VMT Screening for Land Use Projects for City of Laguna Hills

2.0 VMT Screening for Land Use Projects

All discretionary land use projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) must evaluate transportation impacts related to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) during the environmental review process. The Transportation Review Flow Chart in Exhibit A outlines the standard development review process for assessing transportation impacts in the City of Laguna Hills.

2.1 VMT Screening Form for Land Use Projects

The initial step in evaluating a land use project’s potential VMT impact involves a preliminary screening assessment using the City of Laguna Hills VMT Screening Form for Land Use Projects. This form streamlines the VMT analysis process and is available in an automated spreadsheet format from the Planning Department, with a PDF copy in Appendix A.

2.2 VMT Screening Criteria

Screening criteria simplify determining whether a project would likely cause a less than significant impact on VMT, without needing a detailed study. The City of Laguna Hills' criteria align with recommendations from the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) for setting thresholds for land use projects.

1. Is the project 100% affordable housing?
   Projects consisting entirely of affordable housing are presumed to have a less than significant VMT impact, as affordable housing typically generates lower VMT than market-rate housing.

2. Is the project within one-half mile of qualifying transit?
   Projects within one-half mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, as defined by CEQA Guidelines and local criteria, may have a less than significant VMT impact.

3. Is the project a local-serving land use?
   Local-serving land uses, such as small-scale retail, schools, and community services that primarily serve the local community, generally have less than significant VMT impacts due to shorter trip lengths.

4. Is the project in a low VMT area?
   Projects in Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) with VMT per capita or per employee rates below or equal to the citywide average are presumed to have less than significant impacts.

5. Are the project’s net daily trips fewer than 500 ADT?
   Projects generating fewer than 500 net average daily trips (ADT) are considered to have a less than significant VMT impact.

Each of these criteria includes specific requirements and conditions that must be met to qualify for a presumption of less than significant VMT impact. Further details and additional criteria explanations are provided in the City's VMT Guidelines, Exhibits, and Appendices.

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