January 5, 2015 City of Boise Planning and Development Services P.O. Box 500 Boise, ID 83701-0500 VIA EMAIL RE: CPA14-00004 ST. LUKE S MASTER PLANThe Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has reviewed the referenced comprehensive plan amendment application for the St. Luke s Master Plan located near the intersection of Ave. B and Warm Springs Ave. in Boise, Idaho north of Hwy 20/26. ITD has the following comments: 1.ITD has no objection to this application and requires no mitig ation. The project does not require access to the State Highway System.2.Boise City is reminded that any additional development results in additional vehicle trips . The roadway system has limit ed capacity. Any additional vehicle trips increas e congestion and travel delay.If you have any questions, you may contact Shona Tonkin at 334-8341 or me at 332-7191. Sincerely, James K. Morrison Development Services Manager [email protected]
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Jeff Hull, AIA, Director, Architecture and Construction
St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center
190 East Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho 83712
Dear Mr. Hull,
The City of Boise has reviewed the Draft St. Luke’s Master Plan and would like to offer
the following comments and suggestions regarding various aspects of the contents.
The comments are organized by general topic with each section beginning with asummary list of bullet points followed by a more detailed written explanation. We have
also included as an attachment all of the letters of comment we have received to date
from interested parties. With this transmittal, we acknowledge that the initial 45-day
review period has expired. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have as
you consider this information in preparation of your final draft
Study Area/Master Plan Boundary/Land Uses
• Study area boundaries should be consistent across all topic areas
• A Master Plan boundary should be established up front in the document
• All St. Luke’s properties should be accounted for in the plan
There are a number of maps in the document that depict various facilities owned and
operated by St. Luke’s. The maps have several different boundaries and it is unclear
exactly which are the boundaries of the Master Plan itself. Some maps depict St. Luke’s
facilities and ownerships south of Main Street, east of 3rd
Street and north of Fort
Street. Yet other maps that depict topics including the parking analysis (page 25) and
the long term planned distribution of uses (page 27) do not include all of those outlying
facilities. It would be helpful if a map that showed the actual Master Plan boundary
was included up front. We would also like all St. Luke’s facilities and ownerships to be
accounted for in some way in the Master Plan. Even if land owned by St. Luke’s may
not be proposed for medical related uses, it would be helpful to know the hospital’s
plan for the disposition of those properties. Specifically, the Plan should discuss the
various properties east of Avenue B, the parking lot on the west side of 2nd
Street, the
properties on 3rd
Street north of State Street, and the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital on
Fort which we understand is now managed or owned by St. Luke’s.
• TIS summary should include ADT not just peak hour trips
• Describe all proposed intersection improvements and timeline for construction of each
• Include CIP Plus intersection designs where known
•
Show Fort/Avenue B Roundabout in Master Plan illustrations
• Provide modeling and feasibility assessment for Avenue B lane reduction concept
We are aware that ACHD has accepted the traffic impact study. The TIS included detailed data
regarding the surrounding roadway network and how the expansion of the St. Luke’s campus will
impact roadways over the next 20 years, with an emphasis on peak hour data. It would be helpful for
some readers if average daily trip generation could also be included in the data. We suggest that the
traffic impact summary could provide the total number of trips that will be generated by the
development and include a simple map diagram showing what the existing counts are and what the
future projected counts will be on all of the surrounding roadway segments and intersections. This
information would paint a very simple and accurate picture for everyone that is interested in thisarea’s future growth.
The traffic impact study notes that there are a number of intersections and roadway segments that wil
operate at a poor level of service in 2024 and 2035 (the majority of them will be LOS F). Many of these
intersections and roadways are not programmed in ACHD’s Capital Improvements Plan for improvement.
The study has identified the improvements that should be made to mitigate the impacts of the proposed
development but has not proposed a timeline for these improvements to occur. Typically the City and
ACHD require that mitigation occur with (or before) the development to ensure the infrastructure can
accommodate the proposed development. It would be very helpful to provide a detailed summary with
key findings and recommendations that identifies each intersection and roadway that will requiremitigation with a proposed timeline as to when the improvements will occur. The Master Plan should
depict the “CIP Plus” intersection designs to the extent that they are currently known and understood.
The traffic impact study indicates that the closure of Jefferson Street will require pedestrians and bicyclists
to divert from their normal travel routes (primarily Jefferson Street) and suggests they will relocate to the
north to utilize State Street. While some will divert to the north, it is reasonable to expect an equa
number of individuals will divert to the south to utilize Bannock Street simply due to the fact that Bannock
Street has approximately 30% of the vehicular traffic that State Street does and provides continuous
bicycle facilities (lanes or sharrows) through the entire downtown core.
The Master Plan depicts a variety of possible intersection treatments, including roundabouts, at various
locations around the campus but stops short of actually incorporating those designs into the Plan. Boise
PDS believes that the feasibility of a roundabout at the intersection of Fort, Reserve and Avenue B is clear
enough that this should be included as a recommendation in the plan, and the maps associated with the
overall campus land use plan and road network should depict the roundabout.
The possibility of reducing Avenue B to three lanes has been suggested by some members of the public
and City Council as a tradeoff for closure of Jefferson Street. The idea is that reducing the roadway to
three lanes will allow room within the right-of-way for wider bicycle and pedestrian facilities along both
sides of Avenue B, will reduce traffic volumes on Avenue B by causing some through trips to divert to other
streets in order to avoid congestion, and will result in a narrower and easier to cross street section for
bikes and pedestrians. However, this concept has not been modeled to the level of detail that will allow an
accurate understanding of how reduction of capacity on Avenue B will redistribute trips onto other loca
roads in the vicinity and what the impact to those roads will be. In anticipation that there will continue to
be questions about this possibility, Boise PDS is suggesting that St. Luke’s consider conducting the
necessary traffic modeling analysis to answer the questions about lane reduction impact and feasibility. If
the modeling shows that the road can be reduced without creating undue impact on surrounding
roadways, planned bicycle facilities or St. Luke’s operational needs, then St. Luke’s should consider making
such a recommendation in the Master Plan, along with showing concepts for how the affected
intersections and bike lanes would be designed.
Bicycle Facilities
• Explain why Cycle Track concept was dropped
•
Show more design detail for bike/ped facilities, particularly at problematic intersections such as1
st/State and Main/Idaho/Ave. B
• Show plan for improved bike/ped access through Bannock Street
• Upgrade pedestrian crossing on Main to Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
A key challenge of the Master Plan involves how to replace the function that Jefferson serves today (and
would potentially serve at a higher level in the future) for bikes and pedestrians, if Jefferson is removed
from the system. The future role of Jefferson is significant due to the fact that the current plan of record
for downtown bicycle routes (the Downtown Boise Implementation Plan – DBIP) identifies Jefferson as the
key east-west facility. Early conversations with St. Luke’s included the concept of a cycle track around the
hospital that would collect cyclists from Jefferson and give them a safe and relatively high speed routearound the hospital with connections to other bike routes and destinations on all sides of the campus.
While the cycle track concept is briefly discussed, it is not addressed in any level of detail and appears to
no longer be a recommendation in the plan. Instead, the current recommendation is for a system of
shared lanes, striped on-street bike lanes and sidewalks to accommodate the current and future bicycle
and pedestrian demand, with an emphasis on State, Main and Idaho Streets handling the majority of east-
west bike traffic, and bike lanes on Avenue B moving bikes north and south.
A 10-foot multi-use sidewalk is proposed along the perimeter of the site on Broadway Avenue, Fort Street
and State Street in lieu of what had previously been suggested as a true cycle track. Wider sidewalks and
pathways can provide a comfortable network for pedestrians but often times do not function well whenbicycles are introduced to the pathway. Multi-use pathways also provide unexpected conflict points fo
drivers at street intersections, high volume driveways and terminus points. It is important to show how
the proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities will accommodate the needs of the entire area and the
details on how these facilities will tie into the existing roadway, pedestrian and bicycle networks. Pages 28
through 32 depict these basic facilities and discuss in general terms some treatments such as bike boxes
that may be appropriate. However, the network is not planned or designed to the level of detail where
Legal notice is hereby given that the BOISE CITY PLANNING & ZONINGCOMMISSION will hold a public hearing on FEBRUARY 9, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. in
the BOISE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD
FLOOR to hear the item(s)
described below. You are invited to attend the hearing and offer your comments
for consideration. Written testimony should be submitted at least 5 days prior to
the hearing. Your testimony should identify the file number.
CPA14-00004 / St. Luke’s Health System/ St. Luke’s Master PlanComprehensive Plan amendment to adopt by reference an update to the St.Luke’s Master Plan. A copy of the final draft master plan and supportingdocuments is available on the City’s website at the following location:
Legal notice is hereby given that the BOISE CITY PLANNING & ZONING
COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on FEBRUARY 9, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. in
the BOISE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD
FLOOR to hear the item(s)
described below. You are invited to attend the hearing and offer your comments
for consideration. Written testimony should be submitted at least 5 days prior to
the hearing. Your testimony should identify the file number.
CPA14-00004 / St. Luke’s Health System/ St. Luke’s Master PlanComprehensive Plan amendment to adopt by reference an update to the St.Luke’s Master Plan. A copy of the final draft master plan and supportingdocuments is available on the City’s website at the following location:http://pds.cityofboise.org/planning/st-lukes-master-plan/
* The hearing begins promptly at 6:00 P.M. Items scheduled for hearing may be approved on a CONSENT AGENDA if there is no one present to express opposition at6:00. Also, items may be heard in any order - not necessarily that listed on the agenda.
** If you have any questions or comments about traffic/transportation issues, you may call the Ada County Highway District at 387-6100.
* The hearing begins promptly at 6:00 P.M. Items scheduled for hearing may be approved on a CONSENT AGENDA if there is no one present to express opposition at6:00. Also, items may be heard in any order - not necessarily that listed on the agenda.
** If you have any questions or comments about traffic/transportation issues, you may call the Ada County Highway District at 387-6100.
X-Ref: Hearing Body: Planning and Zoning Commission
Address: ST. LUKE'S DOWNTOWN Transmittal Date: 12/30/14
Applicant: ST. LUKE'S
Submit comments at least 10 Calendar Days prior to the hearing date listed above so your comments can beincluded in the project report. For Administrative Levels & Final Subdivision Plats, please comment within 7Calendar Days of the transmittal date.
If responding by e-mail, please send comments to [email protected] and put the file number in thesubject line.
Paper copies are available on request. Please call 384-3830 and have the file number available. If you encounterproblems with the electronic transmittals or want to provide feedback, please call 384-3830.
Re: Request for Comment-CPA14-00004 (St. Luke’s Master Plan)
To Whom It May Concern:
You are receiving this correspondence due to your role as a representative of a
neighborhood association, position with a public agency, or potential interest in planning
efforts associated with the St. Luke’s Campus.
As you may be aware, St. Luke’s has been working on an update to their master plan. This
document is adopted by reference in the Boise City Comprehensive Plan (Blueprint Boise),and as a result, the changes require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. This application
was submitted to Boise City on October 17, 2014 and underwent an initial 45-day public
review process. The draft master plan was modified by St. Luke’s in response to comments
and a final draft plan has now been submitted for additional public review and public
hearing. A copy of the final revised draft master plan and supporting documents is available
Your application has been scheduled to be heard before the Boise City Planning and
Zoning Commission on Monday, February 9, 2015, at 6:00 P.M., Boise City Hall
Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall. It will be necessary for you or yourdesignated representative to attend. Agency comments on your application will be
uploaded to PDS Online as they become available.
A project report will be ready for your review at PDS Online five (5) working days prior
to the hearing date at: www.cityofboise.org/pds/
The Ada County Highway District may also conduct public meetings regarding the
application. If you have questions about the traffic that this development may generateor the impact of that traffic on streets in the area, please contact the Ada County
Highway District at (208) 387-6170. In order to expedite your request, please haveready the file number indicated on this notice.
If you have any questions, please contact Hal Simmons in this department at(208) 384-3853.
Sincerely,
Cody Riddle
Manager, Current PlanningBoise City Planning and Development Services
CR/wmcc: Gary Sorensen / Hummel Architects, PLLC / [email protected] (sent via email)
East End Neighborhood Association / Attn: Bob Bennett / [email protected] (sent via email)
North End Neighborhood Association / Attn: Derek Hurd / [email protected] (sent via email)Downtown Boise Neighborhood Association / Attn: Tami Chafin / [email protected] (sent via email)