Chapter 17.08
TRAFFIC CONGESTION, STREETS AND LIMITATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT
Sections:
17.08.020 Level of service (LOS) standard and measurement.
17.08.030 Requirements for transportation analysis.
17.08.040 No issuance of permits under certain conditions.
17.08.010 Definitions.
A. “Degradation of traffic conditions” means an increase in the peak hour vehicle delay at an intersection within the city of Fife.
B. “Development” means any proposed use of land or buildings or other structures and improvements on the land that are not categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to FMC 17.04.080.
C. “LOS” means level of service, a measure of traffic congestion as defined by the latest edition of the Highway Capacity Manual prepared by the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council.
D. “Peak hour” means the hour with the highest vehicle demand during a peak travel period.
E. “Pro rata share” is the development’s share of the cost of a transportation improvement based on the number of peak hour vehicle trips that the development adds divided by the total number of peak hour vehicle trips. The public works director will determine if the pro rata share will be calculated for the overall intersection or the intersection approach.
F. “Street system” means all vehicular, public thoroughfares and accessories thereto in the city except freeways. It may also, at the city’s discretion, apply to such facilities located outside the city.
G. “Transportation system management” means increasing the efficiency of the existing transportation system by modifying travel behavior, such as by providing incentives for travel by carpool, transit, walking, and bicycle, or by shifting travel demand away from the peak hour. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.020 Level of service (LOS) standard and measurement.
The transportation element of the Fife comprehensive plan identifies the city of Fife LOS standard as LOS D based on the peak hour delay at intersections.
The Highway Capacity Manual defines levels of service as follows:
|
Peak Hour Intersection Delay (Seconds) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
LOS |
Unsignalized |
Signalized |
|
A |
≤10 |
≤10 |
|
B |
10 to 15 |
10 to 20 |
|
C |
15 to 25 |
20 to 35 |
|
D |
25 to 35 |
35 to 55 |
|
E |
35 to 50 |
55 to 80 |
|
F |
> 50 |
> 80 |
(Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998).
17.08.030 Requirements for transportation analysis.
A transportation impact analysis will be required for any new development which generates 20 or more new peak hour trips as defined in the latest edition of the “Trip Generation Manual,” prepared by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The transportation impact analysis will evaluate the following types of intersections (study intersections) impacted by 20 or more new peak hour trips:
A. Intersections between streets classified as either a principal arterial or minor arterial.
B. Signalized intersections.
C. Nearby intersections identified by the public works director. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025).
17.08.040 No issuance of permits under certain conditions.
A. Any development which generates 20 or more new peak hour trips and results in a study intersection operating below the adopted LOS D standard is hereby declared a significant adverse environmental impact and the development shall not be permitted unless the impact is mitigated so that:
1. The study intersection will operate at LOS D or better.
2. It will not cause a study intersection which already has a peak hour LOS worse than LOS D to experience any further degradation of traffic conditions.
B. In calculating future transportation conditions, the analysis shall consider the effect of other developments and expected transportation system improvements as identified by the city. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.030).
17.08.050 Mitigation options.
The following methods are recommended as options to mitigate the significant adverse environmental impact to peak hour levels of service:
A. Modification of the development proposal, including inclusion of a transportation system management plan.
B. Improvement to the city transportation system pursuant to FMC Title 12. The proposed transportation system improvement shall be approved by the Fife public works director. If this method is used, the city shall not issue any occupancy permit until the improvements are complete or by requiring a bond or other security instrument acceptable to the city to ensure that the improvement is completed within six years of development.
C. At the city’s option, the development pays a pro rata share of the cost of the transportation system improvement; provided, that:
1. The improvement, when constructed, will remove the significant adverse environmental impact;
2. The public works director has determined that the total funding for the improvement will be in place within six years of development completion; and
3. The proposed improvement will be city-owned upon completion. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1859 § 99, 2014; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.040).
17.08.060 Exceptions.
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. Development for which a complete building permit application has been filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter;
B. The renewal of a permit for an existing development; or
C. Any development for which the city is the development proponent. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.050).
17.08.070 Studies required.
A. Any transportation studies which the public works director finds are necessary to determine whether a development has a significant adverse environmental impact upon the city transportation system and/or to determine the method in which the impact will be mitigated, will be prepared by a qualified and licensed transportation engineer at the applicant’s expense. The transportation engineer shall be acceptable to the public works director.
B. The city may, at the applicant’s expense, hire a licensed and qualified transportation engineer to review the applicant’s submittal for accuracy. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.060).
17.08.080 Latecomer’s fees.
If the development proponent funds or completes improvements that benefit properties not contributing to the costs of said improvements then the city will approve recapture agreements as authorized by state law, if said agreement is timely requested by the applicant. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.070).
17.08.090 Phased projects.
This chapter shall apply separately to each phase of a phased project. (Ord. 2140 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 1317 § 5, 1998. Formerly 17.08.080).