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Minutes - 2006 - City Council - 04/04/2006 - Regular OR\G\NAl EAGLE CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Minutes April 4, 2006 ]. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor calls the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: BASTIAN, GUERBER, NORDSTROM, BANDY. Bastian absent. A quorum is present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 3. NEW BUSINESS: A. Blue Print for Good Growth and Communities in Motion: (NM) Mayor introduces the issue. Planner Baird Spencer: provides the Council with an overview of the Blue Print for Good Growth and Communities in Motion. Discusses concerns that Staff has with Blue Print for Good Growth. General discussion. Council Member Bastian is present at 6:45 p.m. Planner Baird Spencer: provides the Council with an overview of the Communities in Motion and discusses some concerns that the Staff has. General discussion. B. River floodplain development. (NM & M. Mongelli) Mayor introduces the issue. City Building Official Mongelli: Provides Council an aerial photograph of a flood plain map and discusses the same. Discussion on flood plain areas, and removing areas from the flood plain. The flood plain of 1997 may not be the flood plain of today. Discussion on no net loss. Discussion on Dr. Peter Goodwin's models. Discussion on FEMA's Community Acknowledgement form. Discussion on a 100 year event. Discussion on a study being proposed by Dr. Goodwin and the City participating in the cost of the study. Brayton Willis, US Army Corp of Engineers, discussion on Dr. Goodwin's models. He has done a good job. Discussion on doing a study of the river. Idaho Water Board is also interested in a study. Discussion on cost sharing with agencies. General discussion on the duties and responsibilities of the Corp. Overall discussion on the rivers and flooding in the area. C. Miscellaneous City Business Planner Baird Spencer: Discussion on private roads. We are having numerous requests through the planned unit development to have private roads. We have no standards for private roads. Discussion on private roads in commercia] developments. General discussion. Discussion on building the roads to ACHD standards. Dana Borquist, Chief of Police: Discusses safety in gated communities. They basically shut us out and give a false sense of security. Page I KI,COUNClUMINUTES\Temporary Minutes Work Area\([ -04-04-06spmill_doc Dana Borquist, Chief of Police: The complaint that was filed has been resolved. The Officer no longer works in the community of Eagle. I have prepared a new organizational chart and a new calendar. Discusses the turn lane at Eagle Road and State Street. When cars back up at the light people drive in the other lane oftraffic to get into the turn lane to turn left. I have discussed a solution with ACHD. Limit the parking on the North side of State Street in front of Orville Jackson. Roads are going to be stripped after the change. Council concurs with this solution. Discussion on pedestrian crossing at Stierman and at the Senior Citizen Center crossing. Greenbelt patrol is staring on Friday. It is painted black and white. We have volunteers. Zoning Administrator Vaughan: We meet on the State Farm Monument sign. Ifhe doesn't put in the monument sign, there is an option of removing three pear trees that are not in good condition and he could then have more exposure with lighting to his wall sign. There would be additional landscaping to compensate. General discussion. Council concurs to have the Zoning Administrator pursue negotiations and have the proposal reviewed by one Staff member and a Design Review Board member for approval. City Clerk: The cabinets and counter will be installed in the Council Work Room next week. Discussion on chair mats under the Council and Staff chairs. Council would like the mats. Discussion on adjusting the chairs. Discussion on the type of chairs in the large conference room. Discussion on enclosing the patio with a wrought iron fence and a gate. Discussion on replacing the automatic shades on the high windows to a room darkening shade. Discussion on a clock for the Council Chambers. Council concurs to have a large, decorative clock. Discussion on putting speaker monitors behind the Council so they can hear the speakers better. Mayor: We should get started on an Open House possibly in May. General discussion. Nordstrom: I think we need to study any type of fund resource that we can increase revenue to fund projects that we would never be able to fund. General discussion. Guerber: If anyone feels so moved let your Legislature know you would like them to vote on the park bill. Bastian: Discusses the big issues at the Legislature, property taxes, sales tax to fund O&M for schools, annexation, and regional waste water. Mayor: I want to get back on the schedule where one meeting a month is for City business and no public hearings. Page 2 K:\COUNCIL\MINUTES\Temporary Minutes Work Area\CC-04-04-06spmin.doc 4. ADJOURNMENT: Nordstrom moves to adjourn. Seconded by Bandy. ALL AYE: MOTION CARRIES... Hearing no further business, the Council meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: 1lUA-<._~I~ '-SHARON K. BERGMANN CITY CLERK/TREASURER ................. ,.., ~ BAG!..;..... ~.. _\ 0 ........ <: -. .t ""'" ... -.-. ~f..... OV.A7'~.. '. ~ ...... ~-q e... -:. !V!o \ :. : . CJ .' -: : .. · ." '-'}J 0 : \~ \ S~~"ij,~j \ -":~r.oA~o::-- ~,/'T ~ .....r... · "",.." .........;-'" TE OT~ ................~ Page) K:\COUNCIL\MfNUTES\Temporary Minutes Work Area\CC -04-04-06spmin doc INTER OFFICE City of Eagle Zoning Administration To: From: Subject: Date: Attachment(s): Copy To: Mayor Merrill and City Council Members Nichoel Baird Spencer, AICP, Planner III Communities in Motion April 4, 2006 Draft CIM Document Bill Vaughan, AICP, Zoning Administrator Attached for your review is the draft Communities in Motion Plan (CIM). I have annotated my comments through the document for your review. The CIM Plan once adopted will change the way the City currently plans for road and land uses. Some are minor such as increased development monitoring responsibilities and reporting to COMPASS; other items are larger such as COMPASS and RTAC review and recommendation of comprehensive plan amendments. Overall staff is in support of the plan but would request council review some of the policies that are contained in the document specifically in Chapter Two: Defming Vision. This section contains a few of the staffs concerns: • Member agencies will amend their comp plans to conform to CIM - Per Task 2.1.1 we will amend our plans to be in keeping with the preferred scenario. Is this the intent of the council? Though CIM had several hundred participants in the process so did our comprehensive plan/visioning processes? Shouldn't CIM mirror our comp plan? What if we show land uses where there are none in CIM? • COMPASS and RTAC review of all Comprehensive Plan Amendments and developments - Task 2.13 & 2.1.4 -Will this have an impact on the timing of these applications? RTAC specifically only meets once a month. RTAC represents the member jurisdictions do we want other Cities critiquing our land use decisions? • What will it take to have COMPASS recognize our comprehensive plan? Per Task 1.31 we are to transmit CPA's to COMPASSS for consideration during transportation decisions but COMPASS has still not formally recognized our Soaring 2025 Plan. • Removal of collectors from the functional classification system. The CIM plan will remove collector roads from the functional classification system and Page 1 of 2 K:lplanning DeptINfisc Other120051CIM1Apri13 2006 memo to cc.doc leave the identification of these roadways to the individual cities and/or the highway district. ACHD has concerns identifying the collectors since these roads are not impact fee eligible and sees these as exactions through the development process. We as a land use agency must being detailing policies for collector locations and how they are constructed through the development process. • The CIM & BPGG Connection - The BPGG uses the land use scenarios and population projections prepared by COMPASS for the CIM process to establish thresholds for the 20 year AOI's. Though the regional population projections have been fairly accurate the allocations to individual cities have not been a link from the regional roadway network to local growth could significantly impact the cities ability to grow/annex in the future. • Reporting on efficiency and effectiveness of expenditures - Staff is unclear on what this means. Is COMPASS now going to watch over the City's expenditures and issue a fiscal responsibility report? Is this the role of a regional transportation planning agency? Overall, the CIM document provides a significant increase in the duties of COMPASS by expanding their role to include comprehensive plan and development review as well as development monitoring. It is important to keep in mind COMPASS is funded by dues and works at the direction of the member agencies thus the adoption of this plan would establish a clear direction for COMPASS to begin these review functions. Is this the role the City wishes to see COMPASS take? Page 2 of 2 K:IPlanning Dept MIsc Othet120051CI MApril 3 2006 memo to cc.doc 1 What is Communities in Motion? 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Communities in Motion is the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada County and Canyon County. With the support of the Idaho Transportation Department (Ili)), it also considers regional transportation corridors in Boise, Elmore, Gem, and Payette Counties. The plan supports a vision, goals, a new transportation/land use scenario, and a commitment to enhancing regional corridors. The major reason for Communities in Motion is to promote a future transportation system that supports the type of community we want, identifies funding needs, and protects corridors. In addition the federal government requires that COMPASS, as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the urbanized areas in Ada County and Canyon County, prepare a regional long-range transportation plan to enable federal funding for roads, transit and pathways in our region. This plan needs to be updated at least every four years. COMPASS began the planning process in late 2003. In early 2004, in an effort to plan transportation systems that meet the needs of the growing communities in the Treasure Valley, COMPASS partnered with ITD to expand the planning area to include Boise, Elmore, Gem, and Payette Counties — in addition to Ada County and Canyon County. The partnership between COMPASS, its members, local governments in the region, and ITD was an innovative approach that evaluated various transportation modes and policies for maintenance, improvements, and development. This process enabled true regional planning in Southwest Idaho. Communities in Motion Vision and Goals IVe envision a Treasure Valley where quality of life is enhanced and communities are connected by an innovative, ffective, multi -modal transportation system. Board of Directors, 2003 Connections — Provide options for safe access and mobility in a cost-effective manner. Coordination — Achieve better inter -jurisdictional coordination of transportation and land use planning. Environment — Minimize transportation impacts to people, cultural resources, and the environment. Information — Coordinate data gathering and dispense better information. T:\FY06\600 Projects\661 CIM\11- Final Reports\Prelntro.doc Summary 1 SUMMARY 2 3 Communities in Motion is the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada 4 County and Canyon County. With the support of the Idaho Transportation 5 Department, the plan also reviews regional transportation corridors in Boise, 6 Gem, Elmore, and Payette counties. The plan supports a vision, four broad 7 goals, a new transportation/land use scenario, and emphasizes regional 8 corridors. It also offers assumptions, strategies, and recommendations for 9 implementation. 10 11 The federal government requires that COMPASS, as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) 12 for the urbanized areas in Ada County and Canyon County, prepare a regional long-range 13 transportation plan to enable federal funding for roads, transit and pathways in our region. The plan, 14 Communities in Motion, promotes a future transportation system that supports the type of community 15 we want, identifies funding needs, and protects regional corridors. Communities in Motion needs to be 16 updated at least every four years. 17 18 The preparation and review of the regional long-range transportation plan provides a forum for local 19 agencies to work together towards a common vision. What are the elements of this vision? 20 Vision 21 We envision a Treasure Valley where quality of life is enhanced and communities are connected by an innovative, 2 2effective, multi -modal transportation *stem. Board of Directors, 2003 23 24 Goals 25 Connections 26 Provide options for safe access and mobility in a cost-effective manner. 27 Coordination 28 .Achieve better inter -jurisdictional coordination of transportation and land use planning. 29 Environment 30 Minimize transportation impacts to people, cultural resources, and the environment. 31 Information 32 Coordinate data gathering and dispense better information. 33 DRAFT Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 1 1 2 higiNidlq 3 A4 G1ohbf 65 ,}0t 110046 7 t5J Ci ;'7 8 Summary Growth in the Region A plan is about dealing with the future and forecasted change. In the region covered by Communities in Motion, both population growth and shifts in where people hve are driving change. The challenge is not only the pace of growth, but the residential location decision of future residents and where they are relative to lobs and services. 9 Between 1980 and 2000, the six county region of Communities in 10 Motion accounted for 56% of Idaho's population gain. If regional 11 and state forecasts are as shown, the region's share of state Figure 1 - Regional Growth 12 growth would be 70% over the next twenty-five years. 13 14 flow that growth occurs is a critical transportation issue. 15 16 Community Choices Transportation and Land Use Scenario 17 Communities in Motion endorses "Community Choices," a land use and transportation scenario that 18 link these two important elements of growth. This is the first time a regional long-range 19 transportation plan for Southwest Idaho considered and addressed a growth pattern based on a 20 collaborative view of our future. The "Community Choices" scenario: 21 • Expands the public transportation system. 22 • Encourages housing, jobs, goods, and services be closer together to allow for walking and biking. 23 ■ Creates less dependence on personal automobiles and less time needed for travel. 25 • Encourages infill and higher density housing. "In the next twenty years, I, as a senior, will 27 • Preserves more open space. not even feel safe driving in downtown Boise. So, convenient public transportation 29 would be a help " 31 Treasure Valley resident 32 Regional Corridors 33 Communities in Motion focuses on corridors throughout the region, rather than small segments of a project, and 34 addresses transportation needs through 2030. Ideally, this focus will improve multi -modal travel in the region. 35 The list of corridors included in the plan shows where major regional improvements should be made in order 36 to meet the vision and goals for an innovative, effective, multi -modal transportation system. 37 r Giiti .tCMt tti CwL- 38 The corridors were selected using the following criteria: DRAFT CIM Region/Idaho Growth Millions 1980 1990 2000 2010 I■ CIM Region ■ Rest of Idaho 2020 2030 Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 alb I + Otls J 2 —T-Tz-ter o Summary DRAFT 1 • Dollars per Vehicle Miles Traveled — the cost of improvements per vehicle mile traveled. 2 • Time Savings — potential time saved because of the improvements in hours. 3 • Connections — fills gaps in system, nes to transit spine, or connects barriers. 4 • Regionality — based on classification of roadway according to function: interstate, state highway, principal 5 arterial, or minor arterial. 6 • Growth Area — relation of the corridor to the growth areas in the "Community Choices" scenario. 7 • Percent of Regional Growth (extra weighting) — percentage of the regional growth from 2005-2030. 8 • Transit (extra weighting) — based on whether a roadway also has a regional transit route, a local transit 9 route or no transit route. 10 The proposed corridor maps (major capital, minor capital, and transit) can be found in the Appendix or at 11 htm: / /www.communitiesinmotion.ore /mans.html 12 13 A Desired Shift Toward Alternatives 14 One of the strong messages delivered by participants in the workshops and outreach during 15 Communities in Motion was to create an effective alternative to driving. During the October 2004 and 16 February 2005 workshops, nearly all the work groups included major bus transit, with many also 17 calling for some form of rail or bus rapid transit. The plan calls for a major expansion of public 18 transportation services, increasing service levels more than ten -fold compared to the base transit 19 system. wets : Trend Community Choices Bus local fixed -routes 19 69 Express bus routes 2 3 Miles of bus rapid transit routes 0 10 Miles of rail transit routes 0 38 Hours of service per weekday 380 4,600 20 21 The operating costs for this level of transit are far greater than available resources. Legislative and 22 voter approval of a local -option tax will help achieve the transit system envisioned in the plan. Such 23 action will raise the $1.1 billion new funds necessary for a better transit system. This investment is 24 only practical with the type of land uses with the "Community Choices" scenario. 25 26 27 28 Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 3 Summary DRAFT 1 A Need for New and Improved Roadways 2 Road improvements are integral to the plan. Transit, pedestrian and bicycle investments will attract 3 riders, but the majority of travel (90% or more) will remain in pnvate vehicles. If all the needed 4 funding can be found for the planned transit and roadway investments, 79% of the transportation 5 revenues will still go into roadway investments. 6 During the evaluation of the bus transit system, 7 high congestion on the existing roadway network 8 could reduce the effectiveness of buses. And the Roadways - 9 bus services were essential in getting riders to and Roadways- Major Capital 10 from the rail system. 3O8% 33% 11 12 Major corridor investments will add or widen 13 approximately 270 miles of road in the six -county 14 area. Key improvements within Ada and Canyon 15 County include: 16 • Widen I-84 to six or eight lanes (both 17 direction) between Caldwell and Boise. Figure 2 - Transportation Investment Share 18 • Build a cross county connector along the Greenhurst/Lake Hazel corridor from Middleton Road 19 to I-84. 20 ■ Construct a new expressway along the SH 16/McDermott corridor from Gem County to I-84. 21 • Improve US 20/26 to an expressway from Caldwell to McDermott Road with the potential for 22 expressway to Eagle Road. 23 For a full listing, see Chapter 4. 24 25 Key Assumptions and Strategies 26 Assumptions 27 • The Treasure Valley will continue to experience high levels of growth. 28 • Fuel pnces will fluctuate, but will not rise beyond what people are willing to pay. 29 • Fuel tax revenue will increase incrementally and will continue to be used for roadways. 30 • Residents in the Treasure Valley will begin to use transit choices as they become available. 31 • Jobs will be dispersed throughout the region. 32 • Parking will become less available and more expensive. 33 34 Community Choices Total = $8.5 Billfion Roadways - Other Capital 8% Transit - Capital + O&M 21% Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 4 Summary DRAFT 1 2 Strategies (Accepted by COMPASS Board) 3 • A 50% split of funding between Operations/Maintenance and Capital Improvements is 4 acceptable pending subsequent annual reviews to determine pavement, bridge, safety and 5 equipment standards. 6 • Maintenance and safety of the transportation system are highest priority when considering 7 funding allocations. 8 • The Board recognizes the need to secure new funding for the transportation system the highest 9 priority. 10 • A longer-term growth analysis is appropriate to consider issues beyond 2030. 11 12 A Need for More Revenues 13 As described in Chapter 5, the plan includes recommendations that exceed available funding. For 14 roadway projects, another $628 million is needed over the next twenty-five years to do all the major 15 corridors shown. Only $2.2 billion of the major corridors can be a formal part of the plan, the 16 unfunded projects are considered "illustrative." 17 18 For transit, the financial needs are higher. An additional $1.1 billion in revenue is needed to achieve 19 the desired transit service level. 20 21 While the total of $1.73 billion is daunting, with forecasted growth, the amount of new revenues 22 needed works out to less than $200 per household based on 2030 population levels. 23 24 Implementation 25 What could make the "Community Choices" scenario for Communities in Motion a reality? Societal 26 changes, such an aging population seeking alternatives to large homes and the need to drive, the 27 increasing cost of gasoline, and the increasing scarcity of natural resources — such as water, may force 28 a shift in how the region grows. Economic forces, where housing becomes more affordable in urban 29 centers and more expensive in outlying areas, and public policy that supports better growth 30 management tools, including increased coordination with the private sector and better interagency 31 collaboration, may also encourage a change in direction. But what can we — residents, businesses, and 32 government — do pow, to make the "Community Choices" scenario a reality? Positive steps include: 33 • Support implementation and enforcement of policies that manage growth. For example: 34 • Enforce access management along roadways classified as principle arterials and greater. Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 5 Summary DRAFT 1 • Create transportation plans for the local systems within each city (sub -area transportation 2 plans). 3 • Develop and enforce regulations, inter -agency agreements, and other growth tools; 4 • Place infrastructure — schools, water, sewer, roads — where the community wants growth to go; 5 • Fund capital improvements (roads, transit, pathways, and other facilities); 6 • Find innovative funding sources. Move away from dependence on federal funds for large 7 projects. 8 • Obtain legislative approval of a local -option tax mechanism for expanded transit services and 9 win voter approval of the local option taxes; and 10 ■ Recognize that residents play a role in guiding development. 11 12 Final Thoughts 13 A plan is not a solution in itself. Rather it provides the community a destination and a broad set of 14 instructions on how to get there. Through Communities in Motion public outreach sessions over a 16 18 create a future in which there is open space, well-defined 20 communities, a choice of housing, and effective 22 opportunities for public transportation, walking and biking. 24 26 To reach these goals involves investing in transportation, 28 considering the design of our transportation systems, and 30 integrating transportation and land use decisions. The 32 adoption of Communities in Motion is not our destination; 34 rather it is the start of our journey. 36 38 39 40 41 T:\FY06\600 Projects\661 CIM \11-FinalReports\SummaryFINAL.doc three-year period, citizens told us loud and clear to change the way this region grows. The intent is to Communities in Motion 3/16/2006 6 Introduction DRAFT i INTRODUCTION 2 Metropolitan Planning 3 The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) plays an important role in making 4 decisions about future transportation needs in the Treasure Valley. COMPASS members consider 5 environmental and economic factors that affect the quality of life of area residents when making decisions 7 about transportation. 9 As an association of local governments working together to plan 11 for the future of the region, COMPASS members set pnonties for 13 spending federal transportation dollars over the next twenty-five 15 years. The agency conducts this work as the metropolitan planning 17 organization (MPO) for Northern Ada County' and the Nampa 19 Urbanized Areaz. The federal government requires the formation 21 of an MPO when an urban area reaches 50,000 people. COMPASS 23 has served as the MPO for Northern Ada County since 1977 and 25 the Nampa Urbanized Area since early 2003. The entire planning 27 area became a "Transportation Management Area" when the 29 population exceeded 200,000 in 2000. This designation results in 31 additional requirements for COMPASS to satisfy federal 33 regulations, including a Congestion Management System. � 35 The federal government requires that an MPO, such as COMPASS, prepare a regional long-range transportation plan for its planning area. Communities in Motion is the title given to the regional long- range transportation plan for Ada County and Canyon County. Communities in Motion also serves as a transportation planning document for the Idaho 48 Transportation Department (ITD) for the regional and state transportation COMPASS Membership General Members Ada County Ada County Highway District Canyon County Canyon Highway District #4 City of Boise City of Caldwell City of Eagle City of Garden City City of Kuna City of Meridian City of Middleton City of Nampa City of Notus City of Parma City of Star Golden Gate Highway District #3 Nampa Highway District #1 Notus-Parma Highway District #2 Special Members Boise State University Capital City Development Corporation Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality Idaho Transportation Department Independent School District of Boise Joint School District #2 Valley Regional Transit Ex Officio Central District Health Office of the Governor Greater Boise Auditorium District 49 system in the counties of Boise, Elmore, Gem, and Payette. The partnership of ITD enabled true regional 50 planning in Southwest Idaho Northern Ada County is the arca north of the "Boise Base Line." The invisible line runs across the county west to east approximately seven miles south of Kuna. 2 Nampa Urbanized Area is comprised of the Cities of Nampa, Caldwell, and Middleton, as well as small parts of Canyon County. The U.S. Census Bureau designates urbanized areas. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 1 Introduction DRAFT 2 About the Area 4 Boise is the capital of Idaho, and the largest metropolitan area in the state. The 6 six -county region had an estimated population of 504,000 in 2002 — over one- third of the entire state's population of 1.3 million.' Capitol Building - Boise Ioahol 7 18 Even though the region is the most populous in the state, there is still a sense of remoteness about Southwest Idaho. Most everything a large city offers is available, although at a different scale. Seattle has the Mariners; Boise has the Hawks (A-level baseball). Denver has the Avalanche; Boise has the Steelheads (AA -level hockey). Portland has the Trailblazers; Boise has the Stampede (the 19 level of basketball just below the National Basketball Association). Sports fans support these vital minor 20 league teams and often enjoy the smaller scale. 21 22 The region offers cultural activities featuring exceptional talent...and usually better seating! Professional 23 theater, ballet, philharmonic, opera, and modern dance companies have tremendous following. The Morrison 24 Center stands alone between Salt Lake City and Portland/Seattle markets as a premier performance hall for 25 touring Broadway shows and a "soft seat" presentation venue. A wide variety of galleries support the visual 26 arts, while museums offer exhibition and education on historical and cultural topics. Boise is known in the 28 Intermountain West as a city of 30 museums and cultural centers, 32 including those that recognize Basque, 34 Hispanic, and African American Washington�.�. 36 cultural influences in the state. Visitors 38 will also find cultural organizations Oreg." Edge' Idaho „,9 Western Region -- Idaho's Bordering States 40 dedicated to visual art, hands-on 42 science, military history, human rights, 44 and zoology. Nampa's Idaho Center Nevada Utah 46 brings in major concerts of all genres, 48 and the Nampa Civic Center is a fine Communities in Motion Study Area 50 theatrical and performance venue. 52 53 Outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, hunting, and camping abound in the rural areas, and many golf 54 courses exist throughout the region. 55 i Detailed Census data (Census Darr.xls) for the six -county region by county is available. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 2 2 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Introduction DRAFT To reach a city that offers larger -scale entertainment, museums, and popular shopping establishments, however, one must travel a great distance. For example, to attend the nearest big -league professional baseball and football games, a major museum, or have multiple shopping opportunities, one would go to Seattle, Portland, or Salt Lake City, all a full-day drive. Housing and Transportation Housing issues facing the region are complex, but not unique to the region. Many Treasure Valley communities are new; some cities have seen two-thirds of their housing built since 1990. Decaying infrastructure, including streets, is not the challenge that older communities may face, but the rapid expansion of low density development means that few existing areas support effective public transportation. A United States Census survey shows that nearly 90% of the region's housing has been built since 1950 (see table below). Much of this development does not include pedestrian connections to jobs, shopping, and service centers. Strong downtown areas exist in few of the region's cities. Opportunities to alter the future of the region exist—both for new development and redevelopment of existing areas. One national expert notes that by 2030, nearly half of the buildings in the United States will have been built since 2000. Our region will see at least this proportion. When asked if it is too late to effect a new vision of our future, a planning consultant a said that this is the ideal time to start. How Many Miles is it From Southwest Idaho to... Portland = 430 Salt Lake City = 440 Sacramento = 550 Denver = 830 Seattle = 500 "To accommodate growth to 2030, I estimate that the U.S. will construct 50% more residential units and 90% more nonresidential space than existed in 2000...Assuming these projections hold, why should we be interested in them? They show that, for those who fear we cannot change current development patterns, there is hope." Arthur C. Nelson. FAICP Planner's Estimating Guide Projecting Land -Use and Facility Needs. 2004 Percentage of Housing Built Since 1990 Built Since 1980 Built Since 1950 jh 17% 25% 34% 33% 38% 48% 78% 82% 89% 4,2 mV Eo o �o Wv �v 0. c...) 31% 32% 20% 24% 21% 56% 42% 31% 33% 30% 92% 82% 87% 77% 74% CC 32% 45% 87% Source: US Bureau of the Census Table H34 Year Structure Built Universe: Housing units. Data Set• Census 2 )00 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data Does the Housing Future Look Bright? 2006 Western Region Economic Forecast ' John Frcgonesc was a member of the consultant team that worked on Communities in Motion. Fregonese has been a planner for 25 years, where he has earned the reputation of creating both a vision and workable solutions to urban problems. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 3 Introduction DRAFT 1 Employment and Transportation 2 The six -county region had approximately 285,800 jobs in August 20055. Most of these jobs (63%) are located 3 in Ada County. This "jobs/housing imbalance" ratio will be discussed in detail later in the plan. The 4 imbalance is caused when people need to travel long distances from home to work. The transportation 5 system works much better when adequate jobs are available dose to where people live, creating shorter y! 6 commute distances. 7 8 Demographers expect an additional 192,500 jobs in the region by 2030. Communities in Motion anticipates that 9 jobs will be spread more equitably throughout the six -county region, thus creating the opportunity for people 10 to live closer to where they work — creating better balance in jobs and housing. 11 12 The challenge facing this region, similar to many rapid growth areas around the U.S., is that new jobs may 13 result in escalating housing prices and land values. Many workers, especially those with lower wages, may not 14 be able to find a home near their place of employment. The housing they can afford is much further from 15 their job sites, thereby driving up commuting costs and demands on existing transportation facilities. One 16 example of this phenomenon is in Silicon Valley, near San Jose, California. Fueled by the technology boom in 17 the 1980s and 1990s, housing costs spiraled upward, with fairly modest older homes costing $1 million. This 18 caused many workers to face commutes of up to two hours from surrounding communities. In turn, these 19 workers displaced lower paid residents m those communities. 20 21 These side effects have stimulated a growing interest in the concept of a "jobs/housing balance." It also 22 created an awareness of the need to monitor the affordability of housing and suggests requiring a mix of 23 housing types and costs in larger developments. What happens to a community when its teachers, police 24 officers, and mechanics can no longer afford to buy homes in the community where they work? 25 26 In addition to the people who live and work in Southwest Idaho, many people also pass through the region. 27 Interstate -84 is the major east/west freeway through Southwest Idaho, and is the main route for people or 28 products to get from major shipping cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland to locations to the 29 Intermountain West and beyond. High-speed connecting roads are otherwise scarce in Idaho. 5 Idabo Emplojment, A monthly new.rktter ofldabo Commerce & Labor, October 2005 Issue/August 2005 Data, page 15. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 4 Introduction DRAFT 1 Assumptions 2 To develop Communities in Motion, planners established baseline information with assumptions. For this 3 purpose, an "assumption" is defined as: taking a fact, notion or idea for granted; thus, the plan "assumes" 4 certain things about the future. These assumptions for the year 2030 include: 5 • The Treasure Valley will continue to experience high levels of growth. 6 • Water will remain available. 7 • Most automobiles will continue to have gasoline/diesel engines. 8 • Fuel prices will fluctuate, but will not rise beyond what people are willing to pay. 9 • Fuel taxes will remain stable and will continue to be used for roadways. 10 • Residents in the Treasure Valley will use transit choices as they become available. 11 • Expansion of the transit system will be in the "illustrative" category, which means it is not funded. 12 Legislation is needed for local funding for expanded transit services. 13 • Federal funding for both roadways and transit will remain stable for capital purchases through new 14 iterations of the transportation bill. Any federal reductions for transit operating costs will be offset 15 by local general revenues from the local governments within Ada County and Canyon County. 16 • Jobs will be dispersed throughout the region. 17 • Parking will become less available and more expensive. 18 19 Elements 20 Communities in Motion links community goals and desires — as developed in public workshops, open houses, 21 and other public comment opportunities -- to create the foundation of the plan. This foundation is created 22 with two structural elements -- "Community Choices" and Regional Corridors. The first element, 23 "Community Choices," is the scenario for land use and transportation that emerged from public workshops 24 and was adopted by the COMPASS Board in December 2005. The name reflects choice in housing types 25 (single family, multi -family, town homes, zero lot line homes, condominiums, and large lot) and in 26 transportation modes (automobile, transit options, bike lanes, and walking paths). 27 28 The second element is Regional Corridors. With a much larger planning area than past plans, Communities in 29 Motion analyzes transportation systems at the regional corridor level. Communities in Motion identifies four 30 goals, which support the issues that the community identified as important, and builds on "Community 31 Choices" and Regional Corridors. The matrix links the goals and issues. 32 33 34 35 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 5 Introduction Matrix of Key Issues as Related to Goals Goals Connections - Provide options for safe access and mobility in a cost-effective manner. Coordination - Achieve better inter - jurisdictional coordination of transportation and land use planning.. Environmental - Minimize transportation impacts to people, cultural resources, and the environment. Information - Coordinate data gathering and dispense better Information. Issues Balance and 0 O .., a, C) O u O c 4 O t 2, T v o U" v 0 ti X X X X X X x X DRAFT N Land Developed X X X X X 1 2 Addressing these goals and issues will result in open space, infill and redevelopment, choices in housing types 3 that are currently not available, a much expanded transit system and other alternatives to the automobile, and 4 jobs/housing balance. You will find more details on these implications in the chapters of this plan. 6 8 Expectations "Big results require big ambitions.' Heraclitus 10 The region is planning for rapid growth over the next twenty-five years. To 11 give a sense of scale, in 2030 the six -county area will likely attract the additional population and employment 12 equivalent of two new Boise cities or three new Canyon Counties, growing from the 2000 population of 13 504,000 to 978,000. Given this anticipated increase, COMPASS needs to meet the challenges of our future 14 transportation system while preserving our quality of life and open spaces — two areas of concern to both 15 elected officials and local residents. The planning process analyzed these concerns, as well as many others. 16 17 Communities rn Motion offers a detailed summary, a description of the process, and results. Links throughout 18 the electronic document provide more technical and detailed information. 19 20 21 22 23 T:\FY06\600 Projects\661 CIM\11-FinalReports\INTRODUCTION.doc 24 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 6 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 CHAPTER 2 -- DEFINING THE VISION 2 3 Where do we want to be in 2030? 4 5 Planning for the future — to 2030 and beyond — requires a regional, rather than a local, view. Regions include 6 urban, suburban, and rural communities clustered in one area. Southwest Idaho is a region comprised of 7 unique cities and towns, yet all rely on a regional labor force, and count on a regional transportation system to 8 move the people and materials involved in the regional economy. A regional infrastructure keeps the bridges, 9 roads, and sewers intact and functioning.1 Many people no longer spend their entire day in one place. They 10 work, shop, and attend recreation events throughout Southwest Idaho. Communities that act alone will not 11 solve regional transportation demands. And, with limited funding available, communities need to collaborate 12 to ensure that transportation systems function effectively; transportation projects in one community make the 13 regional system stronger. Where do we want to be in 2030? This chapter provides the backbone of the vision 14 for Communities in Motion as well as the strategies, goals, and tasks to get there. 15 16 Vision and Goals 17 Early in the planning process, the COMPASS Board articulated the following vision for Communities 18 in Motion: 19 We envision a Treasure Valley where quality of life is enhanced and communities are connected by an innovative, 20 e�ective, multi -modal transportation rystem. Board of Directors, October 2003 21 The vision of Communities in Motion reiterates a commitment to regional planning, and supports a belief that 23 each community should keep a unique identity. General Goals 25— Guiding Principles for land use 27 • Plan for growth & share„§ benefits and costs LL • Facilitate growth in citie1 & areas of impact to JJ efficiently use public 32 infrastructure • Promote economic vita�3 & housing choices For a residents while retaininB4 natural beauty • Support a successful 35 central city to maintain regional economic hear and vitality • Coordinate transportation and land use decisions to support travel choices plan were established several months later. Connections Goals for the Coordination Four broad goals emerged from a series of "community Environment Information cafes" with local residents. A technical working group then examined the goals and crafted core objectives and tasks to reach the vision. When COMPASS and the Idaho Transportation Department extended the boundaries of the plan in early 2004, the original goals remained as the underlying theme of what residents want for the region. 11ui1}iam Hudnut, "Working Together to Plan for the Future, May 17, 2004. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 1 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 In addition to a vision, goals, and objectives, COMPASS worked closely with the Blueprint for Good Growth2 2 (for Ada County) project to identify "guiding principles" for land use. These guiding principles will help make 3 the transportation goals a reality by better linking land use with transportation. Since land use decisions are 4 under the governance of member agencies, their support of the principals and goals help ensure 5 implementation of the preferred scenario, "Community Choices." 6 7 COMPASS will report annually on the progress of "Community Choices" throughout the region in the 8 annual Development Monitoring Report;_ This report includes data about building permits and the location 9 of new development. After Communities in Motion is approved, the Development Monitoring Report will also 10 include information about how much progress the region is making towards the goals and objectives in 11 Communities in Motion, as well as the "Community Choices" land use scenario. 12 13 The Goals Defined 14 This section is the "backbone" of the plan. Strategies are statements that the COMPASS Board agrees with 15 and will base future decisions upon. Goals need to be accomplished as a region. The objectives and tasks 16 offer detail of how the region will complete and measure the goals. The following strategies, goals, objectives, 17 and tasks provide the "road map" with the Board's vision as the destination. 18 19 Certain terms have varying meanings to different people. To alleviate confusion, we have provided the 20 following definitions for clarification: 21 22 Definitions 23 In order to make progress on the plan, COMPASS staff needed agreement from the Board on certain issues. 24 These are the statements that the Board adopted on December 19, 2005. 25 Strategies — Strategies are the basic directional decisions to guide a plan. The policy level decisions by 26 the COMPASS Board that guide the direction of the regional long-range transportation plan. 27 Goals — The broad and general goals of the plan. A goal is the end toward which effort is directed. 28 There are four goals. 2 Focusing and sustaining the growth is the aim of the Ada County Land Use and Transportation Guide Plan, or B6reprint for Good Growth - an attempt to create efficient and beneficial development. The Ada County Consortium is a partnership of governments in charge of local land use and roadway planning. Ada County, the Ada County Highway District, Boise City, Eagle, Garden City, Meridian, Kuna, Star and the Idaho Transportation Department. The partners want to better coordinate land use and transportation planning to ensure that growth is orderly and beneficial for the community's continued prosperity and quality of life. More details are available on the B/areprint for Good Growth website: jtnp://ww'v.blucprintforgoodfrowth.con 3 Development Monitoring Report URL: hitp://www.comnassidaho.org/renorts.htral Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 2 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Objectives — A more detailed breakdown of specific areas of the goals. Aim, goal, end of action — a 2 strategic position to be attained. 3 Tasks — The specific ways in which the objectives are carried out. Tasks also describe who is 4 assigned to do the work. These should be measurable. 5 6 Strategies (Accepted by COMPASS Board) 7 1. "Community Choices" is the preferred growth and transportation scenario. 8 2. The "Trend" scenario will be maintained for comparison in the Growth Monitoring Report. 9 3. The Growth Monitoring Report will track comprehensive plan changes as well as building and 10 subdivision activity. 11 4. A 50% split of funding between Operations/Maintenance and Capital Improvements is acceptable 12 pending subsequent annual reviews to determine pavement, bridge, safety and equipment standards. 13 5. Maintenance and safety of the transportation system are highest priority when considering funding 14 allocations. - 15 6. The Board recognizes the need to secure new funding for the transportation system the highest 16 priority. 17 7. A longer-term growth analysis is appropriate to consider issues beyond 2030. 18 8. Performance standards, including Levels of Service, may vary depending on a corridor's context (e.g., 19 a downtown area versus a suburban area). 20 21 Goals/Objectives/Tasks 22 Goal 1: Connections 23 o i eo tions o s e ess n mo i it in ost e e ti e m nne int e e ion 24 25 Objective 1.1. - Maintain the existing transportation infrastructure to provide an interconnected transportation 26 system for the movement of people and goods. 27 Task 1.1.1 — COMPASS will develop criteria for scoring projects for the Transportation 28 Improvement Program with the highest priority for projects that provide for maintenance, safety, 29 existing system efficiency (such as Intelligent Transportation System), or preservation. These 30 priorities are based on the 50% funding levels for operations and maintenance projects. 31 Task 1.1.2 — COMPASS will identify major destinations (cities, regional centers, and economic 32 activity centers) that are poorly served by the existing transportation system. 33 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 3 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Objective 1.2 — Expand capacity of the transportation system with improvements to existing facilities and 2 services or construction of new facilities and services to relieve congested corridors and traffic bottlenecks 3 and to ensure a connected regional system. 4 Task 1.2.1 — Member agencies with roadway jurisdiction will identify project elements and designs 5 that promote system connectivity, relieve congestion, and reduce bottlenecks. 6 Task 1.2.2 — Member agencies with roadway jurisdiction will identify project elements and designs 7 that encourage use of high -occupancy vehicles or other alternative modes of transportation. 8 Task 1.2.3 — Member agencies with land use authority will identify development elements and 9 associated policies that enhance the long-term efficiencies of encouraging high -occupancy vehicles. 10 Task 1.2.4 —Member agencies, with COMPASS support, will identify treatments for each regionally 11 important corridor, such as access management, special intersection designs, Intelligent 12 Transportation System, and land use access policies. 13 task 1.2.5 — COMPASS will include criteria in the prioritization methodology for the plan and the 14 Transportation Improvement Program to meet this objective. 15 Task 1.2.6 — COMPASS, through the long-range plan and subsequent studies, will identify corridors 16 where bus or other high occupancy vehicle treatments or services are desired. This identification 17 process will be coordinated with Valley Regional Transit and appropriate local and state 18 governments. 19 Task 1.2.7 — COMPASS, through the long-range plan, will identify corridors where existing or 20 forecasted congestion would impair the effectiveness of high occupancy vehicle treatment or 21 services. 22 Task 1.2.8 — COMPASS will identify gaps in the existing transportation system. 23 24 Objective 1.3 — Develop and provide transportation alternatives to the single -occupancy vehicle that achieve 25 an average of 5% of all trips. 26 Task 1,3.1 — Member agencies will provide to COMPASS the status of adoption of comprehensive 27 plans, particularly the transportation element of those plans, and new ordinances proposed through 28 Blueprint for Good Growth in Ada County or in Canyon County, new ordinances that support the use o 29 public transportation alternatives through land use and transportation decisions. 30 Task 1.12 — COMPASS will support Valley Regional Transit and member agencies in planning for 31 alternative transportation options. 32 Task 1.3.3 — COMPASS and Valley Regional Transit will plan a transit system with travel times on 33 bus routes no more than twice the travel times for comparable automobile travel times. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 4 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Task 1.3.4 — COMPASS and Valley Regional Transit will plan a transit system with travel times on 2 fixed -guideway (rail and Bus Rapid Transit) facilities during peak hours with no more than one and a 3 half times the travel time of an automobile during off-peak hours. 4 Task 1.3.5 — COMPASS will continue to update the bike path map in cooperation with local 5 agencies. This pathways map will be expanded to include Canyon County. 6 7 Objective 1.4 — Maximize funding sources for transportation system improvements and maintenance. 8 Task 1.4.1 — Member agencies will aid the efforts to obtain funding sources by evaluating their use of 9 existing funding sources, developing innovative methods of funding and supporting regional efforts. 10 task 1.4.2, — COMPASS and member agencies will work with state and federal elected officials and 11 other sources to provide funding for transportation projects identified in the plan. 12 Task 1.4.3 — COMPASS will develop a plan for developing new efforts to seek additional funding 13 sources, including existing funding tools currently not being used. 14 Task 1.4.4 — COMPASS will compile information on the efficiency/effectiveness of existing tiV• - 15 expenditures to use in reporting to citizens and/or federal, state, and local elected officials. dd'(.� 16 Thiae — meA . 17 Obiective 1.5 — Develop a method allowing modeling of peak -hour traffic with multiple modes. 18 Task 1.5.1 — COMPASS will continue improvements to the transportation model to include better 19 information on peak -hour travel with multiple modes for better analysis of transportation system 20 needs. 21 22 Objective 1.6 — Approach programming, planning, maintenance, construction, operations and project 23 development activities and products in a "context sensitive" manner. 24 task 1.6.1 — Member agencies will consider automobile, mass transit, walking, bicycling, 25 environmental and aesthetic issues when and where appropriate. A ,, h 26 Task 1.6.2 — COMPASS will develop a guidebook on context sensitive design to aid land use an I`iib 27 transportation decision makers and create a "regional vocabulary" on context sensitive design. CS 28 29 Objective 1.7 — Preserve freight travel as a priority in order to ensure the Treasure Valley's economic 30 competitiveness. 31 Task 1.7.1 - COMPASS will conduct a study to identify freight issues in the Treasure Valley. 32 Task 1.7.2 - COMPASS will work with ITD to identify and inventory regional and statewide freight 33 flows. 34 Task 1.7.3 - COMPASS will convene a work group of freight interests to assist in these activities. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT Task 1.7.4 — COMPASS will identify key freight origins and destinations to create a set of data for use in future plans and projects. Task 1.7.5 — COMPASS will research ways that freight data ties with economic development for use in future plans and projects. Goal 2: Coordination ie e ette ince u is i tion oo in tion o t ns o t tion n n use nnin Qliective 21. — Provide guidance to local governments regarding how land use plans and policies can implement the vision of Communities in Motion. Task 2.1.1 — Member agencies will assess and modify their comprehensive plans and ordinances o support and be consistent with the preferred growth and transportation scenario envisioned under "Community Choices." Task 2.1.2 — COMPASS will develop scoring criteria for the Transportation Improvement Program that provides for higher priorities for transportation projects and programs serving needs of the cities, regional centers, regionally important corridors and economic activity centers and lower priorities for transportation projects and programs elsewhere. Transportation Improvement Program funds will be programmed for projects that support the "Community Choices" growth scenario. Task 2.1.3 — Member agencies will develop their ordinances and comprehensive plans, particularly \oho the transportation element of those plans, in coordination with COMPASS and local transportation °^a l agencies, as well as provide draft amendments of their comprehensive plans to COMPASS and local i transportation agencies for analysis and recommendation. OtiSAtreed lOW GUIS PA- &Old Task 2.14 — COMPASS will establish a sub -committee of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee to evaluate comprehensive plan amendments for their consistency with the vision of Communities in Motion and Blueprint for Good Growth in Ada County and provide a recommendation to „......241 the agency for consideration. Tittgimi built �11�tis Inappest titoux4 4,eetcud YVkaunnaX- Objective 2.2 — Determine cumulative effects of decisions on the transportation infrastructure system. Task 2.2.1 — Member agencies will share transportation financial data, as requested, on an annual basis in order for COMPASS to maintain an accurate and up-to-date financial report for future updates to the regional long-range transportation plan. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 6 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Task 2.2.2 — COMPASS will track conditions on the existing transportation system including 2 maintenance and safety issues based on data from pavement, bridge and safety management systems 3 provided by local agencies. 4 Task 2.2.3 — COMPASS will continue to develop and monitor the Congestion Management System. 5 Traffic count and travel time will be monitored and reported on an annual basis. 6 Task 2.2.4 — COMPASS will track the cumulative transportation demand based on existing, approved 7 and preliminary development. 8 Task 2.21— Member agencies will be responsible for tracking the cumulative demand of 9 development on all other infrastructure facilities in their jurisdictions. 10 11 Objective 2.3 — Provide choices for travel in the region and service special access needs for all people, 12 including youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons of varying economic status. 13 Task 2.3.1 — COMPASS and Valley Regional Transit will identify destinations that are more critical to 14 the specified population groups. 15 Task 2.3.2 — COMPASS and Valley Regional Transit will conduct a study to learn the overall effects 16 of the transportation network for minority and low-income populations. 17 Task 2.3.3 — COMPASS will work with federal, state and local agencies to improve information on 18 the residential location of specified population groups. 19 Task 2.3.4 — COMPASS will incorporate forecasts of these population groups in future demographic 20 forecasts. 21 22 Goal 3: Environment 23 Minimi e t ns o t tion im is to eo e u to esou es n t e en i onment 24 25 Obiective 3.1 —Consider the environment during the planning phase. T, * 12f-16(4-VI/IA 26 Task 3.1.1 — COMPASS will research ways that environmental issues can be discovered during the '-ii, to 27 planning phase of projects for use in assessing future plans and corridors. 28 Task 3.1.2 — COMPASS will develop a strategy to coordinate with environmental agencies on futur kriVASP"1 29 planning efforts. 30 31 Objective 3.2 — Develop and facilitate transportation -related air quality management strategies that are 32 voluntary, innovative, and proactive. 33 Task 3.2.1 — COMPASS will research and recommend air quality management strategies to the 34 COMPASS Board. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 7 Chapter 2 — Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Task 3.2.2 — COMPASS will consider the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council's recommendations as 2 related to the transportation system. 3 4 Objective 3.3 — Develop method to analyze proposed corridors to avoid negative impacts in environmental 5 justice consideration areas. 6 Task 3.3.1 — COMPASS will develop a policy to provide meaningful input regarding environmental 7 justice into the planning process. 8 9 Goal 4: Information 10 Coo in to t t e in n is ense ette in o m tion 11 12 Objective 4.1 — Develop innovative methods to involve the public in transportation planning. 13 Task 4.1.1 — COMPASS will use the Public Participation Committee to develop and improve public 14 involvement methods in transportation planning. 15 16 Objective 4.2 — Provide a method to present the transportation model in a way that citizens can understand 17 the analysis. 18 Task 4.2,1 — COMPASS will work with the Public Participation Committee to develop materials that 19 present the model, its inputs, uses and limitations. 20 21 Objective 4.3 — Promote dialogue about land use and transportation throughout the region. 22 Task 4.34. — COMPASS will work with Valley Regional Transit, Commuteride, and member agencies 23 to design a program to educate residents and employers about alternative transportation options. 24 Task 4.3.2 — COMPASS will continue to sponsor an educational series to the general public on 25 planning and growth issues. 26 27 Objective 4.4 — Develop systems to evaluate the progress of all goals, objectives, and tasks. 28 Task 4.4.1 — Member agencies will provide annual maintenance, safety ('including accidents reports 29 and security information), and system expansions for reporting purposes and will develop a system to 30 record and monitor data. The system will include data for transit and pathways. 31 Task 4.4.2 — COMPASS will produce an annual monitoring report that provides information on 32 maintenance and connections issues across the region. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 8 Chapter 2 - Defining the Vision DRAFT 1 Task 4.4.3 —COMPASS will prepare an annual monitoring report that also summarizes progress 2 toward achieving alternative transportation objectives. Progress will be measured by the following 3 factors: 4 a. Residential numbers and densities along key transit routes and within a quarter to a half 5 mile of potential fixed -guideway stations. 6 b. Total numbers and percentages of housing built at transit -supportive densities (eight 7 plus units per acre) by jurisdiction. 8 c. Transit supply (service miles and hours) normalized by population. 9 d. Vanpool supply (number of routes and service miles) 10 e. Number and percentage of housing units built within walking distance of major 11 attractors (job sites, service/retail centers, recreation sites, etc.) 12 f. Employment numbers and percentages within a quarter to a half mile of potential fixed - 13 guideway stations and transit routes. 14 g. Miles of roadway with sidewalks (0, 1, 2 sides) and bike paths. Inventories of sidewalks 15 and bike paths will be a priority for future funding. 16 h. Expenditures by mode (roadway, transit, bike/walking). 17 i. Status of actions to seek funding. 18 j. Usage factors (vehide miles of travel, congestion indices, transit ridership, 19 carpool/vanpool ridership, park and ride lots) where available. 20 k. Local government amendments to comprehensive plans and land use ordinances in 21 support of the desired land use pattern. 22 Task 4.4.4 — COMPASS will maintain the "Trend" scenario for annual comparisons as part of the 23 Development Monitoring Report. 24 25 Tying the Issues to the Goals 26 The following matrix was presented in the Introduction of this plan. More details about these issues follow 27 the table. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 9 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future DRAFT 1 CHAPTER 4 -- DESIGNING THE FUTURE 2 3 Land Use in the Treasure Valley: Two Visions of the Future 4 5 Land use and transportation go hand-in-hand. Which factor leads depends on the individual's point 6 of view. Land use was the "driving factor" when developing Communities in Motion. Land use scenarios 7 were developed primarily for Ada County and Canyon County, since these two counties have the 8 largest populations and greatest anticipated growth. These scenarios also considered the affects of 9 growth in the Partnering Counties (Boise, Elmore, Gem, Payette) on the regional transportation 10 network. Although land use was the driving factor for this plan, transportation issues are the focus. 11 12 Communities in Motion considered future transportation needs by developing the "Community 14 Choices" scenario for the regional long-range transportation plan and using "Trend" for comparison. 16 "Community Choices" emerged from the "Satellite Cities" and "Corridor" scenarios National Traffic 18 from the February 2005 community workshops. It may take several years for Factoids 20 "Community Choices" development patterns to take hold, primarily because different 21 land use patterns occur through new ordinances and amendments to comprehensive plans. The 22 COMPASS Board concurred with the need to understand implications of the "Trend" scenario. 23 Therefore, "Trend" illustrates near-term development patterns until legal changes are enacted and 24 accepted by the marketplace. 25 26 "Trend" continues the general pattern of growth in the region, which has been predominantly low - 27 density residential and office/commercial uses, with transportation networks designed exclusively for 28 the private automobile. "Community Choices" keeps the majority of new development within areas 29 of city impacts and focuses both housing and employment development along the rail and State 30 Highway 44 (State Street) corridors. "Community Choices" develops 83,000 less acres of land than 31 "Trend" because it introduces higher housing densities, creating more housing choices. This style of 32 development supports alternative modes of transportation such as transit, walking, or biking. 33 34 35 36 37 1 Area of City Impact is a requirement of state law requiring a land use plan that not only plans for the area within the city's legal boundaries, but also plans for areas outside of the city's legal boundaries that are still in the unincorporated area of the county and have not yet been annexed into the city. Officially negotiated areas of city impact are necessary prerequisite for cities to annex adjacent properties. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 1 l 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT Comparisons "Trend" "Community Choices" Transportation Implications • Consumes 125,000 acres • Growth continues on current open space • 20% of development supports alternative transportation • Jobs and housing remain scattered • Limited options for alternative transportation • Allows some development that supports transit • Generates one million more vehicle miles of travel per day (21 million total VMT per day) • More growth in currently undeveloped areas • Less choice for housing types • Jobs and services remain separate and often distant • Automobile dependence • More personal time used to travel • Consumes 42,000 acres (2/3 less land than "Trend") • Offers more diversified housing types • Keeps jobs and housing closer together • Supports alternative transportation through higher density and proximity of housing to jobs, goods and services. (52% of development supports alternative transportation) • Preserves more open space • Encourages infill and redevelopment in currently developed areas, requiring attention to design • More housing choices to better reflect the needs of future population smaller households, older population • Better opportunity for alternative transportation, including transit (not as dependent on automobiles) • Promotes jobs and services closer to neighborhoods • Less personal time in the car The Plan for Future Corridors The Plan Coordination Team (PCT) developed a transportation system for each of the two land use scenarios. For "Trend," the PCT analyzed the transportation deficiencies of the no -build system. The highest deficiency roadways (more than 40% over capacity) appeared as red lines on the map (see Chapter 2, page 12). The PCT took the "Visine" approach — get the red outl Land use patterns in the "Trend" scenario dictated that public transportation was not a viable option; therefore, it was anticipated that the transit system would remain much as it is today. The "Trend" transportation system is not included within the plan since it is for comparison purposes only. However, the information is available through this LINK. The PCT developed the transportation system for "Community Choices" by making transit the priority and planning roadway improvements that will enhance the transit system. Surprisingly, the roadway system for "Community Choices" is very similar to the one for "Trend," although some Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 2 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 roadways were not widened to the extent they were under the "Trend" scenario. Additional 2 congestion is considered more acceptable in the compact areas — just as any major city experiences 3 congestion in their compact development areas. The "Community Choices" roadway system can be 4 viewed as a "sub -set" of the "Trend" roadway system. The "Community Choices" transit system, 5 however, is more than ten times the size of the "Trend" transit system. The federal government 6 requires that long-range transportation plans be fiscally constrained. In addition, we do not have 7 enough funding to build an un -congested roadway network; the reality is that there is not enough 8 money to pay for the desired transportation networks, whether "Trend" or "Community Choices," 9 without finding new revenue sources. 10 11 Unfortunately, the transit system in the Treasure Valley will not improve much beyond what we have 12 today without a local funding source. If the region wants an efficient transit network, and local 13 elected officials support this vision for the future, the Idaho Legislature must aid the region in 14 finding a way to pay for the system. 15 16 After the transportation system for the "Community Choices" scenario was developed, it was 17 modeled and mapped to show the forecasted deficiencies with all the improvements in place, 18 including expanded public transportation services. This `Build" deficiency map includes the projects 19 planned through FY 2009 as well as the entire new transportation system for "Community Choices," 20 induding transit. 21 22 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 3 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future 2030 Community Choices Build Unconstrained Roadway and Transit System DRAFT 111 101C;. %Mi�ir ,��+ �iGw�i .. ■niimmo4r +�asi=sr=.": ■ r.u,s%r.'miiNiiiitii mmieZii;� �� •: ocur,IR mmiu �-m-Inimarci;vmmusinimmemp:' rte. Legend •• Roadways At to 20% Over Capacity Roadways 20% to 40% Roadways 40% a mom over capacity l'. 2030 Camunity Ctalee Budd Vehicle Mlle or Trevel Vehicle Han of Delay % of System Under Capacity %or System Ala Over Capacity 142.444 77.1% 22 9% 1 A more detailed map' can be viewed online 2 Detailed Deficiency Map URL: hare.c_cxnniuntnesmmtinnn.nrsi/env:dm-al Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 4 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future 2030 Trend No Build 2009 roadway and 2005 Bus System DRAFT NI fi�lINIM_EIIIII•••111'-•u .\ e■ Legend Roadways At to 20% Over Capacity Roadways 20% to 40% Roadways 40% or more over capac ty 2030 Trend No Build Vehicle Mlles of Travel Vehicle Hous or Delay 1 %of System Under Capacity 1 % or System Ata Over Capacity 1 23.499,2261 640.041 1 1 } i = 45.5% ( :i■!NE■■: as , \.r /- Ute! 1 54.5% 1 A more detailed map' can be viewed online. 3 Assumptions for Corridors 4 A new concept for the regional plan was to look at transportation at the corndor level rather than at 5 a project level. Several items were assumed when developing the corridor list: 6 1. The split for roadway operations/maintenance and capital projects is 50/50. 7 2. The split for major capital and minor capital is 76/24 (approximately $2.2 billion for major 8 capital and $700 million for minor capital). 3. Minor operational projects such as improving a road to three -lanes, studies, and short connections (one to two miles) will not be a part of the funding decision list. These will be maintained in the plan as base assumptions. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 There are two types of capital improvements: major capital and minor capital. It was determined that only the major capital comdors would be included specifically in the plan and prioritized. The minor capital projects include intersections, traffic signals, shorter -length roadway projects, and safety 3 Detailed Deficiency Map URL: hip./ iwww.cominuninc,inmonon on, /maps .him] Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 5 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future DRAFT 1 projects. A map of some corridors, but not all that could be considered under the "minor" capital 2 category is available LINK. 3 4 How are corridors placed in priority? 5 Transportation needs outweigh existing revenues available to the region over the next twenty years. 6 Therefore, the planning team developed a process to guide the selection of corridors so that funds 7 could be spent where growth is desired and where the transportation benefits are highest. This 8 process will be used in the future to aid COMPASS and ITD in selecting projects for short-term 9 investments, i.e., those projects included in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)4 and 10 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)5. The selection and ranking process included a 11 variety of factors, including. 12 • Dollars per Vehicle Miles Traveled — the cost of improvements per vehicle mile traveled. 13 • Time Savings — potential time saved because of the improvements in hours. 14 • Connections — fills gaps in system, ties to transit spine, or connects barriers. 15 • Regionality — based on classification of roadway according to function: interstate, state highway, 16 principal arterial, or minor arterial. 17 • Growth Area — relation of the corridor to the growth areas in the "Community Choices" scenario. 18 • Percent of Regional Growth (x2) — percentage of the anticipated regional growth from 2005-2030. 19 • Transit (x2) — based on whether a roadway also has a regional transit route, a local transit route, or no 20 transit route. 21 22 These factors will be used in the project selection process during future TIP and STIP development. In 23 addition, other factors will be considered, including. 24 • Pavement and bridge sufficiency data for consideration in maintenance projects. 25 • Accident data for consideration in safety projects. 26 • Environmental issues that will help determine project readiness. 27 • Congestion Management System information on current system delays. 28 • Traffic operations issues, including project benefits as detour routes for other corridors during 29 construction. 30 • Existence of corridor management plans addressing access management and other land use policies. 31 32 One difficulty encountered in the prioritization process is the mix of corridors in Partnering Counties 33 (Boise, Elmore, Gem, and Payette) in the table. The Travel Demand Forecast Model cannot currently 34 provide useful information on corridor volumes, time savings, and other information to allow 35 comparison. Also, the "regional" funding pot is not really available for any corridor in the list. As the 4 The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a five-year approved list of priority transportation projects. The TIP lists all projects for which federal funds are anticipated, along with non -federally funded projects that are regionally significant. The list includes roadway and public transit projects. 5 The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is similar to a TIP, but includes all projects in the state of Idaho, including those listed in the TIP. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 6 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 following table indicates, over half the local entity revenues are derived from local sources such as 2 property taxes, impact fees, and local option registration fees. Another 41% of the revenue is 3 obtained from the allocated state -collected revenues, primarily from the Highway Distribution 4 Account. Ada County and Canyon County have 87% of the local revenue. The Idaho Transportation 5 Department would have the balance of the estimated current $161 million available for roadways - 6 approximately $67 million per year. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Total for Ada County Total for Canyon County Total for Boise County Total for Elmore County Total for Gem County Total for Payette County Regional Non•ITD Federal Revenue of Income State Sources % of Income Net Local Sources % of Income Breakout of Regional Funding by County 2002 2003 2004 Average $52,732,215 $16,661,956 $ 2,221,029 $ 4,657,049 $ 644,324 $ 3,018,916 $79,935,489 $ 4,009.972 5% $34,649,710 43% $41,275,807 52% $53,044,690 $18,046,929 $ 1,752,432 $ 5,418,245 $ 1,820,432 $ 3,208,382 $83.291,110 $ 3,310,109 4% $ 35,473,942 43% $ 44,507,059 53% $64,679,096 $56,818,667 $ 19,445,745 $18,051,543 $ 394,167 $ 1,455,876 $ 4,908,164 $ 4,994,486 $ 1,988,874 $ 1,484,543 $ 2,362,147 $ 2,863,148 $ 93,778,193 $85,668,264 $ 5,574,846 $ 4,298,309 6% 5% $ 35,282,904 $35,135,519 38% 42% $ 52,920,444 $46,234,436 56% 53% of Funds by County 66% 21% 2% 6% 2% 3% Therefore, it is difficult to mix the Partnering County corridors into the total for a fair and meaningful comparison. Of the $219 million in Partnering County corridors, $143 million are ITD system corridors, including the Indian Valley and SH 16 corridors, which are part of the GARVEE bonding proposal. The $2.22 billion funding referred to at the end of the table below includes all funding across the region—local and ITD. The table assumes that all projects will be funded even if one or more of the three non-ITD Partnering County corridors are to be funded. The available funding has been reduced to account for growth in the local street and arterial street system. Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 7 ) Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT ID 2 3 4 5 ADA AND CANYON COUNTIES - FUNDED In Alphabetical Order Corridor Amity Road : Southside Blvd -Cloverdale Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. Cherry Ln: Middleton Road -Ten Mile Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. Cloverdale Road: Lake Hazel Road-Chinden Blvd. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. Fairview Ave.: Meridian Road -Orchard. Widen from 5 lanes to 7 lanes. Franklin Road: Can Ada Road -Linder Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. 1-84• Cole/Overland IC -Gowen IC. Widen from 4 lanes to 8 lanes. 6 Includes interchange reconstruction at Orchard, Vista, Broadway and Gowen 1-84: Exit 29 -Garrity IC Widen from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. Includes 7 reconstruction of Franklin and Nampa Blvd interchanges and existing 1 over/underpasses. 8 1-84: Future SH 16 Interchange: (vicinity of McDermott). Construct new interchange with ramps to connect with Franklin. 9 11 12 1.84• Garrity IC -Meridian IC. Widen from 4 lanes to 8 lanes. Includes reconstruction of Garrity interchange and existing over/underpasses. Lake Hazel Road: Happy Valley - Eisenmann Road (including Gowen Road Realignment) McDermott Road: I -84 -Lake Hazel Road (including RR overpass at Hubbard Road). Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. Access management to preserve future expressway. Meridian Road: Waltman Dr-Ustick Road. Complete corridor 13 improvements to 5 lanes. Includes partial couplet involving Main Street and Meridian Road. SH 16: Ada/Gem line -I-84. Construct expressway with interchanges at 14 Chaparral, Beacon Light, SH 44, US 20/26, & Ustick Road. Overpass/underpass at other roadways 15 SH 44: Exit 25 -Ballantyne Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lane limited access divided highway. Includes a new route through Middleton. 16 State Street/SH 55: (Eagle) to downtown Boise (Multi -Modal Center) Ten Mile Road: Lake Hazel - Chinden Blvd. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. 17 18 Three Cities River Crossing: SH 44-Chinden Blvd. Construct new roadway at 4/5 lanes and new bridge. Cost $51,900,000 $49,100,000 $43,600,000 $41,010,000 $26,700,000 $293,000,000 3513, 800,000 $73,600,000 $192,400,000 $104,210,000 $34,600,000 $12,700,000 3241,860,000 $83,600,000 $43,840,000 Cumulative $51,900,000 $101,000,000 $144,600,000 $185,610,000 $212,310,000 $505,310,000 31, 019.110, 000 31,092,710,000 $1,285,110,000 $1,389,320,000 $1,423,920,000 $1,436,620,000 $1,678,480,000 $1,762,080,000 $1,805,920,000 $39,920,000 $1,845,840,000 $55,000,000 $1,900,840,000 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 8 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future DRAFT ADA AND CANYON COUNTIES - FUNDED In Alphabetical Order 1 ID Corridor Cost'-- Cumulative US 20/26: Exit 29 -Eagle Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lane limited 19 $202,930,000 $2,103,770,000 access divided highway. 20 Ustick Road. Caldwell/Nampa Blvd. -Curtis Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. $103,200,000 $2,206,970,000 1 2 Demonstration of Air Quality Conformance 3 Federal regulations require that metropolitan planning organizations demonstrate their transportation 4 plans conform to the state's air quality plans. This process is often referred to as "transportation 5 conformity." Ada County is the only jurisdiction in the six -county region required to have air quality 6 plans as a result of past air quality problems. As part of the process, emissions are estimated and 7 compared to budgets. The results of this analysis are given to the Federal Highways Administration 8 and Federal Transit Administration for approval. The transportation plan is not official until this 9 approval is received. For more information on this process, refer to the conformity demonstration 19 from Northern Ada County on this CD (link) or the COMPASS website (insert link here ). 11 12 Illustrative Corridors List 13 Revenues6 were not available for all of the corridors in the "optimal" transportation system. Those 14 corridors that are still desired, but do not have a funding source are listed below and referred to as 1 5 "illustrative" corridors. These corridors are still needed in the region, but will not be a part of the 16 official plan unless additional funding is secured. These corridors are listed in alphabetical order on 17 the two tables below, by roadway and transit types. Projects within these corridors may be moved 18 forward during the project selection process, based on maintenance, safety or traffic operations 19 benefits. 4 4, No. 2 3 ADA & CANYON COUNTIES - ROADWAY - ILLUSTRATIVE In Alphabetical Order Corridor Beacon Light Road: SH 16 -SH 55. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. Beacon Light Road Extension: Purple Sage Road -SH 16. Construct new 2 lane road. Black Cat Road: Franklin Road-Chinden Blvd. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. 4 Greenhurst Road: Middleton Road -Happy Valley Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. 5 Happy Valley Road (5 lane) — from 1-84 to Locust Lane 6 Details of how revenues were determined can be found in Chapter 5. Cost Cumulative $37,430,000 $37,430,000 $3,100,000 $40,530,000 $29,300,000 $69,830,000 $26,700.000 $96,530,000 $31,440,000 $127,970,0001 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 9 2 3 4 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future DRAFT 6 1-84: Ustick Road Interchange. Construct new interchange. Kuna Mora Road: SH 45/Bowmont Road -existing section (including preservation for RR overpass) 7 8 9 Linder Road: Kuna Mora Road-Ustick Road. Widen/construct to 5 lanes. Includes a rail crossing in Kuna and an overpass at 1-84. Linder Road: Ustick Road -Beacon Light Road. Widen from 2 lanes to 5 lanes. $25,000,000 $152,970,000 $6,000,000 $158,970,000 $77,530,000 $236,500,000 $25,100,000 $261,600,000 10 Middleton Road• Greenhurst Road -SH 44. Widen from 2 lanes to $64,200,000 $325.800,000 5 lanes. 11 Robinson Road: Greenhurst Road -Cherry Ln. Widen from 2 lanes $37,500,000 $363.300,000 to 5 lanes. 12 SH 45: Deer Flat Road -Locust Ln. Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lane $10,600,000 $373,900,000 limited access divided highway. 13 SH 55: Beacon Light Road -Brookside. Widen from 2 lanes to 4 $1,400,000 $375,300,000 lane limited access divided highway. 14 SH 55: Sunnyslope curve to Karcher IC. Widen from 2 lanes to 4 $44,900,000 $420,200,000 lane limited access divided highway. SH 69 Connection: Kuna Mora Road-Kuna Road. Build new road 15 parallel to the UP rail (north side) to connect SH 69 to Kuna $2,300,000 $422,500,000 Mora. 16 US 20/26: City of Parma -Exit 25. Operational improvements SO $422,500,000 only. ADA AND CANYON COUNTIES - TRANSIT - ILLUSTRATIVE In Alphabetical Order ID Corridor Cost Cumulative 1 BRT along State Street from west of Eagle Road into Downtown $2,602,000 $2,602,000 Boise (1 Route) 2 Downtown Boise Circulator (2 Routes - start with buses and $2,602,000 $5,204,000 evolve to a streetcar system) 3 Express commuter bus routes between Ada/Canyon and $6,505,000 $11,709,000 Partnering Counties (5 Routes) 4 Express route from Caldwell into Boise along US 20/26 $2,602,000 $14,311,000 (Chinden) (1 Route) 5 Express route from Caldwell into Boise along Ustick Road (1 $2,602,000 $16,913,000 Route) 6 Express route from Nampa into Boise along Franklin Road (1 $2,602,000 $19,515,000 Route) 7 Rail - Boise Towne Square Mall to Micron (1 Route) $3,844,000 $23,359,000 8 Rail - Downtown Caldwell to Downtown Boise (1 Route) $3,844,000 $27,203,000 Total of 21 local bus routes serving Canyon County including $27,321,000 $54,524,000 circulators in Caldwell and Nampa 10 Total of 52 local bus routes serving Ada County, including $67,652,000 $122,176,000 circulators in Eagle and Meridian Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 10 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 Partnering County Corridor List 2 As mentioned on page 8, there were no criteria available for creating a priority hst for all categones in 3 order. These projects are not subject to the urbanized area planning requirement and are shown for 4 informational purposes. It has not been determined at this point which projects will be funded in the 5 plan. 6 7 PARTNERING COUNTY LIST In Alphabetical Order /D . Cdrrldor Cost Cumulative 1 Dewey Road. City of Emmett -I-84 $22,410,000 $22,410,000 2 Emmett to Mesa Highway --Indian Valley: City of Emmett -Mesa $45,150,000 $67,560,000 (ITD) 3 Harris Creek: Idaho City -Horseshoe Bend $39,220,000 $106,780,000 4 New Route: City of Payette to 1-84 $14,250,000 $121,030,000 5 SH 16: City of Emmett-Ada/Gem line (ITD) $93,950,000 $214,980,000 6 SH 21 • Lucky Peak -Idaho City (ITD) $4,030,000 $219,010,000 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 11 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 The Corridors Defined 2 Defining the corridors is the first step in creating the plan. Many of the corridors traverse multiple 3 jurisdictions and several of these roadways connect county to county. To help convey the complexity 4 of the corridor concept, each corridor is described in detail, including: 5 • Why the corridor is important to the region; 6 • Characteristics of the corridor and how it is used; 7 • Recommendations for the corridor to meet CIM goals; 8 • Land use decisions required on this corridor to implement CIM goals (or, actions needed to 9 occur to preserve the corridor for the future improvements); 10 • Opportunities or challenges for the corridor; 11 • History of improvements and financial investment to date; 12 • Recommended investments in the funded portion of CIM; 13 • Additional desired improvements, or... a wish list! These improvements are not funded. 14 15 To implement the corridors, each corridor needs to be studied to determine the design for each 16 improvement. There will most likely be multiple designs for each corridor as it passes through 17 various land uses. This is "context sensitive" planning. For example, a roadway or bus route must fit 18 within the land use that surrounds it. Therefore, a route through a neighborhood will look and 19 function differently than a route through a more rural area or one that is considered regional in 20 nature. 21 22 The corridor analyses are listed in alphabetical order from this point forward. 23 24 INSERT CORRIDORS HERE Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Chapter 4 - Designing the Future DRAFT Special Future Studies During the design of the "optimal" transportation system for the plan, several corridors were considered that lacked sufficient information to determine alignments or designs. These corridors were noted for further study to discover the detail needed to include it in a plan and are shown as a "study box" on the maior capital improvements map7. These special studies include (in alphabetical order): • lBeacon Light/Purple Sage Road Extension — an alignment for the connection of these roadways is needed. Current development activity could preclude any connection, and an alignment is needed to protect rights-of-way. • Cloverdale Road and Five Mile Road — during discussions of an "optimal" transportation system, these corridors will need improvements. A current study of the Three Cities River Crossing has not been completed, which will establish connections of one or both of these roads across the Boise River to State Highway 55. Other issues include the potential of an interchange at I-84 and Cloverdale, and connections of one or both of these roads to a future Kuna-Mora expressway. • Cloverdale Road and the Eisenman Interchange — new connections are needed in the area south of Boise between Cloverdale Road and the Eisenman Interchange. The study would locate the most desirable and efficient connections. • I-84 Interchanges — study for possible inclusion of an interchange at Robinson Road in Nampa and near Amity Road in Boise. A more complex interchange study is needed to connect Franklin Road to I-84 in the vicinity of SH 16 and McDermott Road. • Kuna-Mora Road — study for possibility of an arterial roadway in the future. This corridor would connect to the McDermott extension (SH 16) in the distant future and to State Highway 45 on the west and 1-84 on the east. This study would determine alignments, access management needs, and design/implementation options as a future expressway. • River Crossing in Canyon County — there is currently a six mile gap (Star Road to Middleton Road) between river crossings in a high-growth area of Canyon County. This study would determine the alignment and connections of a river crossing. The preferred alignment will likely align with either Franklin Road or Northside Road. Once a determination is made, the preferred road will be classified as a principal arterial and the other as a minor arterial • SH 16 to SH 55 Connection Study — in anticipation of future growth north of the City of Eagle, a study would determine feasibility and alignment of a northern connection. ham stkirk041 W'O'W" giak Sernabut Major Capital Improvements Map URL:}hrtp://www.communiticsinmonon.org/ma .htrnl Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 13 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 • SH 69 Extension — ACHD and the City of Kuna agree that an extension is needed, but 2 differ on the alignment and need for a railroad overpass. The study will consider costs, 3 benefits and environmental issues of the options. 4 • Canyon Truck Route Corridor Study -- there is a desire for a route to divert truck traffic 5 south of I-84 west of the City of Caldwell to Kuna-Mora and connecting back to I-84 south 6 of the City of Boise. This study will also include the feasibility of a new river crossing near 7 Weitz Road northwest of the City of Caldwell. 8 9 Other transportation studies in the region can be found on the "Studies Coordination8" website. 10 11 Critical Intersections 12 COMPASS uses a travel demand model that focuses on regional corridors and travel patterns rather 13 than on specific issues at individual intersections. Certainly the regional corridors are high priorities 14 for investment, but this emphasis does not mean that intersections are not important. In fact, 15 intersections are key to understanding traffic flow on urban roads. This section is intended to 16 highlight the issues and potential approaches in addressing significant intersection problems. 17 Figure 1 shows the largest intersections in the Valley by 2030 in terms of entering volumes. Each of these intersections will be 18 over 70,000 vehicles per day in terms of entering volumes. 19 8 Studies Coordination URL: htm://www.comnassidaho.org/studies.html Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 14 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT 1 The intersections shown are at -grade intersections. Grade -separated interchanges on I-84 and I-184 2 may carry high volumes but are less challenging since movements are physically separated. Traffic 3 engineers deal with high levels of intersection volumes in several ways, including. 4 • Increase the capacity of the intersection by adding more storage for the various traffic 5 movements. 6 • Separate the movements. 7 • Reduce or eliminate left -turn movements. 8 • Improve signal progression to reduce stacking at intersections. 9 10 The critical intersections shown in the map above will need special design treatments if they are not 11 to become very large parking lots by 2030. Whether grade separation, exotic left -turn treatments, or 12 roundabouts are appropriate are questions that need to be considered --and soon. Or else growth will 13 reduce the options and likelihood of a good solution. A more detailed white paper on critical 14 intersections (LINK) is available. 15 16 Enhancement Possibilities 17 Throughout the process of developing Communities in Motion, local residents and officials wanted 18 communities to maintain an individual character. The workshops in November 2004 and February 19 2005 provided an education on specific roadway design options including main streets, boulevards, 20 and sidewalks. These types of design enhance the community through the design of a roadway or 21 transit stop. 22 23 In the next twenty to twenty-five years, many of these community enhancements could occur 24 through a federal program for called the Surface Transportation Program — Enhancement (STP -E); 25 however, it is difficult to specify which communities will apply or be approved for these funds. The 26 STP -E programs have a federal aid limit of $500,000. The local match varies and is based on a sliding 27 scale. Specific categories include: bicycle/pedestrian pathways, scenic, or historic. All the categories 28 must have a strong connection to transportation. Some examples of the federal enhancement 29 projects funded through FY 2008 follow: 30 31 32 33 34 35 Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 15 Chapter 4 — Designing the Future DRAFT Year 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 Examples of Federal Enhancement Projects Project Name and Brie/ Description Weiser Recreational Vehicle Trail (Bike/Pedestrian) Garden Valley Trail (Bike/Pedestrian) Eckert Pathway Extension II (Pedestrian) Caldwell Depot Rehabilitation (Historical) Total Amount $222,000 $235,000 $644,000 $455,000 Boise State University Greenbelt Pathway (Bike/Pedestrian) $599,000 2007 Warm Springs Boulevard (Scenic) 2008 Canyon Crossroads Transportation Museum in Melba (Historic) 2008 I Pennsylvania Ave & 4' Street (Bike/Pedestrian) $273,000 $410,000 $450,000 Sponsor City of Weiser Miscellaneous Ada County City of Caldwell Boise State University ACHD Canyon County City of Fruitland 1 2 Other similar projects will also be funded at the local level through community revitalization efforts. 3 4 5 6 7 T:\FY06\600 Projects\661 ClM\11-Final Reports\CHAPTER4-FUTURE.doc Communities in Motion 3/10/2006 16 County Boundary Nampa Loop Route MIStacy Areas - imerstale Expressway - - - - Proposed Expressway — Principal Arena Proposed Pnncioal Arterial Minor Arterial - - - - - Proposed Minor Arena! 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Y-0°' Sagle City ,5a« 310 4. estate Jr, eagle, kidaha 83616 (2049919-61W fax (208) 919-6827 N jemorAndum To: Mayor, City Council CC: File From: Michael Mongelli Date: March 29, 2006 Re: Meeting with Dr. Peter Goodwin In response to my letter to Dr. Goodwin, Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Idaho, dated March 2, 2006, and a phone conversation last week, Dr. Goodwin met with Mayor Merrill and I to discuss floodplain development along the Boise River. Dr. Goodwin is well aware of the challenges local communities face reviewing land use proposals adjacent to the Boise River. Participating communities are presented with the FEMA one dimensional study as a regulatory tool to manage floodplain development. The study information reflected on the FEMA mapping delineates a floodplain and floodway that has complied with FEMA guidelines. To accomplish this end, data gathered in the field is adjusted to somewhat smooth out results for input into the model thus reflecting an even floodway discharge. The area of research Dr. Goodwin has pursued is simulation models for flood management, sediment management, geomorphic evolution and environmental management. His work is internationally renowned and he holds chair of the board in the assessment of New Orleans for the National Science Foundation. The University of Idaho has convinced Dr. Goodwin that his expertise will be welcomed closer to home, specifically the Boise River system. from the desk of: Mike Mongelli March 29, 2006 The City of Eagle has been presented with an exceptional opportunity offered by Dr. Goodwin. His research has developed two dimensional flood modeling to evaluate hydraulic performance in rivers which has been accepted by FEMA. This type of study is on the cutting edge of engineering and the benefits associated with this information would lay the foundation for the long term preservation of the Boise River, one of Eagle's treasured resources. The components of this research offer more precise identification of flood hazards, projected long term impacts of specific developments and also a historical overview of the system. Dr. Goodwin is very clear that the University is not in competition with consulting engineering companies and look on this project to benefit both scientific and engineering communities. As with all endeavors requiring the collection of a large body of data, costs are incurred and the University is prepared to source research funds into the project. If the City is able to dedicate a portion of the funding and develop partnerships with the State and Local representatives, the scope of work could be increased to cover a greater portion of the drainage. The Boise River presents a distinctive condition with its two channels, as development is proposed along this river the City faces increased responsibility to provide for the safety and well being of the public and preserving the environment supporting that public. I will be attending the Special Meeting on April 4, 2006 to address questions and contribute to discussion on floodplain development. Michael Mongelli Building Official K:1Beilding DepttBase DocsODr. Goodwin Memol.doc 2 INTER OFFICE City of Eagle Zoning Administration To: From: Subject: Date: Attachment(s): Copy To: Mayor Merrill and City Council Members Nichoel Baird Spencer, AICP, Planner III •JA'E,r Blueprint for Good Growth Update April 4, 2006 Draft Policy Document Bill Vaughan, AICP, Zoning Administrator Attached for your review are the draft policies for the Blueprint for Good Growth (BPGG). I have annotated my comments on the left column for your review. The BPGG process has been beneficial for the City for it has provided a forum for the Cities to share concerns and policy directions as well as provide a regional view point of growth. Unfortunately, the process has become larger than the original purpose. The BPGG process was originally sold to the City as a process to bring land use and roadway investment together to allow ACHD to plan for future growth and ensure that as development occurred outside of the plan an appropriate fee was assessed so that development paid for its impacts. As this process has evolved it has gone beyond infrastructure investments to growth management. Staff has the most concerns with the following policy areas: Minimum Densities — (pg. 12) The establishment of minimum densities within the cities without constituent involvement and direction. Hearing Officers — (pg. 20 & 25) The plan directs the use of a hearing officer for large projects to ensure consistency with the regional plans. This process would also require approval from the other cities, county and COMPASS who do not have jurisdictional authority. Unconstrained County Growth — (pg. 15) The plan limits the county to subdividing no more that 5% of the overall projected growth of the county each year but allows unconstrained and undirected planned community growth to occur anywhere and at any intensity through out the county. Use of COMPASS Growth Proiections — (pg. 26) The plan limits annexation to areas of city impacts and limits the expansion of AOI's to 1.5 times the land area needed for the COMPASS projections. Page 1 of 2 C:1Documents and Settings\nbaird\My Documents\MEMO Nahoel.a« I In the past COMPASS growth projections by city have not been highly accurate and this could severely limit the City's growth potential. The Mayor and staff have been very vocal at both the consortium and steering committee level with our concerns about the direction of the BPGG process and the need to stay focused on the original task — coordination of land use and infrastructure investment. At the March 9, 2006 consortium meeting the City of Star withdrew from the BPGG process prompting a review of the overall BPGG direction and priorities. Staff is cautiously optimistic that the outcome will be beneficial but does not provide support of the documents as they are currently drafted. Page 2 of 2 C:1Documents and Settings\nbaird\My Documents\MEMO Nichoetdoc BLUEPRINT for Good GROWN Prepared by: Planning Works, LLC 8014 State Line Road Suite 208 Leawood, KS 66208 913-381-7852 www.ourplanningworks.com Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker 515 South Flower Street Twenty-fifth Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-683-6000 www.paulhastings.com BGG Steering Committee Preliminary Discussion Draft February 11, 2006 m Blueprint for Good Growth TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Overview 1 A. Issues 1 B. Guiding Principles 2 C. Definitions 5 II. Blueprint Objectives & Policies 8 A. Growth Management 8 B. Natural Resources 18 C. Transportation Goal, Objectives and Policies 20 D. Utilities Goal, Objectives and Policies 22 E. Public Schools Goal, Objective and Policies 24 III. Strategies 25 A. Plan Amendments 25 B. Intergovernmental Coordination 26 C. Regulatory Changes 29 D. Legislative Initiatives 30 E. Educational Initiatives 30 IV. Appendices 31 Appendix A: Growth Projections 31 Appendix B: Scenarios Analysis 31 Appendix C: Plan Policy Amendments 31 Appendix D: Regulatory Models 31 Draft February 11, 2006 Blueprint for Good Growth I. Overview Ada County is a desirable place — the climate, natural resources, and economic opportunities available here continue to draw new people and new development to this area. The Blueprint for Good Growth is a collaborative multi jurisdictional effort intended to coordinate land use and public facility decisions so that growth in Ada County will be an asset to existing residents and future generations. The plan establishes an overall framework for growth management in Ada County that includes policies and strategies that ultimately will be incorporated into the plans, regulations and practices of Ada County, Boise, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, Meridian, Star, Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). This document identifies the main issues to be addressed by the Blueprint for Good Growth, establishes goals, objectives and policies for the plan, and identifies strategies that should be pursued by each of the participants in this process to achieve the mutually beneficial goals established in this plan. While this plan does not prescribe specific land use amendments, it establishes a growth tier map that establishes distinct growth policy areas and the applicable policies. It also establishes an on-going process to sustain effective interagency coordination required to effectively address the growth challenges faced by Ada County residents, businesses and service providers. This plan was developed in coordination the Community Planning Association's program to update the region's Long Range Transportation Plan. This "Communities in Motion" program established and evaluated numerous growth scenarios that are described in the appendix of this Plan. The policy areas and policies established in the Blueprint for Good Growth are consistent with those included in the Long Range Transportation Plan. A. Issues Ada County jurisdictions face a variety of growth issues which were identified in the Needs, Issues and Opportunities Report. This section refines and prioritizes these issues to help establish a schedule for implementation and to guide decisions involving competing objectives. Key issues that need to be resolved over the course of Key Issues: Blueprint Plan development include: • Land Use and Development. Coordinating land use and infrastructure decisions, maintaining strong and vibrant downtown areas and healthy neighborhoods, developing better systems for managing regionally significant development projects, and promoting sustainable infill development are just a few of the land use issues facing each jurisdiction. • Transportation. While there is an overall belief that ACHD has greatly improved its transportation Land Use & Development Transportation Agriculture Environment & Recreation Business & Economic Development Intergovernmental Coordination Draft February 11, 2006 1 Blueprint for Good Growth planning and development practices, there also are numerous ways to improve the transportation planning process. Ultimately, roadways must serve residents, not just vehicles. Land use and transportation planning and actions need to be coordinated to provide greater transportation choices and create healthier neighborhoods, to continue remedying existing deficiencies, to balance investment in new projects with operation, maintenance and repair needs, and to explore innovative ways to provide transit and non -automotive travel modes such as sidewalks, paths, bicycles, buses, and trains. • Agriculture. The retention of agribusiness and agricultural land uses is a cultural, economic and fiscal issue. It is possible to reach consensus on the importance of the future of agriculture in Ada County through consultation with agricultural land owners. Major issues are how much and what types of agriculture can be sustained and how to provide economic support to farmers to help them realize as much gain from retaining agricultural lands as the would from land sales. • Environment and Recreation. The natural environment is the key factor in the local quality of life. The emergence of Ada County as a recreation destination is directly related to successful efforts to clean up the Boise River. Current decisions about development and transportation will affect environmental quality and recreation opportunities for years to come. Current decisions about development and transportation need to be made simultaneously with preservation of natural areas and the environment and the creation of park, recreation and open -space areas. • Business and Economic Development. Ada County is in the enviable position of having an attractive environment for economic growth. This growth should provide diverse employment opportunities for residents while remaining sensitive to quality of life issues. • Intergovernmental Cooperation. Ada County, ACHD, the cities, the state and Canyon County all need to use the plan through mutually reinforcing intergovernmental agreements that address: expansion of annexation areas and areas of impact; location and percentages of residential and economic growth; preservation of agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands, water distribution and rights; and allocation of federal, state and regional funding. B. Guiding Principles Prior to selecting a preferred growth management strategy, the Steering Committee developed a set of guiding principles on which this plan is based. Draft February 11, 2006 2 Blueprint for Good Growth General Principles • We love our home in the Treasure Valley. The valley has grown and we expect it to grow more. It will be a better place if we plan growth to meet our most important priorities, which follow. • We will ensure growth is a benefit to all citizens and the economy. Our plans will support good jobs and a strong, sustainable economy. • We will support growth in all communities to allow choices in where to live and work. • We will manage growth with fiscal responsibility, discipline and creativity. • Our plans will limit sprawl and promote other kinds of more responsible development. • We will invest in our neighborhoods to create and maintain attractive and livable places that nurture community and reflect our pride in the Treasure Valley. • We will offer a quality transportation system for private vehicles with increasing choices for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. • We will maintain a vibrant central city in Boise and strong downtowns in all cities. • We will protect the natural resources that we value. We will manage growth with fiscal responsibility, discipline, and creativity. • Growth must pay for itself. • We will reduce infrastructure costs by o building higher densities in appropriate locations; o better managing growth in impact areas; o Aligning capital improvement plans with areas targeted for new growth; and o Considering new and innovative ways to accomplish these things. • We will reduce transportation costs and pollution if we can create complete communities where jobs, shopping and housing are near each other. Our land use plans will complement a strong economy. • Our land use plans must allow developers to offer products that the public will buy. • Our land use plans will complement our strategies to produce well -paying jobs and broad prosperity. • We must have a strong education system to have a quality community and a strong economy. When we plan, school representatives will be included on the team. We will limit sprawl and promote other kinds of more responsible development. • We will emphasize infill development and increasing the density of residential development. • We will require master planning of larger, undeveloped areas to ensure an appropriate mix of commercial, residential, and open space uses. Draft February 11, 2006 Blueprint for Good Growth o We will focus most commercial and residential development within cities and in contiguous portions of defined areas of impact. o We will consider master -planned communities outside of developed areas if they demonstrate they will pay for their impact on the area and will not burden other communities by shifting capital, operations and maintenance costs. • Residential development will include a range of densities, housing types, and price levels. • We will create a transportation system that will support the land use patterns we want and will be the least harmful to the environment. • We will work creatively using our group strength to implement the land use patterns we want. We will enhance our neighborhoods and sense of community. • We will educate and work with neighborhoods and communities so they know who they are and what they want to be. • Development must respect, and creatively enhance, community identities. • We will distribute growth to all communities so that citizens have choices of where to live and work. We will create attractive places to live, work, shop and play. • Neighborhood and community design will support community identity and discourage sprawl. • We will design attractive streets that are as safe as possible for pedestrians and bicyclists. • We will develop community centers that promote activities day and night. • We will develop safe, attractive communities. • We will emphasize the planting of trees and flowers. We will offer a quality transportation system for private vehicles with increasing choices for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. • We will construct mixed-use patterns along main streets and in downtowns. • We will connect neighborhoods, parks, schools and open space to shopping areas and other area assets with complete sidewalks, transit stops and bike paths. • We are firmly committed to identifying, preserving and using key highway and rail corridors. • We are firmly committed to expanding and strengthening highway and transit connections between communities. • We will coordinate investments to create efficient transportation corridors. • We will ensure our transportation systems support our land use decisions and provide alternatives to vehicular travel. • We will create stable and equitable funding sources for transportation. Draft February 11, 2006 Blueprint for Good Growth We will maintain a vibrant central city in Boise and strong downtowns in all cities. • We will maintain a vibrant downtown Boise as the region's center for government, commerce and entertainment. • We will accommodate growth through infill, redevelopment and expansion. • We will build stronger neighborhoods through mixed-use development. • We will promote an effective regional transportation system by building developments that support transit. • We will create a city where car ownership is not required to travel freely. • We will encourage expansion and reinvestment in all downtowns. We will protect the natural resources we value. • The natural resources we value most are our clean air and water, our trees, the Boise Foothills, the Boise River and floodplains, Lake Lowell and agricultural lands. • We will protect these assets by o building higher densities in appropriate locations, o better concentrating and coordinating growth in impact areas, o providing incentives to property owners, [Comment: new idea for discussion] o adopting development regulations that encourage protection of natural resource areas, and [Comment: new idea for discussion] o Participating in the planting of trees and flowers, and o Supporting programs that result in tree and flower proliferation. • We will better protect these assets if we are able to locate jobs, shopping and housing near each other. C. Definitions One key to achieving a coordinated growth management strategy is agreement on a common language. The following terms, used through the Blueprint for Good Growth, shall have the following meanings: Adequate public facilities — requirement that essential public facilities will be provided at adopted levels of service prior to or concurrent with the creation of new demands for those facilities. Compatibility — the ability of uses to coexist adjacent to one another without reducing the value or viability of either use due to noise, light, shadows, traffic, odors and other potential nuisances. Scale, height, density, building design, site design, setbacks, buffers, use and materials are some of the factors affecting compatibility. Each of these factors may be modified to enhance the compatibility between adjacent uses that may differ in use, intensity or design. Conservation subdivision — a development technique in which the size of lots may be reduced in order to provide for a greater amount of undeveloped open space, which may be permanently preserved through a variety of methods. Draft February 11, 2006 Blueprint for Good Growth Density, Gross — the total number of dwelling units divided by the total number of acres in the tract on which those units are located. Density, Net — the total number of dwelling units divided by the total number of acres in the tract on which those units are located minus land located within floodways, steep slopes, rights-of-way, and public lands. Development of Regional Impact — define this Downtown development — development within Boise's defined downtown area and other future areas characterized by high intensity development. See Main Street development. Economic impact — changes in employment, considering targeted salaries or wage rates; changes to property values; and changes in retail sales. Environmental protection — implementation of programs to retain specific environmental resources in their natural state, enhance the quality of degraded environmental resources or to protect environmental resources from degradation. Environmental resources — specific water, land, or air resources that are designated for protection due to some fiscal, cultural, biological, recreational, aesthetic or public safety value. For purposes of this plan, the specific environmental resources targeted for protection include: floodways, locally defined water quality protection zones, slopes in excess of 30%, identified habitat areas, wildlife corridors and scenic vistas. Essential public facilities — facilities for which the capacities may be specifically linked to the approvals of developments that create demands for those facilities. For purposes of this plan, essential public facilities include water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation system, fire protection and schools. Fiscal impact — the net monetary affect of a development on all public service providers after considering all costs and revenues resulting from the development. Growth Tier — a defined area that is subject to a set of policies that are distinct from the policies of other growth tiers. Infill — development that occurs on small or remnant parcels within otherwise developed neighborhoods. Level of Service — an adopted, quantifiable measure of the capacity of a facility to meet anticipated demands. Main Street development — development occurring within the established downtowns or city centers of cities other than Boise. See downtown development. Mixed-use development — development that includes integrated residential and non-residential uses within a single project area. Uses may be mixed horizontally or vertically, but each mixed use project contains both residential and non- residential uses. (insert local examples) Draft February 11, 2006 6 Blueprint for Good Growth Multiple use development — development that may include two or more different types of uses that are not developed as a single, integrated project. Open Space — any parcel of land maintained in an essentially unbuilt state and reserved for public or private uses, including, but not limited to habitat protection, water quality protection, passive recreational uses, livestock grazing or field crop production (see open space policies). Planned community — a new mixed-use community developed from vacant land that includes all the services and uses needed by residents to live work and play (see planned community policies). Planned development — a flexible zoning tool that allows for deviation from minimum lot sizes and other standard code requirements in return for provision of amenities such as common open space and other design features. Also known as planned unit development. Transit -oriented development — development designed to reduce the use of private automobiles by increasing the number of trips by walking, bicycle, carpool, bus, streetcar, rail, or other transit mode. TODs generally feature higher densities, a mix of uses, and greater emphasis of a pedestrian scale. (see appendix for TOD model) Transit -supportive development — development featuring a balanced transportation network where walking, bicycling, and transit work in harmony with the private automobile. Urban Development — areas characterized by a variety of housing types and densities as well as the availability of goods, services, employment and provision of essential public services. Draft February 11, 2006 7 Blueprint for Good Growth II. Blueprint Objectives & Policies A. Growth Management This section establishes the framework for management of growth through coordinated decisions that are consistent with the guiding principles established above. Objectives and policies in this section identify growth tiers, the targeted proportion of growth to occur in each tier and conditions applicable to development in each tier. Additionally, this section outlines areas to improve coordination between participating agencies and addresses the timing/phasing of development in relation to the availability of adequate public facilities and services. Growth Tiers Defined Map 1 establishes a variety of growth tiers covering Ada County. The growth tiers described below define areas with different development opportunities and policies which are defined in this plan. Activity Centers This tier includes commercial and mixed use development at various scales and intensities of development that serve neighborhoods, communities and the region. Most neighborhood activity centers, and all community and regional activity centers should be designed to support access by transit services as well as other modes of transportation. Standards for each of these centers shall be established within each community's land development regulations. • Neighborhood activity centers, which are not shown in Map 1, serve one or more neighborhoods and are characterized by relatively small scale retail and service uses that may include mixed use or attached housing opportunities. These centers are characterized by designs and scales that support pedestrian access from adjacent neighborhoods. [e.g., 16th and State Street, and 8th and Fort in Boise] • Community activity centers meet the needs of a group of neighborhoods or the entire community. These are characterized by shopping centers that include grocery stores as anchors, moderate to high density housing housing, office and service uses and mixed-use or multiple -use development. [insert local examples] • Regional activity centers meet the needs of one or more community and include large scale employment and retail uses, high density residential development and mixed use projects that draw business from throughout the Treasure Valley. [insert local examples] Areas of Impact These areas are adjacent to incorporated cities and reflect an area that could reasonably be expected to be annexed and to be served by centralized sewer service within the next twenty years. Some rural residential development that does not receive centralized sewer service may be included within areas of impact Draft February 11, 2006 Blueprint for Good Growth in accordance with the applicable municipality's comprehensive plan. The primary purposes of areas of impact are to: • Protect future city growth areas from inappropriate development that would constrain future growth; • Facilitate coordinated land use and facility planning so service providers can better anticipate and plan to meet future demands; • Provide a predictable framework for private development decisions; • Provide for orderly and sequenced annexations and to reduce pressure for rapid area of impact boundary adjustments to encompass short-term annexation plans; and • Ensure fmancial and physical capability to provide needed public facilities and services. Cities This tier includes currently incorporated municipalities and will be modified to reflect future annexations and incorporations. Rural Tier This tier includes all unincorporated land that is not located within an area of impact or approved planned community. Planned Communities This tier includes planned communities that are located outside an area of impact. The planned community tier should change to reflect the boundaries of planned communities approved through the County's comprehensive plan and planned community zoning processes. Note that this plan encourages development of planned communities and developments that include the characteristics of planned communities within areas of impact and cities. Public Lands This tier includes lands owned by a federal, state or local governmental agency. Transit Corridors This tier includes lands along existing or planned high volume transit routes that may be served by buses, bus rapid transit (BRT) or a fixed guideway system (e.g., commuter rail or light rail). Growth Management Goal, Objective and Policies: Goal: To establish and maintain sustainable development patterns that foster a high quality of life in Ada County. Comment: Quality of life is defined by the guiding principles and subsequent policies. While these policies also more fully define what is meant by sustainable development patterns, generally sustainability means that development will result in: Draft February 11, 2006 9 Blueprint for Good Growth • A Healthy Economy, with sustainable jobs and businesses that develop and nurture the local work force, where decision-making takes into account the interdependence of economic, environmental and social well being; • A Healthy Environment, where decision-making takes into account long term consequences of development on natural and built up areas, and efforts are made to prevent problems before they occur; • Social Equity, which is the promotion of fair and equal treatment across generations and among dfferent groups in society, as well as the reduction in disparities in risks and access to benefits. Evidence of social equity includes housing and employment opportunities for all residents, regardless of age, education, cultural background or income, as well as inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. Social equity also means that the benefits derived from growth do not shy burdens to existing residents; and • Efficiency, which includes the efficient use of energy and resources with little or no waste. This includes the efficient use of natural and fiscal resources (e.g., taxes and fees).1 Objective: Within two years of adoption of the BGG, local governments will update their comprehensive plans to be consistent with the BGG, and within three years of adoption of the BGG, local governments will update their land development regulations to be consistent with the policies established in BGG. General Growth Management Policies GM -1: MAP 1 establishes the growth tiers covering Ada County. To implement this plan in a consistent and coordinated manner, local governments shall use the growth tier map in conjunction with the applicable policies established in this section of the BGG to guide growth management decisions, including capital improvements planning, comprehensive plan amendments, annexations, area of impact extensions and development decisions. GM -2: Ensure that development decisions are coordinated with the availability of essential public facilities so that adequate public facilities will be provided before or concurrent with the generation of demands for those facilities. [Comment: this will require ongoing coordination between local governments and independent public service providers.] GM -3: Coordinate land use and capital facility planning by requiring capital improvement programs by service providers to be consistent with adopted comprehensive plans and the Blueprint for Good Growth. ' Text modified from Exploring Sustainable Communities, a teachers guide by World Resources Institute for secondary education. Draft February 11, 2006 10 „ Pl.:. oY,a.l Im Blueprint for Good Growth GM -4: Establish and use the BGG revision process to ensure that local growth management decisions are consistent with the County -wide growth management strategy established in the BGG. [Comment: see the implementation section for a description of the BGG revision process.] GM -5: Develop and update local transportation elements of the comprehensive plans in conjunction with ACHD, Valley Regional Transit, ITD and COMPASS to ensure that policies reflect the ability to provide and maintain adequate transportation system capacity. Local plans and development decisions shall be consistent with the ACID Capital Improvements Program, the Long -Range Transportation Plan, and the Valley Regional Transit Regional Operations and Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time. GM -6: Coordinate development decisions with local and regional plans for the full range of public facilities, as well as open space and environmental protection. GM -7: Encourage cities and the county, as applicable, to establish long-term << annexation agreements pursuant to policy GM -18 to minimize pti4intergovernmental conflicts and provide greater predictability for property owners tsrit1 t�l,t�I�f`i uu�l�finci Draft GM -8: Establish a development of regional impact review process to ensure that large scale developments (see Strategy section of this plan for thresholds), including major future land use map amendments, are consistent with the Long Range Transportation Plan and the 20 -year ACHD Capital Improvements Plan. All developments of regional impact shall be subject to the following criteria: 1. Require the submittal of a concept plan for all contiguous land holdings prior to the first preliminary plat approval. 2. Ensure that the development is reflected in the applicable comprehensive plan, the BGG tier map, and the Long -Range Transportation Plan and the ACHD 20 -Year CIP. 3. Establish the base residential and non-residential intensity at the time of concept plan approval, considering: a. the adequacy of essential public facilities; b. applicable comprehensive plan policies; c. consistency of the project with the Long Range Transportation Plan and the ACRD 20 -Year CIP; d. the proximity of the project to existing employment centers; and e. physical limitations of the site. February 11, 2006 11 Blueprint for Good Growth Activity Center Policies GM -9: Identify activity centers within individual comprehensive plans that are consistent with the BGG Tier map and assign appropriate land use categories and densities within each activity center to promote a sustainable mix of land uses that reduces automobile dependency and supports pedestrian trips. GM -10: Establish standards for community and regional activity centers that require minimum densities of at least 8 dwelling units per acre, minimum levels of pedestrian connectivity and transit facilities that are sufficient to support viable transit service. The following intensities are provided to guide local jurisdictions in defining centers: Regional Community Neighborhood Greater than 20 dwellings per acre 12 to 20 dwellings per acre 8 to 16 dwellings per acre Greater than 150,000 sq.ft. of gross leasable area 25,000 to 150,000 sq.ft. of gross leasable area Less than 25,000 sq.ft. of gross leasable area GM -11: Establish mixed -se development standards that allow appropriate scales of mixed use development by right within each type of activity center. Areas of Impact Policies GM -12: Establish and adjust Area of Impact boundaries based upon: 1. coordinated 20 -year capital facility plans that reflect historical or reasonably anticipated funding levels to facilitate the efficient provision of adequate water, wastewater, stormwater and transportation facilities; 2. recent growth trends and projected growth of the applicable city; 3. the availability of adequate land supplies within the city and its area of impact to meet the amount and diversity of growth that may be reasonably anticipated by the city [Comment: the evaluation of land supplies should consider the availability of a mix of infill and green- field development opportunities required to meet projected growth demands.]; 4. the existence of short-term (e.g., 5 -year) capital improvements programs that are adequately funded to accommodate growth anticipated within at least 20 percent of the area of impact; and 5. inter -governmental agreements with the County and applicable service providers to coordinate land use and infrastructure decisions in accordance with the policies established in this plan. Draft February 11, 2006 12 Blueprint for Good Growth GM -13: Within Areas of Impact, identify areas where essential public facilities are available and areas where essential public facilities are scheduled to be available based on 5 -year CIP to coordinate development patterns with efficient infrastructure system development. GM -14: Where essential public facilities are available, the County may approve development applications that are consistent with local plans, regulations and adopted facility extension/connection policies. GM -15: Where essential public facilities are scheduled to be available in accordance with and adopted 5 -Year CIP, the County may approve development that is consistent with local plans, regulations and facility connection policies, subject to the extension of public facilities and the applicable service providers' reimbursement policies for capacity that exceeds demands generated by the development. GM -16: Where essential public facilities are not scheduled to be provided within adopted 5 -Year an CIP, the applicable city and Ada County may take one of the following actions after considering the factors listed below: Actions' • With written consent from the city, approval of the entire development application subject to the provision or guarantee of adequate public facilities for the entire development and compliance with adopted city plans, regulations and infrastructure policies; or • With written consent from the city, approval of development of up to 20 percent of the land area2 in the development that is: • consistent with the applicable city's comprehensive plan, development regulations and infrastructure policies, and • subject to a concept plan for the entire development and a development agreement that provides for future annexation and full funding of facilities, including funding for future connection of the portion of the site that is initially developed to centralized water and wastewater systems; or • Disapproval of the development application. ' Through any development approval, the City and County may require the reservation of sufficient right- of-way and easements to serve planned development in the vicinity of the project. Dry sewers may be required if elevations can be determined at the time of development. 2 The remaining 80 percent may be developed when the City determines that the full range of facilities and services are adequate to serve the entire site. Draft February 11, 2006 13 Factors Blueprint for Good Growth • Consistency of the concept plan for the portion to be developed and the entire property with the applicable city's comprehensive plan; • System -wide benefits provided by proposed public facilities; • Local and regional fiscal and economic benefits; • Capital obligations generated by the development; • Operations and maintenance obligations generated by the development; and • Other benefits consistent with the city's adopted comprehensive plan goals (e.g., housing, environmental, recreational, economic, transportation, etc). GM -17: When an applicant seeks an exception to adopted public improvement standards within an area of impact, the exception shall require approval by both the applicable city and Ada County to avoid future infrastructure deficiencies that impede future growth and service delivery. GM -18: Adjustments to area of impact boundaries to reflect 20 -year growth plans shall include an agreement not to annex beyond the area of impact unless approved by the county or the other affected city. Pursuant to Policy GM -7, local governments are encouraged to enter into annexation boundary agreements that establish ultimate boundary lines between individual cities and are based upon the following factors: • Anticipated growth and the need for additional land to serve the cities' residential and non-residential land use needs; • Sewer service basins and the capacity to serve development in those basins; • Other service area boundaries (e.g., school districts, fire districts) • Geographic features (e.g., ridges, waterways, arterial streets, railroads, greenways) that form appropriate breaks between communities; and • Public input from affected property owners. City Policies GM -19: Ensure that development decisions are consistent with the adopted comprehensive plans, regulations and the BGG. GM -20: Establish a mix of uses that maintains or improves the balance of jobs, housing and services in each city to improve local fiscal health and reduce long-term transportation demands. Ei_ot C- Clatink -21: Base annexation decisions on the availability of essential public F440 vutS y,)J facilities, the schedule for provision of those facilities in applicable capital _ improvements plans, area of impact boundaries, fiscal benefits, economic ori ArA. des tgn4 4'his �i a 1tA1Y'�* iFebruary 11, 2006 14 Blueprint for Good Growth benefits, the need for additional development areas, and the local comprehensive plan. Rural Tier Policies GM -22: Limit development in the rural tier to an average of five percent of projected county -wide population growth within any three-year period, exclusive of development approved within a planned community. This limitation should be based on building permit issuance and, to the extent that demand exceeds the five percent permit allocation, permits shall be allocated on a first come, first granted basis. 5/. capoNu Sthvisi ons O Alternative language suggested by County GM -22: 1Limit Ddevelopment in the rural tier te-an should average of five COXd fl percent of projected county -wide population growth within the previous? Aihitinsh any three-year period, exclusive of development approved within a planned community. This limitationon building permit pc 1LothrItAbalance and, to the extent that d lit allocation, permits shall be allocated on a first come, first granted basis. toyAry1014, Who is the monitoring body and would we realistically expect any jurisdiction to do this? GM -23: Establish an equity -based program to secure permanent open space within the rural tier through the use of techniques such as: conservation subdivisions, transfers of development rights, or purchases of land, conservation easements or development rights. [Comment: policies GM -24 through GM -25 reserved in this draft] Planned Communities Policies Draft GM -26: Allow planned communities to be established within cities, areas of impact or rural areas of the County subject to the policies of this section, comprehensive plan consistency and compliance with applicable development regulations. GM -27: Adjust development standards to encourage planned communities or developments providing the benefits of planned communities within cities and their areas of impact. These standards, described more fully in the implementation section of this plan, may include, minimum density thresholds, by -right development patterns that allow a mix of uses and dwelling types subject to administrative review, trip -generation credits for mixed use and transit -oriented development patterns and other incentives to create more sustainable development patterns. February 11, 2006 15 Blueprint for Good Growth GM -28: For all planned communities: 1. Require the submittal of a concept plan for all contiguous land holdings to be included within the planned community. Prior to approving any extensions to a concept plan require the cumulative analysis of facility, service and fiscal impacts for all lands to be included within the planned community, including the creation of facility and service demands in portions of the development located outside of Ada County. 2. Prior to approval of a planned community, ensure that the development is reflected in the County's comprehensive plan, the BGG tier map, the Long -Range Transportation Plan and the ACHD 20 -Year CIP. 3. Assign the base residential and non-residential intensity at the time of concept plan approval, considering: a. the adequacy of essential public facilities; b. consistency of the project with the Long Range Transportation Plan, the ACRD 20 -Year CIP and the Valley Regional Transit Plan; c. the proximity of the project to existing employment centers; and d. physical limitations of the site. GM -29: Refine existing County development regulations addressing planned communities outside areas of impact to implement policy GM -28 and the following policies: 1. Ensure that planned communities fund 100 percent of on and off-site capital improvement costs for essential public facilities and emergency service facilities required to serve the proposed development. 2. Ensure that development will fully fund operations and maintenance costs for water, wastewater, transportation, public safety and emergency services at adopted levels of service. (see Strategies section for discussion of alternative funding tools) NuniA is 3. Require the preservation of at least 50% of the gross acreage of the FILSii p) property for open space. Allow the applicant to meet the need for up to half the required open space throughh the conservation of off-site f j1(U3, high priority open space areas. -to 5Jb7• Le,ss -1110A a. SiltYldA4- guts at- 5okilb Draft February 11, 2006 16 Blueprint for Good Growth Public Lands Policy GM -30: Coordinate with state, federal and local agencies to: 1. develop and maintain an inventory of public lands for use by all service providers in identifying opportunities for collocation of compatible public uses; 2. identify potential land swaps that result in more efficient protection of resources within Ada County; 3. maintain or enhance access to public lands for public access and emergency service provision; 4. maintain or enhance connectivity between public lands for recreational or wildlife purposes; 5. review the impacts of proposed development of lands on a. the preceding polices; b. land use compatibility; and c. transportation system function. Transit Corridor Policies Note: While the emphasis of this section is on the preservation of transit corridors that are anticipated to provide some level of service within the next 20 years, this plan anticipates that long term need for more extensive transit services to efficiently move people throughout Ada County and other portions of the Treasure Valley. The preservation of future transit opportunities is critical to ensure that needed services needed beyond the planning period can be established to serve future residents. GM -31: Map # shows the key arterial routes that have the greatest potential as primary bus transit corridors. Local governments should require development within these bus transit corridors to safely and efficiently accommodate necessary transit facilities. These facilities may include on - street bus stops with convenient pedestrian and bicycle access, pullout lanes at community activity centers or on-site transit stations at regional activity centers. (insert reference to Valley Regional Transit design standards) GM -32: To support the provision of efficient and convenient transit service, cities should encourage or require minimum gross densities of at least 8 dwelling units per acre within identified bus transit corridors. Where stable neighborhoods or natural resources inhibit the compatible establishment of higher densities, seek to obtain transit supportive densities and designs in mixed use activity centers in other areas along the corridors. GM -33: Map # illustrates the corridors most likely to support high capacity transit services (e.g., bus rapid transit, light rail or commuter rail). Light or commuter rail is planned for the existing rail corridor. Bus rapid transit (BRT) service has been studied and is proposed for the State Street Draft February 11, 2006 17 Blueprint for Good Growth corridor. Chinden Boulevard could provide another opportunity for BRT if the right-of-way and abutting development support the service. To enable the provision of high capacity transit services, local governments should require minimum densities of at least 16 dwelling units per acre within one-quarter mile of potential transit stops. Potential stops are illustrated on Map #, for the light rail and State Street corridors. Potential sites along the Chinden corridor will require more study. GM -35: Adopt and apply transit -oriented development design standards that address connectivity, pedestrian access, parking and transit facility design within all bus transit corridors and within one-half mile of all high capacity transit facilities. [Comment: TOD design standards to be included in implementation section appendix] GM -35: Ensure that local development decisions are consistent with adopted transportation and transit plans to promote effective movement of people and goods. B. Open Space and Natural Resources This plan supports the retention of open space for a wide variety of uses and the responsible use of natural resources that results in the protection of the environmental and aesthetic value of our land, air and water. While efforts to protect air quality will require regional solutions, local land use and transportation decisions could significantly reduce air pollutant generation from automobiles. Open Space and Natural Resource Goal: To develop an interconnected system of open spaces and natural resource areas that: • Protect water quality; • Protect development from flood hazards; • Provide an accessible, system of greenways and trails; • Protect wildlife habitat by avoiding fragmentation of habitat areas and corridors; • Minimize development on steep hillsides; and • Provide appropriate recreational opportunities. Open Space OS -1: Develop a countywide open space and greenway plan to facilitate the establishment of a coordinated system that helps achieve the open space and natural resource goal. OS -2: Establish context -sensitive minimum open space requirements for all non -industrial development projects based on the following general guidelines: • Activity centers and transit corridors — no minimum percentage, but establish plazas and other public spaces. Draft February 11, 2006 18 Blueprint for Good Growth • Cities and Areas of Impact: o Residential projects: 20 percent open space, including land dedicated for public uses, but excluding street rights-of-way. o Non-residential and mixed-use projects: 15 percent open space, including plazas and other public gathering spaces. • Rural Areas: a minimum of 50 percent open space for conservation subdivisions. • Planned Communities: 50 percent open space (see policy GM -29). OS -3: In reviewing development proposals, evaluate opportunities to retain meaningful open spaces consistent with the preceding policies. Adopt standards addressing the amount, configuration, dimensions, usability and uses allowed within open spaces (see implementation section for more details). Natural Resources Ada County encompasses many distinct environments offering a wealth of natural resources that merit special protection efforts, including: • Scenic hillsides and ridgelines; • Floodplains along streams and rivers; • Wildlife habitat areas; and • Agricultural lands. OS -4: Coordinate natural resource conservation efforts with federal, state and other local agencies responsible for the maintenance and protection of those resources. OS -5: Enable development to satisfy a portion of its open space requirements through the preservation of valued natural resource areas shown in Map #. OS -6: Limit development encroachment into areas identified in Map #. Where land or development rights cannot be secured, use conservation subdivision design to maximize preservation of the resources. OS -7: Ensure that new development neither impedes the function of floodplains or floodways, nor places development or its occupants at risk from floodwaters. Coordinate stormwater management efforts with affected agencies, which may include the ACHD, Boise River Flood Control District 10 and/or irrigation entities, encouraging the use of low impact stormwater management design wherever feasible. OS -8: Coordinate with irrigation entities to minimize the risks and costs to operators for the use of irrigation ditch rights-of-way and easements for bicycle and pedestrian trails as part of the larger greenway system. Draft February 11, 2006 19 Blueprint for Good Growth OS -9: Preserve and protect gravel resources needed to support growth and maintenance of facilities within Ada County. Minimize encroachment of new development into relatively open areas that may be quarried for gravel without interfering with existing development. OS -10: To ensure limit potential safety hazards that may be generated by gravel operations, establish review standards that require site reclamation and the protection of floodplain areas during and subsequent to the quarry operations. (see appendix for model language) C. Transportation Goal, Objectives and Policies This section establishes policies to coordinate transportation facilities with future development. In addition to establishing policies for road corridor preservation, it addresses transit corridor preservation and the incorporation of non -motorized (e.g., bike/pedestrian) transportation facilities and services into the overall transportation system. Other key transportation policies address connectivity, streetscape, traffic calming techniques, interconnectivity and other issues identified in this Plan. [Comment: Many of the policies are contingent upon the adoption of different level of service (LOS) standards for different areas/road segments (e.g., lower congestion thresholds in rural areas, such as LOS B or C and the identification of constrained facilities in high priority areas such as downtowns and activity centers that may continue to operate at LOS E without impeding future development).] Transportation Goal: To coordinate land use and transportation decisions so that the full range of mobility needs may be met with the least fiscal burden. Objectives: 3t'4.. - • Establish a formal plan amendment review process to ensure that local comprehensive plans, the Long Range Transportation Plan, the ACRD 20 - year CIP and the Valley Regional Transit Regional Operations and Capitalm��Sg iensure that planned land uses and Improvement Plan are consistent to po r tiya1 pZ.A'TY transportation facilities are mutually supportive.3 AT t&nth.. eh&N1g 3 ACHD will continue to plan for street capacity to serve development approved by local governments. While near term projects shown in the 20 -year CIP will reflect approvals that more closely reflect trend development patterns, longer term projects should reflect planned land uses that are consistent with "Community Choices", the preferred growth scenario adopted through the Long Range Transportation Plan and locally adopted land use plans. Draft February 11, 2006 20 Blueprint for Good Growth • Within four years of adoption of the Blueprint for Good Growth, implement a transportation management program that is consistent with the following transportation policies. Transportation Policies T-1: Establish appropriate level of service standards that: • Allow greater levels of congestion in cities and activity centers than in outlying areas; • Recognize the capacity constraints of some key corridors by allowing for greater levels of congestion in constrained corridors; • Allow for greater levels of congestion along identified transit corridors. 'ION ton+, A3iltcton Stu -10t. 60 nu. carr -Cl(u_ ontur. Draft T-2: Establish context sensitive street cross-sections that safely convey existing and projected traffic in accordance with established level of service standards, while addressing the following factors: 1. Compatibility with planned land uses along the corridor; 2. Safe access to abutting properties (note: this may be provided through parallel roads, alleys or private drives along arterial streets); 3. Anticipated bicycle and pedestrian traffic; 4. Access to transit; and 5. Stormwater management needs. T-3: Map # is the functional classification map that indicates the planned function of future roadways. This map shall be used in conjunction with cross-sections developed pursuant with policy T-2 to identify right-of-way needs and to prevent encroachment of development into rights-of-way needed to serve existing and planned development T-4: Along corridors where additional right-of-way is needed, require development to provide its pro -rata share of the right-of-way and improvements. If additional right-of-way is needed, buildings and critical parking shall be located outside of the planned right-of-way. Unless sufficient funds are available to secure needed right-of-way prior to development, maximum development intensities shall be based on the acreage of the site prior to acquisition of the right-of-way. T-5: Establish minimum connectivity requirements to improve traffic flow, pedestrian connectivity, bicycle access, transit access and minimize projected vehicle miles traveled from new development. Require new development along arterial streets to provide access parallel to the arterial street via an appropriate combination of frontage roads, private drives and parallel collector streets. T-6: Establish and maintain a more detailed traffic model that will track existing, committed (e.g., approved), and planned traffic demands, as well February 11, 2006 21 Blueprint for Good Growth as their impacts on arterial and collector intersections. Continually refine the model to provide more effective guidance in the review of traffic mitigation proposals. T-7: Adopt and implement the ACHD Pedestrian -Bicycle Transportation Plan to establish routes that make bicycles a viable transportation alternative for some individuals. T-8: In conjunction with the development of context -sensitive street cross- sections, develop and adopt a menu of traffic calming provisions in the design manual that: 1. Identifies alternative traffic calming designs (e.g., bulb -outs, boulevards, roundabouts and medians); 2. Effectively slow traffic; 3. Allow streets to function at planned capacities; and 4. Do not obstruct emergency access to and through neighborhoods. T-9: To facilitate transit services that provide effective alternatives to automotive travel, ensure that development and street designs are consistent with the Transit Corridor development policies established in GM -34 through GM -37. Along arterial roads that serve as bus routes, require adequately designed bus pull-outs at appropriate locations identified by Valley Regional Transit to facilitate transit provision without obstructing non -bus traffic. T-10: Refine street system capital funding sources so that adequate funds are available for capacity expansion in addition to the maintenance and operations of existing facilities. Evaluate the following strategies to enhance capital funding: 1. Ongoing adjustment of local street impact fees to ensure that they keep up with rising construction and right-of-way costs; 2. Expansion of impact fees to include state routes and the collector street system; 3. The use of special districts to fund extraordinary capital and operations/maintenance costs associated with developments of regional impact; 4. Dedication and improvement requirements for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. D. Utilities Goal, Objectives and Policies Coordination of utilities with growth and development decisions is an objective that will be difficult to achieve due to the large number of service providers. Utilities are provided within Ada County through a collection of municipal, public and private service providers. Electrical service is provided by Idaho Power. Water and sewer service is provided by municipal and other public and private service providers. Stormwater Draft February 11, 2006 22 Blueprint for Good Growth management responsibilities are shared between local governments, irrigation entities, ACHD and various flood control agencies. Despite the challenges created by the fragmented service provision, this plan strongly supports continued efforts to share information and coordinate capital and service provision plans. Utility Goals: 1. To compatibly and safely integrate necessary utility facilities with future growth and development; 2. To ensure that utility systems are adequate to meet the needs of residents and businesses; 3. To minimize energy consumption and water demands through aggressive conservation measures (e.g., green buildings, xeriscaping, grey -water usage); and 4. To minimize the negative impacts of utility provision on the natural and built environments. Utility Objectives: 1. Within two years of adoption of the BGG, local governments will update local plans to identify public utility needs and to make accommodations for the facilities required to deliver projected services. 2. Within three years of adoption of the BGG, local governments will update their land development regulations to be consistent with the policies established in this section. Utility Policies U-1: Adopt and enforce minimum fire flow requirements or alternative fire suppression options for all development located within cities and all development within areas of impact that is served by centralized water and sewer service. U-2: Plan for the extension of municipally approved sewer service throughout cities and their areas of impact, except in areas specifically planned for large lot residential development. Ensure that development in planned sewer service areas is designed to be connected to the municipal sewer system. Where development of interim facilities is authorized pursuant to policy GM -16, ensure that provisions are made for the future connection of the development to the applicable municipal system. U-3 Map # illustrates the general locations of electrical system substations required to serve planned development within each community. Local governments shall coordinate with Idaho Power to ensure that adequate land is planned for siting these facilities and associated power lines. [What are the rules regarding advance site acquisition by Idaho Power?] U-4: Annually review of applicable short and long-range utility capital plans with all utility providers4 to discuss projected short and long-term 4 This should include all water, wastewater, electric, telecommunications and natural gas service providers. Draft February 11, 2006 23 Blueprint for Good Growth demands from development, facility siting and construction needs, and right-of-way and easement acquisition needs. U-5: Coordinate development reviews with applicable service providers to ensure that new development can be served safely and adequately. U-6: Evaluate alternatives to coordinate and provide a stable funding source for stormwater management services that address the needs of ACHD, irrigation entities, flood control districts and local municipalities, including compliance with NPDES stormwater quality requirements. Alternatives may include the expansion of an existing agency's mandate or the creation of a new stormwater management utility. E. Public Schools Goal, Objective and Policies Three school districts provide public school facilities and services in Ada County. Each of these districts faces unique growth related challenges, the outcome of which will have a dramatic impact on the quality of life in Ada County. The most significant challenge faced by local school districts is the funding of the capital facilities needed to serve anticipated growth. Public School Goal: To coordinate development decisions with the capacity of local school districts to provide high quality educational facilities and services. Public School Objective: To establish adequate public school facility requirements within two years after the adoption of the Blueprint for Good Growth. Public School Policies PS -1: Coordinate with local school districts to secure sufficient funding to meet anticipated demands from the state or other local sources. PS -2: Coordinate with local school districts to ensure that public facilities are adequate to meet projected demands from new development. PS -3: Coordinate with school districts to establish appropriate school siting criteria that address: • Appropriate access for elementary, middle and high schools; • Opportunities for collocation of recreation and other appropriate facilities; and • The extension and funding of support infrastructure, including, but not limited to water, sewer and streets. Draft February 11, 2006 24 Blueprint for Good Growth III. Strategies This section of the Blueprint for Good Growth outlines recommendations to implement the policies established in the previous section. Many of the recommendations will need to be adjusted to reflect differences in the plans, codes and character of local governments. A. Plan Amendments This section identifies comprehensive plan amendments that each jurisdiction will need to make to ensure consistency with the objectives and policies of the Blueprint for Good Growth. Future Land Use Map Amendments The Blueprint Growth Tier Map and local governments' future land use plans are largely consistent with the future land uses proposed by the Communities in Motion Community Choice Scenario. This scenario established as the basis for future population and employment growth on which the Long Range Transportation Plan is based. While no specific future land use amendments are listed in this plan, local governments will need to adopt the Blueprint for Good Growth Tier map and related policies to implement this plan. Additionally, local governments should review zoning maps and zoning district requirements to ensure that they are consistent with and promote the implementation of the Blueprint policies. As Ada County and each of the cities update their future land use map and the tier map within their jurisdictions, they should: "TSIs X54 _ 1. Determine whether the amendment is a major or minor amendment. Minor amendments are those that do not result in a change of the tier map boundaries a. ha'i1and do not exceed the development of regional impact thresholds. Adjustments to . city limits boundaries that are encompassed within the applicable city's area of Pg-iudIn impact shall be considered minor amendments. Minor amendments should be handled through the normal process used by the \i ex-. local agency. &wool- 3. Major amendments should be forwarded to the Blueprint for Good Growth Hearing Officers, who shall: a. review the proposed amendment for consistency with: . i. the goals, objectives and policies of this plan; ii. the Long Range Transportation Plan; iii. the ACHD 20 -year CIP; and iv. Valley Regional Transit Operations and Capital Improvement Plan. etii..ai b. Forward draft consistency findings to the BGG Consortium for formal ihmett action in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement implementing this plan. CUsts app roY��i,emvt. o1)itex 1?)PG o e that this text presumes the use of a hearing examiner to review local government actions for consistency with the BGG. The Consortium will be responsible for retaining the hearing examiner (whose expenses should be covered by application fees) and making a formal consistency finding. Draft February 11, 2006 25 Blueprint for Good Growth c. If the BGG Consortium finds that the proposed plan amendment is inconsistent with any of the documents in paragraph "a" ... [discussion item] Policy Amendments Each community may incorporate the Blueprint for Good Growth policies by reference or directly incorporate applicable policies into their comprehensive plans. Subsequent to the plan amendments that reference or incorporate the plan amendments, each jurisdiction shall forward proposed policy amendments to the BGG Hearing Examiner for a consistency review pursuant to major amendment provisions of the previous section. B. Intergovernmental Coordination This section identifies changes in intergovernmental policies, practices and agreements needed to implement the BGG objectives and policies. Areas of Impact This section outlines locally adopted standards and procedures related to adjustments to areas of impact. In addition to establishing local procedures, this section identifies proposed statutory changes. The local standards and procedures should be implemented through intergovernmental agreements between each of the cities and Ada County. Boundary modification standards: In addition to considering the state mandated factors for modifications to areas of impact, the following factors shall be evaluated prior to granting an amendment to an area of impact boundary: [Should these factors be considered by the hearing master prior to County action established under the statute? This could reduce political pressures on County Commissioners and result in a clear evidentiary record prior to their review and action.] Bt2411. Consistency of the proposed boundary with applicable long range capital facility AM plans that reflect historical or reasonably anticipated funding levels to facilitate S,)Net the efficient provision of adequate water, wastewater, stormwater and L transportation facilities; c3y, e,„yytpetSS 2. Recent growth trends and COMPASS growth projections for the applicable city; 3. The availability of adequate land supplies within the city and its area of impact to -Careat4hmeet the amount and diversity of growth that may be reasonably anticipated by taitt (., the city. When considering this factor, the Hearing Master shall examine the planned land uses in the existing city, existing area of impact and the expansion allb tS • area to determine whether they represent a mix of land uses and products that can reasonably be anticipated to be demanded. Generally residential land supplies NM- :twist- that are more than 1.5 times the anticipated 20 -year demand should be considered CULGUICaG excessive. Commercial and industrial surpluses may be more than twice projected demands, depending on very long-range needs and opportunities. 4. The existence of short-term (e.g., 5 -year) capital improvements programs that are T — adequately funded to accommodate growth anticipated within at least 20 percent 11 Draft February 11, 2006 26 Blueprint for Good Growth of the area of impact. Note that these plans should provide capacity, though not necessarily line extensions that typically are funded by new development; and 5. Whether existing inter -governmental agreements with the County and applicable service providers to coordinate land use and infrastructure decisions are consistent with the policies established in this plan. Area of Impact development standards: Development within each area of impact shall be subject to the terms of an intergovernmental agreement implementing the Blueprint for Good Growth policies. Each local government shall document applicable land use, development and public improvement standards through a separate intergovernmental agreement. Each agreement shall establish: • Applicable future land use categories; • Zoning districts to authorize planned land uses; • Site development standards addressing bulk, setback and other applicable development standards for buildings, parking areas, landscaping, signs, and public use areas; • On and off-site public improvement standards addressing water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater and public utilities; and • Development approval criteria. Development review procedures. Except as otherwise provided by the Area of Impact Policies, applications for development within areas of impact shall be: • jointly reviewed by City and County staffs for compliance with the applicable development standards; and • acted upon by the applicable County authority. In those instances when City approval of a development agreement is required, the County shall not approve the final plat of a project until the City and developer have executed the development agreement. In those instances when a variance to a public improvement standard is requested, the County shall not authorize the variance unless the City has provided written documentation that the variance has been approved. ACHD Coordination This section addresses potential changes in the development review and capital planning processes to enhance the coordination between transportation system decisions, comprehensive plans and development decisions. Included in this section are recommendations to: [To be finalized after confirmation of policies by Steering Committee and Consortium] • implement the BGG objectives and policies; Draft February 11, 2006 27 Blueprint for Good Growth • ensure that traffic modeling addresses the cumulative impact of development; and • resolve inconsistencies between neighborhood plans and regional transportation needs. COMP Coordination section addresses potential changes in local government planning and development monitoring procedures to ensure that COMPASS has the most current information available concerning current and future land uses. Additional coordination will involve the coordination of traffic modeling between ACRD and COMPASS. [To be finalized after confirmation of policies by Steering Committee and Consortium.] Development review procedures: Diall4 • In addition to providing development review opportunities in accordance with existing policies and procedures, local governments will provide to COMPASS coApAss and ACRD quarterly reports that identify: n o Building permit and certificate of occupancy data, liZtA) j Cup Ukd . o Zoning and plan map amendments, and o Concept plan, preliminary plat and final plat approvals. • See new DRI procedures below. Traffic modeling procedures: • COMPASS and ACHD will update travel demand models based on development activity reports from local governments. • COMPASS, ACRD and IDT will share traffic count data, transportation network information, and collaboratively calibrate traffic models on an annual basis. • COMPASS will continue to monitor current and long range traffic demands at a regional level. • ACHD will track existing plus pipeline development (e.g., development projects approved, but not yet built) and refine travel demand modeling to provide more detailed assessments of the impacts of development on intersections and non - arterial streets. ITD Coordination This section will address potential changes in local and State policies, standards and procedures to address existing issues, such as funding, roadway design, access management, roadway amenities (e.g., sidewalks, landscaping and other streetscape design issues), and incorporation of impact fees and adequate public facility standards into state ITD policies and regulations. [To be finalized after confirmation of policies by Steering Committee and Consortium.] Draft February 11, 2006 28 96t\ Blueprint for Good Growth Valley Regional Transit Coordination [To be finalized after confirmation of policies by Steering Committee and Consortium] developments of Regional Im This section establishes the thresholds and procedures for review of Developments of /Aden w1 t, Regional Impact (DRI). cbs Q6\LflCLL kommit. -gyp degor -b4A1, WI* 41487' Cal DRI Thresholds [discussion item] DRI . • . . . Procedures Upon determining that an application for site development plan, zoning map amendment, comprehensive plan map amendment, or subdivision approval exceeds the DRI thresholds, the local government shall notify the applicant of the need for review of the application by the Hearing Master, who shall hear the application within days of the submittal of the application to the BGG Consortium. Copies of the application shall be forwarded to all local governments and other public service providers affected by the application within 5 working days of the filing of the application with the Consortium. Insert notice and hearing requirements. Within 45 days of the opening of the public hearing on the DRI application, the Hearing Master shall provide written findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the application's compliance with the DRI review factors. Effect of Hearing Master's finding — to be completed o Site development plan o Zoning map amendment o Comprehensive plan map amendment o Subdivision application DRI Review Factors Insert factors for each type of application C. Regulatory Changes This section will identify and prioritize regulatory changes needed to implement the BGG. Model regulations (including policy options) will be prepared to address numerous regulatory needs, including, but not limited to: i. Infill standards 1. Administrative design standards for high density projects; 2. Creation of "third" places6 within neighborhoods 3. Form -based zoning standards for transit -oriented development; and 6 Home and work are the first two places; third places are public, quasi -public and private places where people can meet their neighbors, such as: coffee shops, public plazas, parks, museums and social clubs. Draft February 11, 2006 29 Blueprint for Good Growth 4. Compatibility criteria for infill development. ii. Planned Development Regulations iii. Planned Communities Regulations iv. Conservation Subdivision Standards v. Adequate Public Facilities Standards vi. Mitigation Standards vii. Benchmarks to measure annual compliance with BGG standards and policies [Comment: recommended plan edits by jurisdiction will be drafted after discussion of draft policies and determination of the funding status of phase 11 of BGGJ D. Legislative Initiatives This section will identify key regulatory initiatives that would help implement the BGG, which may include: i. Proposals for public improvement district (PID) standards that would require PID consistency with comprehensive plans and would allow the PID to be used to fund operation and maintenance costs resulting from certain developments; ii. Adjustments to the area of impact processes; iii. Adjustments to impact fee legislation; and iv. Clarifications of authority for intergovernmental agreements. E. Educational Initiatives This section will identify short-term and ongoing educational initiatives that may be provided through Blueprint efforts or other mechanisms. In addition to addressing general planning and plan implementation topics such as those listed above, the plan could outline presentations on specific topics of interest, such as case studies of successful and unsuccessful planned communities, the use of mitigation fees, and form - based zoning. Draft February 11, 2006 30 Blueprint for Good Growth IV. Appendices Appendix A: Growth Projections Appendix B: Scenarios Analysis Appendix C: Plan Policy Amendments Appendix D: Regulatory Models Draft February 11, 2006 31 Communities in Motion Trend Land Use Scenario with Currently Developed Areas 'r _• r ---V w Market St Markb}Rd CC OldHwyl8 •e E Dix a Rd Red Top Rd 8 ar Galloway Rd Purple Sage R 0 October 5, 2005 Maes 2 4 I ' Purpl yrage R Peckham Rd Activity Center Arterial Commercial - Central City - City Compact Neighborhood Industrial Large Lot Residential - Main Street - Office Park Residential Subdivision Rural Housing Town Developed or Exempt Lands * Major Destination Points S WROJECTS\Canrrun0.lesInMdion\OtbberMtgs\Irerrdland_B. mzd pv S MayfielI Rd i v S Rd Z�z % .. BeionLight Rcil HomerAd Communities In Motion Trend Land Use Homer Rd Beacon Light Rd 4.0 c m a m �, _ ..: _ Communities In Motion Communities Choice Land Use i 1 Communities in Motion Community Choices Land Use Scenario with Currently Developed Areas Market St Market Rd OldHwyl8 i Dixie Rd I a Red Top Rd trs Galloway Rd Purple Sage R Purple <age Rd J .6 m Bol Iver Rd Homer Rd 0 October 5, 2005 N Mks 2 4 Beacon Light Re s a 0 Float SgFeat Peckham Rd derHwy 19 1 tate !WY 44 r E 11 I f ISynpotB K Us ick Rd _- US HWY !0 & 28 Ustick Rd I (stick Rd Homedale Rd Karcher Rd Ch rry Ln Q se Drchard Ave J C Lone Cha eaJ he nr 2 Mc Alan • . L% v E. a • ��eQ�a U clic eirlialLCW !#.tilipowaska 44, jai t I) �.i%1 1�_`y-iW1FY,YW:ta talL 'A iMT wok N 0 J Marsing Rd Lake H>Izel Rd Lake Shore r__ _ thiColum ria Rd Activity Center Arterial Commercial MI Central City City Compact Neighborhood Industrial Large Lot Residential El Main Street I. Office Park Residential Subdivision Rural Housing Town L a G Ler Ha ce0 i 0 U (0 Columbia Rd Deer Flat Rd Hem Missouri Ave 0 CC sou eer FI =t Rd se ve K ma Rd _' Arlon 0 King RI Kuna Rd 13ee UPor SPROJEC S am unihesinMdgn\OtbberMtgsldhoiknd_B,rntd 0 Melba R1 re0 2 Ferry Rd Kuna-Mora Rc Swan Falls Rd Kuna-Mora Rd SMeyfiel Rd