4.11.1 Applicability. A transportation impact analysis may be required at the discretion of the UDO Administrator in conjunction with an application for:
A. Zoning map amendments - planned unit development (Article 4.4);
B. Major preliminary plat of a subdivision for more than 50 lots (Article 4.6);
C. Major site plan for a residential use expected to generate more than 300 vehicle trips per day (Article 4.7) based on the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual. Commercial projects may be required to submit a traffic impact analysis if the project can be anticipated to generate at least 100 vehicle trips at peak hour or 1,000 vehicle trips per day based on the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual; and
D. Special use permit (Article 4.9)
4.11.2 Pre-application conference.
A. All applicants submitting a transportation impact analysis shall schedule a pre-application conference with the UDO Administrator, in accordance with Article 4.1.1.
B. The UDO Administrator shall determine the type and scope of the study during the pre- application conference, which may involve representatives from other agencies or departments including the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
4.11.3 Submittal requirements. A transportation impact analysis shall be submitted on forms supplied by the town in accordance with Article 4.1.3 (application requirements) and may include some or all of the requirements listed below.
A. Type of study. A letter report, full transportation impact assessment report, or special report (such as sight distance survey).
B. Definition of impact area. Identification of the points of access and key streets and intersections to be affected by development of the subject tract. Traffic recorder and turning movement assessment locations may also have to be determined.
C. Period of analysis. The period of analysis shall be for both morning and afternoon peak hours.
D. Analysis scenarios. Scenarios for analysis shall include existing conditions, and opening year with and without development, and may include five or ten years after opening with or without development.
E. Assumptions. Trip generation and distribution assumptions including trip generation categories, diversion assumptions, and distribution assumptions. Assumed rate of growth in background traffic and developments in the area that have been approved or are under review shall also be required.
F. Duration of study. The duration of traffic studies (the time period for which they are considered a valid basis for approvals) for large projects, particularly planned unit development, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as part of the application review process.
F. Existing condition survey.
1. Street system description. The street system shall be described, including geometric features, lane usage, traffic control, signage, sight distances, and adjacent uses and curb cuts.
2. Traffic volumes. Existing peak hour traffic volumes shall be provided for the impact area. Data shall be adjusted for daily and seasonal variations. Turning movement counts for peak hour shall also be required for critical intersections.
3. Capacity analysis. Existing capacity of signalized and un-signalized intersections.
4. Other details. Other details may be required at the discretion of the UDO Administrator depending upon the type and scale of the project. These may include, but are not limited to, queue length analysis, pedestrian counts, accident data, traffic speeds (both 50th and 80th percentile), and stopping distances.
H. Future without development. Capacity analysis should be based on the Highway Capacity Manual or other methodology approved in advance by the UDO Administrator. In addition, the expected traffic growth over the next 20 years based upon the developments currently approved by the county and all adjoining jurisdictions shall also be considered.
I. Future with development.
1. Projections of peak hour traffic generation shall be made using the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual, unless the UDO Administrator determines that locally derived data will provide more accurate forecasts. Data from similar facilities may be used where the information is not available from the ITE.
2. Special analysis shall be required to determine the need for signalization, minimum safe sight distances, gap analysis, turning radius requirements, queue length analysis, turning lane length analysis, curb cut locations, or similar requirements.
4.11.4 Mitigation plan. Where the analysis indicates that the project will create deficiencies in the impact area, improvements shall be recommended along with projected cost estimates. The design of improvements shall be in accordance with the state’s Department of Transportation. Where a mitigation plan is not adequate to address the traffic impacts of the project, it shall serve as a basis for denial of a planned unit development, preliminary plat, site plan, or special use permit.
4.11.5 Consultants. The UDO Administrator may require that an independent consultant be hired by the town to perform the required studies or to review all or part of a study prepared by the applicant’s consultant. The UDO Administrator is authorized to administer the contract for any such consultant.
A. The town shall determine the scope of services to be performed by the independent consultant and receive a cost estimate of such services.
B. The applicant shall provide an amount equal to the estimate to the town, who shall deposit the amount in an escrow or other special account set up for this purpose. Any funds not used shall be returned to the applicant in a timely manner, without interest.
C. The town shall require additional funds for independent review where a decision-making body expands the scope of the required review; the applicant substantially amends the application; additional meetings involving the consultant are requested by the applicant; or the consultant’s appearance is requested at public or affected agency meetings beyond those anticipated in the original scope of services.
4.11.6 Period of validity. A transportation impact analysis shall be valid for a specific site for no more than three years, so long as no significant modifications to the development approved for the site are made.
(Ord. passed 2-3-2021)