TO: Mayor Bien-Willner and Town Council Members
FROM: Jill B. Keimach, Town Manager
Paul Mood, Town Engineer
DATE: July 1, 2019
DEPARTMENT: Engineering
Staff Contact Jill B. Keimach, 480-348-3533
Paul Mood, 480-348-3573
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AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Indian Bend Rd. Improvements Related to the Palmeraie Development
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RECOMMENDATION:
Information, discussion and possible direction to staff related to Indian Bend Rd. improvements associated with the Palmeraie Development.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Background
Below are the key Council discussions related specifically to the intersection design of Indian Bend Road as it pertains to the northern access point into Five Star’s Palmeraie Development near the Town of Paradise Valley and City of Scottsdale municipal boundary:
On June 22, 2017, the Town Council was asked to consider approving the “Swoop” on Indian Bend Rd. to address traffic that was prioritized by the City of Scottsdale to enter the Five Star development off of Indian Bend Rd., rather than at 6750 N. Scottsdale Rd. as envisioned in the 2015 Development Agreement. The “Swoop” design included an eastbound stop sign on Indian Bend Rd. at the northern Palmeraie Development access point. Rather than endorse the “Swoop”, the Council at that meeting requested CivTech develop a “two roundabout solution” rather than significantly impeding eastbound traffic out of Paradise Valley and perhaps unintentionally diverting additional traffic onto Cheney Dr. and/or Hummingbird Ln.
On March 22, 2018, the Town Council viewed an alternative to the “Swoop” which was an off-center roundabout, that became known as the “Swoopabout” or “Swooparound”. This intersection design allowed for less traffic delay since it eliminated the stopping of eastbound traffic along Indian Bend Rd. Given the choice of the “Swoop” or the “Swoopabout”, Council expressed support during its study session for the “Swoopabout”. Per CivTech, the “Swoopabout” had the stated benefit of improving traffic flow as well as visibility for Area E2, the northern most parcel in the Five Star Development awaiting design and zoning consideration from Paradise Valley. The design pushed more of the roundabout southeast into the portion of the development in the City of Scottsdale.
On Thursday, May 23, 2019 the City of Scottsdale contacted Paradise Valley to inform staff that the “Swoopabout” exceeded design speed parameters for traffic traveling from the Palmeraie and is not supported by Scottsdale’s Transportation Department after review of the 90% plans.
This Study Session is to review a new roundabout design option, compared to both the initial “Swoop” design and a modified “Swoopabout” design that further moves the roundabout to the south. The City of Scottsdale has expressed their support of either the original “Swoop” with stop sign for eastbound traffic or a more traditional roundabout at that location. The more traditional roundabout will approximately bisect the municipal boundary limits. Paradise Valley’s Engineering Department concurs with the City of Scottsdale that a more traditional roundabout is preferred. A more traditional roundabout has the added benefit when paired with the roundabout proposed at Mockingbird Lane and Indian Bend Rd. to be more predictable for motorists, especially for visitors and those traveling through both intersections.
All design options are partially within the Town of Paradise Valley limits. Considerations regarding long term maintenance responsibilities and emergency response will need to be discussed with the City of Scottsdale.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENT(S):
PowerPoint Presentation