Chapter 17.08
TRAFFIC CONGESTION, STREETS AND LIMITATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT
Sections:
17.08.020 Level of service (LOS) measurement.
17.08.030 No issuance of permits under certain conditions.
17.08.010 Definitions.
A. “Degradation of traffic conditions” means that the peak hour delay at any intersection within the city of Fife increases to the point that the intersection’s level of service decreases to the next level of service.
B. “Development” means any proposed use of land or buildings or other structures and improvements on the land that are not categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to FMC 17.04.080.
C. “LOS” means level of service, a measure of traffic congestion as adopted by the city council.
D. “Peak hour” means that hour of the day which experiences the most critical LOS for a particular roadway or intersection.
E. “Pro rata share” means the number of peak hour vehicle trips which the development adds to that intersection divided by the total peak hour, vehicle trips at that intersection.
F. “Street system” means all vehicular, public thoroughfares and accessories thereto in the city except freeways. It may also, at the city’s discretion, apply to such facilities located outside the city.
G. “Transportation system management” means increasing the efficiency of the existing street system by modifying travel behavior, such as by providing incentives for travel by multi-occupancy vehicles or by shifting travel demand away from the peak hour. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.020 Level of service (LOS) measurement.
The transportation element of the Fife comprehensive plan identifies the peak hour delay at intersections as the best method of measuring traffic conditions within the city. The levels of service are identified as follows:
|
Peak Hour Intersection Delay |
||
|
Unsignalized |
Signalized |
LOS |
|
≤5.0 seconds |
5.0 seconds |
A |
|
5.1 to 10.0 |
5.1 to 15.0 |
B |
|
10.1 to 20.0 |
15.1 to 25.0 |
C |
|
20.1 to 30.0 |
25.1 to 40.0 |
D |
|
30.1 to 45.0 |
40.1 to 60.0 |
E |
|
45.1 to 60.0 |
60.1 to 80.0 |
F |
|
> 60.0 |
> 80.0 |
G |
(Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.030 No issuance of permits under certain conditions.
A. Any development which generates more than 20 new peak hour trips, as defined in the publication “Trip Generation, Fourth Edition”, prepared by the Institute of Traffic Engineers, is hereby declared a significant adverse environmental impact and the development shall not be permitted unless the impact is mitigated so that:
1. It will not cause any signalized intersection at an LOS(A), (B), (C) or (D) to drop below a peak hour LOS(D); and
2. Will not cause any signalized intersection which already has a peak hour LOS(D) or worse to experience any further degradation of traffic conditions.
B. In computing the after project LOS the effect of permitted or funded future events shall be considered, such as completion of other approval developments and completion of funded street system improvements within six years of development. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.040 Mitigation options.
The following methods are recommended as options to mitigate the significant adverse environmental impact to peak hour levels of service:
A. Modification of the development proposal, including inclusion of a transportation system management plan;
B. Improvement to the city street system pursuant to FMC Title 12. The number of required traffic lanes shall be determined by the Fife public works director. If this method is used, the public works director shall ensure completion by not issuing any occupancy permit until required traffic lanes are complete or by requiring a bond or other security instrument acceptable to the city to insure that the improvement is completed within six years of development;
C. At the city’s option, by paying the development’s pro rata share of the cost of the street system improvement; provided, that:
1. The improvement, when constructed, will remove the significant adverse environmental impact;
2. The public works director has determined that the total funding for the improvement will be in place within six years of development completion; and
3. The proposed improvement will be city-owned upon completion. (Ord. 1859 § 99, 2014; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.050 Exceptions.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. Development for which a complete building permit application has been filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter;
B. The renewal of a permit for an existing development; or
C. Any development for which the city is the development proponent. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.060 Studies required.
A. Any traffic studies which the public works director finds are necessary to determine whether a development has a significant adverse environmental impact upon the city traffic system and/or to determine the method in which set impact will be mitigated will be prepared by a qualified transportation engineer at the applicant’s expense. The transportation engineer shall be acceptable to the public works director.
B. The city may, at the applicant’s expense, hire a licensed and qualified engineer to review the applicant’s submittal for accuracy. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.070 Latecomer’s fees.
If the development proponent funds or completes improvements that benefit properties not contributing to the costs of said improvements then the city will approve recapture agreements as authorized by state law, if said agreement is timely requested by the applicant. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.080 Phased projects.
This chapter shall apply separately to each phase of a phased project. (Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).