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CEQA and LOS. Environmental Benefits vs. Unintended Consequences. Purpose of CEQA. General To address and mitigate the physical impacts of development in the state Transportation To manage growing congestion on our streets and highways. CEQA Checklist - Transportation. TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
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CEQA and LOS Environmental Benefits vs. Unintended Consequences
Purpose of CEQA General • To address and mitigate the physical impacts of development in the state Transportation • To manage growing congestion on our streets and highways
CEQA Checklist - Transportation TRAFFIC OPERATIONS • Result in substantial increase in vehicle trips, V/C ratio, or congestion • Exceed an LOS standard established by the County CMA SAFETY • Change in traffic patterns resulting in increased traffic levels or substantial safety risks
CEQA Checklist - Transportation • Increase hazards due to design • Inadequate emergency access PARKING • Inadequate parking capacity BUS/BICYCLE • Conflict with adopted policies/plans for alternative transportation
CEQA Checklist – Land Use • Physically divide established community • Conflict with applicable land use plan/policy adopted to avoid or mitigate environmental impact • Conflict with habitat or natural community conservation plan
CEQA Negatives Transportation • Has focused almost exclusively on traffic and parking operations • Has not established a high level of transit service as a goal • Has not identified a positive pedestrian environment as a goal Land Use • Has not promoted an efficient use of valuable land resources
Suburban Problems • Inhibits densification outside the core cities • Promotes investment in localized road improvements rather than transit improvements • Does nothing to ensure that environment is walkable
Central City Problems • Doesn’t recognize the importance of the transit infrastructure in central cities • Promotes the provision of parking to meet demand • Treats pedestrians as secondary to vehicular travel
Oakland Moderate to high density Limited parking Good transit No major congestion downtown Walkable city Pleasanton Moderate to low density Plentiful parking Limited transit Congestion along major arterials Pedestrian Unfriendly Tale of Two Cities
CEQA Positives Transportation • Flexibility to local jurisdictions to set appropriate standards of significance • Acknowledges that there are alternative modes of travel • Requires that transportation impacts be mitigated Land Use • Allows local jurisdictions to establish land use policies