14.21.010 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the terms contained herein shall be defined as follows:
A. Affected Transportation Improvement Project. “Affected Transportation Improvement Project” means a Transportation Improvement Project identified in the manner set forth in LMC 14.21.026 to which the proposed development is projected to add at least one PM Peak Hour Trip. Distribution of PM Peak Hour Trips shall be made in accordance with the latest adopted revision of the Thurston Regional Planning Council’s Traffic Distribution Model or such other method as is specifically approved by the city.
B. Background Traffic. “Background Traffic” means that volume of traffic that is projected to occur on the street system or through an intersection as of the anticipated date of completion of a development but not including the traffic generated from such development. “Background Traffic” shall include anticipated traffic from all other approved developments located inside or outside of the city except those developments where governmental approval has lapsed.
C. Capacity. “Capacity” means the maximum number of vehicles that can be accommodated in the area of a transportation improvement project at a specified level of service. “Capacity” shall be calculated according to the most recent Highway Capacity Manual, a signal warrant analysis, or alternative method approved by the city.
D. Completion of Development. “Completion of Development” is achieved:
1. In residential developments other than multifamily residential and planned community development, upon final plat approval.
2. In planned community developments and village centers upon final city approval of the phase of the development which caused the traffic mitigation measures to be required.
3. In all other developments, when a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the city.
E. Comprehensive Plan. “Comprehensive Plan” means the city of Lacey Comprehensive Plan, including any joint comprehensive plan adopted by the city and Thurston County.
F. Development. “Development” means preliminary plat, short plat, proposal to substantially intensify the type of use of existing land or structures, additions to existing structures other than one or two family residential structures and any proposed project requiring site plan review pursuant to LMC 16.84.010. Except for those residential lots within plats described in LMC 14.21.050, the term shall not include individual one or two family residential lots.
G. Financial Commitment. “Financial Commitment” means funds known or reasonably forecasted to be available and designated for transportation facilities or strategies and/or funds that are deposited or assured by an applicant in a form approved by the city.
H. Level of Service (LOS). “Level of Service” means the capacity standard for traffic flow through a specified area defined in the latest edition of the Highway Capacity Manual. Subject to the provisions for Strategy Corridors set forth in Subsection M of this Section, the adopted levels of service for the city of Lacey are as follows:
1. Lacey Core Area = Level E. The Lacey Core Area is defined as that area bounded by the northerly right-of-way line of Martin Way on the north, the southerly right-of-way line of Lacey Boulevard on the south, the westerly city limit line on the west and the easterly right-of-way line of Carpenter Road on the east.
2. All areas other than the Lacey Core Area = Level D.
I. Mitigation. “Mitigation” shall mean facility improvements constructed or financed either directly by a developer or in conjunction with the construction or financing of such improvements by other developers and/or the city.
J. PM Peak Hour. “PM Peak Hour” shall mean the sixty-minute period between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. with the greatest sum of traffic volumes on a roadway segment or passing through the area of a transportation improvement project.
K. PM Peak Hour Trips. “PM Peak Hour Trips” means total vehicular trips entering and leaving a development during the p.m. peak hour of the adjacent streets. The trip generation rate is as defined in the most recent ITE Trip Generation Manual, published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Other trip generation rate sources approved by the city may be used where ITE data are based on a limited survey base or where there may be special trip generating characteristics of the proposal.
L. Plan Area. “Plan Area” means that geographic area described in LMC 14.21.022 as generally benefited by the transportation improvements identified in the manner specified in LMC 14.21.026 and within which transportation mitigation fees may be imposed.
M. Strategy Corridors. “Strategy Corridors” are those streets or intersections which typically have been constructed or improved to 4 or 5 lanes in width between intersections, or are streets or intersections bounded by existing land use or environmental features that preclude further widening. Such Strategy Corridors are in areas where, pursuant to other policies of the City, growth is encouraged and typically coincides with the designation of a High Density Corridor, City Centers, Core Areas or Activity Centers where a concentration of commercial and other uses is desired, especially when that growth increases densities and proximity of different types of land use. Peak hour vehicular congestion in these corridors is likely to exceed levels of service which would otherwise be acceptable within the transportation system. Such corridors should be identified in the City’s Transportation Plan. Such Strategy Corridors shall be exempt from the level of service standards set forth in Subsection H of this Section. However, strategies tailored to each of such corridors may be required in accordance with the procedures and authority set forth in LMC 14.21.030. Such strategies should include an appropriate mix of:
1. High quality and fully integrated bike, pedestrian, carpool, vanpool, and transit facilities and services.
2. Complete and connected street grids.
3. Transportation technology measures that improve overall system operating efficiency and safety.
4. Access management.
5. Parking management.
6. Aggressive travel demand management strategies; and/or
7. Land use intensification.
N. Transportation Improvement Project. “Transportation Improvement Project” means any and all transportation improvement projects identified as specified in LMC 14.21.026 to be designed and constructed in accordance with the city’s Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards or by the requirements of the state of Washington for transportation improvement projects controlled and regulated by the state of Washington.
O. Transportation Mitigation Fee. “Transportation Mitigation Fee” means the monetary charge imposed on a development within the plan area for the purpose of providing that portion of the funding for identified transportation improvement projects which is reasonable and necessary to mitigate the cumulative impacts of growth and development upon such identified transportation improvement projects. (Ord. 1268 §1, 2006; Ord. 1059 §1, 1997; Ord. 1033, 1996).