atlanta beltline corridor environmental study tier 1 final environmental impact statement appendices

525 Pages·2012·24.83 MB·English

by  Samantha Castro

AT L A N TA B E LT L IN E C OR R ID OR
E N V IRON M E N TA L S T U DY

T I E R 1 F I NA L E NV IRO N M E N TA L
I M PACT S TATE M EN T A P PE ND I CE S

Prepared for:
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
and
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

Prepared by:
AECOM/JJG Joint Venture
Atlanta, GA

Version (1.0): April 2012

General Planning Consultant Services RFP P5413
Contract No. 200703566
Work Order No. 2008-07
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
Appendix A - Tier 1 EIS/ Section 4(f) Technical Memorandum
Appendix B - Notice of Intent
Appendix C - Agency Coordination and Correspondence
Appendix D - Data Tables and Figures
Appendix E - Public Involvement
Appendix F - Comments Received during Public Comment Period
Appendix G Distribution List
Appendix H - Acronyms and Glossary
Appendix I - List of Preparers
Appendix J - References
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
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Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
Appendix A - Tier 1 FEIS/ Section 4(f) Technical Memorandum
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study A April 2012
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Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
AT LANTA BE LT LINE COR RIDOR
E NVIRONM ENTAL S TUDY

T IER 1 FINAL E NVIRONME NTAL
IMPACT STATE ME NT /
S ECT ION 4( F)
T ECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

Prepared for:
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
and
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

Prepared by:
AECOM/JJG Joint Venture
Atlanta, GA

Version (1.0): April 2012

General Planning Consultant Services RFP P5413
Contract No. 200703566
Work Order No. 2008-07
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
Appendix A: FEIS/ 4f Technical Memorandum
Page Left Intentionally Blank
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study April 2012
Appendix A: FEIS/ 4f Technical Memorandum
Table of Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED ..................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT .......................................................................................... 1-3
1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE ............................................................................................... 1-3
1.4 PROJECT NEEDS ..................................................................................................... 1-4
1.4.1 Population and Employment Growth.......................................................... 1-4
1.4.2 Environmental Justice and Transit-Dependent Populations ...................... 1-5
1.4.3 Land Use and Economic Development ...................................................... 1-6
1.4.4 Effects of Projected Growth on Transportation .......................................... 1-7
1.5 PLANNING CONTEXT .............................................................................................. 1-8
1.5.1 Transportation Vision Plans ....................................................................... 1-8
1.5.2 Planned Development ................................................................................ 1-9
1.6 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................. 1-14
2.0 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ..................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ........................................................ 2-1
2.1.1 Study Area Definition .................................................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 Background and Initial Screening of Alternatives ...................................... 2-1
2.1.3 Public Involvement and Conceptual Engineering ...................................... 2-3
2.1.4 Feasibility Screening of Initial Build Alternatives........................................ 2-4
2.2 TIER 1 DEIS TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES ................................................................. 2-6
2.2.1 No-Build Alternative .................................................................................... 2-6
2.2.2 Transit Build Alternatives ............................................................................ 2-6
2.2.3 Evaluation of Transit Alternatives ............................................................. 2-11
2.2.4 MARTA Station Connectivity and Infill Station Alternative Areas ............ 2-18
2.2.5 Transit Mode Technologies ...................................................................... 2-20
2.3 TIER 1 DEIS TRAIL ALTERNATIVES .................................................................... 2-21
2.3.1 Preliminary Cost Estimates for Trail Alternatives ..................................... 2-23
2.3.2 Tier 1 DEIS Conclusions .......................................................................... 2-24
2.3.3 Purpose and Need Met by Preferred Trail Alternative ............................. 2-26
2.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN THE TIER 1 FEIS .......................................... 2-27
2.4.1 No-Build Alternative .................................................................................. 2-27
2.4.2 Preferred Transit Alternative Description ................................................. 2-28
2.4.3 Preferred Trail Alternative Description ..................................................... 2-29
2.4.4 Preferred Alternative Cost Estimates ....................................................... 2-29
2.5 SUPPLEMENTAL TRANSIT FEATURES .............................................................. 2-29
2.5.1 Transit Station Locations .......................................................................... 2-30
2.5.2 Operational Characteristics ...................................................................... 2-32
2.5.3 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facilities ............................................ 2-32
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study i April 2012
Appendix A: FEIS/ 4f Technical Memorandum
2.5.4 Transit and Multi-Use Trail Cross Sections .............................................. 2-33
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS................................... 3-1
3.2 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES ................................................. 3-1
3.2.1 Methodology ............................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.2 Travel Patterns ........................................................................................... 3-7
3.2.3 Transit Services ........................................................................................ 3-11
3.2.4 Roadway System...................................................................................... 3-16
3.2.5 Freight Rail ............................................................................................... 3-20
3.2.6 Passenger Rail ......................................................................................... 3-27
3.2.7 Pedestrian and Bicycle ............................................................................. 3-29
3.2.8 Consistency with Transportation Plans .................................................... 3-33
3.2.9 Potential Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures .................. 3-34
3.2.10 Subsequent Analysis ................................................................................ 3-36
3.3 LAND USE AND ZONING ....................................................................................... 3-36
3.3.1 Methodology ............................................................................................. 3-36
3.3.2 Land Use .................................................................................................. 3-37
3.3.3 Zoning ....................................................................................................... 3-45
3.3.4 Local Plans ............................................................................................... 3-48
3.3.5 Economic Conditions and Development Strategies ................................. 3-50
3.3.6 Potential Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures .................. 3-50
3.3.7 Subsequent Analysis ................................................................................ 3-51
3.4 NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES ........................................... 3-51
3.4.1 Methodology ............................................................................................. 3-51
3.4.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 3-51
3.4.3 Preliminary Environmental Consequences .............................................. 3-53
3.4.4 Potential Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures .................. 3-55
3.4.5 Subsequent Analysis ................................................................................ 3-55
3.5 SOCIOECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ..................................... 3-56
3.5.1 Methodology ............................................................................................. 3-56
3.5.2 Affected Environment - Socioeconomics ................................................. 3-57
3.5.3 Affected Environment - Environmental Justice ........................................ 3-66
3.5.4 Preliminary Environmental Consequences .............................................. 3-70
3.5.5 Potential Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures .................. 3-76
3.5.6 Subsequent Analysis ................................................................................ 3-76
3.6 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES ............................................................. 3-77
3.6.1 Methodology ............................................................................................. 3-77
3.6.2 Affected Environment ............................................................................... 3-77
3.6.3 Preliminary Environmental Consequences .............................................. 3-78
3.6.4 Potential Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation Measures .................. 3-79
3.6.5 Subsequent Analysis ................................................................................ 3-79
Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study ii April 2012
Appendix A: FEIS/ 4f Technical Memorandum