HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - ACHD Comments
1 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
Development Services Department
Project/File: Village Apartments/MER15-0097/AZ-15-012/CUP15-019
This is an annexation and rezone application to rezone 0.38 acres of the site to a C-
G zoning district and a conditional use permit allow for the construction of 336
dwelling units on approximately 16.68 acres. The site is located east of Eagle Road
and north of River Valley Street in Meridian, Idaho.
Lead Agency: City of Meridian
Site address: 2600 & 2700 N. Eagle Road
Staff Approval: October 23, 2015
Applicant: Jim Conger
DevCo
4824 W. Fairview Avenue
Boise, ID 83706
Representative: Same as above
Staff Contact: Mindy Wallace
Phone: 387-6178
E-mail:
mwallace@achdidaho.org
A. Findings of Fact
1. Description of Application: This is an annexation and rezone application to rezone 0.38 acres
of the site to a C-G zoning district and a conditional use permit allow for the construction of 336
dwelling units on approximately 16.68 acres. The site is located east of Eagle Road and north of
River Valley Street in Meridian, Idaho.
2. Description of Adjacent Surrounding Area:
Direction Land Use Zoning
North General commercial C-G
South Multi-family residential R-40
East Rural urban transitional/single-family residential RUT/R-4
West General Commercial/single-family residential C-G/R-2/R-15
3. Site History: ACHD has not previously reviewed this site for a development application.
4. Adjacent Development: The following developments are pending or underway in the vicinity of
the site:
2 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
• Regency at River Valley Phase 1, located south of the site, was approved by ACHD in May of
2008 and is built out.
• Regency at River Valley Phase 2, located south of the site, was approved by ACHD in June of
2014. Construction has not started on this site.
• Meridian Town Center (MCZC11-021), located south of the site was, approved by ACHD in July
of 2011 is in various stages of development.
5. Transit: Transit services are not available to serve this site.
6. New Center Lane Miles: This development will add 0.14 new center lane miles of new public
roadway.
7. Impact Fees: There will be an impact fee that is assessed and due prior to issuance of any
building permits. The assessed impact fee will be based on the impact fee ordinance that is in
effect at that time.
8. Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)/ Integrated Five Year Work Plan (IFYWP):
There are currently no roadways, bridges or intersections in the general vicinity of the project that
are currently in the Integrated Five Year Work Program or the District’s Capital Improvement Plan.
B. Traffic Findings for Consideration
1. Trip Generation: This development is estimated to generate 6,865 vehicle trips per day; 541
vehicle trips per hour in the PM peak hour based on the Institute of Transportation Eng ineers Trip
Generation Manual, 9th edition.
ACHD did not require a traffic impact study for this application, as the primary access to the site is
located off of Records Avenue, a 3 lane collector roadway, which runs between a signalized
intersection at Ustick Road and River Valley Street which is signalized at Eagle Road.
* Acceptable level of service for a seven-lane principal arterial is “E” (2,660 VPH).
* Acceptable level of service for a three-lane collector is “D” (530 VPH).
** ACHD does not set level of service thresholds for State Highways.
2. Average Daily Traffic Count (VDT)
Average daily traffic counts are based on ACHD’s most current traffic counts.
• The average daily traffic count for Eagle Road north of Fairview Avenue was 50,695 on
8/5/10.
• The average daily traffic count for River Valley east of Eagle Road was 4,267 on
4/24/14.
Roadway Frontage Functional
Classification
PM Peak
Hour
Traffic Count
PM Peak
Hour Level
of Service
Existing
Plus
Project
Eagle Road 390-feet Arterial 2,166 Better than
“E”
Better than
“E”
River Valley N/A Collector 192 Better than
“D”
Better than
“D”
3 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
C. Findings for Consideration
1. Eagle Road/SH-55
Eagle Road/SH-55 is under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). The
applicant, the City of Meridian, and ITD should work together to determine if additional right-of-
way or improvements are necessary on Eagle Road/SH-55.
Staff Comments/Recommendations: The applicant should be required to comply with
requirements of ITD and City of Meridian for the Eagle Road/SH-55 frontage. Submit to the
District a letter from ITD regarding said requirements prior to District approval of the final plat or
issuance of a building permit (or other required permits), whichever occurs first.
2. Records Avenue
a. Existing Conditions: Records Avenue is not constructed abutting the site. There is 55-feet
of unopened right-of-way for Records Avenue abutting the site.
b. Policy:
Collector Street Policy: District policy 7206.2.1 states that the developer is responsible for
improving all collector frontages adjacent to the site or internal to the development as required
below, regardless of whether access is taken to all of the adjacent streets.
Master Street Map and Typologies Policy: District policy 7206.5 states that if the collector
street is designated with a typology on the Master Street Map, that typology shall be
considered for the required street improvements. If there is no typology listed in the Master
Street Map, then standard street sections shall serve as the default.
Street Section and Right-of-Way Policy: District policy 7206.5.2 states that the standard
right-of-way width for collector streets shall typically be 50 to 70-feet, depending on the
location and width of the sidewalk and the location and use of the roadway. The right-of-way
width may be reduced, with District approval, if the sidewalk is located within an easement; in
which case the District will require a minimum right-of-way width that extends 2-feet behind
the back-of-curb on each side.
The standard street section shall be 46-feet (back-of-curb to back-of-curb). This width typically
accommodates a single travel lane in each direction, a continuous center left -turn lane, and
bike lanes.
Sidewalk Policy: District policy 7206.5.6 requires a concrete sidewalks at least 5-feet wide to
be constructed on both sides of all collector streets. A parkway strip at least 6-feet wide
between the back-of-curb and street edge of the sidewalk is required to provide increased
safety and protection of pedestrians. Consult the District’s planter width policy if trees are to
be placed within the parkway strip. Sidewalks constructed next to the back-of-curb shall be a
minimum of 7-feet wide.
Detached sidewalks are encouraged and should be parallel to the adjacent roadway.
Meandering sidewalks are discouraged.
A permanent right-of-way easement shall be provided if public sidewalks are placed outside of
the dedicated right-of-way. The easement shall encompass the entire area between the right-
of-way line and 2-feet behind the back edge of the sidewalk. Sidewalks shall either be located
wholly within the public right-of-way or wholly within an easement.
ACHD Master Street Map: ACHD Policy Section 3111.1 requires the Master Street Map
(MSM) guide the right-of-way acquisition, collector street requirements, and specific roadway
features required through development. A new collector roadway was identified on the MSM
with the street typology of Commercial Collector. The Commercial Collector typology as
4 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
depicted in the Livable Street Design Guide recommends a 3-lane roadway with bike lanes, a
45-foot street section within 65-feet of right-of-way.
c. Applicant Proposal: The applicant is proposing to construct a 5-foot wide detached concrete
sidewalk on Records Avenue abutting the site.
d. Staff Comments/Recommendations: As part of ITD’s approvals for the Meridian Town
Center project, the applicant CenterCal, was required to construct Records from River Valley
Street to its current terminus south of Ustick Road if ACHD could acquire the right-of-way.
ACHD acquired the right-of-way for the Records Avenue extension in the spring of 2014 and
Centercal is anticipated to begin construction of the roadway in the near future. If the applicant
waits for Centercal to construct Records abutting the site, then the applicant will not be
required to make any street improvements to Records abutting the site. Outside of the right-
of-way the applicant should be required to provide an 8-foot landscape buffer and a 5-foot
wide detached concrete sidewalk located outside of the right-of-way within a 14-foot wide
easement abutting the site.
If the applicant moves forward with their development before Centercal constructs Records
Avenue abutting their site, then the applicant should be required to construct Records as one
half of a 46-foot street section, plus 12 additional feet of pavement to total 35-feet of
pavement with vertical curb, and gutter abutting the site. The pavement should be crowned at
the ultimate centerline and a 3-foot wide gravel shoulder and a borrow ditch sized to
accommodate the roadway storm runoff shall be constructed on the east side of the roadway.
These improvements should be constructed within the existing 55-feet of right-of-way, with an
8-foot landscape buffer and a 5-foot wide detached concrete sidewalk located outside of the
right-of-way within a 14-foot wide easement abutting the site.
The applicant should be required to provide a permanent right-of-way easement for the
detached sidewalks located outside of the right-of-way.
3. Driveways
3.1 Records Avenue
a. Existing Conditions: There are no driveways onto Records Avenue from the site.
b. Policy:
Access Policy: District Policy 7205.4.1 states that all access points associated with
development applications shall be determined in accordance with the policies in this section
and Section 7202. Access points shall be reviewed only for a development application that is
being considered by the lead land use agency. Approved access points may be relocated
and/or restricted in the future if the land use intensifies, changes, or the property redevelops.
District Policy 7206.1 states that the primary function of a collector is to intercept traffic from
the local street system and carry that traffic to the nearest arterial. A secondary function is to
service adjacent property. Access will be limited or controlled. Collectors may also be
designated at bicycle and bus routes.
Successive Driveways: District policy 7206.4.5 Table 1, requires driveways located on
collector roadways with a speed limit of 30 MPH and daily traffic volumes greater than 200
VTD to align or offset a minimum of 260-feet from any existing or proposed driveway.
Driveway Width Policy: District policy 7206.4.6 restricts high-volume driveways (100 VTD or
more) to a maximum width of 36-feet and low-volume driveways (less than 100 VTD) to a
maximum width of 30-feet. Curb return type driveways with 30-foot radii will be required for
high-volume driveways with 100 VTD or more. Curb return type driveways with 15-foot radii
will be required for low-volume driveways with less than 100 VTD.
Driveway Paving Policy: Graveled driveways abutting public streets create maintenance
problems due to gravel being tracked onto the roadway. In accordance with District policy,
5 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
7206.4.6, the applicant should be required to pave the driveway its full width and at least 30-
feet into the site beyond the edge of pavement of the roadway and install pavement tapers in
accordance with Table 2 under District Policy 7206.4.6.
c. Applicant’s Proposal: The applicant is proposing to construct a 30-foot wide driveway onto
Records Avenue located approximately 350-feet south of the north property line (measured
property line to centerline).
d. Staff Comments/Recommendations: The applicant’s proposalmeets ACHD policy and
should be approved, as proposed. The driveway should be paved its full width at least 30-feet
into the site beyond the edge of pavement.
4. Tree Planters
Tree Planter Policy: Tree Planter Policy: The District’s Tree Planter Policy prohibits all trees in
planters less than 8-feet in width without the installation of root barriers. Class II trees may be
allowed in planters with a minimum width of 8-feet, and Class I and Class III trees may be allowed
in planters with a minimum width of 10-feet.
5. Landscaping
Landscaping Policy: A license agreement is required for all landscaping proposed within ACHD
right-of-way or easement areas. Trees shall be located no closer than 10-feet from all public
storm drain facilities. Landscaping should be designed to eliminate site obstructions in the vision
triangle at intersections. District Policy 5104.3.1 requires a 40-foot vision triangle and a 3-foot
height restriction on all landscaping located at an uncontrolled intersection and a 50-foot offset
from stop signs. Landscape plans are required with the submittal of civil plans and must meet all
District requirements prior to signature of the final plat and/or approval of the civil plans.
6. Other Access
Records Avenue is classified as a collector roadway. Other than the access specifically approved
with this application, direct lot access is prohibited to this roadway.
D. Site Specific Conditions of Approval
1. Comply with requirements of ITD and City of Meridian for the Eagle Road/SH-55 frontage. Submit
to the District a letter from ITD regarding said requirements prior to District approval of the final
plat or issuance of a building permit (or other required permits), whichever occurs first.
2. Extend Records Avenue from the north property line, at its current terminus, to the south property
line, as one-half of a 46-foot street section, plus 12-feet of additional pavement; with vertical curb
and gutter on the west side of the road. A 3 -foot wide gravel shoulder and a borrow ditch sized to
accommodate the roadway storm runoff shall be constructed on the east side if the roadway. OR
Plan approval shall be contingent on CenterCal constructing the remainder of Records Avenue
abutting the site. No additional right-of-way is required.
3. Provide an 8-foot wide landscape buffer and construct a 5-foot wide detached concrete sidewalk
located outside of the right-of-way within a 14-foot wide easement along Records Avenue abutting
the site.
4. Construct one 30-foot wide driveway onto Records Avenue located 350-feet south of the north
property line, as proposed. Pave the driveway it’s full width at least 30-feet into the site beyond
the edge of pavement of Allys/Records.
5. Other than access specifically approved with this application direct lot access to Records is
prohibited.
6. Payment of impacts fees are due prior to issuance of a building permit.
6 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
7. Comply with all Standard Conditions of Approval.
E. Standard Conditions of Approval
1. All proposed irrigation facilities shall be located outside of the ACHD right-of -way (including
all easements). Any existing irrigation facilities shall be relocated outside of the ACHD right-
of-way (including all easements).
2. Private Utilities including sewer or water systems are prohibited from being located within
the ACHD right-of-way.
3. In accordance with District policy, 7203.3, the applicant may be required to update any
existing non-compliant pedestrian improvements abutting the site to meet current Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The applicant’s engineer should provide
documentation of ADA compliance to District Development Review staff for review.
4. Replace any existing damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk and any that may be damaged
during the construction of the proposed development. Contact Construction Services at
387-6280 (with file number) for details.
5. A license agreement and compliance with the District’s Tree Planter policy is required for all
landscaping proposed within ACHD right-of-way or easement areas.
6. All utility relocation costs associated with improving street frontages abutting the site shall
be borne by the developer.
7. It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify all existing utilities within the right-of-way.
The applicant at no cost to ACHD shall repair existing utilities damaged by the applicant.
The applicant shall be required to call DIGLINE (1-811-342-1585) at least two full business
days prior to breaking ground within ACHD right-of -way. The applicant shall contact ACHD
Traffic Operations 387-6190 in the event any ACHD conduits (spare or filled) are
compromised during any phase of construction.
8. Utility street cuts in pavement less than five years old are not allowed unless approved in
writing by the District. Contact the District’s Utility Coordinator at 387-6258 (with file
numbers) for details.
9. All design and construction shall be in accordance with the ACHD Policy Manual, ISPWC
Standards and approved supplements, Construction Services procedures and all applicable
ACHD Standards unless specifically waived herein. An engineer registered in the State of
Idaho shall prepare and certify all improvement plans.
10. Construction, use and property development shall be in conformance with all applicable
requirements of ACHD prior to District approval for occupancy.
11. No change in the terms and conditions of this approval shall be valid unless they are in
writing and signed by the applicant or the applicant’s authorized representative and an
authorized representative of ACHD. The burden shall be upon the applicant to obtain
written confirmation of any change from ACHD.
12. If the site plan or use should change in the future, ACHD Planning Review will review the
site plan and may require additional improvements to the transportation system at that time.
Any change in the planned use of the property which is the subject of this application, shall
require the applicant to comply with ACHD Policy and Standard Conditions of Approval in
place at that time unless a waiver/variance of the requirements or other legal relief is
granted by the ACHD Commission.
7 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
F. Conclusions of Law
1. The proposed site plan is approved, if all of the Site Specific and Standard Conditions of Approval
are satisfied.
2. ACHD requirements are intended to assure that the proposed use/development will not place an
undue burden on the existing vehicular transportation system within the vicinity impacted by the
proposed development.
G. Attachments
1. Vicinity Map
2. Site Plan
3. Utility Coordinating Council
4. Development Process Checklist
5. Request for Reconsideration Guidelines
8 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
VICINITY MAP
SITE
9 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
SITE PLAN
10 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
Ada County Utility Coordinating Council
Developer/Local Improvement District
Right of Way Improvements Guideline Request
Purpose: To develop the necessary avenue for proper notification to utilities of local highway
and road improvements, to help the utilities in budgeting and to clarify the already existing process.
1) Notification: Within five (5) working days upon notification of required right of way
improvements by Highway entities, developers shall provide written notification to the affected
utility owners and the Ada County Utility Coordinating Council (UCC). Notification shall include
but not be limited to, project limits, scope of roadway improvements/project, anticipated
construction dates, and any portions critical to the right of way improvements and coordination
of utilities.
2) Plan Review: The developer shall provide the highway entities and all utility owners with
preliminary project plans and schedule a plan review conference. Depending on the scale of
utility improvements, a plan review conference may not be necessary, as determined by the
utility owners. Conference notification shall also be sent to the UCC. During the review meeting
the developer shall notify utilities of the status of right of way/easement acquisition necessary
for their project. At the plan review conference each company shall have the right to appeal,
adjust and/or negotiate with the developer on its own behalf. Each utility shall provide the
developer with a letter of review indicating the costs and time required for relocation of its
facilities. Said letter of review is to be provided within thirty calendar days after the date of the
plan review conference.
3) Revisions: The developer is responsible to provide utilities with any revisions to preliminary
plans. Utilities may request an updated plan review meeting if revisions are made in the
preliminary plans which affect the utility relocation requirements. Utilities shall have thirty days
after receiving the revisions to review and comment thereon.
4) Final Notification: The developer will provide highway entities, utility owners and the UCC with
final notification of its intent to proceed with right of way improvements and include the
anticipated date work will commence. This notification shall indicate that the work to be
performed shall be pursuant to final approved plans by the highway entity. The developer shall
schedule a preconstruction meeting prior to right of way improvements. Utility relocation activity
shall be completed within the times established during the preconstruction meeting, unless
otherwise agreed upon.
Notification to the Ada County UCC can be sent to: 50 S. Cole Rd. Boise 83707, or Visit
iducc.com for e-mail notification information.
11 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
Development Process Checklist
Items Completed to Date:
Submit a development application to a City or to Ada County
The City or the County will transmit the development application to ACHD
The ACHD Planning Review Section will receive the development application to review
The Planning Review Section will do one of the following:
Send a “No Review” letter to the applicant stating that there are no site specific conditions of approval at
this time.
Write a Staff Level report analyzing the impacts of the development on the transportation system and
evaluating the proposal for its conformance to District Policy.
Write a Commission Level report analyzing the impacts of the development on the transportation system
and evaluating the proposal for its conformance to District Policy.
Items to be completed by Applicant:
For ALL development applications, including those receiving a “No Review” letter:
• The applicant should submit one set of engineered plans directly to ACHD for review by the Development
Review Section for plan review and assessment of impact fees. (Note: if there are no site improvements
required by ACHD, then architectural plans may be submitted for purposes of impact fee assessment.)
• The applicant is required to get a permit from Construction Services (ACHD) for ANY work in the right-of-
way, including, but not limited to, driveway approaches, street improvements and utility cuts.
Pay Impact Fees prior to issuance of building permit. Impact fees cannot be paid prior to plan review approval.
DID YOU REMEMBER:
Construction (Non-Subdivisions)
Driveway or Property Approach(s)
• Submit a “Driveway Approach Request” form to ACHD Construction (for approval by Development Services & Traffic
Services). There is a one week turnaround for this approval.
Working in the ACHD Right-of-Way
• Four business days prior to starting work have a bonded contractor submit a “Temporary Highway Use Permit
Application” to ACHD Construction – Permits along with:
a) Traffic Control Plan
b) An Erosion & Sediment Control Narrative & Plat, done by a Certified Plan Designer, if trench is >50’ or you
are placing >600 sf of concrete or asphalt.
Construction (Subdivisions)
Sediment & Erosion Submittal
• At least one week prior to setting up a Pre-Construction Meeting an Erosion & Sediment Control Narrative & Plan,
done by a Certified Plan Designer, must be turned into ACHD Construction to be reviewed and approved by the ACHD
Stormwater Section.
Idaho Power Company
• Vic Steelman at Idaho Power must have his IPCO approved set of subdivision utility plans prior to Pre-Con being
scheduled.
Final Approval from Development Services is required prior to scheduling a Pre-Con.
12 Village Apartments/MER15-0097
Request for Appeal of Staff Decision
1. Appeal of Staff Decision: The Commission shall hear and decide appeals by an applicant
of the final decision made by the Development Services Manager when it is alleged that the
Development Services Manager did not properly apply this section 7101.6, did not consider
all of the relevant facts presented, made an error of fact or law, abused discretion or acted
arbitrarily and capriciously in the interpretation or enforcement of the ACHD Policy Manual.
a. Filing Fee: The Commission may, from time to time, set reasonable fees to be
charged the applicant for the processing of appeals, to cover administrative
costs.
b. Initiation: An appeal is initiated by the filing of a written notice of appeal with
the Secretary of Highway Systems, which must be filed within ten (10) working
days from the date of the decision that is the subject of the appeal. The notice of
appeal shall refer to the decision being appealed, identify the appellant by name,
address and telephone number and state the grounds for the appeal. The
grounds shall include a written summary of the provisions of the policy relevant
to the appeal and/or the facts and law relied upon and shall include a written
argument in support of the appeal. The Commission shall not consider a notice
of appeal that does not comply with the provisions of this subsection.
c. Time to Reply: The Development Services Manager shall have ten (10) working
days from the date of the filing of the notice of appeal to reply to the notice of
the appeal, and may during such time meet with the appellant to discuss the
matter, and may also consider and/or modify the decision that is being appealed.
A copy of the reply and any modifications to the decision being appealed will be
provided to the appellant prior to the Commission hearing on the appeal.
d. Notice of Hearing: Unless otherwise agreed to by the appellant, the hearing of
the appeal will be noticed and scheduled on the Commission agenda at a regular
meeting to be held within thirty (30) days following the delivery to the appellant
of the Development Services Manager’s reply to the notice of appeal. A copy of
the decision being appealed, the notice of appeal and the reply shall be delivered
to the Commission at least one (1) week prior to the hearing.
e. Action by Commission: Following the hearing, the Commission shall either affirm
or reverse, in whole or part, or otherwise modify, amend or supplement the
decision being appealed, as such action is adequately supported by the law and
evidence presented at the hearing.