D R A F T TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR. DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT EXPANSION Nevada County, CA. Prepared For:

Transcription

1 D R A F T TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT EXPANSION Nevada County, CA Prepared For: ASIAN PACIFIC GROUP Van Karman Avenue, Suite 500 Irvine, CA Prepared By: KD Anderson & Associates, Inc Taylor Road, Suite G Loomis, California (916) December 3, Dark Horse Golf Resort.rpt Transportation Engineers

2 DRAFT TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT EXPANSION TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 1 Study Purpose and Objectives... 1 Project Description... 1 EXISTING SETTING... 5 Study Area Roadways... 5 Study Area Intersections... 6 Level of Service Analysis... 7 Existing Levels of Service at Intersections... 9 Collision History Non-Automobile Transportation PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS Trip Generation Trip Distribution Trip Assignment PROJECT IMPACTS Standards of Significance Existing Plus Project Conditions EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS (EPAP) IMPACTS Background Assumptions Existing Plus Approved Projects Traffic Conditions EPAP Plus Project Traffic Conditions FUTURE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Background Information Cumulative Background Traffic Conditions Cumulative Plus Project Conditions FINDINGS / MITIGATIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS Existing Conditions - Recommendations Existing Plus Project Conditions Existing Plus Approved Projects Conditions EPAP Plus Project Conditions Long Term Cumulative Conditions Cumulative Plus Project Conditions REFERENCES APPENDIX... 44

3 DRAFT TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT EXPANSION Nevada County, CA INTRODUCTION Study Purpose and Objectives This study evaluates the traffic impacts associated with development of the Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion project. The report which follows adheres to Nevada County and Caltrans traffic study guidelines to produce an analysis that will quantify the traffic contribution of the project, identify potential impacts based on adopted significance criteria and introduce mitigation measures needed to reduce identified impacts to a less than significant level. Based on agency guidelines this study addresses the following scenarios: 1. Existing Traffic Conditions; 2. Existing Plus Proposed Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Project; 3. Existing Plus other Approved Projects (EPAP) Conditions; 4. EPAP Plus Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Project; 5. Long Term Cumulative Traffic Conditions without the project; and 6. Long Term Cumulative Traffic Conditions with Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Project. The objective of this study is to provide a technical analysis to support the project s environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by identifying those roads and street intersections that may be impacted by development of this project and suggesting strategies for mitigating the impacts of this project. Project Description The Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion project will provide additional amenities and lodging / residences at this existing facility in the Lake of the Pines area of Nevada County. The Dark Horse Golf Course is generally located south of the Lake of the Pines community with access from Darkhorse Drive, as noted in Figure 1 (Vicinity map). Land Use. The project consists of the following elements: 14 single family residences 64 duplex residential units 8,000 sf clubhouse addition Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 1 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

4 The location of project elements is noted in Figure 2 (site plan). As indicated, the clubhouse expansion will occur near the existing golf course facility. Residences will be located at various locations along Darkhorse Drive. Access. Those roads currently used to reach the Dark Horse Golf Course will continue to provide access to the proposed project. SR 49 will provide regional access, while Combie Road links the Lake of the Pines area with SR 49. Darkhorse Drive extends east from Combie Road to the entrance to Dark Horse Golf Course and continues to Magnolia Road. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 2 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

5 PROJECT LOCATION KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 VICINITY MAP figure 1

6 KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 SITE PLAN figure 2

7 EXISTING SETTING This study addresses traffic conditions on the state highways and Nevada County roads that will be used to access the site. The limits of the study area were identified through discussions with Nevada County Public Works staff based on initial consideration of the amount and nature of project traffic. The text that follows describes the facilities included in this analysis. Study Area Roadways State Route 49 (SR 49). SR 49 is a primary arterial route that provides north-south access through the Sierra foothills in general and Nevada County in particular. For Lake of the Pines area residents SR 49 provides the primary access between I-80 in Auburn to the Grass Valley / Nevada City areas to the north. SR 49 is generally a four-lane conventional highway in the project vicinity. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. The most current information regarding traffic volumes on SR 49 is published annually by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans reports that the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) volume on SR 49 south of Combie Road was 29,000 vehicles per day (vpd) in the area south of Combie Road and 21,200 AADT north of the Combie Road intersection. Trucks are reported to comprise 5% of the daily traffic on SR 49 in this area. Combie Road. Combie Road is a Major Collector road that extends from SR 49 easterly to an intersection with magnolia Road near the entrance to Lake of the Pines. From that point Combie Road turns south and follows the western boundary of Lake of the Pines to the Dark Horse Golf Course. Combie Road continues as Darkhorse Drive from that point northeasterly around Lake of the Pines before intersecting Magnolia Road via Tetherford Road. Important land uses adjoining Combie Road include retail commercial businesses in the area just east of SR 49 and Forest Lake School along the south leg of Combie Road. The physical condition of Combie Road varies along its length. In the area immediately east of SR 49, Combie Road is a three lane arterial street (i.e., two lanes westbound and one through lane eastbound) with auxiliary turn lanes at intersections. The configuration changes roughly half way to the Magnolia Road intersection, and two eastbound and one westbound lane are provided from Armstrong Road to Magnolia Road. Combie Road is a two lane rural road as it turns south from Magnolia Road to Darkhorse Drive. The posted speed limit on Combie Road is 40 mph south of Magnolia Road. Recent daily traffic volume counts conducted by Nevada County in 2014 indicate that Combie Road carried 15,943 vpd in the area just east of SR 49, with 15,868 reported west of the Magnolia Road intersection. The volume is lower south of Magnolia Road, with 5,915 vpd reported just south of the intersection and 2,711 counted south of the commercial district. A new traffic count conducted for this study in 2015 indicated that the daily volume was 835 vpd in the south area of Combie Road west of Peninsula Drive. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 5 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

8 Magnolia Road. Magnolia Road is a Major Collector roadway that extends east from its intersection with Combie Road beyond Lake of the Pines to an intersection on Dog Bar Road in rural Nevada County. In the immediate Lake of the Pines area Magnolia Road is a two lane road with auxiliary turn lanes at intersections. The posted speed limit on Magnolia Road is 35 mph, but there is a 25 mph school zone in the vicinity of local schools. Recent daily traffic counts by Nevada County in 2014 placed the volume on Magnolia Road at 14,237 just east of Combie Road. The volume drops to 6,938 east of the Lakeshore Drive access to Lake of the Pines, and 1,310 west of the Dog Bar Road intersection. As suggested earlier, Bear River High School and Magnolia Middle School are located on the north side of Magnolia Road east of Combie Road. Darkhorse Drive. Darkhorse Drive is a local road that continues the Combie Road route along the south and east side of Lake of the Pines. In the area of the project Darkhorse Drive is a two lane rural roadway. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. The daily traffic volume on Darkhorse Drive west of the entrance to Dark Horse Golf Course would be similar to that reported for the southern end of Combie Road (i.e., 835 vpd). The volume east of the golf course was counted in 2015 west of Austin Forest Circle at 135 vpd. Dark Horse Golf Course Entrance. The entrance to Dark Horse Golf Course is located on Darkhorse Drive between Peninsula Drive and Austin Forest Circle. The entrance is a private two lane divided road. The daily traffic volume counted on the entrance totaled 223 vpd on October 8, Study Area Intersections The quality of traffic flow is often governed by the operation of major intersections. For this study five intersections along the routes serving this site were identified for evaluation. The study locations include: The SR 49 / Combie Road / Wolf Road intersection is a major crossroads for motorists traveling between Auburn and Grass Valley along SR 49. This intersection is a four-way signalized intersection. SR 49 consists of two through lanes in each direction plus separate left and right turn lanes. The three-lane eastbound Wolf Road approach provides separate left, through and right turn lanes. The four-lane westbound Combie Road approach has two left turn lanes plus short through and right turn lanes. Crosswalks are striped across the north, east and west legs of the intersection. The Combie Road / CVS Pharmacy Access intersection is a driveway access between SR 49 and Higgins Road providing access into the Higgins Center retail commercial area. The Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 6 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

9 driveway access is a three-way intersection with stop control along the minor leg. The eastbound Combie Road approach is a single through+right lane. The westbound approach consists of two through lanes. The driveway is limited to right-turns-only by a pork chop island in the driveway and a raised median in the centerline of Combie Road. No pedestrian crossings are striped at this intersection. The Combie Road / Higgins Road intersection is a tee intersection controlled by a stop sign on the northbound Higgins Road approach, although a minor private driveway to a residential property creates a fourth leg. The eastbound Combie Road approach consists of a left turn lane serving the adjoining fire station and a through-right lane that includes a widened approach taper. The three-lane westbound approach includes a left turn lane, a through lane and a through-right lane. The two-lane northbound Higgins Road approach includes a single lane providing leftthrough access to the intersection and a short right turn lane for traffic headed east. The driveway on the north side of the intersection is allowed full access. The Combie Road / Magnolia Road / Hacienda Drive intersection is controlled by a traffic signal. The three-lane eastbound Combie Road approach features separate left turn, through and right turn lanes. The two-lane westbound Magnolia Road approach has a separate left turn lane. The two-lane northbound Combie Road approach has a combined left+through lane and a separate right turn lane. The southbound Hacienda Drive approach to the intersection is a single lane. Crosswalks are striped across the north and east legs of the intersection. The Magnolia Road / Lakeshore Drive intersection is a tee controlled by a traffic signal. The two-lane eastbound Magnolia Road approach has a separate right turn lane, while the westbound approach has a separate left turn lane. The two-lane northbound Lakeshore Drive approach is configured as separate left turn and right turn lanes. Crosswalks are striped across the eastern leg of the intersection. The Darkhorse Drive / Dark Horse Golf Course Entrance intersection is a tee controlled by a stop sign on the exit from the golf course. There are no auxiliary lanes at this intersection. Level of Service Analysis Methodology Intersection Analysis. Level of Service Analysis has been employed to provide a basis for describing existing traffic conditions and for evaluating the significance of project traffic impacts. Level of Service measures the quality of traffic flow and is represented by letter designations from "A" to "F", with a grade of "A" referring to the best conditions, and "F" representing the worst conditions. Table 1 presents typical Level of Service characteristics. Local agencies and Caltrans adopt minimum Level of Service standards for their facilities. Nevada County identifies LOS "D" as the acceptable Level of Service in Community Regions. LOS "D" is also the acceptable standard on Caltrans facilities in this area. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 7 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

10 A recent traffic operational analysis conducted along Combie Road for Nevada County identified the preferred methodology for evaluating Level of Service. 1 Intersection operations were analyzed using the Synchro/SimTraffic traffic analysis software. Simulation analysis was applied due to the closely-spaced intersections at either end of the study corridor. Unlike the isolated analysis procedures from the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) (Transportation Research Board, 2010), simulation analysis can account for queue delays caused by through lanes blocking turn pockets, turn pocket queues blocking through lanes, and downstream queues extending into an upstream intersection. Simulation also better models the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians at crosswalks, right-turn-on-red capacity, and lane utilization. TABLE 1 LEVEL OF SERVICE DEFINITIONS Level of Service Signalized Intersection Unsignalized Intersection Roadway (Daily) "A" Uncongested operations, all queues Little or no delay. Completely free flow. clear in a single-signal cycle. Delay < 10 sec/veh Delay < 10.0 sec "B" "C" "D" "E" Uncongested operations, all queues clear in a single cycle. Delay > 10.0 sec and < 20.0 sec Light congestion, occasional backups on critical approaches. Delay > 20.0 sec and < 35.0 sec Short traffic delays. Delay > 10 sec/veh and < 15 sec/veh Average traffic delays. Delay > 15 sec/veh and < 25 sec/veh Significant congestion of critical Long traffic delays. approaches but intersection Delay > 25 sec/veh and functional. Cars required to wait < 35 sec/veh through more than one cycle during short peaks. No long queues formed. Delay > 35.0 sec and < 55.0 sec Severe congestion with some long Very long traffic delays, failure, standing queues on critical extreme congestion. approaches. Blockage of intersection Delay > 35 sec/veh and may occur if traffic signal does not < 50 sec/veh provide for protected turning movements. Traffic queue may block nearby intersection(s) upstream of critical approach(es). Delay > 55.0 sec and < 80.0 sec "F" Total breakdown, stop-and-go operation. Delay > 80.0 sec Intersection blocked by external causes. Delay > 50 sec/veh Sources: 2000 Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board (TRB) Special Report 209. Free flow, presence of other vehicles noticeable. Ability to maneuver and select operating speed affected. Unstable flow, speeds and ability to maneuver restricted. At or near capacity, flow quite unstable. Forced flow, breakdown. 1 Combie Road Corridor Traffic Analysis, Fehr& Peers, June 23, 2015 Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 8 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

11 Roadway Segment Analysis Based on Daily Traffic Volume Thresholds. The Nevada County General Plan presents the Level of Service criteria for roadway segments based on daily traffic volume. These thresholds make use of roadway classifications and are shown in Table 2. The volumes along the Caltrans facilities, i.e. SR 49, (rural 2-lane highway, freeway and principal arterial) are different than that identified in the Nevada County General Plan. Previous discussions with Caltrans District 3 staff have indicated that the volume thresholds identified by the County are too high for freeways and principal arterials (i.e. SR 49 south of Combie Road), and too low for rural highways (i.e. SR 49 north of Combie Road). The volume thresholds were determined based on capacity and speed relationships for those types of facilities. Alternatively, based on consideration of current methodologies these thresholds are judged to be overly conservative in urban areas, and general thresholds based on Exhibit from the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual have been employed to assess conditions on the two-lane portions of area streets (i.e., Magnolia Road). Facility Type 1 Functional Class 3 Minor Arterial 2010 HCM TABLE 2 DAILY PLANNING SERVICE VOLUME CRITERIA BASED ON GENERAL PLAN Lanes Area Type 2 LOS A LOS B LOS C LOS D LOS E MU-S R MU-S R MU-S R 9,300 6,600 13,950 9,900 18,600 13,200 10,850 7,700 16,275 11,550 21,700 15,400 12,400 8,800 18,600 13,200 24,800 17,600 13,950 9,900 20,925 14,850 27,900 19,800 15,500 11,000 23,250 16,500 31,000 22,00 Urban Street 2 30 mph - - 5,400 14,100 18,300 5 Minor Collector 45 mph - - 9,400 17,100 18,300 2 All 5,700 6,650 7,600 8,550 9, Facility type (1-6) may not always directly coincide with functional classification of individual road segments. MU = Mixed Urban area type, S = Suburban area type, R = Rural area type Existing Levels of Service at Intersections Traffic Volumes. Weekday a.m. and p.m. peak hour intersection turning movement volumes collected in April 2015 for the Combie Road Corridor Analysis were used as the basis for existing conditions at intersections on Combie Road. Traffic volumes at the golf course access intersection on Darkhorse Drive were collected in October These volumes are presented in Figure 3, which also notes the geometric layout of each intersection. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 9 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

12 4 5 Legend XX AM Peak Hour Volume (XX) PM Peak Hour Volume R1-1 Stop Sign Signalized Intersection N.T.S. 6 (0) 0 (18) 0 3 PROJECT SITE (0) 9 (10) R1-1 Darkhorse Dr (2) 14 (14) 2 Combie Rd / Higgins Rd (41) 35 (619) 460 (187) 71 Combie Rd Hacienda Dr / Magnolia Rd Magnolia Rd (301) 453 (447) 79 Lakeshore N R (236) 76 (52) 227 (63) 409 (224) Combie Rd / Higgins Village Drwy (755) 544 (22) (15) 697 (398) 53 (47) Magnolia Rd Combie Rd R1-1 Combie Rd (489) 461 (998) 41 (121) (689) 494 (159) 90 Combie Rd 20 (101) 104 (126) KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Combie Rd 63 (88) 198 (489) 461 (998) 41 (121) SR 49 / Wolf Rd - Combie Rd 652 (507) 110 (112) 756 (633) Higgins Village Drwy Combie Rd 4 Higgins Rd SR (262) 61 (109) 439 (262) Wolf Rd (20) 15 (94) 115 (170) (23) 16 (8) 3 (44) 16 (265) 271 (785) 823 (27) 27 1 Hacienda Dr Darkhorse Dr / Access Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore N EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LANE CONFIGURATIONS Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 figure 3

13 Intersection Levels of Service. Table 3 summarizes current weekday a.m. and p.m. peak hour Levels of Service at the study area intersections. As indicated, at five locations the Level of Service in both a.m. and p.m. peak hours is within the LOS D threshold and is considered to be adequate under Nevada County guidelines. However, at the Combie Road / Higgins Road intersection motorists waiting to turn left onto Combie Road experience delays that are indicative of LOS F, which exceeds the minimum LOS D standard. The extent to which traffic volumes at the Combie Road / Higgins Road intersection might already justify a traffic signal was determined based on Warrant 3 (peak hour volume) of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Current volumes satisfy the peak hour signal warrant under both a.m. and p.m. peak hour conditions. However, satisfying any or all warrants does not in itself require the installation of a traffic signal. Warrants provide an indication that further investigation is required. Nevada County staff report that a traffic signal is planned for installation at this location in 2017 or Location TABLE 3 EXISTING PEAK HOUR LEVELS OF SERVICE AT INTERSECTIONS Control AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Meets Traffic Average Delay Average Delay Signal LOS (seconds) LOS (seconds) Warrants? 1. SR 49 / Combie Rd Signal C 22.2 C 28.3 n.a. 2. Combie Rd / CVS Access avg. delay NB right turn 3. Combie Rd / Higgins Rd avg. delay NB left turn NB right turn WB left turn NB Stop NB / SB Stop A A A F A A A B B F E B Combie Rd /Magnolia Rd Signal B 11.8 B 14.7 n.a. 5. Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore Dr Signal B 13.4 A 8.0 n.a. 6. Darkhorse Dr / Golf Course SB Stop BOLD values exceed the minimum LOS D standard (*) signal planned for 2017 to 2018 No Yes* Peak Period Queues. The length of traffic queues at signaled intersections has also been identified to determine whether stacking extends beyond the limits of the storage in available turn lanes. As noted in Table 4, during the p.m. peak hour the 95 th percentile queues on westbound Combie Road approaching SR 49 exceed the available storage. At the same time, the queue in the eastbound left turn lane approaching the Combie Road / Magnolia Road intersection exceeds the available storage. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 11 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

14 TABLE 4 EXISTING PEAK HOUR QUEUES AT INTERSECTIONS Intersection Approach Lane Storage (feet) Existing 95 th Percentile Volume Queue SR 49 / Combie Road Southbound Left turn Westbound Left turn 230 (2) Through Right turn Combie Road / Higgins Road Westbound Left turn Combie Road / Magnolia Road Eastbound Left turn Highlighted queues exceed storage Westbound Left turn Existing Levels of Service based on Daily Traffic Volumes. Table 5 summarizes Levels of Service for study area roads based on the current daily traffic volumes. Applicable Level of Service thresholds at LOS D based on applicable roadway classifications are presented. As shown, under these criteria the existing Level of Service satisfies the minimum LOS D standard on most study area roads. However, the two lane segment of Magnolia Road between Combie Road and Lakeshore Drive carries a volume that is indicative of LOS E based on daily thresholds. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 12 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

15 TABLE 5 EXISTING ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVELS OF SERVICE Roadway Location Facility Classification (Functional classification) Combie Road SR 49 to Higgins Road Major Collector (Minor Arterial) Higgins Road to Magnolia Road Magnolia Road to Commercial Access Commercial Access to Table Meadow Road Table Meadow Road to Darkhorse Drive Major Collector (Minor Arterial) Major Collector (Minor Collector) Major Collector (Minor Collector) Major Collector (Minor Collector) Darkhorse Drive Dark Horse Entrance to Austin Forest Circle Major Collector (Minor Collector) Magnolia Road Combie Road to Lakeshore Drive Urban Street (30 mph) Standard Existing Conditions Max Daily Daily Lanes LOS Volume Volume LOS 3 D 20,925 15,943 B 3 D 20,925 15,868 B 2 D 8,550 5,915 B 2 D 8,550 1,979 A 2 D 8, A 2 D 8, A 2 D 14,100 14,237 E Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 13 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

16 Collision History Nevada County maintains record of collisions on county roads as a guide to identifying needed improvements and for determining high accident frequency locations that might be exacerbated by the additional traffic accompanying development proposals. Table 6 identifies the location of reported collisions for the period from January 1, 2011 to October It is important to note that the data for each segment overlaps at the Combie Road / Magnolia Road intersection, and the collisions reported at that intersection appear on all three segments. The relative frequency of collisions can be compared on different roads based on the rate at which collisions occur per million annual vehicles miles of travel. Thus, the high volume section of Combie Road between SR 49 and Magnolia Road can experience more total collisions than other segments but have a lower accident frequency rate. Many of the collisions reported in this area occurred at intersections. Seven collisions were reported in the SR 49 / Combie Road / Wolf Road intersection and five occurred at the retail access onto Combie Road south of Magnolia Road. Injuries occurred more often at the high speed SR 49 / Combie Road intersection. Road Location TABLE 6 COLLISION HISTORY Collisions (1/1/2011 to 10/21/2015) All Injury Fatality Rate per MVM Combie Road SR 49 to Magnolia Road Magnolia Road to Timber Ridge Drive Timber Ridge Drive to Darkhorse Drive Magnolia Road Combie Road to Lakeshore Drive SR 49 / Combie Road / Wolf Road Combie Road / Higgins Road Combie Road / Magnolia Road / Hacienda Drive Magnolia Road / Lakeshore Combie Road / Retail Access Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 14 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

17 Non-Automotive Facilities Transit System. Nevada County s public transit system includes a fixed-route bus service provided by the Gold Country Stage transit service. One route, Gold Country Stage Route 5 provides service to the Lake of the Pines area. This route includes service to Nevada City, Grass Valley and the Auburn multi-modal center at the Amtrak train station. This service runs at approximately two-hour headways. A Gold Country Stage transit stop and shelter are located on northbound Higgins Road 200 feet south of Combie Road. Another stop, without a shelter, is located on northbound Combie Road 400 feet south of Hacienda Drive/Magnolia Road. Dial-a-ride is available in the County and provides service to the elderly, handicapped and disabled riders on a demand service. Gold County Tableware transports elderly, handicapped and disabled riders to shopping and medical appointments. Bicycle and Pedestrian System. According to the Nevada County General Plan Update Draft Environmental Impact Report, bicycling and walking have not been widely used as transportation modes in Nevada County with the exception of students commuting to school and recreational trips (Nevada County, 1994). Limited walking and bicycling activity on dedicated facilities are available in the project area and no existing bikeway or pedestrian facilities were identified within the immediate area of the proposed project. The Combie Road Corridor Traffic Analysis noted that pedestrian infrastructure along the Combie Road corridor is intermittent. Crosswalks are provided at SR 49 and connect to a pedestrian path to the Higgins Village shopping center, but sidewalks are generally not provided between the western intersections. For the eastern intersections, a path leads from the high school to Magnolia Road / Lakeshore Drive intersection and continues as a sidewalk along the north side of Magnolia Road to the Hacienda Drive/Magnolia Road/Combie Road intersection. Crosswalks are provided along the north and east sides of the Hacienda Drive / Magnolia Road / Combie Road intersection and along the east side of the Lakeshore/Magnolia Road intersection. Sidewalks are provided along the south side of Combie Road at the Hacienda Drive intersection but they are not connected to crosswalks, and the sidewalk along eastbound Combie Road ends 80 feet west of the intersection. Pedestrians were observed walking along the shoulders of northbound and westbound Combie Road. Overall, less than 10 pedestrians (both students and non-students) were observed during both peak periods. Bicycle infrastructure is similarly intermittent. Bicycles may use the path from the high school to Lakeshore Drive, and paved shoulders provide access along westbound Magnolia and Combie Roads and southbound Combie Road, but shoulders along other roadway sections are frequently unpaved. SR 49 also has paved shoulders, but traffic volumes and speeds along this road are high. Only one bicyclist was observed during both periods for the Combie Road Corridor Traffic Analysis. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 15 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

18 PROJECT CHARACTERISTSCS The development of this project will attract additional traffic to the project site. The amount of additional traffic on a particular section of the street network is dependent upon two factors: Trip Generation, the number of new trips generated by the project, and Trip Distribution and Assignment, the specific routes that the new traffic takes. The trip generation and distribution assumptions made for the project employ a worst case approach that assumes travel in accordance with the typical travel patterns generated by residences in the southern Nevada County area. While it is acknowledged that some project occupants may be vacationers who remain on site and generate fewer trips a worse case approach assumes that no restrictions on ownership are made. Trip Generation Trip generation is typically determined by identifying the type and size of land use being developed and applying recognized sources of trip generation data to calculate the total number of trip ends. The trip generation estimate for the project was computed using trip generation rates published in Trip Generation (Institute of Transportation Engineers, 9th Edition, 2012). Table 7 identifies rates for single family residences and for duplex residential units. No trip generation rates are available for a standalone golf course club house, as this use is typically part of the overall trip generation forecasts for a golf course. Review of available rates suggests Recreation Community Center is the use that best approximates the characteristics of that element of the proposed project. Table 8 summarizes the trip generation estimates for the project. As indicated, it is estimated that the project will generate 776 daily trips with 48 trips occurring in the weekday a.m. peak hour and 69 trips generated in the p.m. peak hour. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 16 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

19 ITE code Description Unit Daily TABLE 7 TRIP GENERATION RATES Trip Generation Rates per Unit AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Saturday Peak Hour In Out Total In Out Total In Out Total 210 Single Family Residential du % 75% % 37% % 46% Duplex du % 83% % 33% % 46% Recreational Community Center ksf % 34% % 51% % 46% 1.07 ITE code Description Quantity TABLE 8 PROJECT TRIP GENERATION FORECAST Daily Trip Generation Rates AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Saturday Peak Hour In Out Total In Out Total In Out Total 210 Single Family Residential 14 du Duplex 64 du Recreational Community Center 8.0 ksf Total Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 17 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

20 Trip Distribution The distribution of project traffic was determined based on review of existing traffic patterns at study intersections. Project trips are expected to be oriented generally west along Combie Road, and then north and south on SR 49. Table 9 provides the projected trip distribution for the project for the peak periods. Route TABLE 9 PROJECT TRIP DISTRIBUTION % of Total Trips Daily AM Peak PM Peak South on SR % North on SR % West on Wolf Road 5% North on Hacienda Drive 2.5% East on Magnolia Road 2.5% East on Combie Road 2.5% South on Lakeshore 2.5% Commercial near area Combie Road - Magnolia Road intersection 12.5% Commercial near SR 49 / Combie Road intersection 5% Total 100% Trip Assignment Trips generated by the project were assigned to the local area street system based on the regional distribution assumptions noted earlier, and the results are shown in Figure 4. This traffic was then added to existing peak hour volumes, and Figure 5 displays the Existing Plus Project generated traffic anticipated for each study intersection in both a.m. and p.m. peak hours. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 18 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

21 4 5 Legend XX AM Peak Hour Volume (XX) PM Peak Hour Volume R1-1 Stop Sign Signalized Intersection N.T.S. 6 (1) 1 (26) 30 3 PROJECT SITE (1) 0 (0) R1-1 Darkhorse Dr (41) 17 (0) 0 Darkhorse Dr / Access Combie Rd / Higgins Rd Combie Rd Hacienda Dr / Magnolia Rd 1 (1) 0 (0) Magnolia Rd (1) 1 (1) 1 Lakeshore N Hacienda Dr (0) 0 (0) 0 (33) 13 Magnolia Rd Combie Rd (0) 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (2) 0 (0) 0 (1) Combie Rd / Higgins Village Drwy (31) 13 Higgins Rd R1-1 Combie Rd 5 2 (1) 1 (1) 24 (21) (30) 12 (0) 0 Combie Rd 0 (1) 0 (0) KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Combie Rd 1 (1) 6 (15) 0 (0) 0 (0) SR 49 / Wolf Rd - Combie Rd 22 (20) 2 (1) 22 (20) Higgins Village Drwy Combie Rd 4 (0) 0 (1) 0 (0) 0 (14) 6 (0) 0 (0) 0 10 (9) 2 (1) 11 (9) Wolf Rd (0) 0 (2) 1 (0) SR 49 1 Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore N PROJECT ONLY TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LANE CONFIGURATIONS Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 figure 4

22 4 5 Legend XX AM Peak Hour Volume (XX) PM Peak Hour Volume Stop Sign R1-1 Signalized Intersection N.T.S. 6 (1) 1 (44) 30 3 PROJECT SITE (1) 9 (10) R1-1 Darkhorse Dr (43) 31 (14) 2 Darkhorse Dr / Access Combie Rd / Higgins Rd R1-1 (41) 35 (619) 460 (220) 84 Hacienda Dr Combie Rd Hacienda Dr / Magnolia Rd Magnolia Rd (302) 454 (448) 80 Lakeshore N (787) 557 (22) 13 Magnolia Rd 369 (237) 76 (52) 227 (63) 409 (225) Combie Rd / Higgins Village Drwy 27 (15) 697 (398) 54 (49) Combie Rd Combie Rd R (107) 8 (6) 97 (173) (719) 506 (159) 90 Combie Rd 20 (102) 104 (126) KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Combie Rd 64 (89) 204 (504) 461 (998) 41 (121) SR 49 / Wolf Rd - Combie Rd 674 (527) 112 (113) 778 (653) Higgins Village Drwy Combie Rd 4 Higgins Rd SR (271) 63 (110) 450 (271) Wolf Rd (20) 15 (96) 116 (170) (23) 16 (9) 3 (44) 16 (279) 277 (785) 823 (27) 27 1 Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore N EXISTING PLUS PROJECT TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LANE CONFIGURATIONS Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 figure 5

23 PROJECT IMPACTS Standards of Significance Based on Nevada County Traffic Impact Study guidelines a project would have a significant traffic impact if: It causes an intersection or roadway segment that is currently operating acceptably (i.e., LOS D or better) to deteriorate to an unacceptable condition (i.e., LOS E or F), or It adds an appreciable amount of traffic to an intersection or roadway segment that is already operating at an un-acceptable level (i.e., LOS E or LOS F). Existing Plus Project Conditions The impacts of developing the project have been identified by superimposing project traffic onto Year 2015 background conditions. Resulting intersection Levels of Service were then calculated and used as the basis for evaluating potential project impacts. Intersection Levels of Service. Table 10 displays the a.m. and p.m. peak hour Levels of Service at each study intersection with and without the project. As indicated the addition of project traffic does not change the Level of Service at any location. The deficient conditions already experienced at the Combie Road / Higgins Road intersection will remain, and project traffic would increase the length of delays. However, as noted earlier, Nevada County plans to install a traffic signal at this intersection in As the Dark Horse project would contribute its fair share to the cost of this improvement by paying adopted traffic mitigation fees, the project s impact is not significant. Intersection Queues. Table 11 compares the 95 th percentile queues occurring at key locations with and without the proposed project. As shown, the same locations where 95 th percentile queues already exceed available storage will continue to do so with the proposed project. Roadway Segment Level of Service. Table 12 summarizes roadway segment Levels of Service based on General Plan thresholds. As indicated the addition of project trips will not result in any new location operating with a Level of Service that exceeds the LOS D minimum. The project could add a small amount of traffic to the short segment of Magnolia Road between the Combie Road and Lakeshore Drive intersection which today operates at LOS E. The project s contribution represents only 0.3% of the current volume, which would not be judged to be appreciable. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 21 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

24 Location Control TABLE 10 EXISTING PLUS PROJECT PEAK HOUR INTERSECTION LEVELS OF SERVICE AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Existing Existing Plus Project Existing Existing Plus Project Average Delay Average Delay Average Delay Average Delay LOS (seconds) LOS (sec/veh) LOS (seconds) LOS (sec/veh) Meets Traffic Signal Warrants? 1. SR 49 / Combie Rd Signal C 22.2 C 22.9 C 28.3 C 31.3 n.a. 2. Combie Rd / CVS Access avg. delay NB right turn 3. Combie Rd / Higgins Rd avg. delay NB left turn NB right turn WB left turn NB Stop NB / SB Stop C A A F A A Combie Rd /Magnolia Rd Signal B 11.8 B 12.5 B 14.7 B 15.1 n.a. 5. Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore Signal B 13.4 B 13.0 A 8.0 A 7.9 n.a. 6.Darkhorse Dr / Golf Course SB Stop - - A A 2.8 No Highlighted values exceed the minimum LOS D standard (*) Traffic signal planned for 2017 to 2018 A A A F A A A B B F E B A B C F E B No Yes* Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 22 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

25 Intersection Approach Lane TABLE 11 EXISTING PLUS PROJECT PM PEAK HOUR QUEUES Storage (feet) Volume Existing Queue Existing Plus Volume Project Total SR 49 / Combie Road Southbound Left turn Westbound Left turn 230 (2) Queue Through Right turn Combie Road / Higgins Road Westbound Left turn Combie Road / Magnolia Road Eastbound Left turn Highighted queue values exceed available storage Westbound Left turn Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 23 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

26 TABLE 12 EXISTING PLUS PROJECT ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVELS OF SERVICE Standard Existing Conditions Existing Plus Project Daily Volume Max Daily Daily Project Total Roadway Location Lanes LOS Volume Volume LOS Only LOS Combie Road SR 49 to Higgins Road 3 D 20,925 15,943 B ,505 C Higgins Road to Magnolia Road 3 D 20,925 15,868 B ,470 C Magnolia Road to Commercial Access 2 D 8,550 5,915 E 660 6,575 B Commercial Access to Table Meadow Road 2 D 8,550 1,979 A 758 2,737 A Table Meadow Road to Darkhorse Drive 2 D 8, A 758 1,593 A Darkhorse Drive Dark Horse Entrance to Austin Forest Circle 2 D 8, A A Magnolia Road Combie Road to Lakeshore Drive 2 D 14,100 14,237 E 38 14,275 E Highlighted values exceed the LOS D minimum Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 24 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

27 Impacts to Alternative Transportation Modes. The project may result in occasional pedestrians or bicyclists who could elect to use the local street system to reach destinations such as the commercial districts along Combie Road or for recreational purposes. As is the case today these persons would continue to share the roadway with vehicular traffic. Because both traffic volume and the number of pedestrians and bicyclist is low, the impact to these transportation modes is not significant. Due to its location, the project is unlikely to create an appreciable demand for public transit services, and the development of the project is unlikely to generate a demand for service that would justify changing existing transit routes. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 25 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

28 EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS (EPAP) IMPACTS Nevada County and Caltrans traffic study guidelines ask that project impacts be measured within the context of a short term future condition that assumes the immediate occupancy of approved projects. Background Assumptions Land Use. Nevada County staff identified development projects that could be considered to be approved for the purpose of this analysis. Table 13 lists those projects and the new trip generation estimates made for each project. As indicated, these projects could generate a total of 7,737 new daily trips with 359 trips occurring in the a.m. peak hour and 727 trips generated in the p.m. peak hour. TABLE 13 APPROVED PROJECTS Name Description Quantity Trip Generation Daily AM PM Rincon Del Oro Senior Residential 345 units Bear River Plaza Multi-Family Residential Retail Office 28 du 14 ksf 16 ksf Higgins Corner Retail Center 76 ksf 4, Cascade Crossing Single Family Residential 80 du s Total 7, Trips Assignment. The assignment of trips associated with approved projects was identified from the respective traffic study completed for each project. Not all of the trips would necessarily be added to the entire study area circulation system, and the trips associated with some approved projects such as Higgins Corner are concentrated in some locations (i.e., SR 49/ Combie Road intersection). Roadway Improvements. Some approved projects have been conditioned to install circulation system improvements in the study area. In this case, the traffic signal at Combie Road / Higgins Road will be installed. Existing Plus Approved Projects Traffic Conditions Traffic Volumes. Figure 6 presents the sum of existing traffic and trips generated by the identified approved projects. The figure also illustrates the configuration of study area intersections assuming installation of conditioned improvements. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 26 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

29 4 5 Legend XX AM Peak Hour Volume (XX) PM Peak Hour Volume Stop Sign R1-1 Signalized Intersection N.T.S. 6 (0) 0 (18) 0 3 PROJECT SITE (0) 13 (18) R1-1 Darkhorse Dr (2) 14 (22) 6 Darkhorse Dr / Access Combie Rd / Higgins Rd (62) 54 (690) 485 (253) 92 Hacienda Dr Combie Rd Hacienda Dr / Magnolia Rd Magnolia Rd (316) 466 (525) 108 Lakeshore N (799) 568 (146) 70 Magnolia Rd 377 (255) 76 (52) 227 (63) 448 (301) Combie Rd / Higgins Village Drwy 38 (26) 730 (472) 56 (58) Combie Rd Combie Rd R (113) 10 (8) 118 (205) (854) 574 (159) 90 Combie Rd 61 (222) 137 (208) KD Anderson & Associates, Inc. Combie Rd 64 (91) 208 (507) 484 (1065) 48 (147) SR 49 / Wolf Rd - Combie Rd 674 (513) 178 (262) 814 (733) Higgins Village Drwy Combie Rd 4 Higgins Rd SR (295) 65 (119) 482 (319) Wolf Rd (15) 13 (135) 134 (166) (39) 23 (13) 5 (74) 29 (364) 318 (787) 828 (24) 27 1 Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore N EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS (EPAP) TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LANE CONFIGURATIONS Transportation Engineers LT 12/3/2015 figure 6

30 Intersection Level of Service. Table 14 identifies peak hour Levels of Service at study area intersections assuming that the approved projects are fully completed. As shown, if no improvements are made most study intersections will operate with Levels of Service that satisfy the LOS D minimum. An exception to this conclusion is the Combie Road / CVS Driveway where northbound motorists would experience delays that are indicative of LOS F. The planned second eastbound through lane on Combie Road would be needed to improve the Level of Service at this location. Intersection Queues. If no improvements are made the 95 th percentile queues at the SR 49 / Combie Road intersection will become longer, as noted in Table 15. Roadway Segment Levels of Service. Table 16 identifies the daily traffic volumes anticipated on study area roads if approved projects are fully occupied, as well as the resulting Level of Service based on Nevada County General Plan standards. As shown, all roadways would operate at LOS D or better, with the exception of the portion of Magnolia Road between Combie Road and Lakeshore Drive which would operate at LOS F. The planned four lane roadway on Combie Road would be needed to achieve a Level of Service meeting the LOS D minimum. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 28 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

31 Location TABLE 14 EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS PLUS DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT PEAK HOUR INTERSECTION LEVELS OF SERVICE Control AM Peak Hour Existing plus Approved Projects EPAP Plus Project Average Average Delay Delay LOS (seconds) LOS (sec/veh) PM Peak Hour Existing Plus Approved Projects EPAP Plus Project Average Average Delay Delay LOS (seconds) LOS (sec/veh) Meets Traffic Signal Warrants? 1. SR 49 / Combie Rd Signal C 26.0 C 26.3 D 46.1 D 51.7 n.a. 2. Combie Rd / CVS Access avg. delay NB right turn NB Stop C A A A 3. Combie Rd / Higgins Rd Signal B 10.0 B 10.2 C 25.1 C 25.8 n/a 4. Combie Rd /Magnolia Rd Signal B 18.1 B 19.4 C 23.3 C 24.2 n.a. 5. Magnolia Rd / Lakeshore Signal B 18.2 B 18.8 B 9.8 A 9.8 n.a 6. Darkhorse Dr / Golf Course SB Stop - - A 2.7 A 2.5 A 2.7 No BOLD values exceed the minimum LOS D standard C F D F No Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 29 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

32 TABLE 15 EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS PM PEAK HOUR QUEUES Intersection Approach Lane Storage (feet) Existing Plus Approved Projects Volume Queue EPAP Plus Project Volume Project Total Queue SR 49 / Combie Road Southbound Left turn Westbound Left turn 230 (2) Through Right turn Combie Road / Higgins Road Westbound Left turn Combie Road / Magnolia Road Eastbound Left turn Highighted queue values exceed available storage Westbound Left turn Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 30 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

33 TABLE 16 EXISTING PLUS APPROVED PROJECTS PLUS DARK HORSE GOLF RESORT EXPANSION ROADWAY SEGMENT LEVELS OF SERVICE Standard Existing Plus Approved Projects Conditions EPAP Plus Project Daily Volume Max Daily Daily Project Roadway Location Lanes LOS Volume Volume LOS Only Total LOS Combie Road SR 49 to Higgins Road 3 D 20,925 18,480 B ,042 D Higgins Road to Magnolia Road 3 D 20,925 19,200 B ,802 D Magnolia Road to Commercial Access 2 D 8,550 7,380 E 660 8,040 D Commercial Access to Table Meadow Road 2 D 8,550 2,870 A 758 3,628 A Table Meadow Road to Darkhorse Drive 2 D 8,550 1,000 A 758 1,758 A Darkhorse Drive Dark Horse Entrance to Austin Forest Circle 2 D 8, A A Magnolia Road Combie Road to Lakeshore Drive 2 D 14,100 16,260 E 38 16,298 E Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 31 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)

34 Existing Plus Approved Projects (EPAP) Plus Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Traffic Conditions The relative impacts of the Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion project were identified by superimposing previously identified project trips onto the EPAP background condition. Traffic Volumes. Figure 7 presents the sum of EPAP traffic and trips generated by the proposed project. Intersection Level of Service. Table 14 identifies peak hour Levels of Service at study area intersections assuming that the approved projects are fully occupied and the proposed project is also completed. As shown the addition of project trips does not change the Level of Service anticipated at any location, but the northbound approach to the Combie Road / CVS Access intersection will continue to operate at LOS F. The project would not add traffic to the CVS access exit lane itself, but would add through traffic on Combie Road. As a result, the length of delays for motorists leaving the center will increase. This is a significant traffic impact. To improve the Level of Service at the CVS exit it would be necessary to install the planned second eastbound lane on Combie Road. The Dark Horse Gold Resort project is not solely responsible for the cost of this improvement which is needed with or without the proposed project. The Dark Horse Golf Resort project should contribute its fair share to the cost of the second lane. As the lane is already included in adopted fee program, payment of those fees is adequate mitigation. Intersection Queues. The addition of project traffic will incrementally lengthen 95 th percentile queues at key locations, but no additional locations will experience queues that exceed the available storage as a result of the project. Roadway Segment Levels of Service. Table 16 identifies the daily traffic volumes anticipated on study area roads with the addition of trips associated with Dark Horse Golf Resort and other approved projects, as well as the resulting Level of Service based on Nevada County General Plan standards. As shown, with one exception all roadway segments will operate within adopted LOS standards. The segment of Magnolia Road between Combie Road and Lakeshore Drive will continue to operate at a Level of Service that exceeds LOS D. As was indicated under Existing Plus Project conditions the project s incremental increase in traffic on that segment is very small and would not be consider a significant impact. Draft Traffic Impact Analysis for Dark Horse Golf Resort Expansion Page 32 Nevada County, CA (December 3, 2015)