Intercity Transit Dennis BloomRe: Draft EIS – Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS for the proposed Thurston Highlands development. As you know, Intercity Transit has been providing public transportation to
the residents of Yelm for over 20 years. With the anticipation of significant increase in both residential and commercial development within the Thurston Highland over 15 plus years
we would certainly anticipate improving a number of transportation options to those that may be interested in using public transportation. I expect there will be plenty of challenges
as well as opportunities for the City as there will be for agencies that provide public services to the Yelm community.
The Draft EIS, as you know, contains a number of references to “public transportation” in the document as well as in a technical document on Transportation Impact Analysis. In these
instances the developer suggests they will work with Intercity Transit to provide locations for bus stops, shelters, layover areas for future service within and throughout the development
in order to support the use of flexible and fixed routed bus service. It is also noted a reference for the provision of a “park & ride” or “transit center” facility within the development.
(Draft EIS, Chapter 3, Section 17, Public Transportation Impacts – 3.17.6.6, pg 3.17 – 38.)
Intercity Transit is pleased that the developer acknowledges the importance of transportation options as well as actively supporting the opportunity to improve access to public transit.
We do however have some comments concerning the Draft EIS:
a) Provisions for locating bus stops and providing stop amenities should become
a condition of development and mitigation.
b) Bus top locations be no more than a ¼ mile of residential housing (up to a
5-10 minute walk for most).
c) Bus stops and sidewalks/pathways associated with the stops be constructed to
meet federal ADA requirements for accessibility.
Develop a series of pedestrian and other non-motorized transportation
pathways and/or trails (e.g., “safe routes to school”) that provide more direct or shortest path to an arterial street so that people aren’t required to walk
“the long way around” to reach a bus stop for public schools and transit.
Develop bicycle storage areas at or near public areas including retail areas,
bus stops, parks, etc.
Development of a Park & Ride or transit center, as suggested in the Draft,
have very different functions. If the intent of the developer is to set aside land for either type of facility the location would be a significant factor in its undertaking. At this
point in time, Intercity Transit would simply suggest that Phase 2 or 3 of the development would probably provide a better sense of timing for what is feasible. However, there is little
detail, analysis or provision noted in any Phase for such a facility. It should be noted, too, that Intercity Transit has previously requested during the study and planning for the
WSDOT Yelm Loop 2 and 3 that a park & ride be included within the scope of that project. Since park & rides are traditionally better suited near limited access roads (highways and interstates)
we would expect that any
provision for another park & ride in or near the Thurston Highlands be situated close to a major traffic corridor so that its function provides easy access for vehicles and transit alike.
However, a development of smaller “park & pool lots”, which is more in line with those that carpool or vanpool or smaller neighborhood park & rides associated with bus services, could
be located near retail centers or shared use parking lots or activity centers. A community park or recreational center where weekday parking is abundant might be a consideration.
As with any provision for public transit service, residential density is key component on how successful a particular route can be. Even with the current increase in fuel costs the
ability to attract and maintain a ridership base is dependent on convenience, frequency and directness/travel time. While there is currently only one transit route that operates in
Yelm, Intercity Transit is certainly interested in working with the City and the developer to help plan for service improvements. Likewise, we would suggest that the Final EIS b e reflective
of those interests.
Thank you again for the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft EIS. If there are any questions or if you need additional clarification about my comments please, feel free to contact
me directly at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Dennis Bloom
Planning Manager
Intercity Transit