09-17-2020 VMT PresentationPlanning Commission
Senate Bill 743
CEQA Analysis of Transportation Impacts
Planning Commission Presentation
September 17, 2020
SB 743 Recap
SB 743 Recap
•CEQA analysis must now use VMT (trips x trip length)
•Projects will continue to study LOS
•Same LOS standards and criteria to determine if LOS study
is needed
•LOS is no longer part of CEQA
•Grand Terrace participated in SBCTA implementation
study
Traffic Study Procedure
•Projects will now study VMT
•Screening criteria to determine if VMT analysis is needed
•Transit Priority Areas (1/2 mile from high-quality transit –none
currently in Grand Terrace)
•Low VMT Zones (efficient travel areas)
•Small projects
•Local-serving projects
•Many projects will not require VMT analysis
•City has discretion as long as it is supported by substantial
evidence
•Implementation Study included development of
screening tool to streamline the screening process
Traffic Study Procedure
Traffic Study Procedure
•Projects which are not screened will require a full
VMT analysis:
•Calculate Project VMT
•Compare back to threshold of significance
•If the Project has Significant Impacts
•Modify the project to reduce VMT
•Introduce TDM measures
•Significant and Unavoidable Impact with Overriding Considerations
Threshold of Significance
•Per the San Bernardino County travel model, Grand
Terrace currently has a lower average VMT for
residents and employees than the entire County
•Residents and employees do not drive as far for
commuting, shopping, and other services on average
as the County
•Grand Terrace must balance their local goals of growth
and congestion management with the need to reduce
VMT
Threshold of Significance
•Projects that require VMT analysis will use the
threshold of significance recommended by City Staff:
•County of San Bernardino Better than Existing VMT
•“Existing” is based on the year the EIR Notice of Preparation is
released, will be different project by project
•Appropriate for projects in Grand Terrace –threshold combined with
screening criteria will facilitate land use growth
Council Actions
•Resolution: On July 14, 2020 the City Council
Adopted Vehicle Miles Traveled Thresholds for
Analysis of Traffic Impacts Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
•City Engineer monitors statewide implementation
and updates the TIA guidelines as needed
Improving Communities
QUESTION/COMMENTS
Project Screening
OPR defines a TPA as an area with:
•Land uses within ½ mile of a major transit stop
or
•An existing stop along a high-quality transit
corridor*
*Major transit stop is defined as a site containing:
•Existing rail transit station
•Ferry terminal served by bus or rail transit service
•Intersection of two or more bus routes with headways of 15 minutes or less during the morning
and afternoon peak commute hours
High-quality transit corridor is defined as a corridor with fixed-route bus service with headways of 15
minutes or less during peak commute hours
Calculating VMT
Methodologies
•Project-generated VMT
•Productions/Attractions
•Origin/Destination
•Project effect on VMT
•Boundary Method
VMT Threshold Options
Including LOS
Although VMT must be used to evaluate CEQA impacts, the
City can still choose to study LOS as part of a traffic study.
•Most jurisdictions are choosing to retain LOS in their
guidelines.
•“Impacts” and “mitigations” are CEQA terms: LOS
“deficiencies” and “improvements” can no longer be part
of the CEQA process.
•Any identified improvements to address LOS deficiencies
can be conditioned on new development by the City.
What’s Feasible?
Project
Specific
o Physical Design
o TDM
Programs
o Impact Fees
o VMT Exchanges
o VMT Banks
VMT Mitigation Strategies
Near-Term Longer-Term
VMT Exchange Program
DEVELOPER
LEAD AGENCY/
DEVELOPER
EXCHANGE OPERATOR
(SCAG OR OTHER)
Creates list of VMT
Reduction Projects
Implements VMT
Reduction Projects
as Mitigation
MeasureVerifies ‘Additionality’
and Monitors VMT
Performance
Developer selects
VMT reduction from
an approved list and
then funds a specific
project or program
VMT Bank Program
BANK OPERATOR
(SCAG OR OTHER)
IMPLEMENTATION
AGENCY/ENTITY
Bank Operator…
Develops Bank payment/credit process
Develops VMT reduction projects
Verifies VMT reduction amount
Tests for Additionality
Monitors VMT performance and adjusts overtime
DEVELOPE
R
Developer purchases
VMT reduction credits
from Bank Operator
and implementation
is left to others
Transportation Demand Management:
VMT Mitigation Strategies
To reduce VMT, new development
will need to explore ways for fewer
people to travel alone in their cars.
Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) strategies can
be used to reduce VMT.
Building Operations
Site Design
Location Efficiency
Regional Policies
Regional Infrastructure
Transportation Related VMT
Reduction Measures
•Encourage Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules•Increase Diversity of Land Uses•Provide Pedestrian Network Improvements•Provide Traffic Calming Measures and•Low-Stress Bicycle Network Improvements•Implement Car-Sharing and Ride-Sharing Programs•Increase Transit Accessibility•Commute Trip Reduction Programs•Parking Management
Transportation Demand Management:
VMT Mitigation Strategies