Universal City adds worksheet to screen when full traffic impact studies are required

The council approved on first reading an ordinance to add a traffic impact-analysis worksheet as an initial screening tool for projects that may require a full traffic impact analysis (TIA). Staff described the change as a targeted tool for zoning requests and new developments where a change in use or increased traffic could affect levels of service.

The staff explanation: "Essentially, what we're really looking to do is just allow for us to require at first a worksheet that's conducted or done by an engineer to determine whether or not a full-scale traffic impact analysis is needed." The worksheet is intended to be a low-cost, straightforward screening step; staff estimated the worksheet cost around $1,000 to $1,500.

Council members asked whether the initial decision to require the worksheet would be well documented and based on objective guidelines; staff said two professional planners would use established requirements in the ordinance and professional judgment to determine when the worksheet is warranted and that further criteria in the ordinance would step up requirements if the worksheet indicated it was necessary. Council approved the ordinance on first reading.