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1. What was the radius used for the TIA?

The TIA analyzed all of the intersections around the perimiter of the Universal property.  Plus, special attention was placed on the northbound exit ramp from the Tollway to Fields Parkway.  Due to the nature of this site, the majority of traffic will arrive (and leave) via the Tollway, with most of this interaction only affecting the intersections of Dallas Parkway & Fields Parkway and Fields Parkway & Frisco Street. -- Engineering Services 

2. Did it (TIA) look at combined traffic with a PGA event and soccer game? Will we be able to move people on the busiest possible day?

No, the TIA did not analyze these scenarios because those traffic volumes would not occur in the same place at the same time.  However, Staff has considered this:  We are able to handle events at multiple venues on the same day because they (special events) do not use the same ramps on and off the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) combined with the fact peak traffic flows often occur at different times.  For example, Universal traffic will use the ramps that lead to Fields Parkway.  Most traffic for a PGA tournament will use the ramps that lead to Main Street to access Toyota Stadium (where all of the public will park).  Buses will then use a loop of Main Street, Teel Parkway, PGA Parkway, and southbound Dallas Parkway to shuttle fans to-and-from the event. 

A soccer event could not occur on the same day as a PGA tournament because they use the same parking lots.  And traffic for a Ford Center event will use the ramps to Warren Parkway and John Hickman Parkway.  The separation in time occurs because PGA traffic and Universal traffic would be spread throughout the day, while events at the Ford Center and at Toyota Stadium itself are usually concentrated at night (with a single start and end time for all spectators). 

Specifically, the peak traffic arriving for PGA would be in the early morning, the peak traffic arriving for Universal would be in the late morning, and the higher concentrated peak of traffic arriving at the other venues would be in the early evening.   Similarly, outbound PGA and Universal traffic would be gone before the other venues let out. -- Engineering Services 

3. Would you define unfamiliar terminology noted in the TIA?

The TIA uses industry standard terminology commonly used by traffic engineers. Below are general definitions:

• Highway Capacity Manual – This document defines how to calculate the capacity and operations of a roadway and its intersections. It is the nationwide standard used by traffic engineers to analyze existing and proposed traffic operations and assign a grade (A through F) based on the amount of delay motorists experience. 
• Synchro Software – This is a widely used software enabling traffic engineers to build roadway and intersection models to be tested.  Engineers test models for traffic impacts due to growth and new construction, developments.  Engineers can also test various improvements including, but not limited to, new turn lanes or modified signal timing. 
• VISSIM – This is traffic simulation software used to analyze the flow of traffic. Engineers use it to envision what type of congestion might arise and why.   VISSIM can create traffic animation, which depicts proposed traffic interactions involving roadways, intersections, onramps and offramps, as well as peak and non-peak traffic hours. 

-- Engineering Services  

 

4. Does the TIA take into account traffic from new development that hasn’t been built yet?

Yes, the TIA estimates the amount of traffic on the roadways for the year 2040 and assumes all of the vacant land in north Frisco has been developed.  This is based on projects currently under construction, existing zoning for vacant land, and the city’s Future Land Use Plan where zoning has not yet been approved.  For example, the Fields Development zoned 2,500 acres of land in north Frisco.  As a result, the TIA has detailed information regarding what is planned to be built on the vacant land surrounding the proposed theme park.  -- Engineering Services 

5. Will all of the necessary roads be constructed before the theme park opens?

Yes, this map shows all of the roads in north Frisco that are under construction or about to start construction this year.  All of these roadway projects will be complete before the theme park opens. -- Engineering Services

6. What Universal traffic will use the driveways shown on Panther Creek Parkway?

The uses of the Panther Creek Parkway proposed driveways are shown on this image.  

• First driveway - hotel guests, only
• Second driveway - hotel employees 
• Third driveway - some theme park employees (larger driveway for park employees will be located on Frisco Street) 

All visitors to the Universal theme park will use the driveway on Fields Parkway on the north side of the park. -- Engineering Services

7. Will theme park traffic be allowed to park in the Cobb Hill neighborhood?

No, the City of Frisco will prohibit theme park traffic from parking in the neighborhood.  The City of Frisco will work with the neighborhood on a plan for enforcement and signage (if necessary). -- Engineering Services 

8. Will traffic cut through the Cobb Farm neighborhood to enter the Universal theme park?

The Cobb Farm neighborhood is experiencing cut-through traffic because the planned network of arterial roadways is not complete.  Please refer to the chart on this map for estimated completion dates (right column).  Once Panther Creek Parkway is extended east to Preston Road -- and Frisco Street has been extended north to connect to Dallas Parkway -- the arterial network will be in place.  As a result, motorists will be able to use Frisco Street to reach Panther Creek Parkway.  Furthermore, there will no longer be a benefit for drivers to cut-through the neighborhood because it will take them longer to cut-through the neighborhood.  When the hotel opens, that traffic will approach it on the arterial roadways and will not see a benefit to cut through the neighborhood, either.  -- Engineering Services

9. How is '30 acres of theme park' actually defined?

The proposed theme park area accounts for 30.0± acres of the 97.4± acres within the Specific Use Permit request. The remaining 67.4± acres will be developed with a hotel, back of house facilities (an Administration & Employee Support Building, a Storage & Technical Services Building), and parking to serve both the theme park & hotel guests/employees.  -- Development Services 

10. Will the Universal development be allowed to expand beyond 30 acres of theme park area or beyond the total area of 97 acres?

The Specific Use Permit (SUP) request under consideration only allows a theme park and hotel on these 97 acres.  It also only allows a theme park that generates the amount of traffic analyzed in the TIA.  In the future, if Universal seeks to expand the theme park internally or externally in a way that generates more traffic, Universal would need to apply for revised zoning case and conduct a new traffic study. -- Engineering Services

11. Will there be a water park?

Phase 1 of the proposed Universal theme park does not include a water park.  Preliminary plans show Phase 1 would develop roughly 87 acres of the site, leaving 10 acres vacant for future expansion. It is unknown whether this expansion would include a water park or not. -- Engineering Services 

12. Does the City of Frisco anticipate needing more police officers?

Every year, the Frisco Police Department considers all new developments and events and evaluates how many officers are needed to provide quality service resulting in Frisco’s ranking as one of the safest cities in America. This annual assessment is something we have been doing for many years with the addition of large venues such as Toyota Stadium, The Star and PGA of America. In 2021, two new patrol districts were established to align with the city’s growth.   As visitors to Frisco increase, we consider geographical adjustments to our coverage areas and number of officers assigned.  -- Frisco Police Department 

13. What if the proposed theme park 'doesn't work' and Universal changes its concept or leaves?

The Special Use Permit (SUP) and development agreement will specify the target audience (age of children).  Our city staff, including our City Attorney's Office, is working to tie the use to Universal.  -- Development Services