HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 05-53 CUP 04-13 Roman Catholic Bishop of SB / T.W. McCutchen 43775 Deep Canyon 07/14/2005CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Consideration of an appeal of Planning Commission approval of
CUP 04-13 Master Plan for Sacred Heart Church to allow an
expansion of the Elementary School and construction of new
parking lots at 43-775 Deep Canyon Road.
SUBMITTED BY: Francisco J. Urbina, Associate Planner
CASE APPLICANT: Roman Catholic Bishop of San Bernardino
Office of Construction & Real Estate
Attn: Rosi Mills
1201 E. Highland Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92404
APPELLANT: Thomas W. McCutchen
24 Via Cielo Azul
Palm Desert, CA 92260
CASE NO: CUP 04-13
ARCHITECT: Holt Architects
70-225 Highway 111, Building B, Suite D
Rancho Mirage, CA. 92270
DATE:
July 14, 2005
ATTACHMENTS: A. Draft City Council Resolution
B. Public Works Memorandum dated July 5, 2005
C. Addendum 2 to Supplemental Traffic Engineering Report
Recommendation: That the City Council deny the appellant's appeal and adopt City
Council Resolution No. 05-53 affirming the Planning Commission's approval of CUP 04-
13.
Executive Summary:
The City Council continued this case from June 23, 2005 to July 14, 2005 to allow the
applicant to work with staff to analyze the following issues:
A. Lowering Height of Parish Hall
B. Moving Sports Fields Away from Homes on Palmilla Circle and Myrsine
Avenue
C. Redlining of Deep Canyon Road
Staff Report
Sacred Heart Master Plan
CUP 04-13
Page 2
July 14, 2005
D. Creating Deceleration / Acceleration Lanes On Deep Canyon Road and
Fred Waring Drive
E. Creating a Secondary Access from the Palmira Subdivision to Moss Rose
Drive
F. Parking Lot Lighting
G. Outdoor Noise from Public Address Sound System at Elementary School
H. No future expansion of Church and Schoo
Since June 23, 2005, the project architect met with staff to discuss changes to the master
site plan. The revised site plan shows the sports fields relocated away from homes to the
west and north. The number of new paved parking spaces has increased from 191 to 241
spaces. The parish hall remains at the same location, but the building's height has been
lowered from 35 feet to 27 feet.
I. ISSUES REQUESTED BY CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL REVIEW
Since the June 23, 2005 City Council meeting, staff has discussed the following
issues with Holt Architects and Tom Brohard, the project traffic engineer.
A. Lowering Height of Parish Hall
At the June 23, 2005 City Council meeting, concerns were expressed by
homeowners in the Palmira subdivision that the parish hall was too high and would
block their views of the mountains. The Council suggested that the applicant
consider relocating the parish hall to Fred Waring Drive. The revised site plan
shows the parish hall at the same location, but the building's height has been
lowered from 35 feet to 27 feet to minimize view impacts for Palmira residents. The
floor plan has been reversed so that the building's ridgeline is now located
approximately 28 feet west of its previous location, and thus farther away from
homes in the Palmira subdivision. Relocating the parish hall to Fred Waring Drive
was deemed not feasible because there is an existing utility easement in the
southerly church parking lot, and the activities in the parish hall necessitate that it
be located within close walking distance to the elementary school and the church.
Relocating the parish hall would require students and teachers to walk long
distances across a parking lot.
B. Moving Sports Fields Away from Homes on Palmilla Circle and Myrsine
Avenue
Neighboring residents to the west and north complained that the new sports fields
were located too close to homes and that noise impacts would adversely affect
their quality of life. To address these issues, the revised site plan has relocated the
2
Staff Report
Sacred Heart Master Plan
CUP 04-13
Page 3
July 14, 2005
sports fields closer to Deep Canyon Road. The sports track has been eliminated.
The revised site plan shows an 80-foot wide buffer between homes on Palmilla
Circle to the west and the sports fields. Within this buffer area is a new
classrooms building. The revised site plan also provides a 150-foot minimum deep
buffer between the relocated sports fields and homes to the north on Myrsine
Avenue. This northerly buffer was accomplished by leaving in place three existing
residential duplex buildings and an existing private street.
Another benefit of the revised site plan is that the number of school drop-off / pick-
up areas has increased from two to three. The new third area, to be used by
kindergarten and first grade students, will be located at the north part of the site at
the end of existing private street which will have a cul-de-sac turn -around area. A
linear shade structure will be constructed adjacent to this drop-off / pick-up area.
C. Redlining of Deep Canyon Road
On weekends many people attending worship services at Sacred Heart Church
park their vehicles on both sides of Deep Canyon Road due to either the lack of
off-street parking spaces or because these worshipers do not want to deal with the
congested traffic situation that develops after worship services in the church
parking lot due to poor internal circulation and limited exit points. Residents in the
Palmira subdivision have complained that the noise from vehicle doors being shut
on vehicles parked on the east side of Deep Canyon Road disturbs their peace
and quiet.
East Side: Staff supports prohibiting parking on the east side of Deep Canyon
Road after the new parking lots are constructed because this would eliminate
random unsafe pedestrian crossings from vehicles parked on the east side and
this would reduce noise impacts on Palmira residents from the shutting of vehicle
doors. The project traffic engineer recommends that the City should consider
prohibiting parking on the east side of Deep Canyon Road after additional parking
is provided on site. The revised site plan has increased the number of new paved
parking spaces from 191 to 241. The applicant is not opposed to prohibiting
parking on the east side of Deep Canyon Road.
West Side: Staff does not support prohibiting parking on the west side of Deep
Canyon Road because there have not been any traffic problems identified as a
result of on -street parking and parking on the west side provides parking in close
proximity to the sanctuary, which is where many elderly worshipers prefer to park.
KI
Staff Report
Sacred Heart Master Plan
CUP 04-13
Page 4
July 14, 2005
D. Creating Deceleration / Acceleration Lanes On Deep Canyon Road and
Fred Waring Drive
Since there have not been any traffic issues identified concerning right -turn
movements into or out of church parking lots from either Deep Canyon Road or
Fred Waring Drive, staff and the project traffic engineer do not recommend
deceleration / acceleration lanes on either Deep Canyon Road or Fred Waring
Drive. Creating a deceleration / acceleration lane on the west side of Deep
Canyon Road would not be justified because this street has relatively low traffic
volumes and only 10 percent of traffic to the Sacred Heart Church or School
arrives from the north on Deep Canyon Road.
Creating a deceleration / acceleration lane on the north side of Fred Waring Drive
is not recommended by staff as there is insufficient separation distance between
the Sacred Heart Church and School driveway and the adjacent intersections on
Deep Canyon Road and Florine Avenue to provide effective deceleration /
acceleration lanes in accordance with accepted traffic engineering standards.
In its memorandum dated July 5, 2005 (copy attached), the Public Works
Department is recommending that a right turn lane be created on the north side of
Fred Waring Drive between the pre-school building and the driveway to the church
parking lot. Therefore, a new Department of Public Works condition no. 24 has
been added to implement this requirement.
E. Creating a Secondary Access from the Palmira Subdivision to Moss
Rose Drive
Opening the emergency access from the Via Palmira development to Moss Rose
Drive is not recommended by staff and the project traffic engineer because the
amount of traffic likely to use this exit would be very low and opening this access
may create issues of concern for residents of Moss Rose Drive, even though the
traffic diverted to this new access has been forecast to be very low. Additionally,
some residents on Paseo Montecillo in the Palmira subdivision are opposed to the
secondary access because more traffic would travel in front of their homes on their
way to or from the secondary gate.
F. Parking Lot Lighting
Impacts from the new parking lot lighting on nearby residents will be minimal since
the revised site plan shows the new parking lot located 250 feet east from homes
on Palmilla Circle and 150 feet south of homes on Myrsine Avenue. Department
of Community Development condition no. 13 requires that the project comply with
4
Staff Report
Sacred Heart Master Plan
CUP 04-13
Page 5
July 14, 2005
the outdoor lighting requirements of Chapter 24.16 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code. Additionally, condition no. 13 requires all parking lot lighting to be turned off
by 10:00 p.m. on Sunday thru Friday and by 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, or 15
minutes after the end of the last evening activity, whichever occurs first.
G. Outdoor Noise from Public Address Sound System at Elementary
School
Some neighboring residents have expressed concern that an outdoor sound
system may be used to broadcast sports activities at the new sports fields. The
applicant has stated that an outdoor sound system will not be used to announce or
broadcast events at the sports fields. Department of Community Development
condition no. 11 states: "Use of an outdoor sound system shall be limited to during
school hours, at an acceptable decibel level per the City's Noise Ordinance."
H. No Future Expansion of Church and School
Father Howard Lincoln has agreed that Sacred Heart Church will not propose any
future expansion of the existing 1400-seat church sanctuary and will not seek any
future expansion of the school. Department of Community Development condition
of approval no. 12 caps enrollment at Sacred Heart Elementary School at 640
students. Enrollment at the pre-school is capped at 81 students.
II. CHANGES TO PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS RECENTLY
REQUESTED BY APPLICANT
The applicant recently requested a minor change to the project description and
an amendment to one of the conditions of approval.
A. Prayer Alcove Addition
On the revised site plan, the applicant has added a future 12' x 16' prayer alcove
to be constructed on the northerly side of the existing sanctuary. Staff supports
the prayer alcove addition because it would not be used during regular worship
services. Thus, there would be no increase in the 1400-seat capacity of the
sanctuary.
B. Amendment to Department of Community Development Condition
No. 9
The applicant is requesting to amend Department of Community Development
condition no. 9 so that the new parish hall can be used to relocate some of the
5
Staff Report
Sacred Heart Master Plan
CUP 04-13
Page 6
July 14, 2005
existing Sunday School and youth activities during weekend worship services.
Sunday School and related youth activities currently take place in the school
classrooms and in the administration building during weekend worship services.
Condition no. 9 currently does not allow any activities to be scheduled
concurrently in any of the new buildings during worship services. Staff supports
amending condition no. 9 since new activities are not proposed and since there
would not be an increase in vehicle trips generated. Most youths, with the
exception of some driving -age teenagers, arrive at church with their parents or
another adult.
Therefore, Staff is recommending the following revised Department of
Community Development condition no. 9:
Existing Sunday School and youth activities already occurring during
weekend worship services may be relocated to the new parish hall. The
parish hall, however, shall not be used to provide overflow seating for
worship services.
Conclusion:
The amended project as conditioned meets the findings for granting a conditional use
permit. These findings are included in the City Council resolution attached to this staff
report.
Submitted by:
Francisco J. Urbina
Associate Planner
Appr al:
Homer Cro ,
Carlos L. Ortida
City Manager
Department Head:
v � —
P ilip Drell
Director of Community Development
for Development Services
RESOLUTION NO. 05-53
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DENYING AN APPEAL AND AFFIRMING
PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF CUP 04-13 FOR A
MASTER PLAN FOR THE SACRED HEART CHURCH AND THE
SACRED HEART GRADE SCHOOL TO ALLOW EXPANSION OF
THE GRADE SCHOOL, CONSTRUCTION OF A PARISH
HALL/GYMNASIUM, NEW PARKING LOTS, NEW PLAYFIELDS,
AND A PRAYER ALCOVE.
CASE NO. CUP 04-13
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 24th
day of March 2005, on the 28`" day of April 2005, on the 23rd day of June 2005, and on
the le day of July hold duly noticed public hearings to a consider a request by THE
ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF SAN BERNARDINO for the above mentioned; and
WHEREAS, said application has complied with the requirements of the "City of
Palm Desert Procedure for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act",
Resolution No. 04-106, in that an initial study was prepared and concluded that the
proposed project will not have a significant negative impact on the environment and
staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and
arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council finds
the following facts and reasons to justify denying the appeal and affirming the Planning
Commission approval of said conditional use permit:
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT:
1. That the proposed location of the conditional use is in accord with
the objectives of zoning ordinance and the purpose of the district in
which it is located.
2. That the proposed location of the conditional use and the conditions
under which it will be operated or maintained will not be detrimental
to the public, health, safety, or welfare, or be materially injurious to
properties or improvements in the vicinity.
3. That the proposed conditional use will comply with each of the
applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance, except for approved
variances or adjustments.
4. That the proposed conditional use complies with the goals,
objectives and the policies of the City's general plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of
the City Council in this case.
2. That Conditional Use Permit 04-13 is hereby approved for a master plan for the
sacred Heart Church and the Sacred Heart Grade School to allow expansion of
the Grade School, installation of temporary classrooms, construction of a
parish hall / gymnasium, new parking lots, new playfields and a prayer chapel
subject to the attached conditions.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council, held on this 14th day of July, 2005 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
RACHELLE KLASSEN, City Clerk
City of Palm Desert, California
E
BUFORD CRITES, Mayor
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
CASE NO. CUP 04-13
Department of Communitv Development:
1. The development of the property shall conform substantially with exhibits on file
with the Department of Community Development, as modified by the following
conditions.
2. Construction of a portion of said project shall commence within one year from the
date of final approval unless an extension of time is granted; otherwise said
approval shall become null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
3. The development of the property described herein shall be subject to the
restrictions and limitations set forth herein which are in addition to all municipal
ordinances and state and federal statutes now in force, or which hereafter may be
in force.
4. Prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of any use contemplated by
this approval, the applicant shall first obtain permits and/or clearance from the
following agencies:
Coachella Valley Water District
Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission
City Fire Marshal
Public Works Department
Evidence of said permit or clearance from the above agencies shall be presented
to the Department of Building and Safety at the time of issuance of a building
permit for the use contemplated herewith.
5. Applicant agrees to maintain the landscaping required to be installed pursuant to
these conditions. Applicant will enter into an agreement to maintain said
landscaping for the life of the project, which agreement shall be notarized and
which agreement shall be recorded. It is the specific intent of the parties that this
condition and agreement run with the land and bind successors and assigns. The
final landscape plan shall include a long-term maintenance program specifying
among other matters appropriate watering times, fertilization and pruning for
various times of the year for the specific materials to be planted, as well as
periodic replacement of materials. All to be consistent with the Property
Maintenance Ordinance (Ordinance No. 801) and the approved landscape plan.
6. The project shall be subject to all applicable fees at time of issuance of building
permits including, but not limited to, Art in Public Places, TUMF and School
Mitigation fees.
3
7. The applicant shall construct an 8-foot high tan precision block wall along the
westerly and northerly property lines adjacent to the new playfields. The height of
the block wall may be reduced to 6 feet along the rear of adjacent residential lots
where the property owner does not want an 8-foot high block wall constructed.
8. There shall be no stadium or flood light lighting for the playfields. Use of the
playfields shall occur only during daylight hours, but in no case later than 9:OOPM.
9. Existing Sunday School and youth activities already occurring during weekend
worship services may be relocated to the new parish hall. The parish hall,
however, shall not be used to provide overflow seating for worship services.
10. All activities and use of the parish shall end by 10:00 p.m. on Sunday thru Friday
and by 11 :00 p.m. on Saturday.
11. Use of an outdoor sound system shall be limited to during school hours, at an
acceptable decibel level per the City's Noise Ordinance.
12. The maximum number of students enrolled at the Sacred Heart Elementary school
(K-8) shall not exceed 540 students. The maximum number of students enrolled
at the Sacred Heart pre-school shall not exceed 81.
13. The project shall to comply with the outdoor lighting requirements of Chapter
24.16 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. Construction drawings submitted for
the project shall include a lighting plan. All parking lot lighting be turned off by
10:00 p.m. on Sunday thru Friday and by 11 :00 p.m. on Saturday, or 15 minutes
after the end of an evening activity, whichever occurs first.
Deoartment of Public Works:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. All landscape maintenance on property frontages shall be performed by the
church.
2. A complete preliminary soils investigation, conducted by a registered soils
engineer, shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Department of Public
Works prior to the issuance of a grading permit.
3. All utilities shall be undergrounded.
BONDS AND FEES
4. Drainage fees, in accordance with Section 26.49 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code shall be paid prior to grading permit issuance.
4
5. Signalization fees, in accordance with City of Palm Desert Resolution Nos. 79-17
and 79-55, shall be paid prior to issuance of grading permit.
6. The project shall be subject to Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees (TUMF).
Payment of said fees shall be at the time of building permit issuance.
7. A standard inspection fee shall be paid prior to issuance of grading permits.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
8. Storm drain design and construction shall be contingent upon a drainage study
prepared by a registered civil engineer that is reviewed and approved by the
Department of Public Works prior to start of construction.
9. The new driveway shall have a 36' width, 25' returns to allow for a two-way exit.
10. Complete grading and improvement plans and specifications on electronic files
shall be submitted to the Director of Public Works for checking and approval
prior to issuance of any permits.
11. Improvement plans for utility systems shall be approved by the respective
provider or service districts with "as -built" plans submitted to the Department of
Public Works prior to project final. Utility plans shall be submitted to the public
works department for improvements in the public right of way prior to issuance of
any permits.
12. Any and all offsite improvements shall be preceded by the approval of plans and
the issuance of valid encroachment permits by the Department of Public Works.
13. Pad elevations are subject to review and modification in accordance with
Chapter 26 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code.
14. Project shall retain nuisance waters on -site.
15. All new landscape installation shall be drought tolerant in nature.
16. Landscape plans shall be submitted for review concurrently with grading plans.
b7
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
17. All public and private improvements shall be inspected by the Department of
Public Works and a standard inspection fee shall be paid prior to issuance of
grading permits. No occupancy permit shall be granted until public
improvements have been completed.
18. Prior to the start of construction, the applicant shall submit satisfactory evidence
to the Director of Public Works of intended compliance with the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Construction Permit
for storm water discharges associated with construction. Developer must
contact Riverside County Flood Control District for informational materials.
19. Applicant shall comply with provisions of Palm Desert Municipal Code Section
24.12, Fugitive Dust Control as well as Section 24.20, Storm water Management
and Discharge Control.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
20. The church shall monitor student pick-up/drop-off operations after master plan
build -out and make modifications regarding grade classifications assigned to
each pick-up/drop off area as the student mix changes per the project traffic
study.
21. The Church shall not schedule any activities in the newly constructed buildings
concurrently with scheduled religious services per the project traffic study.
22. The Church shall continue the weekday morning mass start time of 7:45AM.
23. At the discretion of the City of Palm Desert, additional mitigation shall be
implemented in the following order.
a. The church shall hire a traffic engineer to monitor traffic at points of
ingress and egress at the project site during masses on Saturday, Sunday
and weekday mornings, and during AM and PM peak hours at their
elementary school and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
b. Staggered school starts at least 45 minutes apart.
24. The applicant shall construct a right turn pocket on the north side of Fred Waring
Drive between the pre-school building and the driveway to the church parking lot.
Riverside Countv Fire Department:
1. With respect to the conditions of approval regarding the above referenced
project, the fire department recommends the following fire protection measures
be provided in accordance with City Municipal Code, NFPA, UFC, and UBC or
any recognized Fire Protection Standards:
The Fire Department is required to set a minimum fire flow for the remodel or
construction of all buildings per UFC article 87.
2. A fire flow of 1500 gpm for a 1 hour duration at 20 psi residual pressure must be
available before any combustible material is placed on the job site.
3. Provide or show there exists a water system capable of providing a gpm flow of:
3000 gpm for commercial buildings.
4. The required fire flow shall be available from a wet barrel Super Hydrant(s)
4"x2-1/2" x2-1/2", located not less than 25 feet nor more than:
150 feet from any portion of a commercial building measured via vehicular
travelway.
5. Water Plans must be approved by the Fire Marshal and include verification that
the water system will produce the required fire flow.
6. Install a complete NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system. This applies to all buildings
with a 3000 square foot total cumulative floor area. The Fire Marshal shall
approve the locations of all post indicator valves and fire department
connections. All valves and connections shall not be less than 25 feet from the
building and within 50 feet of an approved hydrant. Exempted are one and two
family dwellings.
7. All valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems and water -
flow switches shall be monitored and alarmed per UBC Chapter 9.
8. Install a fire alarm system as required by UBC Chapter 3.
9. Install portable fire extinguishers per NFPA 10, but not less than one 2A10BC
extinguisher per 3000 square feet and not over 75 feet walking distance. A "K" type
fire extinguisher is required in all commercial kitchens.
10. Install a Hood/Duct automatic fire extinguishing system per NFPA 96 in all public
and private cooking operations except single-family residential uses.
7
11. All building shall be accessible by an all-weather roadway extending to within 150
feet of all portions of the exterior walls of the first story. The roadway shall not be
less than 24 feet of unobstructed width and 13'6" of vertical clearance. Where
parallel parking is required on both sides of the street the roadway must be 36 feet
wide, and 32 feet wide with parking on one side. Dead-end roads in excess of 150
feet shall be provided with a minimum 45 foot radius turn -around, 55 foot in
industrial developments.
12. Whenever access into private property is controlled through use of gates, barriers,
or other means, provisions shall be made to install a "Knox Box" key over -ride
system to allow for emergency vehicle access. Minimum gate width shall be 16' with
a minimum vertical clearance of 13'-6".
13. A dead-end single access over 500' will require a secondary access, sprinklers, or
other mitigative measures approved by the Fire Marshal. Under no circumstances
shall a dead end over 1300' be accepted.
14. This project may require licensing by a state or county agency. To facilitate plan
review, the applicant shall prepare and submit to the Fire Marshal a letter of intent
detailing the proposed usage and occupancy type.
15. All buildings shall have illuminated addresses of a size approved by the city.
16. All fire sprinkler systems, fixed fire suppression systems and alarm plans must be
submitted separately to the Fire Marshal for approval prior to construction. Plans
for underground fire line system require approved plans.
17. Conditions subject to change with adoption of new codes, ordinances, laws, or
when building permits are not obtained with twelve months.
All questions regarding the meaning of these conditions should be referred to the Fire
Marshal's Office at (760) 346-1870; 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
EXHIBIT A
Pursuant to Title 14, Division 6, Article 6 (commencing with section 15070) of the
California Code of Regulations.
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CASE NO: CUP 04-13
APPLICANT/PROJECT SPONSOR: The Roman Catholic Bishop of San Bernardino
1201 E. Highland Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92404
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/LOCATION:
The master plan proposes the expansion of the Sacred Heart Grade School that includes
the construction of eight new classrooms, a new library, lunch shade structures, a new
parish hall / gymnasium, a new playground for grades 2 thru 5, a new sports fields with a
track, a reconfigured paved parking lot with 35 spaces, a new paved parking lot with 87
spaces, and a grass overflow parking area for 220 spaces. The project site is located at 43-
775 Deep Canyon Road
The Director of the Department of Community Development, City of Palm Desert,
California, has found that the described project will not have a significant effect on the
environment. A copy of the Initial Study has been attached to document the reasons in
support of this finding. Mitigation measures, if any, included in the project to avoid
potentially significant effects, may also be found attached.
Julv 14, 2005
PHILIP DRELL DATE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
�l )
CITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Department of Community Development/Planning
Attention: Francisco Urbina
RECEIVER
FROM: Mark Diercks, Transportation Engineer
JUL 0 _: 2005
SUBJECT: CUP 4-13 Sacred Heart Church Master Plan
CAMMCNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
DATE: July 5, 2005
In response to your request, the purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the opinion of
Public Works Staff regarding the Sacred Heart Church Master Plan traffic related issues
expressed by City Council at the June 23, 2005 meeting. Each issue is discussed
below.
Parkinq Restrictions on East Side of Deep Canvon Drive — Installation of parking
restrictions on the east side of Deep Canyon Road should be considered once
sufficient on site parking has been established. Restricting east side parking prior to
the creation of additional on site spaces may relocate the on -street parking to nearby
local streets (such as Moss Rose Drive) and may not deter the pedestrian crossing
activity as much as expected.
Parkinq Restrictions on West Side of Deep Canvon Drive — South of Via Palmira, the
existing on -street parking restrictions should remain as is. North of Via Palmira,
parking restrictions should be limited to providing adequate sight distance at project
driveways and cross -streets. Restricting parking on each side of the project
driveways will also serve as areas for acceleration and deceleration on Deep
Canyon Road.
Acceleration and Deceleration Lanes — On Deep Canyon Road, as state above,
restricting parking on each side of the project driveways will provide sufficient areas
for acceleration and deceleration.
Page Two
CUP 4-13 Sacred Heart Church Master Plan
July 5, 2005
On Fred Waring Drive, west of deep Canyon Road, consideration should be given to
constructing a right turn pocket within the limited space available. Although the
existing preschool building will restrict it's length, installation of the pocket will
provide some refuge for vehicles entering the church parking lot. An acceleration
lane on Fred Waring Drive is impractical due to the short distance between. the
church driveway and Florine Avenue.
Secondary Access from Via Palmira onto Moss Rose Drive — Public Works Staff is
neither in favor of nor opposed to the opening of the secondary access from Via
Palmira onto Moss Rose Drive. In Staffs opinion, opening the access gate would
not have a sufficient impact, positive or negative, to Deep Canyon Road, Moss Rose
Drive, or the Palmira residents.
Please note that Public Works Staff preformed a preliminary review of the Sacred Heart
Church Master Plan revised site layout, dated June 29, 2005. The revised site layout
indicates that student drop-off/pick-up traffic for grades K through 5 will utilize the Deep
Canyon Road driveway directly opposite Moss Rose Drive. The potential impacts to
this intersection by the redistributed project traffic should be analyzed prior to the City
Council meeting on July 14, 2005.
1
rk S. Diercks, P.E.
Transportation Engineer
cc: Mark Greenwood, P.E., City Engineer
Phil Joy, Associate Transportation Planner
G:\PubWorks\Mark Diercks\word data\Memos\Memo to FUrbina - Sacred Heart - CUP 4-13.doc
July 6, 2005
Father Howard Lincoln
Sacred Heart Church
43-775 Deep Canyon Road
Palm Desert, CA 92260
SUBJECT: Addendum 2 to Supplemental Traffic Engineering Report for the
Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan in the City of Palm Desert
Dear Father Lincoln:
Tom Brohard and Associates prepared the May 27, 2005 Supplemental Traffic
Engineering Report addressing traffic and parking concerns associated with the Sacred
Heart Church and School Master Plan Project in the City of Palm Desert. Addendum 1
dated June 2, 2005 addressed traffic conditions expected to occur with implementation
of the Master Plan during the AM peak hour at the intersection of Deep Canyon Road
and Moss Rose Drive. This report, Addendum 2, addresses traffic and parking issues
raised by the City Council at the June 23, 2005 Public Hearing for the proposed project.
This report also addresses traffic conditions that are expected to occur during the AM
peak hour at the intersection of Deep Canyon Road and Moss Rose Drive with Option 5
of the revised site plan.
FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT AND CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
The July 5, 2005 Memorandum to the Department of Community Development/Planning
from the City of Palm Desert Public Works Department regarding the proposed project
has been reviewed. Differences between the findings contained in this report and the
staff recommendations are summarized in the following paragraphs, and discussed in
more detail later in this report.
❖ Parkina Restrictions on the West Side of Deep Canvon Road - Installation of red
curb on the south side of each of these three driveways is not recommended. The
proposed red curb on the north side of each Church driveway provides adequate
stopping sight distance for vehicles exiting the Church that turn right on Deep
Canyon Road, about 90 percent of all exiting vehicles. The existing two way left turn
lane facilitates left turns from the driveways. The existing bicycle/golf cart lane
increases the sight distance of northbound vehicles on Deep Canyon Road and it
can also be used as an acceleration area to merge with southbound traffic.
Installation of red curb south of each of the three driveways would eliminate a total of
15 on street parking spaces. In combination, red curb on both sides of each of the
three driveways would eliminate 28 on street parking spaces, 40 percent of the
existing 70 spaces on the west side of Deep Canyon Road.
❖ Acceleration and Deceleration Areas — Prohibiting parking on the north side of the
driveways on Deep Canyon Road provides an area for deceleration. The bicycle/golf
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
cart lane on Deep Canyon Road can be used as an acceleration area to merge with
southbound traffic. Installation of red curb south of each of these three driveways to
create an acceleration area would eliminate 15 on street parking spaces, and is not
recommended.
With the existing spacing on Fred Waring Drive between the driveway and Deep
Canyon Road, it is not possible to install a separate deceleration lane in accordance
with accepted engineering practice. The proximity of the preschool building limits the
practical length of a deceleration lane at this driveway to less than 50 feet (maximum
of two vehicles.) The deceleration lane would eliminate at least 11 on site parking
spaces, and is not recommended.
❖ Vehicle Access to Moss Rose Drive from Via Palmira - Opening the emergency
access from the Via Palmira development to Moss Rose Drive may create issues of
concern for residents of Moss Rose Drive, even though the traffic diverted has been
forecast to be very low. Opening the emergency gate for exiting traffic only, or during
only certain times on specific days, would be very difficult to control. Opening of this
access is not recommended.
❖ Inaress/Egress With Master Plan Option 5 - The intersection of Deep Canyon
Road and Moss Rose Drive will continue to operate at LOS C with project traffic
added and with all parents of Grade K-1 children using the proposed driveway
opposite Moss Rose Drive. As a result, there is no significant traffic impact
associated with the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan Option 5, and no
mitigation measures are required for Deep Canyon Road and Moss Rose Drive.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING ISSUES EXPRESSED BY CITY COUNCIL
At the conclusion on the Public Hearing on June 23, 2005, the City Council identified
several issues and requested that City staff and consultants retained by Sacred Heart
work together in addressing these items. Four of these items involve traffic and parking,
and we have consulted with City staff in this evaluation and in developing the
recommendations in this report to address each of these issues.
1) Parkina on Deep Canvon Road
a) East Side — Red curb is presently in place, prohibiting stopping at all times, on
the east side of Deep Canyon Road from Fred Waring Drive northerly to 100 feet
north of Via Palmira. North of that point, on street parking is permitted at all
times. A continuous 6 to 8 foot high block wall is in place along the entire east
side of Deep Canyon Road together with a 12 foot wide landscaped area and 8
foot sidewalk separating the residential properties from the roadway. A separate
parking lane adjacent to the east curb and outside the painted bicycle/golf cart
lane safely accommodates on street parking. From field measurements, the
following on street parking is available on the east side of Deep Canyon Road:
2
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
LOCATION
DISTANCE
100' N/O Via Palmira to 50' S/O Moss Rose
580 feet
50' N/O Moss Rose Drive to Daylily Circle
120 feet
Daylily Circle to Coral Bell Circle
180 feet
Coral Bell Circle to Lavender Way
140 feet
Lavender Wav to Maanesia Falls Drive
270 feet
Total Parking Available
PARKING*
23 spaces
4 spaces
7 spaces
5 spaces
10 spaces
49 spaces
* Note: The numbers of parking spaces were determined using 25' per space.
On street parking on the east side of Deep Canyon Road rarely occurs during
school days, but it has been observed to include nearly the entire east side of
Deep Canyon Road during worship services on holidays. As examples, 46
vehicles at 8:30 AM and 44 vehicles at 9:45 AM were parked on the east side of
Deep Canyon Road on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2005. When vehicle parking
associated with Sacred Heart Church occurs on the east side of Deep Canyon
Road, vehicle occupants become pedestrians crossing Deep Canyon Road both
to the Church and then back after the services to their parked vehicles. The City
has posted a pedestrian warning sign on the east side of Deep Canyon Road
north of Fred Waring Drive to advise northbound motorists of this condition.
At the City Council meeting on June 23, 2005, there was discussion regarding
"jaywalking." Section 21955 of the California Vehicle Code defines "jaywalking"
(illegal crossings of a roadway) as "Between adjacent intersections controlled by
traffic signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the
roadway at any place except in a crosswalk." Section 21954(a) states "Every
pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or
within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all
vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard." While
pedestrian crossings at various random locations on Deep Canyon Road are
technically legal, they do create potential traffic safety issues if pedestrians do
not yield to vehicular traffic as required. We share this concern with City staff.
Prohibiting parking on the east side of Deep Canyon Road would eliminate
random pedestrian crossings created from parked vehicles along this roadway.
However, eliminating 50 parking spaces from the east side of Deep Canyon
Road will likely displace these vehicles to other public streets within the
residential areas east of Deep Canyon Road and west of Sacred Heart Church,
creating additional undesirable parking impacts.
As recommended in the Supplemental Report, the City should consider
prohibiting parking on the east side of Deep Canyon Road after additional
parking is provided on site in accordance with the Master Plan. Doing so
beforehand increases the likelihood of vehicle parking relocating to streets such
as Moss Rose Drive, a street that currently experiences little on street parking
3
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
during worship services. If parking occurs in the residential area to the east,
random midblock pedestrian crossings of Deep Canyon Road will continue. The
City may also consider installation of a pedestrian warning sign on the west side
of Deep Canyon Road south of Buttonwood Drive to warn southbound motorists
that pedestrians may be crossing the roadway in this area.
Some people attending Sacred Heart Church will likely continue to park off site
as long as it is faster for them to locate an on street parking space and then walk
to and from the Sanctuary. During March and April 2005, the Church used
parking attendants to facilitate access to and from the parking areas on site,
together with passenger shuttle on site service to eliminate the need for walking.
Sacred Heart Church plans to continue these practices during higher attendance
periods between November 1 and April 30. Facilitating entry and exit at the
Church driveways is an excellent step toward encouraging worshippers to park
on site rather than on the streets in the area.
b) West Side — Red curb is presently in place, prohibiting stopping at all times, on
the west side of Deep Canyon Road from Fred Waring Drive northerly to a point
opposite the centerline of Via Palmira. North of that point, on street parking is
permitted at all times. North of the duplexes owned by Sacred Heart Church, a
continuous 6 to 10 foot high block wall is in place along the entire west side of
Deep Canyon Road together with a 5 to 9 foot sidewalk separating the residential
properties from the roadway. From field measurements, the following on street
parking is available on the west side of Deep Canyon Road:
LOCATION
DISTANCE
PARKING*
Magnesia Falls Drive to Buttonwood Drive
500 feet
20 spaces
Buttonwood Drive to North Church Prop. Line
400 feet
16 spaces
North Church Prooertv Line to Via Palmira
850 feet
34 spaces
Total Parking Available
70 spaces
* Note: The numbers of parking spaces were determined using 25' per space.
On street parking on the west side of Deep Canyon Road rarely occurs during
school days, but it has been observed to include nearly the entire west side of
Deep Canyon Road during worship services on holidays. As examples, 59
vehicles at 8:30 AM and 60 vehicles at 9:45 AM were parked on the west side of
Deep Canyon Road on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2005. When vehicle parking
associated with Sacred Heart Church occurs on the west side of Deep Canyon
Road, vehicle occupants become pedestrians that use the continuous sidewalk
along the west side of Deep Canyon Road to Sacred Heart Church and back to
their parked vehicles. Parking on the west side of the roadway does not create
pedestrian crossings at various random locations on Deep Canyon Road.
4
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
Roadway striping on the west side of Deep Canyon Road includes an 8 foot wide
area for parking adjacent to the curb, a 6 foot wide bicycle/golf cart lane, and a
12 foot wide southbound through lane. The parking lane and the bicycle/golf cart
lane provide additional separation between vehicles exiting Sacred Heart Church
driveways and southbound traffic on Deep Canyon Road. The bicycle/golf cart
lane provides an area for southbound vehicles to decelerate in to and accelerate
out of these driveways. The two way left turn lane on Deep Canyon Road
facilitates left turn movements from the driveways in two steps and it also serves
as a deceleration and an acceleration lane for northbound traffic.
The existing striping facilitates entry into Deep Canyon Road for vehicles exiting
each of the Sacred Heart Church driveways. In addition, existing red curb
prohibits stopping at all times on both sides of the driveway closest to Fred
Waring Drive. Existing red curb is also in place south of the driveway immediately
south of the Sanctuary and for 40 feet to the north of this driveway. Further north,
red curb has not been installed adjacent to the existing driveways.
Stopping sight distance for vehicles exiting the Sacred Heart Church driveway
just north of the Sanctuary on the west side of Deep Canyon Road could be
enhanced by painting an additional 60 feet of red curb to prohibit stopping for 100
feet north of this driveway. Red curb could also be installed for 100 feet
immediately north of the northern Church driveway. Red curb on the north side of
these driveways also provides an area for southbound vehicles to wait before
turning right into the Church driveways as well as an area for deceleration.
Installation of red curb at both of these driveways would eliminate a total of eight
on street parking spaces.
Red curb to the south or exiting driver's right at driveways north of the Sanctuary
is not believed to be necessary. Right turning motorists can exit the driveways
and accelerate for a short distance in the bicycle/golf cart lane before merging
into southbound Deep Canyon Road. Left turning motorists can exit the
driveways and accelerate for a short distance in the two way left turn lane before
merging into northbound Deep Canyon Road.
Prohibiting parking along the entire west side of Deep Canyon Road eliminates
about 70 on street parking spaces available to the public. Such a parking
prohibition would result in additional parking on the public streets within the
residential areas east of Deep Canyon Road and west of Sacred Heart Church,
creating parking impacts within these areas. The City should not prohibit parking
for the entire west side of Deep Canyon Road. The existing separate parking
lane adjacent to the west curb outside of the painted bicycle/golf cart lane safely
accommodates on street parking in this area.
5
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
2) Acceleration and Deceleration Areas
In the earlier section regarding on street parking on Deep Canyon Road,
acceleration and deceleration at Church driveways was also discussed. The existing
striping on Deep Canyon Road facilitates turns in to and out of the Church driveways
as well as the adjacent side streets. Installation of an additional 60 feet of red curb at
the driveway just south of the Sanctuary would provide a 100 foot long area without
parking just north of this driveway. As indicated, the additional red curb would
improve stopping sight distance for vehicles exiting the driveway. In addition, this
100 foot long area would also accommodate southbound right turn storage for five
vehicles and would also serve as a deceleration area. At the northern Church
driveway opposite Moss Rose Drive and at the driveway north of the Parish
Hall/Gymnasium, 100 feet of red curb immediately north of each driveway would
also accomplish these two items. In total, 13 on street parking spaces would be
eliminated by installing a total of 260 feet of red curb.
An investigation has also been made regarding restriping or widening of Deep
Canyon Road and Fred Waring Drive to provide separate deceleration and
acceleration (speed change) lanes. Speed change lanes on Deep Canyon Road
would be inconsistent with the roadway environment adjacent to Sacred Heart
Church and School as well as the adjacent residential areas. Installation of speed
change lanes would also result in many adverse impacts. In addition, sufficient
separation does not exist between driveways and/or streets to install deceleration
and acceleration lanes in accordance with accepted standards. Installation of
separate deceleration and acceleration lanes for driveways serving Sacred Heart
Church and School are not recommended as discussed below.
a) Deep Canvon Road — This collector street has relatively low traffic volumes and
has a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour. Removal of the 8 foot wide on
street parking lane and the 6 foot wide bicycle/golf cart lane would be required to
stripe 12 foot wide speed change lanes at the driveways. All street parking
across the frontage of Sacred Heart Church and School, together with prohibition
of parking 405 feet north of the north driveway, would be required. This would
eliminate all 50 parking spaces between Buttonwood Drive and the Sanctuary.
Widening of the roadway to accommodate speed change lanes is not considered
realistic or appropriate as it would result in the removal of over 60 mature palm
trees planted on Sacred Heart Church and School property between the parking
lots and the back of the sidewalk, as well as the loss of at least 28 on site parking
spaces within off street parking lots adjacent to Deep Canyon Road.
Very little traffic arrives at Sacred Heart Church or School from the north on Deep
Canyon Road, perhaps 10 percent of all trips. Implementation of separate speed
change lanes to serve the various driveways on Deep Canyon Road, a low
volume collector road, involve either restriping with removal of 50 on street
J.
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
parking spaces and the bicycle/golf cart lane south of Buttonwood Drive or
widening with removal of over 60 mature palm trees and at least 28 on site
parking spaces. In either case, separate speed change lanes on Deep Canyon
Road would create significant adverse impacts and they are not recommended.
b) Fred Waring Drive — There is an existing raised landscaped median within the
Fred Waring Drive roadway that limits access at the Sacred Heart Church and
School driveway to right turns only, both in and out. The driveway is located on
the north side of Fred Waring Drive 300 feet west of Deep Canyon Road and 125
feet east of Florine Avenue. At this location, Fred Waring Drive provides three 12
foot wide lanes and a 6 foot wide bicycle/golf cart lane for westbound traffic.
There is also a 7 foot wide sidewalk in this area along the north side of Fred
Waring Drive. The posted speed limit on Fred Waring Drive is 45 miles per hour.
With the existing spacing between the driveway and Deep Canyon Road and
between the driveway and Florine Avenue, it is not possible to install separate
speed changes lanes in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
Even if there were sufficient lengths available along Fred Waring Drive, there are
other significant complications at this location. The southwest corner of the
preschool building at Sacred Heart School is only 6 feet north of the north edge
of the sidewalk along Fred Waring Drive. In addition, a large high voltage
electrical cabinet is located between the southwest corner of the preschool
building and the sidewalk, together with an access for deliveries to the preschool
kitchen. Other facilities that would require relocation and/or removal to install
speed change lanes for this driveway include a continuous wrought iron
fence/block wall at the Sacred Heart Church and School property line and a
cluster of three mature palm trees just north of the sidewalk. In addition to these
impacts, the installation of speed change lanes would result in the elimination of
17 on site parking spaces on site at Sacred Heart Church and School between
the preschool building and Florine Avenue. Providing a short deceleration area
that would begin just beyond the preschool building would provide storage for
only two vehicles and at least 11 parking spaces in the parking lot would be lost.
There is insufficient separation between the Sacred Heart Church and School
driveway and the adjacent intersections to provide speed change lanes in
accordance with accepted standards. Even if adequate separation existed,
separate speed change lanes on Fred Waring Drive would create significant
adverse impacts and they are not recommended.
3) Vehicle Access to Moss Rose Drive from Via Palmira
There is an existing emergency access gate across Paseo Montecillo just south of
Moss Rose Drive. The gates are padlocked, but can be opened in an emergency.
Fi
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
The January 2005 Traffic Study found that the Master Plan would result in significant
traffic impacts on Deep Canyon Road at Via Palmira. To mitigate these impacts, the
Traffic Study recommended that "The Church should work with the Via Palmira
development to explore and potentially financially participate in making the north
emergency access gate open for general traffic."
The January 2005 Traffic Study forecast that up to 50 percent of the vehicles
entering or exiting Via Palmira at Deep Canyon Road would be expected to use the
second access between 7:45 and 8:00 AM on school days. Using this assumption,
six exiting and three entering vehicles could divert to Moss Rose Drive and to its
intersection with Deep Canyon Road, a total of nine vehicles in all over the 15
minute peak just before 8:00 AM. With this diversion, the intersection of Via Palmira
and Deep Canyon Road improved slightly, from LOS F to LOS E, but failed to
achieve the City's minimum LOS D. Additional analyses in the Traffic Study
demonstrated how very sensitive the LOS calculations are for the left turns out of Via
Palmira, and showed improvement to LOS D with diversion of one more left turn
(four in total) and to LOS C with diversion of two more left turns (five in total) made
during the peak 15 minutes just before 8:00 AM.
As shown in the Supplemental Report, delays for vehicles exiting Via Palmira vary
significantly from day to day. Also as indicated in the Supplemental Report, similar
delays at other intersections near schools and on stop controlled side streets
intersecting collector streets do occur during peak hours. At traffic signals with left
turn arrows in all directions, motorists at major signalized intersections can wait up to
120 seconds or more during peak flows within peak hours.
On September 28, 2004 between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, 23 of the 26 vehicles exited Via
Palmira without waiting more than 29 seconds. Three vehicles exiting Via Palmira at
7:51 and 7:52 AM waited 84, 84, and 140 seconds before they were able to enter
Deep Canton Road. While these three vehicle delays were significant, 23 out of 26
vehicles exited Via Palmira in 29 seconds or less.
On March 15, 2005 between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, 37 of the 40 vehicles exited Via
Palmira without waiting more than 54 seconds. Three vehicles exiting Via Palmira at
7:47, 7:48, and 7:53 AM waited 68, 69, and 122 seconds before they were able to
enter Deep Canton Road. While these three delays were significant, 37 out of 40
vehicles exited Via Palmira in 54 seconds or less. On March 17, 2005 between 7:30
and 8:30 AM, all 45 vehicles exited Via Palmira without waiting more than 37
seconds. None of the delays on March 17, 2005 were significant.
Out of the 111 vehicles exiting Via Palmira on these three days, only two vehicles
waited more than they would wait at a signalized intersection of two major roadways.
Opening the emergency access from the Via Palmira development to Moss Rose
Drive may create issues of concern for residents of Moss Rose Drive, even though
A
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
the traffic diverted has been forecast to be very low. Opening the emergency gate
for exiting traffic only, or during only certain times on specific days, would be very
difficult to control. Opening of this access is not recommended.
4) Inaress/Eciress With Master Plan Option 5
Since the June 23, 2005 City Council meeting, five different options were developed
for the placement of the multi purpose building, the sports fields, and on site parking
areas. Option 5, the preferred alternative for the Master Plan, provides two new
driveways along Deep Canyon Road. The new northerly driveway located directly
opposite Moss Rose Drive will serve as the entrance and exit for all parents of
Grade K-1 children. The new driveway just north of the Parish Hall/Gymnasium will
serve as the entrance and exit for all parents of Grade 2-5 children.
To evaluate potential traffic impacts associated with Option 5, additional calculations
have been made for the intersection of Deep Canyon Road and Moss Rose Drive as
requested by City staff. For these calculations, all K-1 parents have been reassigned
to enter and exit Sacred Heart School at the proposed driveway directly opposite
Moss Rose Drive. Assuming 10 percent of the Sacred Heart School traffic arrives
from and departs to the north and assuming enrollment in each of the K-8 grade
levels are equally balanced, a total of 58 inbound and 48 outbound trips in the AM
peak hour are forecast for K-1 parents at the driveway opposite Moss Rose Drive.
Using traffic counts gathered on March 15, 2005 and on March 17, 2005 during the
AM peak hour, the average vehicle delay at the intersection of Deep Canyon Road
and Moss Rose Drive was calculated at 1.2 seconds and 1.1 seconds, respectively.
Rerouting all parents of K-1 children to the new driveway opposite Moss Rose Drive
is forecast to increase these average vehicle delays to 2.4 seconds and 2.3
seconds, respectively.
Using traffic counts gathered on March 15, 2005 and on March 17, 2005 during the
AM peak hour, the vehicle delay for vehicles entering Deep Canyon Road from Moss
Rose Drive was calculated at 18.7 seconds (LOS C) and 18.5 seconds (LOS C),
respectively. Rerouting all parents of K-1 children to the new driveway opposite
Moss Rose Drive is forecast to increase the vehicle delays for Moss Rose Drive
traffic to 24.3 seconds (LOS C) and 23.9 seconds (LOS C), respectively.
A significant traffic impact would occur at a signalized intersection in the City if the
addition of project traffic caused the intersection Level of Service to degrade below
LOS D to either LOS E or LOS F. As the unsignalized intersection of Deep Canyon
Road and Moss Rose Drive will continue to operate at LOS C with project traffic
added and with the drop off/pick up circulation changes, there is no significant traffic
impact associated with the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan Option 5.
As a result of this intersection analysis, no mitigation measures are required for
Deep Canyon Road and Moss Rose Drive.
E
Father Howard Lincoln
Addendum 2 for the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
July 6, 2005
Additional Considerations
Sacred Heart Church and School have agreed to continue to monitor traffic conditions
associated with both school activities and with worship services. Sacred Heart Church
and School plan to work with the City of Palm Desert in this monitoring program to
ensure that traffic and parking are properly managed and controlled, and that the
existing operations continue to improve. Sacred Heart Church has also agreed to
continue to utilize parking attendants during worship services and high attendance
events between November 1 and April 30.
Monitoring of actual traffic conditions during arrivals and departures at Sacred Heart
Church and School allows for changes in ingress and egress as traffic conditions
change. This monitoring could result in restriction of turns from certain driveways at
certain times or the closure of driveways to entering and/or exiting traffic. Different
modifications may be developed as a result of the different patterns and conditions
associated with Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart School.
Using the City of Palm Desert definitions, the Supplemental Report and Addendum 1
found there will be no significant project traffic impacts associated with implementation
of the Master Plan. While the Master Plan does not require traffic mitigation, Sacred
Heart Church and School continue to work with the City and the adjacent residential
community to address traffic and parking issues. associated with the existing operations.
In conclusion, it is very important to recognize that the Master Plan now includes an
increase of 241 paved parking spaces on site as well as 200 additional spaces on the
play fields for high attendance events. Should the Master Plan not be implemented,
existing parking and traffic conditions associated with present operations will not be
significantly changed, creating further potential issues and problems for the community.
The opportunity to provide Addendum 2 to the Supplemental Report regarding traffic
and parking concerns associated with the Sacred Heart Church and School Master Plan
is sincerely appreciated. If you should need any other information or clarification of this
report, please call me at your convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Brohard and Associates
Tom Brohard, PE
Principal
10