HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 29-21 Establishing the CEQA Transportation Thresholds of Significance for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)Reso. No. 29-21, Item 4.4, Adopted 04/20/2021 Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 29 - 21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
ESTABLISHING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
TRANSPORTATION THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR VEHICLE MILES TRAVE LED
(VMT) PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL 743
WHEREAS, In September 2013, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 743
(Steinberg) that shifts the focus of transportation analysis from driver delay to reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions, creation of multi-modal networks, and promotion of a mix of land
uses; and
WHEREAS, historically, transportation analysis under California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) was based on Level of Service (LOS), as measured by roadway capacity or
congestion and vehicle delay, and SB 743 eliminates LOS as the metric to assess significant
transportation impacts under CEQA; and
WHEREAS, in December 2018, to align transportation analysis with state goals for
climate change and active transportation, the Governor’s Office of Policy and Research (OPR)
developed guidelines for new metrics to use in CEQA transportation analyses; and
WHEREAS, OPR recommendations are not mandatory requirements on local agencies ;
therefore, the City can adopt its own thresholds based on local conditions if supported by
substantial evidence; and
WHEREAS, Staff evaluated and determined that Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), an
estimate of the amount and distance people drive by vehicle to rea ch a destination, is an
appropriate metric for evaluating transportation impacts under CEQA analysis per OPR’s
guidelines; and
WHEREAS, Staff evaluated and determined that Planning Area 4, representing the
eastern geographic planning area that includes cities of Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton for
Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), is the appropriate geographic planning
area that VMT thresholds should apply to, as it also overlaps with the ACTC’s planning efforts in
this region and travel demand modeling; and
WHEREAS, Staff evaluated and determined that the appropriate thresholds of
significance for residential projects and office projects is at 15% below the existing Planning
Area 4 VMT averages and is at no net increase in VMT for retail projects per OPR’s guidelines;
and
WHEREAS, Staff evaluated and determined that the appropriate thresholds of
significance for other development projects will be decided by Staff on a case-by-case basis
depending on how close the proposed land use is to residential, office, or retail projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin
establishes VMT as the metric to measure transportation impacts under CEQA analysis.
Reso. No. 29-21, Item 4.4, Adopted 04/20/2021 Page 2 of 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin establishes the
following thresholds of significance and geographic area when assessing potential VMT impacts
under CEQA.
1. Residential Projects: A significant impact occurs if a Proposed Project average VMT per
capita is greater than 15% below the existing Planning Area 4 average.
2. Office Projects: A significant impact occurs if a Proposed Project average VMT per
employee is greater than 15% below the existing Planning Area 4 average.
3. Retail Projects: A significant impact occurs if a Proposed Project causes a net increase in
total VMT. The total VMT for Planning Area 4 with and without the Proposed Project is
calculated. The difference between the two scenarios is the net change in total VMT that
is attributable to the Proposed Project.
4. Other Development Projects: Staff will determine the applicable thresholds on a case -by-
case basis based on the land use type, project description, and setting. Other
Development Projects may include, but are not limited to schools, institutional uses,
medical facilities, hotels, etc. Generally, these projects will be analyzed based on how
similar they are to residential, office, or retail projects.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of April 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Hu, Josey, Kumagai, McCorriston and Mayor Hernandez
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk