§ 6.16. TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS (TIA)

6.16.1. Applicability

A.

A Traffic Impact Analysis may be required to be submitted in conjunction with an application for a

1.

Preliminary Plat of a Major Subdivision (Section 3.4);

2.

Major Site Plan (Section 3.2.1.C);

3.

Special Use Permit (Section 3.5); or

4.

Planned Development (Section 3.3.3)

B.

Unless exempted in paragraph Section 6.16.2 below, a Traffic Impact Analysis may be required for all residential projects, which can be anticipated to generate at least 100 vehicle trips at peak hour or 1,000 vehicle trips per day based on the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual.

C.

Commercial projects may be required to submit a Traffic Impact Analysis if the project can be anticipated to generate at least 100 vehicle trips at peak hour or 1,000 vehicle trips per day based on the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual.

6.16.2. Exemptions

The following projects shall not be required to submit a Traffic Impact Analysis:

A.

Developments approved prior to May 1, 2007 that have maintained valid preliminary plats, major site plans or special use permits.

B.

Development of any site on which the additional traffic at peak hour represents an increase of less than 100 additional peak hour trips from the traffic generated by the previous development, where the redevelopment is initiated within 12 months of the completion of demolition of the previous project.

6.16.3. Project Planning Session

A.

All applicants submitting a Traffic Impact Analysis shall schedule a project planning session with the Planning Director, in accordance with Section 3.3.3.B.3.

B.

The Planning Director shall determine the type and scope of the study during the project planning session, which may also involve representatives from other agencies or departments including NCDOT.

(Ord. No. UDO-16-02 , § 1, 3-7-16)

6.16.4. Application Requirements

A Traffic Impact Analysis shall be submitted in accordance with Section 6.16.4, Application Requirements and may include some or all of the requirements listed below.

A.

Type of Study

A letter report, full Traffic Impact Analysis report, or special report (such as a sight distance survey).

B.

Definition of Impact Area

Identification of the points of access and key streets and intersections to be affected by development of the subject tract. Traffic recorder and turning movement assessment locations may also have to be determined. A scoping meeting to be held jointly with the applicant, Planning staff, and NCDOT may be scheduled to determine project impact area.

C.

Period of Analysis

The period of analysis should be for both the morning and afternoon peak hour.

D.

Analysis Scenarios

Scenarios for analysis should include existing conditions, and opening year with and without development, and may include five or ten years after opening with or without development.

E.

Assumptions

Trip generation and distribution assumptions including trip generation categories, diversion assumptions and distribution assumptions. Assumed rate of growth in background traffic, and developments in the area that have been approved or are under review may also be required.

F.

Duration of Study

The duration of traffic studies (the time period for which they are considered a valid basis for approvals) for large projects, particularly Planned Unit Developments, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as part of the application review process.

G.

Existing Condition Survey

1.

Street System Description

The street system should be described, including geometric features, lane usage, traffic control, signage, sight distances, and adjoining uses and curb cuts.

2.

Traffic Volumes

Existing peak hour traffic volumes should be provided for the impact area. Data should be adjusted for daily and seasonal variations. Turning movement counts for peak hour may also be required for critical intersections.

3.

Capacity Analysis

Existing capacity of signalized and unsignalized intersections.

4.

Other Details

Other details may be required at the discretion of the Planning Director depending upon the type and scale of the project. These may include, but are not limited to, queue length analysis, pedestrian counts, accident data, traffic speeds (both 50th and 85th percentile), and stopping distances.

H.

Future without Development

Capacity analysis should be based on the Highway Capacity Manual or other methodology approved in advance by the Planning Director.

I.

Future with Development

1.

Projections of peak hour traffic generation should be made using the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual, unless the Planning Director determines that locally-derived data will provide more accurate forecasts. Data from similar facilities may be used where the information is not available from Institute of Transportation Engineers.

2.

Special analysis may be required to determine the need for signalization, minimum safe sight distances, gap analysis, turning radius requirements, queue length analysis, turning lane length analysis, curb cut locations or similar requirements.

6.16.5. Mitigation Plan

Where the analysis indicates that the project will create deficiencies in the impact area, improvements shall be recommended, along with projected cost estimates. The design of improvements shall be in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Where a mitigation plan is not adequate to address the traffic impacts of the project, it may serve as a basis for denial of a Planned Development, preliminary plat, major site plan or special use permit.

6.16.6. Consultants

Commentary: The consultant retained by the County is not a substitute for the consultant the applicant is required to hire to perform the Traffic Impact Analysis.

The Planning Director may require that an independent consultant be hired by the County to perform the required studies, or to review all or part of a study prepared by the applicant's consultant. The Planning Director is authorized to administer the contract for any such consultant.

A.

The County shall determine the scope of services to be performed by the independent consultant and receive a cost estimate of such services.

B.

The applicant shall provide an amount equal to the estimate to the County, who shall deposit the amount in an escrow or other special account set up for this purpose. Any funds not used shall be returned to the applicant in a timely manner, without interest.

C.

The County may require additional funds for independent review where a decision-making body expands the scope of the required review; the applicant substantially amends the application; additional meetings involving the consultant are requested by the applicant; or the consultant's appearance is requested at public or affected agency meetings beyond those anticipated in the original scope of services.

6.16.7. Period of Validity

A Traffic Impact Analysis shall be valid for a specific site for no more than ten years, so long as no significant modifications to the development approved for the site are made.