HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.0 Traffic Study Waiver-Letterarchitecture + interiors
January 12, 2016
Kathy Eastley
Senior Planner: Community Development Department
Garfield County
108 8th Street, Suite 401
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Traffic Study Waiver Request at 24 St. Finnbar Farm Road, Carbondale
Dear Kathy,
Studio B Architects is providing this letter to request a waiver on conducting a traffic analysis due to the
minimal impact the ADU will have to the existing traffic patterns as demonstrated in the following
materials consistent with LUDC 4-203L:
a. (See map attached):
1. The map provided shows all existing roads, internal roads, adjoining roads, access
points, and access points for finished development.
2. The map provided shows all county roads within 1 -mile radius of the development.
3. The map shows the nearest proximate intersections with State or Federal highways
likely to receive traffic impacts from the development
4. The map shows activity areas for construction activity.
b. The existing land use on the parcel is a single family residence, and is consistent with
surrounding land use. The property is accessed by approximately 1,150 feet from the
intersection of St. Finnbar Farm Road, a private road, and Country Road 100. This
intersection is located approximately 1,700 feet south of the intersection of Highway 82 and
approximately 1,000 feet north of the curve of County Road 100 at the bridge. The property
is exempt from getting a driveway permit as it is within the existing approved subdivision of
St. Finnbar Farm and is not accessed directly by a county road (please see attached letter
from Mike Prehm). No permit requirements exist for access to State Highway, railroad
crossings, etc. as there is no direct access to either from the property. There is a 25'
emergency vehicle access easement that connects to CR100. While there is a 5' fisherman's
easement on the property, this in no way impacts the traffic in St. Finnbar Farm or the lot
itself, as such the easement is along the shoreline of the Roaring Fork River and does not
impact the approved building envelope with the proposed development is located. The
proposed ADU creates approximately 10 additional vehicle trips per day, on average. This
will have minimal impact to the traffic patterns of the surrounding county roads and state
highways, and is consistent with the surrounding properties.
501 rio grande place suite 104 aspen co. 81611 970.920.9428 fax 970.920.7822
www.studiobarchitects.net
architecture + interiors
c. As can be seen on the attached map, the property will be accessed via St. Finnbar Farm
Road by residential and commercial traffic. Construction vehicles will access the site along
this private road as well between the hours of 8:OOam and 5:30 pm Monday -Saturday within
the approved subdivision of St. Finnbar Farm. Only small excavation equipment will access
the site as there is no need for large excavation equipment for the proposed ADU. All
staging will occur directly on the property. The 25' emergency vehicle access road is a dirt
road to the east of the property. This access feeds directly to the property from CR 100
approximately 430 feet south of the intersection of CR100 and St. Finnbar Farm Road.
According to the review criteria in the Land Use Development Code we believe we have met the
following requirements:
1. The Applicant shows good cause for the requested waiver;
• The applicant feels a waiver regarding traffic study is appropriate due to the above
mentioned information and analysis provided compared to the cost associated with
hiring an outside entity to perform such an analysis. Therefore, the applicant feels
we have expressed all potential impacts to the site and have shown good cause for
receiving the requested waiver.
2. The project size, complexity, anticipated impacts, or other factors support the waiver;
• The proposed ADU is less than 500 square feet. In this proposed location it will have
minimal sight line impact from the private road associated with St. Finnbar Farm.
With an estimated additional 10 vehicle trips per day on average, the proposed
development will have minimal impacts to the existing traffic patterns of CR100 and
Highway 82.
3. The waiver does not compromise a proper and complete review;
• The waiver does not compromise a proper and complete review in that all of the
information required has been provided and further traffic analysis would only
cause unnecessary time and financial expense to the applicant.
4. The information is not material to describing the proposal or demonstrating compliance
with approval criteria.
• The information provided in the waiver request is not information describing the
proposal or demonstrating compliance with approval criteria, only stating the
potential impacts to the surrounding traffic patterns as a result of the proposed
ADU; of which is located within the existing platted building envelope on the site.
Please do not hesitate to contact me via phone or e-mail if you have any additional questions or need
further clarification.
501 rio grande place suite 104 aspen co. 81611 970.920.9428 fax 970.920.7822
www.studiobarchitects.net
architecture + interiors
Regards,
Eric Sechrist Assoc. AIA
Studio B Architects
501 rio grande place suite 104 aspen co. 81611 970.920.9428 fax 970.920.7822
www.studiobarchitects.net