The Official Town Council and Planning Group of Tierrasanta

STATE OF CALIFORNIA------- BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY                                                                                                                                     GRAY DAVIS, Governor

August 11, 2003                                                                                         11-SD-052

                                                                                                                  PM 8.71

                                                                                                                  (K.P. 14.0)

Commander

Southwest Division, NAVFACENGCOM

Attn: Sheila Donovan, Code 5GPP.SD

1220 Pacific Highway

San Diego, CA  92132-5190

Dear Ms. Donovan:

Draft EIS for the Military Family Housing in the San Diego Region

The California Department of Transportation (Department) District 11 has reviewed the Draft EIS and the Traffic Impact Analysis.

Background 

The preferred site (Site 8B) is located approximately two miles to the northeast of the existing Santo Road interchange with State Route 52 (SR-52).  Site 8B would take access from this interchange via an extension of Santo Road.  The preferred alternative includes housing development of up to 1,600 single family and multi-family dwelling units, in addition to an elementary school, park and community facilities, commercial uses, and open space.

Traffic Comments

1.      Analysis Methodology (Section 2.0 of Volume II):  The analysis of signalized intersections utilized the operational analysis procedure as outlined in the 1997 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), Transportation Research Board Special Report 209.  However, the Department requires that analysis of State owned signalized intersections be done using Intersecting Lane Vehicle (ILV) calculations.  See below.

The Department requires Level of Service (LOS) C or better at State owned facilities, including intersections.  If an intersection is currently below LOS C, any increase in delay from project generated traffic must be analyzed and mitigated.  Analysis of State owned signalized intersections shall be done using ILV calculations per the Highway Design Manual (HDM), Section 406, page 400-21.

2.      Traffic/Circulation – Mitigation Measures (Section 4.11 of Volume I):  This section proposes adding signalized intersections and minor ramp improvements to mitigate significant traffic impacts caused by the military housing project trips.  A “fair share” contribution would be provided for the construction of these improvements.  However, the proposed mitigation does not adequately address the project impacts.

Ms. Sheila Donovan

August 11, 2003

Page 2

3.      The existing traffic volumes on SR-52 are substantially higher than the EIS indicates.  The 2002 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) should show 85,000.  Site 8B would generate an estimated 9,600 ADT.  The project would create a significant impact to SR-52 and the SR-52/Santo Road interchange.  Reconstruction of this interchange, including reconfiguration of the westbound ramps and widening of the overcrossing structure, would be necessary.

These improvements are required to mitigate the impacts of this project, and a “fair share” of their cost should be borne by the project proponent.  Scheduled buildout is defined as Year 2003/2004.  These improvements should be completed as part of this housing project under the same contract.  We are enclosing a copy of our Guide for the Preparation of Traffic Impact Studies.  Appendix B includes a methodology for calculating equitable mitigation measures (“fair share”).

Encroachment Permit

Any work performed within the Department's right of way will require an encroachment permit.  For those portions of the project within the Department's right of way, the permit application must be stated in both Metric and English units (Metric first, with English in parentheses).  Additional information regarding encroachment permits may be obtained by contacting our Permits Office at (619) 688-6158.  Early coordination with our agency is strongly advised for all encroachment permits.

Furthermore, if a developer proposes any work or improvements within the Department's right of way, the projects environmental studies should include such work.  The developer is responsible for quantifying the environmental impacts of the improvements (project level analysis) and completing all appropriate mitigation measures for the impacts.  The indirect effects of any mitigation within Department right of way must also be addressed.  The developer will also be responsible for procuring any necessary permits or approvals from the regulatory and resource agencies for the improvements.

We will be pleased to meet with you to discuss the means by which the required mitigation for traffic impacts to SR-52 and the SR-52/Santo road interchange can be realized.  Please feel free to contact me at (619) 688-6954.

Sincerely,

MARIO H. ORSO, Chief

Development Review Branch

Enclosure

Ms. Sheila Donovan

August 11, 2003

Page 3

bc:  BFigge             (MS 50)

      EGojuangco     (MS 55)

      CCalvi              (MS 55)

      LSalazar           (MS 50)

      JHull                 (MS 09)

      JMarkey           (MS 48)