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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101 VA 23 Richards Variance 101 VA 23 BCC (continued from March 8, 2023) 1 LINCOLN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STAFF REPORT VARIANCE PERMIT APPLICATION HEARING TIME AND DATE: 10:00 P.M., APRIL 5, 2023 (CONTINUED FROM MARCH 8, 2023) HEARING LOCATION: LINCOLN COUNTY COURTHOUSE, KEMMERER, WYOMING & VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE AT AFTON BRANCH OFFICE FILE # 101 VA 23 APPLICANTS: Craig and Jan Richards PROJECT NAME: Richards Subdivision Road and Bridge Variance COMMUNITY PLAN AREA: Upper Valley ZONING: Rural PLANNER: Robert C. Davis ______________________________________________________________________________ PROPOSAL: A Variance Request application of 10 feet for the bridge travel way from the 26-foot requirement of CH 6.18 Subdivision Road Design Specifications. The 26-foot travel way is required for the proposed three (3) lot subdivision because the length of the road serving the proposed cul-de-sac is over 500 feet but less than 1,000 feet. There is a bridge that is part of the travel way which is only 16 feet wide. LOCATION: 6 miles south of Town of Afton, WY, T3ON, RI 18W, Sections 6 & 7, Lot 2 of the Richards Ranch Amended Subdivision. _______________________________________________________________________________ ATTACHMENTS: 1. Applicants’ Application and Statement 2. Photos 3. Correspondence from County Engineer dated March 23, 2023 and from Covenant Engineering dated February 22, 2023. 4. Clarification of General Road Design Requirements _______________________________________________________________________________ PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Planning Staff recommended to the Board of County Commissioners DENIAL of 101 VA 23 but has been instructed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide conditions of approval in the event the Board decided to approve the request. Conditions of Approval 1-6 have been provided in this report. Initially, Staff found that the requested variance failed to show a unique circumstance as required by Lincoln County Land Use Regulations Section 3.2 A. During staff’s presentation, staff stated that it believed there would not be any major safety issues if the variance were granted. Staff discussed emergency access concerns with Jay Hokanson, Lincoln County Emergency Management Coordinator, 101 VA 23 BCC (continued from March 8, 2023) 2 who found that any safety concerns regarding the bridge could be dealt with if certain conditions were applied including: 1. a weight limit sign placed on both sides of the bridge. The weight limit sign must be approved by the County Engineer. 2. a narrow bridge with a one lane road sign at both sides of the bridge and, 3. reflectors placed on the bridge in the event of a large snowfall. The Board of County Commissioners decided to table the request to allow Planning and Development to articulate conditions of approval that would address 1) a turnaround, 2) road width, 3) guardrails, 4) signage, 5) load rating, 6) turnouts on each end of the bridge and 7) no guest homes. The County Engineer provided an extensive analysis of the seven items above and can be found in her March 23, 2023 report that is attached. Staff has stated the Conditions of Approval 1-6. Conditions of Approval 1-6 1. There shall be signs erected on both ends of the bridge stating it to be a single lane bridge and identify its load rating. There can be two signs one stating the single lane and the other stating the load attached to one post. Weight loading will come from the HL-93 load ratings as dictated by WYDOT and described in the County Engineer report dated March 23, 2023. 2. There shall be a road name sign, stop sign at the county road, the aforementioned load and single bridge lane sign and a speed limit sign for a total of five (5) signs located as per the County Engineer signage requirements spelled out in the March 23, 2023 report. 3. The bridge will be maintained at the existing 16-foot width, but the entire travelway of the road from the county road will be 24 foot wide with a 70-foot-wide cul-de-sac at the end of the road. The road shall narrow as it approaches the bridge on both ends and staff will review the road design concept in the subdivision review process. 4. There will be pull-outs or turnouts on each end of the bridge. The turnouts may be 50 feet long, but because the required travelway will be 24 feet wide, staff will review the turnout design concept including the width of the turnout in the subdivision review process. 5. The bridge will provide guardrails that meet the TL 3 Bridge Railing Requirements and verification for proper installation as per the County Engineer report dated March 23, 2023. 6. There will be a plat note prohibiting the development of any guest houses within the proposed subdivision. BACKGROUND Jan and Craig Richards desire to eventually file for minor subdivision approval to separate three (3) two- acre lots from the northern most portion of a 27-acre property located at 625 Reeves Schwab Road 101 VA 23 BCC (continued from March 8, 2023) 3 (County Road 149) in Smoot. The Richards purchased the property in January 2012, a Simple Subdivision was approved in May 2012 and later amended in 2016. The applicants would seek to divide the property into three additional lots for their children for a total of four (4) lots thus classifying the proposed development as a Minor Subdivision and calling for the roads to conform with Land Use Regulations. The existing 16-foot access road/driveway extending south of County Road 149 would need a variance of 10’ for the road and bridge travel way from the 26-foot requirement of CH 6.18 Subdivision Road Design Specifications if the Minor Subdivision is to be approved. Because the length of the road and the proposed cul-de-sac is over 500 feet but less than 1000 feet, the road width with a cul-de-sac would need to be 26 feet wide. It is not believed the road would be longer than 1000 feet. As such, the bridge would need to be 26 feet wide as well, thus calling for a variance of 10 feet. The requirement for a 26-foot-wide travel way stems from the March 11, 2022 Clarification of General Road Design Requirements (attached). This requirement, however, has not been codified in the Regulations and staff feels that a 24-foot wide travelway will suffice in meeting emergency access needs particularly during the mid-winter season. The existing drive includes a 45-foot-long steel bridge resting on concrete piers, passing over the Salt River. The bridge was constructed by Wayne Baker in 2012. The requested variance is for the bridge to be approved as a single lane bridge at its existing 16-foot width. The County Engineer states that more information is necessary for verifying the weight limit of the bridge as per the current standards and previously recommended further analysis of the bridge to meet the AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Evaluation standards (see attached email Bridge Question on Weight Limit Sign). The applicant has provided a response to the County Engineer’s concern by having Covenant Engineering in a February 22, 2023 letter (attached) state: The undersigned has performed an analysis in accordance with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, and has determined that the residential bridge satisfies the requirements for HL-93 Design Truck Loads, with a minimum rating factor of 1.09. Planning Staff defers to the County Engineer’s analysis of Covenant Engineering’s findings. At a minimum, if the variance is approved or not, there needs to be an approved weight limit sign for the bridge. 101 VA 23 BCC (continued from March 8, 2023) 4 PO Box 4260 || Bedford, WY 83112 || (o): (307-883-6515 || (c): 916.838.1973 merritt@covenantengineers.com || covenantengineers.com “WHEN INTEGRITY COUNTS…” || mail:PO Box 4260, Bedford, WY 83112 || ph:916-838-1973 or 307-883-6515 || || web:covenantengineers.com || email:merritt@covenantengineers.com || “WHEN INTEGRITY COUNTS…” © INDEX 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Load Case Cases Equation lb lb lb VisualAnalysis 12.00.0016 (www.iesweb.com) 17 ft ft ft ft ft ft lb/ft ft-lb/ft psf psf psf psf psf psf psf psf ft lb lb lb lb-ft lb-ft lb-ft Group/Mesh Elements Unity Design Shape Design Material Overstrength Specification VisualAnalysis 12.00.0016 (www.iesweb.com) 18 lb lb lb lb-ft lb-ft lb-ft VisualAnalysis 12.00.0016 (www.iesweb.com) 19 20 21 22 Engineering Department Lincoln County, Wyoming 925 Sage Ave, Suite 201 Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101 (307) 877-2104 1 | P a g e 1 March 23, 2023 Project 101 VA 2023 Richards Bridge Variance To: Lincoln County Planning & Development: As per the LUR Chapter 6.18, 3 to 24 lots served by a road shall have a 20 foot travel way. Lincoln County refers to WYDOT requirements for bridges on public/subdivision roads. The bridge shall be designed and constructed to meet WYDOT requirements. The bridge under review is an existing bridge installed in 2012 as a private bridge. The bridge is reported to be 16 feet wide and 45 feet long. There is a review of the existing bridge provided by Covenant Engineering. There is no documentation of the foundation supporting the bridge other than the long-span beams rest on concrete buttresses at each end. Covenant Engineering determined the bridge is safety rated for the standard HL-93 load rating. The Load Resistance Factored Design method as per the AASHTO manual for bridges. The review has been sent to WYDOT’s Bridge Engineer for review of the submittal from Covenant Engineering and to verify proper load posting signs for the bridge. The bridge as determined the foundation to be unknown. The Board of County Commissioners tabled the project until April 5, 2023 so the Planning Office could discuss findings of approval. The BCC wanted the following addressed: • Turnaround • Road Criteria – roadway width • Guardrail for the bridge • Signage – single bridge lane • Load Rating • Turnouts on each end of the bridge • No guest homes The following items have been reviewed: • The determination of road criteria for the proposed subdivision shall follow Chapter 6.17 & 6.18 in the Land Use Regulations. The Planning Office will determine the need for a cul-de-sac or loop road. • The guardrail for the bridge shall meet the minimum bridge parapet test level T3. 2 | P a g e Attached are the plans and specifications from WYDOT for reference. The applicant shall consult an engineer to verify plans and specifications to meet the TL 3 Bridge Railing requirements and verification for proper installation. The railing shall have proper delineation and end terminals. A signed letter or certification from a Wyoming Licensed Professional Engineer shall be submitted after construction signing off on the bridge railing. • A One Lane Bridge Sign (W5-3) shall be installed that meets engineering grade for reflectivity. The sign will be a 36”x36” sign and the post shall meet Lincoln County Standards. (As per the MUTCD) • Load Rating Sign shall be installed. Attached are guidelines as per WYDOT standards and the recommendation from WYDOT’s Bridge Engineer shall be followed. It is also recommended that if there are utility conflicts that exist; water, power, telephone, cable TV and gas lines will be relocated as required for construction of the project. Where it is feasible and reasonable to locate utility lines elsewhere, attachment to structures will not be permitted. • Turnout to be constructed on each side of the bridge. The taper to the one lane bridge shall be 50’ in length on each side.(As per the MUTCD) This length with design volumes less than 100 vehicles per day and the site distance is adequate. If the roadway requirement is 24-foot travel way or more there will be an accepted turnout with the tapering to enter onto the bridge. This will be determined by the road design submittal and therefore the turnout shall be approved by the County Engineer prior to construction. • During the BCC meeting it was discussed that the proposed subdivision would not allow guest homes. There was discussion of adding a Plat Warning. Lincoln County has several “private bridges” that have been installed over the years. This will be a topic that continues to be discussed with future developments. As per the Lincoln County Comprehensive Plan, the goals are to reduce the impacts new development has on county and community services. The demands of fire, medical health and transportation services must meet the needs with development. Allowing bridges to not meet our standard requirement of a 20’ travel way can impede on response by our emergency services. The County Engineer recommends denial for the variance. The applicant has not shown an undue hardship because of characteristics of the site. The applicant also does not show that the variance of the bridge width is necessary for the reasonable use of the property. Office of Planning and Engineering Lincoln County, Wyoming 925 Sage Avenue Suite 201 421 Jefferson St. Ste 701 Kemmerer, WY 83101 www.lcwy.org Afton, WY 83110 307-877-9056 Updated: MARCH 11, 2022 307-885-3106 Clarification On General Road Design Requirements Dead End road designs should be avoided whenever possible. Where dead end roads are the only alternative, cul-de-sacs or turnarounds shall be provided using the following guidelines. ● 500’ Length and Under – Travel way 20’ – Gravel/Paved Surface w/ 60’ Radius cul- de-sac. ● 500’- 1000’ Length Roads – Travel way 26’from the primary road to the center of the cul-de-sac - Gravel/Paved Surface w/ 60’ Radius. ROW on cul-de-sac will need to be 70’ in Radius. ● 1000’+ Length Roads require a Loop Road – See 6.18 Subdivision Road Design Specifications. Design Preference: ● Bulb Type (Gradual Transition) - 120’ Diameter Gravel Surface ● Offset - 120’ Diameter Gravel Surface ● Hammerheads and Y designs are Not Allowed ● “Donut” design is highly discouraged Loop Road – (DEFINED) A road that has 2 access points from the primary road with a minimum 300’ between the access points. The travel way will be a 20’ graveled surface. Roadway system shall loop a minimum of 1 lot within the subdivision. The primary road origination point is determined by the Planning Staff. Provide adequate snow storage shall be provided to keep turnarounds clear. Dead end roads which do not have a turnaround are not allowed. 6.18 Subdivision Road Design Specifications The table of Road Types is still valid when identifying specifications. The travel way shall be adjusted if a dead-end road is proposed. Shoulders will be required pending on road grade. 2/26/23, 8:44 PM LINCOLN COUNTY WYOMING Mail - Fwd: Bridge Question on Weight Limit Sign https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=f1e3f38f9b&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1747851590927370096&simpl=msg-f%3A174785159092…1/2 Robert Davis <robert.davis@lincolncountywy.gov> Fwd: Bridge Question on Weight Limit Sign 3 messages Amy Butler <abutler@lcwy.org>Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 8:32 AM To: Robert Davis <robert.davis@lcwy.org> I reviewed the letter provided by Covenant Engineering for the Richards Bridge. With my background in Bridge design and Structural Steel design I did not see the information necessary verifying the weight limit of the bridge as per the current standards. I did reach out to the WYDOT, Bridge Department for advice. Please see his comments below. I am recommending that a further analysis of the bridge meet the AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Evaluation.  Amy Butler, P.E. County Engineer Lincoln County Engineering Office 925 Sage Ave, Suite 201 Kemmerer, WY 83101 (307)877-2104 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Paul Cortez <paul.cortez@wyo.gov> Date: Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 6:47 AM Subject: Re: Bridge Question on Weight Limit Sign To: Amy Butler <abutler@lcwy.org> Amy, The analysis performed by Covenant Engineering is not truly a load rating.  A load rating should be performed in accordance with AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Evaluation, which defines several vehicles that represent actual vehicles on the highway such as the AASHTO Type 3 vehicles and Special Hauling Vehicles.   The analysis used a design vehicle (HS-20) that is not used for the Load and Resistance Factor (LRFD) design method.  The HS-20 vehicle is a design vehicle used for Allowable Stress (ASD) and Load Factor (LFD) design methods and the HL- 93 vehicle is the design vehicle used for LRFD method.  Both the HS-20 and HL-93 vehicles are notional vehicles and do not represent actual vehicles on the road and therefore cannot be posted for. Let me know if you have any other questions, Paul __________________________________ Paul Cortez, P.E. Asst State Bridge Engineer, Operations Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd, Cheyenne, WY 82009 ph 307-777-4049; fx 307-777-4279 paul.cortez@wyo.gov On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 10:29 AM Amy Butler <abutler@lcwy.org> wrote: Good Morning Paul, I recently was asked about signing a private bridge in Lincoln County. They provided a letter from an Engineer that I attached. I am trying to make sure that the signage is correct incase there is future development across the bridge. 2/26/23, 8:44 PM LINCOLN COUNTY WYOMING Mail - Fwd: Bridge Question on Weight Limit Sign https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=f1e3f38f9b&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1747851590927370096&simpl=msg-f%3A174785159092…2/2 Does WYDOT have a recommendation for weight limit or load posting sign? I am making a request for the bridge to have proper bridge railing installed. Thank you for your time and help. Amy Butler, P.E. County Engineer Lincoln County Engineering Office 925 Sage Ave, Suite 201 Kemmerer, WY 83101 (307)877-2104 E-Mail to and from me, in connection with the transaction of public business, is subject to the Wyoming Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties. Amy Butler <amy.butler@lincolncountywy.gov>Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 1:47 PM To: Robert Davis <robert.davis@lincolncountywy.gov> NEW EMAIL: amy.butler@lincolncountywy.gov Amy Butler, P.E. County Engineer Lincoln County Engineering Office 925 Sage Ave, Suite 201 Kemmerer, WY 83101 amy.butler@lincolncountywy.gov (307)877-2104 [Quoted text hidden] Robert Davis <robert.davis@lincolncountywy.gov>Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 3:19 PM To: "craigmrichards@yahoo.com" <craigmrichards@yahoo.com>, Amy Butler <amy.butler@lincolncountywy.gov> Mr. Richards, Attached is the engineering information from the County Engineer concerning the bridge. Also, I have scheduled a meeting with the County Attorney at 3pm on January 24th. Thank you. Robert C. Davis, AICP, SMP Planning Director Lincoln County Office of Planning and Development 421 Jefferson St., Ste. 701 Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4725 [Quoted text hidden]