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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 136; McDonald's Restaurant; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (7)J MEMORANDUM - June 20, 1977 TO: Public Works Administrator FROM : Transportation Engineer SUBJECT: TRAFFIC ANALYSIS FOR PROPOSE i-g Proper evaluation of traffic impacts (both vehicular and pedestrian) of the proposed McDonald's restaurant requires an assessment of peak hourly and daily traffic generation. This data is valuable for the consultant hired to advise on parking and traffic gener- ation; for the City which must evaluate and approve proper access and circulation; and for the Planning Commission and City Council which review land uses. The attached data sheets and report provide the most current in- formation available on the traffic impact of locating a FlcDonald's restaurant on the northwest corner of El Carnino Real and Plaza Way. It is important to note that the source of this data and report is the developer's traffic consultant, James W. Federhart. I feel his generated traffic figures are reasonable and acceptable. (Figures 1 & 2). Since the number of transactions per day would be the same whether or not McDonald's had drive-through service, the number of vehicular trips generated by either type of service will not be significantly different. (Fig. 3) As can be seen in Figure 1, McDonald's will be generating more traffic than any other single facility in the entire shopping center (including either Payless or Von's). vehicular trips will be over 300, thus contributing to more than 25% of all entering and exiting traffic on Plaza Way (Figure 2 - 1980 P.M. Peak Hour). The number 0% peak hour Figure 4 shows a comparison between McDonald's and three other types of restaurants (Denny's, Bob's Big Boy, and Love's), in which a11 three of the other restaurants have 50% more seating capacity than McDonald's. Yet, McDonald's generates roughly 3 times more peak hour traffic than any of the other restaurants! The capacity of the newly signalized intersection of El Camino Real and Plaza Way can certainly handle the McDonald's traffic; however, the'level of service will be reduced because of the high traffic . '\ . I MEMO to PWA -2- Re: Traffic Analysis for Proposed McDonald's June 20, 1977 generator. The following adverse conditions will result from locating McDonald's on the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Harron Road: 1. 2. 3. 4. The increased minor street (Plaza Way) traffic will have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of the proposed signal interconnect system along El Camino Real: The interior shopping center intersection will be seriously impacted because the geometrics do not provide for left turning movements (mostly into McDonald's), nor for adequate stacking (storage) during peak hour conditions; None of the proposed site plans has guaranteed a landscaped section (free of motor vehicles) between the building and El Camino Real. This is important so that El Camino Real can maintain and develop its scenic route amenities, and so that pedestrians along El Camino Real can walk into the restaurant without walking through a parking lot. Pedestrian activity will create numerous conflicts and needs to be analyzed more closely: a) According to the consultant, the P.M. peak demand for McDonald's parking is estimated at 40 spaces. Since only 21 spaces are located adjacent to the building (Scheme "C") , 19 spaces will be used by McDonald's patrons east of the north-south drive. The 19 vehicles will gener- ate about 28 pedestrians walking in each direction (1.5 persons/veh,) in 15 minutes according to other local observations made by the consultant. This could amount to 224 pedestrians crossing a drive with approximately 300 vehicle crossings during the peak hour! b) The proposed McDonald's will also generate pedestrian activity from the Plaza Camino Real. This pedestrian traffic will have to cross El Camino Real and will require a minimum of 27 seconds to cross 106 feet at 4 feet/second. This will definitely contribute to vehicular congestion at the intersection at El Camino Real and Plaza Way. In. addition, many of the pedestrians will be children coming from both the shopping center and the theaters. Consider- ation should be given to a future pedestrian overpass across El Camino Real. . MEMO to PWA Re: Traffic Analysis for Proposed McDonald's -3- June 20, 1977 5. The proposed site is so small it will be inevitable that .vehicles will park in the easement between McDonald's and the Standard Station (here customers can park close to McDonald's, not hassle with the interior parking lot, and make a quick exit). Based on all these observations, I fear that locating a McDonald's restaurant on the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Plaza Way will result in increased congestion and safety problems. NOTE: Until the El Camino Real overpass geometrics at State Highway 78 are improved, El Carnino Real will continue to have a poor level of service during peak hours. I Kent A. Whitson Transportation Engineer KAW : ms Attachments .