DATE: April 23, 2017
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Paul Holzen, Director of Engineering
Jonathan Marston, Assistant Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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Discussion Concerning a Traffic Signal Master Plan and Current Road Impact Fee Policies (04/27/17 CIC 3-0)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the proposed Traffic Signal Master Plan.
Background
Staff has developed a Traffic Signal Master Plan to present to the BOMA and Franklin Municipal Planning Commission (FMPC). Having a master plan will help make development more predictable and can be used as a long-range planning tool as infrastructure is built around the City of Franklin. The City currently operates approximately 118 traffic signals. Utilizing our current Land Use Plan and the Comprehensive Transportation Network Plan, staff estimates that the number of traffic signals will one day increase by 52. The proposed traffic signals are generally located on arterial and collector roadways. This master plan will help us design and manage access on our roadway network as new development is proposed throughout the City. In addition, this plan would give us the tools necessary to ensure that all developers are paying their proportionate share of infrastructure costs.
The City of Franklin Municipal Code, Section 16-417, allows the City to offset arterial road improvements against road impact fees due for the development. Arterial road improvements are defined as any capital improvement, including but not limited to, new roads, additional lanes, widened lanes, intersection improvements, turn lanes, bridges, traffic signals, intelligent transportation system (ITS) improvements, street lighting, and associated drainage facilities, that expand the capacity of the City’s arterial road system.
Traffic signals installed to benefit a development and not the arterial roadway system have historically not qualified for road impact fee offsets. The Artessa Development is a good example of staff recommending against the use of a proposed offset agreement. The traffic signal installed as part of the Artessa Development did not improve capacity on the roadway network; it simply provided better access to the development. With the adoption of a Traffic Signal Master Plan, the BOMA may choose to revisit the ordinance to allow all signals included in the traffic signal master plan to qualify for road impact fee offsets. All other signals approved by the BOMA would not qualify for road impact fee offsets and would be funded by the Developer.
Financial Impact
No financial impact at this time. This is for discussion only.
Recommendation
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Staff recommends moving forward with the adoption of a Traffic Signal Master Plan and further recommends that the Municipal Code be modified to allow signals, as shown on the master plan, to qualify for road impact fee offsets. It should be noted that the BOMA and the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission would always retain ability to revisit this Traffic Signal Master Plan.