ACHD ReportSara M. Baker, President
Rebecca W. Arnold, Vice President
Jim D. Hansen, Commissioner
Kent Goldthorpe, Commissioner
Paul Woods, Commissioner
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
May 14, 2018
To: Jeremy Putman
725 E. 2nd St.
Meridian, ID 83642
Subject: MER18-0046 / A-2018-0137
342 NE 3rd Street
First Place Realty – convert single family dwelling to office
In response to your request for comment, the Ada County Highway District has reviewed the
submitted application and site plan for the item referenced above. It has been determined
that ACHD has site specific conditions of approval for this application.
A. Findings of Fact
1. Driveways
a. 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.
Driveway Location Policy: District policy 7206.4.4 requires driveways located
on collector roadways near a STOP controlled intersection to be located outside
of the area of influence; OR a minimum of 150-feet from the intersection,
whichever is greater. Dimensions shall be measured from the centerline of the
intersection to the centerline of the driveway.
Driveway Width Policy: District policy 7206.4.6 restricts low-volume driveways
(less than 100 VTD) to 24 to 30-feet wide. Curb return type driveways with 15-foot
radii will be required for low-volume driveways with less than 100 VTD.
b. Applicant’s Proposal: The applicant is proposing to utilize the existing 12-foot
wide driveway on 3rd Street, located 13-feet from Ada Street (measured
centerline-to-centerline).
c. Staff Comments/Recommendations: The applicant’s proposal does not meet
District policy, as the driveway does not meet the minimum width of 24-feet and
the location does not align with or meet the spacing requirement from Ada Street.
Staff recommends a modification of policy to allow the driveway to remain in its
current location. This site does not have adequate frontage to meet the required
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
150-foot spacing requirement, and the existing building prevents the relocation of
the driveway in alignment with Ada Street.
The applicant has indicated that due to building and property line constraints the
maximum width of the drive aisle is 22-feet wide. An open irrigation structure is
currently restricting the driveway to the existing width of 12-feet. The applicant
should be required to widen the existing driveway to maximize the width within the
22-foot wide space available. The applicant should work with the appropriate
irrigation district to remove/relocate the existing irrigation structure. Due to site
constraints, staff recommends a modification of policy to allow the driveway to be
constructed as a curb cut type driveway to assist meeting the width requirements.
A turnaround should be provided on-site to prevent vehicles from backing onto 3rd
Street.
2. Improvements
a. Minor Improvements Policy: District Policy 7203.3 states that minor
improvements to existing streets adjacent to a proposed development may be
required. These improvements are to correct deficiencies or replace deteriorated
facilities. Included are sidewalk construction or replacement; curb and gutter
construction or replacement; replacement of unused driveways with curb, gutter
and sidewalk; installation or reconstruction of pedestrian ramps; pavement
repairs; signs; traffic control devices; and other similar items.
b. Staff Comments/Recommendations: Consistent with ACHD’s Minor
Improvements Policy, the applicant should be required to correct deficiencies and
replace any broken or deteriorated portions of curb, gutter, and sidewalk on 3rd
Street abutting the site.
The existing sidewalk between the existing driveway and the southern property
line is damaged and should be replaced.
B. Site Specific Conditions of Approval
1. Reconstruct the existing driveway to a minimum width of 20-feet.
2. Provide an onsite turnaround to prevent vehicles from backing onto 3rd Street.
3. Correct deficiencies and replace any broken or deteriorated portions of curb, gutter, and
sidewalk on 3rd Street abutting the site.
4. A Traffic Impact Fee will be assessed by ACHD and will be due prior to issuance of a
building permit. Please contact the ACHD Planner (see below) for information regarding
impact fees.
5. Plans shall be submitted to the ACHD Development Review Department for plans
acceptance, and impact fee assessment (if an assessment is applicable).
6. Comply with the Standard Conditions of Approval as noted below.
C. Traffic Information
Trip Generation
This development is estimated to generate 12 additional vehicle trips per day; and 2
additional vehicle trips per hour in the PM peak hour, based on the Institute of Transportation
Engineers Trip Generation Manual, 9th edition.
Condition of Area Roadways: Traffic Count is based on Vehicles per hour (VPH)
Roadway Frontage Functional
Classification
PM Peak Hour
Traffic Count
PM Peak Hour
Level of Service
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
3rd Street 90-feet Collector 93 Better than “D”
* Acceptable level of service for a two-lane collector is “D” (425 VPH).
Average Daily Traffic Count (VDT): Average daily traffic counts are based on ACHD’s most
current traffic counts
The average daily traffic count for 3rd Street south of Pine Avenue was 1,613 on
September 20, 2016.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (208) 387-6335.
Sincerely,
Austin Miller
Planner II
Development Services
cc: City of Meridian, via e-mail
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
Vicinity Map
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
Site Plan
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
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, 7203.6, 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.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ada County Highway District • 3775 Adams Street • Garden City, ID • 83714 • PH 208-387-6100 • FX 345-7650 • www.achdidaho.org
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 and Clerk of the District, 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.