Township of Cheltenham, PA Article VIII Special Studies and Reports

§ 260-100 Applicability.

The following special studies or reports to be developed by qualified professionals may be required to support and justify subdivision and land development proposals as required by this chapter and Chapter 295, Zoning, of the Township Code.

§ 260-101 Transportation impact study.

A. Purpose. A transportation impact study (TIS) is intended to enable the Township to assess the transportation impacts of a proposed development or redevelopment. Specifically, its purpose is to:

(1) Ensure a safe and efficient transportation network for all users, including transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists.

(2) Identify any transportation problems that may be created in the existing transportation system as a result of the proposed development.

(3) Identify solutions to potential problems and to present mitigation improvements to be incorporated into the proposal or into the transportation systems within the study area.

(4) Assist in the protection of air quality and the conservation of energy and to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes.

(5) Ensure that TIS submissions to the Township are consistent with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) "Policies and Procedures for Transportation Impact Studies," last revised November 25, 2013, or subsequent revisions. (Transportation Impact Study Guidelines Strike-Off-Letter 470-0904 and Transportation Impact Study Related Highway Occupancy Permits Strike-Off-Letter 494-13-13, or as amended.)

B. Transportation-related definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES

Those modes of moving people or goods that do not require a single-occupancy motorized vehicle, generally including bicycles, pedestrian facilities, e-scooters, bike-shares and transit systems such as buses, trains, trolleys, clean renewable-energy shared-ride shuttles, etc.

CAPACITY ANALYSIS

Intersection approach capacity is the maximum rate of vehicular flow that can pass through an intersection under prevailing roadway, traffic, and signalization conditions. The analysis compares the actual or projected traffic volume to the intersection capacity and results in a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio.

HIGHWAY OCCUPANCY PERMIT (HOP)

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regulations governing the access and occupancy of state highway, per 67 Pa. Code Chapter 441, Access to and Occupancy of Highways by Driveways and Local Roads. PennDOT has regulatory authority to ensure the location and design of access driveways and local roads to state highway rights-of-way in order to preserve safe and reasonable access. Montgomery County ("county") also has regulatory authority over certain roadways within the county and has established criteria for HOP applications.

LEVEL OF SERVICE

Level of service (LOS), as described in the current Transportation Research Board's Highway Capacity Manual, is a qualitative measure of the operational conditions within a traffic stream and their perceptions by motorists. Six levels of service (A through F) are defined for each type of facility, with LOS "A" representing the least congested operating conditions and LOS "F" representing a breakdown in operating conditions. Levels of service are defined in terms of average delay per vehicle for signalized and unsignalized intersections. "Level of service drops" are those future conditions that result in a negative change in intersection or approach lane level of service, i.e., LOS D changes to LOS E in future conditions.

MAJOR INTERSECTION

The intersection of any arterial or collector street with any other arterial or collector street as defined by PennDOT's Functional Classification Map, the municipal highway classification document or the equivalent document of adjacent municipalities, where appropriate.

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Transportation-related improvements which are generally not contiguous with the property being developed and not required as an on-site improvement but are found by the TIS analysis to be necessary, partly or wholly, as a result of the proposed development.

ON-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

All improvements on or adjacent to the development site in the public right-of-way required to be constructed by the owner/developer pursuant to any ordinance, resolution or requirement of the Township and the PennDOT or county highway occupancy permit (if applicable).

PUBLIC TRANSIT

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the provider of most public transit services throughout Montgomery County. Other local public transit providers operate in some communities.

ROUNDABOUT

An circular intersection design, per NCHRP Report 672, Roundabouts, An Informational Guide, Second Edition, or as amended, that may be considered as an alternative to new or expanded signalized intersections.

SCOPING MEETING

A meeting with PennDOT may be required to determine the parameters of the transportation impact study required for a PennDOT highway occupancy permit (HOP). A municipal scoping meeting will also be required prior to the commencement of the TIS to coordinate agreement on municipal conditions and expectations. County officials will also need to be involved whenever a county-owned roadway will be included in the TIS.

STUDY AREA

The study area shall be defined at the municipal/PennDOT scoping meeting but, at a minimum, shall include all development site access locations, any intersections immediately adjacent to the development property as well as all major intersections within 1/2 mile of all development access locations. Additional intersections may be added per the scoping meeting. The study area should also identify all transit routes and transit stops within 1/2 mile of the proposed development and the location of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.

(1) Proposals that will generate more than 1,000 new average daily trips shall expand the study area to include major intersections within one mile of the development access locations.

(2) All intersections identified in the study area should be examined, even if the intersections are located outside of the Township. (Municipalities cannot request improvements for study intersections beyond the municipal border; only PennDOT has this authority.)

TRAFFIC CALMING

The combination of mainly physical features that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle traffic use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for nonmotorized street users. Traffic-calming features are not traffic control devices, but rather physical parts of a roadway's design characteristics.

TRANSPORTATION IMPACT STUDY (TIS)

A study of the transportation network and conditions surrounding a proposed change or expansion of land uses, conducted to identify the transportation impacts of the proposed land use change or expansion and any possible mitigations needed to offset those impacts.

TRIP

A one way trip into or out of the site, and not what is commonly referred to as a "round trip."

TRIP GENERATION RATES

The total number of trips to and from a study site per unit of land use, as measured by parameters like dwelling units, floor area or acres. The most current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) "Trip Generation Manual" shall be referenced to determine the specific rates.

WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION

A series of tests which identify the minimum vehicular traffic or pedestrian volumes or other criteria necessary for installation of a traffic signal. The warrant criterions are available in the current and PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or PennDOT's Traffic Engineering Manual (Publication 46).

C. Preparation of study. The transportation impact study shall be prepared by a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner with the cost borne by the applicant. The procedures and standards for the transportation impact study are set forth below.

D. Municipal scoping meeting. A municipal scoping meeting may be required to ensure that the parameters used in the TIS accurately reflect municipal conditions and expectations. The applicant should confirm the need for a municipal scoping meeting prior to submission. The scoping meeting will address the number and locations of proposed access points, project schedule and phasing, study area and additional intersections to be included in the analysis, specific ITE trip generation land use codes, pass-by volumes, modal splits, any trip adjustments to be used, and other area developments and programmed roadway improvements to be included in the future conditions analysis as well as potential opportunities to implement transportation demand management (TDM) activities. Agreement on all scoping parameters shall be obtained prior to initiation of the transportation impact study. The municipal scoping meeting may be held in conjunction with the PennDOT or county scoping meeting.

E. Applicability.

(1) Transportation impact study requirements shall apply to state, county and local roadways. Coordination with PennDOT or county HOP managers should occur as appropriate.

(2) A transportation impact study shall be submitted with all development proposals that generate 50 or more trips during the site peak hour, or 500 or more trips per day, regardless of the proposed land use. A TIS may also be required for zoning map or text amendments, special exceptions, variances, and/or any other pertinent proposal, or as required by the Township.

(a) The anticipated number of peak hour trips and trips per day shall be determined using the current edition of ITE's "Trip Generation Manual," most recent edition, as amended. The proposed use or development shall be identified using the appropriate ITE land use code. The appropriate ITE land use code shall be agreed upon at the municipal scoping meeting.

(b) For comparison purposes, the following ITE identified land uses would generate approximately 50 trips during the site peak hour, or 500 trips per day. This is not an all-inclusive list of ITE land use codes:

[1] Fifty single-family dwellings.

[2] Eighty-five multifamily units or townhouses.

[3] Restaurant with drive-through: 1,000 square feet.

[4] Restaurant without drive through: 2,800 square feet.

[5] Retail: 5,000 square feet.

[6] Industrial: 30,000 square feet.

[7] Office: 30,000 square feet.

(3) Any subdivision or land development application whose site, in the opinion of the Board of Commissioners, has a significant impact on traffic flow and safety may be required to perform a TIS.

(4) An application which requires a TIS shall not be considered complete until the transportation impact study is submitted to the appropriate review body in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(5) Waiver or modification.

(a) The Board of Commissioners may waive or modify the requirement for a TIS, the extent of the study area, or any of the requirements and standards of this section as they pertain to local roadways, provided that such waiver or modification will not be contrary to the public interest and that the purposes of the impact study are adequately served.

(b) In considering a waiver or modification, the Board of Commissioners may consider such factors as the location of the subject property, its proximity to intersections and major roadways, the size and intensity of the proposed subdivision or land development, the number and location of proposed access points to the subject property, the nature of the use proposed, and the advice of the Township Engineer or Traffic Engineer.

(c) Township officials may not waive or modify state or county requirements pertaining to a TIS. Proposed developments with frontage on state or county roadways shall coordinate with the appropriate jurisdiction for any waiver or modification to the TIS or HOP requirements.

F. General requirements and standards.

(1) Site description. The site description shall include the size, location, existing and proposed land uses, construction staging, and completion date of the proposed land development. If the development is residential, types of dwelling units shall also be included. The general site description shall also include probable socioeconomic characteristics of potential site users, if available, to the extent that they may affect the transportation needs of the site, e.g., number of senior citizens. A brief description of other major existing and proposed land development within the study area shall be provided.

(2) Transportation facilities description. The description shall fully document the proposed internal and existing external transportation system.

(a) The map/graphic/description shall include proposed internal vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation, all proposed ingress and egress locations, all internal roadway widths and rights-of-way, parking conditions, traffic channelization, and any traffic signals or other intersection control devices at all intersections within the site.

(b) The report shall describe the entire external roadway system within the study area. Intersections in the study area shall be identified and illustrated. Use of aerial photographs to help illustrate the external transportation system is recommended. Any existing and proposed public transit services and facilities within a one-half-mile radius of the site access locations shall also be documented.

(c) All future highway improvements for which State funding has been obligated or that are approved for other local developments, shall be indicated. This information shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Transportation Improvement Program or Twelve-Year Highway and Bridge Program, Montgomery County Planning Commission and from the Township. Roadway improvements associated with surrounding proposed development that are proposed but not approved shall be noted but shall not be included in future conditions analysis unless otherwise indicated by PennDOT, the county or the Township at the scoping meeting.

(3) Existing transportation conditions. Existing transportation conditions shall be measured and documented for all roadways and intersections in the study area and shall include:

(a) Current average daily traffic volumes, peak highway hour(s) traffic, and peak development-generated hour(s) traffic.

(b) Manual turning movement counts (including vehicular, bicycle and pedestrians and public transit vehicles) at all study intersections, encompassing the peak highway and development generated peak hour(s), with dates when any and all traffic counts were made included as a technical appendix to the report.

(c) Traffic count data shall not be greater than three years old but shall be updated if traffic volumes or patterns have changed significantly. If appropriate, counts shall be adjusted for school and/or other local seasonal peak traffic volumes, as identified at the municipal scoping meeting.

(d) Transportation analyses based upon existing volumes shall be performed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s) and the peak development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway peak periods, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. Saturday peak hour analysis shall be included when warranted. Conditions shall be evaluated for each location by approach lane and intersection in accordance with traffic engineering software and techniques as stipulated in PennDOT's Publication 46 (2-12), Traffic Engineering Manual, (or as updated) The analysis shall include volume/capacity ratios, levels of service, average vehicle delays, queue lengths, current sight distances and safe stopping distances at all proposed access locations. Signalized intersections experiencing levels of service E or F and v/c ratios equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be noted as deficient. Unsignalized intersections with levels of service D, E or F shall be noted as deficient. Queue analyses shall be provided for existing conditions at unsignalized intersections and gap analyses shall be provided as identified at the scoping meeting.

(e) Reportable and nonreportable crashes over a five-year period. Reportable crashes, as defined by PennDOT, include those with injuries or substantial damage, requiring a tow.

(4) Impact of development.

(a) Estimation of vehicular trip generation to result from the proposed development shall be completed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s), the peak development-generated hour(s), if different from the a.m. or p.m. peak hour, and the twenty-four-hour average weekday. Saturday peak-hour trip generation shall be completed for commercial and retail developments.

(b) These generated volumes shall be distributed to the study area and assigned to the existing roadways and study area intersections. Traffic volumes and turning movements shall be assigned at all proposed access locations and all intersections in the study area. Documentation of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phases shall be provided. Pedestrian volumes shall also be calculated, if applicable. If school crossings are to be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned to each crossing. Transit volumes shall be assigned to currently available public transit services as applicable.

(c) Note any characteristics of the development, the general site or study area that may cause particular trip generation, distribution or modal split modifications.

(d) Note development features that are planned to reduce trip generation rates and document transportation demand management (TDM) assumptions. Noted TDM practices may be included in the conditions of approval if listed in the TIS.

(e) Note the general increase or decrease in pedestrian and other nonmotorized or alternative transportation trips which may be generated by the development, including the potential need for on-site traffic-calming measures.

(5) Analysis of impact.

(a) The total future traffic shall be calculated and shall consist of the existing traffic volume expanded to the project completion year using an annual background growth factor plus the development-generated traffic and the traffic generated by other developments in the study area as identified at the PennDOT or municipal scoping meeting.

(b) The annual background growth factor for overall traffic volumes shall be determined using PennDOT's growth factors calculations unless enough local ADT volume data is available to establish more accurate average traffic volume changes over the past five years. The background growth factor should be established at the municipal scoping meeting. The background growth rate should be applied to the current ADT and turning movement volumes to forecast background traffic volumes for the development opening year and any successive phase completions. All assumptions used to revise trip distribution should be provided, i.e., other major developments that will change current traffic patterns.

(c) Future transportation conditions shall be analyzed using the same techniques as used for the existing transportation conditions. Future conditions without the proposed development traffic ("future without") shall be provided for all study area intersections and shall include background traffic growth and traffic from other local proposed/approved developments as agreed to at the scoping meeting. Only those roadway improvements that are programmed, with obligated funds, to be completed prior to the opening year of the proposed development shall be included in the future without analysis. Diagrams illustrating LOS, v/c ratios and average vehicle delay in seconds shall be provided for each study area intersection/turning movement for future without conditions.

[1] A second future conditions analysis shall be conducted that includes the proposed development traffic ("future with"). Roadway improvements proposed to be constructed by the developer prior to the opening date of the development can be incorporated into the analysis. Diagrams illustrating LOS, v/c ratios and average vehicle delay in seconds shall be provided for each study area intersection/turning movement for total future with traffic conditions.

[2] A table shall be provided illustrating the existing, future without and future with conditions for all intersections within the study area, by lane group and identifying the LOS, delay in seconds, v/c ratios, and queues for each lane group. The table should note any changes to the roadway that have been included in the future without and future with analyses. Queue length studies for unsignalized intersections shall also be conducted for existing, future without and future with conditions and displayed in graphics and/or a table and noting future without and future with improvements.

(d) All analyses shall include a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s) and peak development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway peaks, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. All access points and pedestrian crossings shall be examined as to the appropriateness of installing traffic signals or other traffic control measures based on the current and PennDOT-approved edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Roundabouts may be considered as an alternative to additional traffic signals, if approved by both PennDOT and the Township.

(6) Conclusions and recommendations.

(a) Future levels of service (LOS), average vehicle delay and v/c ratios shall be listed for all intersections and turning movements. Signalized intersections showing a level of service E or F and v/c ratios equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be considered deficient. Unsignalized intersections with levels of service D, E, or F shall be noted as deficient.

(b) Level of service drops shall be identified for both future without and future with conditions. Level of service drops shall be identified by approach lane group.

(c) Specific recommendations for the elimination of level of service drops below LOS D resulting in the future with analysis shall be listed and shall include internal circulation design, site access location and design, external roadway intersection design and improvements including the potential for use of roundabouts, traffic signal installation and operation including signal timing, transit design improvements, and any pedestrian improvements needed to support nonvehicular mobility associated with the development proposal.

(d) All physical roadway improvements shall be illustrated and overlain on aerial photography to show the extent of the construction impacts.

(e) Signal timing revisions and/or signal equipment upgrades shall be evaluated for any intersection with a level of service E, or F, but a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio less than 1.0. Warrants for signalization or other traffic control measures shall be examined for unsignalized intersections with levels of service E or F based on the current and PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices or the current PennDOT Traffic Engineering Manual.

(f) Existing and/or future public transit service shall also be addressed and any transportation demand management techniques proposed with the development shall be identified. A listing of all actions to be taken to encourage public transit usage or other transportation demand management techniques for development-generated trips and/or improve existing service, if applicable, shall be included. Any proposed transit service improvements should be coordinated with SEPTA or the appropriate local transit provider and should conform to SEPTA's current Bus Stop Design Guidelines.

(g) Proposed transportation system improvements should be consistent with municipal comprehensive planning or other plans referencing overall mobility and/or transit services, as well as any traffic calming policies adopted by the Township.

(7) Implementation of recommendations. The applicant shall be required to implement the on-site transportation improvements necessary to mitigate the future with deficient traffic conditions as noted in the TIS unless modified or waived by the municipal officials. Off-site transportation improvements found to be necessary by the TIS may be included in an alternative transportation program through agreement with the applicant, the Township and PennDOT or the county, as applicable. The municipal officials may have an independent review done of the applicant's transportation impact study, at the applicant's expense, to make a final determination of the improvements that must be implemented.

(8) Additional coordination with PennDOT or the county may be necessary to ensure compatibility between the proposed transportation improvements and highway occupancy permit requirements. All communications with PennDOT or the county regarding the HOP or other transportation related issues associated with the proposed development shall be copied to the Township.

§ 260-102 Stormwater management reports and hydrologic calculations.

A. The stormwater management report shall be a self-contained report with all calculations and design elements. All plans showing the proposed storm sewer construction must be accompanied by a complete design prepared by a registered engineer currently licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The reports and hydrologic calculations shall be based upon Chapters 290 or 291 of the Township Code, as applicable, and shall contain the following elements:

(1) Design for stormwater control structures.

(2) Design of stormwater conveyance system.

(3) Design to address stormwater quality controls.

(4) Proposed stormwater system management requirements.

B. Design of stormwater control structures.

(1) Calculation. The quantity of runoff shall be computed using the following methods for stormwater control structures:

(a) NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-55 or TR-20 or commercial equivalent) for drainage areas up to 100 acres.

(b) NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-20 or commercial equivalent) or one of the hydrologic methods implemented in HEC-HMS or HEC-1 for drainage areas over 100 acres.

(c) A rational hydrograph method (Modified Rational or Universal Rational) may be used for any site equal to or less than 10 acres.

(d) Other methods as approved by the Township Engineer.

(2) Assumptions. The following assumptions shall be used in the appropriate stormwater computational method:

(a) Design runoff hydrographs shall be based upon the most current PennDOT regional twenty-four-hour rainfall depths or NOAA Atlas 14 data.

(b) NRCS Type II distribution shall be used to establish the rainfall distribution for stormwater management hydrologic analysis.

(c) The NRCS dimensionaless unit hydrograph "k" factor of 484 shall be used for both pre-and post-development stormwater analysis unless a different value is found to be more appropriate based upon watershed analysis.

(3) Stormwater volume control design shall be based upon a two-year, twenty-four-hour storm event.

(4) Stormwater peak runoff control design shall be based upon the one-, two-, ten-, twenty-five-, fifty-, and 100-year twenty-four-hour storm events.

C. Water quality control.

(1) Demonstration that the design capture volume is completely removed and 90% of the disturbed area in a site is drained through a water quality BMP; or

(2) Computationally demonstrate compliance with the water quality standard by estimating pollutant loadings for the proposed development and pollutant load reductions by selected BMPs.

(3) Post-development pollutant loadings shall be computed based upon the land cover classifications and loading rates in the Pennsylvania Stormwater Design Manual or other sources provided by the Township Engineer.

D. Stormwater conveyance design. The storm drainage system consisting of storm sewer pipes, swales, and open channels shall be based upon the following design standards:

(1) Design frequency. All stormwater facilities shall be designed to transport a twenty-five-year-frequency storm. Provision must also be made to transport a 100-year-frequency storm so that surface waters will not damage property or flood roads, and that the 100-year-frequency storm shall be transported to the appropriate stormwater management facility.

(2) The rate of runoff in conveyance systems shall be computed using the following methods for stormwater control structures:

(a) Rational method for drainage areas up to 200 acres in size.

(b) HEC-1, PSRM, or TR-20 for drainage areas between 200 acres and 1.5 square miles.

(c) Over 1.5 square miles: PSU-IV or equivalent.

(d) Other methods as approved by the Township Engineer.

(3) Rain fall intensities in the most recent edition of the Pennsylvania Highway Design Manual Part 2 shall be used (PennDOT).

(4) Rational method coefficients shall be based upon the Pennsylvania Highway Design Manual Part 2 or the recommendation of the Township Engineer.

(5) Hydraulic design computations for stormwater conveyance systems shall follow appropriate methods provided in the NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 640, Hydrology, the Federal Highway Administration's Urban Drainage Design Manual, HEC-22, PennDOT Design Manual Park 2, the Pennsylvania DEP Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, or other technical manuals as recommended by the Township Engineer, and shall be submitted in a manner acceptable to the Township Engineer. Inlet design data shall be submitted on a separate sheet, on the standard PennDOT design form or similar form acceptable to the Township Engineer.

E. The applicant shall comply with all other stormwater management requirements in this chapter, Chapter 290, Watershed Stormwater Management, Chapter 291, Watershed Stormwater Management for Wissahickon Creek Watershed, and Chapter 295, Zoning, of the Township Code.

F. The stormwater management report shall be prepared and submitted in coordination with a stormwater authority having jurisdiction in the Township, if any.

§ 260-103 (Reserved)

§ 260-104 Historic and cultural resources.

A. Projects affecting or potentially affecting historical or archeological sites identified on the Township's cultural resources survey shall be subject to the review and recommendation of the Township's Historical Commission. The Historical Commission will review any site as qualified above which is proposed for development for potential archeological or historical site impact and may recommend one of the following actions:

(1) Phase I Survey.

(2) Phase II Survey.

(3) Phase III Mitigation.