11-10-2004 Council Workshop Agenda

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ATTACHMENT - D SEH MEMORANDUM TO: David Betts, PE FROM: Thomas A. Sohnveide, PE, PTOE DATE: October 5, 2004 RE: Agricultural and Food Sciences Academy SEH No. A- VADNA0401.00 Task 94056 At your request I have reviewed the proposed site plan and traffic study for the planned Agricultural and Food Sciences Academy. Following are my comments with regard to that review. 1. The traffic volume that is estimated to be generated by the proposed development does not appear to be great enough to raise any traffic operational concems. However, it appears that the traffic volumes have been understated. The traffic study indicates that the school will generate 513 trips per day, and then converts it to a "weighted annual daily average" of 262 trips per day. This number does not reflect the impact to the street system. That impact is 513 trips per day. It also appears that the AM peak hour trips are understated. The study indicates that "50% of the vehicle trips involving students being dropped off at the Academy occur during the AM peak hour ". With the start of school being 8:10 a.m. and the AM peak hour being 7:30 — 8:30 a.m., it appears that 100% of those trips should be included. In addition, the PM peak hour does not include any school staff traffic, only students staying for after school activities. 2. The traffic study does describe inadequate sight distance which exists for vehicles exiting both proposed driveways. The study indicates that for the west most driveway the sight distance "is significantly below the amount desired for `safe' conditions ". The sight distance that exists for this driveway is below the minimum standard for stopping sight distance. Also indicated is that the sight distance to the left for the eastern driveway is also below the desired distance, but this may be adequate, since stopping sight distance is available. The study indicates that "clear zones" should be provided in the final site plans, to maximize sight distance. This is good, except winter conditions with snow banks exist which could block the sight distance through the "clear zone ". The sight distances referred to in the study, reflect the 35 mph speed limit. The speed of traffic on the roadway should be measured to determine if it is the appropriate speed to use or if traffic is traveling at higher speeds, which would require greater sight distances. With Vadnais Boulevard being a Ramsey County road, the approval of driveway location(s) is ultimately up to the County. 3. The study also indicates that there are vehicle storage /stacking issues at the western driveway. While it appears that the existing needs are met in the AM, the AM needs would not be met as Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., 535 Vadnais Center Drive, St. Paul, MN 55110 -5196 SEH is an equal opportunity employer www.sehinc.com 13631 490.2000 800.325.2055 I 651.490.2150 fax