4.11 TRAFFIC Existing Conditions Existing Project Site. Existing Street System

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1 4.11 TRAFFIC This traffic and circulation section is based on a Traffic Impact Study conducted by Linscott Law & Greenspan Engineers, which is provided in full in Appendix F. This traffic analysis has been conducted to identify and evaluate the potential traffic and parking impacts of the proposed Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Vital Mission Plan project. The analysis follows the County of Santa Barbara Environmental Thresholds and Guidelines Manual (July 2003) and is consistent with traffic impact assessment criteria set forth by the County of Santa Barbara. This traffic analysis evaluates potential project-related traffic impacts at four study intersections and six roadway segments in the vicinity of the project site. The study intersections and roadway segments were determined in consultation with the County of Santa Barbara. The Highway Capacity Manual methods were used to determine delay values and corresponding levels of service for the study intersections Existing Conditions Existing Project Site The existing Santa Barbara Botanic Garden project site is located approximately one half mile north of Foothill Road on the east and west sides of Mission Canyon Road. Based on information provided by the Botanic Garden for 2005, an average of approximately patrons visit the Botanic Garden daily. The Botanic Garden currently has four on-site residential units which are occupied by full-time staff of the Botanic Garden. The Botanic Garden currently has 32 full-time and 15 part-time employees, one intern, 31 instructors, and 20 volunteers for a total of 99 staff and volunteers. It should be noted that not all staff and volunteers are present at the Botanic Garden at the same time. An average of 62 full time equivalent staff (i.e. 2 part time equals 1 full time employee) are generally present at the Garden on weekdays, with closer to an average of five full time staff on weekends (except on days where a special event is occurring). The Botanic Garden parking lot on the West of Mission site currently provides 74 parking spaces including three spaces which are ADA accessible and one loading zone area which is used for bus parking. The East of Mission site currently contains 35 unmarked spaces in various locations, in addition to the residential parking spaces on the Hansen Site. The estimate on the number of unmarked spaces on the East of Mission site was provided by the Botanic Garden. In addition, there are seven unmarked employee parking spaces at the Guild Studio. Overall, the Botanic Garden currently provides a total of 116 parking spaces (both marked and unmarked). Existing Street System Immediate vehicular access to the project site is provided from Mission Canyon Road. The following four study intersections, as shown on Figure , were selected for analysis in consultation with the County of Santa Barbara in order to determine potential impacts related to the proposed project: 1. Mission Canyon Road (West)/Foothill Road (State Route 192). 2. Mission Canyon Road (East)/Foothill Road (State Route 192). 3. Mission Canyon Road/Tunnel Road. 4. Mission Canyon Road/Las Canoas Road. All of the study intersections are currently stop sign controlled. The existing lane configurations at the study intersections are displayed in Figure Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

2 Study Intersection Study Street Segment FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 Map Source: Thomas Bros. Guide SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Study Intersections and Street Segments No Scale

3 Unsignalized Intersection Stop Sign Controlled Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers. SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Existing Lane Configurations No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

4 In addition to the study intersections, six street segments were selected for analysis in consultation with the County of Santa Barbara in order to determine potential impacts related to the proposed project. The six street segments, as shown on Figure , are as follows: 1. Mission Canyon Road (West), south of Foothill Road (State Route 192). 2. Mission Canyon Road (East), north of Foothill Road (State Route 192). 3. Mission Canyon Road between Tunnel Road and Las Canoas Road. 4. Mission Canyon Road between Las Canoas Road and the West of Mission Exit Driveway. 5. Mission Canyon Road north of the West of Mission Entrance Driveway (south of residential driveways). 6. Foothill Road (State Route 192) between Mission Canyon Road (West) and Mission Canyon Road (East). Roadway Classifications The County of Santa Barbara utilizes the roadway categories recognized by regional, state and federal transportation agencies. There are four categories in the roadway hierarchy, ranging from freeways with the highest capacity to two-lane undivided roadways with the lowest capacity. The roadway categories are summarized as follows: Freeways are limited-access and high-speed travel ways included in the state and federal highway systems. Their purpose is to carry regional through-traffic. Access is provided by interchanges with typical spacing of one mile or greater. No local access is provided to adjacent land uses. Arterial roadways are major streets that primarily serve through-traffic and provide access to abutting properties as a secondary function. Arterials are generally designed with two to six travel lanes and their major intersections are signalized. This roadway type is divided into two categories: major and minor arterials. Major arterials are typically four-or-more lane roadways and serve both local and regional through-traffic. Minor arterials are typically two-to-four lane streets that service local and commuter traffic. Collector roadways are streets that provide access and traffic circulation within residential and non-residential (e.g., commercial and industrial) areas. Collector roadways connect local streets to arterials and are typically designed with two through travel lanes (i.e., one through travel lane in each direction) that may accommodate on-street parking. They may also provide access to abutting properties. Local roadways distribute traffic within a neighborhood, or similar adjacent neighborhoods, and are not intended for use as a through-street or a link between higher capacity facilities such as collector or arterial roadways. Local streets are fronted by residential uses and do not typically serve commercial uses. Regional Highway System Regional vehicular access to the project site is provided by the US 101 Freeway and Foothill Road (State Route 192), which are located south of the project site. Brief descriptions of the US 101 Freeway and Foothill Road (State Route 192) are provided in the following paragraphs. US 101 Freeway is a major north-south oriented freeway connecting the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the San Francisco Bay area. The US 101 Freeway generally contains three mainline freeway lanes in each direction within the project study area. Full freeway connections (i.e., northbound and southbound on/off ramp connections) are provided at Mission Street and Las Positas Road. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

5 Foothill Road (State Route 192) is an east-west oriented arterial that is located south of the project site. Foothill Road connects to San Marcos Pass Road (State Route 154) to the west and runs through the City of Santa Barbara to the City of Carpinteria to the east. One through travel lane is provided in each direction on Foothill Road within the project study area. Parking is not permitted along Foothill Road within the project study area. The posted speed limit on Foothill Road is 35 miles per hour (MPH) near the project site. Roadway Descriptions Important roadways in the project site vicinity include the following: Mission Canyon Road (West) is a north-south oriented arterial located south of Foothill Road and is located south of the project site. One through travel lane is provided in each direction on Mission Canyon Road (West). The posted speed limit on Mission Canyon Road (West) is 35 MPH. Mission Canyon Road (East) is a north-south oriented collector located north of Foothill Road and travels through the project site. One through travel lane is provided in each direction on Mission Canyon Road (East) within the project study area. Each through travel lane on Mission Canyon Road (East) from Foothill Road to the Botanic Garden site has a width of approximately 10 to 11 feet. Mission Canyon Road (East) is a narrow roadway as the road generally does not have shoulders on each side of the road and the roadway width varies from 19 to 21 feet. Mission Canyon Road (East) is unimproved on both sides of the street (i.e., no curb, gutter, and sidewalks). Tunnel Road is a north-south oriented collector that is located west of the project site and north of Mission Canyon Road (East). One through travel lane is provided in each direction on Tunnel Road within the project study area. Each through travel lane on Tunnel Road north of Mission Canyon Road has a width of approximately 11 feet. Tunnel Road is a narrow roadway as the road generally does not have shoulders on each side of the road and the roadway width is approximately 22 feet. Tunnel Road north of Mission Canyon Road (East) is unimproved on both sides of the street (i.e., no curb, gutter, and sidewalks). Las Canoas Road is an east-west oriented collector that borders the project site on the south and is located east of Mission Canyon Road (East). One through travel lane is provided in each direction on Las Canoas Road within the project study area. Each through travel lane on Las Canoas Road east of Mission Canyon Road has a width of approximately 9 to 10 feet. Las Canoas Road is a narrow roadway as the road generally does not have shoulders on each side of the road and the roadway width is approximately 19 to 20 feet. Las Canoas Road east of Mission Canyon Road (East) is unimproved on both sides of the street (i.e., no curb, gutter, and sidewalks). The posted speed limit on Las Canoas Road is 30 MPH near the project site. Local Public Transit Services Local public transit service in the vicinity of the project site is currently provided by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD). MTD Line 22 provides bus service to the Botanic Garden site by bus rider request on the weekends from 10:35 AM to 4:35 PM. Bus riders traveling to and from the Botanic Garden on the weekends need to use the MTD courtesy phones located at the bus stop or use the MTD bus request phone numbers to request bus service. The existing public transit route in the proposed project vicinity is illustrated in Figure Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

6 FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, Engineers. Map Source: MTD Santa Barbara SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Existing Public Transit Routes No Scale

7 Existing Traffic Volumes Manual Traffic Counts Manual traffic counts of vehicular turning movements were conducted at the four study intersections during the weekday morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) commuter periods to determine the peak hour traffic volumes. The peak period manual traffic counts were conducted on Tuesday, September 26, The manual traffic counts at the study intersections were conducted from 7:00 to 9:00 AM to determine the AM peak commuter hour, and from 4:00 to 6:00 PM to determine the PM peak commuter hour. Traffic volumes at the study intersections show the typical peak periods between 7:00 to 9:00 AM generally associated with the peak morning commuter hours, and between 4:00 to 6:00 PM generally associated with the peak afternoon commuter hours. In addition, vehicular turning movement counts at the existing entry and exit driveways to the Botanic Garden along Mission Canyon Road were conducted. The AM and PM peak hour manual counts of vehicle movements at the four study intersections and three existing project driveways are summarized in Table The existing traffic volumes at the study intersections during the AM and PM peak hours are shown in Figures and , respectively. Summary data worksheets of the manual traffic counts at the study intersections and the existing project driveways are contained in Appendix F. 24-Hour Machine Traffic Counts 24-hour machine traffic counts were conducted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at four locations and on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at two locations. The existing 24-hour traffic volumes at the six roadway segments are shown in Figure Summary data worksheets of the 24-hour traffic counts are contained in Appendix F. Existing Botanic Garden Trip Generation Manual traffic counts of vehicular turning movements during the AM and PM peak commuter periods were conducted at the three existing project driveways on Mission Canyon Road. The AM and PM peak hour ingress and egress vehicular turning movements at the project driveways were used to determine the existing Botanic Garden Facility trip generation. It should be noted that the AM and PM peak hour traffic counts at the project driveways account for both visitor and employee traffic. Traffic volumes expected to be generated from the four existing residential units were estimated for the weekday commuter AM and PM peak hours, as well as over a 24-hour daily period, using trip generation rates published in the Institute of Transportation Engineers' Trip Generation, 7th Edition, Traffic volumes expected to be generated by the existing residential units were forecast based upon rates per dwelling units. Specifically, trip generation average rates provided in the Trip Generation manual under Land Use Code 210 (Single-Family Detached Housing) were used to forecast traffic volumes for the existing residential units. Four single-family residential units are expected to generate approximately three vehicle trips (one inbound trip and two outbound trips) during the AM peak hour and four vehicle trips (three inbound trips and one outbound trip) during the PM peak hour. However, note that the ITE Land Use Code 210 (Single-Family Detached Housing) average trip generation rates were reduced by 50 percent to account for Botanic Garden staff occupying the residential units and therefore not generating the same level of traffic to the surrounding street system during the AM and PM peak commuter hours. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

8 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Existing Traffic Volumes AM Peak Commuter Hour No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

9 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Existing Traffic Volumes PM Peak Commuter Hour No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

10 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Existing 24-Hour Traffic Volumes No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

11 Table Existing Traffic Volumes [1] No. Intersection Date Dir Mission Canyon Road (West)/Foothill Road Mission Canyon Road (East)/Foothill Road Mission Canyon Road/Tunnel Road Mission Canyon Road/Las Canoas Road Mission Canyon Road/Botanic Garden Exit Driveway-East Driveway [2] Mission Canyon Road/Botanic Garden Entry Driveway [2] 09/26/06 09/26/06 09/26/06 09/26/06 09/26/06 09/26/06 NB SB EB WB NB SB EB WB NB SB EB WB NB SB EB WB NB SB EB WB NB SB EB WB 4.11 TRAFFIC Am Peak Hour Pm Peak Hour BEGAN VOLUME BEGAN VOLUME : : :45 7:45 8:00 8:00 8: [1] Counts conducted by The Traffic Solution. [2] Existing project driveways to and from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden parking areas :45 4:45 5:00 4:00 4: As presented in Table , the existing Botanic Garden site generates 17 vehicle trips (13 inbound trips and 4 outbound trips) during the AM peak hour. During the PM peak hour, the existing Botanic Garden site generates 38 vehicle trips (12 inbound trips and 26 outbound trips). Over a 24-hour period, the existing Botanic Garden site generates approximately 357 daily trip ends during a typical weekday (approximately 179 inbound trips and 179 outbound trips). Existing Traffic Conditions Intersections As indicated in column (1) of Table , all four study intersections are presently operating at LOS C or better during both AM and PM peak hours under existing conditions. 1 As indicated in column [1] of Table , three of the four study intersections are presently operating at LOS C or better during both the AM and PM peak commuter hours under existing conditions. The 1 The change in LOS for the Mission Canyon Road (West) Foothill Boulevard intersection (from LOS D in the DEIR to LOS C in the FEIR) reflects the results of vehicle delay studies conducted by the County of Santa Barbara Public Works Department Transportation Division after the DEIR was published. As described in detail in Appendix F (see Section 10.1), these vehicle delay studies determined that the calculated existing delay forecasts used for the DEIR overstate the observed delay since they did not take into account the effects of the flared curb on the northbound approach of Mission Canyon Boulevard (West), which accommodates one to two right-turn vehicles. The revised analysis accounts for this capacity. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

12 following study intersection currently operates at LOS D during the PM peak hour shown below under existing conditions: No. 1: Mission Canyon Road (West)/Foothill Road PM Peak Hour: delay=25.6, LOS D Street Segments The existing daily traffic volumes at the study street segments are summarized in column [1] of Table As indicated in column [1] of Table , all six study street segments are presently operating at LOS A under existing conditions. Land Use Proposed Botanic Garden Site Botanic Garden Facility [1] Residential Units [2] Total Size 12DU Table Project Trip Generation Daily Trip Ends Volumes Am Peak Hour Volumes Pm Peak Hour Volumes In Out Total In Out Total Existing Botanic Garden Site Botanic Garden Facility [3] Residential Units [2] 4DU Total Total Net New Trips [1] The proposed Botanic Garden facility trip generation is developed based on a forecast growth of 40 percent of the existing traffic volumes plus the addition of two classes held at the Botanic Garden. Each class is assumed to have 22 participants with an average vehicle occupancy (AVO) OF 1.1. It is assumed that one class would be scheduled during the AM peak hour and another class scheduled during the PM peak hour. [2] ITE Land Use Code 210 (Single Family Detached Housing) trip generation average rates were reduced by 50 percent to account for Botanic Garden staff occupying the residential units and therefore would not generate as much traffic to the surrounding street system. Although the project has reduced its proposed number of residential units from 12 to 7, the traffic impact analysis has not been revised to reflect the reduction in ADTs from 253 to 229 and reduction in PHTs from 38 to 36 in the PM and 29 to 27 in the AM. As such, the traffic analysis represents a conservative assessment of traffic impacts from the project. The reduction of five units is not expected to result in any change in impact levels or conclusions. [3] ADT counts were conducted on Mission Canyon Road, north and south of the Botanic Garden driveways. The existing Botanic Garden ADT was derived by subtracting the ADT counts conducted north of the Botanic Garden northerly driveway from the ADT counts conducted south of the Botanic Garden southerly driveway. The AM and PM peak hour traffic volumes were based on traffic counts conducted at the Botanic Garden driveways and included traffic from both visitors and employees Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

13 No Table Summary of Control Delay and Levels of Service [a] Existing Conditions AM and PM Peak Hours Intersection Peak Hour Delay [1] Existing LOS Mission Canyon Road AM C 1 (West)/Foothill Road [b] PM CD Mission Canyon Road AM 9.4 A 2 (East)/Foothill Road [b] PM 10.6 B Mission Canyon AM 11.2 B 3 Road/Tunnel Road [c] PM 12.2 B Mission Canyon Road/Las AM 8.9 A 4 Canoas Road [c] PM 9.1 A [a] Based on Highway Capacity Manual 2000 (HCM 2000) methodology. Reported average delay values in seconds per vehicle. [b] All-way stop controlled intersection. [c] Two-way stop controlled intersection. Roadway Table Street Segments- Existing Conditions Roadway Classification [1] Existing Acceptable Capacity [A] Volume [B] LOS Mission Canyon Road, south of Foothill Road 2-Lane Arterial 14,60011,680 8,762 A Mission Canyon Road, north of Foothill Road 2-Lane Collector 6,962 6,862 3,643 A Mission Canyon Road, north of Tunnel Road 2-Lane Collector 6,962 6,862 1,627 A Mission Canyon Road between Las Canoas Road and Botanic 2-Lane Collector 6,962 6, A Garden Exit Driveway Mission Canyon Road, north of Botanic Garden Entrance 2-Lane Collector 6,962 6, A Driveway Foothill Road between Misson Canyon Road (west) and Mission Canyon Road (east) 2-Lane Arterial 14,60011,680 6,359 A [A] Acceptable capacities were based on Santa Barbara County Roadway Design Capacities. The DEIR traffic study used LOS C design capacities. The FEIR analysis was revised to reflect the County s Circulation Element which notes (on page 181) that the design capacity usually equates to LOS E /F. The FEIR analysis is based on LOS E design capacities. Consistent with special roadway condition factors included in the County Circulation Element, the Design Capacities on Mission Canyon Road, north of Foothill Road were reduced by 41% to reflect the roadway grade, narrow pavement, slopes, presence of curves, sight distance, and prevalence of driveways and intersections which produce substantial turning movement conflicts in the study area. The Design Capacities on Mission Canyon Road, south of Foothill Road and along Foothill Road were reduced by 27% to reflect the roadway grade and sight distance, slope and narrow pavement considerations. consideration in the study area. [b] Counts conducted by The Traffic Solution. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

14 Existing Parking Conditions 4.11 TRAFFIC The Botanic Garden parking lot on the West of Mission site currently provides 74 parking spaces including three spaces which are ADA accessible and one loading zone area which is used for bus parking. The East of Mission site currently contains 35 unmarked employee spaces in various locations and does not include the residential parking spaces on the Hansen Site. The estimated number of unmarked parking spaces on the East of Mission site was provided by the Botanic Garden. In addition, there are seven unmarked employee parking spaces along Mission Canyon Road near the Guild Studio. Overall, the Botanic Garden currently provides a total of 116 parking spaces. Parking accumulation surveys of vehicles parked in the West of Mission site parking lot and the East of Mission site were conducted to document the existing parking demand. The locations of the parking accumulation survey areas are shown in Figure The parking accumulation surveys were conducted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 and on Saturday, September 30, 2006 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Parking surveys were not conducted at the residential buildings on the Hansen site since the existing and future residential units would provide adequate parking to accommodate the County Code s parking requirements. It should be noted that parking accumulation surveys included observations of visitor and employee parking demand in the West of Mission site parking lot. Furthermore, the parking accumulation surveys at the East of Mission site includes the parking demand of the on-street vehicles parked along the east side of Mission Canyon Road across from the West of Mission site parking lot. Based on observations, Botanic Garden employees were parking on the street. It should also be noted that the Guild Studio employee parking area was unoccupied during the weekday and Saturday survey hours. Existing Weekday Parking Demand The existing weekday parking demand for the West of Mission site parking lot and the East of Mission site are presented in Table As shown on Table , the West of Mission site parking lot was observed to have a peak parking demand at 2:00 PM when 35 of the 74 parking spaces were occupied (i.e., 47% occupancy). The East of Mission site, as shown on Table , was observed to have a peak parking demand at 11:30 AM with 13 of the 42 parking spaces in the area occupied (i.e., 31% occupancy). It should be noted that the 42 parking spaces include seven parking spaces located along Mission Canyon Road nearat the Guild Studio. Overall, the Botanic Garden existing weekday peak parking demand is observed to occur at 2:00 PM when 46 of the 116 spaces are occupied (i.e., 40% occupancy). Existing Saturday Parking Demand The existing Saturday parking demand for the West of Mission site parking lot and the East of Mission site are presented in Table As shown on Table , the West of Mission site parking lot was observed to have a peak parking demand at 11:30 AM when 53 of the 74 parking spaces were occupied (i.e., 72% occupancy). The East of Mission site, as shown on Table , was observed to have a peak parking demand at 11:30 AM when 6 of the 42 parking spaces were occupied (i.e., 14% occupancy). Overall, the Botanic Garden existing Saturday peak parking demand is observed to occur at 11:30 AM when 59 of the 116 spaces are occupied (i.e., 51% occupancy). Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

15 Source: Envicom Corporation, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Parking Utilization Survey Areas No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

16 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009 Time of Survey Visitor # of Table Existing Weekday Parking Utilization Survey [1] West of Mission Site Area 1 [2] East of Mission Site Parking Occupancy Parking Occupancy Surplus or Total # % of Area 2 Area 3 Total # Employee (Shortfall) On-Street of Supply [2] # of [2] # of of # of # of % of Supply Surplus or (Shortfall) Total Botanic Garden Site 8:00AM [3] The 35 existing parking spaces in the East of Mission site are unmarked. The parking supply includes seven existing employee parking space at the Guild Studio % % % 108 8:30AM % % % 101 9:00AM % % % 89 9:30AM % % % 88 10:00AM % % % 83 10:30AM % % % 81 11:00AM % % % 76 11:30AM % % % 73 12:00PM % % % 83 12:30PM % % % 84 1:00 PM % % % 78 1:30 PM % % % 71 2:00 PM % % % 70 2:30 PM % % % 72 3:00 PM % % % 72 3:30 PM % % % 82 4:00 PM % % % 84 4:30 PM % % % 83 5:00 PM % % % 90 5:30 PM % % % 88 6:00 PM % % % 85 [1] The weekday parking utilization was conducted on Tuesday, September 26, [2] Area 1=Visitor Parking Area; Area 2=Hilltop (Horticulture) Parking Area; Area 3=Gane House Parking Area. Parking Supply 74 Parking Supply[3] 42 Total # of Parking Supply % of Supply 116 Surplus or (Shortfall)

17 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009 Time of Survey Visitor # of Table Existing Saturday Parking Utilization Survey [1] West of Mission Site Area 1 [2] East of Mission Site Parking Occupancy Parking Occupancy Surplus or Total # % of Area 2 Area 3 Total # Employee (Shortfall) On-Street of Supply [2] # of [2] # of of # of # of % of Supply Surplus or (Shortfall) Total Botanic Garden Site 8:00AM [3] The 35 existing parking spaces in the East of Mission site are unmarked. The parking supply includes seven existing employee parking space at the Guild Studio % % % 108 8:30AM % % % 106 9:00AM % % % 105 9:30AM % % % :00AM % % % 94 10:30AM % % % 83 11:00AM % % % 66 11:30AM % % % 57 12:00PM % % % 60 12:30PM % % % 60 1:00 PM % % % 63 1:30 PM % % % 66 2:00 PM % % % 71 2:30 PM % % % 74 3:00 PM % % % 82 3:30 PM % % % 88 4:00 PM % % % 90 4:30 PM % % % 95 5:00 PM % % % 103 5:30 PM % % % 108 6:00 PM % % % 111 [1] The weekday parking utilization was conducted on Tuesday, September 26, [2] Area 1=Visitor Parking Area; Area 2=Hilltop (Horitculture) Parking Area; Area 3=Gane House Parking Area. Parking Supply 74 Parking Supply[3] 42 Total # of Parking Supply % of Supply 116 Surplus or (Shortfall)

18 Thresholds of Significance The significance of the potential impacts of project generated traffic at each study intersection was identified using criteria set forth in the County of Santa Barbara s Environmental Thresholds and Guidelines Manual, October According to the County s threshold criteria, a significant adverse traffic impact occurs when: 1. The addition of project traffic to an intersection increases the volume to capacity (V/C) ratio by the value provided below or sends at least 5, 10, or 15 trips to intersections operating at LOS F, E or D, respectively. LEVEL OF SERVICE INCREASE IN V/C (including the project) (greater than) A.20 B.15 C.10 OR THE ADDITION OF D 15 trips E 10 trips F 5 trips 2. Project access to a major road or arterial road would require a driveway that would create an unsafe situation or a new traffic signal or major revisions to an existing traffic signal. 3. Project adds traffic to a roadway that has design features (e.g., narrow width, roadside ditches, sharp curves, poor sight distance, inadequate pavement structure) or receives use which would be incompatible with a substantial increase in traffic (e.g., rural roads with use by farm equipment, livestock, horseback riding, or residential roads with heavy pedestrian or recreational use, etc.) that would become potential safety problems with the addition of project or cumulative traffic. 4. Project traffic would utilize a substantial portion of an intersection s capacity where the intersection is currently operating at acceptable levels of service (A through C) but with cumulative traffic would degrade to or approach LOS D (V/C 0.81) or lower. Substantial is defined as a minimum change of 0.03 V/C for intersections which would operate from 0.80 to 0.85 V/C and a change of 0.02 V/C for intersections which would operate from 0.86 to 0.90 V/C, and 0.01 V/C for intersections which would operate greater than 0.90 V/C (LOS E or worse). 5. Project results in an increase in traffic along the roadway segment that would operate in excess of its design capacity with the addition of the proposed project traffic. The County considers LOS C as the minimum acceptable level for roadway operations. The County of Santa Barbara s cumulative impact thresholds are determined based on increases in V/C ratios which are calculated for signalized intersections. However, the level of service for an unsignalized intersection is determined by the computed or measured control delay and not V/C ratios. Based on consultation with County staff, for purposes of determining cumulative impacts for the unsignalized study intersections, the same traffic impact thresholds indicated in item 1 above (i.e., sends at least 5, 10, or 15 trips to intersections operating at LOS F, E or D, respectively) were used. The unsignalized study intersections were analyzed using methodologies included in the Highway Capacity Manual, Special Report 209 (HCM), published by the Transportation Research Board, According to the HCM, the level of service for an unsignalized intersection is determined by the computed or measured control delay and is defined for each minor movement. For a two-way stop controlled intersection, the worst case delay values and level of service for the intersection approach are Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

19 reported. For an all-way stop controlled intersection, the average delay and level of service for the intersection is reported. The delay experienced by a motorist is made up of a number of factors that relate to control, geometrics, traffic and incidents. Total delay is the difference between the travel time actually experienced and the reference travel time that would result during conditions with ideal geometrics and in the absence of incidents, control, traffic, or geometric delay. The HCM quantifies only that portion of total delay attributed to traffic control measures, either traffic signals or stop signs. This delay is called control delay and includes initial deceleration delay, queue move-up time, stopped delay, and final acceleration delay. Average control delay for any particular movement is a function of the capacity of the approach and the degree of saturation. A description of the HCM method and corresponding Level of Service is provided in Appendix F Project Impacts The proposed project includes the demolition of some existing structures; renovation, relocation, and modification of existing structures; construction of new structures and ancillary facilities; and improvements to the facility s circulation and parking as described in Section 2.0. The Botanic Garden currently has four existing residential units 2. The project proposes to demolish three existing residential units and provide 11 new residential units for a net increase of eight three residential units. The proposed project site would therefore have a total of 12 seven residential units which would be occupied by full-time Botanic Garden staff. The overall staff at the Botanic Garden would increase to 37 full-time and 24 part-time employees, four interns, and approximately 32 instructors, while volunteers are assumed to remain the same at 20. Therefore, the total staff and volunteers at the Botanic Garden would increase from 99 to approximately 117 under buildout of the project, accounting for five more full-time employees, nine more part-time employees, three more interns, and one more instructor for a net increase of 18 staff members. The number of parking spaces in the Botanic Garden parking lot on the West of Mission site is planned to be reduced by four parking spaces in order to accommodate the addition of one formal bus parking space which is currently provided in the loading zone area, as well as a vehicle turnaround area near the exit driveway. As a result, the proposed total number of visitor parking spaces in the Botanic Garden West of Mission site is 70 parking spaces and one bus parking space. The East of Mission site is planned to provide 23 employee parking spaces along the driveway accessing the Gane House and 14 employee parking spaces at the hilltop area where the driveway terminates for a total of 37 employee parking spaces. Five additionalone of the seven existing employee parking spaces are proposedwould remain at the Guild Studio and five new employee parking spaces would be provided in a new parking area along Mission Canyon Road near north of the Guild Studio for a total of 12 employee parking space at this locationnet decrease of one parking space. Overall, the Botanic Garden plans to provide a total of parking spaces and one bus parking space accounting for a net increase decrease of three parking spaces. The proposed access scheme for the Botanic Garden s West of Mission site and East of Mission site is displayed in Figures 2-3 through 2-6 (see Section 2.0 Project Description). Vehicular access to the project site is provided via three driveways on Mission Canyon Road and one driveway on Las Canoas Road. On the West of Mission site, a new large vehicle turnaround is proposed. Descriptions of the site access are provided in the following paragraphs. West of Mission Site Entrance Driveway (Mission Canyon Road): 2 The Director s residence was destroyed in the Jesusita Fire but is proposed to be rebuilt. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

20 The West of Mission site entrance driveway is located at the northerly end of the Botanic Garden parking lot on the west side of Mission Canyon Road. The driveway provides one entry lane and is the project s primary access point into the parking lot on the West of Mission site. Northbound left-turn and southbound right-turn ingress vehicular turning movements are accommodated with eastbound left-turn and right-turn egress movements prohibited. Vehicle access to the Botanic Garden parking lot from northbound Mission Canyon Road requires a tight turning radius from the entrance driveway into the parking area located south of the driveway. West of Mission Site Exit Driveway (Mission Canyon Road): The West of Mission site exit driveway is located at the southerly end of the Botanic Garden parking lot on the west side of Mission Canyon Road. The driveway provides one exit lane and is the project s primary access point out of the parking lot on the West of Mission site. Eastbound left-turn and right-turn egress vehicular turning movements are accommodated with northbound left-turn and southbound right-turn ingress movements prohibited. East of Mission Site Driveway (Mission Canyon Road): The East of Mission site driveway is located on the east side of Mission Canyon Road, south of the West of Mission site exit driveway. The East of Mission site driveway is the primary access to the East of Mission site and provides two-way access. Both left-turn and right-turn ingress and egress vehicular turning movements are accommodated at this driveway. The East of Mission Site driveway intersects Mission Canyon Road at a 45-degree angle and is a hillside roadway. Hansen Site Driveway (Las Canoas Road): The Hansen site driveway is located on the north side of Las Canoas Road, east of Mission Canyon Road. The Hansen site driveway provides a secondary access to the East of Mission site and is the primary access to the Botanic Garden residential units located on the north side of Las Canoas Road. The Hansen site driveway provides two-way access and both left-turn and rightturn ingress and egress vehicular turning movements are accommodated. The proposed project includes a realignment of this access point to improve sight visibility and vehicle safety. Guild Studio Driveway (Mission Canyon Road): The Guild Studio driveway is located on the west side of Mission Canyon Road south of Las Canoas Road. The Guild Studio driveway is gated and provides access to an employee parking area. Both left-turn and right-turn ingress and egress vehicular turning movements are accommodated at this driveway. Cavalli Site Driveway (access road from Las Canoas Road): The Cavalli site driveway is located on a private access road located on the north side of Las Canoas Road. The Cavalli site driveway provides two-way access and both left-turn and rightturn ingress and egress vehicular turning movements are accommodated. Proposed Turnaround: A new vehicle turnaround is proposed on the west side of Mission Canyon Road, immediately north of the West of Mission site exit driveway. This vehicle turnaround would be designed to accommodate larger vehicles accessing both the west and east side of the Botanic Garden property and would also provide emergency vehicles an alternative means of turning around on Mission Canyon Road. The proposed turnaround provides one lane into the parking area. Northbound left-turn ingress vehicular turning movements would be accommodated with southbound right-turn ingress and eastbound left-turn and right-turn egress vehicular turning movements prohibited. Proposed Guild Studio Employee Parking Lot (Mission Canyon Road): A new parking lot is proposed on the west side of Mission Canyon Road, across from the Las Canoas Road intersection. The proposed lot would accommodate five employee parking spaces; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

21 a path would provide pedestrian access from the parking lot to the Guild Studio by way of a proposed footbridge over Mission Creek as well as access to the main Garden area by way of existing pathways. The proposed parking lot would provide two-way access and both left-turn and right-turn ingress and egress vehicular turning movements would be accommodated. Proposed Botanic Garden Trip Generation Based on discussions with County staff, it is estimated that the Botanic Garden would experience an increase in visitors and employees of approximately 45% over the next 20 years two percent (2.0%) per year for 20 years (i.e., a 40% increase over a period of 20 years(or 40% over 20 years exclusive of classes)) 3, consistent with historic growth patterns as well as increases in employees, classes and special events. This increase is expected to occur as a result of general growth in the area as well as the proposed improvements. However, this analysis includes the 40 percent growth as part of the proposed project. In addition, For the purposes of the traffic analysis, in addition to a 40% growth rate applied to existing use levels, it is assumed that up to two new classes would be held at the Botanic Garden on any given day 4. Each new class is assumed to have 22 participants (the maximum attendance proposed for daytime and nighttime classes) with an average vehicle occupancy (AVO) of 1.1, which results in a trip generation of 20 vehicles per class. For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that there would be one new class starting during the AM peak hour and one new class starting during the PM peak hour. Traffic volumes expected to be generated from the proposed residential units were estimated for the weekday commuter AM and PM peak hours, as well as over a 24-hour daily period, using trip generation rates published in the Trip Generation manual. Traffic volumes expected to be generated by the proposed residential units were forecast based upon rates per dwelling units. Specifically, trip generation average rates provided in the Trip Generation manual under Land Use Code 210 (Single-Family Detached Housing) were used to forecast traffic volumes for the proposed residential units. The proposed Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Vital Mission Plan project trip generation forecasts are summarized in Table As presented in Table , the proposed Botanic Garden project is expected to generate 29 net new vehicle trips (25 inbound trips and 4 outbound trips) during the AM peak hour. During the PM peak hour, the proposed Botanic Garden project is expected to generate 38 net new vehicle trips (27 inbound trips and 11 outbound trips). Over a 24-hour period, the proposed Botanic Garden project is forecast to generate approximately 253 net new daily trip ends during a typical weekday (approximately 127 inbound trips and 127 outbound trips). These projections do not include traffic increases associated with special events. Note that while the project has been revised to eliminate five residential units (from a total of 12 to a total of 7 units, reducing ADTs from 253 to 229 and PHTs from 38 to 36 in the PM and 29 to 27 in the AM), the traffic analysis remains based on the original project description. As such, the trip generation estimates and associated traffic impact analysis is conservative and likely overstates the traffic levels. Regardless, impact levels and conclusions are not expected to change from the reduction in units and associated vehicle trips. 3 As discussed in Section 2.0 Project Description, the Botanic Garden projects an increase of 18 new employees as a result of buildout of the Vital Mission Plan. This represents an approximate 18% increase in staff, which would be accounted for in the assumed 40% increase in daily use of the Garden. 2 Rather than applying the 45% growth factor over existing use levels, the trip generation uses a 40% growth over existing traffic levels and separately assumes one class in the AM and one class in the PM peak hour since the traffic counts taken in September and October 2006 were done on days without any classes. This was considered representative of a reasonable worst-case scenario and differs slightly from the approach taken to account for usage increases in other issue areas. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

22 Project Trip Distribution and Assignment The traffic distribution for the proposed project was based on the proximity of the project access to the arterials serving the study area. The arterial routes in the vicinity of the project site include Mission Canyon Road (West) and Foothill Road. Project traffic volumes both entering and exiting the site have been distributed and assigned to the adjacent street system based on the following considerations: The site's proximity to major traffic corridors (i.e., Mission Canyon Road (West) and Foothill Road); Expected localized traffic flow patterns based on adjacent roadway channelization and presence of traffic signals; Existing intersection traffic volumes; Ingress/egress availability at the project site; and The location of proposed parking areas. The traffic distribution pattern for the proposed Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Vital Mission Plan project is presented in Figure The forecast AM and PM peak hour project traffic volumes associated with the proposed project are presented in Figures and , respectively. The traffic volume assignments presented in Figures and reflect the traffic distribution characteristics shown in Figure and the project traffic generation forecast presented in Table , above. Intersection Analysis (Impact T 1) Growth in overall traffic volumes due to the proposed project is anticipated to incrementally increase the delay values at the study intersections. The existing with project traffic volumes at the study intersections during the AM and PM peak hours are shown in Figures and respectively. As presented in column [2] of Table , three of the all four study intersections are expected to continue to operate at LOS C or better during both the AM and PM peak hours with the addition of project traffic. 5 The following study intersection is expected to continue to operate at LOS D during the PM peak hour shown below with the addition of project traffic: No. 1: Mission Canyon Road (West)/Foothill Road, PM Peak Hour: delay=28.8, LOS D (15-trip threshold for significant impact). As shown in column [3] of Table , application of the County s threshold criteria to the Existing With Project scenario indicates that the proposed project is not expected to create a significant traffic impact at any of the four study intersections during the AM and PM peak hours. The project would result in adverse but less than significant impacts at the four study intersections. significant traffic impact at the Mission Canyon Road (West)/Foothill Road study intersection during the PM peak hour (Impact T 1). The project would add 34 trips to this intersection during the PM peak hour. Adverse, but less than significant impacts are noted at the three remaining study intersections, as presented in Table The change in the reported existing LOS for the Mission Canyon Road (West) Foothill Boulevard intersection (from LOS D in the DEIR to LOS C in the FEIR) reflects a revised analysis that takes into account the effects of the flared curb on the northbound approach of Mission Canyon Road (West), which accommodates one to two right-turn vehicles. See footnote 1 for further discussion. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Final EIR Vital Mission Plan July 2009

23 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 xx/xx AM/PM Inbound Percentages (xx/xx) (AM/PM Outbound Percentages SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Project Trip Distribution No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

24 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Project Traffic Volumes AM Peak Commuter Hour No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION

25 Source: Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers, 2007 SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN VITAL MISSION PLAN - FINAL EIR Project Traffic Volumes PM Peak Commuter Hour No Scale FIGURE ENVICOM CORPORATION