Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study Student Residence Hall

Transcription

1 Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study Student Residence Hall California State University, Sacramento July 2014

2 Mitigated Negative Declaration Student Residence Hall California State University, Sacramento July 2014 Lead Agency The Trustees of the California State University; California State University, Sacramento Facilities Planning and Construction Services 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Consultant to Lead Agency Parsons Brinkerhoff, Inc. 444 South Flower Street, Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90071

3 MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Student Residence Hall California State University Sacramento Lead Agency: Mailing Address: Project Location: The Trustees of the California State University; California State University, Sacramento California State University, Sacramento Facilities Planning and Construction Services 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA CSU Sacramento campus, northeast campus area Description of Project: The project the construction and operation of the planned student residence hall within the northeastern area of the University s campus. University Objectives: The project implements the Campus Master Plan objective of providing planned student housing facility in the northeastern campus area to alleviate current scarcity of student housing on campus and help accommodate the strong student demand for on-campus housing. Project Characteristics: The proposed student residence hall will be located in the northeastern area of the 282-acre campus, south of the existing Desmond Hall student housing. The new residence hall will provide housing for freshmen and sophomore students enrolled in the University undergraduate programs. The four-story residence hall will provide approximately 350 beds, and will include the amenities for student residents, including multipurpose and recreation facilities and a café. The project design envisions a four-story residence hall with two wings (one for freshmen and one sophomore student residents) with open plazas and rich landscaping throughout the site, and a pedestrian crossing at the hall s main entrance. The residence hall is anticipated to open in Fall Finding The Trustees of the California State University (the Trustees) have determined that the proposed project will result in a long-term beneficial environmental effects of providing needed on-campus housing for freshmen and sophomore students enrolled at the California State University, Sacramento that will reduce commute vehicular trips and the resultant air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. The Trustees have further determined that the project will not result in significant impacts associated with the student residence hall because potential impacts will be reduced to less than significant levels by implementing the following mitigation measures. Aesthetics 1. The design of the residence hall will include the use of medium to dark earth tone colors and non-reflective surface materials. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 1 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

4 2. Project landscaping will include trees and other vegetation to provide screening for the residence hall. 3. Project landscaping will include replacement trees for any trees removed during construction. 4. All lighting for the residence hall will be shielded and directed downwards. 5. All lighting will use most effective lighting engineering technology that avoids exposing adjacent areas to direct light or glare, such as the use of specified non-glare fixtures and placement of lights to direct illumination into only those areas where it is needed; fixture selection and light placement that minimizes light projection and enhance color rendition; the use of refractive, i.e. non-glare, lenses and shielding; the use of walkway lighting fixtures mounting no higher than twenty feet unless necessary for safety reasons, and/or other similar measures. Short-term Construction Noise and Air Quality 1. Construction hours will be limited to between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm during the week and 8:00 am and 7:00 pm on weekends. 2. Muffled heavy construction equipment will be used. 3. Construction staging areas will be located as far as possible from existing residence halls. 4. Contractors will be required to minimize exhaust emissions by maintaining equipment engines in good condition and properly tuned. 5. The hours of operation of heavy-duty equipment will be minimized. 6. The idling time of construction equipment at the construction site will be limited to no more than five minutes. 7. Alternative fueled or electrical construction equipment will be used when feasible. 8. The minimum practical engine size for construction equipment and electric carts and other smaller equipment will be used when feasible. 9. Throughout the construction period, ventilation systems in the nearby student residence hall will be tested more frequently to provide for the maintenance schedule that ensures proper ventilation. Supporting Documentation: The documentation supporting this determination is discussed in the attached Initial Study prepared for the project. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 2 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

5 Initial Study Student Residence Hall California State University, Sacramento Lead Agency The Trustees of the California State University; California State University, Sacramento Facilities Planning and Construction Services 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Consultant to Lead Agency Parsons Brinkerhoff, Inc. 444 South Flower Street, Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90071

6 Initial Study 1. Project Title: Student Residence Hall within the Northeastern Campus Area 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: The Trustees of the California State University; California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Contact Person and Phone Number: Victor Takahashi, Director Facilities Planning and Construction Services (916) Project Location: California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, Sacramento County 5. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: Same as Lead Agency 6. General Plan Designation: Campus Master Plan - Student Housing 7. Zoning: Campus Master Plan - Student Housing 8. Project Description: The project is the construction and operation of the planned student residence hall within the northeastern area of the University s campus. University Objectives: The project implements the Campus Master Plan objective of providing planned student housing facility in the northeastern campus area to alleviate current scarcity of student housing on campus and help accommodate the strong student demand for on-campus housing. Project Characteristics: The proposed student residence hall will be located in the northeastern area of the 282-acre campus, south of the existing Desmond Hall student housing (see Figure 1 and 2). The new residence hall will provide housing for freshmen and sophomore students enrolled in the University undergraduate programs. The four-story residence hall will provide approximately 350 beds, and will include the amenities for student residents, including multipurpose and recreation facilities and a café. The project design envisions a four-story residence hall with two wings (one for freshmen and one sophomore student residents) with open plazas and rich landscaping throughout the site (see Figure 3 and 4). The residence hall is anticipated to open in Fall Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The Sacramento State University campus is an urban campus within the city of Sacramento. The campus is bound by the American River to the northeast, a water treatment plant to the east, and a railroad to the south. The site of the student CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 1 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

7 residence hall is located behind the levee that extends along the American River and borders the campus to the east, and is surrounded by existing older student residence halls and academic facilities. 10. CSU and Other Public Agencies whose approval will be sought: CSU Board of Trustees Approval of Student Residence Hall schematic plans Office of the State Architect Plan checks for ADA compliance State Fire Marshall Facility fire safety review and approval Regional Water Quality Control Board Issuance of NPDES permit Others, as may be necessary CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 2 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

8 Figure 1 Project Location CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 3 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

9 Figure 2 Site Location CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 4 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

10 Figure 3 Design Concept Figure 4 Design Illustration CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 5 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

11 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a Potentially as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. Aesthetics Agriculture and Forestry N Resources Air Quality 0 Biological Resources Q Resources Greenhouse Gas Emissions D Geology /Soils Hazards & Hazardous Materials Land Use / Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population / Housing 0 Public Services 0 Recreation Hydrology / Water Quality C Transportation/Traffic Q Utilities / Service Systems C Mandatory Findings of Significance Determination On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. N I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. fl C I find that the proposed project MAY have a potentially significant impact or potentially significant unless mitigated impact on the environment, but at least one effect (I) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. Signature VIeW?- ii\k4r/4 J-V Date CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITYSACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 6 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

12 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No I. AESTHETICS -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? a through d. The project site is currently a surface parking lot (Lot 2) in the northeastern area of the campus. The site is located behind the levee along the left (south) bank of the American River. The American River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River, with its channel and banks located within the American River Parkway corridor. As the project site is located behind and below the levee along the Parkway, only two upper floors of the four-story student residence hall will be visible from the Parkway. The residence hall will include landscaping throughout the site, open plazas, and a two-wing building architectural design which will improve the visual character of the site in comparison with that of a parking lot. Nonetheless, since the two upper floors of student residence hall will be visible from the Parkway, the following measures consistent with the American River Parkway Plan will be implemented to reduce project s visual effect. Mitigation Measures 1. The design of the residence hall will include the use of medium to dark earth tone colors and non-reflective surface materials. 2. Project landscaping will include trees and other vegetation to provide screening for the residence hall. 3. Project landscaping will include replacement trees for any trees removed during construction. 4. All lighting for the residence hall will be shielded and directed downwards. 5. All lighting will use most effective lighting engineering technology that avoids exposing adjacent areas to direct light or glare, such as the use of specified non-glare fixtures and placement of lights to direct illumination into only those areas where it is needed; fixture selection and light placement that minimizes light projection and enhance color rendition; the use of refractive, i.e. non-glare, lenses and shielding; the use of walkway lighting fixtures mounting no higher than twenty feet unless necessary for safety reasons, and/or other similar measures. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 7 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

13 Issues: Level of After Mitigation Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No With incorporation of these mitigation measures into project design and development impact will be less than significant. II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES: In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state s inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement technology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to nonagricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined in Public Resources section 4256) or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g)? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 8 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

14 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? a through e. The campus, including the project site, does not contain farmland or forest land. The provision of student housing is consistent with the Campus Master Plan for this portion of the campus which is designated for student housing uses. Therefore, the project will not conflict with any zoning for agricultural or forest use. No property under Williamson Act contract or land designated as forest land exists on the campus. Therefore, no adverse impact will occur as a result of the student housing project. III. AIR QUALITY -- Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 9 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

15 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No a through c. The provision of the planned student housing on campus will have a long-term beneficial effect of contributing to the objectives of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Control District s (SMAQMD) air quality plan to reduce air pollutant emissions within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin. The provision of oncampus housing for University students will have a beneficial effect of reducing student vehicular commute trips to and from the campus and thus, contributing to reducing vehicular air pollutant emissions within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin. In addition, to reduce the use of energy and the associated stationary emissions the design of student residence hall will use energy efficient lighting (includes controls) and process systems such as water heaters, furnace, and boiler units, and use energy efficient and automated controls for air conditioning. The construction of the student housing will include grading and other site preparation activities. All construction activities will proceed in compliance with the SMAQMD rules and regulations, including Rules 403, 404, and 405, governing fugitive dust, particulate matter, and dust, respectively. The SMAQMD established a threshold of 85 lbs/day for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) for construction emissions and construction resulting in emissions of 85 lbs/day or more is considered to result in a significant impact. The daily peak short-term construction emissions associated with the student residence hall generated by workers traveling to and from the site, construction equipment, and dust emissions were calculated using the CalEEMod model version Including compliance with existing regulations and good practice, such as watering exposed soils and unpaved roads, using properly tuned construction equipment, and covering the trucks load contents subject to airborne dispersal, the project peak day construction emissions will be approximately 51 lbs/day of NOx. As the project s peak construction day NOx emissions are substantially below the SMAQMD threshold, impact will be less than significant. The long-term operational (winter) emissions from the student residence hall are estimated at 6.1 lbs/day of NOx and 5.9 lbs/day of reactive organic gases (ROG), well below the SMAQMD thresholds of 65 lbs/day for NOx and 65 lbs/day for ROG. Therefore, long-term impact will be less than significant. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 10 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

16 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No d. The project site is located near six existing student residence halls, which are sensitive receptors. Therefore, to further reduce short-term construction emissions, the following measures will be implemented: Mitigation Measures 1. Contractors will be required to minimize exhaust emissions by maintaining equipment engines in good condition and properly tuned. 2. The hours of operation of heavy-duty equipment will be minimized. 3. The idling time of construction equipment at the construction site will be limited to no more than five minutes. 4. Alternative fueled or electrical construction equipment will be used when feasible. 5. The minimum practical engine size for construction equipment and electric carts and other smaller equipment will be used when feasible. 6. Throughout the construction period, ventilation systems in the nearby student residence hall will be tested more frequently to provide for the maintenance schedule that ensures proper ventilation. Level of After Mitigation With implementation of these mitigation measures the short-term construction impact will be less than significant. e. The student housing operations are not associated with the generation of objectionable odors that could affect a substantial number of people. No adverse impact will result. IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 11 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

17 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? a through f. The project site is a surface parking lot. No riparian habitat, wetlands, or other sensitive natural community exists at or adjoins the project site. Therefore, no adverse impact will result. V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in ? b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to ? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 12 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

18 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? a. The project site is a surface parking and does not contain any structures. Therefore, no adverse impact on a historic resource will result. b through d. No known paleontological or archaeological resources are located within the campus, including the project site. The potential for uncovering such significant resources on the site is considered remote, given that no such resources have been discovered during prior development of the site and the surrounding campus area, which has been developed with University facilities, including surface parking. In an unlikely event that any unknown paleontological or archaeological resources, or human remains, are accidently discovered, compliance with the existing regulations, including CEQA Guidelines Section (which include stopping work when such remains are accidentally discovered, bringing in a certified archaeologist/paleontologist to determine historic significance, preserve and/or document the resources, and following steps of a prescribed process for treatment of accidently discovered human remains) will ensure that potential effect, if any, would be reduced to a less than significant level. VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv) Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 13 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

19 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? a through d. The campus is located in the seismically active central California region and therefore all design and construction of the new student housing facility will be in compliance with the California State University seismic safety rules and regulations, which are more stringent that those of the California Building Standards Code. The planned student housing building will be designed and use engineering techniques specific to the soil conditions on campus. The project site is located on relatively flat terrain away from hillsides; thereby it is not at risk for landslides. will be less than significant. e. The project will be served by sewer systems and no septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems are needed for the project. No impact will result. VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS -- Would the project: a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b) Conflict with applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 14 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

20 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No a and b. The provision of housing on campus for the University students will have a beneficial effect of reducing vehicular commute trips to and from the campus and thus reducing vehicular emissions, including reducing greenhouse gases (GHG). In addition, to reduce the use of energy and the associated stationary emissions of GHG, the design of student housing will include using energy efficient lighting (includes controls) and process systems such as water heaters, furnace, and boiler units, and using energy efficient and automated controls for air conditioning. will be beneficial; no adverse impact will result. VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -- Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 15 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

21 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? a through c. The project is a student housing facility that does not involve the transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. On-site use and storage of hazardous materials will be limited to small amounts of everyday household cleaners and common chemicals used for landscaping and maintenance. The limited use of such materials is subject to California State University Guidelines. No adverse impact will result. d. The project site is a currently a surface parking lot. The site is not known to be included on the Department of Toxic Substances Control Hazardous Waste and Substance List (Cortese List) or any other list of hazardous materials sites. No adverse impact will result. e and f. The campus, including the project site, is not located within two miles of a public use airport or private airport. No adverse impact will result. g. The student housing facility will include the provision of all necessary emergency access in compliance with existing regulations and the University s Multi-Hazard Emergency Plan. Therefore, the project will not impair implementation nor physically interfere with any adopted emergency response or evacuation plans. No adverse impact will result. h. There are no wildland fire hazard areas within the CSU Sacramento campus, including the project site. No adverse impact will result. IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -- Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 16 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

22 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of preexisting nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or offsite? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 17 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

23 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? a. The project is a student residence hall that will replace existing impervious surface parking lot and thus, will not increase the amount or pattern of stormwater runoff. For construction, in compliance with the existing regulations, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will be instituted to reduce the entry of construction debris, sediment, and other material from the construction site into local waterways. The SWPPP may include the following: Schedule excavation and grading work for dry weather Use as little water as possible for dust control Never hose down dirty pavement or impermeable surfaces where fluids have spilled Avoid grading activities during wet weather Install sediment filters and/or debris traps at or near entrances to the storm drain system Cover stockpiles and excavated soil with tarps or plastic sheeting Plant permanent vegetation as soon as possible Wastewater from the student housing will treated in the Sacramento County Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. All County s wastewater treatment and disposal facilities are in compliance with discharge requirements. With implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and in compliance with existing regulations, the student residence hall project will not violate water quality standards and no adverse impact will occur. b. The daily water use associated with the student housing will be approximately 350,000 gallons per day, based on the use of 100 gallons/student resident. The implementation of the current Campus Master Plan, including development of the planned student residence hall within the northeast area of the campus, will not result in additional student enrollment or population growth that could substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge. The students that will live in the proposed on-campus residence hall are the area s residents who otherwise would be using the same amount of water at their place of residence off campus, and therefore will not generate substantial new demand for water. No adverse impact will result. c through f. The project is a student residence hall that will replace existing impervious surface parking lot thus, will not increase the amount or pattern of stormwater runoff. No adverse impact will result. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 18 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

24 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No g through i. The Sacramento State University campus, including the project site, is adjacent to a levee along the eastern boundary of the American River. The entire area along the American River lies within a mapped 100-year flood hazard area. The campus, including the project site and its surrounding existing student housing halls, is protected by existing levees along the river. As all of the campus facilities, the student housing building will be designed and constructed in compliance with current FEMA standards. With the proposed design and compliance with FEMA standards impact will be less than significant. j. The project site is located behind the existing levee along the American River, which is not subject to tsunamis or a seiche. The project site is not subject to mudflows as it is relatively flat and not located adjacent to hillsides. No adverse impact will result. X. LAND USE AND PLANNING -- Would the project: a) Physically divide an established community? b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? a and b. The project site is located within the boundaries of the CSU Sacramento campus and will not physically divide an established community. The project site is designated for student housing in the Campus Master Plan and the proposed student residence hall is consistent with this land use designation. No impact will result. c. No habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan applies to the project site or the campus; therefore the project will not conflict with such plans. XI. MINERAL RESOURCES -- Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 19 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

25 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? a and b. No mineral resources are known to exist within the CSU Sacramento campus, including the project site. No impact will result. XII. NOISE -- Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 20 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

26 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No a through d. The project will provide planned student housing consistent with the Campus Master Plan designation for the site in the northeastern area of the campus. The use and activity at the new residence hall will be compatible with the use and activity at the existing six student residence halls in this area, and will not result in adverse long-term noise impact. In the short-term, construction of the new hall will generate noise from construction equipment and activity at the site. To reduce this impact, the following mitigation measures will be implemented. Mitigation Measures 1. Construction hours will be limited to between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm during the week and 8:00 am and 7:00 pm on weekends. 2. Muffled heavy construction equipment will be used. 3. Construction staging areas will be located as far as possible from existing residence halls. Level of After Mitigation With implementation of these mitigation measures the short-term construction noise impact will be less than significant. e and f. The campus, including the project site, is not located within an airport land use plan, within two miles of an airport or public use airport, or within the vicinity of a private airstrip. No impact will result. XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING -- Would the project: a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? a. The project will provide student housing on campus that will accommodate students enrolled at the University who are residing in the area and currently commuting to and from campus; no migration of people from other regions will occur. The project will not increase student enrollment and no adverse impact will result. b and c. The project does not involve the removal of housing or displacement of people. No impact will result. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 21 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

27 Issues: XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire protection? Police protection? Schools? Parks? Other public facilities? a. The student residence hall is a planned facility and the project will not generate population or housing growth on campus beyond that already planned for pursuant to the Campus Master Plan. The project will constructed in compliance with State standards and will include the provision of all required fire safety features, including connections to fire hydrants. The City of Sacramento Fire Department provides fire protection to the campus and no construction of new or altered fire protection facilities will be required as a result of the project. The University Police Department provides police protection on campus and no construction of new or altered police protection facilities will be required. on fire and police protection services will be less than significant. The project will provide amenities for resident students attending the University and will not result in demand for school facilities or parks. No additional demand for other public facilities including roadways, libraries, or recreational facilities will occur as a result of providing planned student residence hall within the northeastern area of the campus. XV. RECREATION a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 22 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

28 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? a and b. The provision of planned student housing in the northeastern campus area pursuant to the Campus Master Plan will not induce new population growth that would require the construction of new parks or recreational facilities that might have an adverse physical effect on the environment. The project includes amenities for the student residents, including recreation and athletic facilities, and no adverse impact will result. XVI. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC -- Would the project: a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and non-motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit? b) Conflict with applicable congestion management program, including but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location which results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency access? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 23 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

29 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No f) Conflict with adopted policies plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the safety of such facilities? a and b. The traffic study prepared for the project concluded that providing student housing on campus will have a beneficial effect of reducing vehicular commute trips to and from the campus by nearly 700 trips per day and encouraging pedestrian and bicycle modes of transportation on campus. With the project, the Level of Service (LOS) at seven study intersection will remain the same under both the existing plus project conditions and the Year 2017 plus project conditions (see Tables 1 and 2). Therefore, project will not result in a significant impact on any of the study intersections. ID Table 1. Existing Plus Project Intersection Level of Service (LOS) Intersection Traffic Control Delay (sec/veh) 2017 No Project Conditions AM Peak Hour LOS PM Peak Hour Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) 1 Carlson Drive and J Street Signal 26.6 C 32.9 C 26.5 C 33.2 C 2 State University Drive and Arboretum Way Signal 4.8 A 8.1 A 4.8 A 8.1 A 3 State University Drive and Residence Hall West Drive SSSC 9.0 A 12.9 B 9.0 A 13.0 B 4 State University Drive and Residence Hall Drive Signal 2.6 A 3.0 A 2.6 A 3.4 A 5 State University Drive and Residence Hall-Faculty Drive SSSC 13.2 B 14.6 B 13.5 B 15.4 C 6 State University Drive and Faculty South Drive AWSC 14.2 B 12.2 B 14.0 B 12.4 B 7 State University Drive and College Town Drive Signal 41.3 D 48.1 D 40.8 D 47.9 D Notes: For signalized intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "AWSC" means "all way stop-controlled." For AWSC intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "SSSC" means "side-street stop controlled." For SSSC intersections, delay and LOS for the worst performing approach are reported Plus Project Conditions AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour LOS Table 2. Year 2017 Plus Project Intersection Level of Service (LOS) ID Intersection Traffic Control Delay (sec/veh) Existing Conditions AM Peak Hour LOS PM Peak Hour Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) 1 Carlson Drive and J Street Signal 25.7 C 31.0 C 25.7 C 31.2 C 2 State University Drive and Arboretum Way Signal 4.8 A 8.1 A 4.7 A 8.1 A 3 State University Drive and Residence Hall West Drive SSSC 9.0 A 12.9 B 9.0 A 13.0 B 4 State University Drive and Residence Hall Drive Signal 2.6 A 3.0 A 2.6 A 3.3 A 5 State University Drive and Residence Hall-Faculty Drive SSSC 13.2 B 14.6 B 13.2 B 15.2 C 6 State University Drive and Faculty South Drive AWSC 14.2 B 12.2 B 14.0 B 12.4 B 7 State University Drive and College Town Drive Signal 41.2 D 47.3 D 40.5 D 47.1 D Notes: For signalized intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "AWSC" means "all w ay stop-controlled." For AWSC intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "SSSC" means "side-street stop controlled." For SSSC intersections, delay and LOS for the w orst performing approach are reported. Existing Plus Project Conditions AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour LOS CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 24 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

30 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No The residents of the proposed residence hall walking to classes will be crossing mid-block at the State University Drive. To ensure pedestrian safety, State University Drive at the main entrance to the residence hall will have a stripped crosswalk with a pedestrian crossing signage. With this design feature, no adverse impact on pedestrians will result. c through f. The student residence hall, as all campus facilities, will include the provision of all required emergency access in compliance with existing regulations. None of the residence hall design features will result in sharp curves or any other safety hazards. Providing on-campus housing for students is supportive of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit consistent with the University s programs supporting alternative transportation. will be beneficial; no adverse impact will result. XVII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS -- Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project s projected demand in addition to the provider s existing commitments? f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project s solid waste disposal needs? CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 25 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

31 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No g) Comply with federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? a through e. The daily water use associated with providing on-campus housing for University students will be approximately 0.35 million gallons per day (mgd), based on the use of 100 gallons/student resident. The implementation of the current Campus Master Plan, including development of the planned student residence hall within the northeastern area of the campus, will not result in additional student enrollment at the University or population growth that could require additional water supplies. The students who will live in the proposed oncampus residence hall are the area s residents who otherwise would be using the same amount of water at their off campus places of residence, and therefore will not generate substantial new demand for water. In addition, the mandated water conservation measures including ultra low-flow toilets, urinals, taps, water conservation plumbing, and other required conservation measures will be utilized to reduce the amount of water used and the resultant wastewater flows. Wastewater services are provided by the Sacramento Area Sewer District which collects wastewater and conveys it to the Sacramento County Regional Sewer District interceptor system where it is conveyed to the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant near Elk Grove. The cleaned water from the Plant is then discharged into the Sacramento River. The Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plan treats wastewater of the entire Sacramento region and has a permitted capacity of 181 mgd. Based on a factor of 95% of water becoming wastewater, the proposed student residence hall will generate approximately 0.34 mgd, or less than two-tenths of one percent (0.19%) of the Plant s capacity. The provision of the planned on-campus housing for students attending the University does not affect regional population growth used as a basis for projecting future water demand and wastewater generation needs and therefore, impact will be less than significant. The project is a student residence hall that will replace existing impervious surface parking lot and thus, will not increase the amount or pattern of stormwater runoff. No adverse impact will result. f and g. The County s Kiefer Landfill is the only landfill facility in Sacramento County permitted to accept household waste from the public, businesses, and private waste haulers. The landfill facility sits on 1,084 acres located in Sloughhouse. Currently 250 acres, the State-permitted landfill is 660 acres in size and will be able to serve the regional waste disposal needs for many years to come. Currently, the Kiefer Landfill receives over 700,000 tons of waste per year and has the capacity to accommodate waste from the entire Sacramento County area, including the campus. To reduce solid waste, the University has a robust recycling program that includes the recycling of green waste, cardboard, paper, and other recyclable materials. The student residence hall will be part of this program and will have space provided for recycling facilities (e.g. bins) and adequate storage area for collection and removal of recyclable materials. No significant impact will result. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 26 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

32 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No XVIII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)? c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? a. The project site is a surface parking lot with no plant or animal community, rare or endangered plant or animal, or fish or wildlife habitat. No important examples of California history or prehistory are present on the site. Therefore, no adverse impact will result. b. The proposed student residence hall is a planned facility consistent with the Campus Master Plan and addressing the existing need for on-campus housing for students attending classes at the University. The provision of needed oncampus housing will not affect student enrollment or result in the need for additional development on campus or in the surrounding area that could result in substantial cumulative impacts. The project will have a beneficial impact of reducing student vehicular commute trips and the associated air pollutant emissions. This may contribute to a cumulatively beneficial effect when considered in connection with other projects and programs promoting locating residences in close proximity to employment and education centers and promoting the use of alternative modes of transportation. No adverse cumulative effect will result. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 27 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

33 Issues: Potentially with Mitigation Incorporated No c. The project will provide the planned student housing on campus that will reduce daily commute trips and associated air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. will be beneficial; no adverse impact on people will result. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 28 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

34 Preparers of the Initial Study Lead Agency The Trustees of the California State University California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Contact Person: Victor Takahashi, Director California State University, Sacramento Facilities Planning and Construction Services Phone: (916) Fax: (916) takahashiv@csus.edu Consultant to the Lead Agency Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. 444 South Flower Street, Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA Contact Person: Irena Finkelstein, AICP, Project Manager Phone: (213) Fax: (213) finkelstein@pbworld.com CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO INITIAL STUDY 29 STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL WITHIN NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS AREA

35 Appendix A Traffic Study

36 TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY Student Residence Hall Prepared for California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc Gateway Oaks Drive Sacramento, CA June 2014

37 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION... 1 A. Purpose and Scope of the Study PROPOSED PROJECT... 2 A. Project Description METHODOLOGY... 2 A. Intersection Analysis... 2 B. Bicycle and Pedestrian Analysis... 4 C. Transit Analysis SETTING AND EXISTING CONDITIONS... 1 A. Existing Uses... 1 B. Existing Road Network... 1 C. Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities... 7 D. Existing Transit Facilities and Services EXISTING PLUS PROJECT CONDITIONS A. Project Vehicle Trip Generation and Distribution B. Existing Plus Project Roadway Conditions C. Existing Plus Project Bicycle and Pedestrian Conditions D. Existing Plus Project Transit Conditions OPENING YEAR (2017) NO-PROJECT CONDITIONS A Land Uses B Intersection Level of Service C Bicycle and Pedestrian Conditions D Transit Conditions OPENING YEAR (2017) PLUS PROJECT CONDITIONS A Plus Project Intersection Level of Service B Plus Project Bicycle and Pedestrian Conditions C Plus Project Transit Conditions... 27

38 TABLE OF EXHIBITS Exhibit 1: Study Intersections... 1 Exhibit 2: The Project... 2 Exhibit 3: Intersection Level of Service Thresholds... 3 Exhibit 4: Existing Facilities... 1 Exhibit 5: Campus Road Map with Daily Traffic Volumes... 3 Exhibit 6: Existing Level of Service (LOS) at Study Intersections... 5 Exhibit 7: Existing traffic volumes and lane configurations at the study intersections... 6 Exhibit 8: The Hornet Tunnel... 7 Exhibit 9: Major Walkways on the Sac State Campus... 8 Exhibit 10: Existing On-Campus Bicycle Facilities... 9 Exhibit 11: Existing and Planned Bicycle Facilities Exhibit 12: Counts of Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic Exhibit 13: Existing Transit System in Vicinity of Sac State Exhibit 14: Hornet Express Routes Exhibit 15: Counts of Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic... Error! Bookmark not defined. Exhibit 16: Computation of Trip Generation Rates for Residents of Student Housing on Campus Exhibit 17: Vehicle-Trips Generated by Project Exhibit 18: Distribution of Project Trips Exhibit 19: Computation of Peak Hour Trip Rate per Off-Campus Student Exhibit 20: Reduction in Peak Hour Trips Due to the Project Exhibit 21: Net Change in Peak Hour Traffic at Gateways to Campus Exhibit 22: Net Effect of Project on Peak-Hour Traffic at Study Intersections Exhibit 23: Existing Plus Project Peak-Hour Traffic at Study Intersections Exhibit 24: Existing Plus Project LOS Exhibit 25: Expected Pedestrian Crossings of State University Drive Exhibit 26: Signage Array Exhibit 27: 2017 No Project LOS at Study Intersections Exhibit 28: 2017 Traffic Volumes at Study Intersections Exhibit 29: 2017 Plus Project LOS at Study Intersections Exhibit 30: 2017 Plus Project Peak-Hour Traffic at Study Intersections... 26

39 ly 4 (17) 0 (6) Residence W 5 (25) 8 (27) Residence Way 17 (71) 13 (34) Faculty Lot 80 (221) 57 (136) 136 (668) 29 (30) 158 (511) 42 (49) 260 (92) 404 (619) Carlson Drive 722 (280) 672 (367) State University Dr TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area 1. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose and Scope of the Study The purpose of this study is to analyze and disclose potential traffic and transportation impacts arising from the provision of a new student residence hall (the Project) on the campus of California State University, Sacramento (herein called Sac State). This report focuses on the area in the direct vicinity of the Project site and on the path that vehicles from the Project will take to enter the City of Sacramento public street network. Seven study intersections were selected based on this study criterion (see Exhibit 1). The analysis shows that the Project will not have any significant traffic or transportation impacts beyond these limits Project Site Legend Turn Lane XX (YY) AM (PM) Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 Study Intersection Traffic Signal Stop Sign 7 1 Carlson Drive/J Street Exhibit 1: Study Intersections 2 State University Dr/Arboretum Way This study analyzed the following four scenarios: Existing Conditions Existing Plus Project conditions Opening Year (2017) No Project conditions 102 (95) Opening Year Plus Project conditions. 542 (972) 464 (157) 23 (21) 525 (693) 665 (391) J Street Arboretum Way 112 (509) 29 (46) 3 Residence W Driveway/State University Dr 4 Residence Way/State University Dr 5 Faculty Lot/State University D 6 (2) 0 (13) 136 (472) 137 (449) 1 State University Dr State University Dr Sta

40 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area 2. PROPOSED PROJECT A. Project Description The proposed project is a residence hall for freshman and sophomores, on part of the existing Lot 2 surface parking lot (see Exhibit 2). The residence hall will provide housing and amenities (laundry rooms, mini-mart, shared study rooms, etc.) for approximately 351 student residents. An existing entrance to Parking Lot 2 (study intersection 5) will be shifted southwards and its current location will be converted into a new pedestrian crossing leading to the main entrance of the residence hall. Exhibit 2: The Project The Project will result in a net loss of 200 parking spaces from Lot 2, with the remaining spaces being restriped to fit the residence hall footprint. The reduction in parking is consistent with the strategy of accommodating more students on campus and reducing vehicular commute trips. 3. METHODOLOGY A. Intersection Analysis Traffic operational conditions at intersections are described in terms of traffic Level of Service (LOS) which ranges from LOS A, which indicates that vehicles experience little delay in passing through the intersection, to LOS F, which indicates that vehicles are likely to encounter long queues and stop-and-go conditions. The LOS thresholds are presented in Exhibit 3. In this study, intersection LOS was analyzed using Synchro 7 software. This software package is based on the methodology outlined in the Highway Capacity Manual. A peak hour factor of 1.0 was used per City of Sacramento Traffic Study guidelines 1. 1 Traffic Guidelines, City of Sacramento,

41 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Level of Service A B C D E F Exhibit 3: Intersection Level of Service Thresholds Description Average Control Delay (seconds/vehicle) Signalized Stop-Controlled Very low control delay. Progression is very favorable; most vehicles do not stop. < 10 < 10 Low delay with good progression and/or short cycle lengths. > 10 to 20 > 10 to 15 Moderate delay resulting from fair progression and/or longer cycle times. Some vehicles may not clear intersection in one green phase. Longer control delays with noticeable congestion. Many vehicles stop and the proportion not served by the first green phase rises > 20 to 35 > 15 to 25 > 35 to 55 > 25 to 35 High delay due to poor progression, long cycle lengths, or both. > 55 to 80 > 35 to 50 Intersection oversaturated; arrival rates exceed intersection capacity so queues build up. > 80 > 50 Source: Highway Capacity Manual 2000, Transportation Research Board, 2000 The Transportation Study Manual 2 of California State University defines the significance criteria for the transportation-related impacts of the proposed project. The following is the element that related to the roadways and intersections. Off-Site Traffic Operations A roadway segment or intersection operates at LOS D or better under a no project scenario and the addition of project trips causes overall traffic operations on the facility to operate at LOS E or F. A roadway segment or intersection operates at LOS E or F under a no project scenario and the project adds both 10 or more peak hour trips and 5 seconds or more of peak hour delay, during the same peak hour. If an intersection operates at a very poor LOS F (control delay of 120 seconds or more), the significance criterion shall be an increase in v/c ratio of 0.02 or more. The City of Sacramento has established 3 the following LOS Standard policy that will affect the portion of the project that occurs off-campus: Policies M LOS Standard. The City shall allow for flexible Level of Service (LOS) standards, which will permit increased densities and mix of uses to increase transit ridership, biking, and walking, which decreases auto travel, thereby reducing air pollution, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. 2 California State University Transportation Study Manual, City of Sacramento 2030 General Plan,

42 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area c. Base Level of Service Standard - the City shall seek to maintain the following standards for all areas outside of multi-modal districts. Maintain operations on all roadways and intersections at LOS A-D at all times, including peak travel times, unless maintaining this LOS would, in the City s judgment, be infeasible and/or conflict with the achievement of other goals. LOS E or F conditions may be accepted, provided that provisions are made to improve the overall system and/or promote non-vehicular transportation as part of a development project or a Cityinitiated project. B. Bicycle and Pedestrian Analysis The Transportation Study Manual of the California State University specifies that the TIS should provide the following information regarding potential for bicycle and pedestrian impacts: A qualitative description of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the project vicinity, including identifying the location and type of bicycle facilities, presence of sidewalks, and the level of usage. A summary of policies from area general plans or master plan related to bicycle and pedestrian travel Evaluation of the project affects the current and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the study area, and whether the project creates any significant conflicts with applicable bicycle and pedestrian policies. A map showing existing and planned bicycle facilities in the study area. C. Transit Analysis Similarly, the manual specifies that the TIS should provide the following information regarding the potential for transit impacts: A qualitative description of transit service and route connectivity in the project area, including campus shuttle service, local bus service, and regional bus or rail service Evaluation of the project s consistency with applicable transit policies and identification of conflicts with existing and planned routes and level of services. Examples of conflicts include a project transit demand that will exceed the existing or planned service capacity or a required change in bus routing, due to the physical or operational requirements of the project that lengthens transit trip times or headways. A map showing transit routes within two miles of the project site. 4

43 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area 4. SETTING AND EXISTING CONDITIONS A. Existing Uses The Proposed Project is in the northern portion of the Sacramento State campus on a portion of Parking Lot 2 (see Exhibit 4). Currently, the northern portion of the Parking Lot 2 is reserved for the vehicles of residents of nearby residence halls and the southern portion for the vehicles of Sac State faculty and staff. Existing Residence Halls Dining Commons Existing Residence Halls State University Drive Project Site Shasta Hall Levee and Multi-Use Path American River River Front Center Exhibit 4: Existing Facilities North and west of the Project site are six existing residence halls housing approximately 1,600 students plus a dining commons serving the residence halls. Directly east of the Project site is a levee topped by a multi-use path, beyond which is the American River. Directly south of the Project Site is State University Drive, beyond which are Sac State s main academic and service buildings. The closest of these buildings to the Project site are Shasta Hall, which houses the Department of Theater and Dance and the program on Speech Pathology and Audiology. Further south is the River Front Center, which has a variety of retail food outlets. B. Existing Road Network The on-campus road network consists of: State University Drive is a north-south roadway along the eastern edge of the Sacramento State campus. State University Drive has three lanes in each direction between J Street and Arboretum Way and two lanes in each direction between Arboretum Way and the University Transit Center. Between the Transit Center and White Poplar Way, it has one travel lane in each direction. From White Poplar Way to College Town Drive, there are two travel lanes in each direction plus center turn lanes. Between College Town Drive and Folsom Boulevard, there is one travel lane in each 1

44 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area direction. State University Drive has a continuous sidewalk on the west side between the Transit Center and the Guy West Bridge. There are no sidewalks south of the Guy West Bridge. There are class II bicycle lanes between the northernmost Parking Lot 4 access and Folsom Boulevard. There are signalized intersections at the Parking Lot 2 north access, College Town Drive, and Folsom Boulevard. Nearly all other intersections have all-way stop control. The posted speed limit is 25 mph throughout, and there are multiple midblock crossings and rumble strips to discourage speeding. Arboretum Way is a two-lane undivided collector at the north end of the Sacramento State campus. Arboretum forms the northwest portion of the campus loop, connecting State University Drive and Bay Laurel Way and has all-way stop controlled intersections at Bay Laurel Way and Parking Lot 1. Its intersection with the State University Drive is signalized. Arboretum way has no parking or sidewalks, and a 25mph speed limit. Bay Laurel Way is an east-west roadway connecting the intersection of Arboretum Way and College Town Drive to State University Drive at the Transit Center. Bay Laurel Way has one travel lane in each direction from College Town Drive to the Parking Lot 1. There are gates restricting access to/from Parking Lot 1 for motorized vehicles. The eastern gate is one-way eastbound exiting Parking Lot 1 to the State University Drive. Moraga Way is a northbound, one-way road with one travel lane. There is parallel parking for the handicapped on the left side and incomplete sidewalks. College Town Drive runs parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks from is northern terminus at Arboretum Way to Hornet Stadium, where it curves into a northwest-southeast alignment that continues outside the campus. College Town Drive has one travel lane in each direction and sidewalks or multi-use paths on either site from Bay Laurel Way to Stadium Drive. Between Stadium Drive and State University Drive, it has two travel lanes in each direction with a sidewalk running along the north site of the street and class II bicycle lanes. There are all-way stop intersections at Bay Laurel Way and Sinclair Road and a traffic signal at Stadium Drive. There is a mid-block pedestrian crosswalk at Hornet Crossing, which provides bicycle and pedestrian access to 65 th Street under the Union Pacific tracks. Sinclair Road is an east-west road through the center of campus. The portion between State University Drive and Moraga Way provides one travel lane in each direction. The westbound direction has bicycle route pavement marking and there is a sidewalk along the north side of the street. There are 10-mph speed bumps either side of the access to Parking Structure 1. East of Moraga Way, Sinclair Road is closed to vehicular traffic except for delivery and maintenance vehicles. Jed Smith Drive is a north-south access road in the center of campus. It is closed to general traffic, but open to bicycles, pedestrians, and delivery and maintenance vehicles. It runs from Morrison Pine Way to Sinclair Road. 2

45 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 5: Campus Road Map with Daily Traffic Volumes 3

46 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Morison Pine Way is an east-west roadway along the north edge of Parking Structure 2 on the Sacramento State campus with one lane in each direction. There are perpendicular parking spaces along the north side of Morison Pine Way, and it serves as an exit from Parking Structure 2. Atlas Cedar Way is an east-west roadway along the south edge of Parking Structure 2 on the Sacramento State campus with one lane in each direction. Atlas Cedar Way serves as both ingress and egress from Parking Structure 2 and Parking Lot 4 (South). The posted speed limit is 10 mph. Stadium Drive is a two-lane road that is the main vehicular access way to Hornet Stadium and the nearby parking facilities. Between the Parking Lot 12/Parking Structure 3 southwest access and College Town Drive, Stadium Drive has two-way operation with one lane in each direction. Along the west side of Parking Lot 12/Parking Structure 3, Stadium Drive has a single southbound lane. Along the north side of Parking Structure 3, Stadium Drive has a single northbound lane only. White Poplar Way is an east-west roadway between Parking Structure 3 and Parking Lots 7 and 8 on the Sacramento State campus. Between Stadium Drive and Callery Pear Way, White Poplar Way has one lane per direction and center turn lanes. East of Callery Pear Way, it functions as a drive-aisle of Parking Lot 7 with one travel lane in each direction. Callery Pear Way is a north-south roadway next to Parking Structure 3 and between Parking Lots 7 and 8 on the Sacramento State campus. Callery Pear Way has one lane in each direction from Stadium Way to Red Buckeye Way, and is a single one-way lane northbound south of Red Buckeye Way. There are sidewalks on both sides of Callery Pear Way. Cottonwood Way is an east-west roadway between the north and south portions of Parking Lot 7 on the Sacramento State Campus. Cottonwood Way has one lane in each direction and functions as a main access point for Parking Lots 7 and 8. There is a partial sidewalk on the south side near State University Drive. Red Buckeye Way is an east-west roadway through Parking Lot 8 on the Sacramento State campus. Red Buckeye Way serves as a drive isle of Parking Lot 8 with no marked lanes, two-way operation, and perpendicular and angled parking stalls along either side. Off-campus roadways in the vicinity of Sac State include: College Town Drive is an east-west arterial road connecting Sacramento State and Howe Avenue. College Town Drive has two travel lanes and a class II bicycle lane in each direction and a center turn lane. There are continuous sidewalks on both sides of and parking is prohibited except for on the north side between Hornet Drive and E.A. Fairbairn Street. College Town Drive has signalized intersections at State University Drive, E.A. Fairbairn Street, Hornet Drive, and Howe Avenue. Folsom Boulevard is an east-west arterial road connecting downtown Sacramento to the City of Folsom. In the study area Folsom Boulevard has two lanes per direction west of 67 th Street, transitioning to one lane per direction and a center turn lane between 67 th Street and Elvas Avenue, and one lane per direction east of Elvas Avenue. Folsom Avenue has signalized intersections at 65 th Street and State University Drive. Elvas Avenue is an arterial street with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane between J Street and 65 th Street. South of 65 th Street it has one lane per direction. Most of the frontage of Elvas Avenue is devoted to commercial and light industrial uses. Elvas Avenue has a signalized intersection with 65 th Street. Although there are only three roads into this intersection the signal is 4-way, with one phase devoted to a commercial driveway on the east side of Elvas Avenue. 67 th Street is a short two-lane private street connecting Folsom Boulevard to Q Street. 67 th Street is one of the entrances used by buses serving the 65 th Street LRT station and is also used as access to the businesses on Q Street. Its intersection with Folsom Boulevard is side-street stopcontrolled. 4

47 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area 65 th Street is a north-south arterial connecting the Sacramento State Area to South Sacramento. In the study area, 65 th Street has two lanes per direction with a center turn lane between Elvas Avenue and 4 th Avenue. There are class II bicycle lanes on the portion between Elvas Avenue and Folsom Boulevard, and sidewalks for the entire study area. J Street is an east-west arterial connecting Downtown Sacramento to the Sacramento State and River Park areas. In the study area, J Street has two lanes per direction and a center median with turn lanes. At the east end of J Street, it combines with westbound H Street and crosses the American River on the Fair Oaks Bridge. There are class II bicycle lanes on both sides east of the Carlson/State University Drive intersection and a class I multi-use path on the south side of J Street between the Carlson/State University Drive intersection and the American River. Traffic counts were performed at the seven study intersections on Wednesday January 29 th, This time was selected because it is the middle of the first week of a semester 4, which is traditionally the busiest time for campus-related traffic and so represents a worst-case scenario. Existing traffic volumes and lane configurations at the study intersections are shown in Exhibit 7 5, and their existing LOS is shown in Exhibit 6. As can be seen from the exhibit, all study intersections currently operate at an acceptable LOS (D or better). ID Intersection Traffic Control Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) 1 State University Drive and J Street Signal 25.7 C 31.0 C 2 State University Drive and Arboretum Way Signal 4.8 A 8.1 A 3 State University Drive and Residence Hall West Drive SSSC 9.0 A 12.9 B 4 State University Drive and Residence Hall Drive Signal 2.6 A 3.0 A 5 State University Drive and Residence Hall-Faculty Drive SSSC 13.2 B 14.6 B 6 State University Drive and Faculty South Drive AWSC 14.2 B 12.2 B 7 State University Drive and College Town Drive Signal 41.2 D 47.3 D Note: For signalized intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches is reported. For unsignalized intersections the delay and LOS for the w orst performing approach is reported. "AWSC" means "all w ay stop controlled" "SSSC" means "side-street stop controlled" AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour LOS Exhibit 6: Existing Level of Service (LOS) at Study Intersections 4 Students commonly attend more classes in the first week of a semester than they actually intend to take and then drop the excess courses once they settle on the ones they will ultimately register for. This inflates the traffic and parking demand in the first week or two of each semester. 5 In Exhibit 7 and other exhibits in this report, the box labeled 5 reports the combined volume for both the residential and the faculty portions of Parking Lot 2, while the box labeled 5A reports only the portion of traffic attributable to the residence halls. 5

48 State University Dr 127 (376) 53 (82) 294 (102) 193 (171) 10 (74) 560 (324) 24 (24) 13 (16) 84 (222) 183 (714) State University Dr 17 (71) 13 (34) Faculty&Residence Hall Dr Bike & Ped Access Only 4 (17) 0 (6) Residence Hall W Drive 5 (25) 8 (27) Residence Way 6 (17) 4 (15) Residence Hall Drive 80 (221) 57 (136) 136 (668) 29 (30) 158 (511) 42 (49) 260 (92) 404 (619) Carlson Drive 722 (280) 672 (367) State University Dr TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area A 6 Legend Turn Lane XX (YY) AM (PM) Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 Study Intersection Traffic Signal Stop Sign 7 N 1 Carlson Drive/J Street 2 State University Dr/Arboretum Way 23 (21) 525 (693) 665 (391) J Street Arboretum Way 102 (95) 542 (972) 464 (157) 112 (509) 29 (46) 3 Residence Hall W Drive/State University 4 Residence Way/State University Dr 5A Residence Hall Drive/State University Dr 6 (2) 0 (13) 136 (472) 137 (449) 120 (391) 10 (18) State University Dr State University Dr State University Dr 20 (25) 1 (24) 662 (373) 661 (354) 572 (319) 15 (14) 6 State University Dr/Faculty S Driveway 7 State University Dr/College Town Dr 5 Faculty&Residence Hall Dr/State 17 (38) 895 (505) 20 (32) 26 (47) 120 (126) 977 (326) 120 (391) Faculty S Driveway College Town Dr State University Dr 8 (36) 95 (62) 78 (506) 43 (168) 572 (319) Exhibit 7: Existing traffic volumes and lane configurations at the study intersections 6

49 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area C. Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities The major pedestrian facilities on the Sac State campus are shown in Exhibit 9. The existing bicycle facilities on the Sac State campus are shown in Exhibit 10. The existing and planned on- and off-street bicycle facilities listed in the City/County of Sacramento Bicycle Master Plan 6 are shown in Exhibit 11. The on-campus and off-campus bicycle facilities are connected at the following locations (going clockwise from the northeast corner of the campus): There is a class 1 mixed-use tail along the top of the American River levee that continues along the south side of the American River in both directions from campus. The Guy West Bridge is a mixed bicycle/pedestrian facility that crosses the American River and connects the campus to the class 1 American River Bicycle Trail, which runs along the north bank of the American River north, a class 1 mixed-use path that runs along the top of the northern American River levee, and the class 2 bicycle lanes on University Avenue. At the south end of campus the class 2 bicycle lanes along State University Drive connect to class 2 bicycle lanes on College Town Road and Folsom Boulevard. On the west side of campus the Hornet Tunnel (see Exhibit 8) is a pedestrian/bicycle passageway beneath the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad connecting Elvas Avenue with State University Drive West. This provides convenient access to the 65 th Street Light Rail Station and to retail establishments in the Folsom Boulevard/65 th Street area. At the north end of campus the Class 1mixed-use trail on the west side of the State University Drive and the class 2 bicycle lane on the eastern side of the State University Drive connect to class 2 bicycle lanes on J Street and Carlson Drive. The University has provided bicycle racks and lockers at convenient locations near many campus buildings. University regulations require cyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles when they are not on the designated bicycle paths shown in Exhibit 10. Exhibit 8: The Hornet Tunnel Counts were performed of bicycle and pedestrian traffic at the seven study intersections on the same day as the vehicular traffic counts. The results of these counts are shown in Exhibit 12. Intersection 4, which as a push-button-activated signal for pedestrian crossings, is the main pedestrian route to and from the existing residence halls, with more than 400 students/hour crossing during peak hours. 6 City/County of Sacramento Bicycle Master Plan, April

50 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 9: Major Walkways on the Sac State Campus 8

51 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 10: Existing On-Campus Bicycle Facilities 9

52 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 11: Existing and Planned Bicycle Facilities 10

53 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 12: Counts of Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic 11

54 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area D. Existing Transit Facilities and Services Public transit in Sacramento County is primarily the responsibility of the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT). RT operates seven fixed-route bus services in the vicinity of the project as well as light rail transit (LRT) service (see Exhibit 13). Sac State students are eligible for a pass for free rides on RT. Besides RT, Amador Transit operates a commuter shuttle from Amador County to the 65 th Street LRT Station. The fixed-route public transit services serving the Sac State area are 7 : RT Gold Line LRT Service RT Route 26: Fulton (Watt/I-80-University/65 th Street) RT Route 30: J Street (CSUS-Downtown) RT Route 34: McKinley (University/65 th Street-CSUS-McKinley-Downtown) RT Route 38: P/Q Streets (University/65 th Street-Downtown-River Oaks) RT Route 81: Florin 65 th Street (Florin-University/65 th Street) RT Route 82: Howe 65 th Street (ARC-University/65 th Street) RT Route 87: Howe (University/65 th Marconi/Arcade) Amador Transit Route 1 There are two major transit transfer points in the vicinity of Sac State; one at the 65 th Street LRT Station and the other on the State University Drive at the north end of the Sacramento State campus. In addition to the public transit system, Sac State operates its own system of shuttle buses connecting the campus to residential areas. There are three routes, namely (see Exhibit 14): Hornet Express Gold Line connects the University Transit Center to the retail and medium-density residential areas along Howe Avenue north of the campus and to the Arden Fair regional shopping mall. Hornet Express Green Line runs in a loop around the campus, then in a loop serving the residential neighborhoods along La Riviera Drive and Folsom Boulevard southeast of campus. The Hornet Express Hornet Line runs in a small loop at the south end of campus, then travels to Folsom Hall (located south of U.S. 50) and to the 65 th Street Light Rail Station before returning to campus along Folsom Boulevard. In addition to the public and Sac State transit systems, some private apartment complexes catering to students offer shuttle buses to and from the campus 8. 7 Sources: RT Bus & Light Rail Routes & Schedules, Regional Transit website, accessed April 17, 2014; Amador Transit website, accessed April 17, 2014; University Transportation and Parking Services website, accessed April 17, For example, The Element apartment complex on 65th Street at 4 th Avenue 12

55 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 13: Existing Transit System in Vicinity of Sac State 13

56 TIS for Student Residence Hall in the Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 14: Hornet Express Routes 14

57 TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area 5. EXISTING PLUS PROJECT CONDITIONS A. Project Vehicle Trip Generation and Distribution Overall, by providing on-campus housing for the University students, the project will result in a beneficial impact of reducing commute vehicular trips by a minimum of 497 daily trips as shown below: Daily Trips (CSU Counts) Campus Gateway Inbound Outbound Total State University Drive (North) 9,037 8,716 17,753 College Town Drive 12,678 12,905 25,583 State University Drive (South) 4,472 4,240 8,712 All Gateways Combined 26,187 25,861 52,048 Student Trips (74% of total) = 38,516 Existing Off-campus students 27,211 Student trips/off-campus Student Reduction in Off-Campus Students 351 Reduction in Trips from Off-Campus Students 497 In addition to the 497 daily commute trips reduction, the project will result in reduction of vehicular trips associated with approximately 200 parking spaces that will be replaced by the project. Assuming a low utilization rate of 1 daily trip per 1 parking space, the project could result in reduction of nearly 700 daily vehicular trips that is a substantial long-term beneficial impact. The residents of the proposed new student residence hall will make some vehicular trips to the city and/or other off-campus destinations. The number of such trips was forecast using data from the existing residence halls. Traffic counts were performed at the entrances Residence Way and the two driveways serving the existing residence halls (study intersections 3, 4, and 5) during the morning and evening peak periods (Exhibit 18). Time Period AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Direction West Driveway (Int #3) To/From West To/From East Residence Way (Int #4) To/From West To/From East East Driveway (Int #5) To/From West To/From East Total All Sites VT per Existing Resident Inbound Outbound Inbound Outbound Exhibit 15: Computation of Trip Generation Rates for Residents of Student Housing on Campus 15

58 TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area These counts 9 were used in combination with the number of residents at the existing residence halls (1,600) to compute the vehicular trip generation rate per resident student, as shown in Exhibit 16. These rates were used in combination with the number of students in the proposed residence hall (351) to forecast the peak hour vehicle-trips generated by the Project (see Exhibit 16). The trips shown in Exhibit 16 were separated into those oriented towards the west and those oriented towards the east. Trips to and from the west (38% of the total) were assumed to go through the J Street/State University Drive intersection while those to and from the east (62% of the total) were assumed to pass through the College Town Drive/State University Drive intersection. The existing percentages of traffic oriented in each direction were used to forecast the distribution of Project trips, which is shown in Exhibit 17. The trip-generation rates shown in Exhibit 16 were combined with number of residents of the Project (351) and the forecast the distribution of Project trips shown in Exhibit 18 and Exhibit 19. Time Period AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Direction To/From West To/From East Total Inbound Outbound Inbound Outbound Exhibit 16: Vehicle-Trips Generated by Project Exhibit 16 shows that the students residing on campus in the Project will generate very few trips. Overall, by providing on-campus housing for the University students, the project will result in a beneficial impact of reducing commute vehicular trips by a minimum of 497 daily trips and could result in reduction of nearly 700 daily vehicular trips. As the Project does not include an increase in enrollment, so every resident of the Project would in effect replace a student that currently resides off campus and commutes to Sac State. The increase in trips described in Exhibit 16 would therefore be offset by a reduction in trips made by students residing off campus. 9 Study intersection 5 serves both the portion of Lot 2 reserved for the residence halls and the portion reserved for faculty and staff. Separate counts were done for the two areas, the results of which are shown in sub-figure 5 and 5A of Exhibit 7). Only the portion of parking lot that serves the residence halls was used in the computation of the trip generation rate. 16

59 TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area Exhibit 17: Distribution of Project Trips The first step in quantifying the Project s effect towards reducing traffic was to determine the peak-hour traffic at the three campus entrances on a per-off-campus-student basis. This is shown in Exhibit 18. These rates were then multiplied by the number of residents in the Project, assuming that residents replace off-campus students on a 1-for-1 basis. The peak hour traffic reducing effect of providing on campus housing for students at entrances to the campus is shown in Exhibit

60 TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area Entrance to Campus AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Inbound Outbound Inbound Outbound State University Dr. (north end) 1,389 37% % % 1,025 39% College Town Drive 1,872 50% % % 1,220 46% State University Dr. (south end) % % % % Total 3, % % 1, % 2, % Student Trips (74% of total) = 2, ,291 1,951 Student Trips / Off-campus Student (27,211 students) = Exhibit 18: Computation of Peak Hour Trip Rate per Off-Campus Student Entrance to Campus AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Inbound Outbound Inbound Outbound State University Dr. (north end) College Town Drive State University Dr. (south end) Total Exhibit 19: Reduction in Peak Hour Trips Due to the Project The net effect of the project on peak hour trips to and from the campus was computed by combining the increase in trips shown in Exhibit 16 with the decrease in trips shown in Exhibit 19. The net changes in peak hour traffic at the gateways to the campus are shown in Exhibit 20, and the net change at the seven study intersections is shown in Exhibit 21. As can be seen in the exhibits, the Project will result in a small increase in peak hour traffic at the north end of campus and a small reduction in peak hour traffic at the south end of the campus. The largest change is a net reduction in hour traffic entering the campus in the morning peak hour. Entrance to Campus AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Inbound Outbound Inbound Outbound State University Dr. (north end) College Town Drive State University Dr. (south end) Total Exhibit 20: Net Change in Peak Hour Traffic at Gateways to Campus 10 As discussed previously, overall, by providing on-campus housing for the University students, the project will result in a beneficial impact of reducing commute vehicular trips by a minimum of 497 daily trips and could result in reduction of nearly 700 daily vehicular trips. B. Existing Plus Project Roadway Conditions The Existing Plus Project traffic volumes at study intersections are shown in Exhibit 22. The LOS at the study intersections under Existing Plus Project conditions is shown in Exhibit 23. The project will not change the LOS at any study intersection, and therefore will have no significant traffic impact. 10 There are slight differences between the numbers shown in Exhibit 20 and in Exhibit 21 due to rounding. 18

61 State University Dr 1 (0) 2 (4) -3 (-1) -1 (1) 0 (0) -5 (1) 0 (0) 0 (0) -1 (-2) 0 (1) State University Dr 2 (7) 1 (4) Faculty&Residence Hall Dr Bike & Ped Access Only 0 (0) 0 (0) Residence Hall W Drive 2 (7) 0 (0) Residence Way 2 (7) 1 (4) Residence Hall Drive 0 (2) 1 (1) 1 (2) 0 (0) 2 (10) 0 (0) -1 (1) 0 (0) Carlson Drive -7 (-2) 1 (10) State University Dr TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area A 6 Legend Turn Lane XX (YY) AM (PM) Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 Study Intersection Traffic Signal Stop Sign 7 N 1 Carlson Drive/J Street 2 State University Dr/Arboretum Way 0 (0) 0 (0) -2 (4) J Street Arboretum Way 0 (0) 0 (0) -2 (2) -1 (-4) 0 (0) 3 Residence Hall W Drive/State University 4 Residence Way/State University Dr 5A Residence Hall Drive/State University Dr 0 (0) 0 (0) 2 (10) 0 (0) 0 (0) 2 (4) State University Dr State University Dr State University Dr 0 (0) 3 (7) 1 (10) -3 (3) -6 (-3) 3 (6) 6 State University Dr/Faculty S Driveway 7 State University Dr/College Town Dr 5 Faculty&Residence Hall Dr/State 0 (0) -9 (2) 2 (4) 1 (5) 0 (0) -5 (-3) 0 (0) Faculty S Driveway College Town Dr State University Dr 0 (0) 3 (6) -1 (-4) 0 (-1) -6 (-3) Exhibit 21: Net Effect of Project on Peak-Hour Traffic at Study Intersections 19

62 State University Dr 128 (376) 55 (86) 291 (101) 192 (172) 10 (74) 555 (325) 24 (24) 13 (16) 83 (220) 183 (715) State University Dr 19 (78) 14 (38) Faculty&Residence Hall Dr Bike & Ped Access Only 4 (17) 0 (6) Residence Hall W Drive 7 (32) 8 (27) Residence Way 8 (24) 5 (19) Residence Hall Drive 80 (223) 58 (137) 137 (670) 29 (30) 160 (521) 42 (49) 259 (93) 404 (619) Carlson Drive 715 (278) 673 (377) State University Dr TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area A 6 Legend Turn Lane XX (YY) AM (PM) Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 Study Intersection Traffic Signal Stop Sign 7 N 1 Carlson Drive/J Street 2 State University Dr/Arboretum Way 23 (21) 525 (693) 663 (395) J Street Arboretum Way 102 (95) 542 (972) 462 (159) 111 (505) 29 (46) 3 Residence Hall W Drive/State University 4 Residence Way/State University Dr 5A Residence Hall Drive/State University Dr 6 (2) 0 (13) 138 (482) 137 (449) 120 (391) 12 (22) State University Dr State University Dr State University Dr 20 (25) 4 (31) 663 (383) 658 (357) 566 (316) 18 (20) 6 State University Dr/Faculty S Driveway 7 State University Dr/College Town Dr 5 Faculty&Residence Hall Dr/State 17 (38) 886 (507) 22 (36) 27 (52) 120 (126) 972 (323) 120 (391) Faculty S Driveway College Town Dr State University Dr 8 (36) 98 (68) 77 (502) 43 (167) 566 (316) Exhibit 22: Existing Plus Project Peak-Hour Traffic at Study Intersections 20

63 TIS for Student Residence Hall in Northeastern Campus Area ID Intersection Traffic Control Delay (sec/veh) Existing Conditions AM Peak Hour LOS PM Peak Hour Delay (sec/veh) Exhibit 23: Existing Plus Project LOS LOS Delay (sec/veh) LOS Delay (sec/veh) 1 Carlson Drive and J Street Signal 25.7 C 31.0 C 25.7 C 31.2 C 2 State University Drive and Arboretum Way Signal 4.8 A 8.1 A 4.7 A 8.1 A 3 State University Drive and Residence Hall West Drive SSSC 9.0 A 12.9 B 9.0 A 13.0 B 4 State University Drive and Residence Hall Drive Signal 2.6 A 3.0 A 2.6 A 3.3 A 5 State University Drive and Residence Hall-Faculty Drive SSSC 13.2 B 14.6 B 13.2 B 15.2 C 6 State University Drive and Faculty South Drive AWSC 14.2 B 12.2 B 14.0 B 12.4 B 7 State University Drive and College Town Drive Signal 41.2 D 47.3 D 40.5 D 47.1 D Notes: For signalized intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "AWSC" means "all w ay stop-controlled." For AWSC intersections average delay and LOS for all approaches are reported. "SSSC" means "side-street stop controlled." For SSSC intersections, delay and LOS for the w orst performing approach are reported. Existing Plus Project Conditions AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour LOS C. Existing Plus Project Bicycle and Pedestrian Conditions The Project will not displace, damage, or otherwise adversely affect any existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian facility. Development of the residence hall and accompanying cafe and multipurpose room will create a pedestrian desire line from the main entry plaza area to the core campus across State University Drive. Based on the current crossings of State University Drive associated with the existing residence halls, it is expected that the new residence hall will generate 114 pedestrian crossings in the AM peak hour and 101 in the PM peak hour (see Exhibit 24). AM PM Existing Residence Halls Crossing Per Resident (1600 residents) Expected Crossings by New Residents (351) Exhibit 24: Expected Pedestrian Crossings of State University Drive To ensure pedestrian safety, State University Drive at the main entrance to the residence hall will be stripped and a pedestrian crossing signage array (see Exhibit 25) will be installed. Exhibit 25: Signage Array With this project design feature, no adverse pedestrian impact will result. D. Existing Plus Project Transit Conditions The Project will not disrupt or conflict with the operations (route or schedule) of any existing or planned transit routes. Therefore the Project will have no adverse impact on transit. 21