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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLinder Rd Overpass CPA RecsSTAFF REPORT Hearing Date: April 14, 2009 TO: Mayor and City Council E IDIAN~- FROM: Bill Parsons, Associate City Planner 9 ®~ (208) 884-5533 SUBJECT: CPA-09-002 -Linder Road Overpass Pathway 1. SiJNIlVIARY DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT'S REQUEST The applicant, City of Meridian Planning Department, is requesting approval of a Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment that incorporates language supporting the construction of an overpass at Linder Road and I-84 and associated pathway. This request was initiated based on a resolution from the Parks and Recreation Commission detailing the location, design and construction of the pathway with the construction of the overpass. See section 6 and 8 for more information. 2. SUIVIlVIARY RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending approval of the subject CPA application, based on the Findings of Fact listed in Exhibit B. The Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on March 5, 2009. At the public hearing the Commission voted to recommend approval of the subiect CPA request. a. Summary of Commission Public Hearing: i. In favor: Meridian Planning Department ii. In opposition: None iii. Commenting• None iv. Written testimony: None v. Staff presenting application: Bill Parsons vi. Other staff commenting on application: None b. Kev Issue(s) of Discussion by Commission: i. None c. Kev Commission Change(s) to Staff Recommendation: i. None d. Outstanding Issue(s) for City Council: i. None 3. PROPOSED MOTION Approval After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to approve File Number CPA- 09-002 as presented in the staff report for the hearing date of April 14, 2009, with the following comments: (Add any proposed comments.) Denial After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to deny File Number CPA-09- 002 as presented during the hearing on April 14, 2009, for the following reasons: (State specific reasons for denial of the subject CPA application.) Continuance After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to continue File Number CPA- 09-002 to the hearing date of (insert continued hearing date here) for the following reason(s): (State specific reason(s) for a continuance.) Linder Road Overpass Pathway CPA-09-002 PAGE I 4. APPLICATION a. Site Address/Location: City wide b. Applicant/Representative: City of Meridian Planning Department 33 E. Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho 83642 c. Applicant's Statement/Justification (reference submittal material): "See applicant's narrative for this information. 5. PROCESS FACTS a. The subject application is for a Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment. A public hearing is required before the Commission and City Council on this matter, consistent with Unified Development Code, Title 11, Chapter 5. b. Newspaper notifications published on: February 16, and March 2, 2009 (Commission); March 30, and Apri16, 2009 (City Council) c. A public service announcement was broadcast faxed on March 19, 2009 (Commission) and March 19, 2009 (City Council) regarding this application. 6. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ANALYSIS The City's Comprehensive Plan is a vision and policy document for guiding development and the transportation needs in the City of Meridian. The Comprehensive Plan has identified the need for the Ten Mile Interchange and the Locust Grove Overpass. Currently under construction, the Ten Mile Interchange will provide additional access to I-84 however a pedestrian friendly pathway was not designed with that project. In 2007, the Locust Grove Overpass was completed and incorporated 7- foot attached sidewalks and a separate bike lane to help facilitate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. In the future it maybe desirable to have an additional overpass at Linder Road as identified in the Long Range Regional Transportation Plan. It is the intent of this text change to provide the Planning Staff and other local agencies of the City's preference to incorporate a segregated 10-foot multi-use pathway as part of the design for the Linder Road Overpass. Idaho Code 67-6508 states that "the plan shall consider previous and existing conditions, trends, desirable goals and objectives, or desirable future situations for each planning component." Staff has reviewed the subject CPA application and offers the analysis and recommendations contained herein for the Commission and the City Council's consideration. Please see below and Exhibit D for detailed analysis of the required findings for a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment. Staff finds the following Goals, Objectives, and Action items contained in the 2002 Comprehensive Plan to be applicable to this application (staff analysis is in italics below policy): • Chapter VI, Goal II, Objective A, Action 8 (page 85) -Develop alternative modes of transportation through pedestrian improvements, bicycle lanes, off-street pathways and transit oriented development as appropriate. The Long Range Regional Transportation Plan has identified a future need for the Linder Road Overpass. Planning Staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission have identi, fled the need for a multi-use pathway to help facilitate pedestrian and bicycle traf `ic adjacent to Linder Road and Linder Road Overpass Pathway CPA-09-002 PAGE 2 overl-84. The Comprehensive Plan will encourage other partnering agencies to incorporate said pathway into the design of the future overpass. Chapter VII, Goal VI, Objective B - Provide new and alternative transportation systems to accommodate growth. Staff believes the future overpass and associated multi-use pathway provides an alternative mode of transportation that will provide future connectivity with developments north and south of the Interstate. Further, the Long Range Transportation Plan, Communities in Motion has indicated the potential for 30, 000 vehicle trips per day travelling north bound on Linder Road by the year 2030 making it a viable location to facilitate safe movement ofpedestrian and bicycle traffic. • Chapter VI, Goal II, Objective A, Action 3: Consider "Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach" from the National Center for Bicycling and Walking in all land-use decisions. This publication encourages jurisdictions to establish bikeway and walkway facilities in new construction and reconstruction projects, in a manner that is safe, accessible and convenient. Staff believes that the subject applications generally comply with the applicable policies listed in the literature noted above. Based on the analysis above, staff believes the proposed text change is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. Staff recommends that the Commission rely on facts presented in the staff report and any verbal or written testimony that may be provided at the public hearing when determining if the CPA request is appropriate. 7. UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE The Comprehensive Plan is to serve as a guide for future development within Meridian. As development is proposed for this area (Linder Road and I-84), staff will ensure compliance with the UDC and Meridian Master Pathway Plan. 8. ANALYSIS a. Analysis of Facts Leading to Staff Recommendation COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT: The subject CPA text amendment is proposing to integrate text for a future Linder Road Overpass and associated pathway into the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Department initiated the CPA text amendment at the request of the Parks & Recreation Commission. The proposed changes will provide clarity to City and partner agencies when the Linder Road Overpass is designed regarding the City's preferences for incorporation of pedestrian facilities per the Meridian Pathways Master Plan. The proposed language (1) reaffirms Linder Road as an on-street route north and south of I-84 per the adopted Pathways Master Plan, (2) asserts an expectation that the accommodations for the pathway across the bridge be physically separate from vehicle travel lanes, and (3) recommends a side of Linder Road for the future on-street pathway. This request integrates the Parks & Recreation Commission's recommendation into the City's Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, staff is recommending the following text revision to the Comprehensive Plan as follows: Pg. 71-After last bullet (Eagle Road), add the following: Linder Road Overpass Pathway CPA-09-002 PAGE 3 Consistent with the Regional Long Range Transportation Plan, the City of Meridian supports the construction of an overpass at the intersection of Linder Road and Interstate 84. When constructed. this overpass should include an on-street pathway route along the west side of the roadway as it is mostly undeveloped and allows an opportunity for continuation of the on-street route north and south of the interstate throush future development. The on-street route should be separated from vehicle travel lanes with a iersey barrier or other appropriate means to substitute for the typical 6-8 foot planting buffer. Aside from the plantine buffer, this route should be constructed to the specifications in the City's Master Pathway Plan. Pg. 85 -Goal II, Objective A, Action 10: "Identify a City liaison to: - Encourage and promote the development of an overpass at the Intersection of Le^•^••~:ti Linder Road and I-84 by ACRD. The overpass should accommodate pedestrians as described on pace 71. 9. EXHIBTTS A. Other Agency and Department Comments B. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code Linder Road Overpass Pathway CPA-09-002 PAGE 4 A. Other Agency and Department Comments On February 12, 2009, a joint agency and department meeting was held with service providers in this area. The agencies and departments present include: Meridian Fire Department, Meridian Parks and Department. None of the agencies or departments listed above provided comments at the January 29th meeting. 1. FIRE DEPARTMENT 1.1 The Fire Department has no concerns related to this application. 2. POLICE DEPARTMENT 2.1 The Police Department has no concerns related to this application. 3. PARKS DEPARTMENT 3.1 The Parks Department has no concerns related to this application. Exhibit A - 1 - B. Required Findings from the Unified Development Code 1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Findings Upon recommendation from the Commission, the Council shall make a full investigation and shall, at the public hearing, review the application. In order to grant an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, the Council shall make the following findings: a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the other elements of the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission fmds that the proposed amendment is consistent with the other elements of the Comprehensive plan (See Section 6 above). b. The proposed amendment provides an improved guide to future growth and development of the city. The Commission fmds that the proposed amendment provides an improved guide to future growth and development of the city. c. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission finds that the proposed amendment is internally consistent with the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan (See Section 6 above). d. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Unified Development Code. The Commission finds that the proposed amendment is not inconsistent with the Unified Development Code. Staff will ensure full compliance with the UDC and the Design Manual with future development proposals. e. The amendment will be compatible with ezasting and planned surrounding land uses. The Commission fmds that the proposed amendment will be compatible with existing and planned land uses for the area. f. The proposed amendment will not burden e~sting and planned service capabilities. The Commission fmds that the proposed amendment would not burden existing and planned service capabilities in this area of the city. g. The proposed map amendment (as applicable) provides a logical juxtaposition of uses that allows sufficient area to mitigate any anticipated impact associated with the development of the area. NA h. The proposed amendment is in the best interest of the City of Meridian. The Commission fmds that the proposed amendment is in the best interest of the City. Exhibit B - 1 -