R112571
City Council Meeting: June 9, 2020 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER 11257 (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ADOPTING TRANSPORTATION SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS FOR REVIEW OF
PROJECTS SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT TO
ALIGN WITH SENATE BILL 743
WHEREAS, in 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 743,
which streamlines the review process for infill projects in transit priority areas under the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and seeks to balance the needs of
congestion management with Statewide goals related to infill development, promotion of
public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
and
WHEREAS, SB 743 directed the Office of Planning and Research (“OPR”) to
develop updated criteria for measuring transportation impacts using alternative metrics
that promote a reduction in greenhouse gases, the development of multimodal
transportation, and a diversity of land uses; and
WHEREAS, to achieve these goals, SB 743 requires OPR to amend the CEQA
Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sections 15000 et seq., to
provide an alternative metric to level of service (“LOS”) for evaluating transportation
impacts, which may include “vehicle miles traveled, vehicle miles traveled per capita,
automobile trip generation rates, or automobile trips generated”; and
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WHEREAS, SB743 further provides that once the CEQA Guidelines are amended
to include those alternative criteria, auto delay, as measured by LOS, can no longer be
considered a significant impact under CEQA; and
WHEREAS, in December 2018, pursuant to the mandate in SB 743 and after four
years of stakeholder workshops, OPR adopted revised CEQA Guidelines, which
determined, in part, that “generally, vehicle miles traveled is the most appropriate
measure of transportation impacts”; and
WHEREAS, Section 15064.7(b) of the CEQA Guidelines allows lead agencies to
adopt thresholds of significance for the lead agency’s general use in its environmental
review process; and
WHEREAS, in December 2018, OPR adopted a “Technical Advisory on Evaluating
Transportation Impacts in CEQA” (the “Technical Advisory”) to provide guidance to lead
agencies on how to conduct vehicle miles traveled (“VMT”) analysis for projects; and
WHEREAS, in the Technical Advisory, OPR recommends screening criteria and
significance thresholds for use in analyzing VMT impacts of projects; and
WHEREAS, while the Technical Advisory is not binding on public agencies,
Section 15064.7(c) of the CEQA Guidelines allows lead agencies to “consider thresholds
of significance previously adopted or recommended by other public agencies or
recommended by experts, provided the decision of the lead agency to adopt such
thresholds is supported by substantial evidence”; and
WHEREAS, the City’s current criteria for assessing whether a project would result
in significant transportation impacts were adopted in 1991 and utilize intersection LOS as
the measure for assessing impacts; and
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WHEREAS, in accordance with SB 743 and its implementing regulations, the City
is required to utilize VMT, rather than LOS, for CEQA review of potential transportation
impacts by July 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2020, the Planning Commission participated in a study
session to review potential changes to the City’s methodology for the transportation
review of projects and discuss potential VMT screening and significance thresholds for
projects and generally recommended that the application of City-specific thresholds would
be appropriate; and
WHEREAS, City staff developed City-specific criteria for “screening” projects
subject to VMT analysis as well as thresholds of significance for VMT analysis; and
WHEREAS, City staff subsequently prepared City-specific screening thresholds
that are reflective of the City’s unique land use and transportation characteristics and the
City’s climate action and adaptation goals; and
WHEREAS, overall Big Blue Bus ridership and usage of bus stops that do not
support rapid transit buses has declined over the last several years within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City’s compact character combined with the availability of various
transit and mobility options, and diversity of land uses, results in a VMT per capita that is
already significantly lower than the regional average; and
WHEREAS, the City’s climate action and adaptation plan, adopted in May of 2019,
anticipates that a 16.8% reduction in transportation VMT is needed to achieve the plan’s
carbon neutrality goals; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020, the Planning Commission reviewed the draft VMT
screening criteria and significance thresholds and unanimously recommended adoption
of the draft screening criteria and thresholds to the City Council; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt guidelines for screening and
determining potential significant transportation impacts of projects under CEQA to align
the transportation review process with SB 743 and the City’s General Plan goals and
policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council does hereby adopt the Transportation Significance
Thresholds for Review of Projects Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act to
Align with Senate Bill 743 attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A and incorporated herein
by reference. In adopting these guidelines, the City Council hereby finds and declares
that, based on the oral and written testimony presented to the City Council at the public
hearing on June 9, 2020, there is substantial evidence in the record to support the
thresholds of significance adopted in the guidelines.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
GEORGE S. CARDONA
Interim City Attorney
Exhibit A Transportation Significance Thresholds for Review of Projects Subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act to Align with Senate Bill 743
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EXHIBIT A
TRANSPORTATION SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS FOR REVIEW OF PROJECTS
SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT TO ALIGN WITH
SENATE BILL 743
[see attached]
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TRANSPORTATION SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS FOR REVIEW OF PROJECTS
SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT TO ALIGN WITH
SENATE BILL 743
SECTION 1. Vehicle Miles Traveled Screening Criteria for Land Use Projects
Projects that meet the criteria set out in the following 3-tiered screening system, which is
also set forth in Table 1.1, below, shall be presumed to have a less-than-significant traffic
impact and shall not be subject to further vehicle miles traveled (“VMT”) analysis:
Tier 1. Projects that include the following land uses shall not be subject to further
VMT analysis:
1. New construction of educational facilities/institutions, such as increased
classrooms, gym/recreational space, and other supportive areas, provided that there
would be no student enrollment increase; or, if student enrollment is increased, at least
75% of the student body comes from within 2.0 miles of the school.
2. Expansion or construction of new civic/government uses and utility facilities
less than 50,000 sf or replacement of such uses/facilities (in same or another location) to
serve the community; or, if larger than 50,000 sf, the project would not result in more than
50 net new additional full time equivalent employees.
3. Local serving parks and recreational facilities.
4. 100% affordable housing.
5. 200 residential dwelling units or less.
6. 50,000 sf or less of commercial use floor area per land use category. For
purposes of this criterion, “commercial use” includes, but is not limited to: office, medical
office, retail, restaurant, grocery store/market, movie theater, gym/fitness, hotel, and
hospital uses. Commercial uses such as museums, amusement parks, and other large
regional trip attractors shall not be considered “commercial use” for purposes of this
criterion, as may be determined by City Staff.
For mixed-use projects, each land use type of the project will be evaluated
individually under the criteria set forth above. For example, a mixed-use project with 150
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residential dwelling units and 75,000 square feet of office area requires further review
under Tier 2. The number of residential dwelling units does not exceed the limitation set
forth in criterion 5; however, the office area exceeds the square footage limitation set forth
in criterion 6, above. Thus, the project will be subject to further review under Tier 2, below.
Tier 2. Projects that do not satisfy the criteria set forth in Tier 1 shall be further
evaluated as follows:
1. If the project is located within 0.5-mile walking distance of an Expo Light
Rail Transit (“LRT”) station or 0.25-mile walking distance of a Bus Rapid Transit (“BRT”)
stop as indicated in Table 1.2, below, then the City shall conduct an analysis under Tier
3 to determine whether the project will have a less-than-significant impact.
2. If the project is not located within 0.5-mile walking distance of an Expo LRT
station or 0.25-mile walking distance of a BRT stop as indicated in Table 1.2, below, then
the project shall not be considered to have a less-than-significant impact, and will be
subject to further VMT analysis.
For purposes of this determination, “walking distance” shall mean the actual
physical distance that a person would need to walk based on the street network, and
“BRT stop” shall include stops for Big Blue Bus Rapid routes and Metro Rapid Bus routes.
Tier 3. Projects that do not satisfy the criteria set forth in Tier 2 shall be further
evaluated as follows:
1. If the project provides no more than the minimum off-street parking required
or the maximum off-street parking allowed pursuant to applicable regulations in SMMC
Chapter 9.28 or any applicable special or area plan, then the project shall be considered
to have a less-than-significant transportation impact and shall not be subject to VMT
analysis.
2. If the project provides more than the minimum off-street parking required or
the maximum off-street parking allowed pursuant to applicable regulations in SMMC
Chapter 9.28 or any applicable special or area plan, then the project may result in a
significant transportation impact and shall be subject to further VMT analysis.
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Table 1.1, Tiered System
Tier 1: Does the project include the development of the following land uses, which are
screened out from further analysis?
If yes, no further analysis. If no, move to Tier 2.
(For a mixed-use project, the individual land use type of the project should be evaluated to
determine if each land use can be screened out. For example, a mixed-use project with 150
units and 75,000 sf of office area cannot be screened out at the Tier 1 level and would be
required to move to Tier 2.)
Tier 2: Is the project located within 0.5-mile walking distance of an Expo LRT station or
0.25-mile walking distance of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop?2
If no, conduct VMT analysis. If yes, move to Tier 3.
Tier 3: Would the project provide more parking than required by Code (or, if located in
an area that does not require parking, exceed parking maximums)?
If no, no further analysis. If yes, conduct VMT analysis.
1 Commercial uses covered under this screening criterion include (but are not limited to): office, retail, restaurant,
grocery store/market, movie theater, gym/fitness, hotel, and hospital uses less than 50,000 sf. Excludes museums,
amusement parks, and other large regional trip attractors as may be determined by City Staff.
2 Walking distance is defined as the actual physical distance that a person would need to walk based on the street
network. BRT stops includes stops for Big Blue Bus Rapid routes and Metro Rapid Bus routes.
Table 1: Land uses screened out from VMT analysis
1. New construction of educational facilities/institutions (such as increased
classrooms, gym/recreational space, and other supportive areas) provided that there would be
no student enrollment increase or if student enrollment is increased, at least 75% of the student
body come from within 2.0 miles of the school
2. Expansion or construction of new civic/government uses and utility facilities less
than 50,000 sf or replacement of such uses/facilities (in same or another location) to serve the
community; or if larger than 50,000 sf, the project would not result in more than 50 net new
additional full time equivalent employees
3. Local serving parks and recreational facilities
4. 100% affordable housing
5. 200 residential dwelling units or less
6. 50,000 sf or less of commercial floor area per land use category1
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Table 1.2, Map depicting parcels within 0.5-mile walking distance of an Expo Light Rail Transit (“LRT”)
station or 0.25-mile walking distance of Bus Rapid Transit (“BRT”) stop
SECTION 2. Vehicle Miles Traveled Significance Thresholds for Land Use Projects
Projects that do not meet the criteria set forth in Section 1, above, shall be evaluated to
determine if a significant transportation impact might occur based on the thresholds of
significance set forth in this Section. Projects that exceed the thresholds set forth in this
Section may result in a significant traffic impact, and further VMT analysis is required.
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Thresholds of Significance for Land Use Projects:
VMT per capita: If a project’s VMT per capita does not exceed the most current
Citywide average VMT per capita for that particular land use, then the project will
result in a less than significant impact.1
Table 2.1: City of Santa Monica VMT Thresholds: Significance Criteria 1
Land Use Proposed Threshold
Residential No greater than existing Citywide
average VMT/capita
Commercial
Employee
No greater than existing Citywide
average VMT/capita
Retail Any net increase in total City VMT
and
Total VMT threshold: If a Project’s combined total VMT for all uses is at least
16.8% below existing Citywide “business as usual” VMT per capita, then the
project will result in a less than significant impact. For purposes of this threshold
“business as usual VMT” means the calculated VMT for the project if the project
were generating VMT per capita at the existing citywide average.
Table 2.2: City of Santa Monica VMT Thresholds: Significance Criteria 2
Example Calculation
Project VMT
Existing City
Average
VMT/capita
Project
Population
Business as
Usual (BAU)
VMT
Proposed Threshold
Residential A 9.0 D = (9.0 x D)
Commercial
Employee B 19.2 E = (19.2 x E)
Total
Resident +
Employee
VMT
(A +B)
Total BAU
VMT
Is Total Resident +
Employee VMT at
least 16.8% lower
than Total BAU VMT?
1 As of the effective date of these guidelines, the existing citywide average VMT for residents is 9.0 per
capita and for commercial employee is 19.2 per employee.
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SECTION 3. Transportation Projects Exempt from Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis
The following transportation projects shall be exempt from VMT analysis
1. Rehabilitation, maintenance, replacement, safety, and repair projects
designed to improve the condition of existing transportation assets (e.g., highways;
roadways; bridges; culverts;
2. Transportation Management System field elements such as cameras,
message signs, detection or signals; tunnels; transit systems; and assets that serve
bicycle and pedestrian facilities) and that do not add additional motor vehicle capacity;
3. Roadside safety devices or hardware installation such as median barriers
and guardrails;
4. Roadway shoulder enhancements to provide “breakdown space,” dedicated
space for use only by transit vehicles, to provide bicycle access, or to otherwise improve
safety, but which will not be used as automobile vehicle travel lanes;
5. Addition of an auxiliary lane of less than one mile in length designed to
improve roadway safety;
6. Installation, removal, or reconfiguration of traffic lanes that are not for
through traffic, such as left, right, and U-turn pockets, two-way left turn lanes, or
emergency breakdown lanes that are not utilized as through lanes;
7. Conversion of existing general purpose lanes (including ramps) to managed
lanes or transit lanes, or changing lane management in a manner that would not
substantially increase vehicle travel;
8. Addition of a new lane that is permanently restricted to use only by transit
vehicles;
9. Reduction in number of through lanes;
10. Grade separation to separate vehicles from rail, transit, pedestrians or
bicycles, or to replace a lane in order to separate preferential vehicles (e.g., HOV, HOT,
or trucks) from general vehicles;
11. Installation, removal, or reconfiguration of traffic control devices, including
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) features;
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12. Installation of traffic metering systems, detection systems, cameras,
changeable message signs and other electronics designed to optimize vehicle, bicycle,
or pedestrian flow;
13. Timing of signals to optimize vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian flow;
14. Installation of crosswalks, with or without vehicle yield compliance
enhancements such as rapid rectangular flashing beacons or overhead lights;
15. Installation of roundabouts or traffic circles;
16. Installation of pedestrian scrambles at existing intersections;
17. Installation or reconfiguration of traffic calming devices;
18. Adoption of or increase in tolls;
19. Initiation of new transit service;
20. Conversion of streets from one-way to two-way operation with no net
increase in number of traffic lanes;
21. Removal or relocation of off-street or on-street parking spaces (unless the
removal or relocation of spaces results in the creation of a new SOV through travel lane
– turning pockets are exempt);
22. Adoption or modification of on-street parking or loading restrictions
(including meters, time limits, accessible spaces, and preferential/reserved parking permit
programs);
23. Addition of wayfinding signage;
24. Rehabilitation and maintenance projects that do not add motor vehicle
capacity;
25. Addition of new or enhanced bike or pedestrian facilities on existing
streets/highways or within existing public rights-of-way (which include restriping of an
existing vehicle lane for such facilities);
26. Addition of Class I bike paths, trails, multi-use paths, or other off-road
facilities that serve nonmotorized travel;
27. Installation of publicly available alternative fuel/charging infrastructure; and
28. Addition of new neighborhood street to break up a “superblock” between
400 and 1,500 feet in width and reduce driving distance.
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SECTION 4. Vehicle Miles Traveled Significance Threshold for Transportation Projects
Transportation projects that are not exempt under Section 3, above, shall be
subject to VMT analysis. Transportation projects that will increase total citywide VMT will
result in a significant transportation impact.
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Adopted and approved this 9th day of June 2020.
__________________________
Kevin McKeown, Mayor
I, Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do
hereby certify that Resolution No. 11257 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of
the Santa Monica City Council held on the 9th day of June 2020, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Himmelrich, Davis, Jara,
Mayor Pro Tem O’Day, Mayor McKeown
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Morena, Winterer
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk
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