Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) - Vehicle Miles Traveled

The City of Encinitas SB 743 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis Guidelines were adopted by the City Council on November 8th, 2023. The VMT Guidelines, City VMT Maps, and SANDAG Vehicular Trip Generation Rates can be accessed below:

• VMT Analysis Guidelines
  •  Appendix A - Project Information Form (Fillable PDF)
• City VMT Maps
• SANDAG Vehicular Traffic Generation Rates

VMT Background

SB 743 removes vehicular level of service (LOS) and other automobile delay measures as an environmental impact under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It became law in 2013 and is being implemented gradually by all cities and local agencies across the state.

Under CEQA, agencies must analyze proposed development and transportation projects to determine whether they may have a significant impact on the environment. One key determination under CEQA is the transportation impact of these projects. Traditionally, transportation impacts have been evaluated by LOS analysis, which examines whether the project is likely to cause automobile delay at intersections and congestion on nearby individual roadway segments.

SB 743 initiated an update to the CEQA Guidelines to change how lead agencies evaluate transportation impacts under CEQA, with the goal of better measuring the actual transportation-related environmental impacts of any given project. Instead of LOS, agencies must now use the VMT metric. VMT measures how much actual auto travel (additional miles driven) a proposed project would create on California roads. If the project adds excessive auto travel to our roads, the project may cause a significant transportation impact. This does not necessarily mean the project cannot be approved, but rather that the impacts must be disclosed and potentially mitigated. Further information can be found on the SB 743 Legislation site.

Mobility Element Background

In Spring 2021, the City began a project to update its Mobility (Circulation) Element and create a framework to implement Senate Bill 743 (SB 743), a new state law governing transportation analysis.

The Mobility Element is a section of the City’s General Plan that identifies a multimodal transportation network to serve the community’s needs. The last comprehensive update to the Mobility Element—previously known as the Circulation Element—was in 1989, when the population was lower and transportation options were very different. Since then, Encinitas has grown to nearly 65,000 residents and transportation options continue to expand.

The Mobility Element identifies:

• A safe, efficient, and adequate circulation system that responds to the transportation and infrastructure needs of all modes and users, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and rail users.
• The location of existing and future transportation needs in the City.
• Long-term goals and policies for community mobility over the next 30 years.
• Strategies to reduce vehicle speed, increase driver attention, and protect vulnerable users on local streets, and to reduce overall vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) and urban sprawl.

As part of the Mobility Element Update, the City is looking forward to consolidating the progressive policies from its various strategic, community and neighborhood plans—such the Climate Action Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Rail Corridor Vision Study, and others—into one cohesive, citywide framework.

Community Outreach

Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Public Scoping Meeting - September 19, 2022

The EIR scoping meeting was held on September 19, 2022 in the City Hall Poinsettia Room. The purpose of the public scoping period was to solicit input and comments from public agencies and the general public regarding the environmental content to be analyzed within the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Mobility Element update. 

• Public Notice
  
• Comments Received
  
• Memo - Revised Street Classification Network Map

Workshop #2 - July 21, 2022

The second community workshop for the Mobility Element Update was held on July 21st at the Community Center. This workshop provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the Encinitas Mobility Element Update and provide important feedback on goals and policies and the potential citywide network and road classifications. We want to hear from all types of mobility users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and drivers. Below are links to the workshop slideshow presentation, comment card, online survey, maps/diagrams, and draft goals and policies:

• Slideshow Presentation
• Video Recording
• Street Network
• Street Typology
• Multimodal Maps
• Draft Goals and Policies
• Policy Comparison

Workshop #1 - August 10, 2021

The first community workshop for the Mobility Element Update was held on August 10, 2021. This workshop provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the Encinitas Mobility Element Update process and provide important feedback to develop goals and policies for transportation needs to create a citywide network. Below are links to the workshop slideshow presentation, video recording, comments, and questions with responses.

• Slideshow Presentation
• Presentación de Diapositivas (Español)
• Video Recording
• Comments
• Questions and Responses

City staff also conducted community outreach at the Leucadia Farmer's Market on August 15, 2021, and at EcoFest Encinitas on September 26, 2021. Check back here for future community outreach events.

Project Schedule & Opportunities for Involvement

The expected timeline is below and is subject to change based on project needs and external factors. It includes three separate phases of public engagement that provide ample opportunities for community involvement.

• Spring 2021: Project kickoff and existing conditions analysis
• Summer 2021: Public engagement activities to educate and gather input on goals, policies, and existing conditions
• Fall 2021: Development of draft transportation networks
• Summer 2022: Public engagement activities to gather input on draft transportation networks
• Fall/Winter 2023/2024: Analysis of draft transportation networks, selection of preferred network, and preparation of required environmental analyses
• Spring 2024: Public review of draft Mobility Element and Environmental Impact Report
• Fall 2024: City Council approval of final Mobility Element and Environmental Impact Report

To sign up to receive information on the project as it is released, visit the City Updates page, enter your e-mail address, and check the “Mobility Element” box.

Public Hearings

Staff presented an introduction on the Mobility Element Update to the Mobility & Traffic Safety Commission on June 14, 2021, to the Planning Commission on July 15, 2021, and to the City Council on November 10, 2021.

Staff presented a project status update to the Mobility & Traffic Safety Commission on October 9, 2023. 

The City Council adopted the VMT Guidelines on November 8, 2023.  

More information can be found on the Meeting Agendas and Webcasts page.

Additional Resources

County of San Diego Active Transportation Plan
The County of San Diego completed an update to the Bicycle Transportation Plan, Pedestrian Area Plans through the creation of an Active Transportation Plan (ATP), approved by the Board of Supervisors in October 2018. The ATP supports efforts to promote active transportation options through pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the unincorporated county.

State of California’s Toward an Active California State Bicycle + Pedestrian Plan
Caltrans published the state’s bicycle and pedestrian plan in 2017. The plan aims to achieve the following goals: safety, mobility, preservation, and equity. The statewide plan calls for the development of District-Level Active Transportation Plans to identify bicycle and pedestrian asset needs on, across, or parallel to the State Highway System (SHS), with a focus on “closing gaps and building complete, comfortable networks that consider the context” (Chapter 5, M1.1).

iCommute SANDAG
iCommute encourages use of transportation alternatives to help reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Commuters and employers can find resources at iCommute.

San Diego Bicycle Coalition
The San Diego Bicycle Coalition promotes bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation.

Encinitas Bike + Walk
EncinitasBikeWalk works to enhance the walking and biking environment throughout Encinitas. Our vision is for walking and biking to serve as a safe, convenient, healthy, and FUN mode of transportation in Encinitas.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
PBIC is a national leader in pedestrian and bicycle research and resources.

National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
NACTO’s mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life.

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