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
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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