FAQ - Parking & Transportation Management
How many on-site parking spaces will be available?
RCD recognizes that parking supply is of primary concern for Fairfax residents. There will be 43 parking spaces on site, updated from the 39 spaces that RCD included in the original design. In the experience of RCD and our architect, VMWP, a ratio of 0.8 parking spaces per unit is more than sufficient to meet the demands of residents, property management and services staff, caretakers and visitors. There will also be an indoor, secure bike room on site with space for 54 bicycles.
Where will the the driveway be located?
Because Mitchell Drive is a private driveway owned by Cañon Village, the Victory Village driveway will connect directly to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. A left-turn pocket will be added to the center of Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Will this development increase traffic in this neighborhood?
The October 2016 traffic study, completed according to protocols approved by the Town Council and available below, concluded that “Traffic generated by the project would not result in any service level changes at any of the study intersections during the current weekday a.m. and p.m. peak hours.”
The 2012 traffic study commissioned for the General Plan proposed studying traffic signalization as a means of mitigating potential traffic impacts at this location. The 2016 traffic study further examined that option, but upon analyzing the impact of a new traffic signal, concluded that it would actually create greater traffic delays on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Consequently, it did not recommend implementation of a traffic signal.
Furthermore, at an existing approximation of 25 vehicles total during a.m. peak hours and 12 vehicles total during p.m. peak hours, Mitchell Drive is not considered a component of the Town’s principal circulation system.
Finally, Victory Village is projected to generate 26 fewer peak hour car trips than the previous use on the site: church and school operations. Given that the cumulative traffic impact of building out all of the General Plan’s opportunity sites has already been studied and found to have less than significant impact, and Victory Village is estimated to generate less traffic than the development concept studied in the General Plan, RCD is confident that the traffic effect of Victory Village development will be insignificant.
Victory Village Traffic Study - October 2016 |
Will RCD provide a shuttle service or other transit option for residents who don't have a car or can't drive?
There are currently eight bus lines that serve stops within a quarter-mile of the Victory Village project site, with Route 24 providing the highest frequency service (every 10-20 minutes southbound during morning peak hours and northbound during evening peak hours). Marin Transit added weekday express service to San Rafael, Route 23X, in June 2016. Overall, Marin Transit service has increased 19% County-wide in the last year. RCD has initiated communication with Marin Transit to pursue opportunities to invest in transit improvements.
While we are exploring the possibilities of providing Victory Village residents with transit passes and of improving the bus shelters nearby, we understand that these existing fixed-route transit lines may not meet all of the transportation needs for Victory Village residents. Consequently, we are concurrently in conversation with Whistlestop and will continue to seek car- and ride-sharing platforms as they evolve. Whistlestop already provides a bevy of transit options specifically for seniors and special needs residents of Marin for which Victory Village residents will qualify, including the Paratransit services for individuals with disabilities and CarePool, through which seniors can request rides on demand from nearby qualified drivers. RCD is exploring expanding those options to include access to a Whistlestop shuttle that will travel between the proposed development and the Whistlestop community services center in downtown San Rafael, with several stops in between, according to a pre-specified schedule. This service is contingent upon financing ability for such a service.
How will you ensure that Victory Village residents do not park in neighboring housing communities?
On-site property management and resident services will make it a priority that all residents are aware of surrounding parking policies. Additionally, RCD is committed to being a good neighbor and forming friendly relationships with surrounding housing communities. The property manager will be available by phone, e-mail and in-person if there is ever a problem.
There are currently eight bus lines that serve stops within a quarter-mile of the Victory Village project site, with Route 24 providing the highest frequency service (every 10-20 minutes southbound during morning peak hours and northbound during evening peak hours). Marin Transit added weekday express service to San Rafael, Route 23X, in June 2016. Overall, Marin Transit service has increased 19% County-wide in the last year. RCD has initiated communication with Marin Transit to pursue opportunities to invest in transit improvements.
While we are exploring the possibilities of providing Victory Village residents with transit passes and of improving the bus shelters nearby, we understand that these existing fixed-route transit lines may not meet all of the transportation needs for Victory Village residents. Consequently, we are concurrently in conversation with Whistlestop and will continue to seek car- and ride-sharing platforms as they evolve. Whistlestop already provides a bevy of transit options specifically for seniors and special needs residents of Marin for which Victory Village residents will qualify, including the Paratransit services for individuals with disabilities and CarePool, through which seniors can request rides on demand from nearby qualified drivers. RCD is exploring expanding those options to include access to a Whistlestop shuttle that will travel between the proposed development and the Whistlestop community services center in downtown San Rafael, with several stops in between, according to a pre-specified schedule. This service is contingent upon financing ability for such a service.
How will you ensure that Victory Village residents do not park in neighboring housing communities?
On-site property management and resident services will make it a priority that all residents are aware of surrounding parking policies. Additionally, RCD is committed to being a good neighbor and forming friendly relationships with surrounding housing communities. The property manager will be available by phone, e-mail and in-person if there is ever a problem.