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

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-96 Costs of snow removal are related to snowfall and not to the number of residents. For roads maintained by homeowners, the cost per residence may decrease if more residences are built, provided that all residents served are required to contribute. Pedestrian, bicycle, and other off-road use With the substantial increases in traffic volumes from cumulative development, roadways previously shared by motorized and non-motorized travel modes could pose a higher level of safety concerns because of higher vehicular volumes. Pedestrian and non-motorized transportation modes could be accommodated on sidewalks or a trail system placed behind the standard ditch section on a rural roadway. Such facilities should be designed in consultation with the local school district to ensure they provide safe public walkways for school children from residences to schools or to bus stops in new subdivisions (RCW 58.17.110). This is likely to be needed for much of Sparks Road where traffic volumes are highest but also may be warranted for other roads. Motorized off-road trails are often preferred as a separate trail system because of potential hazards to slow moving and non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles or cross-country skiers. Off-road trails for snowmobiles are often preferred because plowed roads are narrow, collisions are difficult to avoid, and may lead to serious injuries. In some communities, shared trails are acceptable to the community if they are wide enough to serve both motorized and non-motorized users. For winter use, off-road trails are preferred because clearing for driveways interrupts sidewalks or trails next to the road and makes them unusable. Off-road trails do not require plowing and remain functional throughout the winter. Maintaining or formalizing existing off-road trails through the site on the BPA transmission line easement would serve the residents of the development as well as other users in the vicinity and avoid displacement of informal use to adjacent National Forest and other public lands. Mitigation for the character of the local community Use of local streets as part of the pattern of social interactions within the community, including the street as a play area for children, may change as the result of perceived increases in traffic. The community most likely to be affected is the Easton Village subdivision of small lots through which Country Road passes. It may be that residents would restrict children’s use of the roads due not only to vehicles but off- road vehicle use. Traffic volumes on Country Road by Marian Meadows residents may be reduced by restricting access to emergency use only; however, this would affect the overall circulation patterns in the area. To reduce impacts of increased traffic volumes, signage could be installed on the roadway advising drivers of children at play or speeds could be reduced by “traffic calming” features introduced into the street design.