HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18 Memo from Planning
RECEIVED
APR 1 8 2006
City ofMeridim
City Clerk Office
Highlights of Proposed Development: variance to standard of having access at the Y2 mile. The Variance
application proposes a new approach to Eagle Road, SH 55, one access driveways for right in, right out
with a possible left in. -
On March 7, 2006, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) staff submitted a response to the request for
access to Eagle Road. ITD staff indicated that the proposed access point does not meet district policies.
On February 16,2006, ITD's executive committee held a decision on the access permit application
contingent on obtaining a Variance to Section 11-3H of the UDC.
There is no development agreement tied to the loçations of Eagle Road access on the 18.43 acres that
would specifically address access to Eagle Road/SH55:
There was no lawful and properly permitted existing use effective September 15,2005.
Bienville Square Variance Request
ACHD has approved three access points to Ustick Road, which will be upgraded at the controlled
intersection. ACHD has also provided a public road connection (Sadie Creek Avenue), Planning Staff
required multiple cross access points to the north which were to be designed as commercial collectors
with appropriate widths and limited connections (Cajon Court, Pvt). Staff conditioned these road
connections to serve as the frontage type roadways as required by ITD for traffic circulation and no
further connections would be required if properly designed and managed.
These public access points are less than 1,200 feet fTom any point on the site and when properly designed,
staff feels that the size of the site does not constitute reason for a variance as it is common to drive less
than 1/4 of a mile when accessing a public road system, especially for residential and office uses.
Traffic Accident Data
Of the top 10 intersections in Meridian for total number of accidents, six of those intersections were along
Eagle Road/SH55 (Overland, Magic View, .St. Luke's, Franklin, Lanark and Fairview).
2004 TOP 10 MERIDIAN ACCIDENT LOCATIONS
INTERSECTION TOTAL # ACCIDENTS
EAGLEIF AIRVIEW 82
FAIRVIEWILOCUST GROVE 46
MERIDIAN/OVERLAND 44
EAGLE/FRANKLIN 41
FAIRVIEWIRECORDS 39
EAGLEIMAGIC VIEW 30
EAGLE/LANARK 28
EAGLE/ST LUKES LN 26
MAINIFRANKLIN 23
EAGLE/OVERLAND 20
In 2004, 228 of 1,357 total accidents in the City (16.7%) occurred on Eagle Road. There is a direct
correlation between the number of access points/intersections along a roadway and the potential for
accidents. The higher the accessibility, the lower the mobility. While staff is not arguing that every new
driveway or public street access to Eagle Road will cause or be directly responsible for accidents, we do
believe restricting the number of new accesses helps to ensure a safer roadway.
Variance Findings:
A. The variance shall not grant a right or special privilege that is not othenvise allowed in the
district:
If the City Council grants the access point to Eagle Road/SH55, it would grant a right that is currently
prohibited not only in the C-G zone but for all new development adjacent to state highways. The applicant
has been conditioned to provide a cross access frontage road system to which they have agreed with the
Planning Commission findings for the project approval. They applicant has more than 800 feet with
three connections to Ustick Road -
Section 11-3H- 3 of the UDC does state that the City Council may consider and apply modifications to the
standards of Article H upon specific recommendation of the ITD. However, ITD has not made that
recommendation.
B. The variance relieves an undue hardship because of characteristics of the site;
Council finds there are no physical characteristics of the site which demand access points be constructed
that are any more unique or different than other properties along Eagle Road/SH55. For example, there
are no major canals or ditches which prevent access to Ustick Road. The subject property has no barriers
to connecting multiple access points to Ustick Road as approved by ACHD. Settlers Irrigation District
would allow the applicant to cover the Finch Lateral if requested for a canal crossing.
C. The variance shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.
Council finds that granting the right-in/right-out access point to Eagle Road/SH55 has the potential of
increasing traffic conflicts due to the increased number of vehicles that will need to merge with existing
southbound traffic. Granting a full movement access as requested by the Commission has the additional
potential conflict of adding vehicles to the center turn lane, does not comply with the Eagle Road Corridor
study, and slows traffic speeds where the speed limit is 55 miles per hour.
Commission Recommendation: NA
Findings:
Yes-for denial
Notes: