HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2001 0207 CC REG ITEM 10C-112.3 ( 1)
rrEM I
CITY OF MOORPARX, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
ACTION:
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Wayne Loftus, Director of Community Development,/,Z°
DATE: February 1, 2001 (CC Meeting of 2/7/01)
SUBJECT: Consider the status of the SR -118 Arterial Bypass in
Implementing the Circulation Element of the General Plan
SUMMARY:
This report is an update of similar reports previously submitted to
the City Council that addresses the status of the SR -118 Arterial
Bypass and its role in the implementation of the Circulation Element
of the General Plan. This update is appropriate because of the
pending (March 2001) hearings by the Planning Commission on two
proposed residential projects along this transportation corridor,
which include circulation and environmental impact conclusions,
based upon implementation of the SR -118 Arterial.
BACKGROUND:
On March 1, 2000, the City Council received a report (Attachment 5)
concerning the SR -118 Arterial Bypass and took no action on this
item but suggested holding a workshop. A Joint City Council /Planning
Commission meeting was held on March 31, 1999, including this item
for discussion. No direction was given to staff, however this item
was continued to the regular City Council meeting of April 21, 1999,
when the report was received and filed. These reports previously
provided for these discussions are attached to this report.
Additionally, other communications or status reports have been
provided to City Council from time to time, dating back to 1990,
when the primary focus was to work with Caltrans to determine a
centerline alignment for a westerly extension of State Route 118 and
a northerly extension of State Route 23, together with locating an
interchange for these state routes.
S:ICommunity DevelopmenAEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypassl010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass- 2101 -5:30 PM
C v` () 0`1(C)
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 2
The alignment of the SR -118 Arterial that has been used for
decision- making with Specific Plan No. 2 and the A -B Properties
industrial subdivision (TR- 5147), reflects the Caltrans centerline
conclusion, which was incorporated into the Circulation Element of
the General Plan by the 1992 update of that element.
In addition to the two projects at each end of the SR -118 Arterial
corridor mentioned above, where the City Council has made decisions
concerning alignment and improvements, other projects are being
designed around this future transportation facility. These projects
include: Specific Plan No. 1 (Hitch Ranch, 450 - 605 residential
units), West Pointe Homes (RPD 99.02, TR 4620) proposed for 250
single - family homes and SunCal (RPD 98.02, TR 5130) proposed for 107
single- family homes. The West Pointe Homes and SunCal projects will
be considered by the Planning Commission in March 2001, and will
subsequently go forward to City Council with a recommendation from
the Commission. The Draft Environmental Impact Report for West
Pointe Homes was heard at several meetings of the Planning
Commission and on December 18, 2000, the Commission voted to
recommend to the City Council certification of this document.
The Circulation Element which has been the foundation for the above -
referenced discussions and decision - making, illustrates the SR -118
Arterial Bypass as a transportation corridor, extending westerly
from the existing SR -118 and SR -23 interchange located north of the
Union Pacific Railroad tracks, and north of Wicks Road and Casey
Road moving south of the Gabbert Road neighborhood, linking the SR-
118/23 corridor near Princeton Avenue to Los Angeles Avenue, west of
Buttercreek Road. Verbiage within the Circulation Element describes
the corridor as a six -lane Arterial or freeway and incorporates
additional language to reference the potential for the corridor to
be extended west of the City limits into unincorporated Ventura
County as a freeway. Within the City limits, the arterial corridor
departs from its westerly potential extension, west of Gabbert Road
to connect directly to Los Angeles Avenue, west of Buttercreek Road
via a four lane arterial roadway section that is located on the
westerly portion of the proposed Triliad Industrial Park (IPD 99/05-
0, TM 5217). This connection to Los Angeles Avenue also impacts the
A -B Properties industrial subdivision and includes an undercrossing
of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Based upon the Circulation
Element, all of the intersections along the above - described routes
are at -grade with signals and Walnut Canyon Road is proposed to be
S:1Community DevelopmentlEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypassboc 2/11015:28 PM
C X0044
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 3
bridged with no connection to the corridor. Because of the
difference in grade between the arterial alignment and Walnut Canyon
Road, an at -grade intersection would be difficult to achieve and
would serve only a marginal purpose, based upon the extension of
Spring Road to Walnut Canyon Road. When the Spring Road connection
to Walnut Canyon Road is completed, it is expected to be the
preferred northerly route to Fillmore for most vehicle trips, except
trucks which were excluded by Council action on the roadway
connection, which is a condition of Specific Plan No. 2.
originally envisioned in 1989 as a congestion relief measure and a
possible way to address truck traffic, the SR -118 transportation
corridor has a significant history, as noted by the chronology
(Attachment 2), included in this report. A variety of alternatives
for the design and function of this transportation corridor have
been discussed during its long history, which dates to 1965, when
Ventura County included a similar alignment within the County
General Plan Circulation Element. The County in 1988 subsequently
downgraded the entire SR -118 corridor from SR -23 to SR -126 to a
reservation status, which required it to remain free of development
but did not require dedication or an offer of dedication. The
alternatives that have been envisioned for this transportation
facility range from a full freeway design with interchanges at the
SR- 118/23 "horseshoe," Walnut Canyon Road and Gabbert Road to a
surface street solely serving local traffic, or at the other end of
the spectrum, its elimination from the Circulation Element
altogether.
At this time because this facility is shown on the Circulation
Element, staff has been incorporating it into the various projects
and recommending other roadway connections that are appropriate to
complete a functional City circulation system. The arterial corridor
width has been set at 200 feet (adequate for a six -lane arterial
freeway) throughout its length in an east /west direction, with the
north /south segment 100 feet in length to connect to Los Angeles
Avenue. Because the project boundaries and property ownership's vary
along the alignment of the corridor the width of the dedication will
vary by project as described later in this report. However, based
upon the General Plan, which describes the portion through the City
as a six -lane arterial, or a freeway, projects along its route based
upon an arterial design would be allowed limited connections by
collector streets with direct access from individual parcels
SXommunity Developrrmf Everyor*M -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 2111015:28 PM
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 4
prohibited. The end result would be a corridor similar in appearance
and function as Tierra Rejada Road, referred to as parkways in many
communities. Likewise, this design would not preclude a future
freeway but would require Caltrans to incorporate appropriate local
circulation solutions, if neighborhood access were lost. Not
withstanding the existence of several alternatives concerning the
function and design of this facility, there are several occurring
questions that will need a response and or resolution, by the City
Council, including but not limited to, financing and utilization as
a truck route. These issues would be particularly critical if this
corridor were only designated for freeway status, which is not the
case as the current designation is a six -lane arterial or a freeway.
Additionally, there is currently no plan for an interchange at the
SR- 118/23 "horseshoe" transition. Also, a recent conversation with
Ventura County Planning staff working on the County Circulation Plan
Update, indicates that alternatives under consideration include the
complete elimination of any designation of a freeway corridor for
the SR -118 Arterial Bypass and the freeway alignment for SR -23 north
of Broadway.
Because of pending projects such as Specific Plan No. 1, West Pointe
Homes and SunCal and other approved projects, including Toll
Brothers (216 single- family units, two golf courses) and Specific
Plan No. 2, the SR -118 Arterial has become more relevant to the
future transportation needs of the community, including congestion
management. Based upon approved projects and those pending approval
north of the Downtown Area and incorporating miscellaneous vacant
parcels, approximately 2000 residential units could be developed in
this north, central area of the City. This anticipated growth will
require adequate circulation alternatives and for those projects
that have been approved, the SR -118 Arterial has been a critical
component of the traffic and circulation studies. Based upon
topography, existing development and recently approved projects, the
number and location of alternative circulation corridors is limited.
North /South corridors include Walnut Canyon Road, Spring Road and a
potential corridor within the 1964 Transportation Commission
alignment for SR23. The east /west corridors are limited to the SR-
118 Arterial or High Street, including a potential connection of
High Street to Gabbert Road through Specific Plan No. 1. Some of
these alternatives may create more impacts than others and vary in
their cost to achieve.
S:IComnmity Developmenf EveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SRI 18 Arterial Bypass.doc 211/015:28 PM
Cti/ 043
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 5
DISCUSSION:
SR -118 Arterial - General Plan Alignment. As previously noted, this
alignment was pursued because of proposed land use changes and
concerns over future congestion issues and truck traffic. In 1989,
Caltrans produced a preliminary alignment (horizontal only, no
elevations are shown) at 1" 100' that is on file with the City. This
concept or preliminary plan envisions freeway improvements in both
the SR -118 Arterial corridor and the SR -23 corridor and included an
interchange concept involving the SR- 118/23 "horseshoe" transition.
This concept also included a grade- separated interchange at Walnut
Canyon Road and Gabbert Road. There are no current cost factors for
the Caltrans concept, although estimates from years past range to
$90,000,000 or more. As previously stated there is no Caltrans
adopted alignment for SR -118, westerly of SR- 118/23.
Inclusion of an east /west corridor in the Moorpark Circulation
Element was the result of a traffic analysis done by Austin -Foust
Associates (AFA) for the General Plan Update that began in 1990. The
focus of their study was to envision a circulation network that
would maintain a Level of Service (LOS) of "C" throughout the City
based on the proposed Land Use Element. Recommendations from the AFA
report included: 1) the extension of Spring Road to connect with the
SR -118 Arterial; 2) provision of an arterial corridor from the SR-
118/23 transition and Princeton Avenue to Los Angeles Avenue, at the
west end of the community; and 3) provision of a grade separated
crossing for the SR -118 Arterial at Walnut Canyon Road. The
east /west arterial based upon the AFA report would divert
approximately 50,000 trips from Los Angeles Avenue, assuming a
connection to SR -118 could be achieved. In 1991, AFA concluded that
at least 28% of the Los Angeles Avenue trips were pass- through,
including significant truck trips.
Approved Projects:
A -B Properties and Southern California Edison - In 1998, the City
Council approved a tentative map and Development Agreement for A -B
Properties and Southern California Edison involving development of
an industrial subdivision, west of Gabbert Road and north of the
Union Pacific Railroad corridor. Conditions of approval included an
irrevocable offer of dedication for the SR -118 Arterial of 140 feet
in width which is consistent with that portion of the corridor
S:1Community Development EveryonelSRA 18 Arterial Bypass1010207 SRI 18 Arterial Bypass.doc 2/1/015:28 PM
—�, !s
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 6
alignment, which crosses the northerly portion of the property. The
remaining 60 feet of right -of -way to complete a 200 -foot wide
corridor will be required from the adjacent property. Additionally,
a 100 foot wide arterial corridor along its westerly boundary
together with a radius of 200 feet to connect to the SR -118 Arterial
corridor is required. The 100 -foot dimension is consistent with the
Circulation Element, which provides for a four -lane connection to
Los Angeles Avenue, west of Buttercreek Road. Both arterial
corridors are required to be graded and improvements provided in the
100 -foot right -of -way along the property frontage. This project was
approved for limited buildout (70 %) until the installation of a
railroad under - crossing occurs and connection of the four -lane
arterial to Los Angeles Avenue is completed. Participation in an
assessment district, if one is formed to build the under - crossing
was also required by the Development Agreement.
Specific Plan No. 2 (Morrison) - As adopted, includes an irrevocable
offer of dedication of a 200 foot wide corridor for the 1964
Caltrans adopted alignment of SR -23 (along the project east property
line) and for the SR -118 Arterial. Specific Plan No. 2 was also
conditioned to provide funding for engineered plans for the vertical
and horizontal alignment and grading and is required to grade the
alignments to accommodate a minimum two -lane arterial comprised of
fourteen foot travel lanes and eight foot shoulders with a twenty
foot median for a sixty -four foot wide roadbed. No improvements were
required.
Pending Projects:
Specific Plan No. 1 (Hitch Ranch) - Proposal for up to 605
residential units and possible business park has submitted a
preliminary draft EIR, which provides for the extension of the SR-
118 Arterial, from the project east boundary to its west boundary
and connection with A -B Properties. A 200 -foot wide corridor is
shown and internal collector streets would connect to the arterial,
through at grade intersections. This arterial is to be completely
constructed by the development, including landscaping and theme
walls, and would be the backbone circulation corridor for the
project. A public street connection between the SR -118 Arterial and
the West Pointe Homes project would ultimately link Walnut Canyon
Road to the arterial corridor and include West Pointe Homes as a
participant in this area -wide transportation network.
S:1Community DevelopmentlEveryonelSRA 18 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 2/11015:28 PM
C�00 4 S
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 7
SunCal - Comprises the next active application for development east
of Specific Plan No. 1, and is proposing reservation of a 200 -foot
wide corridor at its north property line consistent with the
Circulation Element. This segment provides linkage between Walnut
Canyon Road and Specific Plan No. 2, with the exception of a small
privately owned parcel and land owned by the Ventura County
Waterworks District. There is a possibility that the primary access
to this project could link to the arterial and include an interim
connection to Spring Road, rather than to Walnut Canyon Road, which
has been the initial proposal. There would be no connection between
this segment of the arterial and Walnut Canyon Road because of the
significant difference in elevation of the two road surfaces.
Triliad Industrial Park - This proposed industrial park on Los
Angeles Avenue, west of the Southern California Edison Substation,
is one of the last links in this transportation corridor. The
Triliad project includes a north /south connection (four -lane
arterial within a 100 foot right -of way) to the east /west segment of
the SR -118 Arterial, thus providing a connection between Los Angeles
Avenue and the A -B Properties industrial subdivision.
There are several missing segments along this transportation
corridor that at this time are not part of a proposed development
project, including the individual parcel and Waterworks District
ownership, west of Specific Plan No. 2 and east of SunCal and a
segment between Walnut Canyon Road and the east boundary of Specific
Plan No. 1. A portion of this segment was anticipated for inclusion
at one time when Michael Sanders proposed development of single -
family residences off of Casey Road, across from the Boys and Girls
Club and adjacent to Specific Plan No. 1. This proposal is currently
inactive but could be renewed in the future. Also, in this area are
several individual ownership's comprised of small parcels and
several single- family homes.
An additional missing segment not connected directly with a
development proposal involves the bridge connection between SunCal
and small parcels on the west side of Walnut Canyon Road, which
would require a funding source, such as an allocation from the
Citywide Traffic Fee.
The last remaining segment of the SR -118 Arterial that must be
addressed involves a linkage from the SR- 118/23 "horseshoe"
S:1Community DevelopmenBEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypassboc 211/015:28 PM
C x010 4 XG
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 8
transition. The 1989 Caltrans Study and Alignment proposed a direct
ramp connection in all directions among the alternatives identified.
However, since Caltrans at this time has no plans for the extension
of SR -118, this alternative would appear to be infeasible.
A second alternative, that was evaluated in 1991 by Michael Brandman
Associates, involved a connection between Princeton Avenue near the
SR- 118/23 on -ramp to the Caltrans 1964 alignment for SR -23. This
proposed circulation element street, known as "D" Street, was part
of the General Plan Update, which was completed in 1992. This
connection was not implemented because of potential conflicts with
traffic circulation at Princeton Avenue and the freeway ramps and
neighborhood opposition from Varsity Park Estate residents.
At this time there may be one remaining feasible alternative that
can link the freeway system to the SR -118 Arterial. This possible
linkage involves the connection of Los Angeles Avenue (east) near
the SR- 118/23 Bridge columns to the SR- 118/23 corridor offered for
dedication in Specific Plan No. 2. This connection is physically
possible as evidenced by the attached grading plan (Attachment 3)
and would utilize an undeveloped parcel of land called Crawford
Canyon and a small segment of land owned by Caltrans. This property
currently has several abandoned buildings and has been illegally
used for truck repair and storage in the past, but is currently
vacant. Los Angeles Avenue between Spring Road and the Princeton
Avenue ramps to SR- 118/23 is identified on the Circulation Element
as a 2 -4 lane Rural Collector and could therefore appropriately
handle a large volume of traffic between the freeway system and the
Crawford Canyon connection. The current plans for improvement of Los
Angeles Avenue (east) involves improvement of a two lane road
(completion projected in 2003), however the right -of -way being
acquired would be adequate for a four lane roadway. Although it is
assumed under this alternative that using Los Angeles Avenue (east)
to connect to the Princeton Avenue freeway ramps is achievable, it
should be pointed out that there is currently significant congestion
at this location. Because of the close proximity of Condor Drive to
the freeway ramps and the increase in traffic flow due to the
employment increases at adjacent businesses and new construction at
this location the Level of Service (LOS) at this location should be
carefully evaluated before a final decision is made on a Crawford
Canyon connection. Additionally, assuming that extension of a
roadway is feasible through Crawford Canyon it may be feasible in
S:1Commun4 Development Everyone\SR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 2/1!015:28 PM
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 9
the near term to extend a surface street through Specific Plan No.
2 within the SR -23 offer of dedication with an extension north
through unincorporated area for a connection to Broadway. If this
connection could be accomplished truck traffic could utilize this
route instead of Walnut Canyon Road to gain access to the freeway
system at Princeton Avenue and more direct access to the concrete
batch plants on Los Angeles Avenue (east). Spring Road could also
serve this function, however as earlier noted City Council has
previously directed that the extension of Spring Road from High
Street to its intersection with Walnut Canyon Road be posted for no
truck traffic, except local deliveries.
Assuming that this circulation plan, using Crawford Canyon and the
SR -118 Arterial, is achievable, a future resident of Specific Plan
No. 1, SunCal or West Pointe Homes would be able to exit the freeway
system at Princeton Avenue, travel Los Angeles Avenue (east) to the
Crawford Canyon arterial, or Spring Road, proceed north to the SR-
118 Arterial (Parkway) then west to their final destination. Also,
if the SR -23 connection to Broadway were achieved, truck traffic
could be eliminated from Walnut Canyon Road and the Downtown Area.
These routes of travel would be an alternative to exiting the
freeway system at New Los Angeles Avenue and then proceeding north
on Spring Road, Moorpark Avenue /Walnut Canyon Road, or Gabbert Road
to their final destination.
It is apparent that based upon the Circulation Element of the
General Plan, two options are available concerning the design and
function of the SR -118 Arterial Bypass. The alternatives are as a
freeway, which if it were constructed in the future, would extend
SR -118 west to beyond the west City limits with possible
interchanges at Walnut Canyon Road and Gabbert Canyon Road (based
upon 1989 study). Connection to the SR- 118/23 "horseshoe" transition
would presumably be by a ramp system, therefore; no City streets
would be utilized. In addition, through traffic including truck
traffic could utilize this freeway route instead of Los Angeles
Avenue. Based upon the current status of the Caltrans planning
effort and route designation, (there is no current route designation
or plans to extend SR -118.) it is likely to take thirty plus (30 +)
years before improvements would occur.
Construction of a four or six -lane arterial or parkway, utilizing
Los Angeles Avenue (east) for a linkage to the freeway system, could
S:1Community DevelopmentlEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 211/015:28 PM
%X-iUl C)
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 10
occur in the near term period of five (5) to ten (10) years as
development of approved projects or projects pending approval take
place. Based upon recent decisions by the City Council, concerning
A -B Properties and Specific Plan No. 2, the westerly segment and
easterly segment of the parkway have been set. Pending projects,
including SunCal (Planning Commission hearing set for March 2001),
Specific Plan No. 1 and Triliad Industrial Park, will provide right -
of -way and improvement for most of the corridor with various other
segments, as earlier described, to be addressed. The end result as
a parkway would be a facility that could have an appearance and
function similar to Tierra Rejada Road, providing efficient well -
landscaped access to adjoining residential neighborhoods. Other
projects not directly along this route, such as West Pointe Homes
and Toll Brothers, could utilize the parkway and gain access to the
freeway system or to Los Angeles Avenue for westerly bound traffic
without traversing the Downtown Area and subsequently adding to the
congestion of Los Angeles Avenue. An extension of SR -23 from Los
Angeles Avenue (east) through Crawford Canyon and Specific Plan No.
2, north to Broadway could serve to re -route truck traffic away from
the Downtown Area.
Some key factors in staff considerations thus far have been: 1) the
cross -town arterial would serve as a major local arterial only,
similar to Tierra Rejada, across the north - central portion of the
community; 2) the alignment and subsequent street need not act as
the extension of the SR -118 Freeway; 3) access to proposed projects
abutting the corridor would be allowed, but limited; 4) projects
through which the cross -town alignment passes should be responsible
for dedication of right -of -way and the construction of the cross-
town arterial consistent with the design standards adopted by the
City for the roadway; 5) there would be no direct access to Walnut
Canyon Road from the arterial, however, connection would be possible
by Spring Road or through West Pointe Homes; 6) Walnut Canyon Road
would be crossed via a bridge with no connecting ramps to the
corridor; 7) all intersections would be at grade and signalized; and
8) connection to the freeway system at Princeton could be
accomplished through Crawford Canyon and Los Angeles Avenue (east).
Attachment 4 to this report is a conceptual diagram of the type of
cross -town arterial roadway that could be developed. The concept
includes a raised landscaped median, turn pockets where appropriate,
four to six travel lanes, and two emergency parking lanes (one in
S:1Community DevelopmentlEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypas010207 SR118 Arterial Bypassbx 2111015:28 PM
C v i.i 0 4 9
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 11
each direction) and parkways that incorporate drainage and
bikeway /multi - purpose trail components. This arterial (parkway)
would serve as the primary access for projects along its routes, as
well as provide needed second points of ingress and egress for some
adjacent projects, and would create an aesthetically attractive
roadway within the north central area of the City.
With the development of the improvements for A -B Properties and
Specific Plan No. 1, a major portion of the cross -town corridor
could be completed. In discussion with staff, the Specific Plan No.
1 consultants and development team have indicated that there is
aesthetic and marketing value for their proposed project from the
development of an arterial through their project as an alternative
to using Casey Road, Gabbert Road, or High Street entry. A staged
construction of the corridor improvements, based upon construction
and marketing of units which culminates, is the result in its full
construction thus linking Los Angeles Avenue with the freeway system
at Princeton Avenue ramps.
Past thinking on the General Plan alignment was that it be an
extension of the SR -118 Freeway to be developed as a bypass. A
benefit of a bypass could be to divert truck traffic away form Los
Angeles Avenue through the City.
The Public Works Director has secured grant funding in the amount of
$120,000.00 under the Congestion Management and Air Quality
Improvement Program (CMAQ) with which to perform special studies
related to the SR -118 alignment including describing its most
feasible function. CMAQ projects are those which reduce congestion
and reduce air impacts. Up to this time the City has been unable to
secure professional engineering services to perform alignment
studies and financing recommendations through more than one RFP
attempt related to the previous RFP's emphasized Caltrans
involvement and procedure precedents in the work program. If the
Council concludes that the SR -118 corridor should function as an
arterial /parkway and provide for local access as envisioned by this
report, this study may not be necessary to the same extent and may
be an ineligible expenditure of these grant funds.
SACommunity DevelopmentlEveryone\SR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SRI 18 Arterial Bypass.doc 2111015:28 PM
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 12
Benefits Of Arterial (Parkway) Corridor:
Staff considers the following to be potential benefits to the
community of the implementation of the SR -118 Arterial Bypass as a
4 or 6 lane parkway.
1. The proposed route could remove significant amounts of traffic
from Walnut Canyon Road and Los Angeles Avenue and Moorpark
Avenue, thereby improving roadway safety and minimizing
improvements needed to meet Caltrans and City standards.
2. Development of this parkway corridor could route traffic to a
connection to the freeway system without the need to traverse
the Downtown Area or Los Angeles Avenue.
3. This parkway corridor can be developed as a limited access
roadway resulting in a reduction of direct traffic flow onto
Walnut Canyon Road. This could permit the City to consider
design and construction of the Walnut Canyon Road connections
for these projects as secondary or emergency access points.
4. Arriving at a conclusion that an arterial roadway or parkway is
the preferred circulation approach would allow the City to
establish a specific design plan. The design of the street
sections, intersections, lighting, signalization and
construction of improvements would be permitted only in
accordance with the plan adopted for the corridor.
5. Proceeding with an arterial or parkway improvement at this time
would not preclude future freeway improvements since the 200
foot wide corridor that Caltrans proposed in their 1989 concept
plan would be implemented. Some interior street modifications
may be required to accommodate ramps and bridges, however
Caltrans frequently implements these modifications when
existing freeways are expanded or expressways are converted to
freeways. It should be pointed out that any future demand for
a full freeway could be at a completely different location that
would be impossible to predict at this time.
eG0C. 5 -.
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 13
Summary:
Based upon the proceeding discussion including the identified
benefits of arterial improvements for the SR -118 Arterial corridor
it is recommended that the SR -118 corridor be developed as an
arterial or expressway. Improvement as a freeway at this time is
infeasible and circulation improvements in this portion of the
community are needed in the near term of five (5) to ten (10) years
as compared to a probable thirty (30) year time frame for freeway
improvements.
Actions Required:
The following are some of the actions that may be appropriate to
pursue the development of an arterial street that also does not
preclude use of the corridor for a freeway in the future.
1. Engage consulting services to perform vertical and horizontal
alignment studies to set the corridor design parameters and
verify the arterial concept study feasibility of construction.
Determine whether a future arterial route would accommodate
trucks. The lack of a direct connection (ramps, etc.) at the
Highway 118/23 "horseshoe" is likely to make infeasible the use
of the arterial as a truck bypass. The feasibility of extending
the SR -23 corridor from the north property boundary of Specific
Plan No. 2 to connect with Broadway in the unincorporated area
of the County could also be included in the study though it's
not the subject of this report being considered. This would
require a Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering services.
2. Continue to require developers to offer to dedicate right -of-
way, grade and construct those portions of the corridor within
their project site as a minimum four -lane arterial.
3. Continue to require developers to offer to dedicate or acquire
additional right -of -way adjacent to their property, adequate to
insure a 200 -foot right -of -way width for the total length of
the corridor.
4. Determine a fair share mitigation fee for those projects
developed north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, that are
outside of the corridor, adjacent to SR -118 Arterial corridor,
SAG= =n4 DevelopnwtlEveryonelSR -118 Arterial BypassW10207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 211/015:24 PM
c X00. Il
Honorable City Council
February 1, 2001
Page 14
or may generate vehicle trips that will use the corridor or a
north /south connecting corridor such as Walnut Canyon Road or
SR -23, including any additional bridges or over - crossings. Also
evaluate alternative funding methods.
5. Direct staff to prepare a Resolution for City Council adoption
to amend the Circulation Element of the General Plan to modify
the circulation map and language to delete the 118 freeway and
designate the 118 bypass as an arterial /parkway only.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Proceed with an arterial street within a 200 foot corridor including
a study of the Crawford Canyon connection option, and direct staff
to proceed with amendment to the Circulation Element of the General
Plan.
Attachments:
1. General Plan Circulation Element - Map
2. SR -118 Chronology - Updated
3. Crawford Canyon Connection
4. Arterial /Parkway Cross Section
5. City Council Agenda Report Dated 2/24/00
S:1Communily DevelopmenflEveryonelSR -118 Arterial Bypass1010207 SR118 Arterial Bypass.doc 211 /015:24 PM
C "E/I IG,05.3
IF.flF7:IQ
A{1ENAY
sDCtAME AR'[ERLLL
FOMAHE ARTERIAL
LOCAL couiCm
■ 90NAi�D ORiJtinLT10N
S wso/AOS RR Cx�
GRADE R?MIATTD RR CAO=Q
.... ..... QTY UW boummRY
..�/ / / / //■ =.IU FREEWAY CORRIDOR
.oin fL rr r... �A p.r..+.� •r Mme.
.r r Or I W—p" I�
w.r Oq-." d�� D.�v Dw-
o. rr..r rr��
i
\-I_
FgUf1E Z
CRY OF MOORPARK
GENERAL PLAN CLRCUTATION ELEMENT
MKNAW NETYYOW
GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT
ATTACHMENT 1
c^00.5�i
SR -118 ABBREVIATED CHRONOLOGY /
1964 California Transportation Commission adopts SR -23
alignment. Alignment includes interface with SR -118.
1965/69 Ventura County includes the SR -118 alignment within
the County Circulation Element.
1970s County upgrade to Circulation Element reflects
potential freeway.
1983 City incorporates and maintains County General Plan as
local plan.
1988 County downgrades SR -118 corridor status on County
Circulation Element to right -of -way reservation. This
action created new reservation designation within
Circulation Element and introduced policy that
applicants would be advised of need for future freeway
alignment while not required to give dedications or
improvements as conditions of approval for projects.
1989 City begins discussion on General Plan updating of the
Circulation Element. CALTRANS prepares the
preliminary alignment drawings for planning
consideration.
1990 Austin -Foust Associates (AFA) prepares traffic
analysis at City request and recommends that an SR -118
arterial be included in the City Circulation Element
and that there be a grade separation at Walnut Canyon
Road.
1991 AFA prepares additional traffic modeling that supports
need for SR -118 arterial as a means to ensure adopted
traffic level of service standards can be achieved and
identifies the most significant component of impact to
the City Circulation system as pass through and truck
traffic. 28% of the vehicle trips on Los Angeles
Avenue identified as pass through trips. City adopts
a general alignment for SR -118 into Circulation
system.
1992 General Plan Circulation Element adopted with SR -118
alignment, signalized intersections, grade separations
and street sections defined.
ATTACHMENT 2
M:\ JLibiez\ M\ SR118rfp \SR118chronology399.doc
118 Chronology
Page 2
1992 -
current Major development projects within the tentative
alignment of the SR -118 advised of need to incorporate
the arterial in their planning.
1998 City Council approved A &B Properties and Southern
California Edison Development Agreement for a proposed
industrial development to provide SR -118 dedication,
transition arterial roadway to Los Angeles Avenue,
grade separated underpass at the Union Pacific
Railroad as the westerly connection for the SR -118
arterial and first piece of the SR -118 development.
1999 City Council approved a Development Agreement for
Specific Plan No. 2, a 562 unit residential
development, requiring the irrevocable offer of
dedication for a 200' wide transportation corridor for
the SR -118 arterial and the SR -23 extension, and
requiring the applicant to provide funding for
engineering studies and to grade or provide funding
equal to the cost of grading for the two corridors.
�'; \` �j ', �c ' .1 •;�; -jam /i2 �A L � "�, i,,�,�;r o \�, _ ' � ` ' -1
� :. . % j �� :. � \ `�` '� \ • r, •',� � .l � 1 \ ,� � • _ —, fir.
J t
LOS ANGELES AVENUE (EAST
CONNECTION TO SR -118 ARTERIAL
VIA � � :• �::
CRAWFORD CANYON
�.• -� - q.�2 arm
N • % ;i' !. �lFFF7 s,<'�, ��c .j " n ®6715
��. - - >'.- -- y`-• 5 .y,�s --- - pia �� i
,, \ r ATTACHMENT 3 c 00
U7
1.11
Sivl ame Arterial - A six -lane roadway with no on- street
parting, a typical right -of -way width of 110 -120 feet and curb
to curb pavement width of 90 -10.3 feet, and which may have
controlled access.
D t! /—'\ LI — U
10' 8' 12' 12' 12' 12' 12' :12' 12' 8' 10'
D
r 200' t o w n D
O�
Z C/)�
M Cn m
Z cn
n>
Four -I ane Arterial - A four -lane roadway with a typical right- :j �
of -way width of 80 -100 feet and a curb to curb pavement width O D
of 60-80 feet, and H•hich may have controlled access, Z X
��� D
E h
10' 1 8' I 12', IT 12' IT 12' 8' 10'
1 6�
CITY OF MOORPARK
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Wayne Loftus, Director of Community Development�/,,Z*1
Prepared by: John Libiez, Principal Planner /Advanced
DATE: February 24, 2000 (CC meeting 3/1/2000)
SUBJECT: Consider Alternatives To Mitigate Future Traffic and
Circulation Impacts Affecting the Downtown and
Northwesterly Portions of the Community, Involving The
118 Arterial Bypass
SUMMARY:
This report discusses historic and current staff efforts related
to the implementation of the General Plan Circulation Element
identified east -west arterial (SR 118 Bypass) in order to
provide mitigation of traffic impacts within Moorpark and the
abutting region.
BACKGROUND:
The Circulation Element of the General Plan includes a concept
alignment of an arterial (118 Arterial Bypass)roadway located
north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, which links the
Highway 118/23 corridor near Princeton Avenue to Los Angeles
Avenue west of Buttercreek Road. The Circulation Element also
incorporates the concept of the 118 Arterial Bypass functioning
in. the future as a freeway corridor by illustrating the
extension of this arterial into unincorporated Ventura County
beyond the westerly City limits with a designation as the SR -118
Freeway Corridor. As described by the General Plan the adopted
concept for the 118 Arterial involves a roadway section of up to
six (6) lanes for the east /west segment (Highway 23 to Gabbert
Road) and four (4) lanes for the segment from Gabbert Road to
its connection at Los Angeles Avenue. All intersections are at
grade and most are signalized and the crossing of the Union
Pacific Railroad is noted as grade separated. The crossing of
Walnut Canyon Road is shown as a bridge with no connection
between these two transportation corridors.
%W kPRLSEWC SHAREICW)A16 ity Devebproe MvMo*City Council Agenda ReWWCity*deTraftM tdg 4.0Q.d0c
ATTACHMENT 5
•
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 2
Staff has provided the City Council with information regarding
the history and activities undertaken to pursue the 118 corridor
previously. Copies of the previous staff reports have been
attached for Council consideration (Attachments 2 and 3).
The incorporation of this transportation corridor into the
Circulation Element was the result of concerns over congestion
and truck traffic raised by the community to CALTRANS in 1989.
A variety of alternatives for the design and function of the 118
Arterial Bypass have been discussed since its incorporation into
the General Plan including: 1) as a freeway; 2) "involving a
full interchange with Highway 23; and truck traffic from Los
Angeles Avenue /Highway 118 to the bypass. Other alternatives,
discussed involved limiting its function to serve local traffic
needs, not allowing truck traffic, or elimination of the
corridor altogether from the Circulation Element. The common
theme, however, to all alternatives has been the method for
implementation and financing the improvements. This was
particularly critical when discussed within the context of
freeway type improvements.
Currently, the 118 arterial Bypass has become more relevant to
the future transportation needs of the community and the
management of traffic congestion because of anticipated growth
and development north of the Downtown area (potential of
approximately 2000 residential units) and the general increase
in traffic flow throughout the City. The available options are
becoming more focussed and the need for decision more critical
because of these projects that are coming forward for
processing.
DISCUSSION•
SR -118: General Plan Alignment
The City of Moorpark General Plan Circulation Element depicts an
alignment for an arterial roadway, containing up to six lanes,
extending from the current SR- 118/SR -23 Freeway westerly through
the City to Los Angeles Avenue. A new 4 lane arterial road
transitions southerly from the SR -118 corridor to a connection
with existing SR -118 (Los Angeles Avenue).
History of 118 Arterial
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 3
Provision of major north /south and east /west freeway links, and
alternative transportation corridors has historically been a
portion of the Caltrans transportation considerations for
Ventura County and particularly the Simi Valley /Moorpark area.
The SR -118 freeway corridor was shown on the County General Plan
Circulation Element prior to Moorpark incorporation. In May of
1989 the District 7 Director for Caltrans, based upon community
concerns and traffic information, prepared a concept design and
preliminary right -of -way lines for both the SR -23 and SR -118
Freeways. The California Transportation Commission adopted the
SR -23 alignment on October 28, 1964. In 1989, Caltrans produced
preliminary 1 "= 100'scaled plans for both alignments, copies of
which are maintained in the Public Works and Community
Development Departments.
In May, 1990, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc. (AFA), at direction of
the City Council, prepared a traffic analysis for the pending
Moorpark General Plan update, which included a number of
alternatives regarding future circulation corridors and
connections between corridors to increase circulation efficiency
and maintain the City's level of service for traffic flow at
Level of Service "C ". Recommendations included: 1)Extend Spring
Road to connect with the extension of SR 118; 2)create an
arterial roadway from the SR 118 freeway terminus near Princeton
Avenue to connect to Los Angeles Avenue at the westerly end of
the community; and, 3)grade separate SR 118 at Walnut Canyon
Road. The AFA report concluded that: 1) an east -west bypass
would be effective in diverting a significant amount of traffic
from Los Angeles Avenue (approximately 50K trips) in 2010,
thereby achieving desirable system performance standards (LOS -C)
for Los Angeles Avenue and other affected corridors; and, 2)
that a Bypass configured as a freeway was no more effective than
an arterial road in meeting circulation system needs.
In 1991, AFA performed traffic analysis related to a potential
Circulation Element amendment and concluded that a large
percentage of the trips that impacted the City circulation
system were pass through trips (285), including a significant
ratio of truck traffic. AFA noted that the westward extension
of the SR -118 Freeway was included within the County Master Plan
of Highways. As a result of the traffic analysis related to the
city -wide 2010 projections, the extension of SR 118 from SR
23/118 west to Los Angeles Avenue near Buttercreek Road was
C ON 0 01-)
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 4
added to the City's circulation system plan. In the 1992
Circulation Element update adopted by the City, the SR 118
arterial bypass was designated as a six lane arterial from
Princeton Avenue to Gabbert Road, and a four lane arterial from
Gabbert Road to Los Angeles Avenue.
In 1996, Michael Brandman Associates performed additional
environmental analysis related to the possible extension of
Spring Road in conjunction with the Specific Plan No. 8
considerations. The purpose was to assess the potential
connection, other than Broadway, for SP -8 traffic to be
distributed to reduce impacts at the Collins /SR -118 interchange
and maintain the City's adopted level of service standards. This
study concluded there was a need for extension of SR -118 west
from the SR- 118/SR -23 connection to Los Angeles Avenue as a
four -lane expressway with at grade intersections at Spring Road,
Walnut Canyon Road, "C" Street, and Gabbert Road. The Brandman
Study concluded this roadway could initially be constructed as a
two -lane facility, with the additional lanes added when needed.
Current Decisions - 128 Arterial
Specific Plan No. 2, as adopted, contains reservations for a
200' right -of -way for the SR -118 and SR -23. Depending on
grading, that width is adequate for a six lane facility.
Preliminary plans for Specific Plan No.l (Hitch Ranch) also
propose a 200' wide reservation for the SR -118. The Moorpark
Regency Development (Pre - application 98 -02, Michael Sanders)
immediately west of Walnut Canyon Road, and the SunCal project
immediately east of Walnut Canyon Road also propose 200' wide
reservations for the SR -118 right -of -way as it passes through
these projects. The SR -118 highway corridor provided for within
these projects is generally consistent with the alignment shown
by the Circulation Element and as shown on preliminary Caltrans
drawings.
City Council action on December 2, 1998, with regard to the A &B
Properties /Southern California Edison industrial development
application west of Gabbert Road, included a requirement for
connection of the SR -118 corridor to Los Angeles Avenue
including provision of a Union Pacific railroad underpass to
link this corridor to Los Angeles Avenue. The projects located
along this corridor represent the potential for
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 5
reservation /dedication of approximately 98-W of the right -of -way
needed for this arterial
The Freeway Option
Past thinking on the General Plan alignment was that it be an
extension of the SR -118 Freeway or be developed as a bypass. A
benefit of a bypass could be to divert truck traffic away from
L.A. Avenue through the City..
The Public Works Director has \'secured grant funding in the
amount of $120,000.00 under the Congestion Management and Air
Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) with which to perform special
studies related to the SR -118 alignment. CMAQ projects are those
which reduce congestion and reduce air impacts. Up to this time
the City has been unable to secure professional engineering
services to perform alignment studies and financing
recommendations through more than one RFP attempt related to the
Freeway /bypass extension. Staff believes this was because the
previous RFPs emphasized Caltrans involvement and procedure
precedents in the work program.
Points for Decision
Staff has recently begun to look at different ways to develop
this corridor assessing alternatives, with a focus on current
and near term solutions to traffic and circulation issues.
Some key factors in staff considerations thus far have been: 1)
the cross -town arterial would serve as a major local arterial
only, similar to Tierra Rejada, across the north - central portion
of the community; 2) the alignment and subsequent street need
not act as the extension of the SR -118 Freeway; 3) access to
proposed projects abutting the corridor would be allowed, but
limited; 4) projects through which the cross -town alignment
passes should be responsible for dedication of right -of -way and
the construction of the cross -town arterial consistent with the
design standards adopted by the City for the roadway; 5) access
to Walnut Canyon Road would be limited to secondary or emergency
access for projects that can develop direct connection to the
corridor /cross -town arterial; 6) Walnut Canyon Road would be
crossed via a bridge with no on or off ramps to the corridor; 7)
All intersections would be at grade and the major intersections
would be signalized; 8) Direct connection to Highway 23, would
not occur at this time.
X0062
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 6 /
Attachment 1 to this report is a conceptual diagram of the type
of cross -town arterial roadway that could be developed. The
concept includes a raised landscaped median, turn pockets where
appropriate, four travel lanes, and two emergency parking lanes
(one in each direction) and parkways that incorporate drainage
and bikeway /multi- purpose trail components. This arterial
(parkway) would serve as the primary access for projects along
its routes as well as provide needed second points of ingress
and egress for some adjacent projects, and would create a more
aesthetic roadway within the north central area of the City.
Mitigation of this new corridor to provide for the future access
needs of the remaining portion of the City with growth potential
will allow for the dispersal of traffic to the east and west of
the Downtown area as opposed to concentrating it on Gabbert
Road, Walnut Canyon road or High Street.
with the development of the improvements for A -B Properties and
Specific Plan No. 1, a major portion of the cross -town corridor
could be completed. In discussion with staff, the SP -1
consultants and development team have indicated that there is
aesthetic and marketing value this proposed project in
considering the development of the cross -town arterial as the
prime entry to this future residential community rather than
dependence upon the Casey Road, Gabbert Road, or High Street
entry. A staged construction of the corridor improvements based
upon construction and marketing of units which culminates in the
full improvement of the cross -town arterial through SP -1 could
result in the eventual reality of the complete cross -town
arterial.
Three additional projects under preliminary consideration also
can develop direct connection to the alignment. These are
Westpointe Homes currently proposed for 250 single family
dwellings (single family dwellings) project proposed across from
the Boy's and Girl's Club on property that straddles Walnut
Canyon Road that is not currently within any proposed project,
but would be needed for the corridor whether developed as an
arterial or ultimately as a freeway. Because of the significant
difference in elevation between the 118 corridor and the roadbed
elevation of existing Walnut Canyon Road at the point where the
two roads would cross Walnut Canyon Road must be bridged.
Bridging would address grade and elevation concerns and maintain
the alignment of the corridor as shown by the Suncal proposal,
%0063
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 7
which is the third project that may be part of an east /west
transportation corridor solution.
Right -of -way has been reserved through Specific Plan No. 2 for
this corridor. Although not included in the Development
Agreement, grading of the corridor may be achievable through the
balance of the project review. Although a current engineering
study has not been performed, it may be feasible to connect the
east end of the 118 Arterial to, Old Los Angeles Avenue via the
corridor identified as a reservation for Highway 23 within
Specific Plan No. 2 (connection with Crawford Canyon ) . Thereby
providing an opportunity for a continuous roadway connection
between Los Angeles Avenue west of Buttercreek Road to Los
Angeles Avenue near the SR23/118 overpass bridges west of
Princeton Avenue.
SR -118 Benefits
Staff considers the following to be potential benefits to the
community of the implementation of the SR -118 arterial.
1. The proposed routes could remove significant amounts of the
traffic from Walnut Canyon Road thereby improving roadway
safety and eliminate the need for an expensive widening and
straightening project in the future.
2. Development of the 118 corrido
particular truck traffic, to a
area without the need to tray
could route traffic, in
connection to the Freeway
arse the central City or
Downtown. Currently two routes
gravel /aggregate haulers that bring
central core area via either a route
Canyon Road, Moorpark Avenue, SR -118
Angeles Avenue, or Grimes Canyon Road,
Los Angeles Avenue.
are used for the
trucks through the
that utilizes Walnut
Spring Road to Los
SR -118, Spring Road,
3. The 118 Arterial can be developed as a limited access
roadway resulting in reduced direct traffic flow onto
Walnut Canyon Road. This could permit the City to consider
design and construction of the Walnut Canyon Road
connections for these projects as secondary or emergency
access points.
4. This circulation approach would allow the City to establish
a specific design plan for the 118 Arterial cgz�ridor. The
C 00 () G
City -wide Traffic Mitigation
February 24, 2000
Page 8
design of the street sections, intersections, lighting,
signalization and construction of improvements would be
permitted only in accordance with the plan adopted for the
corridors.
Actions Needed
The following are some of the actions staff contemplates
occurring in order to have these corridors become a reality.
These involve technical and policy decisions:
1. Acquire professional services to perform vertical and
horizontal alignment studies to set the corridor design
parameters. This would require a Request for Proposal (RFP)
for engineering services.
2. Require developers to offer to dedicate, grade and
construct, if it requested, those portions of the corridor
within their project site.
3. Continue to require developers to offer to dedicate or
acquire additional right of way adjacent to their property
adequate to insure a 200 foot ROW width for the total
length of the corridor and allow no encroachments to those
corridors.
4. Determine a fair share mitigation fee for those projects
developed north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that
are outside of the corridor, adjacent to the 118 Arterial
corridor, or may generate vehicle trips that will use the
corridor or a north /south connecting corridor such as
Walnut Canyon Road.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff as deemed appropriate
Attachments:
1. Cross -town Arterial cross section
2. City Council Staff Report 3/31/99
3. City Council Staff Report 4/2/99
4. General Plan Circulation Element (1992) extract.
CC)'00GS
SR -118 ARTERIAL (BOULEVARD CONCEPT)
SP -1 SPECIFIC PLAN
. 200 FT. RIGHT-OF-WAY
BIKE LANE MEDIAN BIKE LANE
LANF B' TRAVEL
2:1 SLOPE ESCAPE LANE 14' TRAVEL ESCAPE �
V 14' 14' L 110 E I ' V DITCH
100 FT. IMPROVEMENT
BIKE LANE BIKE LANE
S. TRAVEL TRAVEL MEDIAN A'
V DITCH LANE LANE 14' TRAVEL TRAVEL V DITCH
11' 12' ' 12' uZ E �,l E ( 11
2:1 SLOPE
50'
INTERIM
2:1 SLOPE
50'
FINAL
2:1
60,
H
n
N
100 FT. IMPROVEMENT
BIKE LANE BIKE LANE
S. TRAVEL TRAVEL MEDIAN A'
V DITCH LANE LANE 14' TRAVEL TRAVEL V DITCH
11' 12' ' 12' uZ E �,l E ( 11
2:1 SLOPE
50'
INTERIM
2:1 SLOPE
50'
FINAL
ITEM SAO
.
CITY OF MOORPARK
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
Planning Commission
FROM: Wayne Loftus, Acting Community Development Directorl��
Prepared by: John Libiez, Principal Planner
DATE: March 19, 1999 (For 3/31/99 Joint Meeting)
SUBJECT: CONSIDER REPORT RELATED TO SR 118 HISTORY
BACKGROUND:
During the consideration of circulation options for the Moorpark
Highland Specific Plan Project (Specific Plan No. 2), City
Council indicated that it would like to discuss the SR118 bypass
history as a portion of the joint Council/ Planning Commission
meeting on March 31, 1999.
DISCUSSION:
The provision of major north /south and east /west freeway links,
or alternative highways has historically been a portion of the
Caltrans transportation considerations for Ventura County and
particularly the Simi Valley /Moorpark area. In May of 1989 the
District 7 Director for Caltrans indicated that based upon
community concerns and traffic information Caltrans would
undertake to prepare a basic design and set right -of -way lines
for both the SR 23 and SR 118 Freeways. The California
Transportation Commission adopted the SR 23 alignment on October
28, 1964. In 1989, Caltrans produced preliminary 1 " =100'scaled
plans, copies of which are maintained in the Public Works and
Community Development Departments, to depict a generalr`�_� /G
horizontal alignment (location on the ground), potential right -
of -way limits, and potential intersection/ interchange locations.
These plans depict a continuous corridor from the Princeton
Avenue area to the west end of the City (west of Gabbert Road).
In May,1990, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc.(AFA) was asked by the
City Council to prepare a traffic analysis for the pending
ATTACFMNT 2
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 2
Moorpark General Plan update, which included a ny I of
alternatives regarding future circulation corridors and
connections between corridors to increase circulation efficiency
and maintain the City's level of service for traffic flow at
Level of Service "C ", a goal of the Circulation Element of the
General Plan. Recommendations included in the Austin -Foust
traffic analysis were: 1)Extend Spring Road to connect with the
extension of SR 118; 2)create an arterial roadway from the SR
118 freeway terminus near Princeton Avenue to connect to Los
Angeles Avenue at the westerly end of the community; and,
3)grade separate SR 118 at Walnut Canyon Road. The AFA report
included that: 1) an east -west bypass would be effective in
diverting a significant amount of traffic from Los Angeles
Avenue (approximately 50K trips), thereby achieving desirable
system performance standards (LOS -C) for Los Angeles Avenue and
other affected corridors; and, 2) that a Bypass configured as a
freeway was no more effective than an arterial road in meeting
circulation system needs.
In 1991, AFA conducted additional traffic analysis related to a
potential Circulation Element amendment and concluded that a
large percentage of the trips that impacted the City circulation
system were pass through trips (28%), including a significant
ratio of truck traffic. AFA also noted that the westward
extension of SR 118 freeway was included within the County
Master Plan of Highways. As a result of the traffic analysis
related to the city -wide 2010 projections, the extension of SR
118 from SR 23/118 west to Los Angeles Avenue near Buttercreek
Road was added to the City's circulation system plan. In the
1992 Circulation Element update adopted by the City, the SR 118
arterial bypass was designated as a six lane arterial from
Princeton Avenue to Gabbert Road, and a four lane arterial from
Gabbert Road to Los Angeles Avenue.
In 1996, Michael Brandman Associates performed additional
environmental analysis related to the possible extension of
Spring Road in conjunction with the Specific Plan No. 8
considerations. The purpose was to assess the potential
connection, other than Broadway, for SP -8 traffic to be
distributed to reduce impacts at the Collins /SR -118 interchange
and maintain the City's adopted level of service standards. The
"no project" traffic scenario contained in the study for the
year 2010 determined which City circulation system improvements
would be required without Hidden Creek Ranch traffic based on
projected General Plan land use build out of 2010(Attachment 5).
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc
00G-
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 3 Cam• 5t Cq
One of the conclusions of this study was the need for extension
of SR -118 west from the SR- 118/SR -23 connection to Los Angeles
Avenue as a four -lane expressway with at grade intersections at
Spring Road, Walnut Canyon Road, "C" Street, and Gabbert Road.
This roadway as evaluated by the Brandman Study could be
initially constructed as a two -lane facility, with the
additional lanes added when needed. Because of deficiencies
which would exist for the Collins Drive /Campus Drive and Collins
Drive /SR -118 intersections as noted by Brandman in the Spring
Road Study, City Council placed specific conditions on Specific
Plan No. 8 to mitigate the deficiencies that would result to the
adopted Level of Service ""C"-. standard with the approval of
Hidden Creek Ranch (SP -8).
Specific Plan No. 2 reflects a 200' right -of -way reservation for
the SR 118 Bypass which, depending on grading, can be adequate
for a six lane facility. Preliminary plans for Specific Plan
No.l (Hitch Ranch) also propose a 200' wide reservation for the
SR 118. The Moorpark Regency Development (Pre - application 98-
02, Michael-Sanders) immediately west of Walnut Canyon Road, and
the SunCal project immediately east of Walnut Canyon Road also
propose 200' wide reservations for the SR 118 right -of -way as it
passes through these projects. The SR 118 highway corridor
illustrated for the referenced projects is generally consistent
with the alignment shown by the Circulation Element and as shown
on preliminary Caltrans drawings for an arterial bypass route.
City Council action on December 2, 1998, with regard to the A &B
Properties /Southern California Edison industrial development
application west of Gabbert Road included a requirement for
connection of the SR 118 corridor to Los Angeles Avenue
including provision of a railroad underpass to link this
corridor to Los Angeles Avenue. The projects identified in this
report which are located along this Bypass corridor represent
the potential for reservation /dedication of approximately 98% of
the right -of -way needed for the SR 118 Bypass.
The City Council in July of 1998, authorized staff to seek
professional engineering services related to the potential
development of the SR 118 Bypass either as an arterial roadway
or freeway. The services sought would provide a study of the SR
118 Bypass corridor which would determine precise horizontal and
vertical alignments, improvements and costs for the extension of
the SR 118 Bypass from Princeton Avenue to Los Angeles Avenue.
The RFP process at that time failed to receive a sufficient
number of qualified responses. The Public Works Department
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc
C 0 G G 9
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 4
subsequently obtained a limited grant that will provide partial
funding for the long term study once a qualified consultant is
found.
In mid - January, 1999, staff solicited specialized engineering
services that would look at several options for the location of
the Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 interchange including as an at
grade and grade separated corridor. Determination of the
location of ramps or an interchange at Walnut Canyon Road or
another appropriate locations is critical from a timing
perspective since the Sun Cal project, currently under analysis
for referral to the Community Development Ad Hoc Committee,
would be significantly affected by the current Caltrans
preliminary bypass plan for SR 118. The Caltrans plan currently
identifies Walnut Canyon Road as grade separated with on and off
ramps. If this preliminary plan were to represent the preferred
access point to the bypass corridor, it would require the Sun
Cal project to undergo a significant redesign and additional
right -of -way reservation to include ramps at Walnut Canyon Road.
Staff issued a work program document to the selected engineering
firm in mid - January for response. A response was received as of
the end of February from the prospective engineering firm which
detailed an expanded work program to complete the study of the
Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 connection. Staff is currently
evaluating the proposed work program submitted by the firm. An
abbreviated chronology related to the SR -118 is attached to this
report for information.
CONCLUSIONS:
I. Based upon the commitments and requirements placed upon
pending developments along the SR 118 corridor, the City
has the ability to reserve land for almost the entire
alignment /corridor for the SR 118 arterial.
2. Traffic impact analysis provided by the City's traffic
modeling consultant, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., has
consistently indicated a need for the SR 118 arterial as a
means to reduce traffic impacts upon the city -wide
circulation system, particularly Los Angeles Avenue, in
order to permit the system to function within Level of
Service "C' standards adopted.
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc
C X0 07()
f
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint .City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 19.99
Page S
3. A professional engineering study to determine location and
costs of Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 interchange potential
may be commissioned by the City and is expected to be
completed by the selected consultant within twelve weeks
after contract approval based upon the work schedule
provided by the consultant.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Figure 2. General Plan Circulation Element -1992 Update
2. SR 118 /Walnut Canyon Intersection - CALTRANS proposal
3. Figure 2. General Plan Circulation Element- SP -2 Amendment
4. Brief Chronology of SR 118 History
5. Extract From Spring Road Extension Study, August 1996
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doe
CvO® p
-or!
LF�FYfl
FRIEWAY
WMCMAPGa
StX1I09 ARM"
FOU*4.AHR ARTIMAL
—R—
RURAL COUAVOR
LOCAL COLLECTOR
'
SIGm ojm lmnRSECYtON
At-GRADE RA CROSSUVO
GRADE SEFARAM RR CROSSING
�•�•�•�•�•
cr" UMR OOUMOART
60060666
SX -111 FRIIWAV CORRIDOR
/\r 01— .`VA.w W %w
•urwww cur u+r ..• .M c- .Wmwt P~
+.... a.., ....,. �.....� a....... arw�..
19
FnGURL 2
CTTY OF MOORPARK
GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT
MlGMM/AY NCTWCAK
may 13. 109?
C;;
ARM
JAL
11
--?V;4vjlppljl;jjl
In om
AlQ
PON
'Ad! qlf�M1M1ilA
/'
t
iRil11�AY
mcaANa ARTIRW.
MRt4AMARTRRML
-A- RMALmuaQOa
----- ---- LOCAL Cai1CMR
■ aoKMim sfrrAncT+oM
(ru7j ATA ADR RR CROUM
ORADt:VARATW RR CROBSM
•�•�•�•« CRYLACr ROUNDARY
'8■t■•■■8 IVAft FRZEWAY CMRRmOR
—= %&
Il cl—
nowt:
CrN OF MOORPARK
GENERAL PLAN C RCLI AIION ELFMMNT
r K*MW NffrW c
maASt"
SR -118 ABBREVIATED CHRONOLOGY
1964 California Transportation Commission adopts SR23
alignment. Alignment includes interface with SR -118.
1965/69 Ventura County includes the SR -118 alignment within
the County Circulation Element.
1970s County upgrade to Circulation Element reflects
potential freeway.
1983 City incorporates and maintains County General Plan as
local plan.
1988 County downgrades SR -118 corridor status on County
Circulation Element to right -of -way reservation.
1989 City begins discussion on General Plan updating of the
Circulation Element. CALTRANS prepares the
preliminary' alignment drawings for planning
consideration.
1990 Austin -Foust Associates (AFA) prepares traffic
analysis at City request and recommends that an SR -118
arterial be included in the City Circulation Element
and' that there be a grade separation at Walnut Canyon
Road.
1991 AFA prepares additional traffic modeling that supports
need for SR -118 arterial as a means to ensure adopted
traffic level of service standards can be achieved and
identifies the most significant component of impact to
the City Circulation system as pass through and truck
traffic. 28% of the vehicle trips on Los Angeles
Avenue identified as pass through trips. City adopts
a general alignment for SR -118 into Circulation
system.
1992 General Plan Circulation Element adopted with SR -118
alignment, signalized intersections, grade separations
and street sections defined.
1992-
current Major development projects within the tentative
alignment of the SR -118 advised of need to incorporate
the arterial in their planning.
1998 City Council conditions A &S Properties proposal for
industrial development to provide SR -118 dedication,
transition arterial roadway to Los Angeles Avenue,
grade separated underpass at the Union Pacific
Railroad as the westerly connection for the SR -118
arterial and first piece of the SR -118 development.
M:\ JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118chronology399.doc
C 0 ()73
1964 /
1965/69
1970s
1983
1988
1989
mwff
1991
1992
1992 -
current
1998
SR -118 ABBREVIATED CHRONOLOGY
California Transportation Commission adopts SR23
alignment. Alignment includes interface with SR -118.
Ventura County includes the SR -118 alignment within
the County Circulation Element.
County upgrade to Circulation Element reflects
potential freeway.
City incorporates and maintains County General Plan as
local plan.
County downgrades SR -118 corridor status on County
Circulation Element to.right -of -way reservation.
City begins discussion on General Plan updating of the
Circulation Element. CALTRANS prepares the
preliminary' alignment drawings for planning
consideration.
Austin -Foust Associates (AFA) prepares traffic
analysis at City request and recommends that an SR -118
arterial be included in the City Circulation Element
and that there be a grade separation at Walnut Canyon
Road.
AFA prepares additional traffic modeling that supports
need for SR -118 arterial as a means to ensure adopted
traffic level of service standards can be achieved and
identifies the most significant component of impact to
the City Circulation system as pass through and truck
traffic. 28% of the vehicle trips on Los Angeles
Avenue identified as pass through trips. City adopts
a general alignment for SR -118 into Circulation
system.
General Plan Circulation Element adopted with SR -118
alignment, signalized intersections, grade separations
and street sections defined.
Major development projects within the tentative
alignment of the SR -118 advised of need to incorporate
the arterial in their planning.
City Council conditions A &B Properties proposal for
industrial development to provide SR -118 dedication,
transition arterial roadway to Los Angeles Avenue,
grade separated underpass at the Union Pacific
Railroad as the westerly connection for the SR -118
arterial and first piece of the SR -118 development.
M:\ JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118chronology399.doc
C � 0 0 7
Hidden Creek Ranch Specific Plan: Spring Rord Cannecrion
connection between Walnut Canyon Road and Spring Road that would be constructed as part of the
proposed Specific Plan No. 2 project. The construction of this roadway link would redo'ce the traffic
volume at this intersection resulting in an acceptable level of service. Construction of this roadway link
would preclude the need for the dual left -turn lanes.
In order to determine the traffic impact of the Specific Plan project, a year 2010 No Project cumulative
growth baseline traffic scenario was developed to which the Specific Plan project in year 2010 Proposed
Project could be compared. The yeu 2010 No Project traffic scenario assumes buildout of the City of
Moorpark General Plan Land Use Element and surrounding cumulative growth, without the proposed
project This scenario was developed by rising the MTAM. The findings of the year 2010 analysis are as
follows.
The following circulation system improvements will be required in addidon to the year 2000 No Project
scenario minimum circulation system in order to accommodate the year 2010 No Project scenario traffic
demands. Intersection levels of service are identified in Table 2.6.4.
• Year 2000 minimum circulation system with the improvements at Los Angeles
AvenWSpring Road, Los Angeles AvenueMerra Rejada Road and one of the options
for the Collins Drive/Campus Park Drive intersections.
• The Spring Road extension, C Street, the Casey Road extension, and the completion of
Science Drive.
• Six -lane roadway section along New Los Angeles Avenue/Los Angeles Avenue with
intersection configurations (Exhibit 3.6-15 of the Hidden Creek Ranch Specific Plan
EIR).
• Extension of SR -118 west from the SR -I 18 /SR -23 connection to Los Angeles Avenue
as a four -lame expressway with at -grade intersections at Spring Road, Walnut Canyon
Road, C Street, and Gabbers Road. (This roadway can be initially constructed as a two -
lane facility, with the additional lanes being added when needed.)
• Traffic signal installation at the SR -I 18 /Walnut Canyon Road and SR -I 18 /Spring Road
intersections.
The majority of the traffic study area intersections will maintain LOS C or better, with the exception of
two of the 22 study intersections, which are projected to exceed the City of Moorpark LAS C or better
objective during the a.m. peak hour time period. The Collins Drive /Campus Park Drive intersection is
forecast to operate at LAS E in the a.m. peak hour; the Collins Drive /SR -I 18 westbound ramps are
forecast to operate at LAS D in the a.m. peak how.
wraro226=z.2_6 2.6-7
ITEM t O, M . -
CITY OF MOORPARK
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
Planning Commission
FROM: Wayne Loftus, Acting Community Development Directorl•��
Prepared by: John Libiez, Principal Planne
DATE: April 6, 1999 (For 4/21/99 Meeting)
SUBJECT: CONSIDER REPORT RELATED TO SR 118
BACKGROUND:
During the consideration of circulation options for the Moorpark
Highland Specific Plan Project (Specific Plan No. 2), City
Council indicated that it would like to discuss the SR118 bypass
history as a portion of the joint Council/ Planning Commission
meeting on March 31, 1999. Following discussion on the SR -118,
City Council requested that this item be placed upon the April
21, 1999 agenda.
DISCUSSION•
The staff report for the March 31, 1999, meeting summarized the
history related to decisions that incorporated the SR -118
arterial (bypass) into the General Plan Circulation Element as
well as action taken subsequent to request full evaluation of
right -of- way and costs. A Request For Proposals was issued in
August of 1998 to secure professional engineering studies and
fee study for the construction of the SR -118 and SR -23 Bypasses.
Only one firm responded. In January of 1999 staff issued a
letter to a sole source engineering firm having requisite
qualifications to perform the study. A response was received
and is under evaluation. Additionally, the Public Works
Director has taken action to move the needed study forward.
Federal grant monies have been obtained and reserved for the
purposes of conducting the study.
ATTACHMENT 3
C `- 00 7 8
f
Agenda Report SR 118
City Council Meeting
April 21, 1999
Page 2
At the March 31, 1999, meeting City Council and Planning
Commission reviewed the staff report and requested response to a
number of questions as follows:
1) Status on the extension of SR -118 to Wagon Wheel?
2) Status on the widening and improvements at the SR -118
Staff has contacted the Ventura County Transportation
Commission, Resource Management Agency, and CALTRANS and has
reviewed previous files and studies on, this matter to attempt to
provide Council with information on each of the above questions.
Staff will provide information received from these agencies upon
receipt of the response, however to date only the following
information is available:
1) Extension to Wagon Wheel.
The master plan for highways of the County does not
reflect the extension of the SR -118 to Wagon Wheel
Road. Currently the SR -118 turns right at Wells Road
and intersects with SR -126. Staff is attempting to
obtain alignment maps for the SR -118 from its
intersection at Wells Road south to SR -101 and its
eventual extension along Rice Road to Port Hueneme.
2) Widening and Improvements SR- 118/34 Intersection.
Staff is seeking a definitive response from CALTRANS
and VCTC on the status of this intersection. Recently
an article was included within the local newspaper
which indicated that CALTRANS was studying the
potential use of a "round- about" at the SR- 118/34
intersection. It had also been previously indicated
that CALTRANS was exploring options for right -of -way
M:\ JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history42199rpt.doe C Ak-J, 0 0 7 9
and Los Posas /SR -34 signal?
3)
Method of intersection/ interchange between SR -118
and
Walnut Canyon Road?
4)
Cost estimates for the SR -118 variations including
the
freeway option?
5)
Do we have cost analysis newer than five years old?
6)
What level of lane count will CALTRANS accept for
the
SR -118 in order to qualify as a State Route?
7)
What level of funding or priority list status does
the
SR -118 have with VCTC?
8)
Are we looking at a permanent solution?
9)
Is. there a need for the SR -118 as an east -west
corridor?
10)
What will be effects upon agriculture?
11)
What will be effects upon the Los Posas Valley?
Staff has contacted the Ventura County Transportation
Commission, Resource Management Agency, and CALTRANS and has
reviewed previous files and studies on, this matter to attempt to
provide Council with information on each of the above questions.
Staff will provide information received from these agencies upon
receipt of the response, however to date only the following
information is available:
1) Extension to Wagon Wheel.
The master plan for highways of the County does not
reflect the extension of the SR -118 to Wagon Wheel
Road. Currently the SR -118 turns right at Wells Road
and intersects with SR -126. Staff is attempting to
obtain alignment maps for the SR -118 from its
intersection at Wells Road south to SR -101 and its
eventual extension along Rice Road to Port Hueneme.
2) Widening and Improvements SR- 118/34 Intersection.
Staff is seeking a definitive response from CALTRANS
and VCTC on the status of this intersection. Recently
an article was included within the local newspaper
which indicated that CALTRANS was studying the
potential use of a "round- about" at the SR- 118/34
intersection. It had also been previously indicated
that CALTRANS was exploring options for right -of -way
M:\ JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history42199rpt.doe C Ak-J, 0 0 7 9
Agenda Report SR 118
City Council Meeting
April 21, 1999
Page 3
acquisition in order to widen and signalize this
critical intersection.
3) Costs and Configuration of SR -118 in Moorpark.
Questions 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 will be addressed by
the study effort being solicited and managed by the
Public Works Director. Attachment A contains
estimated costs for various segments of the SR -118
arterial as of May 27, 1998 as prepared by the Public
Works Director. Attachment B contains an excerpt from
a staff report to Council issued for the April 5, 1995
agenda and identifies some phasing information and
cost estimates.
4) Funding /Priority Status of SR -118.
Staff has requested VCTC to provide a report on the
funding and priority status for the SR -118 as it may
exist currently. We are awaiting a response.
5) Effects of the SR -118.
Questions 10 and 11 will be part of the environmental
evaluation that CALTRANS will be required to conduct
as a process of design and approval for any portion or
phase of the SR -118 design and construction project.
Discussion of the SR -118 has frequently involved discussion
which often seems to focus on provision as a freeway corridor,
however, the adopted General Plan Circulation Element (1992)
establishes the SR -118 alignment as an Arterial Roadway of up to
six lanes. The General Plan also proposes this alignment as a
limited access roadway with some at grade intersections, and a
grade separated intersection at Walnut Canyon Road. The pending
Public Works study will also address these issues.
Correspondence has been received from Assemblyman Strickland
requesting that the City consider participation and sponsorship
of a special meeting on May 6, 1999 in the Apricot Room of the
Moorpark Civic Center to discuss truck traffic and safety issues
related to SR -118 through Moorpark. This will be considered as
a separate agenda item.
STAFF RECObNENDATION:
Direct staff as deemed appropriate.
Attachments:
A. SR -118 Bypass Costs
B. Council Staff Report dated Mar 5,1p,19, 1999, SR -118 History.
M:\J Libiez \M \SP2 \SR118history42199rpt.doc
C r()08
-To : S-
, Vol,
Route 118 Bypass Constructoin Cos Pstizate
Approx. Percent
Segtent Description Lenth (ft) of total
A - East of SP -2 1,200 0.075 I
B SP -2
C West of SP-2
2,500 0.156
400 0.025 1
D SP -10 700 0.044
E West of Walnut Can 1,900 0.119
Canyon Road
P SP -1 6,300 0.394
G West of SP-1
H Anderson
I Bugle Boy
cc : Nk
800 0.050
1,700 0.106
500 0.031
16,000 1.000
Straight Spread of 'Total Cost
--------------------------------------------------
option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Retarks
-- - - - - --
2,118,745 2,801,529 2,801,529 5;437,869
4,414,053 5,836,518 5,836,518 11,328,894
706,248 933,843 933,843 1,812,623
1,235,935
1,634,225
1,634,225
3,172,090
3,354,680
4,435,754
4,435,754
8,609,959
11,123,413 14,708,025 14,708,025 28,548,812
1,412,497 1,867,686 1,867,686 3,625,246
3,001,556 3,968,832 3,968,832 7,703,648
882,811 1,167,304 1,167,304 2,265,779
28,249,938 37,353,715 37,353,715 72,504,919
vac
_ — ----- _ ------ -� - ----- - - - -�-
0
..oute 118 Bypass Constructoin Cost Estizate
option 12, plus Princeton Bridges
A Walnut
Length Bridge Over Canyon Railroad
Approx. Percent Princeton Southbound B Gabbert Crossing
Segaent Description Lenth of Total -Bridges Prey Lanes Bridges Bridge Roadway
` - -• - - -- -- •--- -- - - -- - - - - - -- -- - - - - -- ---- - - - - -- ---- ------ --- - - - -•- ---- - - - - -- ----- - - - - --
II A East of SP -2 1,200 7.50% 5,000,000 5,000,000 0 0 1,350,000 l
B SP -2 2,500 15.63% 0 0 0 0 2,812,500
C West of SP -2 400 2.50% 0 0 0 0 450,000
D SP -10 700 4.38% 0 0 3,600,000 A 0 787,500
E West of Walnut 1,900 11.882 0 0 3,600,000 A 0 2,137,500
Canyon Road
P SP -1 6,300 39.382 0 0 1,300,000 B 0 7,087,500
I
G West of SP -1 800 5.001 0 0 1,300,000 B 0 900,000
H Anderson 1,700 10.63% 0 0 0 2,000,000 1,912,500
I Bugle Boy 500 3.13% 0 0 0 2,000,000 562,500
16,000 100.00% 5,000,000 5,000,000 9,800,000 4,000,000 18,000,000
27- Nay -98
Cost
Percent
Total of Tota
1,350,000 27.1:
2,812,500 6.73'
450,000 1.081
4,387,500 10.502
5,737,500 13.732
8,387,500 20.072
2,200,000 5.262
3,912,500 9.362
2,562,500 6.132
----- - - - - -- -- - - - - --
141,800,000 100.00%
0082
i
w.re
LT
Y
dot
uio a Y w.w .uuo.S Q S �' "°°� p f.►y �, Ik'= t
,,,w ""� ° p • r' w"
a ow
U 1qq •1p 7 AMyy/1�.. •* wary -; Y-� • u pr •
"" T n � � � � t R , . . a y +. Q ♦ ,� , .C�� ; 4 , war° ♦ ♦ e �„
U
. r • 0 4 V yy
v
::.
Nr .::: "= :.:.rr t t b
Aw
bw
" gt
-49
w • r 5.7ayr
r �• �e A ~
Spy ` i • •w. b
•
U `l
fr
oP�
vt
CITY OF MOORPARK
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
Planning Commission
FROM: Wayne Loftus, Acting Community Development Director
Prepared by: John Libiez, Principal Planne<),-"
DATE: March 19, 1999 (For 3/31/99 Joint Meeting)
SUBJECT: CONSIDER REPORT RELATED TO SR 118 HISTORY
BACKGROUND:
During the consideration of circulation options for the Moorpark
Highland Specific Plan Project (Specific Plan No. 2), City
Council indicated that it would like to discuss the SR118 bypass
history as a portion of the joint Council/ Planning Commission
meeting on March 31, 1999.
DISCUSSION:
The provision of major north /south and east /west freeway links,
or alternative highways has historically been a portion of the
Caltrans transportation considerations for Ventura County and
particularly the Simi Valley /Moorpark area. In May of 1989 the
District 7 Director for Caltrans indicated that based upon
community concerns and traffic information Caltrans would
undertake to prepare a basic design and set right -of -way lines
for both the SR 23 and SR 118 Freeways. The California
Transportation Commission adopted the SR 23 alignment on October
28, 1964. In 1989, Caltrans produced preliminary 1" - 100'scaled
plans, copies of which are maintained in the Public Works and
Community Development Departments, to depict a general
horizontal alignment (location on the ground), potential right -
of -way limits, and potential intersection/ interchange locations.
These plans depict a continuous corridor from the Princeton
Avenue area to the west end of the City (west of Gabbert Road).
In May,1990, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc.(AFA) was asked by the
City Council to prepare a traffic analysis for the pending
C '10OWi
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 2
Moorpark General Plan update, which i- dcluded a number of
alternatives regarding future circulation corridors and
connections between corridors to increase circulation effit:iency
and maintain the City's level of service for traffic flow at
Level of Service "C ", a goal of the Circulation Element of the
General Plan. Recommendations included in the Austin.-Foust
traffic analysis were: 1)Extend Spring Road to connect with the
extension of SR 118; 2)create an arterial roadway from the SR
118 freeway terminus near Princeton Avenue to connect to Los
Angeles Avenue at the westerly end of the community; and,
3)grade separate SR 118 at Walnut Canyon Road. The AFA report
included that: 1) an east -west bypass would be effective in
diverting a significant amount of traffic from Los Angeles
Avenue (approximate:y 50K trips), thereby achieving desirable
system performance standards (LOS -C) for Los Angeles Avenue and
other affected corridors; and, 2) that a Bypass configured as a
freeway was no more effective than an arterial road in meeting
circulation system needs.
In 1991, AFA conducted additional traffic analysis related to a
potential Circulation Element amendment and concluded that a
large percentage of the trips that impacted the City circulation
system were pass through trips (28 %), including a significant
ratio of truck traffic. AFA also noted that the westward
extension of SR 118 freeway was included within the County
Master Plan of Highways. As a result of the traffic analysis
related to the city -wide 2010 projections, the extension of SR
118 from SR 23/118 west to Los Angeles Avenue near Buttercreek
Road was added to the City's circulation system plan. In the
1992 Circulation Element update adopted by the City, the SR 118
arterial bypass was designated as a six lane arterial from
Princeton Avenue to Gabbert Road, and a four lane arterial from
Gabbert Road to Los Angeles Avenue.
In 1996, Michael Brandman Associates performed additional
environmental analysis related to the possible extension of
Spring Road in conjunction with the Specific Plan No. 8
considerations. The purpose was to assess the potential
connection, other than Broadway, for SP -8 traffic to be
distributed to reduce impacts at the Collins /SR -118 interchange
and maintain the City's adopted level of service standards. The
"no project" traffic scenario contained in the study for the
year 2010 determined which City circulation system improvements
would be required without Hidden Creek Ranch traffic based on
projected General Plan land use build out of 2010(Attachment 5).
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR116history.doc
C oO085
Agenda Report. SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 3
One of the conclusions of this study was the need for extension
of SR -118 west from the SR- 118/SR -23 connection to Los Angeles
Avenue as a four -lane expressway with at grade intersections at
Spring Road, Walnut Canyon Road, "C" Street, and Gabbert Road.
This roadway as evaluated by the Brandman Study could be
initially constructed as a two -lane facility, with the
additional lanes added when needed. Because of deficiencies
which would exist for the Collins Drive /Campus Drive and Collins
Drive /SR -118 intersections as noted by Brandman in the Spring
Road Study, City Council placed specific conditions on Specific
Plan No. 8 to mitigate the deficiencies that would result to the
adopted Level of Service "C' standard with the approval of
Hidden Creek Ranch (SP -8).
Specific Plan No. 2 reflects a 200' right -of -way reservation for
the SR 118 Bypass which, depending on grading, can be adequate
for a six lane facility. Preliminary plans for Specific Plan
No.l (Hitch Ranch) also propose a 200' wide reservation for the
SR 118. The Moorpark Regency Development (Pre - application 98-
02, Michael Sanders) immediately west of Walnut Canyon Road, and
the SunCal project immediately east of Walnut Canyon Road also
propose 200' wide reservations for the SR 118 right -of -way as it
passes through these projects. The SR 118 highway corridor
illustrated for the referenced projects is generally consistent
with the alignment shown by the Circulation Element and as shown
on preliminary Caltrans drawings for an arterial bypass route.
City Council action on December 2, 1998, with regard to the A &B
Properties /Southern California Edison industrial development
application west of Gabbert Road included a requirement for
connection of the SR 118 corridor to Los Angeles Avenue
including provision of a railroad underpass to link this
corridor to Los Angeles Avenue. The projects identified in this
report which are located along this Bypass corridor represent
the potential for reservation /dedication of approximately 98% of
the right -of -way needed for the SR 118 Bypass.
The City Council in July of 1998, authorized staff to seek
professional engineering services related to the potential
development of the SR 118 Bypass either as an arterial roadway
or freeway. The services sought would provide a study of the SR
118 Bypass corridor which would determine precise horizontal and
vertical alignments, improvements and costs for the extension of
the SR 118 Bypass from Princeton Avenue to Los Angeles Avenue.
The RFP process at that time failed to receive a sufficient
number of qualified responses. The Public Works Department
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc
Cv0® (Is 6
f
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 4
sL '-sequently obtained a limited grant that will provide partial
f _-:ding for the long term study once a qualified consultant is
found.
In mid- January, 1999, staff solicited specialized engineering
services that would look at several options for the location of
the Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 interchange including as an at
grade and grade separated corridor. Determination of the
location of ramps or an interchange at Walnut Canyon Road or
another appropriate locations is critical from a timing
perspective since the Sun Cal project, currently under analysis
for referral to the Community Development Ad Hoc Committee,
would be significantly affected by the current Caltrans
preliminary bypass plan for SR 118. The Caltrans plan currently
identifies Walnut Canyon Road as grade separated with on and off
ramps. If this preliminary plan were to represent the preferred
access point to the bypass corridor, it would require the Sun
Cal project to undergo a significant redesign and additional
right -of -way reservation to include ramps at Walnut Canyon Road.
Staff issued a work program document to the selected engineering
firm in mid - January for response. A response was received as of
the end of February from the prospective engineering firm which
detailed an expanded work program to complete the study of the
Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 connection. Staff is currently
evaluating the proposed work program submitted by the firm. An
abbreviated chronology related to the SR -118 is attached to this
report for information.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Based upon the commitments and requirements placed upon
pending developments along the SR 118 corridor, the City
has the ability to, reserve land for almost the entire
alignment /corridor for the SR 118 arterial.
2. Traffic impact analysis provided by the City's traffic
modeling consultant, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., has
consistently indicated a need for the SR 118 arterial as a
means to reduce traffic impacts upon the city -wide
circulation system, particularly Los Angeles Avenue, in
order to permit the system to function within Level of
Service "Co standards adopted.
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc C v 008"
Agenda Report SR 118
Joint City Council /Planning Commission Meeting
March 31, 1999
Page 5
3. A professional engineering study to determine location and
costs of Walnut Canyon Road /SR 118 interchange potential
may be commissioned by the City and is expected to be
completed by the selected consultant within twelve weeks
after contract approval based upon the work schedule
provided by the consultant.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Figure 2. General Plan Circulation Element -1992 Update
2. SR 118 /Walnut Canyon Intersection - CALTRANS proposal
3. Figure 2. General Plan Circulation Element- SP -2 Amendment
4. Brief Chronology of SR 118 History
5. Extract From Spring Road Extension Study, August 1996
M: \JLibiez \M \SP2 \SR118history.doc
-j rt
-N, .
FStLEWAT
�'��
o+rERew+ct
UXAAKE ARTERIAL
FOUR•LMI ARTERIAL
R
RURAL COtAJCTOR
LOCAL Cm" TOR
SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION
AT.GRADE RR CROSSING
GRADE SE►ARATED RR CROSSING
— •— •�•�•�•
CITY umrr IOUNDARr
•womewas
SR.IIs FREEWAY CORRIDOR
W �r •ww V • ftvwww
wwn ^•r rw,....� .r Cw � wr�r� I.rr
AGURt t
CITY OF MOORPARK
GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENIT
MIGNWAY NEfWOAK
wll 13. IM
19 " c:('®89:
ATTACHMENT: 1
T!-! mow. nY, PMWAIF,,���.` -�
Sal
u
�.•���iiiii�rr�IAN
_ _ _ — �'?7"�p+ car %O"''- �..,'�.. : -,��.y� �•'7: :.fir •/ _ _ _
._ti � �!:T.�•J �f �u�,Sy��% J/• '�� ,�. /a %.°i`Y� � _� 7 '- ' � i'�'..%'J -.J.��- Jt �,1T' Al+.` ' j "�'�li �a'u;�
�\ • � �. � __ °ff �•r r�+r :rrl -�'�.r .1. �� ' ���r��•.� /� .' / f r'.r �. . V•.' i/ �' .� .: /: . -..`. �t�%T'.. ,..... �: .-�' i f• i� � -i�J
��(Jv�atJGr�.�4�fii(:P�li_�L ���If / /��� //� �� ,•�/% %/ 1Y &'_M�ril", IV" �' _a .,✓ rr� ,, �'���� �!
6L
1�
tptivvwn
�R�AT
IVAAW ARTFUL
�i PCI04.AM ARM"
-R- RYRAL COLLACMR
LACJIL COLL&CMA
■ tlOML= 9MMS CT10M
8 AT4MOR RR CRO IM
CUM IVASATID U CRalSM
�•�•�•�• QTT L"T sOLRDART
'"easons min Fp mWAT ccmtAg R
it r � pm" P.M. w— r mm
+�•�• rr � r r or r W�M ror
NOIJI�[ 2
CM OF MOORPARK
GENERAL PLAN CRCULAMON ELE),M f
wr Ia +ca
c 0099 -
ATTACHMENT: 3
SR -118 ABBREVIATED CHRONOLOGY
1964 California Transportation Commission adopts SR23
alignment. Alignment includes interface with SR -118.
1965/69 Ventura County includes the SR -118 alignment within
the County Circulation Element.
1970s County upgrade to Circulation Element reflects
potential freeway.
1983 City incorporates and maintains County General Plan as
local plan.
1988 County downgrades SR -118 corridor status on County
Circulation Element to right -of -way reservation.
1989 City begins discussion on General Plan updating of the
Circulation Element. CALTRANS prepares the
preliminary alignment drawings for planning
consideration.
1990 Austin -Foust Associates (AFA) prepares traffic
analysis at City request and recommends that an SR -118
arterial be included in the City Circulation Element
and that there be a grade separation at Walnut Canyon
Road.
1991 AFA prepares additional traffic modeling that supports
need for SR -118 arterial as a means to ensure adopted
traffic level of service standards can be achieved and
identifies the most significant component of impact to
the City Circulation system as pass through and truck
traffic. 281 of the vehicle--.trips on Los Angeles
Avenue identified as pass through trips. City adopts
a general alignment for SR -118 into Circulation
system..
1992- General Plan Circulation Element adopted with SR -118
alignment, signalized intersections, grade separations
and street sections defined.
1992-
current Major development projects within the tentative
alignment of the SR -118 advised of need to incorporate
the arterial in their planning.
1998 City Council conditions A&S Properties proposal for
industrial idevelopment to provide SR -118 dedication,
transition arterial roadway to Los Angeles Avenue,
grade separated underpass at the Union Pacific
Railroad as the westerly connection for the SR -118
arterial and first piece of the SR -118 development.
M:\J Libiez \M \SP2 \SR118chronology399.doc
ATTACHMENT: 4
Hidden Creek Ranch Specifte Plan: Sprits Rot -d Connecrian
connection between Walnut Canyon Road and Spring Road that would be constructed as part of the
proposed Specific Plan No. 2 project. The construction of this roadway link would red "Ce the traft.-
volume at this intersection resulting in an acceptable level of service. Construction of this roadway link
would preclude the need for the dual left -turn lanes.
In order to determine the traffic impact of the Specific Plan project, a year 2010 No Project cumulative
growth baseline traffic scenario was developed to which the Specific Plan project in year 2010 Proposed
Project could be compared. The year 2010 No Project traffic scenario assumes buildout of the City of
Moorpark General Plan Land Use Element and surrounding cumulative growth, without the proposed
project This scenario was developed by using the MTAM. The finndinp of the year 2010 analysis are as
follows.
The following circulation system improvements will be required in addition to the year 2000 No Project
scenario io minimum circulation system in order to accommodate the year 2010 No Project scenario traffic
demands. Intersection levels of service are identified in Table 2.6-4.
•
Year 2000 minimum circulation system with the improvements at Los Angeles
Averaie/Sprhng Road, Los Angeles Avenue>Terra Rejada Road and one of the options
for the Collins Drive/Campus Park Drive intersections.
• The Spring Road exttt•ion, C Street, the Casey Road extension, and the completion of
Science Drive.
• Six -lane roadway section along New Los Angeles Avenue/lm Angeles Avenue with
intersection configurations (Exhibit 3.6.13 of the Hidden Creek Ranch Specific Plan
MR).
• Extension of SR -118 west from the SR -I IS/SR -23 connection to Los Angeles Avenue
as a four -lane expressway with at -grade intersections at Spring Road. Walnut Canyon
Road, C Street, and Gabbert Road. (This roadway can be initially constructed as a two -
lans facility, with the additional lanes being added when needed.)
• Traffic signal installation at the SR -I t8 /Walnut Canyon Road and SR- 118/Spring Road
intersections.
The majority of the traffic study area intermcdo.ns will maintain LOS C or, better. with the exception of
two of the 22 study intersections. which are projected to exceed the City of Moorpark LOS C or better
Objective during the a.m, peak hoar time period. The Collins Drive/Campus Park Drive intersection is
forecast to operate at LOS E in the a.m, peak hour the Collins Drive /SR -t IS westbound ramps are
forecast to operate at LOS D in the a.m. peak how.
wnaV22OW1B.2-6 2.6.7 ATTACHMENT: 5
,N• � ,YI�yK�wMwu.;`.���--- e!' -•—�.. = �v:- tt.:o:d... y.»re- w— r......,.r ..,v ,va. -.. -- �.+
One of the policies included in this Element states that the City
will attempt to achieve and maintain level of service "C" as a
system performance standard for traffic volumes on the roadway
system and as a basic design guideline for roadways in the City.
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
The goals and policies included in the Circulation Element
emphasize the need for a circulation system that is capable of
serving both existing and future residents while preserving
community values and character. The location, design, and
constituent modes of the circulation system have major impacts on
air quality, noise, community appearance, and other elements of the
environment.
The highway network designated in the Circulation Element is
illustrated in Figure 2, and indicates all of the designated
freeways, six -lane arterials, four -lane arterials, and rural
collectors. In addition, a selected number of designated local
collectors, which carry through traffic, are indicated on the map.
Any permanent closure to through traffic or relocation of the
designated arterials and collectors will require a General Plan
Amendment. Highway facilities are shown within the current City
limits as well as for the surrounding planning area that has been
defined for the General Plan Update.
Existing and potential future traffic signal locations within the
City limits are also indicated on the highway network map, as are
existing and potential at -grade and grade separated railroad
crossing locations. Traffic signal warrants are satisfied for the
locations shown here based on current traffic projections. Traffic
signalization may be required at minor street and driveway
locations not shown on the Circulation Element highway network map.
A.grade separated railroad crossing is shown only for the future
SR -118 bypass arterial crossing. Grade separation is not
considered feasible at the four existing railroad crossings
(Gabbert Road, Moorpark Avenue, Spring Road, and Los Angeles
Avenue).
The roadway network in the Circulation Element indicates a number
of improvements with regard to the existing roadway system in the
Moorpark planning area. The following are the more important
improvements that will need to be implemented:
Connection of the SR -118 and SR -23 freeways
with new interchanges at Collins Drive and
Princeton Avenue.
18
ATTACHMENT
C C111009l,
• Provision of an east /west SR -118 arterial
bypass from the SR -23 /SR -118 connector to Los
Angeles Avenue west of Butter Creek Road,
without a connection to Walnut Canyon Road,
and recognition of a potential future SR -•118
freeway extension west of the City limits.
• Provision of a north /south SR -23 arterial
bypass from the SR -23 /SR -118 connector to
Broadway Road.
• Extension of Spring Road north to the SR -23
arterial bypass.
• Provision of a local collector system to serve
circulation needs in the northwest portion of
the City. Local collectors added to the
existing circulation system include an
extension of Casey Road to Gabbert Road, "C"
Street between Grimes Canyon Road and the SR-
23 arterial bypass, and "D" Street between
Princeton Avenue and the SR -23 arterial
bypass.
• Provision of a roadway system to serve
circulation needs in the Carlsberg Specific
Plan (Moorpark Highlands) area in the
southeast portion of the City. Roadways added
to the existing circulation system include an
extension of Science Drive from New Los
Angeles Avenue to Tierra Re jada Road, and an
extension of Peach Hill Road to Science Drive.
• Provision of an eastern extension of Broadway
Road potentially connecting with Alamos Canyon
Road and the SR -118 freeway to serve
circulation needs of potential future
development in the' portion of the planning
area northeast of the City limits.
20
C;;G09 5