TERRACE AVE Q&A from Community Meeting in October 2023
Advisory Lane and Traffic
Could you show us exactly where the advisory lane would be, including locations on 16th, around the corner past Holly, along the ditch, and past to the north? The concern is about protecting pedestrians at the corner along the ditch.
Drawings will be provided, and temporary pavement markings will be installed at the site prior to final installation if this option is selected.
If an advisory lane is implemented, could we have a stop sign on 16th at Holly so inbound drivers have to stop and be aware of anyone in the advisory lane?
This combination is being considered.
You mentioned a suggestion of a mini-traffic circle. Is this still under consideration?
The mini-traffic circle is still under consideration. Further investigation is needed to determine feasibility.
Pedestrian Safety and Connectivity
What is the auto-pedestrian separation distance on the connector road?
Preliminary design shows 10.5-feet of separation which includes a 5-foot planter area, 6-inch vertical curb, and a 5-foot bike lane between the sidewalk and vehicle travel lane. A 5-foot sidewalk is proposed on both sides of the road. The separation distance may change as the design process moves forward.
How does the pedestrian path connect to other pedestrian paths in the city?
The advisory lane would connect the existing sidewalk in front of Woodberry Hills to the sidewalk on Pine Avenue. The connector road sidewalk will connect the existing Terrace Avenue pedestrian path to the sidewalk on 22nd Street.
With approximately 200 homes, how many children are modeled in this project?
The current modeling of traffic data does not include pedestrian estimates. The City is currently reviewing a method to include pedestrian trips in the traffic impact analysis process. However, most pedestrian modeling does not track children separately.
Traffic Diversion and City-Wide Priorities
How was the figure of “55% of traffic being diverted to the new roadway” determined, especially considering schools, churches, and shopping being south?
The 55% figure was determined by the traffic consultant based on a traffic model analysis and destinations to the north and west that includes a school, churches, shopping center, and access to SR 9.
Woodberry Hills includes hundreds of families who may not use the connector road. How does this align with city-wide priorities?
Woodberry Hills has 111 lots. The approved Traffic Impact Analysis showed no significant impacts to the intersections in the vicinity of Terrace Avenue. The connector road is not being planned because of Woodberry Hills, but rather because it provides improved ingress/egress for all residents currently using Terrace Avenue.
What is the definition of a "low volume road"?
From the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Design for Low Volume Roads, “A low-volume road is a road that is functionally classified as a local or minor collector road and has a design average daily traffic volume of 2,000 vehicles per day or less.”
A local road is a road whose primary function is to provide access to residences, farms, businesses, or other abutting property, rather than to serve through traffic. Although some through traffic may occasionally use a local road, through traffic service is not its primary purpose.
Most up to date average daily trip count on Terrace was 1050 daily trips.
Intersection and Stop Sign Questions
Will the three-way stop sign be implemented regardless of whether the advisory shoulder is approved or not?
Not necessarily; all options are being considered.
Eastside parking on Terrace just south of Stoneridge blocks the view of Terrace when making a left turn. Will that be marked as “No Parking”?
The city is investigating the option of making both sides of Terrace “No Parking”.
Are the stop sign and advisory shoulder options mutually exclusive, or can they be merged? What are the merging options, and what are the pros and cons?
They are being considered both separately and together.
Pros: Reduced speeds, increased driver awareness, defined pedestrian facility
Cons: Stop signs can convey a false sense of security. Not all drivers stop at stop signs.
Pedestrians and drivers must continue to proceed with caution at intersections with stop signs.
Local Improvement District (LID) Costs and Public Input
What are the costs of the LID, who pays for it, and will the new development be contributors to the LID?
LID costs have not been developed, and would only be explored if strong interest in an LID came from the neighborhood. An area would be defined if the LID is developed. Most likely it would include the Woodberry Hills development and the neighborhoods adjacent to Terrace Avenue and possibly 16th Street.
Can there be more discussion and an open forum for questions? The allocated time was insufficient.
We were trying to be respectful of everyone’s time on a weeknight by keeping the meeting short. Please feel free to send additional questions to the city for discussion.
Are there more housing permits in place for another large development along the approved timeline?
Not at this time. There are parcels along Terrace Avenue that are large enough to subdivide and be developed in the future.
Other Miscellaneous Questions
Could the proposal for the advisory shoulder be amended to put the striping on both sides of the road?
Yes, that can be considered.
What is going to be done to give pedestrians a place to get out of the traffic lane when a vehicle doesn't yield on the corner of Terrace & 16th St?
Considering adjusting the stormwater ditch at the corner to provide additional width at the corner.
How will the experiment of the shared lane be monitored in real time by the city?
A monitoring plan has not been developed at this time. Expectation would include a combination of public input, visual surveys, and speed and traffic data comparisons.
Why doesn't the connector road end up at Pine intersection at 22nd? Would the road impacted on Clark Pond be widened where it connects to Pine and 22nd?
The road is being proposed in an existing city owned right of way. The transportation study completed on the connector road did not show significant traffic impacts to any of the adjacent roadways. (the final traffic report is available for reference)
What is the expected offset easement to homes along the west side of Terrace?
No change to the existing right of way is proposed.
What would a walkway over the eastside ditch look like, and why can't it be built over the ditch with gravel, in conjunction with the advisory shoulder on the pavement to satisfy ADA requirements?
A gravel walkway is not considered a compliant ADA accessible pedestrian path. Filling in the ditch has significant stormwater improvements that would be required.
Please explain budgets. The city has funds for a new city hall but not for sidewalks?
These are projects funded from different restricted funds. Please refer to the information provided in the Civic campus information page at www.snohomishwa.gov/817/Public-Safety-City-Services-Campus.
If yield roadway or advisory shoulder are selected, would on-street parking along Terrace & 16th still be allowed?
Restrictions to parking would be required if an advisory shoulder is installed.
Are the plans going to include access to accommodate fire engines, especially ladder trucks?
The advisory lanes proposal will not change existing pavement width or current access for emergency vehicles. The installation of the connector road will improve access for emergency vehicles.
How much was collected in traffic impact fees from the builder?
The Woodberry Hills development paid $123,431 in traffic impact fees.
Does safety, especially for children and extremely concerned citizens, have any impact on the priority for the city?
A prioritization index was created as part of the ADA transition plan. This includes proximity to Key Pedestrian Destinations: Including proximity to schools, parks, transit facilities, signals or roundabouts, public buildings, and downtown or commercial business centers. Facilities near neighborhoods, retail services, and government buildings received a higher score to reflect feedback received through the public engagement survey. Location Index Scores reflect the number of types of key pedestrian destinations within a defined radius.
The City is working with the School District to improve pedestrian safety near schools. Rapid flashing beacons and bulb-outs have been installed at Snohomish High School, Emerson Elementary School, and Cascade View Elementary School. The City has received a grant to improve pedestrian safety at 13th Street/Park Avenue in front of AIM High School that will include bulb-outs and rapid flashing beacons. This project is scheduled for construction in 2025. The City is working with the School District to improve the 5th Street crosswalk at Avenue E near Snohomish High School.
When does a citizen, especially children, have priority over dollars?
City resources are used based on adopted priorities, industry standards, and ensuring infrastructure improvements are being done equitably around the City. The 2023-2024 City Budget includes the City Council goals that will be updated during the preparation of the 2025-2026 City Budget that will also include a review of the project priorities. There will be an opportunity for public review and comment.