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City of City Council Report
Santa Monica'
City Council Meeting: November 22, 2011
Agenda Item: 86
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director of Planning & Community Development
Subject: Review and Approval of Final Bike Action Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Review Draft Final Bicycle Action Plan
2. Approve Resolution adopting Initial Study /Negative Declaration for the Bike
Action Plan (Attachment F)
3. Approve Resolution adopting the Bike Action Plan (Attachment G).
4. Authorize the budget changes outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget
Actions section of this report.
Executive Summary
The Bike Action Plan, once adopted, will guide the City's efforts to get people out of
cars and onto bikes, to promote safe bicycling, to ensure compliance with state, regional
and federal policy directives, to encourage effective collaboration with community
partners and to help the City compete successfully for grant funding. The Draft Final
Bike Action Plan (Attachment A) supports the City's Land Use and Circulation Element
(LUCE) goals to encourage and facilitate bicycling in Santa Monica. The LUCE calls for
integrated transportation and land use policies designed to increase bicycling from 3 %,
where it is today, to 14 -35% of all trips by 2030.
This report summarizes additions and revisions to the Bike Action Plan in response to
community, boards and commissions, and City Council comments on the Draft Plan
issued in August 2011. The report also outlines planned expenditures of the $2.5 million
in funding available in FY11 -13 for implementing Bike Action Plan programs and
projects, including leveraging funding toward State and Federal grants. Finally, an
Initial Study and Negative Declaration were prepared pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and findings are summarized in the report. The
Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Draft Final Bike
Action Plan and Initial Study /Negative Declaration to Council at their meeting on
November 9, 2011.
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Background
The Bike Action Plan includes strategies and recommendations to get more people in
Santa Monica out of cars and onto bikes. The Bike Action Plan develops bikeways and
programs that are inviting and convenient so everyone will want to bicycle. It reaches
out to the diverse population by providing a broad array of facility types, from separated
bike paths to in -lane sharrows, by educating all road users, through awareness and
information campaigns, and by developing encouragement efforts with businesses,
employers and schools. The Bike Action Plan includes:
• A review of bicycling in Santa Monica today, including existing bikeways and
programs, supporting facilities, and relevant statistics against which the City can
measure future progress.
• A toolkit of bikeway and program improvements.
• Articulation of the community's 20 -Year Vision through specific facility and
programmatic recommendations.
• A recommended 5 -year Implementation Plan, with priorities that will develop the
citywide bicycle network and encourage ridership through programs (events,
campaigns, education, etc.) and supporting facilities.
• Performance measures and a program for ongoing communication with the
public, monitoring by the Planning Commission, and oversight by the City Council
to ensure that the Plan achieves its objectives.
• Appendices with resources including detailed material on proposed bicycle
parking requirements and facility requirements for new development projects,
bicycle rack standards, existing network conditions, specific street -by- street
recommendations for improvements on LUCE bike network and potential funding
sources.
Each of these elements of the Bike Action Plan help to frame or implement the Plan's
primary three goals which were derived from the community's comments. These goals
state that Santa Monica aspires to:
• Increase the numbers of people bicycling
• Make bicycling fun for everyone
• Make bicycling convenient and comfortable
With these clear aspirations, the Bike Action Plan fills an important role to advance
bicycling in Santa Monica as part of citywide efforts to create complete streets that
welcome pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and drivers. Implementation of the Plan
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also supports citywide efforts to improve neighborhood quality of life, improve mobility
for people of all ages, reduce the cost and greenhouse gas emissions associated with
travel, promote active living and support the local economy.
The Bike Action Plan provides both a 20 -year vision for how to achieve the LUCE goals
by 2030 and a 5 -year implementation program to meet the State of California Bicycle
Transportation Account requirement for a masterplan with a five -year timeframe, and to
reflect initial implementation priorities. This staff report also identifies projects and
programs with committed funding over the next two years and recommends how $2.5
million in additional funding reserved by the Council should be allocated to supplement
the commited funding and advance the 5 -year implementation effort most effectively.
The August 23, 2011 City Council review of the Draft Bike Action Plan was the
culmination of several years of outreach and Plan development:
• Bicycling emerged as a critical issue during the extensive LUCE community
outreach process, with the LUCE adoption in July 2010 establishing bicycle goals
and policies.
• In December 2010, a focused community workshop discussed developing a City
bicycle plan and implementation document.
• Following the workshop, the City developed and circulated a Bicycle Plan Survey
to expand participation and solicit detailed input.
• A second public workshop was held in May 2011 that sought input on proposed
corridor improvements, monitoring strategies, program ideas and priorities.
• Extensive fieldwork and street surveys to determine corridor feasibility, as well as
research on best practices to achieve programmatic goals, was conducted.
Since the early August 2011 release of the Draft Bike Action Plan, it has been
presented to the City Council, the Commission on the Senior Community, the Task
Force on the Environment, the Planning Commission, and the Recreation and Parks
Commission for review and comment. City staff has also discussed the Draft Plan with
representatives of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica
College, Downtown Santa Monica Inc., Metro, the regional transportation agency, and
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Santa Monica Spoke, the local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
The discussion section of this report responds to comments and suggestions made
during this review process.
Discussion
Recent Feedback on the Draft Bike Action Plan
There has been broad interest in the Draft Bike Action Plan. Every group that has taken
a position on the Plan has supported it, with many of the comments seeking more or
faster implementation. Community groups, policymakers and stakeholders commenting
on the Plan have supported the strategies it includes to implement livable
neighborhoods and complete streets, and to get more people to shift from driving to
bicycling in order to achieve the No Net New Vehicle Trips objective and citywide
targets for greenhouse gas emission reduction. Even criticism was constructive, urging
the City to do more in some areas of the planned program or bikeway improvements.
Among the calls to do more, a few stood out:
The need to emphasize safety and mutual respect for rules of the road and among
all road users. In response to these comments, the Draft Final Plan increases the
emphasis on "Awareness" programs, emphasizing awareness of the rights of cyclists
and other road users, and good safety practices. Language calling for regional
cooperation, leadership and legislative and policy advocacy in this area was added and
strengthened. Some emphasis was also added within "Encouragement' and
"Enforcement" program areas. This issue is highlighted in a new section entitled
"Looking Ahead" that was added to the final implementation chapter of the plan.
The need to emphasize and support transportation demand management
programs with businesses and safe access to school programs with local
schools. In response to these comments, the Draft Final Plan adds more specific
language in the "Encouragement' program area, which was already recommended for
the highest level of implementation effort. Implementation of Safe Routes to School
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programs is highlighted, along with continued support for Bike It/Walk It school events,
and improved bicycle parking and support facilities at the schools. The network of city-
wide bicycle lanes, paths, and sharrows connects school sites to neighborhoods and
transportation facilities. This issue is also highlighted in a new "Looking Ahead" section
of the final implementation chapter.
A desire for more events, including car -free events like CicLAvia, to raise the
profile of bicycling and give people good opportunities to try riding. The Bike
Action Plan calls for events of this nature, including possible smaller -scale and local
events, but does not prioritize them for resources within the first five years of
implementation. In response to comments, the Draft Final Plan includes additional
language regarding cooperation with Los Angeles if there is a westside extension of
CicLAvia, and consideration is given to extending the car -free aspects of Santa Monica
events like the Santa Monica Festival and GLOW. The City could also consider
sponsoring a starting route for people riding to a future CicLAvia from Santa Monica.
A desire for larger and faster implementation of a public bikeshare system that
will make bikes available to everyone, increasing the visibility and safety of
bicycling throughout the city. The Bike Action Plan calls for implementation of a
250 - bicycle bikeshare program in the first five years, and the City has secured grant
funding that will be available, beginning in 2016, for this program. Jumpstarting this
effort is recommended. The immediate focus would be to develop implementation
strategies, including identification of a management structure, identification of operating
funds, and generating support for the installation of bikeshare stations on public and
private property. Nothing in the Plan precludes advancing this program, if resources can
be obtained earlier than anticipated.
A desire to monitor and encourage aggressive implementation. The Bike Action
Plan presents a bold and practical strategy for achieving the LUCE aspiration for a 14-
35 percent bicycle mode share. It includes a specific measuring and monitoring
program to evaluate the Plan's implementation and identify when resource adjustment
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may be needed to assure on -going implementation. Community members who support
the Bike Action Plan expressed eagerness to see commitments for implementation.
The Plan itself shows where funding has already been secured for specific programs
and identifies grants that have been awarded to support implementation. In addition to
funding already allocated to specific programs, the City Council has allocated $2.5
million for Bike Action Plan implementation.
A desire to show leadership, to have a strong impact with a small footprint. Santa
Monicans are proud of the City's environmental leadership in many public policy areas.
Through the LUCE principles and policies, encouraging bicycling and sustainable
streets are at the forefront. Santa Monica is currently experiencing an awakening of
interest in bicycling. Some people expressed a sense of either urgency or opportunity
to make significant changes now, while community interest is high and in coordination
with and support of major investments in transit. If Santa Monica acts now, it can
demonstrate that transit and bikes together can provide powerful competition for cars,
and the basis for better, more livable communities. The Bike Action Plan catches some
of this spirit with its aggressive commitment to get large numbers of people onto bikes,
and it benefits from the Council's commitment to increased resources. The Plan
recommends some early projects, such as green buffered bike lanes on Main /Second
Street and on Broadway, and an ongoing commitment to education - focused awareness
campaigns, that would not be possible without these resources. In response to these
comments the Draft Final Plan includes the direction to upgrade the City's Bike Friendly
status as well as to create and highlight some early showcase projects.
Recommended Five -Year Implementation Highlights
Implementation priorities include both bikeway and program investments, as community
feedback and experience elsewhere suggests that a balanced, supporting approach is
the most effective way to get more people to bicycle. The five -year plan for bikeways
(Attachment B) improves 75 percent of the LUCE bicycle network with focused efforts
on a primary north -south and primary east -west bikeway corridor. Recommended
programs include efforts in all program areas: events, awareness, information,
education, encouragement, enforcement and supporting facilities such as development
of a bicycle wayfinding system and bicycle parking improvements (Attachment C).
Recommended bikeway investments include both facility improvements that are
relatively easy and low cost, so they can be applied on many streets, as well as facility
improvements that require more outreach, design and environmental review, but are
critical to the development of a high - quality continuous bikeway "backbone" and
showcase leading bicycle treatments.
The community has expressed the desire to see improvements implemented
aggressively, that is, to get as much out on the streets as soon as possible. The City
Council allocation of $2.5 million for FY 2011 -13 will be used for fast - tracking in three
areas: Infrastructure Improvements, Education /Awareness and Grant Match /Project
Readiness for future grant applications. This report recommends that these funds be
used to supplement and leverage other resources available for plan implementation as
follows:
Infrastructure Improvements ($1,050,000) - the following specific projects are
recommended for immediate funding in order to fast -track implementation of projects
that the community has expressed as high priority:
• Create Visible Wider Green Bikeways on Broadway and Main /2nd Streets, and
Green Lanes for Ocean Park Boulevard project: Enhance bike lanes on
Broadway and Main Street /2nd Street with a visible "green cross" of buffered bike
lanes. These are among the most heavily used bikeways in the city and provide
good links to all other bikeways and destinations. Preliminary design and
procurement can be completed by July 2012 and construction by December
2012. Provide funding so that green lanes can be implemented on Ocean Park
Boulevard as recommended in the Ocean Park Boulevard Green Street
Improvement project.
• Intersection Improvements including signal upgrades. Appropriate funding for
upgrades including signal detection where needed to approximately 10
intersections that will be key to bikeway network development but are not
currently funded by other projects. Staff will prepare a priority list of intersections
by July 2012, design improvements by December 2012 and implement by June
2013.
• Jumpstart Bikeshare Program: Develop implementation plan recommendations
including management structure, source of operating revenue, and procurement
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strategy. Proceed with identifying locations and seeking community and private
support for implementation. By Spring 2012 create an oversight committee and
by Fall 2012 create an implementation plan to support a request to advance
Metro grant funding. The City has received grant funding for this project in 2016-
2018 but seeks to advance implementation ahead of Expo Light Rail opening in
2015.
Education /Awareness ($250,000) — funding for this year and next year is
recommended to ensure that the important messages about safety, awareness and
encouragement are getting strong emphasis:
Awareness and Safety Campaigns for All Road Users: A portion of the funding
will be used each of the two years to develop materials for awareness campaigns
that contain safety- oriented messages geared to motorists utilizing bus tail cards
and local media. A portion will go each year for education awareness about new
facilities and planning events. A small portion will also go each year to support
departments that implement specific bicycle awareness programs including
employee training, bike to park or other City access programs, strengthening
bicycle elements of green business recognition programs and buy local
programs.
Education Curriculum for Bike Safety Training and Code Violations: Develop
bike education materials, including videos, programs and quizzes, that can be
accessed from the City website, the Bicycle Campus, and used by educators and
City staff to strengthen educational components of outreach efforts. Prioritize
development of material to support the Bike Campus, the Police Department's
proposed alternative to traditional traffic fines, school access /student safety and
integration of bikes with transit.
Grant Match /Project Readiness ($1,200,000) — staff is recommending that a large
portion of funding be held as matching funds for future grant applications and also be
used to ensure that projects will be ready and eligible for grant funding. The following
areas will be the focus
Michigan Avenue Bikeway: The scope of this project is extensive and has the
potential to be costly. The City intends to apply for a future grant for this project
and funding from this category will be used as match for a grant application. The
project in its entirety will connect the beach, downtown, civic center, Santa
Monica High School, Santa Monica College, Edison Language Academy, the
Expo light rail stations and neighborhoods at the east end of the City. The City
has obtained some grant and developer funding that will go towards community
outreach and conceptual planning. Additional "project readiness" funds will be
used from this category to perform technical work, prepare a project studX report
and conduct right of way negotiations with Caltrans in the vicinity of 20t Street
(both east and west of 20th Street). Environmental studies may also be required.
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These detailed reports and technical studies must be completed for the City to be
successful seeking competitive construction grant funding.
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Development: Public outreach and project development preliminary design for
the proposed high - quality bikeway along 16th and 17th Street that connects
Sunset Park, Santa Monica College, the Expo light rail station, the two regional
hospitals, as well as John Adams and Lincoln middle schools. This work will be
undertaken beginning in July 2013 and completed in June 2014, and will enable
the City to compete more successfully for grant funding for planning and
construction of a separated north -south bicycle facility as envisioned by LUCE.
The City intends to apply for a future grant for this project and funding from this
category will be used as match for a grant application.
• Neighborhood Greenways: A small amount of funding will be used to develop
project readiness through design and public outreach for neighborhood greenway
elements such as turn restrictions, stop sign or parking removals or landscaped
elements. In order to compete for future grant funding, the City needs to identify
specific locations for design features and demonstrate community support and
design feasibility.
• Environmental Studies: Environmental studies are necessary to complete
bikeway improvements throughout the network. Construction grant applications
are more competitive when environmental work is complete and some elements
of the bikeway network require environmental analysis before they can be
completed.
• Additional Program Grant Matching: Although some of the grants for safety and
education programs do not require matching funds, most funding sources require
a minimum match amount or recommend matching funds to make an application
more competitive. The California Bicycle Transportation Account is one of the
largest sources for bicycle funding, and the adopted Bike Action Plan qualifies
the City of Santa Monica for funding. Leveraging local match funds toward these
and other grant sources will help to expedite the implementation of the Bike
Action Plan. In additon to the projects identified above, matching will be available
for the following priorities:
• Bike Education and Awareness
• Beach Access
• School Access Improvements and Programs
Incorporating bicycle programs and bikeways into ongoing City work efforts, as well as
working in partnership with City and non - profit organizations like business groups,
schools and bicycle advocates, is already underway:
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• Over 17 miles of sharrows and 14 miles of bike lanes will be created or upgraded
to improve key linkages and close network gaps through this year's citywide
street resurfacing program (see map in Attachment D).
• The Santa Monica Bike Center, possibly the largest in the country, opened for
operation last week, on November 18, 2011. It is located in Santa Monica Place
parking structures, includes 350 secure bike parking spaces, and was funded
with a grant from Metro with City matching funds.
In response to advocacy by the bicycle community, the City is completing its first
Bicycle Campus — an off -road bicycle learning area that can be used individually
or as a class to learn safe cycling habits. The final self -serve signage will be
installed by the end of the year. Funding for the first training course utilizing the
campus was obtained by the City and classes are already being conducted.
• Enhanced signage and markings on the Beach Bike Trail will be implemented in
time for Summer, 2012, to improve access and flow for both bicyclists and
pedestrians. [City funded]
Currently, the City has programmed various Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds
and has obtained approximately $8 million in grant commitments (existing and future)
for bicycle projects and programs. The current grants are primarily from Metro, with
smaller amounts from several state agencies. The City has already identified the
matching funds for these grant commitments. City and grant- funded projects currently
underway or slated for implementation within the next several years include:
• The City's Annual Resurfacing Program, as noted above, provides a great
opportunity to upgrade and add striping, signing and other improvements. [City
funded]
• Striping and marking redesign — Creating bicycle standards for roadway striping
and installation to speed implementation. [City funded]
• Bicycle Parking — On -going annual bicycle parking installation including racks
and corrals for schools, business districts and public facilities. [City funded]
• Development of Wayfinding System — System to allow cyclists to navigate city
streets and bikeways and access cycling amenities as they ride will be designed
and initial implementation program can begin. [Design is funded with City funds]
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• Development of Middle School Bicycle Education Program — A Safe Routes to
School program to teach and encourage walking and bicycling among middle -
school students. [Grant funded]
• Santa Monica High School Access and Parking Improvements — Safe Routes to
School enhancements and bicycle parking. [Grant funded with match]
• Planning and Project Development for Michigan Avenue Bikeway — Planning and
outreach effort to create the Michigan Avenue bike facilities. [Grant and
developer contribution — partially funded]
• Coastal Access Improvements — Identify affordable solutions that can be
implemented in the near term, develop plans for specific locations and install.
[partially funded through existing City CIP]
• Expo Bike Path — Completion of the regional bicycle path which connects through
the westside to Downtown Culver City and Downtown Los Angeles. Will be
designed and constructed by Expo Authority in parallel with Expo light rail line.
[Grant funded with City match]
• Expo Station Connections Planning — Integration of bicycles in Expo Stations,
priority for bicycle improvements leading to stations, and inclusion of bicycles in
planning for districts around each station. [Metro grant with City match - available
starting 2014 and Bergamot Station Area grant]
• Greening existing Bike Lanes — Painting green bike lanes connecting to Expo
Light Rail Stations. [Metro grant with City match - available starting 2013]
• Website Improvements — A transportation access portal providing up to date
information about bicycling, walking, transit, driving and parking in Santa Monica.
[Metro grant with City match — available starting 2013]
• TDM /Incentives for Employers and Businesses — Incentives and improvements
to encourage non - vehicular access to work and businesses, including bike racks
on private property and bike baskets. [Metro grant with City match — available
starting 20121
Important projects that are funded beyond a two -year time frame are listed below.
• Citywide Bikeshare — A 250 bike bikeshare program in 25 locations [Grant
funded with City match — available starting in 2016, with early exploration of
implementation mechanisms or pilot programs as listed above.
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• California Incline & Pier Bridge Improvements — Inclusion of bicycle facilities in
the design and reconstruction of the California Incline and the Pier Bridge. [State
funded — projected start dates 2013 and 2016 respectively]
Staff will continue to seek grants to fund additional planning, outreach, design and
construction (see comprehensive list of funding sources in Appendix E of the Bike
Action 'Plan). Development Agreements can contribute funding or facilities to area
improvements as well as incorporate high - quality on -site facilities consistent with the
Bike Action Plan. Also, as requested by the City Council and the Planning Commission,
a transportation impact fee is being developed that will be applied to future development
to fund a fraction of future costs of pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and circulation projects.
In addition, Council has previously determined that parking fees should be used for
alternative transportation access in the Downtown as part of the Walker Parking Study
and the Downtown Parking Program, and this could be incorporated into funding plans.
A citywide parking rate study is underway, along with a study evaluating the in -lieu
parking fees and district boundaries in the Downtown. These studies should consider
opportunities to fund alternative transportation facilities and programs as well as on-
going facilities maintenance.
The Planning Commission will review progress on funded projects and the measuring
and monitoring indicators set forth in Chapter 4 of the Bike Action Plan. Continuing
recommendations and decisions about resources will be made as part of the regular
City budget process. To ensure collaboration and public participation, staff will maintain
an updated implementation guide and hold regular meetings with bicycle groups and
other interested people.
Planning Commission Action
The Planning Commission considered the Draft Final Bicycle Action Plan at its meeting
on November 9, 2011. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval
of the Bike Action Plan (and its Negative Declaration) to Council with a recommendation
that the Council consider the following modifications:
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• Add to 20 -Year Vision exploration of the opportunity for a recreational cycle track
at Santa Monica Airport
• Pursue implementation of Bikeshare prior to the Metro - funded project in 2016
• Establish criteria to measure bicycle mode share to inform on -going investment
and activities
• Include one east -west and one north -south separated bike facility in the 20 -Year
Vision
• Establish a greater priority for working with .schools and Safe Routes to Schools
programs
• Provide annual reporting on plan implementation
• Highlight language about the potential for street closure events like Ciclavia
Environmental Analysis
An Initial Study and Negative Declaration was prepared pursuant to Sections 15063(c)
and 15070 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines and the City of Santa
Monica CEQA Guidelines to address the potential environmental effects of the policies,
programs, and projects identified in the Bike Action Plan (Attachment E). The Initial
Study/ Negative Declaration analyzed environmental impacts that would be potentially
affected by the Bike Action Plan and determined that less than significant or no impacts
would occur with respect to the following issues: Aesthetics, Agricultural and Forestry
Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Hazards and Hazardous
Materials, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population and Housing,
Public Services, Transportation and Traffic, Utilities, and Mandatory Findings of
Significance. No mitigation measures were identified in the Initial Study /Negative
Declaration and none were needed to reduce the severity of an identified impact. The
Bike Action Plan is a programmatic document; as such, specific physical projects that
implement the Bike Action Plan would be subject to future environmental review on an
individual basis.
The Draft Initial Study/ Negative Declaration was circulated for a 30 -day public review
period from August 29, 2011 to September 28, 2011. No comments were received on
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the Draft Initial Study /Negative Declaration. The Final Initial Study /Negative Declaration
concluded that the Bike Action Plan would not result in significant impacts.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The following budget actions are needed to appropriate $2.5 million designated in the
FY11 -13 Adopted Budget for Bike Action Implementation plan:
1. Release of $2.5 million from Account # 1.370316 -Comm Bicycle Action Plan.
2. Appropriations totaling $2.5 million are requested in the following accounts:
• Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements $1,050,000 C014071.589000
• Bicycle Education /Awareness $250,000 C014072.589000
• Bicycle Grant Match /Project Readiness $1,200,000 0014073.589000
Total $2,500,000
Prepared By: Lucy Dyke, Deputy Director for Special Projects
Francie Stefan, Strategic & Transportation Planning Manager
Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director, Planning & Community Development
Approved:
avid Ma in, Director
Planning and Community Development
Department
Attachments:
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
A. Draft Final Bike Action Plan (under separate cover)
B. Map of 5 -year Bikeway Recommendations
C. Map of 5 -year Supporting Facilities Recommendations
D. Map of Bike Facilities to be Implemented through Current Repaving Project
E. Initial Study and Negative Declaration
F. Resolution Adopting Negative Declaration
G. Resolution Adopting Bike Action Plan
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Draft
inal Bike Action Plan
This document is available online at:
httD://wwwOl.smgov.net/Dlanninv,
A hard copy of this document is also
available at The City Clerk's Office.
ATTACHMENT B
MAP OF 5 -YEAR BIKEWAY RECOMMENDATIONS
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ATTACHMENT C
MAP OF SUPPORTING FACILITIES RECOMMENDATIONS
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MAP OF BIKE FACILITIES TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CURRENT
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ATTACHMENT E
INITIAL STUDY AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT STATEMENT
1. Project title:
City of Santa Monica Bike Action Plan
2. Lead agency name and address:
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407
3. Contact person and phone number:
Michelle Glickert
(310) 458 -8341
4. Project location:
Citywide
5. Project sponsor's name and address:
City of Santa Monica Strategic and Transportation Planning
6. General plan designation:
All
7. Zoning:
All
8. Description of project:
The proposed project consists of the adoption of the City of Santa Monica's 2011 Bike Action
Plan (the Plan). The Plan recommends a number of policies, programs, and projects to
promote bicycling and improve the bicycling network In the City. Specifically, the Bike
Action Plan identifies 5 -year plan and 20 -year vision for bicycle programs such as
encouragement events, educational programs, and awareness campaigns, as well as
bicycle facilities (physical improvements) that include a variety bicycle treatments such as
shared use paths and separated bike lanes, neighborhood greenways (bicycle boulevards),
and slow streets. The recommended bicycle improvements would make up the City's Priority
Bikeway Network as illustrated in Figure 1. The approach to the proposed bikeway
improvements was to identify what could be physically possible utilizing the existing public
right -of -way without having to make any substantive changes to the street network, based
on roadway measurements made in the field when developing the plan's conceptual
recommendations.
The Plan refines the bicycle network identified in the City's Land Use and Circulation Element
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
••• °•• -• Page 1 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
(LUCE) (analyzed in the certified Environmental Impact Report SCH #2009041117).
Refinements were made based on a community survey, a series of community workshops
and meetings, staff and consultant analysis. Bicycling emerged as a priority in the City's
adopted LUCE because it can provide more clean transportation options, can replace
vehicle trips with bicycle trips and promote health through active transportation. The Plan
provides a strategic framework for achieving LUCE bicycle goals, policies and actions,
supporting the adopted citywide goal of No Net New PM Peak Vehicle Trips, The Plan is
intended to satisfy California Bicycle Transportation Account requirements for a bicycle
masterplan and to thereby make the City eligible to apply for significant Caltrans funding
through the California Bicycle Transportation Account.
The Plan recommendations include a back -bone network of high quality bikeways that
include some projects which will require further fieldwork and refinement before finalizing the
design. Implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
dependent on the availability of funding sources. As a programmatic document, specific
physical projects that implement the plan would be subject to future environmental review
on an individual basis.
9. Surrounding land uses and setting:
The City of Santa Monica is an urbanized coastal city, bounded by communities of the City
of Los Angeles to the north, east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The City
includes 8.3 square miles and has a population of 89,736 residents. The City also attracts a
high number of tourists and visitors, particularly during the summer months. Land uses in the
City consist of a mix of commercial, residential, light industrial, recreational, and open space
uses.
10. Public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or
participation agreement.)
® City of Santa Monica City Council
0 Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
,N:.:. August 2011
. ..... Page 2 of 38
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CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project,
involving at least one impact that is a 'Potentially Significant Impact' as indicated by the
checklist on the following pages.
❑
Aesthetics
❑
Agriculture and Forestry
Resources
❑
Air Quality
❑
Biological Resources
❑
Construction Effects
❑
Cultural Resources
❑
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
❑
Geology /Soils
❑
Hazards & Hazardous
Materials
❑
Hydrology /Water Quality
❑
Land Use /Planning
❑
Mineral Resources
❑
Neighborhood Effects
❑
Noise
❑
Population /Housing
❑
Public Services
❑
Recreation
❑
Shadows
❑
Transportation /Traffic
❑
Utilities /Service Systems
❑
Mandatory Findings of
Significance
w Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
•• -• . Page 4 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency)
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
® I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the
environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
❑ environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the
project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment,
and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or
'.potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one
effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to
applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based
on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed
Ej adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable
standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or
NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed
upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Rachel Kwok Date
Environmental Planner
<a - Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
_,a August 2011
^• Page 5 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA DIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
I.
Less Than
Significant
Potentially ,
With ':
tetsThan
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact;
I.
AESTHETICS. Would the project:
a)
Have a. substantial adverse effect on a;
F1
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scenic vista?
b)
Substantially damage scenic resources,
including, but not limited to, trees, rock
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outcroppings, and historic buildings within a
state scenic highway?
c)
Substantially degrade the existing visual
character or quality of the site and its
❑
❑
❑
surroundings?
d)
Create a new source of substantial light or
glare that would adversely affect day or
❑
❑
❑
0
nighttime views in the area?
a,b) No Impact. Scenic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Mountains, and other
scenic resources are available in many areas of the City, including along the existing street
corridors. In addition, a number of scenic resources including scenic highways, trees, and
historic buildings, exist in the City. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike
Action Plan. Adoption of the plan would not result in an impact on a scenic vista or scenic
resources. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle
education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, the bicycle
projects which involve physical improvements are proposed at grade and on the existing
street network and thus, would not result in the removal /disturbance of existing scenic vistas
or scenic resources. Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the
Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be
subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
c) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption
of the plan would not result in an impact on visual character. Most of the policies and
programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in
physical impacts on the environment. In addition, the bicycle projects which involve
physical improvements are proposed at grade and on the existing street network and thus,
would not degrade visual character or quality of the site or surrounding area. Furthermore,
implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
d) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption
of the plan would not result in an impact on lights /glare. Most of the policies and programs
proposed in the Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the
environment. Bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan could include safety and
wayfinding lighting. However, such lighting would be directed onto the areas to be lit as to
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
-? August2011
-• ° Page 6 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE
minimize spillover onto sensitive uses. Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects
identified in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources
and would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no
impacts would occur.
_ Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
••- Page 7 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Less Than
Significant
Potentially With Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant
.impact Incorporated Impact No Impact
II. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES. .In determining whether impacts to
agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to
the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997), prepared
by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing
impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest
resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies
may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection regarding the state's inventory of forest land, including the Forest and
Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest
carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the
California Air Resources Board. Would the oroiect:
a)
Convert Prime Farmland, Unique
Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide
Importance (Farmland), as shown on the
maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland
❑
❑
❑
Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-
agricultural use?
b)
Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
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El
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use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c)
Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in
Public Resources Code section 12220(g)),
timberland (as defined by Public
El
11
❑
Resources Code section 4526), or
timberland zoned Timberland Production
(as defined by Government Code section
51104(g))?
d) Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non - forest ❑ ❑ ❑
use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location
or nature, could result in conversion of ❑ El El to non- agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non - forest
use?
a through e) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica is completely urbanized. No agricultural land
or forest land is located in the City. Furthermore, neither agricultural or forest uses occur in
the City. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
initial Study/ Negative Declaration
-;� August 2011
••- Page 8 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Less Than
Significant
Pohmucilly With Less Than
Significant Mitigation` Significant
'Impact Incorporated impact. No Impact
111. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air
quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the
following determinations. Would the project:
a)
Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
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the applicable air quality plan?
b)
Violate any air quality standard or
contribute substantially to an existing or
❑
❑
❑
projected air quality violation?
c)
Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is in non- attainment
under an applicable federal or state
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ambient air quality standard (including
releasing emissions that exceed
quantitative thresholds for ozone
precursors)?
d)
Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
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pollutant concentrations?
e)
Create objectionable odors affecting a
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substantial number of people?
a through d) No Impact. The project site is located in the South Coast Air Basin. The South Coast
Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the agency responsible for controlling and
reducing air emissions in the Basin, adopted the current Air Quality Management Plan
(AQMP) in June 1, 2007, The AQMP outlines the air pollution control measures needed to
meet Federal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards by 2015 and ozone (03) standards
by 2024. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption of
the plan would not result in an adverse Impact on air quality. Rather, the Bike Action Plan
includes policies, programs, and projects that would promote bicycling as an alternative
means of transportation in the City and reduce vehicular trips and associated overall City-
wide air pollutant emissions. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
e) No Impact. Odors are typically associated with industrial uses, agricultural facilities (e.g.,
farms and dairies), refineries, wastewater treatment facilities, and landfills. The proposed
project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption of the plan would not
result in an impact related to odors. None of the policies, programs, or projects contained
in the plan would have the potential to generate odors. Therefore, no impacts would
occur.
Initial Study! Negative Declaration
• August 2011
-- Page 9 at 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY) NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a through d, and f) No Impact. The majority of the City of Santa Monica has been developed,
paved, or landscaped, and is generally devoid of large expanses of habitat that support
sensitive species. No major regional wildlife migration corridors are known to exist within the
City limits. No native riparian habitat, blueline streams, wetlands, or sensitive natural
communities are located in the City limits. The beach areas of the City do provide foraging
and roosting opportunities for several special status species (e.g., least terns). Most of the
se Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
Page 10 of 38
'. Less Than
(. Significantr
Potentially With Less Than
Significant Mitigations: Significant
Impact Incorporated impact No Impact'
IV.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a)
Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications,
on any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or
❑ ❑ ❑
regional plans, policies or regulations, or by
the California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b)
Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
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plans, policies or regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c)
Have a substantial adverse effect on
federally protected wetlands, as defined
by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal
❑ ❑ ❑
pool, coastal wetlands, etc.), through
direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption or other means?
d)
Interfere substantially with the movement
of any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
E] El
or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
e)
Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological resources,
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such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance?
t)
Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
❑ ❑ ❑
approved local, regional or state habitat
conservation plan?
a through d, and f) No Impact. The majority of the City of Santa Monica has been developed,
paved, or landscaped, and is generally devoid of large expanses of habitat that support
sensitive species. No major regional wildlife migration corridors are known to exist within the
City limits. No native riparian habitat, blueline streams, wetlands, or sensitive natural
communities are located in the City limits. The beach areas of the City do provide foraging
and roosting opportunities for several special status species (e.g., least terns). Most of the
se Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
Page 10 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not
result in physical impacts on the environment. Furthermore, the bicycle projects which
involve physical improvements are proposed on the City's existing street network and would
not cross through undisturbed natural areas. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
e) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan would not conflict with a local ordinance protecting
biological resources including trees. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike
Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on environment.
In addition, the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are unlikely to require
the removal /relocation of existing trees because the majority of the recommended physical
improvements can be accomplished within the existing roadbed (curb to curb width).
Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects would be dependent on ' the
availability of funding sources and would- be subject to future environmental review on a
case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
Page 11 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a) No Impact. Adoption of the Bike Action Plan would, not result in considerable construction
impacts. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle
education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, many of
the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements would not require construction
activities that would adversely affect the physical environment (e.g., bicycle lane markings,
bicycle signage). Furthermore, construction of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike
Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be
subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
w, Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
• -- Page 12 of 38
LesaThan%
Significanti'
Potentially
- With
Less Than
Significant
Mitigation
Significant
Impact
Incotporated
Impact No Impact
V. CONSTRUCTION EFFECTS. Would the project:
a) Have considerable construction - period
impacts due to the scope, or location of
❑
❑
❑
construction activities?
a) No Impact. Adoption of the Bike Action Plan would, not result in considerable construction
impacts. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle
education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, many of
the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements would not require construction
activities that would adversely affect the physical environment (e.g., bicycle lane markings,
bicycle signage). Furthermore, construction of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike
Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be
subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
w, Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
• -- Page 12 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica has a number of historic resources. The Santa Monica
Historic Resources Inventory (the Inventory) is a database used by the City to identify
properties of potential historic significance. Each property listed on the Inventory was
evaluated by preservation professionals using nationwide standards and criteria. The
Inventory was last updated in December 2010. The Bike Action Plan would not result in an
impact on historic resources. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action
Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In
addition, the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the
City's existing street network and thus, would not result in the disturbance /removal of
existing historic resources. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
b through d) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan would not result in an impact on buried cultural
resources including archaeological resources, paleontological resources, and human
remains. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle
education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. Many of the bicycle
projects which involve physical improvements would not require substantial (if any)
grading /ground disturbance (e.g., bicycle lane striping). As such, the potential to uncover
archaeological resources, paleontological resources, and human remains is highly unlikely.
Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would
be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
a Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
••••••••- Page 13 of 38
potentially
:Significant
'Impact
i Less Than
Significant'.
With
Mitigation '.
Incorporated
Less Than
Slgnificant
Impact
No Impact
VI.
CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a)
Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as
❑
❑
❑
defined in § 15064.5?
b)
Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
❑
❑
❑
pursuant to §15064.5?
c)
Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
❑
❑
❑
geological feature?
d)
Disturb any human remains, including those
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interred outside of formal cemeteries?
a) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica has a number of historic resources. The Santa Monica
Historic Resources Inventory (the Inventory) is a database used by the City to identify
properties of potential historic significance. Each property listed on the Inventory was
evaluated by preservation professionals using nationwide standards and criteria. The
Inventory was last updated in December 2010. The Bike Action Plan would not result in an
impact on historic resources. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action
Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In
addition, the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the
City's existing street network and thus, would not result in the disturbance /removal of
existing historic resources. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
b through d) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan would not result in an impact on buried cultural
resources including archaeological resources, paleontological resources, and human
remains. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle
education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. Many of the bicycle
projects which involve physical improvements would not require substantial (if any)
grading /ground disturbance (e.g., bicycle lane striping). As such, the potential to uncover
archaeological resources, paleontological resources, and human remains is highly unlikely.
Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would
be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
a Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
••••••••- Page 13 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Less Than
Significant
Potentially j With Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
a)
Expose people or structures to potential
substantial adverse effects, including the risk
of loss, injury or death, involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued
by the State Geologist for the area or
❑
❑
❑
based on other substantial evidence of a
known fault? Refer to Division of Mines
and Geology Special Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
❑
❑
❑
iii) Seismic - related ground failure, including
El
El
❑
liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
❑
❑
❑
b)
Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
El
E]
topsoil?
c)
Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as
a result of the project, and potentially result in
❑
❑
❑
on- or off -site landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
d)
Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 18 -1 -B of the Uniform Building Code
❑
❑
❑
(1994), creating substantial risks to life or
property?
e)
Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems
❑
❑
❑
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater?
a through d) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan would not result in impacts related to
geology /soils. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g.,
bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, the
bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the existing street
network and thus, would not result in greater geologic hazard exposure or risks.
Implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
Page 14 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
e) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica is entirely served by an existing sewer network. The use
of alternative wastewater disposal systems including septic tanks is not necessary in the City.
Therefore, no impacts would occur.
w Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
•• -• ...... Page 75 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment?
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of greenhouse 0 El
gases?
a through b) No Impact. Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) was passed as the California Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006 which mandated reduction in the State's greenhouse gas levels. In
addition, Senate Bill (SB) 375, passed by the State of California in 2009, requires metropolitan
regions to adopt transportation plans that reduce vehicle miles travelled.
The City of Santa Monica has also adopted the Sustainability Plan which includes targets of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 percent below 1990 levels by 2015 for City
government operations and 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2015 Citywide. The existing
Sustainable City Plan anticipated to achieve most of the reductions from increased energy
efficiency, increased renewable energy production, and reduced transportation- related
emissions through increased use of public transit, rideshare programs, and alternatives to
driving (i.e., walking or bicycling).
The City of Santa Monica Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) links new development
and urban character and form with a shift In transportation to reduce GHG emissions in
accordance with the Sustainable City Plan. The LUCE goals and policies align with State
regulations and policies for GHG reductions. In addition, the LUCE is intended to achieve to
the GHG reduction targets reflected in the Sustainable City Plan. The LUCE goals and
policies that follow reflect the City's commitment to achieving a reduction in GHGs through
bicycling:
GOAL T9: Create a complete network of high - qualify bicycle facilities including a
minimum of one new north -south and one new east -west dedicated bicycle path, with
the aim of increasing the number of people who use bicycles for everyday
transportation.
• GOAL TIO: Ensure that the bicycle network is attractive to cyclists of all ages and
experience levels.
• GOAL TI l: Create a safe, comfortable cycling environment in the City through facility
design and public education.
® Policy S2.1 Implement the VMT reduction policies of the Land Use and Circulation
Element of the General Plan, including, but not limited to: focusing new growth in mixed-
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
•••••••••• Page 16 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
use, transit oriented districts; focusing new growth along existing corridors and nodes;
support the creation of complete, walkable neighborhoods with goods and services
within walking distance of most homes; and promoting and supporting a wide range of
pedestrian, bicycle and transit improvements in the City.
• Policy 52.3 Advance the No Net New Trips goal in the Land Use and Circulation Element
with TDM projects such as expanded rideshore programs, parking management
strategies, as well as development impact fees for public transit infrastructure.
Policy LU2.5 Vehicle Trip Reduction. Achieve vehicle trip reduction through
comprehensive strategies that designate land uses, establish development and street
design standards, implement sidewalk, bicycle and roadway improvements, expand
transit service, manage parking, and strengthen Transportation Demand Management
programs that support accessibility by transit, bicycle and foot, and discourage vehicle
trips at a district -wide level. Monitor progress using tools that integrate land use and
transportation factors. Increase bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in transit districts and
adjust bus and shuttle services to ensure success of the transit system.,
The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption of the plan
would not result in an adverse impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Rather, the Bike Action
Plan would set forth policies, programs, and projects that would promote bicycling as an
alternative means of transportation in the City. As indicated in the LUCE Final FIR (certified
Environmental Impact Report SCH #2009041117) prepared in June 2010, the land use and
transportation strategies provided in the LUCE would help to achieve a Citywide reduction in
GHG emissions. The Bike Action Plan is consistent with the LUCE, and would thus, reduce
vehicular trips and associated overall City -wide greenhouse gas emissions. Adoption of the
Bike Action Plan would be consistent with the goals and policies of the City's Sustainability
Plan and the LUCE as well as state regulations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
- Page 17 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
IX.
HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project:
a)
Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
❑ El El
transport, use or disposal of hazardous
materials?
b)
Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
❑ ❑ ❑
involving the release of hazardous materials
into the environment?
c)
Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
❑ ❑ ❑
substances or waste within one - quarter mile
of an existing or proposed school?
d)
Be located on a site which is included on a
list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code §65962.5
❑ ❑ ® ❑
and, as a result, would it create a significant
hazard to the public or the environment?
e)
For a project located within an airport land
use plan area or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within two miles of a public
❑ El El
airport or a public use airport, would the
project result In a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
f)
For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project result in a safety
El El ❑
hazard for people residing or working in the
project area?
g)
Impair implementation of, or physically
interfere with, an adopted emergency
El ❑ ❑
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
h)
Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland
fires, including where wildlands are
❑ ❑ ❑
adjacent to urbanized areas or where
residences are intermixed with wildlands?
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 201 I
Page 18 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a through c) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in a physical impact related to hazards /hazardous
materials. The policies, programs, and projects proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g.,
bicycle education) would not result in an increase in the use, or exposure of hazardous
materials. Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action
Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to
future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
d) Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike
Action Plan. Adoption of the plan would not result in an impact related to listing of a
hazardous waste site. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan
(e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In
addition, the bicycle projects which involve physical Improvements would be located on
the existing street network. Some of the proposed bicycle projects could be located within
areas affected by existing hazardous waste sites; however, as previously noted, the bicycle
projects would be located at -grade and would not require substantial (if any)
excavation /grading that could result in the exposure of hazardous materials. Furthermore,
implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
and f). No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in an impact related to airport hazards. Most of the
policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would
not result in physical impacts on the environment. While some bicycle projects would be
located near the Santa Monica Airport, bicycle riders would not be exposed to airport
hazards. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
g and h) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica is highly urbanized. No wiidiands exists adjacent
to the City, which could pose a significant wildfire risk. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
0_1 - Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
Page 19 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
• - ^ ^- Page 20 of 38
Less Than
Significant
Paterdialltr With Less Than
r Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
X.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project:
a)
Violate any water quality standards or waste
11 ❑
discharge requirements?
b)
Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that there would be a net
deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the
local groundwater table level (e.g., the
❑ ❑ ❑
production rate of pre- existing nearby wells
would drop to a level which would not
support existing land uses or planned uses for
which permits have been granted)?
c)
Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or
❑ ❑ ❑ 0
river, in a manner which would result in
substantial erosion or siltation on- or off -site?
d)
Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or
❑ El El N
river, or substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a manner that
would result in flooding on- or off -site?
e)
Create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or
❑ ❑ ❑
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?
f)
Otherwise substantially degrade water
El ❑ El
quality?
g)
Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard
area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard
El 1:1 El
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or
other flood hazard delineation map?
h)
Place within a 100 -year flood hazard area
structures that would impede or redirect flood
❑ ❑ ❑
flows?
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
• - ^ ^- Page 20 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk
of loss, injury or death involving flooding, El El El including flooding as a result of a failure of a
levee or dam?
J) Inundation by seiche, tsunami or mudflow? ❑ ❑ ❑
a through f) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in an impact related to hydrology and water quality.
Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education)
would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, the bicycle projects
which involve physical improvements are proposed on the existing street network and thus,
would not significantly change hydrology patterns or decrease water quality. Furthermore,
implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
g through i) No Impact. The City of Santa Monica is not located in a 100 -year flood hazard
area. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
No Impact. A seiche is a standing wave occurring in an enclosed or partially enclosed body
of water, such as a lake, reservoir, or bay. A tsunami is a large ocean wave caused by a
significant undersea disturbance such as earthquakes. Mudflows (also called debris flows)
result from the downslope movement of soil and /or rock under the influence of gravity. Most
of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education)
would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, the bicycle projects
which involve physical improvements would be located on the existing street network and
thus, would not result in increased exposure to inundation. Furthermore, implementation of
the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability
of funding sources and would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case
basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
., August 201 1
Page 21 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
XI.
LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project:
a)
Physically divide an established community?
❑
❑
❑
b)
Conflict with any applicable land use plan,
policy or regulation of an agency with
jurisdiction over the project (including, but not
limited to, the general plan, specific plan,
❑
❑
❑
local coastal program or zoning ordinance)
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
c)
Conflict with any applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural community
❑
❑
❑
conservation plan?
a) No Impact. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g.,
bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. Furthermore,
the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the existing
street network and public right of ways (e.g., medians) thus, would not physically divide a
community. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
b) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan is a tool to achieve the goals and vision of the Santa
Monica Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), particularly the Transportation Chapter of
the LUCE and the Bicycle section of that Chapter. The Bike Action Plan does not change
any land use designations or transportation classifications within the adopted LUCE. The
policies, programs, and projects included in the Bike Action Plan were developed in the
context of the LUCE and are necessary to achieve the Citywide goal of No Net New PM
Peak Vehicle Trips and the City's sustainability goals. The specific goals for bicycles in the
LUCE are:
o GOAL T9: Create a complete network of high - quality bicycle facilities including a
minimum of one new north -south and one new east -west dedicated bicycle
path, with the aim of increasing the number of people who use bicycles for
everyday transportation.
o GOAL T10: Ensure that the bicycle network is attractive to cyclists of all ages and
experience levels.
o GOAL Tl l: Create a safe, comfortable cycling environment in the City through
facility design and public education.
To achieve these goals, the Bike Action Plan sets forth policies, programs, and projects that
would promote bicycling in the City and improve the existing bicycle network. Therefore,
adoption of the Bike Action Plan would not conflict with the LUCE, but rather would support
and aid in achieving the LUCE goals. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
w Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
Page 22 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
c) No Impact. No Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved habitat conservation plan is applicable to the City of Santa Monica, Therefore,
the proposed project would not conflict with the provisions of an applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural community conservation plan. No impacts would occur.
e _
initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
... ...... Page 23 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE
a and b) No Impact. There are no areas in the City that are designated as existing mineral
resource extraction areas by the State of California. Additionally, no mineral extraction
operations occur in the City. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
a� Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
Page 24 of 38
Lest Than
Potentially
Significant
Less Than
Significant
With Nifigatlon
Significant
No
Impact -
Incorporated
Impact
Impact
XII.
MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a)
Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to the
❑
❑
❑
region and the residents of the state?
b)
Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site
El
El
❑
delineated on a local general plan, specific
plan or other land use plan?
a and b) No Impact. There are no areas in the City that are designated as existing mineral
resource extraction areas by the State of California. Additionally, no mineral extraction
operations occur in the City. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
a� Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
Page 24 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
XIII. NEIGHBORHOOD EFFECTS. Would the project:
a) Have considerable effects on the project
neighborhood? El M
a) No Impact. Neighborhood effects include those impacts that might affect the "quality of
life" of the residents of adjacent and surrounding uses. Quality of life represents a composite
impression, and is usually expressed in terms of overall environment, combining ambient
noise levels, air quality, traffic congestion, and aesthetics of an area. Adoption of the Bike
Action Plan would not result in an adverse impact on quality of life. Rather, the Bike Action
Plan would encourage and support bicycling as an alternative means of transportation,
thereby improving air quality, noise, and traffic in neighborhoods. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
•- Page 25 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
XIV.
NOISE. Would the project result in:
a)
Exposure of persons to or generation of noise
levels in excess of standards established in
11
El
El 0
the local general plan or noise ordinance or
of applicable standards of other agencies?
b)
Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive groundborne vibration or
❑
❑
❑
groundborne noise levels?
c)
A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above
❑
❑
❑
levels existing without the project?
d)
A substantial temporary or periodic increase
In ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
❑
❑
❑
above levels existing without the project?
e)
For a project located within an airport land
use plan area or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within two miles of a public
❑
E]
El
airport or a public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working in
the project area to excessive noise levels?
f)
For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
El
11
E]
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
a through d) No Impact. Chapter 4.12 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code comprises the
City's Noise Ordinance, which sets forth maximum noise standards for noise zones
(residential, commercial, and industrial) in the City. The proposed project consists of the
adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike
Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result In physical impacts on the
environment. In addition, the bicycle projects in the Bike Action Plan would not introduce
new noise sources or result in an increase in ambient noise levels. Rather, the bicycle
projects would increase bicycling in the City and thus, would have the potential to reduce
traffic - related noise. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
e and f) No Impact. The Santa Monica Airport is located in the southeastern portion of the City.
The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption of the plan
would not result in an impact related to airport noise. Most of the policies and programs
proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical
impacts on the environment. In addition, the bicycle projects that are proposed near the
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
_ August2011
Page 26 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Santa Monica Airport would not have the potential to expose people residing or working in
the area to excessive noise levels. Therefore, no impacts would occur,
,a Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
Jb August 2011
- • I - -- Page 27 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE
XV.
POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a)
Induce substantial population growth in an
area, either directly (e.g., by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (e.g., ❑
❑
❑
through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
b)
Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of ❑
❑
❑
replacement housing elsewhere?
c)
Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of ❑
❑
❑
replacement housing elsewhere?
a through c) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in a population growth or displacement of
housing /people. None of the policies, programs, and projects in the Bike Action Plan
would have the potential to induce population growth or displace housing /people (all
bicycle projects are proposed on the existing street network and would not cross through
existing housing) • Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Sfudy/ Negative Declaration
August 201 1
•• ^• ^•• - Page 28 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
XVI.
PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project result in substantial adverse
physical
impacts
associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental
facilities,
need for
new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios,
response
times or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
a)
Fire protection? ❑ ❑
❑
b)
Police protection? ❑ ❑
❑
c)
Schools? ❑ ❑
❑
0
d)
Parks? ❑ ❑
❑
e)
Other public facilities? ❑ ❑
❑
a through e) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in impacts on public services. The policies, programs, and
projects in the Bike Action Plan are intended to increase bicycling and improve bicycling
facilities in the City. No increase in public services demand and /or the construction of public
service facilities would occur. Implementation of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike
Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to
future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
• August2011
•• ^• ^• Page 29 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a) Would the project increase the use of
existing neighborhood and regional parks or
other recreational facilities such that ❑ ❑ ® ❑
substantial physical deterioration of the
facility would occur or be accelerated?
b) Does the project include recreational
facilities, or require the construction or
expansion of recreational facilities, which ❑ ❑ ❑
might have an adverse physical effect on
the environment?
a) Less Than Significant Impact, The Bike Action Plan would promote the increased use of
bikeways, which are used by some as recreational facilities. However, given the nature of
the activity (bicycling), increased use of the bikeways is not anticipated to result in
substantial physical deterioration of such facilities. Therefore, impacts would be less than
significant.
b) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan, which
would include the construction of bicycle projects. A number of the bicycle projects would
involve minor physical improvements within existing street right of rights (e.g., bicycle lane
striping) and thus would not have an adverse physical effect on the environment.
Furthermore, construction of the bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be
dependent on the availability of funding sources and would be subject to future
environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
i6•• ° ^... Page 30 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE
XVIII. SHADOWS. Would the project:
a) Produce extensive shadows affecting adjacent
uses or property? El El z
a) No Impact. Shadow impacts occur when a new building /structure of sufficient height casts
shadows onto nearby sensitive receptors. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the
Bike ,Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the
environment. Furthermore, none of the bicycle projects include the construction of
significant above -grade facilities that could produce shadow impacts. Therefore, no
impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
•••^ Page 37 of 38
Less Than
Potentially
Significant Less
Than
Significant
With Mitigation Significant
No
Imoact
Incorporated imnact
Imoad
XVIII. SHADOWS. Would the project:
a) Produce extensive shadows affecting adjacent
uses or property? El El z
a) No Impact. Shadow impacts occur when a new building /structure of sufficient height casts
shadows onto nearby sensitive receptors. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the
Bike ,Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the
environment. Furthermore, none of the bicycle projects include the construction of
significant above -grade facilities that could produce shadow impacts. Therefore, no
impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
•••^ Page 37 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Less Than
Significant
Potentially With Less Than
Signlflcanf Mitigation Significant No
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance
or policy establishing measures of
effectiveness for the performance of the
circulation system, taking into account all
modes of transportation including mass
transit and non - motorized travel and ❑ ❑ ❑
relevant components of the circulation
system, including but not limited to
intersections, streets, highways and freeways,
pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass
transit?
b)
Conflict with an applicable congestion
management program, including, but not
limited to level of service standards and
travel demand measures, or other standards
❑
❑
❑
established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads
or highways?
c)
Result in a change in air traffic patterns,
including either an increase in traffic levels or
1:1
El
a change in location that results in
substantial safety risks?
d)
Substantially increase hazards due to a
design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
El
dangerous intersections) or incompatible
uses (e.g., form equipment)?
e)
Result in inadequate emergency access?
❑
❑
❑
f)
Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or
programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or
pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease
❑
❑
❑
the performance or safety of such facilities?
a) No Impact. The Bike Action Plan provides a strategic framework for achieving LUCE bicycle
goals, policies and actions, supporting the citywide goal of No Net New PM Peak Vehicle
Trips. The policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g., bicycle education)
are Intended to promote bicycling as an alternative means of transportation and would not
have a physical impact on the existing City street network. As shown in the table that
follows, the Bike Action Plan also identifies bicycle projects that would improve the existing
bicycling infrastructure in the City.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August 2011
••.. Page 32 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Bicycle Project
Description.
Bicycle Lanes (Buffered and Climbing)
Striped designated lanes for the
exclusive use of bicycles. The lanes
are generally adjacent to motor
vehicle travel lanes.. The design
may include striping with additional
room between the bike lane and
barked vehicles to provide a buffer
from opening car doors or may be.
• lane In just one direction to help
• cyclists get up steep terrain.
Bicycle Paths /Multi -use Trails
Separated paths, generally running
through a park or through off - street
public right of way. Includes the
existing Beach Bike Path, and future
Expo Bike Path as well as grade
separated side paths that run along
'
the parking lane or vehicular travel
lane.
Neighborhood Greenwoy (Bicycle
Roadways where the character of
Boulevards)
the neighborhood may include
limited right -of -way and vehicle
speed is low enough for cyclists to
comfortably share space with
motorists.
Shared Lane Markings ( Sharrows)
Sharrows and bicycle symbol
_
placed in the middle of the vehicle
travel lane that identifies vehicle
must share the road and helps the
cyclists understand their rights to
the vehicle travel lane.
Slow Streets
Neighborhood streets with low
traffic volume and speed that can
provide alternatives to heavily -
traveled parallel corridors.
The proposed bicycle projects would help improve the overall transportation and
circulation system in the City. Furthermore, the proposed bicycle network in the Bike Action
Plan was analyzed as part of the City's Travel Demand Forecast Model that was considered
in the LUCE Final EIR. As indicated therein, the proposed City bicycle network would result in
a reduction in vehicle trips and associated congestion. Therefore, impacts on the
circulation system would be less than significant. Furthermore, implementation of the
bicycle projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of
funding sources and would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case
basis.
b) No Impact. Within Los Angeles County, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
administers the 2010 Congestion Management Plan (CMP), a state mandated program
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
-, August 2011
^•�•• - Page 33 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
designed to address the impacts of urban congestion on local communities and the region
as a whole. As required by State law, the 2010 CMP contains:
• A system of highways and roadways with minimum levels of service performance
measurements designated for highway segments and key roadway intersections on
this system;
® A performance element including performance measures to evaluate multimodal
system performance;
• A travel demand element promoting alternative transportation strategies;
• A program to analyze the impacts of local land use decisions on the regional
transportation system, including an estimate of the costs. of mitigating those impacts;
• A seven -year capital improvement program of projects that benefit the CMP
system;
• A deficiency plan.
Chapter 4 of the 2010 CMP contains the Transportation Demand Management Element.
The CMP recognizes that TDM strategies are a key element of a countywide transportation
program to reduce the magnitude of congestion problems within Los Angeles County. The
CMP also recognizes that local land use decisions could affect the regional transportation
system.
The Bike Action Plan is important in the overall strategy of the CMP to reduce congestion in
the region. The adoption of the Bike Action Plan would represent a TDM strategy and a
local land use decision that would promote bicycling as an alternative means of
transportation and reduce vehicular trips both locally and regionally. Therefore, the Bike
Action would not conflict with the CMP. No impacts would occur.
c) No Impact. None of the policies, programs, and projects in the Bike Action Plan would have
a potential to affect airport traffic (the projects would occur on the existing street network).
Therefore, no impacts would occur.
d) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan. Adoption
of the plan would not result in impacts related to a hazardous design feature. Rather, the
policies and programs in the Bike Action Plan would educate bicycle riders on potential
existing hazards on the road and would increase bicycle safety. In addition, none of the
bicycle projects are anticipated to result in hazardous design features. Final design of
specific bicycle projects would be consistent with federal design guidelines (e.g., American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the
Development of Bicycle Facilities) and City bicycle facility standards would be subject to
review to avoid hazardous design features. Furthermore, implementation of the bicycle
projects identified in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding
sources and would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis.
Therefore, no impacts would occur.
e) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the City's Bike Action Plan,
which would support bicycling. As previously discussed, the Bike Action Plan is consistent
With the alternative transportation goals set forth in the LUCE, the Sustainability Plan, and the
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
> August 2011
• -• ^•..•. Page 34 of 38
OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CMP. Furthermore, the Bike Action Plan is consistent with the California Complete Streets
Act of 2008 (AB1358) requiring circulation elements to accommodate the transportation
system from a multi -modal perspective, including public transit walking and biking.
Therefore, no impacts would occur.
yaw„ Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
August2011
•- Page 35 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
a through g) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in impacts on the capacity of existing utilities. The
policies, programs, and projects in the Bike Action Plan are intended to increase bicycling
and improve bicycling facilities in the City. No increase in wastewater, water, stormwater,
and solid waste generation would result. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study / Negative Declaration
's, August 2011
-... Page 36 of 38
Potentially`,.
Significant :
Impact
Significant
With Less Than
Mitigation Significant
Incorporated Impact
No
Impact
XX.
UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project:
a)
Exceed wastewater treatment requirements
of the applicable Regional Water Quality
❑
❑ ❑
Control Board?
b)
Require or result in the construction of new
water or wastewater treatment facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the
❑
❑ ❑
construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
c)
Require or result in the construction of new
storm water drainage facilities or expansion
of existing facilities, the construction of which
❑
❑ ❑
could cause significant environmental
effects?
d)
Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project from existing entitlements
❑
❑ ❑
and resources, or are new or expanded
entitlements needed?
e)
Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider that serves or may serve
the project that it has adequate capacity to
El
El 1:1
ID
serve the project's projected demand, in
addition to the provider's existing
commitments?
f)
Be served by a landfill with sufficient
permitted capacity to accommodate the
❑
❑ ❑
project's solid waste disposal needs?
g)
Comply with federal, state and local statutes
❑
❑ ❑
and regulations related to solid waste?
a through g) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result in impacts on the capacity of existing utilities. The
policies, programs, and projects in the Bike Action Plan are intended to increase bicycling
and improve bicycling facilities in the City. No increase in wastewater, water, stormwater,
and solid waste generation would result. Therefore, no impacts would occur.
Initial Study / Negative Declaration
's, August 2011
-... Page 36 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
b) Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? "Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a ❑ El El project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and the
effects of probable future projects.
c) Does the project have environmental effects
that will cause substantial adverse effects on ❑ ❑ ❑
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
a) No Impact. As previously stated, the majority of the City of Santa Monica has been
developed, paved, or landscaped, and is generally devoid of large expanses of habitat,
wetlands, and wildlife corridors that support sensitive species. The proposed project consists
of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan, which would not have an impact on biological
resources. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g.,
bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition,
the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the City's
existing street network and thus, would not impact historic resources. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
b and c) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result In cumulative adverse impacts or adverse
environmental effects on human beings. Implementation of the bicycle projects identified
in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and
would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no
impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
-;; August 2011
•• -• - Page 37 of 38
:.Potentially
i Significant
Impact ':
SlgnRicant
with ±
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a) Does the project have the potential to
degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wild -life
population to drop below self- sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
❑
❑
❑
animal community, reduce the number or
restrict the range of rare or endangered
plants or animals, or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of California
history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? "Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a ❑ El El project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and the
effects of probable future projects.
c) Does the project have environmental effects
that will cause substantial adverse effects on ❑ ❑ ❑
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
a) No Impact. As previously stated, the majority of the City of Santa Monica has been
developed, paved, or landscaped, and is generally devoid of large expanses of habitat,
wetlands, and wildlife corridors that support sensitive species. The proposed project consists
of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan, which would not have an impact on biological
resources. Most of the policies and programs proposed in the Bike Action Plan (e.g.,
bicycle education) would not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition,
the bicycle projects which involve physical improvements are proposed on the City's
existing street network and thus, would not impact historic resources. Therefore, no impacts
would occur.
b and c) No Impact. The proposed project consists of the adoption of the Bike Action Plan.
Adoption of the plan would not result In cumulative adverse impacts or adverse
environmental effects on human beings. Implementation of the bicycle projects identified
in the Bike Action Plan would be dependent on the availability of funding sources and
would be subject to future environmental review on a case by case basis. Therefore, no
impacts would occur.
Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
-;; August 2011
•• -• - Page 37 of 38
CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIKE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY / NEGATIVE DECLARATION
REFERENCES
1) City of Santa Monica General Plan, Land Use and Circulation Element, 2010.
2) City of Santa Monica Land Use and Circulation Element, Final EIR, June 2010.
3) City of Santa Monica, Sustainability Plan, 1994 with last update October 2006.
4) City of Santa Monica Municipal Code, 2011.
5) California Division of Land Resource Protection, Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program, Los Angeles County Map; online at
!Z ff .cc nsry.ca_gov[L ul_ (dlrp[PMJAPLPdif2008 IosQ8,L df; 2008.
6) California Scenic Highways Program,
hi p_.jjw ^1w:dotca.govlMllLandArch scenic_ h ghw�: sc:, mlc .hwy.htrn; accessed May
19, 2011.
7) County of Los Angeles, Department of Regional Planning. 2008. Los Angeles County Draft
General Plan — Figure 6.3 Significant Ecological Areas.
11 tI[;/ /TAjn11i11( lacouniy�goyjosseISIUPI rnn-'clILll_L l-(m —S 0--6.3_idnificanl-
ec:oL)gLgalar_eas.odf.
8) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Congestion Management
Program, 2010.
9) United States Geological Survey, Beverly Hills Quadrangle, 7.5 Minute Series. 1995;
California Department of Fish and Game. 2009. California Natural Diversity Database.
May 30.
ry Initial Study/ Negative Declaration
a, >v, August 2011
••• Page 38 of 38
ATTACHMENT
RESOLUTION ADOPTING NEGATIVE DECLARATION
ATTACHMENT G
RESOLUTION ADOPTING BIKE ACTION PLAN
Reference Resolution Nos.
10636 (CCS) and
10637 (CCS)