HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - Access Distance Memo us
To: Mindy Wallace From: Jason Watson, PE, PTOE
Ada County Highway District FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, LLC
File: Solara Estates Subdivision Date: February 18, 2025
Reference: Solara Estates Subdivision -Access Spacing Memorandum
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum is to request a variance to the intersection spacing requirements along
Locust Grove Road with the addition of the Solara Estates Subdivision. The proposed
subdivision will consist of 14 single-family lots ranging from 0.40 acres to 0.50 acres. This
project is planned with one access onto Locust Grove Road. This access is planned as a
47-foot roadway section and is located roughly 550 feet south of Amity Road.
The access spacing requirement per Ada County Highway District (ACHD) guidelines
along Locust Grove Road is 660 feet. Locust Grove Road does have a gradual incline as
you travel south which causes some sight distance concerns with an access located 660
feet to the south of Amity Road. From the crest of the hill along Locust Grove Road, there
would be roughly 275 feet from a proposed access if it were to meet the 660 feet spacing
requirement from Amity Road.
The Solara Estates Subdivision is proposing an access onto Locust Grove Road 550 feet
south of Amity Road, which would place this access roughly 385 feet from the crest of
the hill. From our field observations, placing the proposed subdivisions access onto Locust
Grove Road roughly 550 feet south of the Amity Road intersection will provide safer sight
distance for vehicles entering and exiting the subdivision. It was also observed, that
vehicles traveling northbound along Locust Grove Road along the Solara Estates
proposed frontage were typically slowing down as they approach the stop-controlled
intersection with Amity Road. Vehicles traveling southbound, were also traveling below
the posted speed limit as they were accelerating from a stop condition at the Amity
Road stop-controlled intersection and were not typically up to the posted speed limit.
In discussions with Ada County Highway District and as part of the County's Five-Year
Work Plan, the intersection of Amity Road and Locust Grove Road is planned to be
reconstructed to a multi-lane roundabout. With the planned improvements of this
roundabout and the lane configuration, there will be improvements along Locust Grove
Road that will also extend along the frontage of the Solara Estates Subdivision. These
improvements may include widening of the roadway, new signing and striping, and the
county is also looking to reduce the speed limit along Locust Grove Road as vehicles
approach and enter into the roundabout. This will continue to help with the reduced
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speeds along Locust Grove Road and support the access spacing of 550 feet to the
proposed access to the Solara Estates Subdivision.
From our field observations and also from my professional opinion, placing the proposed
Solara Estates Subdivision access onto Locust Grove Road at roughly 550 feet from the
intersection with Amity Road will provide safer access that will allow for better sight
distance with the existing grades.This is further supported with the planned improvements
to convert the stop-controlled intersection at Locust Grove Road and Amity Road to a
multi-lane roundabout and reducing the speeds along the frontage of this development
that will also allow for safe ingress and egress movements to and from the Solara Estates
Subdivision.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
FOCUS ENGINEERING & SURVEYING, LLC
Wavig
Jason tson, PE, PTOE
Trans rtation Department Manager
208.974.0075
iwatson@focus-es.com
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Meridian,Idaho
208.974.0075