CEQA VMT Analysis for the project in Burbank

III. CEQA VMT Analysis

In 2018, the California Natural Resources Agency adopted updated CEQA guidelines to implement Senate Bill 743, shifting how transportation impacts are assessed. Under the updated guidelines, project impacts on traffic congestion (Level of Service) are no longer considered CEQA transportation impacts. Instead, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is the standard for determining transportation impacts under CEQA, and projects are evaluated based on whether their VMT exceeds established thresholds of significance.

The City of Burbank is currently updating its transportation impact thresholds and procedures to align with SB 743 and the Burbank2035 General Plan. In the interim, projects requiring CEQA transportation analysis must follow the "Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA" issued by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR). The City has adopted interim VMT thresholds, screening criteria, and mitigation measures based on OPR guidance. Projects subject to CEQA VMT analysis must adhere to the procedures outlined below.

Significant Traffic Impact Thresholds

Projects not screened out from VMT analysis are deemed to have a significant transportation impact if their VMT exceeds the following thresholds:

• Residential Projects: VMT per capita exceeds 15% below the existing Los Angeles County average.
• Office/Industrial Projects: VMT per employee exceeds 15% below the existing Los Angeles County average.
• Retail Projects: For non-neighborhood-serving projects (e.g., greater than 50,000 square feet), any net increase in total VMT is significant.
• Mixed-Use Projects: Each use component (residential, office, or retail) must independently meet its respective threshold.
• Other Projects: Custom thresholds are developed for uses significantly different from those described above.

Projects must also demonstrate consistency with Burbank2035 General Plan policies, the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), and other applicable plans to avoid cumulative-level transportation impacts.

Components of a VMT Analysis

A VMT analysis must include:

1. VMT Metrics: Identification of the applicable VMT metric (e.g., VMT per capita or employee) based on project land use.
2. VMT Thresholds: Use of interim thresholds of significance as determined by the City.
3. Forecast of VMT Effects: Calculation of project-related VMT using tools such as the SCAG Travel Demand Model.
4. Significant Impact Identification: Comparison of project VMT with established thresholds to determine significant impacts at both project and cumulative levels.
5. Mitigation Measures: Proposals to reduce VMT impacts below significant levels through strategies such as Transportation Demand Management (TDM), design changes, or off-site improvements.

Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation measures may include:

• Transit Improvements: Contributions to system capacity, local shuttles, or infrastructure upgrades to enhance transit accessibility.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements: Wider sidewalks, removal of barriers, improved connections to transit, or provision of bicycle parking and facilities.
• TDM Programs: Incentive-based programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips, subject to monitoring and compliance requirements.

Mitigation measures must be quantifiable, feasible, and included in a mitigation monitoring plan for environmental documentation. Alternatives or infeasible mitigation measures should also be discussed if applicable.

This comprehensive approach ensures projects in Burbank comply with CEQA guidelines while aligning with citywide and regional transportation goals.

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