Overview of the TIA Process for the project in City of Hayward

The Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Process in the City of Hayward is a structured approach aimed at assessing and managing the transportation impacts of proposed development projects. This process ensures that projects conform to both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines and Hayward’s specific transportation policies, ultimately helping to support the City’s sustainable growth objectives and minimize negative impacts on the local transportation network.

2. Overview of the TIA Process

Step 1: Determining the Need for CEQA and Local Transportation Analysis

Public Works-Transportation staff first determines whether a CEQA Transportation Analysis (CTA) and/or Local Transportation Analysis (LTA) is necessary for a project. This decision is based on several factors, including project size, type, and its expected impact on local transportation. Since not all projects require both analyses, staff use a Traffic Scoping Memorandum as a basis to identify the appropriate level of assessment.

The Public Works-Transportation team categorizes each project into one of three analysis pathways:

1. Both CTA and LTA Required: Projects that are larger in scope or have a significant potential transportation impact will generally require both CTA and LTA.
2. Only LTA Required: Smaller projects that may not trigger CEQA transportation impacts may still be required to complete an LTA to meet local standards.
3. No Transportation Analysis Required: Projects with minimal expected impact may be exempt from both CTA and LTA.

2.1 Roles of Key Participants

• Project Applicants: The applicant, often the property owner or developer, holds primary responsibility for ensuring that all necessary reports, permits, documentation, and fees are submitted as part of the transportation impact process. The applicant also selects and contracts with a primary transportation consultant, from the City’s approved list, to undertake the transportation analysis work.

• Consultants: Consultants, who must be licensed transportation engineers or qualified transportation planners, conduct the required transportation analysis. While the applicant selects the primary consultant, the City reserves the right to engage a peer review consultant who will independently verify the primary consultant’s work to ensure compliance with City standards and accuracy of findings.

• City of Hayward: City staff within the Public Works-Transportation Division play an oversight role, approving the scope of work for each project’s transportation analysis, reviewing the completed studies, and ensuring that all proposed mitigations align with City policies and objectives.

2.2 Transportation Analysis Process

The TIA process begins once the applicant’s transportation consultant submits a Traffic Scoping Memorandum (TSM), which provides essential project details. The TSM, completed after the project’s initial planning application, includes background information and project descriptions.

Traffic Scoping Memorandum Components

The TSM includes:

• Project land use type
• Housing unit count (if applicable)
• Total gross floor area
• Proximity to major transit stops
• Density details (e.g., floor area ratio)
• Number of parking spaces provided
• Affordable housing units (if included)
• Current or previous land use for the site
• Project location
• Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) per capita or per employee
• Trip generation and distribution estimates

City staff use the information within the TSM, along with the guidelines outlined in the CEQA screening criteria, to assess the project’s potential transportation impacts and decide on the specific analyses required. This initial step ensures that the transportation analysis conducted will meet both CEQA and local policy standards.

2.3 Establishing the Scope of Work

Following the TSM review, the City’s transportation staff determine if the project meets the screening criteria for CEQA and whether the submitted information aligns with the City’s General Plan, Specific Plans, and local development guidelines. These criteria are referenced to decide the type of CEQA analysis required (if any) and verify that the TSM information is complete and accurate.

The finalized project description and scope of work outline the necessary components for the TIA. For example, larger projects generating more than 110 daily trips will undergo a more comprehensive analysis. Smaller projects may require limited reviews or even exemptions. The City retains flexibility to mandate additional studies or reports based on project size, scope, and potential impacts.

Typical TIA Components

The TIA may include the following, depending on project type and impact level:

• Project Description: All projects need to document their scope, scale, and general characteristics.
• Study Area: Defines the geographic boundaries within which potential transportation impacts will be assessed.
• CEQA Transportation Analysis:
  • Screening Process
  • VMT Analysis
  • Mitigations for potential impacts
• Local Transportation Analysis:
  • Vehicle and multimodal operation assessments
  • Site plan review, ensuring alignment with city standards
• Conditions of Approval: Requirements imposed by the City for project compliance.

2.4 CEQA Transportation Analysis (CTA) Review Process

The City of Hayward’s review of the CTA report involves coordination with other agencies, if necessary, to ensure that the assessment addresses all relevant transportation considerations. City staff reviews the draft CTA, providing comments and identifying any necessary adjustments or additional mitigations.

The CTA review process can be visualized in the following stages:

1. Traffic Scoping and Scope Approval: The applicant submits the TSM, along with a scoping request and any required fees. The City then assesses the TSM and approves the project’s scope of work.

2. Draft Report Submission and Initial Review: Consultants submit a draft CTA and/or LTA report, which the City reviews to confirm its consistency with CEQA and local policies. This phase includes coordination with other jurisdictions when the project’s impacts might extend beyond city boundaries.

3. Reviewing Impacts and Mitigations: The City examines the report’s identification of CEQA impacts and verifies that any proposed mitigations are feasible, providing feedback to the applicant as necessary.

4. Final Approval of the TIA: Upon the consultant’s submission of a revised report, City staff conduct a final review to confirm that the TIA meets all necessary criteria. Once approved, the final TIA report is included as part of the CEQA documentation for the project.

Flowchart of TIA Process

The steps in the transportation analysis process can be visualized as follows:

1. Traffic Scoping and Initial Submission:

   • Applicant submits the TSM and accompanying documents.
   • City reviews the TSM and determines required scope and types of analyses.

2. Draft CTA and LTA Report Preparation:

   • Consultants submit the draft TIA report.
   • City reviews draft for compliance with guidelines and coordinates, if necessary, with other jurisdictions.

3. Revision and Finalization:

   • Applicant revises the TIA report based on City feedback.
   • City reviews the revised report and provides any additional feedback if required.
   • Final approval of the TIA is granted, incorporating the report into CEQA documentation.

This multi-step process is critical for verifying that transportation analyses are thorough, aligned with the City’s sustainability goals, and compliant with state requirements. The TIA process supports Hayward’s vision of well-planned, efficient urban development, ensuring that new projects meet community needs without compromising existing transportation infrastructure.

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