triggers the need to address the TPR, the applicant is required demonstrate consistency with <br />the specific provisions within OAR 660-012-0060, which ultimately ensures compliance with <br />Goal 12. To do this, an applicant submits a transportation study prepared by a professional <br />transportation engineer to assess the expected transportation system impacts associated with <br />a proposed amendment or zone change on the long-term viability of the transportation system. <br />In this case, the applicant triggered the requirement to perform a TPR because they are <br />proposing an amendment to the Metro Plan diagram, which changes the number of theoretical <br />trips that could be generated from the site. Therefore, the City must assess whether the <br />transportation system can handle the theoretical change in development potential. <br />A TIA, on the other hand, applies at the time of development. The stated purpose of a TIA is to <br />ensure that developments which will generate a significant amount of traffic, cause an increase <br />in traffic that will contribute to traffic problems in the area, or result in levels of service of the <br />roadway system in the vicinity of the development that do not meet adopted level of service <br />standards provide the facilities necessary to accommodate the traffic impact of the proposed <br />development. A common trigger for requiring a TIA relies on trip generation. Developments <br />which generate 100 or more vehicle trips during any peak hour' as determined by the Institute <br />of Transportation Engineer's (ITE) Trip Generation manual generally trigger a TIA. As it relates <br />to this property, a TIA may be triggered in the future based on the number of trips generated <br />by future development. <br />Accuracy of Applicant's TPR Analysis <br />Neighbors and some commissioners expressed concerns regarding the accuracy of the <br />applicant's TPR analysis. Primary among the concerns is that the TPR analysis does not <br />accurately reflect current conditions. Additionally, concerns have been raised that the <br />reasonable worst-case scenario analysis provided appears to "game the system" in favor of the <br />applicant. <br />One specific concern is that TPR traffic counts may be lower due to current COVID-19 <br />restrictions. However, while business and employment closures and public health restrictions <br />may have certainly decreased traffic, the applicant's intersection traffic counts occurred in <br />August 2019. Given this fact, staff believe the applicant's traffic counts accurately reflect <br />current "normal" conditions. <br />Another concern was related to the accuracy of the applicant's "reasonable worst-case <br />scenario." The Transportation Planning Rule (TPR) requires a determination of whether the <br />amendment would involve a "significant effect" to the City's transportation system, and if so, to <br />provide mitigation measures to address that impact. This determination relies on identifying <br />"before" and "after" reasonable worst-case land use assumptions and comparing theoretical <br />trip generation numbers. The TPR does not include a specific methodology for a reasonable <br />worst-case analysis, which is generally dependent on local zoning, land use regulations, and <br />traffic engineering expertise. <br />' To determine the AM "peak hour," vehicles are counted in 15-minute increments between the hours 7-9 AM. The <br />four 15-minute increments that see the highest traffic counts compose the 60-minute "peak hour" that is used for <br />analysis. The same is done for PM peak hour, but the time of measurement is between 4-6 PM. <br />