Laserfiche WebLink
MOUNTAIN HOUSE PROPOSED MACHADO TENTATIVE MAP 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST <br /> 4.15 TRANSPORTATIONITRAFFIC <br /> houses have been occupied. Additionally, express bus service should be provided to jobs in <br /> Tracy before 44,000 residents live in the Mountain House Community(EDAW, 2005b). <br /> SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS IDENTIFIED IN 2005 SPIIIEIR <br /> The SPIIIEIR identifies two traffic impacts associated with development of Specific Plan III, <br /> of which the proposed project is a part. One, concerning potential traffic safety issues during <br /> construction,was less than significant. The following impact was potentially significant: — <br /> Impact 4.11-1:Transportation—Effects on 2025 Cumulative With-Project <br /> Conditions on Anticipated Network. This scenario evaluates the traffic impact on <br /> the roadways in the [Specific Plan III] vicinity from the buildout of the proposed <br /> [Specific Plan III] and the remaining portions of the MHMP in the cumulative 2025 <br /> scenario. Under the cumulative 2025 scenario, some of the arterials in the [Specific <br /> Plan IIl] vicinity are projected to operate at an unacceptable LOS. Without <br /> mitigation,traffic impacts on these roadways would be significant. With <br /> implementation of the mitigation adopted previously for MHMP development, <br /> however, traffic effects on all but two of the arterial segments evaluated would be <br /> less than significant. Altamont Pass Road west of Grant Line Road would still be <br /> projected to operate at LOS F, resulting in a significant and unavoidable impact. <br /> This result is consistent with the results of the MEIR. Also, Byron Road east of <br /> Grant Line Road is projected to operate at LOS D, while the current acceptable <br /> standard for this roadway segment is LOS C. This segment was not projected to <br /> operate at an unacceptable LOS in the MSIR. The effect on this segment would be <br /> potentially significant. In addition, several freeway segments in the project area are <br /> projected to operate at LOS F,as found in the MEIR. A significant and unavoidable <br /> impact would occur. <br /> MITIGATION MEASURES IDENTIFIED IN 2005 SPIIIEIR <br /> The SPIIIEIR determined that there is no additional mitigation to those provided in the MEIR <br /> that would reduce the 2025 cumulative traffic impact on Altamont Pass Road west of Grant _ <br /> Line Road and on I-580, I-205, and I-5 north of I-205 to a less-than-significant level. Impact <br /> on these road segments would remain significant and unavoidable. <br /> SPIIIEIR Mitigation Measure 4.11-1 states that for consistency with previously adopted <br /> roadway standards, San Joaquin County shall extend the standard of LOS D acceptability to <br /> the segment of Byron Road east of Grant Line Road. Traffic effects on this roadway were <br /> projected to be at LOS C in the MEIR with implementation of the approved roadway <br /> improvements. The SPIIIEIR analysis reveals that Byron Road east of Grant Line Road may <br /> operate at LOS D. Since the acceptable LOS for this segment is LOS C, this would be a _ <br /> potentially significant impact. However, it has become more evident in the past few <br /> decades that experiences with best practices and design support the adoption of LOS D as an <br /> acceptable standard. Adopting LOS C standards for street design can lead to unusually wide _ <br /> streets,high speeds, and dangers to pedestrians and bicyclists. For example, in the case of <br /> Byron Road east of Grant Line Road, at LOS D, a four-lane roadway would suffice whereas a <br /> LOS C standard requires a six-lane roadway. <br /> 4-78 <br />