CEQA Transportation Assessment - VMT Analysis for the Project in Los Angeles in city of Covina

VMT Analysis Methodology

For SB 743 compliance, a VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) analysis is required for land use projects that could increase the baseline VMT per service population (population plus employment) in the city. The metric used is VMT per service population, normalizing VMT to provide a transportation efficiency measure. Assumptions and methodologies for the VMT analysis must be reviewed and approved by the City Traffic Engineer.

Project Screening

Three screening steps can effectively screen projects from a project-level assessment:

1. Transit Priority Area (TPA) Screening

   • Projects within a TPA may be presumed to have a less than significant impact unless they:
     1. Have a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) less than 0.75.
     2. Include more parking than required by the city.
     3. Are inconsistent with the applicable Sustainable Communities Strategy.
     4. Replace affordable residential units with fewer moderate- or high-income units.
   • To identify if the project is in a TPA, use the TPA map in the SGVCOG VMT Evaluation Tool and confirm with local transit providers for any changes in service.

2. Low VMT Area Screening

   • Projects in low VMT-generating areas may be presumed to have a less than significant impact. This applies if the project is residential, office, commercial, industrial, or retail, and can generate similar VMT as existing land uses in the area.
   • Use the SGVCOG VMT Evaluation Tool to determine if the project is in a low VMT-generating area.

3. Project Type Screening

   • Certain project types are presumed to have a less than significant impact, such as local-serving K-12 schools, parks, day care centers, retail uses less than 50,000 sq. ft., non-destination hotels, places of worship, community institutions, affordable housing, senior housing, local-serving community colleges, student housing on/adjacent to a college campus, and projects generating less than 110 daily vehicle trips.

VMT Assessment for Non-Screened Development

For projects not screened out, a VMT analysis should be conducted using the SCAG model or an appropriate sub-area model. The analysis should include:

• Baseline Conditions: Data available from the SCAG model or appropriate sub-area model.
• Baseline plus Project: Adding project land use to the model and performing a full base year model run.
• Cumulative No Project: Data available from the SCAG model or appropriate sub-area model.
• Cumulative plus Project: Adding project land use to the model with a reallocation of land use from other TAZs if needed.

CEQA VMT Impact Thresholds

A project would result in a significant project-generated VMT impact if:

1. The baseline project-generated VMT per service population exceeds 15% below the SGVCOG Southeast subarea baseline VMT per service population.
2. The cumulative project-generated VMT per service population exceeds 15% below the SGVCOG Southeast subarea baseline VMT per service population.

A project's effect on VMT is considered significant if:

1. The cumulative link-level boundary citywide VMT per service population increases under the plus project condition compared to the no project condition.

VMT Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures include:

1. Modifying the project's built environment to reduce VMT.
2. Implementing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures.
3. Participating in a VMT fee program or mitigation exchange/banking program (if available).

Key TDM measures suitable for the region are summarized in an attachment to the guidelines. VMT reductions should be evaluated using state-of-the-practice methodologies. When a project has a significant impact under CEQA, developers must implement TDM plans, providing detailed descriptions, empirical data, additional calculations, enforcement measures, and compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations.

 

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