Community Development City & Borough of Juneau Community Development 155 S. Seward Street Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 586 0715 Phone (907) 586 4529 Fax DATE: February 11, 2016 TO: FROM: Planning Commission Allison Eddins, Planner Community Development Department FILE NO.: CSP2016 0001 PROPOSAL: Review of State project for the installation of approximately 3,060 feet of guardrail along Glacier Highway beginning at mile point 21.177 and ending at 21.757. GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Property Owner: State of Alaska DOT&PF Southcoast Region State of Alaska DOT&PF Southcoast Region Parcel Code No.: 0 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Designation: Zoning: Utilities: Access: Existing Land Use: Surrounding Land Use: Resource Development (RD) and CBJ Natural Park Area (NP) D1 None Glacier Highway Minor Arterial North D1 (Vacant) South D1 (Vacant) East D1 (Vacant) West D1 (Shrine of St. Therese/Favorite Channel)
Planning Commission File No.: CSP2016 0001 February 11, 2016 Page 2 of 6 VICINITY MAP ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Project Application Attachment B: Project Plans Attachment C: Abutters Notice
Planning Commission File No.: CSP2016 0001 February 11, 2016 Page 3 of 6 PROPOSAL The proposed project will install approximately 3,060 feet of guardrail along the western side of Glacier Highway. This side of the right of way has been identified as being an unrecoverable slope. The project will begin at mile point 21.177 near the parking area for the Breadline Bluff Trail, and end at mile point 21.757 at the access road to the Shrine of St. Therese. (See Attachment B) BACKGROUND The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) list this project as Safety Improvement Project SFHWY00041. A recent review of a portion of Glacier Highway by DOT&PF identified the western slope of the right of way toward the shoreline as unrecoverable slope. An unrecoverable slope is defined as a slope which a vehicle would roll down if the vehicle left the road. The guardrail will provide protection, for drivers and pedestrians, from the steep hillside between the road and the shoreline. The project will begin in September 2016 and is estimated to take one to two weeks to complete. This will be the first time guardrails have been installed along this section of the highway. This portion of Glacier Highway was reconstructed and repaved as part of a larger DOT&PF project in 2005 (CSP2004 0006). ANALYSIS Glacier Highway, from the Ferry Terminal to the end of the road, is classified as a minor arterial by CBJ. This portion of Glacier Highway has a right of way width of 150 feet. The travel way width is 24 feet with 6 foot wide shoulders to the east and west. The guardrail will be installed within the right of way along the western edge of the shoulder. Staff had a discussion with David Epstein, DOT&PF Engineer, about the location of the guardrail. Staff was assured that the guardrail will not encroach into the shoulder. The 6 foot wide paved shoulder provides a safe travel route for cyclists and pedestrians who frequently travel along this rural section of Glacier Highway. The proposed guardrail will provide safety benefits to both motorized and non motorized travelers by adding protection from leaving the road down the steep hillside. This will be a continuous barrier because there are no driveways or pull outs along the project area. During the construction period, the western travel lane may need to be closed for a short time while workers install the guardrail posts. Public Notice regarding the proposal was provided to all neighborhood associations registered with the City and Borough of Juneau Clerk s Office. (See Attachment C) No comments from the public have been received.
Planning Commission File No.: CSP2016 0001 February 11, 2016 Page 4 of 6 CONFORMITY WITH ADOPTED PLANS This project was reviewed for conformance with Title 49, the 2013 Comprehensive Plan, Non Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) and the Area Wide Transportation Plan (AWTP). Title 49, CBJ Land Use Code This portion of Glacier Highway conforms to all public improvement standards for minor arterials. Title 49 requires minor arterials to have a right of way width of 80 feet and a grade that should not exceed six percent. The portion of Glacier Highway that will be affected by this project has a right of way width of 150 feet and a grade of two percent. The proposed project will not change the width or the grade of the right of way. 2013 Comprehensive Plan The installation of guardrails along this section of Glacier Highway will increase safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, and shows compliance with the 2013 Comprehensive Plan. POLICY 8.8 TO RESPOND TO THE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF EACH SUBAREA OF THE CBJ AND TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO A BOROUGH WIDE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD SEEK TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF FOSSIL FUELS BY FACILITATING EFFICIENT ROUTES OF TRAVEL, CONVENIENT AND RAPID TRANSIT, AND SAFE MOTORIZED AND NON MOTORIZED TRAVELWAYS. Auke Bay and Out the Road is identified as one subarea in the Comprehensive Plan. The project will improve safety by providing a barrier between the traveled right of way and the unrecoverable slope for motorized and non motorized travelers. Non Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) The NMTP was adopted in 2009 and serves as a guide for the development of a communitywide bicycle and walking network. The NMTP offers no specific recommendations for this portion of Glacier Highway. The plan does emphasize pedestrian and bicycle safety across the Borough. Chapter 6 recommends minimum travel ways widths of 12 feet and minimum paved shoulder widths of six feet. These widths are ideal for slowing vehicular traffic and providing a safe distance for pedestrians and cyclists. The project area meets the minimum standards recommended in the NMTP and the installation of the guardrails only improves safety for all travelers. Area Wide Transportation Plan (AWTP) The AWTP was written in 2001 and recommends roadway and bicycle/pedestrian improvements for the entire Borough, including the Out the Road area.
Planning Commission File No.: CSP2016 0001 February 11, 2016 Page 5 of 6 Auke Bay/Glacier Highway Priority Solution List #62 Glacier Highway: Tee Harbor to Echo Cove Improvements Widen Glacier Highway travel lanes and provide a pedestrian and bicycle pathway, or shoulder lane, from Tee Harbor to the end of the road. Since 2001, this portion of Glacier Highway has been reconstructed and repaved (CSP2004 0006). The project included widening the travel ways from 11 feet to 12 feet, and the construction of 6 foot wide paved shoulders. There is no specific mention in the AWTP of the need for guardrails along steep slopes. However, the intent of the AWTP to improve safety standards for all travelers is upheld with this project. HABITAT Approximately 150 feet of Shrine Creek, a mapped anadromous waterbody, runs under the right of way. This portion of the creek was culverted when Glacier Highway was first constructed. CBJ 49.70.950 (f) exempts culverts and similar public structures from the 50 foot stream side setback requirement. CBJ49.70.950 (f) All structures and foundations located adjacent to streams or lakes listed in Table VI 2 of Appendix C of the Juneau Coastal Management Plan, shall have a 50 feet setback from each side of the stream or lake measured from the ordinary high water mark, where feasible and prudent; provided, docks, bridges, culverts and public structures whose purpose is access to or across the stream or lake are not subject to this policy. FINDINGS Staff finds the proposed Glacier Highway safety improvements to be consistent with CBJ adopted plans and that the project will improve vehicular safety conditions. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission find CSP2016 0001 to be consistent with adopted local plans and polices, as required by CBJ 49.15.580 and AS 35.30.010 and approve CSP2016 0001 to allow for the installation of 3,060 feet of guardrail along Glacier Highway, beginning at mile point 21.177 and terminating at mile point 21.757. CBJ 49.15.580 (b) State project review: The commission shall review proposed Alaska State capital improvement projects for consistency with this title pursuant to AS 35.30.010 and may impose conditions on and modifications to such projects. If the commission approves or approves with conditions or modifications, a notice of decision shall be issued. A notice of decision becomes final 90 days from the date the project was submitted unless modified or disapproved by the assembly. If the commission disapproves, a notice of recommendation and
Planning Commission File No.: CSP2016 0001 February 11, 2016 Page 6 of 6 draft resolution shall be forwarded to the assembly for further action. Staff further recommends that two advisory conditions be placed on the finding of consistency in order to provide all possible notice to the applicant and the project contractor that a construction noise permit will be required for heavy equipment work during night time hours as provided by CBJ 42.20.095(b) and that notice of any street closure must be provided to both Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire and Rescue. Advisory Conditions: 1. CBJ 42.20.095(b) Construction of buildings and projects. It is unlawful to operate any pile driver, power shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, power hoist, or similar heavy construction equipment, before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or before 9:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, unless a permit shall first be obtained from the City and Borough of Juneau Building Official. Such permit shall be issued by the Building Official only upon a determination that such operation during hours not otherwise permitted under this section is necessary and will not result in unreasonable disturbance to surrounding residents. 2. At least three business days prior to any traffic revision or road closure of any public street or portion thereof, the contractor shall provide written notification of the traffic revision plan to the CBJ Fire Marshal and Chief of Police. Failure to provide such notice may result in suspension of any CBJ issued permits for such work, and is punishable by a fine as an unlawful street closure under CBJ 72.17.010.
Attachment B
Map courtesy of AK DOT/PF PROPOSAL: Consistency review for the installation of W-beam guardrail along the water side of Glacier Highway beginning at mile point 21.17 and terminating at mile point 21.75. File No: CSP2016 0001 Applicant: State of Alaska DOT/PF To: Neighborhood Associations Property PCN: N/A Hearing Date: February 23, 2016 Owner: State of Alaska DOT/PF Hearing Time: 7:00 PM 0.58 Miles Place: Assembly Chambers Municipal Building Size: Roadway Classification: Site Address: Minor Arterial Mile point 21.17 21.75 155 South Seward Street Accessed Via: Glacier Highway Juneau, Alaska 99801 PROPERTY OWNERS PLEASE NOTE: You are invited to attend this Public Hearing and present oral testimony. The Planning Commission will also consider written testimony. You are encouraged to submit written material to the Community Development Department 14 days prior to the Public Hearing. Materials received by this deadline are included in the information packet given to the Planning Commission a week before the Public Hearing. Written material received after the deadline will be provided to the Planning Commission at the Public Hearing. If you have questions, please contact Allison Eddins at Allison.eddins@juneau.org or at 586-0758. Planning Commission Agendas, Staff Reports and Meeting Results can be viewed at http://www.juneau.org/assembly/novus.php Attachment C Date notice was printed: January 22, 2016