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HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - Adopting the General Plan Circulation Element Update (PA2017-141) - Handout�IQ� ` 10�26'2D22, 10-25-2022 Comments to City Council Agenda Item: XII-18: Circulation Element Update Points 1. The Circulation Element fails to meet statutory requirement to address "other local public utilities and facilities". 2. You have heard a lot from staff about all the work that has gone into the Circulation Element Update. There is less than one page of written material on "Complete Streets" and 2 pages of written material on Climate Changes. The text summarizes the laws. The Policies individually state the city will follow the laws. 3. You are being asked to make a Finding that the Circulation Element is correlated with the Land Use Element. You can't make this Finding at this time because the Land Use Element is being updated to be consistent with the Housing Element update. Neither the Circulation Element update or Land Use Element are consistent with the Housing Element at this time. 4. The Circulation Element's Climate Change Goals and Policies commit the city to reduce the city's carbon emissions. To accomplish this goal will mean higher gas and energy prices across the board. The city will utilize a total carbon footprint form of analysis (from cradle to grave) which will mean users of electric vehicles including boats and buildings with solar panels will not be exempt from the implementation of this goal and new policies. The city will increase costs or increase taxes to meet the State's goal of converting from individual automobiles to mass transit forms of mobility. This is what you are committing the city to if you approve this tonight. 5. The Circulation Element fails to meet the statutory requirement to address Environmental Justice, the effects of the Circulation Element Update's Climate Change Goals and Policies on the poor, children, persons with disabilities, and seniors. They will be hit the hardest by increasing energy costs and increased cost of living. You should postpone your action until you have considered the impact on the poor, children, persons with disabilities and seniors. 6. You are being asked to conclude these changes to the Circulation Element will have no possible adverse impact on the environment including our quality of life. You are being asked to find that no mitigation to protect the residents or the environment is necessary. 7. You may feel it is ok for staff not to respond to the publics request for information to enable the public to meaningfully comment on the Circulation Element Update. You may also feel it is ok for staff to say in the Circulation Element that the Element represents the "publics views on current circulation issues". Nothing could be further from the truth. We will see from your actions tonight if you really want the public's participation. This is your legacy! Particularly since there is no legislative mandate requiring City Council approval at this time. You could simply thank staff for their efforts and continue the item until the Land Use Element Update hearing with no penalty to the city. Page 1 of 2 Circulation Element promenades or activity areas can also be a strategy to create a pedestrian friendly network while activating a business district. In addition, overhead pedestrian crossings should be considered to improve pedestrian safety. Equestrian Trails Equestrian trails are primarily located in the Santa Ana Heights portion of the City. These trails, and other equestrian facilities, are highly valued by residents of this area and provide regional recreation opportunities as well. COMPLETE STREETS While alternative modes such as bicycles have always been permitted to use the roadway network, the Complete Streets Act (Assembly Bill 1358) requires that Circulation Elements "plan for a balanced multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, defined to include motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods, and users of public transportation, in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan." Providing a balance for multiple modes is one strategy toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change consistent with the City's goals of reducing risks to residents from climate change and sea level rise. Additionally, research shows that a multimodal transportation system, encouraging choice of bicycle walking and rolling modes, can enhance local economic development and improve public health. The City of Newport Beach will use the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Complete Streets Initiative Design Handbook to develop the City's complete streets master plan. Planning for a balanced multimodal transportation network does not mean that every street allocates equal space to all travel modes. In fact, satisfactory service levels are difficult to provide on all streets for all travel modes due to the competing interests between modes. Automobile friendly streets have high travel speeds, wide lanes, and separate turn lanes all of which decrease pedestrian service levels. Rather than trying to simultaneously serve competing needs, the City of Newport Beach favors a layered network approach to complete streets planning. In a layered network, a street is prioritized for a particular travel Newport Beach General Plan Circulation Element mode (or multiple travel modes benefiting from similar characteristics), but the network as a whole provides for the mobility of all users of roadways. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY The City of Newport Beach has used and continues to use technology to improve the delivery and performance of mobility. Transportation System Management techniques have been used to enhance capacity without physical roadway widening while retaining the community character and limiting the impact of the roadway system on the environment. Examples of Transportation System Management improvements include intelligent transportation system improvements at traffic signals, traffic signal coordination and improvements to roadway signage along busy routes (especially to tourist destinations), and the completion of the traffic management center in City Hall allowing for traffic monitoring and remote signal operation. The City also replaced old street lighting to more efficient LED fixtures to reduce electricity consumption and the City's carbon footprint. Technology is changing rapidly, and the City of Newport Beach will respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technology. The number of electric vehicles (EV) using our roadways will continue to grow and have fueling needs that are distinct from gasoline powered vehicles. Rideshare services continue to grow ridership and simultaneously the need for designated places to drop-off and pick-up are growing. Wayfinding apps help people to navigate our roadways, but the directions provided do not always show the most direct route or respect roadway classification. Traditional engineering techniques may not be effective in redirecting this source of traffic volume and the City of Newport Beach is investigating potential strategies. Vehicles with limited self -driving capability are already on our roadways. On the horizon, the City anticipates that vehicle -to -everything (V2X) infrastructure improvements will be needed to accommodate and realize the advantages offered by connected and autonomous vehicles. Potential advantages from connected vehicles include feedback regarding roadway maintenance needs, uniform traffic flows, real time signal synchronization, improved safety for drivers and other travel modes, and reduced GHG emissions. While the City of Newport Beach is aware of what is happening now and what is anticipated in the near future, the City must remain flexible and adapt to rapidly changing transportation options in order to experience the benefits offered while avoiding the pitfalls of change. TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT The City of Newport Beach retains the Travel Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance requiring projects to reduce the number of peak -period vehicle trips by providing facilities to support alternate modes and encouraging the use of alternative transportation modes, such as carpools, vanpools, public transit, bicycles, and walking. Employers can also offer flexible work schedules, including work -from -home. Some TDM strategies will reduce VMT generated by a land use. All of these techniques are enhanced by emerging technologies. Adopting TDM measures not only reduces peak -period vehicle trips and associated GHG emissions but could also reduce parking demand. WNewport Beach General Plan Circulot ion Element CE 4.1.2 Transit Services for Special Need Populations Support efforts to increase accessible transit services and facilities for the elderly, disabled, and other transportation disadvantaged persons. (Lip 16.8) CE 4.1.3 Seasonal Public Transit Coordinate with OCTA to provide seasonal, recreational, and special events shuttles. (Inip 14.4, 16.8) CE 4.1.4 John Wayne Airport Shuttles Encourage the use of airport shuttle services to minimize the impacts of air travelers on the local roadway system. (Imp 14.4, 16.8) CE 4.1.5 Transit Support Facilities Cooperate with OCTA in efforts to provide additional regional transit support facilities, including park -and -ride lots, bus stops, and shelters in higher density residential areas or mixed -use development areas to reduce passenger car travel through and within Newport Beach. (Imp 16.8) C E 4.1.6 School Transit Monitor the demand for additional private, public, and school transportation available to serve the needs of K-12 students and advocate for improvements in traffic from students. (Imp 14.2, 16.11) 0 CE 5.1 A transportation system that supports Complete Streets policies and design. Policies CE 5.1.1 Circulation Complete Streets System for All Users Develop a Complete Streets master plan and design guide based upon best practices (e.g., Orange County Council of Governments Complete Streets Initiative Design Handbook, 2016) that prioritizes City rights of way to allow all users safe and efficient mobility. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across the mobility system of Newport Beach. (Lip 16.1, 16.8, 16.11) "' Newport Beach General Plan Circulation Element CURB SIDE MANAGEMENT Newport Beach manages curb side space seeking the best use for the community needs. Prohibitions, fee assessment, or time limits are used to induce turnover and ensure availability, perform maintenance such as street sweeping, preserve sight distance, or provide right -turn lanes. Within commercial districts, time limitations and metered parking are common. Novel parking management may provide greater benefit to Newport Beach residents and visitors. Strategies such as valet and loading zones could reduce vehicle loads on side streets and alleys. Designating rideshare or delivery space could accommodate emerging trends. Curb side right of way could also be used as exchange areas for shared non -motorized transportation. Some of these novel parking management strategies could reduce passenger car use. Within residential districts, parking demand can overflow from commercial districts or private residential property onto public residential streets. Management of curb side right of way can help to provide equal access for all of the district's residents. CLIMATE CHANGE Newport Beach is concerned about climate change and sea level rise. As seen in other parts of the country, climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of natural emergencies. The City of Newport Beach is planning for these contingencies using tsunami warning signs, evacuation planning and battery back-up systems for traffic signals. Initiatives included in the Circulation Element such as planning for a balanced multimodal network including support for additional transit facilities in higher density areas and measures to reduce VMT help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The City of Newport Beach intends to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. On City property, the City can provide more EV charging stations, bicycle parking, and other supporting facilities. The City can encourage or require these supporting facilities on privately owned property within Newport Beach. The City can also encourage local businesses to establish and maintain telework programs in addition to carpooling/vanpooling. PARKING Similar to other coastal communities, parking availability is limited citywide, especially in some areas during the peak summer months. Areas of Newport Beach that were largely subdivided prior to widespread adoption of the automobile are areas of particular concern (i.e., Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, and Corona Del Mar). The Balboa Village Parking Management Overlay Plan included recommendations. The City of Newport Beach has implemented some of the recommendations (i.e., beginning to implement parking meter time limits, providing bus layover areas, improving intersection visibility with additional red curbing, and monitoring lot utilization). Implementing additional recommendations is being considered including increasing parking meter fees, consolidating public parking, and initiating a shared parking Newport Beach General Plan IIIZI Circulation Element C E 6.1.5 Autonomous, Connected, and Future Vehicle Technology Monitor the development of new vehicle technology and associated community -based infrastructure. For improvements demonstrated as practical, plan for the deployment of new vehicle technology within the existing right-of-way and infrastructure system through the annual budgeting process and capital improvement programming process. (Lnp 16.7, 30.1) CE 6.1.6 Wayfinding Technology Monitor and communicate with wayfinding technology providers (e.g., Waze and Google Maps) to reduce routing of traffic through neighborhoods. (Imp 16.7) C E 6.1.7 Parking Technology Consider deployment of parking app technology that identifies available parking spaces and reduces vehicle circulation and congestion related to searching for parking spaces. (Imp 16.7) Goa` CE 7.1 Promote strategies to reduce the use of internal combustion passenger cars and the attendant greenhouse gas emissions. Policies CE 7.1.1 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis Follow the analysis methodology for vehicle miles traveled according to the Newport Beach VMT thresholds policy and as required in Senate Bill 743 and the revised California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. (Imp 11.1) CE 7.1.2 VMT Mitigation Measures Require implementation of CEQA project related VMT mitigation measures when warranted and monitor reductions in VMT from new development. antp 11.1) MNewport Beach General Plan Circulation Element CE 7.1.3 Regional VMT Mitigation Measures Promote the development of regional VMT mitigation in order to simplify the CEQA process and enhance the effectiveness of VMT and GHG reduction strategies. (Imp 14.4) CE 7.1.4 Alternative Transportation Modes and Practices Promote and encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as ridesharing, carpools, vanpools, public transit, bicycles, walking, and telecommuting programs, through the planning and development of a Complete Streets master plan and design guide. (Imp 16.8, 16.11) CE 7.1.5 Support Facilities for Alternative Modes Require new development projects to provide facilities commensurate with development type and intensity to support alternative modes, such as preferential parking for carpools, bike racks, bike stations, bicycle lockers, showers, commuter information areas, rideshare vehicle loading areas, water transportation docks, and bus stop improvements. (Imp 16.8, 16.11) CE 7.1.6 Public Right of Way Curbside Management Review areas with commercial uses (such as retail, restaurant, and hospitality) to incorporate strategies to accommodate novel use of curb side right of way to reduce passenger car use through drop-off or valet and accommodate rideshare as well as delivery activities where appropriate. (Imp 16.10) CE 7.1.7 Project Site Design Supporting Alternative Modes Encourage increased use of public transportation by requiring project site designs that facilitate the use of public transportation and walking. (Imp 16.8, 16.11) CE 7.1.8 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Install additional EV charging stations on City properties, support existing private development to add new EV charging stations and develop incentives for the installation of EV charging stations and other alternative fuels systems as part of new development. Newport Beach General Plan