When a sketch plan is submitted in accordance with §
169-9, it is suggested that it contain the following data:
A. Tract boundaries, accurately labelled;
B. A location map showing where the development is located;
D. Approximate written or graphic scales;
E. Significant topographical (five-foot contour intervals)
and physical features; stream and floodplain location;
F. Existing and proposed general street and lot layout;
and
G. Date and name of developer and subdivision.
[Added 5-10-2000 by Ord. No. 252]
For any subdivision involving more than 10 dwelling units, or any land
development plan involving nonresidential uses, a traffic impact study shall
be prepared and submitted simultaneously with the preliminary plan.
A. Conduct of traffic impact study. The traffic impact study
shall be prepared by a qualified traffic engineer to be approved by the Board
of Supervisors. The cost of such study is approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The cost of such study is to be borne by the applicant.
B. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
LEVEL OF SERVICE
As described in the most recent edition of Highway Capacity Manual,
indicates how well traffic moves on a particular highway facility or through
a specific intersection. There are six levels of servicing ranging from A
through F. Level of service A indicates generally free movement. Level of
service E represents maximum capacity of facility. Level F indicates congestion.
MAJOR INTERSECTION
Any intersection where traffic generated by the proposal will have
a significant impact on the operation of the intersection. Where doubt exists,
the transportation engineer shall seek guidance from the Township Engineer
and/or the Township Traffic Engineer prior to the submission of the traffic
impact study.
STUDY AREA
This area will at least extend approximately 1/2 mile along the adjacent
roadway in all directions from all access points or to a major intersection
along these roadways. Where doubt exists, the transportation engineer shall
seek guidance from the Township Engineer and/or Township Traffic Engineer
prior to the submission of the traffic impact study.
TRIP GENERATION RATES
The total count of trips to and from a study site per unit of land
use as measured by parameters such as dwelling units, acres, etc. The most
recent edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineer's publication
Trip Generation should be utilized. If alternate methods of calculation are
utilized, justification must be provided.
VOLUME/CAPACITY ANALYSIS
This procedure compares the volume of roadway or intersection approach
to its capacity (maximum number of vehicles that can pass a given point during
a given time period). The procedures described in the most recent edition
of the Highway Capacity Manual shall be followed.
WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION
This is a series of warrants which detail the minimum traffic or
pedestrian volumes or other criteria necessary for the installation of a traffic
signal. These warrants are contained in the most recent edition of the Manual
On Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, United States
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
C. General requirements and standards. A transportation
impact study shall contain the following information:
(1) General site description. The site description shall
include the size, location, proposed land uses, construction staging and completion
date of the proposed land development.
(2) Transportation facilities description.
(a) The description shall contain a full documentation of
the proposed internal and existing external transportation system within the
study area. This description shall include proposed internal vehicular bicycle
and pedestrian circulation, all proposed ingress and egress locations, all
internal roadway widths and rights-of-way, parking conditions, traffic channelizations
and any traffic signals or other intersection control devices at all intersections
within the site.
(b) The report shall describe the entire external roadway
system within the study area with the major intersections identified. All
future highway improvements, including proposed construction and traffic signalization,
shall be noted. Any proposed roadway improvement due to proposed surrounding
developments shall be recorded.
(3) Existing traffic conditions. Existing traffic conditions
shall be measured and documented for all roadways and intersections in the
study area. Existing traffic volumes for average daily traffic, peak highway
hour(s) traffic and peak development-generated hour(s) traffic shall be recorded.
Manual traffic counts at major intersections in the study area shall be conducted,
encompassing the peak highway and development-generated hour(s), and this
documentation shall be included in the report. A volume capacity analysis
based upon existing volumes shall be performed during the peak highway hour(s)
and the peak development-generated hour(s) for all roadways and major intersections
in the study area. Levels of service shall be determined for each location.
(4) Transportation impact of the development application.
Estimation of vehicular trips to result from the proposal shall be completed
from the peak highway hour(s) and peak development-generated hour(s). These
development-generated traffic volumes shall be provided for the inbound and
outbound traffic movements as estimated, and the reference source(s) and methodology
followed shall be documented. All turning movements shall be calculated. These
generated volumes shall be distributed to the study area and assigned to the
existing roadways and intersections throughout the study area. Documentation
of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phase shall be
provided. Traffic volumes shall be assigned to individual access points. Pedestrian
volumes shall also be calculated, if applicable. If school crossings are to
be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned to each crossing. Any characteristics
of the site that will cause particular trip generation problems shall be noted.
(5) Analysis of transportation impact.
(a) The total future traffic demand shall be calculated.
This demand shall consist of the combination of the existing traffic expanded
to the completion year (using an annual traffic growth rate), the development-generated
traffic and the traffic generated by other proposed developments in the study
area. A volume capacity analysis shall be conducted using the total future
demand and the future roadway capacity. If staging of the proposed development
is anticipated, calculations for each stage of completion shall be made. This
analysis shall be performed during the peak highway hour(s) for all roadways
and major intersections in the study area.
(b) All access points and pedestrian crossings shall be examined
as to the feasibility of installing traffic signals. This evaluation shall
compare the projected traffic and pedestrian volumes to the warrants for traffic
signal installation.
(c) All access points must be shown to achieve desirable
sign distance in accordance with PennDOT criteria.
(6) Conclusions and recommended improvements.
(a) Levels of service for all roadways and intersections
shall be listed. All roadways showing a level of service below C shall be
considered deficient. All unsignalized intersections showing any movement
below level of service C shall be considered deficient. All signalized intersections
showing an overall level of service below C or any movement below C shall
be considered deficient. Specific recommendations for the elimination of these
deficiencies shall be listed. The listing of recommended improvements shall
include, but not be limited to, the following elements: internal circulation
design, site access locations and design, external roadway and intersection
design and improvements and traffic installation and operation, including
signal timing.
(b) The recommended improvements shall be effected. The applicant
shall be responsible for implementation of the improvement and funding of
the improvement.
D. Time of submission. The traffic impact study shall be
submitted to the Township Planning Commission with the preliminary plan submittal.
Every applicant for final plan approval shall execute a form of agreement
to be approved by the Township Solicitor before the final plan is released
by the Board of Supervisors and filed of record. The agreement shall specify
the following, where applicable:
A. That the owner agrees that he will lay out and construct
all roads, streets, lanes or alleys, together with all other improvements,
including grading, paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, street lights, fire
hydrants, water mains, street signs, shade trees, storm and sanitary sewers,
landscaping, traffic control devices, open space and restriction areas, erosion
and sediment control measures in accordance with the final plan as approved,
where any or all of these improvements are required as conditions of approval,
and that he shall complete these improvements within the time or times specified
by the Board of Supervisors.
B. That the owner guarantees completion and maintenance
of all improvements by means of the bond or deposit of funds or securities
in escrow, with estimates of such amounts as required being provided by the
Township Engineer.
C. That the owner agrees to tender a deed or deeds (if applicable)
of dedication to the Township for such streets and for such easements for
sanitary and storm sewers, sidewalks, manholes, inlets, pumping stations and
other appurtenances as shall be constructed as public improvements, provided
that the Township shall not accept dedication of such improvements until their
completion is certified as satisfactory by the Township Engineer.
D. Whenever a developer proposes to establish or continue
a street which is not offered for dedication to public use, the Board of Supervisors
shall require the developer to submit, and also to record with the plan, a
copy of an agreement made with the Township Supervisors on behalf of himself
and his heirs and assigns, and signed by him and by the Township Solicitor,
and which shall establish the conditions under which the street may later
be offered for dedication, and shall stipulate, among other things:
(1) That an offer to dedicate the street shall be made only
for the street as a whole.
(2) That the Township shall not be responsible for snow plowing,
repairing or maintaining any undedicated streets.
(3) That the method of assessing repair and maintenance costs
of undedicated streets be stipulated.
(4) That if dedication be sought, the street shall conform
to the Township specifications or that the owners of the abutting lots shall,
at their own expense, restore the street to conformance with the Township
specifications.
Within 90 days of the applicant's execution of the subdivision
and land development agreement and performance guaranty the final plan shall
be recorded by the applicant in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery
County.
When a final plan is fully approved by the Board and all other final
plan conditions have been met, the final plan shall be considered as a record
plan. Appropriate notes on the record plan shall indicate that the construction
improvement plans are recorded by reference as a part of the plan. Record
plans shall be checked and signed by the Township Engineer. Two linens and
three record plan prints with dimensions of 24 inches by 36 inches shall be
presented with all certificates.