vehicles or the total daily trips exceeds 2.500. a traffic impact study must be prepared as part of the EAW. Use the format and procedures described in the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Access Management Manual, Chapter 5 (available at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/accessmanawement/resources.html) or a similar local guidance. Effects on Traffic and Roadways The Traffic Impact Study concluded that the proposed project will have minimal effects on adjacent public roads and that nearby intersections will continue to operate at an overall Level of Service (LOS) A (Appendix E). The principle findings of the Traffic Impact Study are: 1. All Study intersections are all well within their capacity range and the proposed development traffic is not predicted to cause significant delays or congestion on the local roadway system. 2. Study area intersections, as described in the Traffic Impact Study, are expected to continue to operate at an overall LOS A during the AM and PM peak hours. 3. The proposed site access points are sufficient to service the expected site generated traffic. The Traffic Impact Study analyzed the extended traffic forecast to the year 2040. The extended forecast included traffic generated by the proposed project and background traffic growth. Under this forecast, all intersections continue to operate at an acceptable LOS during peak hours of operation causing minimal effects on adjacent public roadways and intersections. The traffic that will be generated by the proposed project does not raise capacity or safety concerns. Traffic generated by the project will have little effect on the regional transportation system. Intersections surrounding the site will continue to operate at acceptable levels of service with the addition of traffic generated by the proposed project. 25