The City of Hayward's CEQA Transportation Analysis (CTA) process provides a structured framework for assessing the potential transportation impacts of development projects, particularly in relation to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The process involves an Environmental Checklist, Transportation Performance Metrics, Screening Criteria, and established Thresholds of Significance, each element being designed to ensure that project applications align with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) standards, regional sustainability goals, and Hayward’s local transportation policies.
3 CEQA Transportation Analysis Overview
The CEQA Transportation Analysis evaluates a project's potential impacts based on VMT, which considers how much vehicle travel a development is likely to generate. The guidelines include tools, criteria, and thresholds for analysis that help determine whether a development project needs a full Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) or if it may proceed with reduced requirements through screening.
3.1 Environmental Checklist
The Environmental Checklist, in line with CEQA's current guidelines, is a crucial component of the analysis, requiring project applications to include a review of any potential transportation impacts a project may have on the environment. Specifically, the checklist examines if the project:
- Conflicts with local circulation plans or policies, particularly regarding roadways, transit systems, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities.
- Is inconsistent with the state guidelines, especially section 15064.3, subdivision (b) of CEQA, concerning VMT impact standards.
- Introduces design elements or uses that significantly increase traffic hazards.
- Reduces emergency access or creates substantial additional VMT per capita or per service population.
Hayward requires that project applications provide sufficient detail to address these factors. If information is lacking, city staff may request further analysis from consultants.
3.2 CEQA Transportation Performance Metrics
The key performance metrics used in CEQA transportation analyses include various VMT measurements:
- Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): Reflects the daily miles generated by a project’s personal motorized vehicles within the city or the region.
- VMT per Capita: Assesses the VMT per resident, which considers all residential vehicle miles generated by the project and divides it by the resident population within the project area.
- VMT per Employee: A metric used for office or workplace-related projects, showing VMT specific to commuter trips and divided by the total number of employees. This excludes non-commute trips and heavy-duty truck travel.
- Net Change in Total VMT: Relevant for retail or similar developments, this metric compares regional VMT with and without the project to identify the net impact on vehicle travel within the city or county.
Each metric helps define a project's transportation-related environmental impact, ensuring that the TIA process aligns with CEQA’s VMT reduction goals and sustainability standards.
3.3 Screening Criteria
The City of Hayward has established screening criteria to identify projects with less-than-significant VMT impacts, thus exempting them from detailed analysis. Projects that meet specific criteria may avoid full CEQA analysis but still need to provide a Local Transportation Analysis (LTA) to address other impacts.
The major screening criteria for various projects include:
- Small Infill Projects: Projects with limited size, such as 15 or fewer single-family homes, up to 25 multi-family homes, or offices under 10,000 square feet, are often exempt.
- Local Serving Retail and Public Facilities: Retail spaces under 50,000 square feet and local-serving public facilities typically reduce VMT due to their proximity to residential areas and accessibility.
- Residential and Employment Land Use Projects or Components: These projects may be exempt if located within half a mile of a major transit stop, in low-VMT areas, or meet density and parking limits aligned with local guidelines.
- Affordable Residential Projects: Affordable housing units with long-term affordability guarantees (minimum of 55 years for rentals) may also meet screening criteria, provided they are located in low VMT areas and comply with other listed parameters.
The criteria align with California Public Resources Code and the Office of Planning and Research's (OPR) guidelines, ensuring streamlined review processes for lower-impact projects.
3.4 Thresholds of Significance
When projects do not meet the screening criteria, they must undergo a CEQA Transportation Analysis, with VMT thresholds set for various land use types. These thresholds define a project’s significance level, with different criteria for residential, office, and retail projects:
- Residential: VMT per capita must be at least 15% below the current city average.
- Employment (Office): Must achieve 15% below the regional average VMT per employee.
- Employment (Industrial): Uses the existing regional VMT average per employee as a benchmark.
- Retail: Evaluated by any net increase in total regional VMT.
Each threshold is consistent with Hayward's General Plan policy M-1.5, which may be adjusted to reflect changing city or regional goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or vehicle travel.
3.5 VMT Analysis Tools
The City of Hayward supports project-specific VMT analysis using two primary tools:
- City of Hayward VMT Maps and Alameda County VMT Calculator: These resources allow for precise VMT estimates based on local transportation zones and census data.
- Alameda CTC Travel Demand Model: Larger projects or those likely to shift travel patterns may require a more detailed demand model. This model helps in cases where localized VMT maps and calculators are insufficient for accurately estimating project impacts.
Alameda County Transportation Commission's (CTC) VMT Reduction Calculator and Travel Demand Model offer scalable methods for assessing various project types, allowing project applicants to select the most suitable tool based on the project scope and location.
3.6 VMT Estimation Process for Residential and Employment Projects
The process for estimating VMT for residential and employment projects in Hayward includes:
- Step 1 – Base VMT Calculation: Referring to city-provided VMT maps, developers find a base VMT per capita or per employee value within their specific project’s zone.
- Step 2 – Project VMT Calculation: Project-specific features are applied to adjust the base VMT, using the Alameda CTC VMT Calculator’s percentage reductions, which consider factors like low parking provisions and higher density. Should the calculated VMT exceed the significance threshold, project redesigns or mitigations may be necessary.
For large retail developments or area plans, the process requires the Alameda CTC Travel Demand Model to accurately assess net VMT changes within a specified travel-shed.
3.7 VMT Mitigation Measures
If VMT reductions do not meet the required thresholds, the city’s guidelines offer strategies to mitigate transportation impacts:
- Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Encourages alternative transportation, carpooling, and improved transit connections.
- Infrastructure Enhancements: Adding bicycle and pedestrian facilities and improving transit access in areas close to developments.
Each mitigation measure is designed to reduce the project’s total VMT while promoting sustainable travel behavior and enhancing local access.
In summary, Hayward’s CEQA Transportation Analysis process ensures that development projects align with environmental goals by establishing rigorous VMT standards and mitigation requirements. By following these guidelines, developers can effectively manage their projects' transportation impacts and contribute to the city’s overall sustainability objectives.
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