Item 3: PH on Ordinance Regarding State Motor Pool Metro Plan Amendment and Zone Change

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The proposed Metro Plan amendments do not allow types or levels of uses which would. result in levels of travel or access which are inconsistent with the functional classification of a transportation facility. ~'.".'.~' ..,.:;; (d) Would reduce the performance standards of the facility below the minimum acceptable level identified in the TSP. The proposed Metro Plan amendments will not reduce the performance standards of any facility below the minimum acceptable level identified in TransPlan. The proposed Commercial Metro Plan designation will not significantly affect existing transportation facilities. Currently the Courthouse site is designated Heavy Industrial. Redesignation to Commercial will allow land uses with different development densities and transportation needs, but will not result in reduced performance standards for affected transportation facilities. The City compared trip generation for a variety of a variety of different development scenarios on the city-owne.d site adjacent to the site under developmen~ for the new Federal Courthouse. These scenarios assume that the Federal Courthouse will be constructed on. approximately half of the property currently owned by the City. It is reasonable to assume that the Federal Courthouse site will be used for the stated purpose of building a Federal Courthouse. This assumption is substantiated by the federal allocation of designated money, lengthy condemnation and purchase negotiations, the expense and detail of the design process, and the demolition and construction contracts for the same purpose. f ....;: Assuming a "worst case" scenario, with the maximum number of trips generated ~y potential new commercial development on the remaining city-owned site, and subtracting trips generated by existing or former uses, total new daily trips could amount to 5,945, with 530 in the AM peak time and 885 in the PM peak. This analysis shows that the existing transportation facilities are adequate to $erve this amount of new development on the remainder of the site with acceptable levels of service. The new Federal C9urthouse~ which will occupy approximately half of the 8.5 acres site, will be a land intensive use with relatively few employees (estimated at 270), as compared to employment intensive uses allowed in Industrial or Commercial lands. In addition, very few parking spaces, approximately 80, will be provided for employees at the ,Courthouse. The proposed transportation improvements planned in conjunction with the Courthouse will improve the transportation facilities in this immediate area, particularly for pedestrians. These improvements include the 6th Avenue Extension, portions of Ferry Street and 8th Avenue, and a signalized intersection at 8th and Mill. . These improvements and any additional changes to the street pattern or existing transportation facilities will be analyzed as part of The Central Area Transportation Study (CATS). CATS will be subject of a separate public hearing and review process. Ordinance I 'Exhibit C - 6 C:\Documents and Settings\ceplnxl\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK238\Ordinance 1 _ Findings - Exhibit C (0006S096-2).DOC City Council Agenda page 144