Forest Glen Apartments Montgomery County, Maryland August 14, 2020

Forest Glen Apartments

Montgomery County, Maryland
August 14, 2020

Traffic Impact Analysis

Prepared for: Montgomery Housing Partnership, Inc.

Mr. Donald R. Hague 12200 Tech Road, Suite 250 Silver Spring, MD 20904

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ...............................................................1  EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS .......................................................................................3

1

Site Location Map........................................................................................................ 6

1A Site Plan....................................................................................................................... 7

Existing Lane Use......................................................................................................... 8

2

3A Existing Peak Hour Traffic Volumes............................................................................. 9 3B Updated Existing Peak Hour Traffic Volumes ............................................................ 10 3C Existing Peak Hour Pedestrian Volumes.................................................................... 11

4

Existing Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Facilities..................................................... 12

4A Results of Pedestrian Crossing Timing Analysis ......................................................... 13

 TOTAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS .........................................................................................14

56789
Trip Generation for Subject Site................................................................................ 16 Trip Assignment for Subject Site................................................................................ 17 Total Peak Hour Traffic Volumes............................................................................... 18 Results of Intersection Capacity Analyses ................................................................. 19 Results of Queuing Analysis....................................................................................... 20

 RESULTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CONCLUSIONS.....................................................21

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A – Intersection Turning Movement Counts, Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts, and
Aerial Photos

APPENDIX B – Intersection Capacity Analysis Worksheets

APPENDIX C – Signal Timing

APPENDIX D – Public Transit Information and Bikeway Plan Map

APPENDIX E – Correspondence

Prepared by:

Glenn E. Cook

Ming‐Yu Chien, P.E., PTOE Qiang Tian, P.E., PTOE

GC/JG:mlj/amr F:\2017\2017‐0722_Forest Glen ‐ MHP\DOCS\REPORTS\REV4\TIA.docx

CORPORATE OFFICE
9900 Franklin Square Drive, Suite H
Baltimore, Maryland 21236
410‐931‐6600 Fax: 410‐931‐6601
1‐800‐583‐8411

The Traffic Group, Inc. ® Traffic Engineers & Transportation Planners

Merging Innovation and Excellence®

www.trafficgroup.com

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Study Purpose

This traffic impact analysis has been prepared for the Site Plan and redevelopment of the Forest Glen Apartments site located in the southwest quadrant of the Georgia Avenue (MD 97) and Belvedere Boulevard intersection in the Silver Spring area of Montgomery County MD. This property is currently developed with 72 Apartment Units which will be razed, and a new Apartment Building will be constructed consisting of 189 Apartment Units.

Study Criteria/Methodology

This traffic impact analysis has been prepared in accordance with the Local Area Transportation Review (LATR) requirements of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M‐NCPPC). A Scoping Agreement was prepared and approved by the Transportation Planning Staff. A copy of this agreement is contained in Appendix E of this report. This property is located in the Kensington/Wheaton Policy area, which is in an “Orange Area.” Based on the criteria as determined in the LATR Guidelines, the proposed development of this site requires that this study is required to address only vehicular adequacy. It should be noted that pedestrians and transit adequacy studies are not required based on the guidelines.

In an “Orange Area” intersection capacity analyses must be conducted using the Critical Lane Volume (CLV) Methodology and the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) Methodology. The Congestion Standard in this area is 1600 for the CLV analysis and 80 seconds for the HCM analysis.

Scope of Services

The Scope of Services undertaken as part of this report was as follows:
 Field investigation to collect physical information concerning the nearby road system.  Conduct intersection turning movement counts from 6:30–9:30 AM and 4–7 PM at five intersections in the vicinity of the subject site.

 Conduct an inventory of the existing pedestrian, transit, and bike facilities in the study area.

 Obtain information from M‐NCPPC relative to other approved development planned in the vicinity of the subject site.

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 Conduct trip generation and trip distribution analysis for the other nearby developments.

 Conduct trip generation and trip distribution analysis for the subject property.  Conduct intersection capacity analysis to determine existing and projected Level of
Service at the study area intersections.

Results and Conclusions

The results of this Study indicate that all of the study area intersections will be operating within the congestion standards established by the M‐NCPPC Guidelines for the Kensington/Wheaton area. It is concluded that the proposed redevelopment of the property will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood traffic circulation, movements, and road capacity.

The methodology used to undertake this analysis is contained in the following sections of this report.

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EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Site Information

The subject property is located in the south west quadrant of the Georgia Avenue (MD 97) and Belvedere Boulevard intersection as shown on Exhibit 1. This property is presently developed with 72 apartment units with access to Belvedere Drive and to Georgia Avenue. Exhibit 1A is a copy of the conceptual Site Plan for the subject property.

Nearby Road Network

Georgia Avenue (MD 97) is a 6‐lane divided north‐south roadway to the north of the Forest Glen Road intersection. At the Forest Glen Road intersection, four lanes are provided in each direction along Georgia Avenue. The posted speed limit along Georgia Avenue is 35 mph. The intersections of Georgia Avenue at Forest Glen Road and at Dennis Avenue are presently signalized.

Dennis Avenue and Forest Glen Road are basically 4‐lane east‐west roadways in the vicinity of the subject site. The posted speed limit along each of these roadways is 30 mph. Belvedere Boulevard and Arthur Avenue are 2‐lane local roadways which provide access to the subject site. Exhibit 2 shows the existing lane use and the traffic controls at each of the study intersections.

Existing Traffic Volumes

Intersection turning movement counts were conducted at each of the following study area intersections in June 2018:

 Georgia Avenue and Dennis Avenue  Georgia Avenue and Belvedere Boulevard  Georgia Avenue and Arthur Avenue  Georgia Avenue and Forest Glen Road  Arthur Avenue and Belvedere Boulevard

The total vehicles observed during these counts are shown on the summary sheets contained in Appendix A. The existing peak hour volumes are shown on Exhibit 3A. Please note that Arthur Avenue will be realigned to intersect with Belvedere Boulevard opposite McKenney Avenue. It should be noted that traffic counts were not previously conducted for this intersection and cannot be taken now because of the Covid‐19 virus and the fact that schools are not in session. We therefore flowed the existing volumes along

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Belvedere Boulevard between Georgia Avenue and Arthur Avenue to determine the turning movements for the McKenney Avenue intersection as shown on Exhibit 3B.

Due to the Covid‐19 virus pandemic, traffic counts cannot be conducted at intersections in Montgomery County at this time. According to the memorandum of the Montgomery County Planning Department dated April 30, 2020, existing counts collected between the past one to three years may be used if modified by a growth factor. A copy of the memo is contained in Appendix A. A review of the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) 10‐year historic traffic data along Georgia Avenue in the site vicinity indicates 1% annual growth and is applied to the 2018 counts for two years. The updated existing traffic volumes are shown on Exhibits 3B and 3C.

Existing Pedestrian Facilities

Pedestrian counts were conducted during the same time period that the turning movement counts were conducted. The total pedestrians observed are shown on the count sheets contained in Appendix A. The existing peak hour pedestrian volumes are shown on Exhibit 3C.

Exhibit 4 was prepared to show the location of existing sidewalk and the location of ADA pedestrian ramps in the immediate study area. In addition, on Exhibit 3C, it is noted that pedestrian countdown signals and pushbuttons are provided at the Georgia Avenue and Forest Glen intersection for crossing all four approaches. Crossings are provided at the Georgia Avenue and Dennis Avenue intersection for crossing all approaches with the exception of the southern leg crossing Georgia Avenue. The calculations for the pedestrian crossing times are shown on Exhibit 4A.

Existing Transit Facilities

Shown on Exhibit 4 are the location of Bus Stops in the vicinity of the subject site. Stops are provided along northbound and southbound Georgia Avenue adjacent to the subject property. There are no Bus Shelters or benches at either stop.

These stops serve the Q1, Q2, Q4, Y2, Y7, and Y8 routes. Contained in Appendix D are the detailed route maps and schedules for each of the routes listed above.

Bike Facilities

There is currently a Shared Use Path located on the east side of Georgia Avenue opposite of Belvedere Boulevard. Based on the County’s Bicycle Master Plan, Shared Roadway Facilities are planned along Belvedere Boulevard on the west side of Georgia Avenue.

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Shared Roadway Facilities are also planned along Georgia Avenue. A copy of an excerpt from the County’s Bicycle Master Plan is contained in Appendix D.

Analysis of Existing Traffic Conditions

Intersections capacity analysis were conducted for the study area intersections and the results are shown in Exhibit 8. Copies of capacity worksheets are contained in Appendix B to this report. Copies of the signal timing charts obtained from Montgomery Count DOT are contained in Appendix C.

A review of Exhibit 8 indicates that all the study area intersections are presently operating within the congestion standards established for the Kensington/Wheaton study area.

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CRTF-1.75 C-0.25 R-1.5 H-70 ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS MONTGOMERY COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 59-5.3

Civil Engineers

FOOTNOTES:

GROSS TRACT AREA = 156,393 SF

PRIOR DEDICATIONS = 41,844 SF PROPOSED DEDICATIONS = 486 SF NET LOT AREA = 114,063 SF

Land Planners

¹As approved by Local Map Amendment H-129. ²Per 59-5.3.5.B.2, [minimum] setbacks from the site boundary and maximum height are established by the Floating Zone Plan. All other setbacks are established

Landscape Architects Land Surveyors

by the site plan approval process under Section 7.3.4. Ultimate building design and placement to be determined at site plan. ³59-5.3.5.C

PERMITTED/REQUIRED

PROVIDED PER PLAN

⁴Per 59-5.3.5.D.2.b If public benefits are required under Section 5.3.5.E, open space must be provided under Section 4.5.4.B.1 (for optional method) as required
MAXIMUM TOTAL DENSITY (FAR)

MIN. FRONT SETBACK

1.75 TOTAL¹(273,687 SF)

1.5 TOTAL (234,589 SF) MAX.

1.5 RESIDENTIAL (234,589 SF) MAX. 0 COMMERCIAL for the Euclidean zone that establishes uses under Section 5.3.3. Per 59-4.5.4.B.1.a, for 3.01 to 6.00 acre tract with 2 ROW frontages, 10% of site required to be
1.5 RESIDENTIAL¹(234,589 SF) 0.25 COMMERCIAL¹(39,098 SF)

9220 Wightman Road, Suite 120 Montgomery Village, MD 20886 Phone: 301.670.0840

dedicated for open space. Per 59-4.5.4.B.1.c, Open space is public open space for non-townhouse building types. ⁵Per 59-5.3.5.E.1.a Development above the greater of 1.0 FAR or 10,000 SF of gross floor area in the CRTF zone requires public benefits. ⁶Per 59-5.3.5.E.2.a, for CRTF Zone with tract size greater than 10,000 SF.

⁷Per 59-4.7.3.D.6.a, 12 points are granted for every 1% of MPDUs greater than 12.5%. Any fraction of 1% increase in MPDUs entitles the applicant to an equal

0 FT^1,2

20 FT (GEORGIA AVE.)²

www.mhgpa.com

10 FT (BELVEDERE BLVD.)²

fraction of 12 points. 20% MPDUs proposed. 7.5% x 12 points = 90 points. Per 59-4.7.3.D.6.e a project that provides a minimum of 20% MPDUs does not have

to satisfy any other benefit category under Section 4.5.4.A.2 and Section 4.6.4.A.2.

Copyright @ 2020 by Macris, Hendricks &
Glascock, P.A. All Rights Reserved

⁸Per 59-5.3.5.D.1, Parking, recreation facilities, screening, and landscaping must be provided under Article 59-6 as required for the Euclidean zone that

MIN. SIDE SETBACK

0 FT^1,2

37 FT²

establishes uses under Section 5.3.3. Per 59-5.3.3.A.2, In the CRTF zones, only the uses allowed in the CRT zone are allowed.

⁹Per 59-6.2.4.B and within a Reduced Parking Area

MIN. REAR SETBACK

0 FT^1,2

N/A

¹⁰Per 59-6.2.3.I.2.b, The baseline parking minimum in the parking table under Section 6.2.4.B may be reduced by an adjustment factor of 0.50 for MPDUs. Total

MAX. HEIGHT

70 FT¹

70 FT

units provided is 189 of which min. 20% (38 units) will be MPDUs.

¹¹189 total parking provided includes the following:

40 total surface parking spaces

MIN. LOT SIZE

ESTABLISHED BY SITE PLAN³

10%⁴(11,406 SF¹⁶) 50 POINTS / 3 CATEGORIES^5,6

170^8,9,10

2.62 ACRES³11.1% (12,730 SF) 90 POINTS / 1 CATEGORY⁷??
148 garage parking spaces 5 motorcycle spaces 11 accessible spaces (including 5 van accessible) 2 car share spaces
MIN. PUBLIC OPEN SPACE PUBLIC BENEFIT POINTS
2 spaces ready to be converted to a station for electric charging vehicles
¹²Based on 189 total dwelling units broken down as follows:
1 Bedroom = 78
MIN. VEHICLE PARKING SPACES REQUIRED MAX. VEHICLE PARKING SPACES ALLOWED MINIMUM BICYCLE PARKING SPACES REQUIRED

278^8,9,12,13

?? SPACES^11,13

2 Bedroom = 82

3 Bedroom = 29

¹³Information provided by architect

90 (LONG TERM)^8,9,14

5 (SHORT TERM)^8,9,14

??

(LONG TERM)¹⁵

¹⁴Per 59-6.2.4.C in Commercial/Residential zones. ¹⁵Long term bicycle parking spaces to be provided within building. ¹⁶Based upon proposed lot area of 2.6185 acres (114,063 SF).
8 SPACES (SHORT TERM)

OWNER: MHP FOREST GLEN, LLC C/O MONTGOMERY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP ATTN: PRAJ KASBEKAR 1220 TECH ROAD, SUITE 250 SILVER SPRING, MD 20904 PHONE: (301) 622-2400

GRAPHIC SCALE

( IN FEET )
1 inch = 30 ft.

30

15

30

60

0

ATTORNEY:

BLOCK A PT. PARCEL B
L. 05632 F. 209
2105 BELVEDERE BLVD. EX. USE: MULTI-FAMILY
EX. ZONING: R-10

EMILY VAIAS BALLARD SPAHR, LLP 1909 K STREET, NW, 12TH FLOOR WASHINGTON, DC 20006 PHONE: (202) 661-2239

LOT 9 BLOCK A L. 52354 F. 179
10004 MC KENNEY AVE.
EX. USE: SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED
EX. ZONING: R-60

ARCHITECT:

LOT 11 BLOCK A L. 35445 F. 756
EX. ZONING: R-60

GRIM AND PARKER ATTN: ASHISH MAYER 11720 BELTSVILLE DRIVE SUITE 600 CALVERTON, MD 20705 PHONE: (301) 595-1000

DEPRESSED CURB

72.0

EXISTING BUS STOP
RECONSTRUCT EX. SIDEWALK RAMP (IF NECESSARY)

REVISIONS

PARCEL P142

63.85
64.0

NO.

DESCRIPTION

DATE

63.95

L. 32324 F. 697
9925 GEORGIA AVE. EX. USE: SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED EX. ZONING: R-60

BICYCLE RACK (2)

64.0

LOT 11 BLOCK A L. 35445 F. 756

MAIN ENTRY
LOBBY
NEW BUILDING
CRTF-1.75 C-0.25 R-1.5 H-70 ZONE
FIVE STORIES

EX. ZONING: R-60

72.8

210,000 GSF
189 UNITS
189 PARKING SPACES

LOT 12 BLOCK A L. 35600 F. 337
2203 BELVEDERE BLVD.
EX. ZONING: R-60

52.5
74.0

LOT 6 BLOCK A L. 17482 F. 092

54.0

BICYCLE RACK (2)

TAX MAP JP122

WSSC 212NW02

LOT 13 BLOCK A

COURTYARD 2

76.0

PLAT 1775

L. 53877 F. 469
2205 BELVEDERE BLVD.
EX. USE: SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED EX. ZONING: R-60

13TH ELECTION DISTRICT MONTGOMERY COUNTY MARYLAND

53.0

SECONDARY ENTRANCE

74.0

ARM GATE

52.0
76.0
50.1

4
53'x8'
BIKESHARE
RESERVATION
AREA

64.0

RECONSTRUCT EX. SIDEWALK RAMP (IF NECESSARY)

51.5
50.1

PART OF PARCEL C MCKENNEY HILLS

LOT 5 BLOCK A

49.8

GARAGE ENTRY

L. 13821 F. 600

51.7

GARAGE ENTRY
WMATA ESMT L.5962 F.727
6
CONC. SIDEWALK

62.6

CONC. SIDEWALK
8
8

69.6 69.4
70.4

7

72.6

PROJ. MGR DRAWN BY SCALE
KDJ KDJ

48.8

T

73.2 72.7

7

69.0

LOT 4 BLOCK A L. 16279 F. 145

ASPHALT PAVING

ARTHUR AVE

50' ROW PER PLAT

1"= 30'
7/13/20

52.4

DATE

EX52.0

P.NO.8430
EX. USE: MULTI-FAMILY (AMERICANA FINMARK)
EX. ZONING: R-20

RECONSTRUCT EX. SIDEWALK RAMP
(IF NECESSARY)

THE RESIDENCES AT FOREST GLEN

MAX. HEIGHT: 80' FOR
APARTMENTS

SITE PLAN EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT 1A SITE PLAN

PROJECT NO. SHEET NO.
2018.197.12

1 OF 1

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9

10

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RESULTS OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TIMING ANALYSIS

Total Clearance
Time for
Pedestrian Clearance
Crossing Distance¹
(ft)
Desired Time³(sec)

INTERSECTION

Time⁴(sec)
Associated Veh. Phase²(sec)

1. Georgia Ave & Dennis Ave

North Leg on Georgia Ave

85

65 47
6.5 5.5 5.5
17.8 13.1
7.9
18 14 14
East Leg on Dennis Ave West Leg on Dennis Ave
4. Georgia Ave & Forest Glen Rd
North Leg on Georgia Ave South Leg on Georgia Ave East Leg on Forest Glen Rd West Leg on Forest Glen Rd