§ 33-7.5.10. Traffic impact analysis.

The intent of this Section is to provide the information necessary to allow decision-makers to assess the transportation implications of traffic associated with a proposed development, to address the transportation-related issues associated with development proposals that may be of concern to neighboring residents, business owners and property owners, and to provide a basis for negotiation regarding improvements and funding participation in conjunction with an application for development. This Section establishes requirements for the TIA and evaluation of transportation impacts associated with proposed developments.

(1)

Purpose . A traffic impact analysis ("TIA") will be required for certain permitted and special permitted uses, major subdivisions and site plans exceeding specific trip generation thresholds. The purpose of a traffic impact analysis will be to:

a.

Evaluate traffic operations and impacts at site access points under projected peak period traffic loads;

b.

Evaluate the impact of site-generated traffic on affected intersections in the vicinity of the development site;

c.

Evaluate the impact of site-generated traffic on the quality of traffic flow within a reasonable distance of the site of development;

d.

Evaluate the impact of the proposed development on neighborhood collector or local streets in the vicinity of the site;

e.

Ensure that site access and other improvements needed to mitigate the traffic impact of the development meet commonly accepted engineering design standards;

f.

Ensure that adequate facilities for pedestrians, transit users and bicyclists have been provided;

g.

Identify transportation infrastructure needs and related costs created by the development and cost sharing on needed improvements.

(2)

Applicability . Traffic impact analysis shall be required for any amendments to the official zoning map or future land use map, subdivision review, special permitted use, or site plan under the following described conditions; or as otherwise required in the Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances:

a.

The proposed use will generate seven-hundred fifty (750) or more average daily trips, according to most current versions of the Institute of Transportation Engineers ("ITE") Trip Generation Informational Report or comparable research data published by a public agency or institution; or

b.

The proposed development will concentrate one-thousand five-hundred (1,500) or more trips per day through a single access point; or

c.

The proposed development will include thirty (30) or more dwelling units taking sole access from an existing or planned neighborhood collector or local street; or

d.

The proposed development will include a drive-through facility or structural parking lot entrance that will result in traffic spillover onto a public street, when eight (8) or more vehicles are queued at the facility; or

e.

Any residential project accessing an arterial street; or

f.

Any development that is subject to a state requirement for a traffic impact study. [8-31-2011]

(3)

Waiver . The requirements of this section for a TIA may be waived by the planning director, public works director and parish traffic engineer when it is determined that such report is not necessary to determine needed road improvements or that no unsafe or hazardous conditions will be created by the development as proposed.

(4)

Preparation . The TIA shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer or AICP certified planner with qualifications and no less than five (5) year's experience in the preparation of traffic analyses.

(5)

Traffic service standards . The standards for traffic service that shall be used to evaluate the findings of traffic impact studies are:

a.

Level of service. For collector or local streets, a level of service ("LOS") "C" or better shall be maintained. On any arterial or higher order street a LOS "D" or better shall be maintained. Where the existing LOS is below these standards, the TIA shall identify those improvements required to ensure that development related traffic demands result in no net reduction in LOS, and identify additional improvements needed to raise the level of service to the standards on the arterial or higher order street to the adopted LOS standard.

b.

Number of access points. The spacing of access points shall comply with applicable parish, state and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ("AASHTO") standards.

c.

Neighborhood collector or local street impact. Average daily traffic ("ADT") on neighborhood collector or local streets shall be within the ranges spelled out in the thoroughfare plan for the class of street involved. No non-residential development shall increase the traffic on a neighborhood collector or local street with at least three-hundred (300) average daily trips by more than twenty-five (25) percent.

d.

Internal circulation. On-site vehicle circulation and parking patterns shall be designed so as not to interfere with the flow of traffic on any public street and shall accommodate all anticipated types of site traffic.

e.

Safety. Access points shall be designed to provide for adequate sight distance and appropriate facilities to accommodate acceleration and deceleration of site traffic.

f.

Curb space use plan. Details shall be provided on curb space use on public streets along the edge of the development site when it is intended that such areas be used for parking, parking space access, delivery and loading zones, passenger zones, taxi cab stands, bus stops, fire zones and/or other official/emergency zones. This review shall include a description of existing conditions prior to development, and proposed changes resulting from the development, including a description of any loss or gain in curb space use by the activities intended.

(6)

Contents . A TIA shall contain information addressing the factors listed below.

a.

Site description . The TIA shall contain illustrations and narrative that describe the characteristics of the site and adjacent land uses as well as expected development in the vicinity which will influence future traffic conditions. A description of the proposed development including access plans, staging plans and an indication of land use and intensity, shall be provided.

b.

Study area . The TIA shall identify the geographic area under study and identify the roadway segments, critical intersections and access points to be analyzed. The study shall include all intersections and access points to the development and with all arterial and collector streets and/or all arterial and collector street intersections located on the approaches within one-half (1/2) mile of the site. If no arterial street intersection is so located, the study area may be extended to the nearest arterial street intersection if the proposed development is projected to contribute at least five (5) percent of the traffic at that intersection at the time of development, unless determined otherwise by the planning director and parish traffic engineer.

c.

Existing traffic conditions . The TIA shall contain a summary of the data used in the analysis of existing traffic conditions, including:

1.

Traffic count and turning movement information, including the source of and date when traffic count information was collected;

2.

Correction factors that were used to convert collected traffic data into representative design hour traffic volumes;

3.

Roadway characteristics, including the design configuration of existing or proposed roadways, existing traffic control measures (speed limits, traffic signals, etc.) and existing driveways and turning movement conflicts in the vicinity of the site; and

4.

The existing LOS for roadways and intersections without project development traffic using methods documented in the Special Report 209: Highway Capacity Manual or latest edition, published by the Transportation Research Board, or comparable accepted methods of evaluation. LOS shall be calculated for the weekday peak hour and, in the case of uses generating high levels of weekend traffic, the Saturday or Sunday peak hour as determined by the parish traffic engineer or planning director.

d.

Horizon year(s) and background traffic growth . The report shall identify the horizon year(s) that were analyzed in the study, the background traffic growth factors for each horizon year, and the method and assumptions used to develop the background traffic growth. Unless otherwise approved by the parish traffic engineer or planning director, the impact of development shall be analyzed for the year after the development is expected to be at full occupancy.

e.

Traffic assignment . The report shall identify projected design hour traffic volumes for roadway segments, intersections or driveways in the study area, with and without the proposed development, for the horizon year(s) of the study, including:

1.

Traffic count and turning movement information;

2.

Correction factors that were used to convert collected traffic data into representative design hour traffic volumes;

3.

Roadway characteristics, including the design configuration of existing or proposed roadways, existing and proposed traffic control measures (speed limits, traffic signals, etc.) and existing and proposed driveways and turning movement conflicts in the vicinity of the site; and

4.

The existing and proposed LOS for roadways and intersections without project development traffic using methods documented in the Special Report 209: Highway Capacity Manual or latest edition, published by the Transportation Research Board, or comparable accepted methods of evaluation. LOS shall be calculated for the weekday peak hour and, in the case of uses generating high levels of weekend traffic, the Saturday or Sunday peak hour as determined by the parish traffic engineer or planning director.

f.

Mitigation/alternatives . In situations where the traffic level of service standards are exceeded, the report shall evaluate each of the following alternatives for achieving the traffic service standards:

1.

Identify where additional right-of-way is needed to implement mitigation strategies;

2.

Identify suggested phasing of street or intersection improvements where needed to maintain compliance with traffic service standards; and

3.

Identify the anticipated cost of recommended improvements.

(7)

Process for the review and preparation of a TIA . The following steps provide an outline of the steps to be included in the preparation and review of a TIA:

a.

The public works director, parish traffic engineer and planning director shall be consulted for assistance in determining whether a traffic impact study needs to be prepared for a proposed development application;

b.

The public works director, parish traffic engineer and planning director shall meet with applicants to identify study issues, assumptions, horizon years and time periods to be analyzed, analysis procedures, available sources of data, past and related studies, report requirements and other topics relevant to study requirements. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development ("LDOTD") District 02 Traffic Engineer or designated representative shall be contacted and coordinates with as appropriate when the TIA includes state or federal highways as points of access for a development;

c.

Following initial completion of a traffic impact analysis, the TIA shall be submitted to the planning director for distribution to the staff of all jurisdictions involved in the construction and maintenance of public roadways serving the development;

d.

Within ten (10) working days, staff shall complete an initial review to determine the completeness of the TIA and shall provide a written summary to the applicant outlining the need for any supplemental study or analysis to adequately address any deficiencies. A meeting to discuss the contents and findings of the TIA and the need for additional study may be requested by the applicant;

e.

Following a determination that the technical analysis is complete, staff shall prepare a report outlining recommendations that have been developed to address the findings and conclusions included in the study regarding the proposed development's access needs and impacts on the transportation system. Depending on the type of application, the recommendations may be presented to the PAB and/or Parish Council.

f.

In the case of a traffic impact analysis showing deficiencies requiring mitigation within the public right-of-way, negotiations based on the conclusions and findings resulting from the traffic study shall be held with the public works director, parish traffic engineer, planning director and parish attorney. A development agreement, detailing the applicant's responsibilities and the parish's responsibilities for implementing identified mitigation measures, shall be prepared following the negotiations for final action by parish council and the applicant.

(8)

Report findings . If staff finds that the proposed development will not meet applicable service level standards, staff shall recommend one or more of the following actions by the public or the applicant:

a.

Reduce the size, scale, scope or density of the development to reduce traffic generation;

b.

Divide the project into phases and authorize only one (1) phase at a time until traffic capacity is adequate for the next phase of development;

c.

Dedicate right-of-way for street improvements;

d.

Construct new streets and intersection improvements;

e.

Expand the capacity of existing streets;

f.

Redesign ingress and egress to the project to reduce traffic conflicts;

g.

Alter the use and type of development to reduce peak hour traffic;

h.

Reduce background (existing) traffic;

i.

Eliminate the potential for additional traffic generation from undeveloped properties in the vicinity of the proposed development;

j.

Integrate non-vehicular design components (e.g., pedestrian and bicycle paths or transit improvements) to reduce trip generation;

k.

Recommend approval of the development contingent upon making improvements or addressing items required to mitigate traffic and access issues and impacts;

l.

Recommend denial of the application for development for which the traffic study is submitted.

(Ord. No. 24989 , § VII, 8-12-15)