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Site plan review for all development projects in the City of Dublin

3.2. SITE PLAN REVIEW

A comprehensive site plan review is a critical component for all development projects in the City of Dublin and is required whenever requested by the City Traffic Engineer. This review ensures that the site’s layout effectively supports safe and efficient access and circulation for all transportation modes, including vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and larger service vehicles. The evaluation focuses on identifying and addressing potential design issues to enhance safety, accessibility, and compliance with local regulations. A transportation professional must conduct the review and provide actionable recommendations to improve site circulation and access. Key elements of a site plan review include the following detailed considerations:

Vehicle Parking

Vehicle parking is a fundamental aspect of site planning, requiring detailed analysis to ensure compliance with city codes and accessibility standards. The review should identify and compare the project’s proposed parking supply against the following:

  • Proposed Parking Supply: Evaluate whether the project provides an adequate number of parking spaces to meet the expected demand based on its size, location, and usage type.

  • Parking Requirements: Verify compliance with the parking requirements set forth in the Dublin Municipal Code (DMC), including specific standards for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility. This analysis should consider the number of required ADA spaces and their locations.

  • Bicycle Parking Supply: Assess both short-term and long-term bicycle parking provisions and compare them to the DMC requirements and any additional criteria from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan or Green Building Code. The adequacy and convenience of the bicycle parking locations should also be analyzed.

  • Parking Stall Dimensions: Ensure that the depth and length of parking stalls meet the minimum specifications outlined in the DMC. Deviations or potential inefficiencies in stall design should be documented and addressed.

Bicycle Parking

The inclusion of bicycle parking is essential to promoting sustainable and multimodal transportation options. The site plan review must evaluate:

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Bicycle Parking: Ensure compliance with the DMC requirements for short-term and long-term bicycle parking facilities. This evaluation should account for the anticipated demand for bicycle parking and any requirements outlined in the Green Building Code or Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

  • Accessibility and Location: Assess the location of bicycle parking facilities within the site, ensuring they are easily accessible, safe, and convenient for users.

Vehicle Site Circulation

Effective site circulation for vehicles is critical to minimizing conflicts and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic within the development. The site plan review must:

  • Conflict Points: Identify any potential vehicle conflict points within the site, including areas where vehicles may encounter pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles. Special attention should be given to driveways, intersections, and areas near loading zones.

  • Access Points: Evaluate the design and location of vehicle access points to ensure they are safe and efficient. This includes reviewing driveway placements and configurations for compatibility with the surrounding roadway network.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Site Circulation

Safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle circulation within the site is essential to support multimodal accessibility. The review should:

  • Conflict Points: Identify any potential pedestrian and bicycle conflict points within the site, particularly near vehicle circulation paths or access points.

  • Connectivity: Evaluate pedestrian routes between the project site and nearby transit stops or adjacent developments. Ensure the availability of adequate pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossings.

  • Bicycle Pathways: Assess the internal and external connectivity of bicycle pathways to ensure seamless integration with the broader bicycle network.

Large Vehicle Site Circulation

Large vehicles, such as emergency vehicles, garbage trucks, service vehicles, and delivery trucks, require special consideration to ensure they can access and circulate within the site safely and efficiently. The review should:

  • Turn Templates: Use turn template analysis to confirm that the site layout accommodates the movements of the largest expected vehicle type. This analysis should identify any potential obstructions or design issues that could hinder large vehicle access.

  • Loading and Service Areas: Evaluate the adequacy of loading docks and service areas to ensure they are appropriately sized and strategically located for efficient operations.

Drop-Off and Loading Zones

Drop-off and loading zones are essential for projects with specific operational needs, such as schools, hotels, or retail developments. The site plan review must:

  • Adequacy: Assess the adequacy of the proposed drop-off and loading zones, considering the anticipated volume and type of vehicles using these areas.

  • Safety: Identify potential safety issues associated with the location and design of these zones, such as conflicts with pedestrian pathways or adjacent parking areas.

Sight Distance

Ensuring adequate sight distance at access points is crucial for the safety of all users. The review should:

  • Visibility Triangles: Analyze the visibility triangles at all proposed project access points to confirm that they meet the minimum sight distance requirements. This analysis should consider factors such as landscaping, signage, and other potential obstructions.

  • Compliance: Verify compliance with the sight distance standards outlined in the DMC and other relevant guidelines.

High-Level Checklist for Site Plan Review

Attachment E provides a comprehensive checklist to guide the site plan review process. This checklist ensures all relevant aspects of the site’s design are thoroughly evaluated and documented. Key items in the checklist include:

  • Compliance with parking requirements (vehicle and bicycle)

  • Adequacy of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure

  • Safety and efficiency of vehicle access points

  • Accommodation of large vehicles

  • Drop-off/loading zone design and placement

  • Sight distance analysis

By addressing these elements, the site plan review aims to enhance the overall functionality, safety, and accessibility of development projects in the City of Dublin. The recommendations resulting from this review play a vital role in ensuring that the site design aligns with the City’s goals for sustainable and efficient transportation infrastructure.

Our Services are available throughout City of Dublin with Zipcode 94568

Serving Both Public and Private Sector Clients

Based in Los Angeles California, our firm provides comprehensive transportation consulting services from conceptual planning onward, with the goal of delivering efficient, high-quality creative solutions and seeing them through to the completion of projects. We have skilled traffic engineers and transportation planners to undertake a variety of projects with confidence while meeting the needs of a diverse clientele.

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