Sec. 3.3. Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)

3.3.1. Applicability

Unless exempted below, a traffic impact analysis (TIA) shall be required for changes of use to determine if roadway improvements will be required, zoning map changes utilizing a development plan A type of plan that becomes part of the zoning of a property that establishes the level of development allowed absent further zoning action except as otherwise allowed or required under this Ordinance., site plans An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development., and preliminary plats A map indicating the proposed layout of a development and related information that is submitted for preliminary review. that can be anticipated to generate at least 150 vehicle All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. trips at the peak hour (as determined by Institute of Transportation Engineers Standards). Trips generated by separate developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. meeting the criteria of paragraph 3.3.3, TIA Submission for Projects with Cumulative Impacts, shall be considered cumulatively.

3.3.2. Exemptions

The following projects shall not be required to submit a TIA:

A. Projects located within the Downtown Tier.

B. Developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. that submitted a TIA in conjunction with a zoning map change or previously approved site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development., special use permit, or other plan, where the TIA remains valid, consistent with the provisions of paragraph 3.3.6, Period of Validity.

C. Redevelopment of any site on which the increase in traffic at peak hour represents an increase of less than 150 trips from the previous development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land., if the redevelopment is initiated within 12 months of the cessation of use of the previous development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. so long as no access road See “Street, Public” and “Street, Private.” that leads directly to the site is operating at a level of service A measure of capacity per unit of demand for a public service or facility. An indicator of the extent or degree of service provided by, or proposed to be provided by, a facility based on and related to the operational characteristics of the facility. worse than the jurisdiction’s adopted level of service A measure of capacity per unit of demand for a public service or facility. An indicator of the extent or degree of service provided by, or proposed to be provided by, a facility based on and related to the operational characteristics of the facility..

3.3.3. TIA Submission for Projects with Cumulative Impacts

A. Unified, Phased, or Otherwise Aggregated Developments

An applicant shall be required to submit a TIA, or obtain a transportation special use permit (TSUP) pursuant to Sec. 3.9, Special Use Permit, for a development plan A type of plan that becomes part of the zoning of a property that establishes the level of development allowed absent further zoning action except as otherwise allowed or required under this Ordinance., site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development., preliminary plat A map indicating the proposed layout of a development and related information that is submitted for preliminary review., special use permit, or other similar plan that does not otherwise meet the thresholds for submission of a TIA or for obtaining a TSUP if the development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. approval is for a project that:

1. Shares features such as site access or other roadways, design elements, or other infrastructure with nearby unbuilt, but pending developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. evidenced by valid, approved site plans An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. or preliminary plats A map indicating the proposed layout of a development and related information that is submitted for preliminary review., or active site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. or preliminary plat A map indicating the proposed layout of a development and related information that is submitted for preliminary review. submittals; and,

2. When complete, will function in conjunction with such nearby developments Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. as a single project, the impact on the infrastructure of which would exceed the thresholds for preparation of a TIA.

B. Determination

The City Transportation Director, or designee shall determine whether a development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. application meets the criteria in paragraph A, above, and shall determine whether one TIA shall be required for all of the aggregated development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land., or whether multiple TIAs may be employed for separate phases of the development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land..

3.3.4. Pre-Application Conference

The applicant shall schedule a pre-application meeting with the City Transportation Director or designee to discuss procedures, standards, and regulations required for TIA submittal and approval.

3.3.5. Requirements

A. Content

The City Transportation Director or designee shall set forth specific guidelines for preparation of TIAs. A TIA shall, at a minimum, provide the following information:

1. An estimate of the traffic generated as a result of the proposed development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land.;

2. An analysis of the existing street system serving the proposed development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land.; and

3. An assessment of the improvements needed to the existing street system in order to support the traffic anticipated to be generated by the proposed development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land..

B. Preparer

A TIA shall be prepared by a registered professional engineer with experience in traffic engineering.

C. Sources of Data

Estimates of vehicle All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. trips shall be calculated based on trip generation rates from the most recent edition of the Trip Generation Manual published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, unless an alternative source of information is approved by the City Transportation Director or the NCDOT.

3.3.6. Period of Validity

A TIA shall be valid for a specific site for no more than eight years, so long as no significant modifications to the development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. proposed for the site that substantially increase the traffic impact are made. A TIA submitted in connection with a project that is accessed by a road See “Street, Public” and “Street, Private.” that is operating at a level of service A measure of capacity per unit of demand for a public service or facility. An indicator of the extent or degree of service provided by, or proposed to be provided by, a facility based on and related to the operational characteristics of the facility. lower than the jurisdiction’s adopted level of service A measure of capacity per unit of demand for a public service or facility. An indicator of the extent or degree of service provided by, or proposed to be provided by, a facility based on and related to the operational characteristics of the facility. shall be valid for no more than five years, however.

3.3.7. Coordination with Zoning Map Changes, Site Plans, and Preliminary Plats

Transportation mitigation measures may be required to address issues raised by a TIA, or as part of the approval of a Transportation Special Use The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Permit (TSUP.) Such measures may include, but not be limited to, onsite and offsite improvements related to reduction of traffic impact on the surrounding road See “Street, Public” and “Street, Private.” system, bicycle facilities, pedestrian movement, and the environment. These measures shall be conditions of development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. approval. Deletion or modification of these conditions shall require the same approval process that was required for the original project, unless the approved mitigation measure is deemed to conflict with NCDOT or City Transportation Department requirements, in which case they shall be modified to resolve the conflicts through submittal of a revised site plan An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. or preliminary plat A map indicating the proposed layout of a development and related information that is submitted for preliminary review., as applicable.

3.3.8. Coordination with a Transportation Special Use Permit (TSUP)

Projects that require a TIA may also require a TSUP pursuant to Sec. 3.9, Special Use Permit.