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HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 17-2500 PC Traffic Thresholds of SignificanceCity of Temple City Resolution 17-2500 PC ® Traffic Thresholds of Significance File No. PL 17-599 A RESOLUTION OF THE TEMPLE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT TRAFFIC RELATED THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR PROJECTS AND PLANS REVIEWED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT SECTION 1. The Planning Commission has considered all of the evidence submitted into the administrative record which includes but is not limited to: 1. Recommendations and comments from the General Plan Advisory Committee; and 2. Reports and presentations of project related data and analysis prepared by the Community Development Department; and 3. Public comments, both written and oral, received or submitted at or prior to the public hearing; and 4. All other related documents received or submitted at or prior to the public hearing. SECTION 2. This resolution is made with reference to the following prefacing facts as more fully set forth in the administrative record: 1. On February 13, 2017, the General Plan Advisory Committee met, reviewed and provided comment on the recommended thresholds of significance for traffic related impacts. 2. On February 28, 2017, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the application. 3. Notice of the Planning Commission public hearing was posted at the Council Chambers. 4. Notice of the Planning Commission public hearing was published in a newspaper of general circulation at least ten days prior to the hearing. S. Notice of the public hearing satisfied the noticing requirements set forth in Government Code Sections 65090 and 65091. Resolution 17-2500 PC Traffic Thresholds of Significance File No. PL 17-599 Page 2 of 6 SECTION 3. Based on the public hearing for File No. PL 17-599 and pursuant to Government Code Section 15064.7, the Planning Commission makes the following finding: 1. The thresholds of significance have been developed through a public review process. The threshold will be adopted through a public review process including public meetings before the General Plan Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. Additionally the item has been published in a newspaper of general circulation at least ten days prior to the Planning Commission and City Council meetings. 2. The thresholds of significance are supported by substantial evidence. Substantial evidence is defined by Section 15384 as enough relevant information and reasonable inferences from this information that a fair argument can be made to support a conclusion, even though other conclusions might also be reached. Substantial evidence shall include facts, reasonable assumptions predicated upon facts, and expert opinion supported by facts. The proposed thresholds of significance are based on a long standing and well adjudicated practice of using level of service to analyze an intersection or roadway segment's functioning. Nearly every jurisdiction in the State of California and the Highway Capacity Manual uses this method of analysis. The thresholds of significance that are proposed are in alignment with best practices, namely complete streets. A complete street, is a street planned, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of whether the user is using a wheelchair, walking, bicycling, driving, or riding on public transit. Complete streets was recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2010. It has been championed by a coalition of organizations including the AARP, professional organizations overseeing the design of streets (including the American Planning Association, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and Institute of Transportation Engineers), and the National Association of Realtors. On December 6, 2016, the City Council of Temple City adopted a complete streets policy. Complete streets recognizes that since intersections and street segments must be designed for all potential users, that the former level of service standards are no longer achievable as they would violate the principles of complete streets and General Plan goals. Thus, level of service may decline for automobiles. However, Resolution 17-2500 PC Traffic Thresholds of Significance File No. PL 17-599 Page 3 of 6 the safety and convenience of others users will likely increase and General Plan goals related to environmental and social sustainability and economic vitality will be achieved. The proposed thresholds of significance are responsive to the Southern California Association of Government's Regional Transportation Plan and the Sustainable Communities Strategies. These regional plans expect future growth within the City. That growth, in line with these Plans and best practices, are being focused near major intersections where more transit service is provided and to increase accessibility. A degradation of level of service for vehicles at intersections for a one or two hour period would not cause a significant impact on the environment. Designing streets and neighborhoods so that they increase accessibility (brining more destinations closer to users) and so that they increase the convenience and safety of alternative modes of transportation (bicycling and walking) would result in comparatively less greenhouse gasses, particulate matter, other emissions, and noise. Expanding intersections and streets segments, would either require the removal of bicycle lanes or the purchase of land and the possible demolition of buildings. The City has significant constraints on expanding intersections and street segments. The City of Sacramento and other jurisdictions have accepted level of service of F in certain contexts, namely in downtown areas where pedestrian and bicycle circulation is encouraged. Fehr and Peers assisted the City in the preparation of the thresholds of significance. Fehr and Peers is a company specializing in traffic analysis. Fehr and Peers has provided guidance and advice to the State of California Office of Planning and Research assisting in the preparation and analysis of guidelines required under SB 743. Additionally, the proposed thresholds of significance were reviewed by the City's Contract City Engineer, Transtech. SECTION S. This project is found to be exempt from CEQA review. Section 15064.7 of the CEQA Guidelines establish the process for adopting thresholds and CEQA review is not part of this procedure. Additionally, adoption of thresholds is not a "project" because environmental changes that might result from their adoption are too speculative to be considered "reasonably foreseeable" under CEQA. Resolution 17-2500 PC Traffic Thresholds of Significance File No. PL 17-599 Page 4 of 6 SECTION 6. Accordingly, the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the traffic related thresholds of significance for projects and plans reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act as defined in Exhibit A. SECTION 7. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. EXHIBITS: A. Traffic Thresholds of Significance Planning Commission Acting -Chair I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Temple City at a meeting held on the 281h of February, 2017, by the following vote: YES: Commissioner -Cordes, Leung, O'Leary, Marston NO: Commissioner -None ABSENT: Commissioner -Haddad ABSTAIN: Commissioner -None a,,,J'JA_ 0 Se retary TRAFFIC THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE Exhibit A Traffic Thresholds of Significance Adopted by the City Council on April 18, 2017 Traffic Thresholds of Significance Intersections Category 1 LOS of F Category 2 If existing LOS is A to E significant impact is created if LOS degrades to F If existing LOS is F significant impact is created if volume to capacity ratio increases by .02 or more Category 3 If existing LOS is A to D significant impact is created if LOS degrades to E or F If existing LOS is E or F significant impact is created if volume to capacity ratio increases by .02 or more LOS of F If existing LOS is A to D significant impact is created if LOS degrades to E or F If existing LOS is E or F significant impact is created if volume to capacity ratio increases by .02 or more If existing LOS is A to C significant impact is created if LOS degrades to D, E, or F If existing LOS is D, E, or F significant impact is created if volume to capacity ratio increases by .02 or more