Application MaterialsCit y Clerk’s Office ▪ 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Meridian, ID 83642 ▪ P: 208-888-4433
E:cityclerk@meridiancity.org ▪ www.meridiancity.org
TRANMITTAL TO AGENCIES FOR COMMENTS ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH THE
CITY OF MERIDIAN
To ensure that your comments and recommendation will be considered by the Meridian Planning and Zoning
Commission/City Council, Please submit your comments and recommendations to cityclerk@meridiancity.org,
Attention: C.Jay Coles, City Clerk by November 29, 2018
Transmittal Date: November 6, 2018
Hearing Date: December 6, 2018
Project Name & File Number: Pleasant View Elementary H-2018-0123 CUP
Applicant: West Ada School District
Property Location: N. Side of W. Gondola Dr., East of N. Black Cat Rd, Midway between
W. McMillan Rd. and W. Chinden Blvd.
Application Request:
Request: A Conditional Use Permit for an approximately 65,000 Square-foot
education institution (elementary school) in an R-4 and R-8 zoning district.
City Council / Planning and Zoning Commission Valley Transit
Mayor Idaho DEQ
Sanitary Services West Ada School District
Building Department & Community Development Meridian Post Office
Fire Department Ada County Highway District
Police Department Ada County Development Services
City Attorney Central District Health
City Public Works Compass
City Planner Nampa Meridian Irrigation District
Parks Departments Settlers Irrigation District
Economic Development Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas, Century Link
Historic Preservation Commission Idaho Transportation Department
New York Irrigation District South or RR/SW Meridian
Boise Project Board of Control NW Pipeline
Boise-Kuna Irrigation District Ada County Associate Land Records
Downtown Projects Meridian Development Corporation
Hearing Date: December 6, 2018
File No.: H-2018-0123
Project Name: Pleasant View Elementary
Request: Conditional use permit for an approximately 65,000 square-foot education institution
(elementary school) in an R-4 and R-8 zoning district, by West Ada School District.
Location: The site is located on the north side of W. Gondola Dr., east of N. Black Cat Road,
midway between W. McMillan Rd. and W. Chinden Blvd., in the SW ¼ of Section 27,
Township 4N, Range 1W.
Planning Division
PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY ■ Supplemental Checklist
Community Development Planning Division 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste. 102 Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208-884-5533 Fax: 208-888-6854 www.meridiancity.org/planning
(05/21/2014)
Project name: File #:
Applicant/agent:
All applications are required to contain one copy of the following:
Applicant
() Description Staff
()
The following items need to be shown graphically on the site plan or described in the
narrative per requirement of §67-6519:
School bus circulation plan
Access safety
Pedestrian plan
Crossing guard plan
Barriers between highways and school
Location of school zone
Need for flashing beacon
Need for traffic control signal
Anticipated future improvements
Speed on adjacent highways
Traffic volumes on adjacent highways
Effect upon the highway’s level of service
Need for acceleration or deceleration lanes
Internal traffic circulation
Anticipated development on surrounding undeveloped parcels
Zoning in the vicinity
Access control on adjacent highways
Required striping and signing modifications
Funding of highway improvements to accommodate development
Proposed highway projects in the vicinity
Any other issues as may be considered appropriate to the particular application
APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNLESS ALL ITEMS ON THE CHECKLIST ARE SUBMITTED.
www.lkvarchitects.com
208.336.3443
2400 E. Riverwalk Dr.
Boise, Idaho 83706 Page 1 of 1
November 5, 2018
City of Meridian
Planning Division
Public School Facility Supplemental Checklist
Project:
West Ada School District
Pleasant View Elementary
As required by the Ada County Highway District a Transportation Impact Study (TIS) was prepared by
Kittleson & Associates. The TIS examines the current transportation network and addresses the
transportation impacts associated with the proposed Pleasant View Elementary.
A complete TIS has been submitted to the City of Meridian for review with the Conditional Use Permit
documents. This letter will serve as a summary of the TIS and address the Public School Facility
Supplemental Checklist per the requirement of the City of Meridian and Idaho Code 67-6519.
All items referenced in the TIS shall be included in the approved site plan for the construction of
Pleasant View Elementary School.
The following Attachment (starting on page 45 of the of the complete TIS) addresses the specific Public
School Facility Checklist.
Respectfully,
Amber Van Ocker
LKV Architects
11/05/2018
Chinden/Ten Mile Mixed-Use Development August 2017
Executive Summary
1 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT STUDY Pleasant View
Elementary School
MERIDIAN, ID
September 2018
PREPARED FOR
LKV ARCHITECTS
Toby Norskog
2400 E Riverwalk Dr
Boise, Idaho 83706
PREPARED BY
KITTELSON & ASSOCIATES, INC.
101 S Capitol Boulevard, Suite 301
Boise, ID 83702
208.338.2683
3
1
54
2
CHINDEN BLVD
MCMILLAN RD
TE
N
M
I
L
E
R
D
BL
A
C
K
C
A
T
R
D
GO
N
D
O
L
A
D
R
SA
N
V
I
T
O
W
Y
20 26
SITEA
B
ADA COUNTY
26
55
16
44
26
20
84
84
SITE
69 21
20
H:
\
2
2
\
2
2
9
4
9
-
P
l
e
a
s
a
n
t
V
i
e
w
E
l
e
m
e
n
t
a
r
y
S
c
h
o
o
l
T
I
S
\
r
e
p
o
r
t
\
f
i
g
s
\
2
2
9
4
9
_
P
l
e
a
s
a
n
t
V
i
e
w
E
l
e
m
e
n
t
a
r
y
S
c
h
o
o
l
T
I
S
F
i
g
u
r
e
s
.
d
w
g
A
u
g
2
8
,
2
0
1
8
-
4
:
5
3
p
m
-
l
n
u
x
o
l
l
L
a
y
o
u
t
T
a
b
:
f
i
g
0
1
_
s
i
t
e
v
i
c
i
n
i
t
y
Site Vicinity
Meridian, Idaho 1
Pleasant View Elementary School Transportation Impact Study September 2018
Figure- Study Intersections####
- Site Access IntersectionsA
N
EP
EP EP
E
P
E
P
EP
H:
\
2
2
\
2
2
9
4
9
-
P
l
e
a
s
a
n
t
V
i
e
w
E
l
e
m
e
n
t
a
r
y
S
c
h
o
o
l
T
I
S
\
r
e
p
o
r
t
\
f
i
g
s
\
2
2
9
4
9
_
P
l
e
a
s
a
n
t
V
i
e
w
E
l
e
m
e
n
t
a
r
y
S
c
h
o
o
l
T
I
S
F
i
g
u
r
e
s
.
d
w
g
A
u
g
2
8
,
2
0
1
8
-
4
:
5
2
p
m
-
l
n
u
x
o
l
l
L
a
y
o
u
t
T
a
b
:
f
i
g
0
2
_
s
i
t
e
p
l
a
n
Proposed Site Plan
Meridian, Idaho 2
Pleasant View Elementary School Transportation Impact Study September 2018
Figure
GO
N
D
O
L
A
W
A
Y
Provided by LKV Architects
N
BUS DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
PARENT
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
PARENT/VISTOR
PARKING
STAFF PARKING
SECONDARY PARENT
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
45 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES
Idaho Code 67-6519(3) requires specific elements to be studied for school facilities, some of which are
beyond ACHD TIS requirements. The topics listed below are required to be addressed as part of the
transportation impact study for a new school. Topics that have been addressed in previous sections of
this report are identified but are not repeated in this section. Idaho Code requirements for school study
evaluation are:
1. Land use master plan
2. School bus plan
3. Access safety
4. Pedestrian plan
5. Crossing guard plan
6. Barriers between the highways and the school
7. Location of the school zone
8. Need for a flashing beacon
9. Need for traffic control
10. Anticipated future improvements
11. Speed on adjacent highways
12. Traffic volumes on adjacent highways
13. Effect upon a highway’s level of service
14. Need for acceleration or deceleration lanes
15. Internal traffic circulation
16. Anticipated development on surrounding undeveloped parcels
17. Zoning in the vicinity
18. Access control on adjacent highways
19. Required striping and signing modifications
20. Funding for highway improvements to accommodate the development
21. Proposed highway projects in the project vicinity
1. Land Use Master Plan
The proposed site is located in the City of Meridian in Ada County. This site is currently vacant within a
developing subdivision of single family houses. The site is currently zoned as medium density residential
with a planned school according to the City of Meridian Zoning Map (Reference 7). The site is surrounded
by medium density residential development with existing residential development to the east and new
residential development under construction to the south and southeast.
2. School bus plan
The bus circulation, parent drop-off circulation, and key on-site pedestrian routes are shown in Figure 7.
School buses at the elementary school will utilize a separate loading loop that will share access to
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
46 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Gondola Drive with the parking area for staff. The school bus loop design is separate from the parent
loading loop and does not conflict with the primary on-site pedestrian corridors.
The bus staging and loading area has been designed to accommodate 7 bus vehicles at one time which
exceeds the estimate of six buses that will serve the school.
Further information regarding the need for providing bus service in the attendance area is provided in
the pedestrian plan.
3. Access Safety
The main site access points that will provide access to the elementary school do not exist today;
therefore, the safety of the site’s driveways was reviewed by evaluating the estimated potential
intersection sight distance based on concept design plans and current conditions. The design and
projected operations of the proposed access points was also reviewed against ACHD standards to ensure
they met all applicable requirements. Intersection sight distance was reviewed at the proposed site
access points on Gondola Drive.
According to A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets by AASHTO (Reference 2) the required
intersection sight distance for a street with a speed of 25mph is 280 feet. Looking west and east along
Gondola Drive, sight distance at both accesses is approximately 350 feet in both directions. It should be
noted that the measurements were taken from a location approximately 15 feet from the edge of the
travel way per AASHTO policy and not where a future stop bar may be located. Due to the high vinyl
fences along the roadway, exiting vehicles will have to pull up into the sidewalk/pathway crossing area
in order utilize the available intersection sight distance. Exhibit 1 provide the view to the west and east
of Gondola Drive from the approximate location of the two site accesses.
Looking west along Gondola Drive Looking east along Gondola Drive
Exhibit 1. Sight Distance at the Proposed Site Access A/Gondola Drive Intersection
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
47 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Looking west along Gondola Drive
Looking east along Gondola Drive
The following recommendations have been identified to ensure adequate safety and operation at the
site access points, internal intersections, and roadways:
Remove miscellaneous vegetation and shrubbery, and potential obstructions along Gondola
Drive as necessary to maintain adequate intersection sight distance.
4. Pedestrian Plan
The pedestrian plan is comprised of the on-site pedestrian circulation and the off-site pedestrian
accessibility.
On-Site Pedestrian Circulation
The bus circulation, student parking, staff parking, parent drop-off circulation, and key on-site pedestrian
routes are shown in Figure 7. The bus loop is separated from the parent drop-off loop and key pedestrian
routes. The key pedestrian routes from the parking lots to the school do not require crossing either drop-
off/loading area.
Parent drop-off circulation is a challenge for all schools because of the high amount activity that occurs
in a short peak of 15 to 20 minutes. The parent drop-off circulation has been designed so that students
are dropped off curbside at the building from the passenger side of their vehicles and avoid the need for
them to walk across the drop-off area. While the secondary drop-off is located on an island south of the
primary drop-off, a designated crosswalk is proposed to ensure student don’t cut-through between
loading vehicles.
The following on-site pedestrian elements should be considered:
Site design elements or a railing on the north side of the secondary parent drop-off area to
channelize the pedestrians to the designated crossing location.
Exhibit 2. Sight Distance at the Proposed Site Access B/Gondola Drive Intersection
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
48 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Communication to parents regarding drop-off and pick-up procedures and enforcement as
necessary to ensure parents are not dropping off children in non-designated areas or blocking
traffic on Gondola Way.
Off-Site Pedestrian Accessibility
While sidewalks are present along Gondola Way and San Vito Way, there are significant gaps in sidewalks
on McMillan Road, Black Cat Road and Chinden Boulevard within the typical 1.5 mile walk zone.
Additionally, within the square mile where the school is located, the local street system is still lacking
connectivity. Therefore, access to buses by students within the typical walk zone will be required until
the sidewalk and pathway system is completed in the area. Homes along Gondola Way and San Vito Way
have sidewalk connections and therefore do not require bus access.
As the area builds out and sidewalks are provided, pedestrian activity is anticipated to increase. Based on
the development patterns within the future walk zone area, the following are recommended:
Site Access A: Provision of a north-south crosswalk and consideration for a rectangular rapid flash
beacon (RRFB) for the crossing of Gondola Drive. This could also be used by crossing guards.
San Vito Way/McMillan Road: Consideration for a future Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) to serve
future north-south pedestrian crossing from the neighborhood that is just starting to be
developed on the south side of McMillan Road. The pedestrian crossing volumes are not expected
to meet MUTCD guidelines for a PHB at opening of the school but are expected to increase as
development occurs south of McMillan Road. A PHB would not be needed if a traffic signa is
installed in the future.
Gondola Drive/Black Cat Road: Planning for a future Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) to serve
future east-west pedestrian crossing form the future neighborhood to be developed on the west
side of Black Cat Road. The traffic volumes on Black Cat Road and pedestrian crossing volumes
are not projected to meet MUTCD guidelines for a PHB at opening of the school. The need for this
beacon would be driven by future development and could be conditioned on future residential
development.
5. Crossing Guard Plan
The Meridian School District provides crossing guards at key crossing locations for elementary schools.
Based on the evaluation of pedestrian routes, the following locations are recommended for consideration
for crossing guards:
The intersection of Gondola Drive/Site Access A to assist the crossing of the uncontrolled east-
west traffic movements at Gondola Way for students using the sidewalk on the south side of
Gondola Way.
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
49 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Crossing guards may also be considered reviewed at the following arterial crossing locations depending
on future development and number of students crossing, bus availability, and whether PHB’s or signals
are installed:
The San Vito Way/McMillan Road intersection when the subdivision south of McMillan Road is
developed and the number of students that cross increases.
The Black Cat Road/Gondola Way intersection depending on future development.
6. Barriers between the Highway and the Schools
No highways are in the surrounding area of the school. As such, physical barriers between the school and
the nearby streets are not needed.
7-8. Location of the School Zone and Flashing Beacon
The location and design of school zones will be addressed during the design review process for the school
based on direction from ACHD staff. The ultimate development and approval of school zones will be
through ACHD in cooperation with the West Ada School District. Therefore, this section serves to provide
guidance with respect to the key elements that should be included in the evaluation of the need for a
designated school zone. Common factors that are considered when evaluating the need for a school zone
include:
Volume of students walking along the roadway during school hours.
Proximity of the school to a roadway with a speed higher than 20 mph.
Proximity of unfenced play fields adjacent to the roadway.
A marked crosswalk that is not protected by a traffic signal or stop sign that will be used by
students.
Age of school level students walking along the roadway or in proximity to the roadway.
Given these factors, a school zone should be considered on Gondola Drive. The school zone should meet
the applicable criteria in the manual of uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD) and start a minimum of
approximately 200 feet either side of the school property. Sign and beacon locations may need to be
adjusted due to location of side streets and other geometric elements.
The school zone should be accompanied by a flashing beacon, which his standard for most school zones
in Ada County.
Additionally, school zones should be considered at potential PHB crossings at the San Vito Way/McMillan
Road intersection and future Black Cat Road/Gondola Way intersection which should be reviewed at the
time marked crosswalks and/or PHB’s are installed crossing McMillan Road and Black Cat Road.
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
50 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
9. Need for a Traffic Control Signal
As identified in the previous sections of this report, all of the elementary school site access points are
forecast to operate acceptably as stop controlled driveways.
10-14. Improvements, Speed, Traffic Volumes, Levels of Service, and Need for Acceleration
or Deceleration Lanes
See previous sections of this study that document these steps.
15. Internal Traffic Circulation
See previous sections of this study that documents internal traffic circulation.
16. Anticipated Development
See previous sections of this study that document the proposed development.
17. Zoning in the Vicinity
According to the City of Meriden zoning map zoning in the vicinity of the site is as follows:
The site is zoned medium density residential.
The areas surrounding the site are similar with medium and medium-low density residential.
18. Access Control on Adjacent Highways
There is no access control on the adjacent streets although ACHD Policy Manual identifies minimum
access spacing for Collector Roadways. See the Site Access Spacing section of this report for a detailed
evaluation of the site access driveway locations.
19. Required Striping and Signing Modifications
Off-site intersection modifications are outlined in the previous section of this report. The following on-
site striping and signing modifications are recommended:
Signing and striping of crosswalk locations.
On-site signing and pavement markings for the parent drop-off/pick-up identifying circulation
direction, the bypass lane, and curb loading area.
On-site signing and pavement markings for the bus drop-off/pick-up identifying circulation
direction, the bypass lane, and loading area.
Pleasant View Elementary School September 2018
Special Considerations for School District Facilities
51 Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Signing and striping associated with the recommendations regarding RRFB’s, PHB’s and school
zone.
20. Funding of Highway Improvements to Accommodate Development
Funding for the improvements will be provided by the development.
21. Proposed Highway Projects in the Vicinity
See Planned Roadway Improvements section of this study.