3.3.7. Cross-Jurisdictional Analysis
Development projects within the City of Dublin may have potential transportation impacts that extend beyond the city’s boundaries, affecting neighboring jurisdictions or agencies such as Caltrans, Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), the County of Alameda, or adjacent cities. In such cases, effective coordination with the relevant jurisdiction is required to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing traffic and transportation concerns.
City of Dublin staff play a pivotal role in facilitating cross-jurisdictional coordination by providing guidance and necessary contact information for other affected jurisdictions. This collaboration is essential to ensure the consistency and compatibility of transportation solutions across jurisdictional boundaries and to minimize adverse impacts on regional mobility and safety. The scope of this coordination may include, but is not limited to, sharing traffic study methodologies, discussing the potential impacts on shared roadways, and jointly identifying mitigation measures. This approach ensures that regional transportation networks function cohesively and that all stakeholders—including the public and various governmental agencies—are considered in the planning process.
The City encourages project applicants to proactively engage with affected jurisdictions early in the planning and analysis phases. This ensures timely identification of potential conflicts or concerns and allows for the integration of feedback into the proposed mitigation strategies. Addressing cross-jurisdictional impacts comprehensively reduces the risk of delayed project approvals and fosters collaboration for implementing effective transportation solutions.
3.3.8. Analysis Discussion
The local transportation analysis is a critical component of the development review process, serving to evaluate the transportation-related effects of proposed projects on the existing and planned roadway system. It is essential for the analysis to thoroughly examine and present the findings regarding transportation issues caused by the project and its associated traffic impacts. This includes assessing whether the project, in combination with other planned or ongoing developments, creates the need for transportation improvements that fall outside the scope of current impact fee programs.
If additional improvements are identified as necessary, the project’s fair-share contribution must be calculated. This calculation should be based on the percentage of peak-hour traffic volumes attributed to the proposed development relative to the overall traffic at impacted intersections or road segments. By assigning a fair-share percentage, the financial responsibility for mitigation measures is distributed equitably among contributing projects. These findings and calculations must be explicitly documented within the local transportation analysis report.
Evaluation of Recommended Improvements
In instances where the analysis recommends increasing the number of travel lanes on a roadway or at an intersection as a mitigation measure, it is crucial to assess and document any potential adverse effects associated with such changes. Examples of these adverse effects include the need for additional right-of-way acquisition, the feasibility of obtaining the required right-of-way given existing adjacent land use, and potential environmental impacts. The analysis must evaluate whether adjacent properties and buildings would be affected by such expansion and clearly state whether acquiring the necessary right-of-way is feasible.
All recommended improvements should undergo a detailed field review to ensure that they can be physically accommodated within the existing infrastructure and land use context. If the proposed improvements cannot be implemented due to physical, financial, or other constraints, these findings must also be included in the report. Such documentation ensures that decision-makers have a clear understanding of the feasibility and implications of the recommended measures.
Consideration of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Impacts
Any proposed roadway widening or other improvements intended to increase traffic capacity must be evaluated for their potential impacts on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). As per the VMT Impact Thresholds outlined in Section 4.3.4, projects that involve capacity-enhancing improvements are required to undergo a detailed VMT analysis. This analysis is critical in determining whether the proposed measures align with the City’s broader sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals. If the improvements result in increased VMT, alternative mitigation measures or adjustments to the project design may be necessary.
Identification of Other Adverse Traffic Issues
In addition to assessing the primary impacts of the proposed development, the local transportation analysis should identify and discuss any secondary or ancillary issues that could arise. Examples include:
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Limited Visibility at Access Points: Evaluate whether access points to the project site are located on curved roadways or other areas with restricted sightlines, which could pose safety risks for vehicles entering or exiting the site.
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Pavement Widening for Turn Lanes: Determine whether additional pavement width is needed to accommodate left-turn or right-turn lanes at access points into the development. Such improvements may be necessary to maintain efficient traffic flow and reduce queuing at site entrances.
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Increased Traffic on Local Residential Streets: Analyze the potential for increased traffic volumes on nearby residential streets due to the proposed project. If such impacts are identified, mitigation measures such as traffic calming strategies should be considered.
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Road Realignment to Improve Sight Distance: Assess whether realignment of existing roadways is necessary to enhance sight distance and overall safety for all road users.
The local transportation analysis should provide detailed recommendations for addressing these issues, including potential design modifications and mitigation measures. These recommendations must be practical and consider the feasibility of implementation within the project’s timeline and budget.
General Plan Amendments and Increased Traffic Generation
For projects proposing amendments to the General Plan land use designations that substantially increase potential traffic generation, additional analysis is required. This analysis must compare the traffic impacts of the project under current planned land use conditions versus the proposed land use conditions. The comparison should include both build-out conditions for the project area and future cumulative conditions.
This analysis is particularly important for providing decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of how the planned circulation network would accommodate the additional traffic generated by the proposed General Plan Amendment. By presenting this information, the analysis enables informed decisions regarding the compatibility of the proposed land use changes with the City’s long-term transportation planning objectives.
The local transportation analysis serves as a foundational document for evaluating and addressing the transportation impacts of development projects in the City of Dublin. By thoroughly assessing cross-jurisdictional impacts, calculating fair-share contributions, evaluating the feasibility of recommended improvements, and addressing VMT and other potential adverse issues, the analysis ensures that transportation planning aligns with the City’s goals for safety, mobility, and sustainability.
By proactively addressing these elements, the analysis provides decision-makers with the necessary insights to balance development goals with the needs of the broader community. This approach fosters a transportation system that is not only efficient and effective but also equitable and environmentally responsible.
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