HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.A 03/02/2020w�P-LAgenda Item #4.A
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DATE: March 2, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager r`t
FROM: Olivia Ervin, Principal Environmental Planner
Heather Hines, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: City Council Appointment to the Technical Advisory Committee for the City's
Development of Thresholds to Transition to Vehicle Miles Traveled Consistent
with Senate Bill 743
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council appoint one council member to the Technical Advisory
Committee for the City's transition from a Level of Service (LOS) metric to a Vehicle Miles
Travel (VMT) metric, consistent with SB 743.
BACKGROUND
Historically, the City of Petaluma has used level of service (LOS) methodology to assess traffic
operations and analyze environmental impacts for projects in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In 2013, Senate Bill 743 established new legislation
mandating a major change to the CEQA guidelines (Section 15064.3); replacing the LOS metric
with a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) metric. The shift from LOS to VMT focuses on regional
traffic patterns and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, rather than vehicle delays on
local roadway networks.
In July of 2018, traffic consulting firm Fehr & Peers presented at a joint meeting of the City
Council and Planning Commission to explain the changing landscape under SB 743 and
including the required deadline for adoption of local VMT thresholds by July 2020. In
December of 2018, the City entered into a contract with Fehr & Peers to guide the City through
the transition from LOS to VMT. As part of that effort, Fehr & Peers has been working closely
with Sonoma County Transit Agency (SCTA) to develop a Sonoma County model framework
informed by regional data. In late Fall of 2019, the model was calibrated by SCTA, and Fehr &
Peers began developing parameters for a VMT model (travel demand model) specific to
Petaluma. That effort is well underway and draft VMT baseline information, metrics,
methodology, screening levels, thresholds and mitigation measures are being developed. The
executed contract with Fehr & Peers includes Tasks 2.3 and 3.3 to present baseline VMT data,
model calibration considerations, accounting methodology, and VMT thresholds to a Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) for their review and comment prior to presenting final VMT
information to the Planning Commission and City Council.
DISCUSSION
At this time staff is forming the TAC in anticipation of completion of the baseline data,
accounting methodology, and VMT thresholds. As outlined in the executed scope of work with
Fehr & Peers, the TAC is intended to include representatives from the following entities:
• One (1) liaison from each:
o City Council
o Planning Commission
o Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
o Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee
• City of Petaluma staff
• Sonoma County Transportation Agency (SCTA) staff
• Caltrans staff
• Sonoma County Staff
Subsequent to the execution of the contract, the City established the Climate Action Commission
and staff believes a liaison from that commission would be a valuable addition to the TAC.
The role of the TAC is to review draft VMT information and provide input and feedback to the
consultant. The TAC is expected to meet twice during the spring of 2020 (with meetings targeted
for March and May). At the first meeting the TAC will be provided with an overview of the
VMT model and preliminary recommendations on VMT metrics and methodology. At the
second meeting the TAC will consider the Administrative Draft VMT Report containing draft
VMT baseline information, metrics, methodology, screening levels, thresholds, and mitigation
measures and will be tasked with providing input and feedback.
Input received from the TAC will be integrated into a Final VMT Report, which will then be
presented to decision making bodies including at least one public hearing before the Planning
Commission and at least one public hearing before the City Council.
Following the City Council's appointment to the TAC, staff will be attending meetings of the
other committees and commissions for their appointments as well as reaching out to other
organizations for their recommendations for representatives to sit on the TAC. Internal city staff
anticipated to play a role in the TAC include the City Engineer, the Transit Manager, and the
Traffic Engineer.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
In July of 2018, at a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission Fehr & Peers
presented SB 743 and the requirement for adoption of local VMT thresholds by July 2020. The
City's LOS to VMT transition will be considered at future public meetings to solicit input on
appropriate VMT metric, screening levels and thresholds specific to Petaluma. Public outreach
includes one or more public meetings before the TAC, Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committee,
Transit Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.
W
COUNCIL GOAL ALIGNMENT
The City Council has identified "Our Environmental Legacy" as one of its key strategic initiatives
for 2019-2021. Objective #1 seeks to "preserve and protect Petaluma's environment with smart
and efficient use of resources;" and includes workplan item 42, which directs the City to "Find
ways for City operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, decrease waste, and
minimize use of fossil fuels and investigate and pursue options for carbon sequestration."
Transitioning to a VMT metric promotes a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing
VMT and use of fossil fuels.
CLIMATE ACTION
In 2019 the City Council adopted a climate crisis resolution (2019-055) acknowledging issues of
climate change and placing sustainable practices as a primary City goal. Transitioning to a VMT
metric as directed by SB 743 aligns with the City's climate action goals. Managing the
transportation system to minimize VMTs, contributes directly and indirectly to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. The legislative intent of SB 743 is to "more appropriately balance the
needs of congestion management with statewide goals related to infill development, promotion
of public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions."
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The executed contract with Fehr & Peers for the VMT Transition is for $135,500. The formation
and appointment of the TAC is within the approved scope of work and does not in and of itself
have an additional financial impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: City Council Resolution No. 2018-183
Attachment 2: VMT Fact Sheet
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FEHR & PEERS FOR
TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING SERVICES TO DEVELOP THRESHOLDS,
IMPLEMENTATION CRITERIA, AND GUIDELINES FOR VEHICLE MILES
TRAVELED CONSISTENT WITH SB 743 AND TO UPDATE THE GENERAL PLAN
WHEREAS, the Petaluma City Council passed Resolution 2008-084 N.C.S on May 19,
2008 adopting the General Plan 2025, a comprehensive and integrated statement of development
policies and principles that guide future growth and development within Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2006, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill
32, California Global Warming Solutions Act, which created a comprehensive, multi-year
program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 32 required the California Air Resources Board (CARE) to
develop a Scoping Plan that describes the approach to reduce GHG emissions in California to
targeted levels as revised and updated from time to time to reflect climate science and
implementation feasibility; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the CARB Scoping Plan, Senate Bill 743, Level of Service
Standards, was signed into law on September 27, 2013 to reduce GHG emissions associated with
the transportation sector by eliminating level of service (LOS) and other similar measures as a
basis for determining whether projects result in significant traffic impacts under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because such metrics were found to encourage development
patterns and travel activity with relatively higher transportation -related GHG emissions; and
WHEREAS, SB 743 required the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to
update the CEQA Guidelines to define "criteria for determining the significance of transportation
impacts of projects within transit priority areas... [to] promote the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses;"
and
WHEREAS, on December 30, 2013 OPR concluded and published a study, Preliminary
Evaluation of Alternative Methods of Transportation Analysis, and determined that Vehicle
Miles Travelled (VMT) is a preferred metric to replace LOS to evaluate traffic impacts pursuant
to CEQA and in accordance with SB 743; and
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2014 OPR published a preliminary discussion draft of updated
CEQA Guidelines §15064.3 to adopt VMT as the preferred metric to evaluate traffic impacts in
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 1
Page 1-1
accordance with SB 743, and then published an updated CEQA Guidelines following public
input on January 20, 2016; and
WHEREAS, upon the completion of the "rulemaking" process to adopt the updated
CEQA Guidelines §15064.3, SB 743 goes into effect throughout California and agencies will
have an opt -in period until July 1, 2020 to evaluate and prepare to implement the updated CEQA
Guidelines or to implement local guidelines consistent with SB 743; and
WHEREAS, in the updated CEQA Guidelines §15064.3 implementing SB 743, OPR
recommends thresholds of significance and implementation criteria for local jurisdictions to
evaluate traffic impacts using VMT, however, travel behavior, baseline conditions, and VMT
implications are highly context specific and OPR guidance is not calibrated to the Petaluma
context; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma General Plan 2025 Mobility Element Policy 5-P-10
establishes a Level -of -Service standard for determining whether projects may have a significant
impact on the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma City Council adopted as its Goals and Priorities for 2017 and
2018, Goal III, to Establish/Revise Local Legislation, which sets as Priority #1: Review and
Amend the Elements of the General Plan 2025 to Reflect Changes Since its Adoption in 2008.
Task "e" under this priority is to "update acceptable traffic CEQA thresholds to transition from
LOS to VMT, in keeping with anticipated state CEQA guidelines"; and
WHEREAS, on July 9, 2018 the Petaluma City Council and Planning Commission held
a joint workshop to hear a presentation from City staff and transportation consultants at Fehr &
Peers on SB 743 and the implications of adopting local VMT thresholds and implementation
criteria, at which time the City Council and Planning Commission advised staff to pursue a scope
of work to develop and adopt local thresholds and criteria; and
WHEREAS, staff developed a scope of work (the "Project") to prepare local VMT
thresholds of significance and implementation criteria in consultation with transportation
consultants Fehr & Peers, and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority to be completed for
$108,500 with optional tasks totaling $27,000; and
WHEREAS, the Project constitutes a study and is exempt from further environmental
review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) ("General Rule"), as it can be
seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the study may have a significant effect on the
environment, and CEQA Guidelines §15306 ("Information Collection"), in that the Project
constitutes information gathering as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency
has not yet approved or adopted; and
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 2
Page 1-2
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2018 at a duly noticed meeting the City Council
considered the staff report dated December 17, 2018 describing and analyzing the Project,
including the CEQA determination included therein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma
hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute an agreement to fund the City of Petaluma SB
743 Implementation and General Plan Update Project, as presented in Exhibit A, in an amount
up to $135,500, subject to approval by the City Manager of the final agreement terms, as set
forth in a Professional Services Agreement, and confirmed by the City Attorney that the
agreement terms appropriately address the needs of the project and the City's interests.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City,
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 17th day of December E' norm:
2018, by the following vote:
'pity Attorney
AYES: Albertson; Barrett; Mayor Glass; Vice Mayor Healy; Kearney; King; Miller I
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
� t°� �, � � • Ff `'`Jy
ATTEST: C
City Clerk Mayor
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 3
Page 1-3
SB743 IMPLEMENTATION AND GENERAL
PLAN UPDATE
JOHN BROWN, CITY MANAGER
JBROWN @CI.PETALUMA.CA.US
707-778-4345
11 ENGLISH STREET
PETALUMA, CA 94952
Exhibit A
MILAN NEVAJDA, SENIOR PLANNER
MNEVAJDA@M-GROUP.US
707-540-0723 x 204
499 HUMBOLDT STREET
SANTA ROSA, CA 95404
Resolution No. 2018,-183 N.C.S. Page 4
Page 1-4
Senate Bill 743 – Level of Service Standards was signed into law September 2013 to implement AB 32—the California
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006—which initiated a process to update how transportation impacts will be
evaluated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). SB 743 eliminates auto delay, level
of service (LOS), and other similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion as a basis for determining
whether projects result in significant impacts under CEQA. SB 743 requires the Governor's Office of Planning and
Research (OPR) to update the CEQA Guidelines to define "criteria for determining the significance of transportation
impacts of projects within transit priority areas... [to] promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the
development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses."
OPR issued options for setting metrics to achieve the intent of SB 743 in 2013. OPR has recommended Vehicle Miles
Travelled (VMT) as the criteria for evaluating transportation impacts and issued the first draft of the CEQA Guidelines
update in 2014 to this effect. Following Statewide review and input on the draft Guidelines update, OPR issued a
revised draft update to the CEQA Guidelines together with a Technical Advisory on implementing VMT as the
transportation impact criterion for CEQA purposes, In November 2017, a second Technical Advisory was issued by
OPR on evaluating VMT-based transportation impacts under the proposed CEQA Guidelines,
LEVEL OF SERVICE (L=OSS) V>. VEHICLE FILES TRAVELLED (VMT)
Until SB 743, transportation impacts were measured by assessing how projects affected the level of delay that drivers
experience through relevant intersections or roadway segments. LOS is measured on an alphabetic ranking scale;
LOS "A" represents the most favorable conditions (free flow) and LOS "F" represents the least favorable conditions
(congested with excessive delays). The Petaluma General Plan Mobility Element, Policy 5-P-10 establishes acceptable
LOS standards throughout the city:
Petaluma General Plan 2025: Mobility Element, Policy 5-P-10:
Maintain an intersection level of service (LOS) standard for motor vehicle circulation that ensures
efficient traffic flow and supports multi -modal mobility goals. LOS should be maintained at Level D
or better for motor vehicles due to traffic from any development project.
Projects that cause LOS to degrade below acceptable levels are found to generate a significant transportation impact
pursuant to CEQA, unless otherwise dictated by the Petaluma General Plan. With SB 743, LOS will cease to be an
appropriate metric for evaluating transportation (traffic) impacts for CEQA purposes.
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 5
Page 1-5
The purpose of the SB 743 Compliance General Plan Update project described herein is to:
Evaluate OPR guidance on VMT implementation as the transportation impact metric for CEQA purposes.
SB 743 establishes the criteria that will be used to evaluate transportation impacts for CEQA purposes:
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, encourage infill development, and promote active transportation.
OPR recommends VMT as the best approach to achieve these criteria. The first step in this project is to
assess the criteria and develop a sound understanding of the requirements for establishing transportation
impact metrics and associated thresholds of significance for impact assessment in the Petaluma context.
2. Establish an accurate VMT baseline condition for Petaluma and appropriate VMT thresholds
SB 743 recommends VMT as the preferred transportation impact metric, and provides a VMT-based
threshold, beyond which, projects would be found to have "significant impacts" pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines and would require mitigations or other measures. The City of Petaluma may accept the
recommended VMT-based thresholds of significance per OPR guidance, however these thresholds do not
account for unique, local conditions that affect transportation patterns and behavior in the Petaluma area,
such as environmental conditions, the built environment, alternative transportation systems, and local
roadway conditions. Evaluating baseline conditions in Petaluma is critical for establishing local and
appropriate thresholds. Baseline VMT conditions are needed to ensure that local VMT thresholds are
supported by substantial evidence as required by CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7, and that local
thresholds address the three core objectives of SB 743: reducing GHG emissions, encouraging infill, and
promoting active transportation.
3. Identify mitigation measures that can be utilized by projects in Petaluma to reduce VMT.
After defining baseline conditions and proposing local VMT thresholds of significance, this project will
determine the availability and efficacy of VMT reduction strategies that could be utilized by local project
proponents (such as housing and other forms of development) to mitigate VMT-based transportation
impacts when they are associated with a project.
4. Define the appropriate and desirable applications of LOS and VMT metrics in Petaluma.
SB 743 and the transition to a VMT-based approach to evaluating transportation impacts directly affects
CEQA review for projects. Local jurisdictions may choose to continue evaluating projects on an alternative
basis, such as the prevailing LOS -basis, for non-CEQA project review. This project will explore which
applications of the prevailing LOS criteria may continue to be appropriate for Petaluma.
TASK 1. PROJECT INITIATION AND MANAGEMENT
Task 1.1. Kick -Off Meeting
The City will hold a kick-off meeting with the Consultant staff to discuss the project scope, expectations, and
administration including invoicing, reporting, and all other relevant project information. A meeting summary will be
prepared by staff. The kick-off meeting will establish key project milestones and refine the outreach strategy to
gather technical and public input. The kick-off meeting agenda will include:
• Introductions.
• Review of project schedule and milestones.
• Facilitated discussion of project objectives.
• Definition of action items throughout the project.
• Agreement on project schedule and regular meetings.
• Coordination on outreach activities.
• Discussion of the desired format for all deliverables.
Task 1.2 Ongoing Project Management
Throughout the project the City will convene bi-weekly in-person or conference meetings with the Consultants to
ensure good communication on upcoming tasks and to make sure the project remains on time and within budget.
Meeting summaries will be prepared by staff and documented. Upon project initiation, the Consultant will work with
City staff to finalize the work scope and budget. The Consultant will prepare and maintain a project schedule
throughout the life of the project, oversee the budget expenditures of the Consultant team, including
subcontractors, and invoice on the project monthly with a status report identifying potential delays and proposed
corrective actions.
TASK 2. VMT BASELINE SETTING AND VMT CALCULATION METHODOLOGY
VMT baseline, VMT calculation methodology, and VMT threshold setting tasks involve a degree of coordination
between the tasks. As such, Tasks 2 and 3 are anticipated to occur concurrently. The proposed project schedule for
the scope of the work shows the coordination between these tasks.
Task 2.1 Planning Documents and Travel Demand Model Review
The Consultant shall collect, review, and incorporate relevant data from current and previous planning documents,
including current transportation planning documents, State guidance on SB 743 implementation, and the City of
Petaluma General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan.
The Consultant shall review the existing SCTA Travel Demand Model, City of Petaluma Travel Demand Model, and
MTC Travel Demand Model. This information will be used in the analysis to determine how to best establish VMT
baselines, identify options for VMT baseline methodology, define necessary model modifications/calibrations, and
inform threshold setting.
Task 2.2 Baseline VMT Data
Based on the review of the travel demand models and data collected the Consultant will estimate and summarize
the baseline VMT by major trip types for review by the TAC (see Task 2.3 below). The summary shall clearly identify
the model assumptions and highlight potential areas of dispute in the data, if any. Based on this summary, Consultant
will recommend one candidate travel demand model for further use in the setting of VMT calculation methodology,
VMT accounting methodology, and VMT thresholds.
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 7
Page 1-7
Task 2.3 TAC Review of Baseline VMT Data
The Consultant shall present the baseline VMT data and model calibration considerations to a Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) for review and comment. Feedback regarding the recommended candidate travel demand model
will be solicited. The TAC will be formed by Petaluma staff, committee members and decision makers, at project
commencement. The TAC is intended to include:
• One (1) liaison from:
o Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
o Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee
o Planning Commission
o City Council
• City of Petaluma staff
• Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) staff
• Caltrans staff
• Sonoma County staff (where applicable).
Task 2.4 Planning Commission and City Council Review of Baseline VMT Data
The Consultant shall present the baseline VMT data, VMT calculation methodology, and model calibration
considerations to the Planning Commission and City Council at a joint workshop for review and comment.
Task 2.5 Finalize Baseline VMT Data
After reviewing the draft baseline VMT and VMT calculation methodology with the TAC and making necessary
updates to the data, the Consultant will document the baseline VMT data and VMT calculation methodology in a
Technical Memorandum.
Task 2.6 Analysis of VMT Reduction Strategies
The Consultant shall review applicable VMT Mitigation Measures, with a focus on those most applicable to the City
of Petaluma, and identify at least seven (7) strategies, ranked in order of priority based on their potential to result
in VMT reduction, for project prototypes appropriate to Petaluma. The prototypes will be identified by staff in
consultation with the Consultant.
The Consultant will identify methodologies to quantify VMT reductions associated with the five (5) highest priority
reduction strategies.
TASK 3. VIViT ACCOUNTING METHODOLOGY AND VMT THRESHOLD SETTING
VMT baseline, VMT calculation methodology, and VMT threshold setting tasks involve a degree of coordination
between the tasks. As such, Tasks 2 and 3 are anticipated to occur concurrently. The proposed project schedule for
the scope of the work shows the coordination between these tasks.
Task 3.1 Review Potential VMT Metrics
The Consultant will review the recommended OPR guidance on the implementation of VMT metrics and thresholds
and the information collected in Task 2. The Consultant will analyze and determine the most appropriate VMT
metrics (i.e. per capita, per employee, etc.) for establishing VMT thresholds for Petaluma. The Consultant will also
consider the amount of VMT reduction that is achievable when recommending appropriate thresholds.
The analysis and recommendations made on VMT thresholds will be applicable to development projects,
transportation projects, and land use and transportation planning documents, e.g. the General Plan 2025 and EIR.
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 8
Page 1-8
Task 3.2 Stakeholder Meetings
The potential thresholds will be presented by the consultant with support from City staff at up to four (4)
stakeholders meeting, inclusive of at least one (1) TAC meeting, one (1) Planning Commission meeting, and one (1)
joint meeting of the Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committee and Transit Advisory Committee. The Consultant will
solicit input on possible thresholds that are appropriate for a range of project types in the Petaluma context. The
presentation will identify the applicability and considerations of each potential threshold on varying project
typologies.
Task 3.3 Develop VMT Accounting Methodology and VMT Thresholds
Based on the stakeholder meetings and results from Task 3.1, the Consultant will identify up to three (3) potential
VMT accounting methodologies for use by the City of Petaluma. These accounting methodologies will consider
projects of varying size and scale. Consultant will review and test the accounting methodologies to verify their
appropriateness for use in the City of Petaluma. Consultant will develop guidelines and other materials to document
VMT accounting approaches that can be used by the City of Petaluma.
Based on the stakeholder meetings in Task 2 and Task 3.2, the Consultant will prepare a recommendation of up to
three (3) potential VMT CEQA thresholds that could be used for projects of varying sizes, types of uses, and other
considerations. The thresholds will include potential screening criteria that could limit the need for detailed analysis
for projects likely to have a limited effect on VMT. Each of the three (3) threshold options will be verified to ensure
they can be applied in the City of Petaluma context and that do not create unintended consequences. The Petaluma
context shall consider potential projects within the City's Sphere of Influence,
Task 3.4 Presentation of Thresholds
The recommended methodology and thresholds shall be presented to the TAC by City staff for final review and
comment.
TASK 4. DRAFT AND FINIAL VMT REPORT AND VIVIT ADOPTION SUPPORT
Task 4.1 Draft Report Development and Presentation to TAC
The Consultant will prepare an Administrative Draft Report. The report shall incorporate an overview of adjustments
to the Petaluma General Plan to incorporate the VMT recommendations on baseline conditions, thresholds, and
implementation for projects in the City. The Consultant shall present the draft report for review and comment by
the TAC; comments received from the TAC will be incorporated into a revised Final Draft Report.
Task 4.2 Draft Report Presentation to Planning Commission and City Council
The Final Draft Report will be presented by the Consultant to the Petaluma Planning Commission and City Council at
separate meetings.
Task 4.3 Final Report
The Consultant will consider and incorporate the comments received on the Final Draft Report into the Final Report,
as appropriate, and present it at a second meeting of the City Council if requested.
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 9
Page 1-9
Task 4.4 VMT Adoption Support
The Consultant will assist City staff in the process to adopt VMT as the CEQA transportation metric for projects
throughout the City. The Consultant will assist City staff in the preparation of the staff report for the adoption process
and attend up to three Planning Commission or City Council meetings.
Task 4.5 VMT Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines
The Consultant will prepare VMT Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) guidelines for the City. The guidelines will be
based on the data and analysis prepared as part of the Final Report (Task 4.3). This task assumes that the guidelines
will be limited to general VMT methodology, VMT thresholds of significance and VMT reduction strategies only;
guidelines related to the qualitative or quantitative analysis of the bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes will not be
provided. The guidelines will take the form of a brief (five to ten page) technical memorandum.
This scope task has been developed with the understanding that further scoping will be required prior to
authorization to proceed on the task. Depending on the assumptions and expectations for this task, a scope or
budget amendment may be required to provide the level of effort requested from the City.
TASK 5. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE SUPPORT (OPTIONAL)
As an optional task, the Consultant will assist City staff with incorporating the results of the tasks above into the
Petaluma General Plan. Updates will include updated figures, tables and map exhibits along with updated and new
narrative, goals, policies, and programs to address the outcomes of the above tasks. The following tasks have been
developed with the understanding that the work in Tasks 1-4 will be used to inform the full scope of the following
tasks, A scope amendment will be prepared to further define the tasks below prior to authorization for work on
these tasks.
Task 5.1 Administrative Draft General Plan Amendment
The Consultant will prepare an administrative draft General Plan update for staff review.
Task 5.2 General Plan Amendment: Planning Commission
Staff shall prepare the staff report for a meeting of the Planning Commission to review the General Plan Amendment
to incorporate VMT language and policy. The Consultant shall attend one (1) Planning Commission and present the
General Plan Amendment with staff to the Petaluma Planning Commission for review.
Task 5.3 General Plan Amendment: City Council
Comments received from Planning Commission will be incorporated into a revised General Plan Amendment. Staff
shall prepare the staff report for a meeting of the City Council to review the General Plan Amendment to incorporate
VMT language and policy. The Consultant shall attend one (1) City Council meeting and present the General Plan
Amendment with staff to the Petaluma City Council for review.
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page 10
Page 1-10
TASK
DELIVERABLES
OUTREACH/MEETINGS
1
Contact list, project schedule, data needs memo
Kick-off meeting
Bi -Weekly in-person
meetings or conference
calls
2
Technical Memo: Baseline VMT Data and VMT Calculation Methodology
TAC (1)
Planning Commission/City
Technical Memo: VMT Mitigation Measures
Council Joint Workshop (1)
3
Stakeholder meetings (up to
VMT Threshold Guidance Document
4 meetings)
VMT Accounting Methodologies
VMT Traffic Study Guidelines
VMT Forecasting Tool and User Manual
4
Draft VMT Report
TAC (1)
Final VMT Report
Planning Commission and
VMT Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines
City Council (up to 3)
Resolution No. 2018-183 N.C.S. Page I 1
Page 1-11
PROJECT TIMELINE AND ANTICIPATED BUDGET
TASK DESCRIPTION
Task
Cost
1 Project Initiation and Management
$9,000
2 VMT Baseline Setting and VMT Calculation Methodology
$37,000
3 VMT Accounting Methodology and VMT Threshold Setting
$25,000
4 Draft and Final VMT Report and VMT Adoption Support
$37,500
5 General Plan Update Support (Optional)
$27,000
Project Total:
$108,500
Project Total with Optional Task 5:
$135,500
La
2019 2020
D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J
VMT Fact Sheet
What is SB 743?
SB 743 was signed into law in September 2013, initiating a process intended to fundamentally
change transportation impact analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SB 743 eliminates automobile delay (level of service) and other traffic congestion measures as a
basis for determining significant environmental impacts and replaces level of service (LOS) with
a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) metric.
The intent of SB 743 is to balance the needs of congestion management with the statewide goals
of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, realizing infill development, protecting public health
through active transportation, and ensuring that the environmental impacts of traffic such as
noise, air pollution, and safety concerns continue to be addressed and mitigated through CEQA.
What is VMT?
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is measured as the total miles of vehicular travel. For example,
one vehicle traveling ten miles would equal 10 VMT. Four vehicles traveling ten miles would
equal 40 VMT.
What are the elements of a VMT program?
The City of Petaluma is in contract with Fehr & Peers to guide the City through the transition
from LOS to VMT. Fehr & Peers is developing recommendations to establish a Petaluma
specific VMT program, which will contain the following elements:
Metrics: How VMT is presented and may include per capita, per household, per employee, or
other measure.
Screening: Identifies project types or activities that will not be subject to a quantitative VMT
analysis and which projects or activities will be required to conduct a quantitative VMT analysis.
can be presumed not to cause a VMT impact.
Methods: Techniques and methodology used to calculate and forecast VMT.
Thresholds: Establish levels at which a project would contribute to a potentially significant
environmental impact due to VMT.
Mitigation: Measures that a project can implement to avoid, reduce or offset potentially
significant VMT impacts.
What will happen to Level of Service?
The City will decide how to treat the current level of service policy as part of the VMT
Transition process. Options are to continue to include a LOS policy in the General Plan or to
eliminate it all together. Under all circumstances LOS will no longer be used to assess
environmental impacts.
Where is there more information on VMT?
The California Governor's Office of Planning and Research has an informational page on SB
743, which includes the Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impact, Problems
with LOS, Benefits of VMT, among other resources: htti)://oy)r.ca.2ov/cepa/ui)dates/sb-743/
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