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Home My WebLink About14-255 Recommendation for Inclusion of Nichols RoadCITY OF oo LADE LS I I`IOI�E `� DREAM E�CTREME. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GRANT M. YATES CITY MANAGER DATE: AUGUST 26, 2014 SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR INCLUSION OF NICHOLS ROAD IN THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORTATION ACCEPTABILITY PROCESS Recommendation 1. Acknowledge and support the proposal of extending Nichols Road from Interstate 15 (1 -15) to State Highway 74 as the preferred alternative in relieving traffic congestion and improving mobility in Lake Elsinore and the surrounding Community. 2. Request the County of Riverside Transportation & Land Management Agency (County) to program the planning and project delivery of Nichols Road master planned improvements from 1 -15 to Highway 74 as part of the East -West Community and Environmental Transportation Acceptability Process ( CETAP) corridor analysis. 3. Authorize Staff to pursue a Public- Private partnership to fund the planning, engineering and construction of Nichols Road from 1 -15 to Highway 74 and provide a written request to the Riverside County inclusive of Council and major stakeholders. Background Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) has adopted several potential east -west CETAP corridor routes connecting the communities of Hemet, Romoland, Menifee, Perris and Lake Elsinore (Attachment A). RCTC has initiated planning and environmental studies of the proposed east -west corridor along Cajalco Road, otherwise known as Mid - County Parkway between 1 -15 to Highway 79. In response to public comments, RCTC revised the project limits to 1 -215 to Highway 79. In addition, Nichols Road Extension Proposal August 26, 2014 Page 2 RCTC is initiating planning of the Ethanac / Highway 74 corridor to connect Antelope Road in Romoland and Highway 74 in Meadowbrook. The City and County General Plans identify the Nichols Road extension from 1 -15 to Highway 74 as a 4 to 6 lane arterial consistent with the CETAP corridor analysis master plan for Nichols Road. If constructed, the extension of Nichols Road from 1 -15 to Highway 74 will improve mobility, emergency response times and increase property and sales tax revenues to local agencies by enabling commercial and residential development. Discussion RCTC efforts in CETAP do not address the congestion and negative impacts to mobility in the City and Community. In an effort to communicate the importance and need for the Nichols Road extension from 1 -15 to Highway 74, Riverside County Supervisor Jeffries hosted a meeting of the City, Community, Riverside County and stakeholders to build consensus for the CETAP Nichols Road extension. Following this meeting with the Cities of Menifee and Perris, County and private stakeholders, the County is still planning to initiate the planning stage of the Ethanac /Highway 74 corridor to connect Ethanac Road as a direct route between Antelope Road in Romoland and Highway 74 in Meadowbrook. This planning effort still does not address the importance of Nichols Road. Stakeholders realize the importance of extending Nichols Road from 1 -15 to Highway 74 to relieve congestion and improve mobility and emergency response in the City and Community. As a result of the aforementioned meeting, the City and Stakeholders are demonstrating their support to RCTC for initiation of the planning of Nichols Road from 1 -15 to Highway 74. The support letter (Attachment B) formalizes the City, Community and Stakeholder's interest in moving forward with the planning and funding of this vital master planned arterial to improve the quality of life for the City, Community and stakeholders. Fiscal Impact There is no fiscal impact as result of this action. Prepared by: Ati Eskandari, P.E. Consultant Project Manager Vince Damasse, P.E. Director of Public Works Nichols Road Extension Proposal August 26, 2014 Page 2 Approved by: Grant M. Yates City Manager Attached: Attachment A - CETAP Alternatives Attachment B — Support Letter D D n 2 rn z 9 August 26, 2014 Juan C. Perez, Director of Transportation County of Riverside Transportation & Land Management Agency 4080 Lemon Street, 14th Floor Riverside, CA 92501 RE: PLANNING AND PROJECT DELIVERY OF NICHOLS ROAD FROM INTERSTATE 15 TO STATE HIGHWAY 74 AS PART OF THE EAST -WEST COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORTATION ACCEPTABILITY PROCESS Dear Mr. Perez, We wish to thank you and County Supervisor Jeffries for recognizing the transportation needs of the City of Lake Elsinore and our surrounding communities (Community) and meeting with the City and Community representatives and other major stakeholders regarding the proposed extension of Nichols Road easterly of Interstate 15 (I -15) to State Highway 74. The City is one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. The City and Community are expected to continue to have the highest growth rates in the area. As a result of this tremendous growth rate, we are experiencing significant traffic congestion problems in the north -south regional circulation corridors such as Highway 74 and Railroad Canyon Road. The congestion is partially due to the lack of adequate east -west circulation corridors that can provide alternative travel routes and Community connectivity. The City is committed to working closely with the County and stakeholders to establish a public - private partnership funding mechanism to enable the construction of this much needed Nichols Road from I -15 to Highway 74 transportation corridor. The stake - holders property locations are shown on the attached Exhibit A. This area includes 1500 acres of commercial, industrial and residential zoned land. The majority of the property owners plan to develop in the next five to ten years, thus, the Nichols Road alignment and right of way preservation is critical to ensure orderly development in the area. We are looking to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, East -West Community and Environmental Acceptability Process ( CETAP) for assistance in improving mobility in our Community. We are requesting the County initiate and lead the planning and project delivery of the CETAP alternative corridor improvement utilizing Nichols Road from I -15 to Highway 74. Our focus is to relieve traffic congestion at the I -15 / Nichols Road interchange and along highway 74 improving mobility for the public and emergency services, thus improving the quality of life and economic growth of the Community. All of the major stakeholders present in the meeting including the City and Community will partner with the County in the project delivery of this critical corridor, thusly enhancing regional accessibility, providing for orderly development and providing much needed emergency access to the residents We are also requesting inclusion of the Nichols Road extension from I -15 to SR74 in the TUMF Network as a regional significant priority project in an effort to secure partial project funding. The attached Council action along with the stakeholder's signatures on this letter memorializes City, Community and stakeholder interest and eagerness to work with the County on this much needed transportation corridor. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance. Please feel free to contact our City Manager, Mr. Grant Yates, at (951)674 -3124, ext.204 or by email at gyates @lake- elsinore.org for any further discussion and /or coordination. Sincerely, Natasha Johnson Mayor Councilmember Daryl Hickman CONCURRED BY: North Peak Partners Nichols Rd Partners Shopoff Realty Partners Steve Manos Mayor Pro Tern Councilmember Councilmember Robert Magee Brian Tisdale The Sauls Company LB North Peak LLC By: PAMI LLC, its sole and managing Member By: Name: