San Ramon Municipal Code Ch. I Traffic Management and Levels of Service

Approving body Base level improvement Critical intersection Department Division Feasible improvement Level of service Major improvement Major street Off-site improvement On-site improvement Peak period

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 380

Previously approved project Project Significant traffic impact Street improvement Unsatisfactory level of traffic service

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and terms are defined as follows: Approving body is the person, commission, council or group authorized by state law or this code to approve a project or issue a permit for a project. Base level improvement is any major improvement consistent with the number of through lanes as provided by the Traffic and Circulation Element of the city of San Ramon General Plan, and/or the San Ramon Five-Year Capital Improvement Program. Critical intersection is any intersection of major streets operating at or above a V/C ratio of 0.80 (LOS D), either prior to filing an application or as a result of the implementation of the project. Department is the community development department of the city of San Ramon. Division is the transportation services division of the community development department of the city of San Ramon. Feasible improvement is any major improvement consistent with the general plan traffic and circulation element of the city of San Ramon, which is proportionate to the size of, and traffic generated by, the project. Level of service is a measure of mobility characteristic of an intersection as defined by volume to capacity ratio based on the Intersection Capacity Analysis, Circular 212 Methodology, as published by the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Science, Washington D.C., 1980. Major improvement is any substantial physical change to an intersection or roadway or construction of a new roadway, except for resurfacing, restriping or other similar changes. Major street means arterial and collector streets, intersections and freeway interchanges identified in the Traffic and Circulation Element of the San Ramon General Plan. Off-site improvement is any improvement beyond the boundaries of a project which does not otherwise constitute an on-site or frontage improvement.

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 381

On-site improvement is any improvement within the boundaries or on the frontage of a project including the following improvements along a project's boundaries: curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements (up to ten feet wide) plus conform paving along the entire frontage of the development. Any additional improvements relating to ingress and egress for the project including acceleration/deceleration lanes, turning lanes, signal modification or installation, or any other special means of ingress/egress to the project. On-site improvements shall include dedication of all right-of-way necessary to implement required ingress and egress changes. Peak period is the hours from seven a.m. to nine a.m., twelve p.m. to one p.m. and four p.m. to six p.m. during workdays (Monday through Friday). Previously approved project is a project with approving body authority to proceed. Project is a proposal for the development of improved or unimproved land, which conforms to development approvals and requirements of this code, regardless of the nature of the project, i.e., developing new land, converting an existing use to a different use, expanding a use, etc. Significant traffic impact is any project-generated traffic impact of 0.02 or more or greater to the calculated V/C ratio of an impacted critical intersection. Street improvement is any physical change to an intersection or roadway or construction of a new roadway, including all related items, such as drainage improvement, lighting improvement, etc. Unsatisfactory level of traffic service is a level of traffic service not meeting a peak hour minimum standard of high level of service "D", i.e., in excess of a calculated volume-to-capacity ratio of 0.90. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-55)

A traffic study shall be required if any of the following conditions exist: A. The traffic generated by the project exceeds fifty trips during one hour period during the p.m. peak period as determined by standard unadjusted trip generation rates of a recognized source (e.g., Institute of Transportation Engineers, Caltrans, San Diego Association of Governments, etc.) B. The transportation services division finds that a traffic study is required by the location, size or other characteristics of the subject project. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-56)

A. If the division determines that a traffic study (the study) is necessary, the division shall hire a consultant to perform the study. The division may require the project applicant to supply whatever information may be necessary for the preparation of the study. The division is responsible for the adequacy and objectivity of the study. The project applicant shall be responsible for the entire cost of the preparation of the study, including consultant fees and city expenses. The division may require the project applicant to post a bond, pay for estimated municipal and consultant costs prior to the preparation of the study, or use other mechanisms to guarantee payment for costs incurred or to be incurred. B. The traffic study must include the following: 1. Project Trip Generation and Peak Hour Volumes. a. A summary table shall be provided that lists each type of land use, the measurable unit of the project used to determine traffic impacts, e.g., square footage, occupancy, employees, acreage, etc., the appropriate trip generation rate (total daily traffic and

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 382

peak hours of the adjacent streets), and resulting total daily and peak hour trips generated by the project. b. The official source for trip generation will be the latest version of the Institute of Transportation Engineers' Trip Generation Manual. Consideration will be given to the use of other published reports and papers if properly referenced and included with supporting documentation. (Caltrans and/or San Diego Association of Governments trip generation rates may be substituted by reference only). Additional consideration will be given to original research work of similar or like conditions with suitable documentation. c. Trip reductions will be considered for pass-by traffic, TSM/TDM measures, and for internal traffic in large subdivisions. The estimates for trip reduction shall be well documented arguments presented for consideration by the transportation services division to assure the long-term validity of any proposed reductions prior to their use in the traffic analysis. C. Project Trip Distribution. The transportation services division shall set the boundaries for traffic distribution and extent of intersection analysis. The consultant shall determine the project trip distribution based on the traffic network expected to exist upon completion of the project and reflect population and employment distribution for existing and future conditions as provided by census tract data and/or ABAG projections; survey information of existing or similar uses may be used as determined appropriate by the transportation services division. Distribution of trips to and from a proposed site should consider variations based upon trip type (work, school, home, etc.), travel time on congested routes and dissipation of traffic along travel corridors. D. Existing and Projected Traffic. The study shall provide graphics which show p.m. peak hour traffic volume turning movements at project driveways and designated study intersections within the study area. The study must include the following: 1. Peak period project traffic (in and out) for all turn movements at study intersections for critical peak periods; 2. Peak period traffic volume graphics are to include all through and turning movement volumes for: a. Current conditions, b. With additional traffic generated by any approved projects which affect major streets within the study boundaries, and c. Cumulative traffic conditions; 3. Any other traffic which is determined by the department to be critical to the project traffic, such as special event traffic or recreational and/or seasonal traffic that may vary peaking conditions; 4. Actual counts of the study intersections shall be provided for any intersection where current data is not available from prior city or adjacent jurisdictional studies ("current" is defined as within the last one year assuming no significant change in traffic or vicinity land use has taken place in that time frame); 5. Projected traffic from projects approved by the city and adjacent jurisdictions will be provided by the city to the extent it is available. The consultant shall modify the data provided by the city based on approved-project occupancies and factor all data to a designated future time frame; 6. Cumulative traffic projections will be provided by the consultant based on current traffic model projections and/or projections of traffic growth on major arterials.

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 383

E. Level of Service Analysis. The level of service analysis of the existing transportation network shall be calculated using Intersection Capacity Analysis Circular 212 Planning Methodology, as published by the Transportation Research Board National Academy of Science, Washington D.C., 1980. If roadway modifications requiring amendments to the general plan transportation element are necessary, they shall be evaluated using the Circular 212 Planning Methodology. 1. Calculations of levels of service shall reflect a maximum sum of critical volumes of one thousand eight hundred vehicles per hour at a two-phase signalized intersection as shown in the following tables: CRITICAL MOVEMENT VOLUME RANGES FOR DETERMINING LEVELS OF SERVICE Maximum Sum of Critical Volumes (VPH) Level of Service Two Phases Three Phases Four or More Phases A 1,080 1,020 990 B 1,260 1,200 1,160 C 1,440 1,370 1,320 D 1,620 1,530 1,470 E 1,800 1,710 1,650 F N/A N/A N/A

LEVEL OF SERVICE AS A FUNCTION
OF V/C RATIOS
Level of Service Range of V/C Ratios
A - 0.60
B 0.61 - 0.70
C 0.71 - 0.80
D 0.81 - 0.90
E 0.91 - 1.00
F > 1.00
2. Level-of-service (LOS) analysis shall be prepared reflecting p.m. peak hour traffic conditions
at all designated study intersections for the following analysis scenarios:
a. Existing traffic volumes without project traffic, assuming existing transportation
facilities and capacities;
b. Existing traffic volumes plus project traffic, assuming existing transportation facilities
and capacities;
c. Existing traffic volumes, plus traffic from approved, but as yet unbuilt or unoccupied,
projects without traffic from the subject project, assuming transportation facility
improvements programmed in the city's five-year Capital Improvement Program, State
Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or adopted capital improvement plans of other
jurisdictions;
d. Existing traffic volumes, plus traffic from approved, but as yet unbuilt or unoccupied,
projects plus traffic from the subject project, assuming transportation facility
improvements programmed in the city's five-year Capital Improvement Program, State
Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or adopted capital improvement plans of other
jurisdictions;
e. Existing traffic volumes, plus traffic from approved, but as yet unbuilt or unoccupied,
projects plus traffic from the subject project, assuming transportation facility
improvements programmed in the city's five-year Capital Improvement Program, State

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 384

Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) or adopted capital improvement plans of other jurisdictions, plus project-related traffic impact mitigation measures; f. Cumulative development traffic volumes, without traffic from the subject project, assuming completion of the San Ramon General Plan Circulation Network (Figure 4) and other long-term regional transportation improvements; g. Cumulative development traffic volumes, plus traffic from the subject project, assuming completion of the San Ramon General Plan Circulation Network (Figure 4) and other long-term regional transportation improvements plus project-related traffic impact mitigation measures. 3. The results of the preceding LOS analyses shall be presented in a tabular format which includes the estimated V/C ratio and corresponding level-of-service for each analysis scenario at all designated study intersections. The department may require estimates of delay per vehicle and queue lengths for four-way stop intersections, signal warrant analyses, and may require analysis using the Unsignalized Intersection methodology contained in the Highway Capacity Manual. F. Levels of Traffic Service. 1. The minimum acceptable level-of-service at arterial intersections shall be the upper bound of LOS D, i.e., V/C ratio not greater than 0.90. 2. Exceptions to Level of Service Requirements. The requirements of this section do not replace or relieve a project from providing for mitigations to the extent they are possible. The city council shall not grant an exception under this subsection on appeal or review until it has first made the findings required by these guidelines. Locations identified for exceptions to the maximum allowable levels of traffic service shall be reviewed on an annual basis in conjunction with development of the city capital improvement program. Recommendation for inclusion on the exception status list shall be based upon written findings setting forth reasons therefor, including: a. Proximity to freeway access, or involves an intersection of freeway access requiring multijurisdictional funding and/or major cost improvement of freeway widening and overpass reconstruction; b. Intersections having a majority of through traffic on the major street (majority defined as greater than fifty percent of traffic with origins and destinations external to San Ramon). G. Traffic Signal Analysis. The study shall determine the need for new traffic signals determined in accordance with the most current edition of the Caltrans Traffic Manual. Traffic progression and pedestrian movements must be considered in the evaluation of traffic signal needs. H. Traffic Accidents. Special studies of traffic accidents may be required on critical corridors related to the project as required by the division. The study period would normally be two years with base data provided by the city. Changes in accident potential should be related to changes in traffic attributed to the project and safety mitigation measures should be included where necessary. I. Mitigation Requirements. If the study identifies significant traffic impacts to any critical intersection within the study area, mitigation measures shall be identified which reduce project impacts below the threshold of significance (less than 0.02 increase in estimated V/C ratio) and which result in acceptable level-of-service at all study intersections (V/C MDUL< 0.90). Mitigation which may be assumed for the purpose of estimating future traffic conditions may include roadway improvements programmed by the city, adjacent municipalities, Contra Costa County

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 385

and/or Caltrans for which funds have been appropriated or obligated. The mitigation section shall include the following: 1. Proposed Transportation Improvements for Project Mitigation. The location, nature and extent of proposed improvements to the transportation system must be determined and described to assure sufficient roadway capacity. Identify all mitigation measures required by the project. All intersection and roadway improvements required to mitigate significant project impacts or unsatisfactory levels of traffic service must be listed and identified in the following categories: a. Significant project impacts or unsatisfactory level of traffic service for which feasible mitigation is available. Mitigation measures shall be identified. b. Significant project impacts or unsatisfactory level of traffic service for which feasible mitigation is included in or would require inclusion of improvements in the city's five- year capital improvement program from the date of project approval. Consideration of mitigations under this condition shall require: i. Development of conceptual plans in sufficient detail to permit preparation of cost and funding estimates, and cost and funding estimates shall be prepared. ii. Identification of funding mechanisms to insure implementation of the capital improvement project. iii. Mitigation measures shall be consistent with the General Plan of the city of San Ramon, or amendments thereto. 2. Improvement Plans and Cost Estimates. A detailed sketch of each mitigation measure identified in this subsection and approved by the department shall be provided together with preliminary cost estimates. The sketch shall show the length, width, right-of-way and pertinent geometric features of the proposed improvements. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-57)

The determination of project fees for traffic impacts shall be based on the need to mitigate project- related impacts, and the need to mitigate cumulative project impacts through the implementation of the General Plan Traffic and Circulation Element. Project-related mitigation contributions shall be provided to the city based on one or more of the following conditions: A. Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee Requirements. All projects shall pay TIM fees, as set forth in Chapter II of this division. B. Reimbursement Agreement Location. A project impacting an intersection under an existing reimbursement agreement shall provide payment to the city on a percentage base of the original intersection improvement cost in proportion to the project impacts, as outlined in Section C4-5 of this chapter. C. Roadway Improvement Agreement. The developer shall enter into an agreement providing for the construction of all off-site and/or project related on-site improvements within the public right-of-way, as identified in the traffic study. Assurance of mitigation improvements shall be provided in accordance with Section C4-5 of this chapter. D. Improvements in Excess of Base Level Improvements. If a traffic study identifies improvements in excess of base level improvements, then the developer shall provide payment to the city for implementation of the same in proportion to project impacts. E. Request for Inclusion in the City Capital Improvements Program. Project mitigation requiring major improvements may be included in the city's Capital Improvements Program by written request to the community development department. Written request shall include a detailed City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 386

description of the improvements requested, conceptual plans and cost estimates. If the city council amends the Capital Improvements Program to include project mitigations, the developer will enter into an agreement with the city providing for improvement funding assurance. F. Project Exceptions to Mitigation Requirements. The city council may grant an exception for a project only if the city council finds that the benefits of a project, including any trip generation reductions, outweigh the project's anticipated negative impacts on transportation facilities. Projects meriting an exception shall only be projects with significant economic and/or high social value to the city. Examples of this type of project would include, but not be limited to, senior housing, schools, museums, hospitals, parks and recreational facilities, and historic preservation projects. Projects may merit consideration for exception if they significantly enhance the achievement of the goals of the city's redevelopment program. G. Special Conditions for Mitigation and Fee Exemptions. The following projects shall be exempt from traffic study mitigation requirements and/or mitigation fees provided in this policy: 1. Conversion of apartments to condominiums, provided that TIM fee was paid, or street improvements were constructed in accordance with this program for the prior use; 2. Remodeling or rehabilitation of projects for which no change in use, site traffic generation or size of building occurs; 3. Church without weekday peak-hour activity; 4. Reconstruction of burned-down buildings by the same owner provided no change in type of, or size of, use occurs; 5. Business or residences which have been relocated to an existing building as a result of redevelopment or street improvement project; 6. Child care facility with less than twelve children. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-58)

As requested, the city shall enter into an agreement for reimbursement of transportation-related improvement cost in excess of project mitigation needs and as required as a condition of project approval, as provided for in this section. Reimbursement agreements shall extend for a period of six years from completion date of project-related improvements and shall be based on the actual cost of construction and/or right-of-way. A. Authorization. Payments pursuant to reimbursement agreement shall be authorized by the city manager and approved by the finance director and the city manager. B. Eligibility. Transportation improvements required as a condition of project mitigation are eligible for original improvement cost reimbursement under all of the following conditions: 1. Off-site transportation improvement only will be considered for reimbursement. 2. Off-site improvements must consist of major cost mitigations, defined as greater than fifty thousand dollars or fifteen percent of proposed development value, whichever is less. C. Payment Requirements. Any proposed project significantly impacting an intersection location must provide payment to the city in proportion of project impacts related to the improvements covered by the reimbursement agreement. The requirements of this subsection do not preclude or supersede the need to provide additional mitigation measures at a reimbursement agreement location as determined necessary through required traffic studies. D. Reimbursement Distributions. Reimbursement fees shall be distributed in accordance with the written agreements for each location. Partial reimbursement of such funds as thereafter paid to the city by other developers shall be paid to the developer until full reimbursement occurs (less

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 387

original project share) or until six years have elapsed from the date of reimbursement agreement approval. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-59)

The developer shall enter into a written agreement with the city authorized by the city manager subject to city attorney approval, providing for completion of required improvements within two years of project approval or within an alternate specified timeframe based on reasonable justification. Said agreement shall include the cost of city plan review and construction inspection to ensure compliance with city standards and construction specifications. A cash deposit or acceptable surety bond equivalent to the estimated cost of construction of the improvements, guaranteeing performance of the work and repair of any defects in the improvements occurring within one year of the first acceptance of the work as complete, payment for labor and materials, and other claim that may arise as a result of the improvement work as set forth in the agreement shall be filed with the city. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-60)

The community development department shall have the responsibility for collecting the fees prior to issuance of a building permit for any project subject to payment of the same. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until receipt of the entire fee, or that portion attributable to the portion of the project for which a building permit has been requested. A. Periodic Review. This program shall be subject to review and modifications by the city council on an as-needed basis. Nothing herein shall prevent the city council or staff from recommending a change in the program should a significant reason for such a review occur. A significant reason could include: 1. The formation of an assessment district(s) which reduces the present five-year street program need; 2. A modification to the funding sources available to the city for its street programs; 3. A modification to the Traffic and Circulation Element of the General Plan; 4. A change in the costs of street projects. Any increase adopted by the city council shall apply to any applications for building permits filed after the effective date of the change and any applications for building permits filed prior to the effective date which are not substantially complete. B. Deposit and Use of Receipts. 1. All funds received by the community development department shall be forwarded to the administrative services department for deposit into a special account set aside solely for the distribution of TIM fees and other special project fees. 2. The funds in the various TIM and other special project accounts shall be allocated by the city council, to the extent it determines necessary, when it budgets moneys for the San Ramon Capital Improvement Program. Interest generated by the TIM fees shall be credited to the special account and each subaccount for use in accordance with the above provision. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-61)

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 388

If any disagreement arises between a project developer/landowner and the city regarding the interpretation of this chapter, it shall be brought before the approving body by the developer. The developer shall submit a written statement of the dispute and the evidence supporting its position. The statement shall be submitted within thirty days of project approval and within eight working days prior to the next meeting of the approving body or when the project will be submitted to the approving body, whichever is earlier. The city staff shall submit a written report to the approving body and project developer prior to the meeting at which the disagreement will be considered. The decision of the approving body shall be subject to appeal to the city council, unless the city council was the approving body. (Ord. 164 § 2 (part), 1989: prior code § C1-62)

C4-9 through C4-10. Reserved. -