PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-78 “children at play” or speeds could be reduced by “traffic calming” features introduced into the street design. Mitigation for the maintenance needs and costs Maintenance needs and costs can be most influenced by the construction standards for new facilities. In general, the higher the standards for subsurface, drainage, and road surface, the more durable they are, and the less they are subject to failure, including reduced life-cycle maintenance costs. Effective maintenance requires preventative measures to avoid failure. This includes controlling the action of water, which can erode ditches, roads, and repairs to the road surface. Mitigation of road maintenance costs in the development would be most affected by the standards to which the roads are built and the quality of ongoing maintenance. The county controls the implementation of initial standards and the homeowner association would control ongoing maintenance. The extent to which homeowners choose to assess themselves for the cost of preventative maintenance is the largest determinant of future road quality and the lifecycle cost of maintaining road serviceability. Mitigation of Kittitas County costs of maintaining Sparks Road is largely related to whether an increase in traffic volumes of the magnitude of the project would have an identifiable impact on road surface maintenance needs or costs. In the case of mountain roads, frost heave, and other sources of damage and wear is likely to be as significant as additional traffic. Snow removal by the county is related primarily to the amount of snowfall and is not directly affected by the number of residences served. The cost of maintenance would increase, but may be offset by increased revenues to the County road fund, which is the additional tax base provided by new residences. Maintenance costs of gravel roads such as Country Road and Pit Lane are more directly affected by traffic volumes that lead to deterioration of the road surface and summer dust. Upgrading the road to a paved surface would increase survivability and reduce dust but may increase maintenance costs in the future due to the need for periodic resurfacing or “chip seals.” The additional costs associated with traffic from the proposal could be mitigated by requiring that project residents contribute to maintenance costs. 21 What are the likely cumulative impacts on surface transportation with development of nearby land? Cumulative impacts account for potential development in nearby areas that are not related to the proposed project. Analysis of the cumulative impacts assumes that the surrounding areas in Easton would be developed under its existing zoning or that approval of the project would provide the precedent for development of other land under PUD density. The following options were analyzed:  226-Lot Subdivision with Rural Density Development – This scenario includes development of the lower bench area of the proposed project as a subdivision plus development occurring in the surrounding areas under the existing zoning.