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CEQA Transportation Assessment – VMT Analysis for the project in City of San Dimas

CEQA Transportation Assessment - VMT Analysis

VMT Analysis Methodology

To comply with SB 743, a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis must be conducted for land use projects if deemed necessary by the City Traffic Engineer. This applies to projects that could increase the baseline VMT per service population (population plus employment) in the city. The analysis uses VMT per service population as a transportation efficiency metric. All assumptions and methodologies in the VMT analysis must be reviewed and approved by the City Traffic Engineer. A flowchart outlining the VMT analysis process is included as Attachment A, "VMT Assessment Flowchart." A web-based tool is available for VMT assessment screening and mitigation recommendations, detailed in Attachment B, "SGVCOG VMT Assessment Tool Users Guide."

Project Screening

Three types of screening can be applied to determine if projects are exempt from detailed VMT analysis:

Step 1: Transit Priority Area (TPA) Screening

Projects within a TPA may be presumed to have a less-than-significant VMT impact unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary. This presumption may not apply if:

  1. The project's Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is less than 0.75.
  2. The project includes more parking than required by the City.
  3. The project is inconsistent with the applicable Sustainable Communities Strategy.
  4. Affordable housing is replaced with fewer moderate- or high-income units.

To determine if a project is in a TPA, use the SGVCOG VMT assessment tool, and confirm with local transit providers to ensure there are no recent changes to transit services in the area.

Step 2: Low VMT Area Screening

Residential and office projects located in areas that generate low VMT may be presumed to have a less-than-significant impact unless substantial evidence indicates otherwise. Other employment-related and mixed-use projects may also qualify if they are expected to generate VMT similar to existing uses in the area.

This screening relies on the SCAG travel forecasting model to measure VMT for individual Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs). The SGVCOG VMT Evaluation Tool can be used to identify if a project is in a low VMT-generating area.

Step 3: Project Type Screening

Certain project types can be presumed to have a less-than-significant VMT impact due to their local-serving nature. These include:

  • Local-serving K-12 schools
  • Local parks
  • Daycare/Childcare centers
  • Local-serving retail under 50,000 square feet
  • Public libraries and fire stations
  • Affordable, supportive, or transitional housing
  • Senior housing
  • Projects generating fewer than 110 daily vehicle trips

For local-serving retail projects under 50,000 square feet, it must be demonstrated that the project serves the existing community without creating new demand for vehicle trips.

VMT Assessment for Non-Screened Development

Projects not screened out must complete a detailed VMT analysis using the SCAG model or a sub-area model to determine their impact. The analysis should estimate both project-generated VMT and the project’s effect on VMT under the following scenarios:

  1. Baseline Conditions: Derived from the SCAG model, representing conditions at the time of the Notice of Preparation (NOP).
  2. Baseline Plus Project: The project is added to the TAZ, and a full base year model run is conducted to assess VMT changes.
  3. Cumulative No Project: Derived from the SCAG model.
  4. Cumulative Plus Project: The project is added to the cumulative scenario, with adjustments to other TAZs as necessary.

Model outputs should include total VMT and VMT per service population. The results will compare project-generated VMT against significance thresholds, and the cumulative analysis will evaluate the project’s effect on VMT across the city.

CEQA VMT Impact Thresholds

A project will have a significant VMT impact if:

  1. The baseline or cumulative project-generated VMT per service population exceeds the City's baseline VMT.
  2. The project’s effect on VMT increases citywide VMT per service population in the cumulative scenario compared to the "no project" condition.

If the project is consistent with the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), its cumulative VMT impact is likely less than significant.

VMT Mitigation Measures

To reduce VMT impacts, the following strategies may be considered:

  1. Modify the project’s built environment to lower VMT.
  2. Implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures.
  3. Participate in a VMT fee program or mitigation banking program.

Key TDM strategies are outlined in Attachment D, "VMT Reduction Strategies." VMT reductions should be evaluated using state-of-the-art methodologies, and monitoring may be necessary to ensure long-term effectiveness.

If a TDM plan is proposed as mitigation, the project must provide:

  1. A detailed description of the TDM plan and its ongoing implementation.
  2. Case studies or data supporting the expected VMT reduction.
  3. Traffic calculations showing the plan’s benefits.
  4. Enforcement measures for monitoring compliance.
  5. Compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations.

Our Services are available throughout City of San Dimas of LA County with Zipcode 91773

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