HomeMy WebLinkAboutVariance Request - Durston and Laurel Parkway 07-22-2020Variance Request
Sec. 38.400.060. - Street improvement standards.
Section 38.400.060.4 reads as follows:
Sec. 38.400.060.4. Level of service standards. All arterial and collector streets and
intersections with arterial and collector streets must operate at a minimum level of service "C"
unless specifically exempted by this section. The city determines level of service (LOS) values by
using the methods defined by the most recent edition of the Highway Capacity Manual. The review
authority may approve a development only if the LOS requirements are met in the design year,
which must be a minimum of 15 years following the development application review or
construction of mitigation measures if mitigation measures are required to maintain LOS.
Intersections must have a minimum acceptable LOS of "C" for the intersection as a whole.
As stated above Section 38.400.060.4 requires that the review authority may approve a
development only if the LOS requirements are met in the design year, which is 15 years following
the development application.
Pursuant to Section 38.400.060.4.c the applicant is requesting a variance to improvements to the
Duston Road/Laurel Parkway intersection as it relates to the development proposal for the Norton
East Ranch Subdivision, Phase 5.
Section 38.400.060.4.c reads as follows: “If the review authority does not grant a waiver from the
level of service standard under this subsection B.4, a subdivider or other site developer may
request a variance from the requirements of this section. If a variance is granted from the
requirements of this section, the variance applies only to the specific development proposal for
which it was granted and must not be considered evidence for any other development proposal”
To support this request, we offer the following:
At the design year the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase 5 will account for less than 10% of
the total traffic at the intersection. Based on the current traffic projections, the need to improve
this intersection will occur with or without any additional development at the Norton East Ranch.
The intersection will function at a LOS C as a four-way stop though buildout of Phases 5 and 6 of
the Norton Ranch. As a general rule, a traffic signal should not be installed unless specific
warrants are met as defined in the MUTCD and it is not likely that the intersection will meet any
warrants for signalization with Phase 5 if this project. The capacity issues predicated for this
location will likely be caused by continued development around Durston Road to the west of Laurel
Parkway in the future.
At this time the applicant believes that a traffic signal at the Durston Road/Laurel Parkway intersection is
not needed, warranted, or justified. It is not recommended that a traffic signal be installed with Phase 5
of the Norton Ranch development.