HomeMy Public PortalAboutCanyon Springs EIR Scoping - 46.pdfSOSGIenshire
Saving Open Space around Glenshire
John McLaughlin
Town of Truckee Planning Department
10183 Airport Rd.
Truckee CA 96161
May 23rd, 2011
Re: Scoping for Canyon Springs DEIR
Dear John,
The proposed Canyon Springs project is among the few remaining major development
projects in Truckee. Its scale and location at the edge of the Town and on land that
provides an important buffer between open space lands and rural and suburban
development increases the importance of a thorough analysis of impacts and
alternatives. We appreciate this opportunity to comment on the scope of the DEIR. Our
recommendations are as follows:
Traffic: Canyon Springs is going to bring suburban development to the eastern border
of Truckee, requiring the people living there to make long trips to jobs, services, schools
and recreation. Traffic and vehicle miles traveled are a very important issue, We have
attached an article from calpa.org ( http: / /www.yolocounty.org /Index.aspx ?page =1965)
entitled: "What is VMT Threshold and why Do I Want it in My General Plan ". We strongly
recommend this for consideration by Council, Planning Commission, Town Staff and
consultants when they review this and other projects.
The most recent estimate of trips per day in this region was made on a holiday
weekend. Traffic varies with time and with seasons and therefore should be
measured in a variety of times and seasons. We believe additional and more
recent trip estimates should be included in the environmental setting section to
provide a basis for analyzing project - related and cumulative impacts.
The geographic study area for circulation related impacts should be the entire
Town of Truckee and major roads between Truckee and Reno where new
residents are likely to travel regularly for shopping, employment, and other
reasons.
Specifically the DEIR should analyze the impact of the project and cumulative
development on the agricultural station on westbound 1 -80.
At a minimum, the following intersections should be studied in detail for all key
times (a.m. and p.m. weekday and weekend and holiday peaks):
• Glenshire Dr/Whitehorse /Martis Peak Drive.
In addition, safety impacts should be analyzed because sight distance is
limited at this intersection — e.g. How far can you see in each direction
from this intersection?
• Glenshire Dr. /Dorchester (at both ends)
• Glenshire Dr./ Somerset
• Glenshire Dr. / The Strand
• Glenshire Dr./ Donner Pass Road
• Donner Pass Rd./ Bridge Street
• If, as proposed by the developer, primary ingress and egress relies on 1 -80, the
DEIR must analyze how the above intersections will be affected when 1-80 is
closed. For example, when 1 -80 is closed, 18 wheel trucks use Glenshire Dr. How
will this affect the above intersections?
• What are alternatives to the Martis Peak Road and Devonshire access routes?
• What percent of total project Greenhouse gas emissions will be generated by
traffic to and from Canyon Springs as a result of the project? What is the
cumulative development?
• How will the transportation needs of low income residents be met?
• Does the trails network cover the entire development in a way that would
promote alternative forms of transportation? If so, what percent of trips to
jobs /services /other destinations will trails account for and why?
• Developers plan to preserve existing trails, many of which go down fall lines and
cross ephemeral streams. How can the trails be designed so as to prevent
erosion and water contamination?
• Mitigation measures including but not limited to the following should be required
and provide a pre- requisite to project development: 1) Yolo County General Plan
like maximum household VMT) based on at least a minimum reduction in per
capita VMT of 20% over existing average per capita VMT for Town; 3) minimum
mode share by alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle as a result of
incorporating community car share program; shuttles; household concierge
services to trip link/carpool as well as trails; 4) reduced project footprint/project
size /project type.
• The DEIR should describe how the project is or is not consistent with all
applicable transportation - related general plan policies as well as other
regulations and ordinances applicable to the project.
flydrology: The project borders a wet meadow and proposed roads cross ephemeral
streams going down to Glenshire Pond. Questions that should be addressed by the
DEIR include the following:
• How much sediment will these road crossings generate?
• What and how much pollutants will wash off the roads into waterways?
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