Res 2017-17 Adotped RESOLUTION NO. 2017-17
TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO EXECUTE
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN NORTH AUGUSTA AND
THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS TO THE SCDOT ROADWAY
SYSTEM RESULTING FROM DEVELOPMENT OF BALLPARK VILLAGE AT
HAMMONDS FERRY
WHEREAS, Phase B of the Hammonds Ferry Planned Development, referred
to as "Ballpark Village at Hammonds Ferry" (PROJECT), will consist of a variety of land
uses including residential, commercial retail/restaurant, office, a hotel, a baseball stadium,
public park areas, and associated surface and structure parking, covering approximately 35
acres; and
WHEREAS, access to the PROJECT (as well as existing and future phases of
Hammonds Ferry) will be provided via existing State and City roadways located within and
surrounding the site; and
WHEREAS, a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) was conducted to evaluate the
effects of the estimated vehicular traffic upon the roadways both internal and external to the
PROJECT; and
WHEREAS, the TIS concluded that the PROJECT may cause intermittent
negative traffic impacts (as defined by "Level of Service" (LOS) designation) upon both the
SCDOT and CITY'S roadway system in the vicinity of the PROJECT upon full build-out.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council for
the City of North Augusta in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof that the
Memorandum of Understanding addressing mitigation of traffic impacts upon the state
roadway system resulting from Ballpark Village at Hammonds Ferry development, a copy of
which is attached hereto, is hereby approved and the City Administrator is authorized to
execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CIT 4OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS
1 DAY OF /717 , 2017.
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Robert A. Pettit, Mayor
TEST:
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Donna B. Young, City Clerk V
1
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA
AND THE
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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This Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered into this 'r �/-iday of °a/ , 2017 by
and between the City of North Augusta (CITY), and the South Carolina Department of Transportation
(SCDOT) regarding traffic impacts to the SCDOT roadway system resulting from "Ballpark Village at
Hammonds Ferry" (PROJECT).
BACKGROUND
The Hammonds Ferry Planned Development is a proposed mixed-use development containing
approximately 195 acres along the Savannah River in North Augusta. The Master Plan was originally
approved by the CITY in 2002.
Phase B of the Hammonds Ferry Planned Development, referred to as "Ballpark Village at Hammonds
Ferry", will consist of a variety of land uses including residential, commercial retail/restaurant, office, a
hotel, a baseball stadium, public park areas, and associated surface and structure parking, covering
approximately 35 acres. The majority of proposed elements within the PROJECT are anticipated to be
completed/occupied by the end of 2018.
Access to the PROJECT (as well as existing and future phases of Hammonds Ferry) will be provided via
existing roadways located within and surrounding the site. Center Street has always been intended to be
the primary access for the development. In anticipation of this, the CITY and SCDOT secured federal
funding to construct Center Street from its intersection (signalized) with Georgia Avenue (US 25) to
Railroad Avenue,widen and realign Bluff Avenue from Center Street to West Avenue, and improve West
Avenue from Bluff Avenue to Clifton Avenue. That project, known as"Riverfront Road Extensions Project
–Phase 1" (File 2.156B)was designed and constructed by SCDOT. Following completion of construction,
the roads and rights-of-ways of these streets were conveyed to the CITY.
Other access routes include Riverside Boulevard (S-643)to the east,which connects to East Buena Vista
Avenue (SC 125) and Railroad Avenue to Crystal Lake Drive to the west. The intersection of Riverside
Boulevard and East Buena Vista Avenue is currently under reconstruction by the SCDOT(File 2.174B).
The CITY engaged SRS Engineering,LLC(SRS)to perform a Traffic Impact Study(TIS)to evaluate the effects
of the estimated vehicular traffic upon the roadways both internal and external to the PROJECT. The TIS
was completed and submitted to the CITY in May, 2015. The TIS concluded that the PROJECT may cause
intermittent negative traffic impacts (as defined by "Level of Service" (LOS) designation) upon both the
SCDOT and CITY'S roadway system in the vicinity of the PROJECT upon full build-out. The only identified
location on the SCDOT system where the decrease in LOS is of concern is at the intersection of SC 125 and
S-643. At that location, the delay increases from LOS "C" to LOS "D". While a LOS of D is generally
considered acceptable in an urban environment,SRS recommends that the intersection be monitored for
the potential/warrant of implementing traffic signal control.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the CITY and SCDOT have historically benefitted from a cooperative relationship
related to transportation planning;and
WHEREAS, it is the desire to continue this relationship as it relates to the PROJECT and potential
traffic impacts on the SCDOT system;and
WHEREAS, as the PROJECT develops, additional review, including new and/or updated traffic
studies may be necessary;and
WHEREAS,SCDOT seeks to assure that their concerns will be considered in any and all subsequent
traffic review; and
WHEREAS,the CITY desires,to the fullest extent possible,to mitigate the PROJECTS traffic impacts
upon the SCDOT roadway system.
NOW THEREFORE,the CITY by this Memorandum of Understanding,will to the extent required by
SCDOT evaluate the impacts of traffic generated by the PROJECT upon the SCDOT roadway system. The
CITY will specifically monitor the intersection of SC 125 and 5-643 once the PROJECT is open/operational.
The CITY commits that,should it be determined through future monitoring the LOS at this intersection,or
any other location on the SCDOT roadway system, as a result of the PROJECT, has declined to an
unacceptable level, it will promptly undertake measures to mitigate the impact. These measures may
include signalization, geometric modifications, and/or other modifications as determined by an
engineering analysis. The CITY will undertake the selected mitigation practice(s)only after it has secured
an SCDOT Encroachment Permit. The SCDOT commits to assist the CITY through the selection of, and
issuance of an Encroachment Permit for,the appropriate mitigation practice(s).
The CITY further commits to deploy traffic control officers on an interim basis to locations as
needed should the LOS decline to unacceptable levels during peak traffic times or during special events.
In Witness Whereof,the undersigned parties have executed this Me?ryorapdum of rstanding
as of the day a d year above written.
C 4
Cityrth Augusta Cd