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NORTH HARBOR SPECIFIC PLAN 7.3 CIRCULATION COMCEPT 7.3.1 Access Access drives from Harbor Boulevard will be limited ia number. A minimum di~ance between curb cuts will be established. 2. Shared access between businesses is encouraged. 3. Clear, well-articulated access into parking lots and buildings is encouraged. 7.32 Parking 1. Internal circulation within parking lots will not conflict with the public right-of-way. 2.Parking circulation shall be well-defined through the use of orchard planting, visible pedestrian corridors, lighting and sig~age. 7,~.2 A~erial and Collector Streets 1. All arterial and collector streets will be developed to their full right-of-way width. Harbor Boulevard, First Stt~ot and Westminster Avenue will all receive full median landscaping treatments. 2. Intersections throughout the planning area will be widened to reduce present and future congestion. 7.4 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS This section describes intersection improvements required to adequately serve vehicular traffic on arteri- al streets in and around the North Harbor planning area. The following improvements, when coupled with other traffic control measures described in the follow- ing sections, will result in a circulation system in and around the planning area that will carry traffic volumes at an evening rush hour Level of Service D or better, except as noted. This level of service is the minimum acceptable intersection level of service used by the City of Santa Aha. 7.4.1 l.~vel of Service Definition Level of service (LOS) is a qualitative measure that rep- resents the collective factors of speed, travel time, traf- fic interruptions, f~edom to maneuver, safety and dri- ving comfort provided by a roadway under various traffic volume conditions. In urban and suburban areas, LOS ranges from "A", which represents excellent traffic conditions to "F', which represents overloaded conditions. This measure is used to describe the condi- tion of traffic flow at intersections which are muully the primary variable in fixing congestion along urban streets. LOS "C" is typically used as the design stan- dard for intersections with a LOS of "D" being accep- table during urban rush hour conditions. Free-flow traffic conditions are defined by LOS "A" and LOS "B", while LOS "C" indicates that service is accept- able, but drive~ occasionally may have to wait through one red light. Under LOS "D", delays may be substan- tiai during high portions of the rush hour, but backups should not be excessive or long-lasting. Poor traffic conditions are characterized by LOS "E" and LOS F. With LOS "E", the intersection is at capaci- ty, and long queues may develop. Inte~,ction failure is represented by LOS "F', under which long delays and gridlocked intersections could result because the intersection has exceeded its capacity to handle vehi- cles. Table 7.1 shows the current level of service for each intersection, and the level of service that will result after the completion of all intersection improvements and full development of the Specific Plan. Figure 7-2 summarizes these intersection improvements. These improvements are based on the traffic study prepared for this specific plan, and include intersections both inside and outside the planning area. The only intersection improvement that will be neces- sary to accommodate anticipated specific plan traffic is the provision of a northbound right-turn at the intersec- tion of Newhope Street and Westminster Avenue. All other intersection improvements are necessary to accommodate future traffic regardless of the proposed specific plan. 7.4.2 Intersections Inside the Planning Area Intersections inside the planning area shall be improved to include the following lane configurations. Harbin Boulevard at Westminster Avenut Harbor Boulevard Northbound- Three through lanes and one e(du- ~ve Jeff-turn lane- Harbor Boulevard Southbound - Three through lams, one exclusive I~-turn lane and oneexdusive right-turn lane. 50