Circulation

6.0 Circulation

River Oaks: The Next Chapter (TNC) will be serviced by multi-use trails and loop roads to facilitate safe and convenient pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle access. Abundant walking trails will occur throughout the community and open space areas, providing pedestrian access to the Cuesta North County Campus, recreational facilities, spa and wellness services and at the heart of the development- the Community Conference Center and plaza.

To ensure safe and convenient access for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists, the trails will be constructed adjacent to major roads using an agrarian fence and stabilized decomposed granite surfacing.

Access into TNC is facilitated through the SR 46 corridor as well as the parallel access route of North River Road to River Oaks Drive. These two routes are the primary entrance and exit to the TNC site as well the River Oaks community as a whole. See Figure 6-3 for locations of these roads.

Transit ready amenities (e.g., benches, shelters, and/or bus turnouts) at the proposed transit stops on the site will be coordinated with San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the City of Paso Robles.

6.1 Circulation Plan

The street design standards of this section are designed with a level of excellence to further the village image of TNC. Inspiring and memorable circulation routes emphasize the appearance and quality of the public realm. These streetscapes and pathways create public spaces of beauty, interest and functional benefit to pedestrians.

TNC features three different types of circulation integrated into one plan, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation. The Circulation Plan indicates the location of the major circulation network. Overall, TNC has 2.9 miles of primary roads, 2.2 miles of pedestrian walkways adjacent to the primary roads and 4.5 additional miles of pedestrian and hiking trails.

A. Street Lighting

Placement of lighting in conjunction with vehicular circulation shall be limited to the minimum necessary for public safety at intersections and along the path of travel. Lighting shall be designed to eliminate off-site glare.

Luminaire pole height shall be consistent with those of existing Specific Plan development and limited in intensity to City requirements. Lights shall utilize full cut-off “hooded” fixtures to prevent off-site light spillage and glare. The street lights will also be consistent in design with the single curved wood pole street lights in the existing River Oaks community

B. Transit Connections

Transit stops will be provided for throughout the village to connect residents and visitors of TNC to the Paso Robles bus system. From transit stops and activity nodes, nearly all of TNC is accessible within a convenient 5-minute walk (1/4 mile distance). All of TNC is accessible within a 20-minute walk.

C. Bicycle Use and Parking

Bicycle routes will be provided for throughout TNC on dedicated pedestrian pathways. To further encourage bicycle use, convenient and accessible bicycle parking shall be provided for all multi-family and T-4 SD developments.

6.1.1 Street Sections

Streets occupy the majority of the public realm for TNC and play a critical role to ensure an active, safe and visually-pleasing pedestrian, vehicular and bike experience. Frontage Types for each street shall consider visibility and pedestrian access as primary goals; interaction through a permeable façade along the street right-of-way will promote vibrancy, community pride and safety.

All streets, alleys, sidewalks, parkways and medians, with the exception of Buena Vista Drive, will be privately owned and maintained by the TNC HOA.

A. Village Boulevard

This boulevard serves a significant length of the main loop access street, providing a high level of mobility and establishes the character of TNC. This main street allows for a key internal circulation loop with a multi-use trail and limited driveway access. Regularly spaced bulb-outs provide additional planter areas for storm water management, traffic control and opportunities for shade tree plantings.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Boulevard

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 53 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: parking both sides

(f) Frontage Type: Storefront, Frontyard/Porch, Forecourt, Stoop

(g) Walkway Type: 10-foot multi-use trail, 5-foot sidewalk

(h) Planter Type: 6-foot bulbout planters

(i) Landscape Type: formal spacing of shade trees

B. The Promenade

The Promenade elevates the pedestrian character of the main access loop road. Along the Promenade, angled parking and wider sidewalks for accessing and experiencing the amenities at the core of the village will be provided. Regularly spaced landscape islands provide for shade trees, opportunities to manage storm water runoff and act as chokers to control vehicular speed. Pedestrian walkways flank both sides of the roadway and are further enhanced with tree canopies to provide shade and reinforce the pedestrian oriented streetscape design.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Boulevard

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 63 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: 1 angled parking lane

(f) Frontage Type: Storefront, Forecourt, Frontyard/Porch

(g) Walkway Type: 7-foot curb adjacent sidewalk, 7-foot curb separated sidewalk

(h) Planter Type: 5-foot parkway 1 side

(i) Landscape Type: formal spacing of shade trees

C. Village Entry Street

This street provides access from Buena Vista Drive and functions as a major entry point to TNC. A generous landscape median separates the two directions of vehicular travel, while pedestrian and bike circulation is serviced with an 8-foot decomposed granite multi-use trail on the south side and pedestrian walkway on the north side.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Village Loop

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 75 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2

(e) Parking Lanes: No on street parking

(f) Frontage Type: All Types

(g) Walkway Type: 10-foot multi-use trail, 5-foot sidewalk

(h) Planter Type: 8-foot parkway both sides, 12-foot median

(i) Landscape Type: formal shade trees and drought tolerant planting in median

D. Buena Vista Drive Section (Public)

This street section provides the framework for an effective transition from the residential neighborhoods of TNC to the existing fabric of estate homes. Two-way vehicular travel is separated by a landscape median, while an 8-foot multi-use trail is separated from traffic by a landscaped median. The landscape median will serve as a refuge for an existing oak tree and drought-tolerant shrubs and groundcovers. Front-facing residences will be accessed via private lanes and driveway access will not be allowable along street this section of Buena Vista Drive.

Buena Vista Drive will be improved as a public street per these standards where the TNC Amendment Boundary (see Figure 1-2) is adjacent to Buena Vista Drive. Complete improvements will occur between Village Entry Drive and Circle B Road, with partial improvements extending north and south according to City improvement requirements.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Perimeter Street

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 100 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 1 lane each direction; 6-foot on-street bike lane both sides

(e) Parking Lanes: none

(f) Frontage Type: Stoop, Forecourt, Frontyard/Porch,
Common Yard

(g) Walkway Type: 8-foot multi-use trail, HOA maintained

(h) Planter Type: 18-foot bioswale both sides, City maintained

(i) Landscape Type: existing Oak trees, informal tree spacing

E. Clubhouse Drive (Extension)

Similar to the existing “Traditions” active-adult neighborhood, this street section illustrates the transition from Single Family Residential to the Special District zone while providing uninterrupted access from the existing residents of River Oaks. A pedestrian walkway is protected between a landscape parkway and front-facing homes with limited driveway access. Low Impact Design (LID) pervious paving at the edge of the Special District area facilitates storm water management and allows for event parking when needed. Staggered canopy trees frame both sides of the street.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Village Street

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 45 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: none

(f) Frontage Type: All types permitted

(g) Walkway Type: 8-foot curb separated sidewalk one side

(h) Planter Type: 8-foot parkway, 5-foot LID

(i) Landscape Type: Riparian theme, informal spacing

F. Village Street

The highly visible village street connects east and west sides of TNC through the “Riparian Landscape Theme” and takes on a function and appearance similar to a bridge. Decorative light fixtures are encouraged to distinguish this unique street section and to highlight the multi-use trail.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Village Street

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 34 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: none

(f) Frontage Type: all Types permitted

(g) Walkway Type: 10-foot railing separated sidewalk

(h) Planter Type: Parkways both sides

(i) Landscape Type: Riparian theme, no formal planting

G. North Vineyard Road

This northern access road facilitates the “country” or rural experience for visitors and residents of TNC. The existing vineyards of the “Purple Belt” to the North are mirrored on the TNC side. Low-Impact Development strategies are incorporated through the use of a bio-swale on one side of the road section. This provides for a rural appearance and allows for quality and quantity control of storm water runoff. Staggered trees continue through the bio-swale to reinforce the agrarian character and to provide shade relief from the effects of heat gain on the paved surfaces.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Village Street

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 30 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: none

(f) Frontage Type: not applicable

(g) Walkway Type: 10-foot multi-use trail, not part of ROW

(h) Planter Type: 6-foot bioswale

(i) Landscape Type: agrarian theme, surrounding vineyards

H. North Vineyard Road (Median)

This rural access road provides nearly a half mile of strictly east-west travel with little to no driveway or cross-street access. Regularly spaced landscape medians will vary the driving experience and provide controls for vehicular speed.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Perimeter Street

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 38 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: none

(f) Frontage Type: not applicable

(g) Walkway Type: 10-foot multi-use trail; not part of ROW

(h) Planter Type: median; 6-foot bioswale, one side

(i) Landscape Type: agrarian theme, surrounding vineyards

I. Estate Drive

This intimate right-of-way establishes a sensitive transition from single family residences to open space while connecting TNC to the existing River Oaks via a tie in to Waterford Court. A bio-swale at the edge of the open space area allows for the quality and quantity control of storm water runoff. Staggered large canopy trees frame both sides of the street.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Residential Drive

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 50 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: 1 lane

(f) Frontage Type: Common Yard, Frontyard/Porch

(g) Walkway Type: 5-foot curb separated sidewalk, one side

(h) Planter Type: 7-foot parkway one side, 6-foot bioswale one side

(i) Landscape Type: Oak woodland theme, informal

J. Lane

All lanes in TNC are private; the lane shall primarily serve vehicular travel to access garages. Lanes shall allow for garage access as well as fire service to 2 or more residential units. While the width of pavement is kept to a minimum, landscape planters help to soften both sides of this right-of-way. See definition of “Lane” in Appendix for further information.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Private

(b) Right-of-Way Width: 20 feet

(d) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(e) Parking Lanes: none, parking permitted in designated parking areas within lane or driveways of appropriate dimension

(f) Frontage Type: not applicable

(g) Walkway Type: none

(h) Planter Type: planting encouraged between and/or in between units and lane paving

(i) Landscape Type: appropriate to theme in which lane is located

K. Typical Mini-Roundabout*

Designed to accommodate and streamline the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, this mini-roundabout will serve the intersection of Village Boulevard and the Village Entry Street. Planting and pathway themes are maintained through this transition to set the tone and character of TNC.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Mini-roundabout

(b) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(d) Frontage Type: not applicable

(e) Walkway Type: 5-foot sidewalk and/or 10-foot multi-use trail

(f) Planter Type: parkways both sides

(g) Landscape Type: Oak woodland theme

* Fher & Peers refers to this type of traffic circle as a “mini-roundabout” consistent with the project traffic study.

L. Secondary Mini-Roundabout*

Designed to accommodate and streamline the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, this mini-roundabout will serve three-way intersections in three locations within the village. The ROW for this roundabout is designed to suit the more residential and open space setting of it’s locations. Planting and pathway themes are maintained through this transition to set the tone and character of TNC.

Street Attributes:

(a) Street Type: Mini-roundabout

(b) Traffic Lanes: 2 lanes

(d) Frontage Type: not applicable

(e) Walkway Type: meandering sidewalks, both sides

(f) Planter Type: medians

(g) Landscape Type: appropriate to the theme in which it is located

* Fher & Peers refers to this type of traffic circle as a “mini-roundabout” consistent with the project traffic study.