Minutes - Planning Commission - 07/12/2001

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determine how well the existing and proposed roadway system will accommodate the proposed developments, a traffic operations analysis was conducted for the a.m. and p.m. peak hours for the year 2006. The signalized intersection of TH #47/153'd Avenue was analyzed. The remaining unsignalized intersections were also analyzed. All key intersections are expected to operate at an acceptable level during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours in the year 2006, with existing traffic controls and geometric layout. Additional analysis was completed to determine future traffic impacts on adjacent residential streets due to the increase in traffic volumes generated by the proposed residential development. The threshold for expected daily traffic volumes on a local residential street is 1,000 vehicles per day. Traffic counts were collected on Ute Street north of 153ra Avenue during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. Based on the existing counts it is estimated that Ute Street north of 153rd Avenue has an average daily traffic volume of approximately 110 vehicles per day. In the year 2006 it is expected that the number will increase to approximately 250 vehicles per day. The amount of traffic expected on Ute Street will continue to be well below the expected daily threshold for a local residential street. Residents south of the proposed development have expressed concern about an increase in cut-through traffic along Xkimo Street and Waco Street south of 153rd Avenue. Travel times were conducted in June 2001 to determine if using Waco Street or Xkimo Street is faster than TH #47. It is approximately 20 seconds faster for development traffic to access TH #47 using 153rd Avenue instead of 149"' Avenue. It is assumed that an insignificant number of trips by the proposed development will use Waco Street and Xkimo Street south of 153rd Avenue. This assumption was based on existing counts at the Waco Street/153rd intersection, current travel patterns and the minimal delay experienced at the TH #47/153rd Avenue intersection under existing and year 2003 conditions. It was also recommended that all proposed access points be constructed. With six access points to/from the development, the traffic impacts at any one access will be reduced. In addition, a higher number of access points will provide street continuity and reduce the total travel distance in and out of the development. Steve Simonson, 156"~ Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that he represented a majority of homeowners in Reilley Estates. He explained that they had good discussions with the builder and he listened to their concerns. He requested that the Commission consider making Waco Street and Yakima Street into a cul-de-sac to reduce the traffic impacts on their development, noting that the developer has plans showing that as an option. Brent Smith, 15620 Yakima Street NW, Ramsey, Reilley Estate protection Committee, stated that they spent 2.5 years fighting the development and when it appeared that the City would not being doing much in the way of density transition, they agreed to pay $10,000 to acquire the property behind them. If he is spending $10,000 he would like to see Waco Street and Yakima turned into cul-de-sacs so that the lots behind them are even larger like they were promised when they originally purchased their property. Commissioner Johnson inquired if both Waco Street and Yakima Street were platted in the original Reilley Estates development. Planning Commission/July 12, 2001 Page 12 of 23