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Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Project Impact Assessment Guidelines for Transportation and Environmental Compliance- purpose

Introduction

These guidelines outline the requirements for the Project Impact Assessment (PIA) for development projects and amendments to the Regional Plan, Code, or local plans in the Tahoe Basin. The assessment of project impacts is primarily conducted through a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis, which aims to address the following key questions:

  • How much VMT will the proposal generate?

  • Does the proposal necessitate further analysis?

  • Will the proposal result in a significant VMT impact?

  • What mitigation measures are required?

This document establishes the process and requirements for conducting a VMT assessment. While a VMT assessment is a crucial component of a transportation study, it does not encompass all transportation-related issues. In certain cases, a more comprehensive transportation study may be necessary. These guidelines exclusively focus on the VMT assessment aspect of transportation studies.

The procedures detailed in these guidelines reflect updates made in 2021 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Environmental Thresholds, which replaced a VMT-based nitrate deposition threshold with a new transportation and sustainable communities threshold, also based on VMT. This update led to revisions in Chapter 65: Air Quality / Transportation of the TRPA Code of Ordinances to establish PIA requirements. Additionally, these PIA requirements align with recent legislative changes in California that pertain to transportation impact analysis using VMT.

This document specifically addresses TRPA VMT analysis and does not cover other transportation impact topics that may need to be evaluated by TRPA or local agencies (e.g., city or county) as part of a transportation study. The PIA Guidelines are subject to periodic revisions to reflect advancements in analysis methodologies, changes in policies, guidelines, or regulatory requirements.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for project applicants, transportation analysts, TRPA planning staff, and local jurisdiction planning staff in the Tahoe Basin in preparing a VMT analysis that complies with Chapter 65 of the TRPA Code of Ordinances. The VMT analysis should adhere to best practices in transportation planning and engineering. These guidelines are based on and consistent with the following:

  • The Project Impact Assessment and Air Quality Mitigation Fee Framework (April 28, 2021)

  • TRPA Code of Ordinances Section 65.2, Traffic and Air Quality Mitigation Program

Acronyms

  • CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act

  • IEC: Initial Environmental Checklist

  • PIA: Project Impact Assessment

  • RTP: Regional Transportation Plan

  • VMT: Vehicle Miles Traveled

What is a VMT Analysis?

A VMT analysis assesses the impact of a project in terms of vehicle miles traveled. The assessment is structured around four key components:

  1. VMT Generation: Estimating the average daily VMT generated by the project. Some projects may also require an evaluation of VMT effect.

  2. Screening Criteria Compliance: Determining whether the project meets established screening criteria. Certain types of projects are presumed to have less-than-significant VMT impacts and do not require further analysis.

  3. Significance of Impacts: Evaluating whether the project exceeds the threshold of significance. Projects that do not meet screening criteria are assessed based on TRPA standards. If they exceed the significance threshold, they must be mitigated.

  4. Mitigation Measures: Identifying appropriate mitigation strategies for projects exceeding the VMT significance threshold. Projects must achieve compliance with TRPA Code requirements after applying mitigation measures.

The VMT analysis provides crucial information for decision-makers and the public regarding transportation impacts associated with development proposals. TRPA requires a determination that a project will not lead to an exceedance of environmental thresholds and is consistent with the Regional Plan. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance with TRPA Code standards and supports findings that a project does not negatively impact environmental thresholds.

TRPA’s environmental thresholds are achieved and maintained through the goals and policies outlined in the Regional Plan, which is implemented through enforceable standards in the TRPA Code of Ordinances. Project Impact Assessment serves as a tool to demonstrate a project’s adherence to these standards.

Transportation Study Requirements

A VMT analysis is one component of a broader transportation study. Depending on the project's size and scope, TRPA or the local city or county may require a more comprehensive transportation study that examines additional factors. Potential components of a transportation study include:

Analyses Required by TRPA:

  1. Transportation Impact Analysis: Evaluating transportation-related impacts in compliance with TRPA Code Chapter 3 and TRPA Compact Article VII. This may include:

    • Parking impacts

    • Effects on highways, transit, bicycle, or pedestrian infrastructure

    • Changes in circulation patterns

    • Impacts on waterborne, rail, or air transportation

    • Hazards and safety concerns

When a transportation study is mandated, only the areas where the IEC identifies potential impacts (“Yes” or “No with Mitigation”) need to be addressed.

Analyses Required by Local Agencies (City/County):

  1. Local Transportation Assessment: A study assessing consistency with the local agency’s General Plan, Master Plan, or Area Plan transportation policies.

  2. CEQA Impact Analysis: A California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) transportation impact analysis to evaluate compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3 for projects located in the California portion of the Basin.

Since this document is focused exclusively on VMT analysis, it does not address broader transportation impact assessments that may be required under TRPA environmental review processes, local transportation assessments, or CEQA evaluations. Applicants and transportation analysts should consult the relevant city or county to determine whether these additional assessments are necessary.

Not all projects will require a VMT analysis, and not all projects will require additional transportation studies. TRPA and local agencies should be consulted to determine the need and scope of transportation assessments when a project’s Initial Environmental Checklist results in a "Yes" or "No with Mitigation" response in the Transportation section.

Conclusion

These guidelines provide a structured approach for assessing project-related VMT impacts within the Tahoe Basin. By adhering to these procedures, project applicants and planners can ensure compliance with TRPA regulations, contribute to sustainable transportation planning, and support informed decision-making regarding transportation infrastructure and environmental impacts.

 

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