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Home My WebLink About09 15 2025 Agenda Packet Y ELM P LANNING C OMMISSION A GENDA TH T UESDAY, S EPTEMBER 16,2025 4:00 PM THIS MEETING CAN BE ATTENDED IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM. nd In person:Yelm City Hall, 106 2StreetSE, Yelm, WA 98597 Via Zoom: Click here to join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 868-8117-5139 Passcode: 505424 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Chair, Richard Lomsdale Vice Chair,Robert Howard Anne Wahrmund John Graver Dana Allen RobertBailey Christopher Le 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes from meeting held on August 19, 2025 are attached. 5. CITY STAFF COMMUNICATIONS a. Update on retreat consultants list of potential Planning Commission measures. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS a. The public comment portion of the agenda is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission regarding matters that are not on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes and five speakers. Comment on matters listed on the agenda are welcomed. 7.UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. None 8. NEW BUSINESS a.Discussion of comments on Transportation Element by Ryan Shea of SCJ Alliance b. Introduction of Environmental Protection Element for review before next meeting 9.PUBLIC HEARINGS a.None 10. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AGENDA |Page 1 of 2 11.ADJOURNMENT MEETING INFORMATION All regular meetings are recorded and may be viewed at www.yelmwa.gov. It is the City of Yelm’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate at a meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 360-458-8816at least five(5) working days prior to meeting. Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Title VI Statement is available at https://www.yelmwa.gov/connect/departments/human_resources/index.php. DISCLAIMER AGENDA ITEMS MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER. THIS AGENDA MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UP TO 24 HOURS PRIOR TO MEETING.PLEASE SEE WWW.YELMWA.GOVFOR CURRENT AGENDA. Next Planning Commission Meeting st Tuesday, October21, 2025at4:00 PM AGENDA|Page 1 of 2 YELM PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 19, 2025 – 4:00 PM YELM CITY HALL Bob Howard called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Members present: Bob Howard, John Graver, Dana Allen, Anne Wahrmund, Robert Bailey,and Christopher Le. Members Absent:Richard Lomsdale Staff: Gary Cooper,Andrew Kollar, Clayton Webie, Chris Vaccaro, and Hazel Hooker. Approval of Minutes: MOTION BY ANNE WAHRMUND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM JULY 15, 2025AS AMENDED. SECONDED BY CHRISTOPHER LE. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. City Staff Communications: Staff presented the new look of the comp plan: more engaging visuals, photos of local places, and a consistent graphic theme across chapters. A new city website page for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update was shown, with a link to draft chapters. Drafts chapterswill remain on the website so the public can track changes. A community survey for transportation issues was introduced, with the consultant (Ryan) collecting results. Public Comment: No audience members chose to address the commission at this time. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: Overview of Transportation Element: Ryan from SCJ Alliance presented a draft of the Transportation Element, which is part of the Comprehensive Plan update. The presentation covered several key topics, including proposed goals and policy revisions, vehicular performance analysis, pedestrian and bicycle network evaluation, access points, trailheads, trail connectivity, and transit, bike/pedestrian, and regional connectivity. Additional dialogue followed to further explore these elements. Review Comments on Essential Public Facilities, Utilities and Climate Chapters: Clayton reported that draft chapters for Capital Facilities, Essential Public Facilities, Utilities, and Climate have been circulated, with comments now incorporated. The plan remains a living document and will continue to be updated. Staff will provide responses to comments through future packet updates. Anne inquired about future park locations as depicted in the Future Land Use Map, prompting further discussion with staff. Introduction of Parks Element with Parks Committee Feedback: The Parks and Recreation chapter will be forwarded to the Parks Committee for initial review. Planning Commissioners YELM PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 19, 2025 – 4:00 PM YELM CITY HALL are requested to submit feedback on both the Parks Element and the Transportation Chapter at least one week prior to the next Planning Commission meeting to allow staff time to coordinate responses. Retreat Priorities: There was a brief note that John Doan is compiling priorities from the retreat, and he will distribute them between meetings for review. Public Hearing: No public hearing was held. Subcommittee Reports: Parks Committee: Anne gave anupdated on the Prairie Line Trail. Tree Board: Next meeting will be held in September. Adjournment: MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING MADE BY CHRISTOPHER LE AND SECONDED BY BOB HOWARD. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:46 PM. Respectfully submitted, Hazel Hooker, Public Services Administrative Assistant Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is a Transportation Element? The Transportation Element is part of the City of Yelm’s Comprehensive Plan that oversees transportation planning for the community within a 20-year horizon. The Element establishes a transportation vision for the community and offers policy guidance to successfully manage and grow the multimodal system. The Transportation Element identifies areas of concern in the existing transportation system, as well as potential future issues as the community grows. The Element identifies projects that will address these concerns and maps out a strategic approach to funding and implementing the necessary improvements. The Transportation Element supports ongoing local interests like reduced congestion in the core area, enhanced bike and walkability, and support for on-going urban development within the community, and, in conjunction with county and regional plans, improved access to local and regional jobs, all while supporting overall citywide objectives spelled out throughout various elements of the Comprehensive Plan. It is a powerful tool for ensuring consistency between day-to-day decisions and long-range policies and objectives. The updated Yelm Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan builds on previous plans conducted in the city including, but not limited to: 2022 Yelm Transportation Pan 2009 Yelm Transportation Plan 2023 City of Yelm and Thuston County Joint Plan 2023 Yelm Local Road Safety Plan/Safety Action Plan 2023 Americans with Disabilities Plan for Yelm 2021 Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Yelm Loop Project, Phase 2 2019 Yelm Downtown Transportation Strategy 2045 Thurston County Transportation Plan 2050 Thurston Regional Transportation Plan 1.2 Transportation Plan In addition to the Transportation Element of this Comprehensive Plan, the City also maintains a separate Transportation Plan, which was last updated in 2022. The technical material created to support this new Transportation Element provides updates to much of the material included in a typical transportation plan and may, in the future, be referenced to update the City’s Transportation Plan. The Comprehensive Plan, and this Transportation Element specifically, will adopt by reference future updates to the City’s Transportation Plan as they occur. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 1 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 2 TRANSPORTATION GOALS AND POLICIES This chapter outlines the goals and policies that govern the provision and expansion of multimodal transportation facilities and services within the City of Yelm. The primary objective of this policy vision is to plan for multi-modal improvements to the transportation system for safe and efficient travel through and to neighborhoods and to accommodate future urban growth in a cost-effective manner while ensuring that growth pays for growth. Goal 1 Create a transportation system that is compatible with neighboring cities, Thurston County, Washington State, and other transportation providers. Policy 1.1 Encourage the public to participate in transportation related decisions. Policy 1.2 Coordinate the planning, construction, and operations of transportation facilities and programs. Policy 1.3 Cooperate with the City of Yelm and neighboring jurisdictions, Pierce County, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, and the Washington State Department of Transportation to address regional transportation issues. Policy 1.4 Support and participate in the Thurston Regional Planning Council 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Policy 1.5 Coordinate the planning and operation of Yelm’s transportation system to provide efficient and varied means of transportation. Policy 1.6 Support the creation of a community transfer site and support the expansion of transit service within Yelm, its UGA, and to surrounding communities and employment centers. Policy 1.7 Support the development of a regional park-and-ride lot system. Policy 1.8 Preserve the existing railroad rights-of-way within Yelm’s Urban Growth Area and connections to the national rail network. Policy 1.9 Coordinate with service providers on the location of major utility and transportation corridors and the construction of roadway improvements. Policy 1.10 For planning purposes, adopt the Washington State Department of Transportation Urban LOS D standard or better within the urban growth boundary. Refer to the County Comprehensive Plan Chapter 5, “Transportation”, for more information. Goal 2 Create a well-maintained transportation system that provides safe and cost-effective movement of goods, services, and people. Policy 2.1 Disburse traffic throughout the community rather than concentrating it through the urban core, by providing an interconnected network of streets and trails that offer a variety of travel choices and different ways to get around the community. Policy 2.2 Classify Yelm’s streets according to federal, state, regional, and local guidelines. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 2 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Policy 2.3 Ensure adequate and safe access to property through a system of public and private roads. Policy 2.4 Apply design standards, guidelines, and endorsed criteria that result in attractive and functional transportation facilities. Policy 2.5 Utilize transportation system management strategies to efficiently operate transportation facilities. These could include: Signal interconnection systems, signal coordination and synchronization, and other signal systems to ease traffic flow; Roundabouts. If a signal intersection is considered, an analysis must be performed to confirm that it outperforms a roundabout for safety and mobility operations; Turn lanes and pockets to allow turning vehicles to move out of through traffic lanes; Access control for arterials and major collectors to minimize disruptions in traffic flow; and Non-motorized infrastructure Policy 2.6 Encourage travel by means other than the automobile and provide for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists throughout Yelm and its Urban Growth Area. Policy 2.7 Ensure mobility for all residents, including the elderly and persons with disabilities by providing an accessible and affordable transportation system within Yelm and its Urban Growth Area. Evaluate and prioritize ADA compliance on the multimodal transportation system. Policy 2.8 Maintain the transportation system at a level that is comparable with the design standards applied to new facilities. Policy 2.9 Limit and provide access to the street network in a manner consistent with the function and purpose of each roadway. Policy 2.10 Permit construction of private roads to assist with access to private properties. Policy 2.11 Manage the demand for transportation systems through strategies mandated by state law. Policy 2.12 Include emergency service providers in review of roadway designs to ensure safe emergency vehicle passage. Build in system redundancy through a well-connected street grid to support emergency response and reduce community disruption during natural or man-made disasters. Policy 2.13 Incorporate the needs of emerging technology, such as increasing electric vehicle use, as reasonable and feasible. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 3 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Goal 3 Develop a transportation system with minimal environmental impact and energy consumption that provides for a high quality of life to be enjoyed by the citizens. Policy 3.1 Design transportation facilities that minimize adverse environmental impacts resulting from their construction and operation. Policy 3.2 Design a transportation network that is compatible with the economic and development goals of Yelm and its UGA. Policy 3.3 Ensure that transportation system improvements are compatible with adjacent land uses and minimize potential conflicts. Policy 3.4 Allow major land use changes only when those proposals accompany specific documentation or proposed plans showing how the transportation system can adequately support the needs of existing and proposed development. Policy 3.5 Retain existing public rights-of-way. Goal 4 Responsibly fund needed transportation system improvements with public and private sector participation. Policy 4.1 Implement transportation planning and development in the Urban Growth Area as a joint exercise of responsibility between Yelm, the County and the State. Policy 4.2 Use a standardized, well documented, and objective process to establish clear priorities for transportation expenditures within Yelm and its Urban Growth Area. Policy 4.3 Ensure that any transportation improvements or strategies that are required to mitigate impacts are constructed or financed concurrent with a development project. Policy 4.4 Share the responsibility of mitigating transportation development impacts between the public and private sector. Policy 4.5 Cooperate with private investors to provide for the recovery of facility improvement costs which are attributable to other development projects. Policy 4.6 Identify opportunities for developer funding of streets, sidewalks and bicycle lanes to mitigate multimodal transportation impacts where specified and required. Goal 5 Encourage safe and active school transportation to improve community health, economic, and environmental outcomes. Policy 5.1 Continue to support and act on the Healthy Kids – Safe Streets Action Plan and other programs that are working to build a generation of healthy and safe walkers, bicycle, and bus riders. Policy 5.2 In new neighborhoods, site and design schools that maximize opportunity for neighborhoods and the community, and encourage travel to schools on foot, by bike or by bus. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 4 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Policy 5.3 Participate in public/private partnerships to maximize and leverage revenue for schools and other facilities, including surrounding safe walk/bike routes. Policy 5.4 Policy 6.1 Support Yelm Community Schools efforts on funding support for safety education and infrastructure improvements around schools. Policy 5.5 Policy 6.2 Support sidewalk and safety improvements around schools — especially those with walk and bike safety education and encouragement programs. Goal 6 Improve infrastructure around schools that results in safe multimodal transportation including vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and bus transit access. Policy 6.1 Work to increase the safety of the transportation system with appropriate design and, in the long term, consistently update and maintain the city s Safety Action Plan. Policy 6.2 Support the state’s “Target Zero” plan goal of zero deaths and disabling injuries. Policy 6.3 Policy 2.6 Encourage travel by means other than the automobile and provide for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists throughout Yelm and its Urban Growth Area. Policy 6.4 Design transportation infrastructure to encourage safe user behavior. Commented \[AW1\]: I fully support these additional policies for Goal 6. See my comments later in the document about safely for trail users on bicycles and scooters. Goal 7 Reduce transportation congestion and environmental impacts. Policy 7.1 Encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation. Policy 7.2 Provide for park-and-pool facilities that increase vanpool and carpool options in development regulations. Policy 7.3 Connect urban and rural bicycle and pedestrian pathways with parks and open spaces to encourage more active transportation and use of natural areas. Goal 8 Consider freight mobility needs in local and regional planning. Policy 8.1 Ensure that transportation plans and funding strategies explicitly consider the need to move goods and services within and between local communities, and between the Thurston Region and other markets. Goal 9 Integrate transportation considerations into land use decisions, and vice versa. Policy 9.1 Provide for increased densities in urban neighborhoods and activity centers near transportation corridors in development regulations. Policy 9.2 Development regulations should allow for more compact forms of development to ensure that future land-use patterns will be efficient to serve with transit, freight or other transportation infrastructure. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 5 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Policy 9.3 As new annexation and/or development occurs on the east side of the city near Canal rd and Grove Streets, consider reclassification of Grove Street between Flume Road and 103 Avenue as a Major Collector facility. Policy 9.4 Development review should evaluate the connectivity of subdivisions to existing, proposed or planned bicycle facilities. Goal 10 Work toward an integrated, multimodal transportation system that supports adopted land use plans, reduces overall need to drive and increases travel choices. Policy 10.1 Provide quality choices appropriate to existing and future land uses including walking, bicycling, transit and motor vehicles including freight. Policy 10.2 Ensure that development of activity center, employment centers, schools and parks accommodate multiple modes of travel and safe, efficient connections among those modes of travel. Policy 10.3 Promote public awareness on the rights and responsibilities of drivers, bicyclists, and walkers and ways these modes can travel together safely and efficiently. Policy 10.4 Further develop multi-modal Level of Service (LOS) standards to define desired, acceptable and unacceptable performance for the transportation system: Vehicular LOS - Re-evaluate existing LOS standards for city streets including those service residential, industrial and commercial land uses. Consider exception areas based on multimodal transportation system improvement needs and financial resources. Pedestrian LOS – provide a minimum of LOS Acceptable for the pedestrian system consistent with the Pedestrian Plan. Bicycle LOS – provide a minimum of LOS Acceptable for the bicycle network consistent with the Bicycle Plan. Transit LOS – partner with local and regional agencies to provide a minimum of LOS Acceptable. Commented \[AW2\]: These policies for Goal 10 are very much needed to ensure the concerns and planning for our city transportation system is not limited to only motor vehicles. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 6 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 3 EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM INVENTORY This chapter documents existing transportation facilities and services within the City of Yelm. The Transportation Element focuses on active transportation, public transportation, and vehicle performance. The information in this chapter was used to determine short-term project needs and a long-term multimodal improvement strategy for the city. A complete description of the existing transportation network is available in the Transportation Technical Report, which is included in Appendix X. 3.1 Active Transportation Pedestrian and bicycle facilities form the basis of what is commonly called the “active” or human- powered transportation system. In its entirely, active transportation includes walking, traveling with a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, bicycling, or another wheeled device such as a skateboard or scooter. Full or partially-human powered vehicles, commonly referred to as micromobility devices, may also use the pedestrian and bicycle network where permitted. These devices can include electric bicycles (i.e. bikes) and electric scooters and can be either individually owned or rented through a mobile app or kiosk to be picked up and dropped off in the public right of way. These vehicles are meant for short distance trips as a viable alternative to using a personal vehicle. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities primarily serve short trips to activity centers or essential destinations such as schools, parks, and other amenities located in the downtown business area and commercial corridors. The City of Yelm supports walking and bicycling through maintaining a connected network of sidewalks, bicycle routes, and trails. The city has invested in constructing bike lanes and multi-use paths and the pedestrian and bicycle network is growing. 3.1.1 Pedestrian Facilities The pedestrian system in Yelm consists of sidewalks, multi-use paths, marked and unmarked, signalized and unsignalized pedestrian crossings. These facilities provide residents with the ability to access local retail/commercial centers, recreational areas, and other land uses by foot. Figure 1 illustrates the locations of existing pedestrian facilities within the city. For additional information on the performance of the existing pedestrian network, see the Transportation Technical Report. 3.1.2 Bicycle Facilities The bicycle system in Yelm consists of striped bicycle lanes, wide roadway shoulders, shared-lane roadways (vehicles and bikes share the same travel way), and multi-use trails. Figure 2 illustrates the locations of the existing bicycle and multi-use path facilities within the city. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 7 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update A key component of this system is the existing Yelm to Tenino Trail that connects the city to communities in southern Thurston County, and the partially completePrairie Line Trail. As shown in Figure 2, as it comes into the city the Yelm to Tenino Trail follows the west side of SR 507 and ends at the intersection with Yelm Avenue in the heart of the city. Yelm-Tenino Trail Adjacent to SR 507 in Yelm The Prairie Line Trail currently is pavedfrom Yelm Avenue to the Nisqually RiverBridge. The city purchased the trail alignment in 2000 from the Burlington Northern Railroad with a Federal Surface Transportation Program grant. The grant enabled acquisition of the railroad right of way from SR 510 to the Town of Roy in Pierce County.Initial paving of the shared use path extended the trail along the st railroad right-of-way from Yelm Avenue to the Centralia Power Canal, adding a Trailhead at 1Ave & Railway Rd SE. In the last few years, thecity of Yelm won a Recreation and Conservation (RCO) grant to convert the railroad to a shared use path from the Centralia Power Canal north to the Nisqually River Bridge trestle. This September 2025 the Yelm Prairie Line trail will be extended across the Nisqually River Bridge. Construction has been completed on this segment.The segment between the Nisqually River bridge and the Town of Roy is not yet in place. Publicinput gathered during the creation of the 2019 Downtown Transportation Strategy revealed that bicycle activity is low on Yelm Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare. Improving bicycling infrastructure, including adding bike lanes, is an important goal. For additional information on the performance of the existing bicycle network, see theTransportation Technical Report. Prairie Line Trail north of Yelm Avenue SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 10 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 3.2 Public Transit System 3.2.1 Fixed Route Bus Service Intercity Transit (IT) provides free-fare transit service for the citizens of the City of Yelm. Service in Yelm is limited to a single route of the Intercity regional transit system that connects the city to Olympia. Intercity route 94 travels the length of Yelm Avenue (SR 510/SR 507) and in a loop along Walmart Boulevard, 103rd Avenue SE, and Creek Street SE in the southeast corner of the city providing residents the ability to travel, from, and through the city center to access local services but that is the extent of its fixed route transit service. Table 1 1 provides a summary of ridership on Route 94 by year and day of the week. Data presented includes total boardings, total alighting and route total in Yelm for the years 2019 through 2024. Table 1. Route 94 Ridership Counts (2019-2024) Year Boarding/Alighting Weekday Saturday Sunday Totals 2019 Boarding 25,186 2,705 2,165 30,056 Alighting 22,830 2,607 2,100 27,537 Total 48,016 5,312 4,265 57,593 2020 Boarding 17,105 2,388 2,114 21,607 Alighting 16,632 2,475 2,123 21.230 Total 33,737 4,863 4,237 42,837 2021 Boarding 19,609 3,070 2,863 25,542 Alighting 19,480 3,059 2,881 25,420 Total 39,089 6,129 5,744 50,962 2022 Boarding 27,671 4,179 3,531 35,381 Alighting 26,131 4,171 3,594 33,896 Total 53,802 8,350 7,125 69,277 2023 Boarding 42,475 5,743 5,473 53.691 Alighting 40,767 5,607 5,451 51,825 Total 83,242 11,350 10,924 105,516 2024 Boarding 48,900 7,129 6,009 62,038 Alighting 47,465 7,076 5,966 60,507 Total 96,365 14,205 11,975 122,545 The 2021 Yelm Transportation Systems Plan acknowledges the need to expand public transit services to reduce vehicle emissions of greenhouse gas, and address equity issues in the city. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 11 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 3.3 Existing Traffic Operations 3.3.1 Operations Analysis Table 2 shows the Level of Service criteria for stop-controlled intersections and signalized intersections. Table 2. Level of Service Criteria for Intersections Level of Signalized/Roundabout Intersection Stop-Controlled Intersection Average Service Average Control Delay (seconds/vehicle) Control Delay (seconds/vehicle) A B > 10-20 > 10-15 C > 20-35 > 15-25 D > 35-55 > 25-35 E > 55-80 > 35-50 F > 80 > 50 Source: Transportation Research Board 2000 In its 2021 Transportation Plan, the city of Yelm adopted minimum levels of service for road facilities under its jurisdiction as follows: In all residential zones, LOS C In all commercial and light industrial zones, LOS D In the urban core on Yelm Avenue between 4th Street and Solberg Street, LOS F is recognized as a minimum level of service where mitigation to create traffic diversions, bypasses, and alternate routes and modes of transportation are authorized and being planned, funded, implemented, and can result in improved LOS. By adopting minimum LOS standards for the City’s roadways, Yelm has committed to transportation system performance target that must be maintained as new development occurs. As new development is proposed and impacts assessed, developers and/or the city must mitigate transportation impacts to ensure that LOS does not fall below the standard. As set forth in the GMA, Yelm has incorporated these LOS standards into its Unified Development Code (Section 18.16.030) for purposes of Concurrency Management. This plan recommends that the LOS standard for residential, commercial and light industrial zones be revisited in light of community growth and transportation system improvement needs. WSDOT has adopted LOS D as the standard for urban portions of SR 507 and SR 510. 3.3.2 2024 Existing Conditions Analysis Results 1 An operations analysis was conducted for 22 intersections throughout the City and Urban Growth Area. In this analysis, the following three intersections currently operate below City of Yelm or WSDOT standards during the PM peak hour: 1 The LOS analysis was conducted for the study intersections using the software program SIDRA for roundabout controlled intersections (WSDOT intersections use HCM Delay formula) and Synchro (Version 12) for all other intersections in the study area. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 12 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update rd Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at 103 Avenue SE – operates at LOS F for side street traffic Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at NE Plaza Drive SE – operates at LOS F for side street Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Mountain View Road SE/High School Driveway – operates at LOS E for side street All other intersections in the study area currently operate at LOS D or better. Figure 3 and Table 3 summarize the results of existing intersection LOS within the City Limits. Table 3. Existing PM Peak Hour Level of Service Summary 2024 Existing Conditions PM Peak Hour Traffic # Intersection Control LOSDelay (Sec) 1 Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Yelm Bypass Road (SR 510) Roundabout A 6.0 1 2 Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Mountain View Road SE/High TWSC E 40.1 School Driveway 3 Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Killion Road SE/Tahoma Blvd SE Signalized B 16.2 1 4 Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Longmire Street TWSC D 26.4 5 Yelm Avenue (SR 510/SR 507) at First Street (SR 507) Signalized C 31.8 6 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Clark Road SE Signalized A 8.3 rd1 7 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at 103 Avenue SE TWSC F 51.9 8 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Vancil Road SE Signalized C 28.6 1 9 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at NE Plaza Drive SE TWSC F 80.9 10 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Creek Street SE/Bald Hill Road SE Signalized C 34.4 1 11 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Grove Road SE TWSC C 19.0 12 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Wal-Mart Blvd Signalized B 13.3 1 13 Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at Mill Road SE TWSC B 14.3 14 First Street (SR 507) at SE Mosman Avenue Signalized B 16.6 1 15 First Street at Stevens Street NW AWSC C 20.0 rd1 16 103 Avenue SE at West Road SE TWSC D 31.9 rd1 17 103 Avenue SE at Creek Street SE TWSC C 18.6 1 18 Coates Avenue NW at Crystal Springs Street NW TWSC C 15.2 1 19 Stevens Street NW at Edwards Street NW TWSC C 22.4 1 20 Bald Hill Road at Morris Road SE TWSC D 27.9 rd1 21 103 Avenue SE at Grove Road SE AWSC B 12.0 rdth1 22 103 Avenue SE at 170 Street SE/Yelm Bypass (SR 510) TWSC B 11.9 Note 1: The average delay for all vehicles is reported for signalized intersections. The delay of the worst stop-controlled approach is reported for unsignalized intersections. TWSC means Two-Way Stop Control AWSC means All Way Stop Control. Note 2: Cells highlighted in grey/bold exceed the City’s LOS standards. The intersection LOS standard is D, except for Intersection #3, which is LOS E. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 13 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 4 FUTURE CONDITIONS This chapter documents the effect of community growth on the transportation system and identifies the need for future multimodal facilities and services within the city. Included is this Transportation Element is a discussion of street, intersection and highway improvement needs and recommended active transportation system enhancements. For a complete description of the long term volume forecasting and additional information on the performance of the street network, see the Transportation Technical Report. 4.1 Future Traffic Analysis 4.1.1 2050 Baseline Conditions Analysis Results 2 An operations analysis was conducted for 22 intersections throughout the City and Urban Growth Area. In this analysis, the following eight intersections currently operate below City of Yelm or WSDOT standards during the 2050 PM peak hour: Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Mountain View Road SE/High School Driveway Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Longmire Street Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at 103rd Avenue SE Yelm Avenue (SR 507) at NE Plaza Drive SE Yelm Avenue (SR 510) at Grove Road SE First Street at Stevens Street NW rd 103 Avenue SE at West Road SE rd 103 Avenue SE at Creek Street SE All of these intersections currently operate under stop sign control, with several being low volume side streets along Yelm Avenue. Three of these intersections are located along the parallel route that currently acts as the eastern portion of the Yelm Loop. 4.1.2 2050 With Improvements Analysis Results The City of Yelm has an active list of roadway and intersection improvements that it maintains, based on previous long-range planning and recent analysis work. This list of projects is documented and described in the Capital Facilities chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and have been added to the 2050 intersection analysis as appropriate. Two additional improvements that are expected to be constructed through developer activity have also been included: Yelm Avenue at Longmire Road SE. This location is currently going through an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) effort to identify the appropriate control improvements. Traffic signal control and roundabout control are being evaluated. This improvement is currently being funded through developer mitigation fees 2 The LOS analysis was conducted for the study intersections using the software program SIDRA for roundabout controlled intersections (WSDOT intersections use HCM Delay formula) and Synchro (Version 12) for all other intersections in the study area. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 15 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Yelm Avenue at Grove Road SE. This intersection was included in the evaluation documented in the 2013 EIS for the vacant properties in the vicinity of Walmart. The EIS identified roundabout control as a required mitigation improvement and is expected to be funded and constructed to support the land use growth assumed in the traffic volume forecasts. This location was also identified in the City’s safety plan as a priority location, with roundabout control the recommended countermeasure. These improvements directly address two of the eight locations projected to operate below the level of service standard. The remaining six intersections from that list do not have an identified improvement at this time. All six locations will be significantly impacted by the completion of the Yelm Bypass Road project. This improvement is accounted for in the traffic volume forecasts but the exact impact is difficult to predict. Therefore it is recommended that these six locations be reevaluated after completion of the Yelm Bypass project, to confirm the volume impact and identify, as needed, appropriate improvements. The city is currently pursuing grant funds to conduct a corridor study of Yelm Avenue between 1st Street and 170th Street SE, which would include an evaluation of five of these six locations. Table 4 and Figure 4 summarize the LOS results in the 2050 PM peak hour with improvements. 4.2 Pedestrian Plan Figure 5 presents the recommended pedestrian plan for the City of Yelm. This plan was built on the deficiencies identified in the pedestrian system inventory including: Filling system gaps to provide for a safer, more comfortable and continuous trip Addressing areas with poor Levels of Traffic Stress Providing improved access to many of the key destinations within the city including schools, parks, shopping areas, and community facilities such as government office, the library, the post office, and others as identified in the figure Another key consideration in the development of the plan has been to facilitate connections between street-adjacent pedestrian walkways and the growing trail system in Yelm. Continuous and improved sidewalk connections provide access to the existing Yelm-Tenino Trail, the Prairie Loop Trail and the portions of the Yelm Loop Trail that have been constructed. Additional connections would also be provided to the Phase 2 trail portion of this highway project at planned intersection connections including Rhoton Road and Wilkensen Road. The pedestrian plan includes the following facilities: New sidewalks built as identified, consistent with the city’s design standards for the classification of the street New paved multi-use trails that will be shared with bicycle traffic Planned and funded paved multi-use trails SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 16 17 ------------ 6.6 6.6 14.924.6 24.254.612.943.212.625.513.7 (Sec) Delay | Page CB CC A A BBB --D --D-------- LOS August 2025 33 4 None neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone neededNone needed Improvement Build roundabout 2050 PM Peak Hour with Improvements Summary Pending results of ICE Monitor for traffic shift Monitor for traffic shift Monitor for traffic shift Monitor for traffic shift Monitor for traffic shift Monitor for traffic shift after Yelm Loop openingafter Yelm Loop openingafter Yelm Loop openingafter Yelm Loop opening after Yelm Loop openingafter Yelm Loop opening Service of 6.6 14.924.6 24.2 59.2 54.612.943.212.6 66.8 25.5 41.685.6 13.7 300+ 138.9239.1210.8 PM Peak Delay (Sec) Level Baseline Hour 50 Hour 20 FFFFFF F CB CC E A BBB D D LOS Conditions Peak PM 1 111111111 TWSCTWSCTWSCTWSCTWSCTWSCTWSCTWSCTWSC AWSC Traffic ignalized Control Signalized SSignalizedSignalizedSignalized Roundabout RoundaboutRoundabout 2050 With Improvements 4. First Street (SR 507) Avenue SE Mart Blvd - ) at rd Table Mountain View Road SE/High Longmire StreetClark Road SEWal at Yelm Bypass Road (SR 510)at 103at Vancil Road SEat NE Plaza Drive SEat Creek Street SE/Bald Hill at Grove Road SEat Mill Road SE /SR 507) at))) ))) at) Creek Street SE SR 507SR 507SR 507SR 507SR 507SR 507SR 507SR 507 Avenue SE at West Road SEAvenue SE at Street (SR 507) at SE Mosman AvenueStreet at Stevens Street NW rdrd st Intersection Yelm Avenue (SR 510)Yelm Avenue (SR 510) atSchool DrivewayYelm Avenue (SR 510) at Killion Road SE/Tahoma Blvd SEYelm Avenue (SR 510) atYelm Avenue (SR 510Yelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (Road SEYelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (Yelm Avenue (FirstFir103103Coates Avenue NW at Crystal Springs Street NW 1 234 5 6789 # 101112131415161718 Future Conditions Report Yelm Transportation Comprehensive Plan Update SCJ Alliance 18 6.46.2 22.0 15.3 (Sec) Delay | Page CC AA LOS August 2025 Street south of Ylem Avenue. is reported for TWSC intersections. th approach Roundabout None neededNone neededNone needed Improvement t (ICE). 2050 PM Peak Hour with Improvements controlled - stop for Intersection #3, which is LOS E. 6.2 worst 22.0 15.334.3 except PM Peak the D, Delay (Sec) Baseline of is Hour 50 delay 20 CC A D ong Yelm Avenue between this intersection and the proposed new roundabout LOS standard The Conditions LOS 1 11 intersections. TWSCTWSC AWSC Traffic Control intersection Roundabout The and AWSC standards. signalized LOS for City’s 5 the reported is exceed Street SE/Yelm Bypass (SR th vehicles Grove Road SE170 all grey/bold for in delay Way Stop Control AWSC means All Way Stop Control. - Avenue SE atAvenue SE at rdrd highlighted average Intersection Stevens Street NW at Edwards Street NWBald Hill Road at Morris Road SE103103510) Cells 1: The # 19202122 Future Conditions Report Yelm Transportation Comprehensive Plan Update Note TWSC means TwoNote 2:Note 3: City is pursuing supplemental grant funding to conduct a corridor study in this area based on recommendations from the Safety Action Plan. The SAP identified a recommendation to install a roundabout at Plaza Drive and implement access management alat Bald Hill Road.Note 4: For purposes of this table the result of roundabout analysis is shown as documented in the Intersection Control ReporNote 5: Future intersection would operate better than it does currently due to traffic diversion via new road extension on alignment of 170 SCJ Alliance 19 Page August 2025 | 2050 With Improvements Intersection Performance . 4 Figure Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update SCJ Alliance Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update Another key consideration in the development of the plan has been to facilitate connections between street-adjacent pedestrian walkways and the growing trail system in Yelm. Continuous and improved sidewalk connections provide access to the existing Yelm-Tenino Trail, the Prairie Loop Trail and the portions of the Yelm Loop Trail that have been constructed. Additional connections would also be provided to the Phase 2 trail portion of this highway project at planned intersection connections including Rhoton Road and Wilkensen Road. The pedestrian plan includes the following facilities: New sidewalks built as identified, consistent with the city’s design standards for the classification of the street New paved multi-use trails that will be shared with bicycle traffic Planned and funded paved multi-use trails The pedestrian plan does not address specific deficiencies in relation to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City’s current ADA Transition Plan identifies a process for determining and prioritizing ADA improvements to the sidewalk system which includes the pavement condition and slope of the sidewalk, the presence and condition of curb ramps, and crossing protection. The Plan commits the city to gradually bringing the pedestrian system into compliance with ADA through a regular and on-going improvement program. The choice of improvements should consider and coordinate with the recommendations of the Pedestrian Plan as both new and improved sidewalks facilities are constructed. 4.3 Bicycle Plan Figure 6 presents the recommended bicycle plan for the City of Yelm. This plan also builds on the deficiencies identified in the bicycle system’s existing conditions analysis focusing primarily on: Filling system gaps to provide for a continuous trip Offering opportunities for looped trips by providing alternative bicycle-focused routes Addressing areas with poor Levels of Traffic Stress Serving key destinations within the community including schools and parks Another key consideration in the development of the plan has been to take maximum advantage of the substantial trail system that exists or is pending construction within the city, including the Yelm-Tenino Trail, the Yelm Prairie Line Loop Trail and the new SR 510 Yelm Loop. Opportunities to connect with the loop have been identified at each of the key intersections that are planned to be constructed with the project including Rhoton Road and Wilkensen Road, in addition to the existing intersection at Cullens Road. The bicycle plan consists of a variety of facilities including: Existing and proposed on-street bicycle lanes Existing and proposed paved multi-use trails Planned and funded paved multi-use trails The bicycle plan also recommends that consideration be given to the designation of shared use streets where appropriate and to the development of on-street bicycle facilities in conjunction with new development for major new arterial and collector roads consistent with the City’s Development Guide. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 21 Yelm 2025 Transportation Element Update 5 IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS A full list of the planned roadway improvements is provided and described in the Capital Facilities chapter of this comprehensive plan. The Capital Facilities chapter also discussed the financial cost and funding strategies for constructing the project list. SCJ Alliance August 2025 | Page 23 Appendix A Transportation Technical Report