Title
Community Development Agency, Long Range Planning Division, recommending the Board receive and file the updated Transportation Impact Studies Guidelines.
FUNDING: Road Fund. (No Federal Funds)
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
Background
Transportation Impact Studies (TIS) are one of the tools used to provide information for implementation of the Transportation and Circulation Element of the County's General Plan. A TIS helps the County evaluate the potential effects of proposed projects on transportation infrastructure and services and determine how identified impacts can be mitigated. A TIS should be a stand-alone document that can be reproduced by a peer consultant or County staff based on information provided in the document. It is not a persuasive document; it is a factual document utilizing state of the practice and industry technical analyses.
TIS guidelines are routinely established by jurisdictions to assist applicants with assessing potential traffic impacts of proposed projects in accordance with the jurisdiction's adopted policies and plans. In 2008, the El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) produced the Traffic Impact Study Protocols and Procedures (2008 TIS Protocols) (Attachment B). DOT created the 2008 TIS Protocols to try to standardize the format and methodology used in traffic impact studies submitted with new development projects. The 2008 TIS Protocols were considered a technical internal document created and maintained by DOT to implement adopted Board policy.
The 2008 TIS Protocols are out of date and need to be updated. For example, the 2008 TIS Protocols reference the use of the County's old Transportation Model and the 2000 Highway Capacity Manual, whereas the County now has a new Travel Demand Model and the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual must be used per General Plan policy. The forecast year has also now changed to 2035 instead of 2025 as listed on the previous guidelines. It has also been determined that a 5 year analysis is no longer required, and therefore removed that requirement.
The Community Development Agency (CDA) has revised the 2008 TIS Protocols. The revised version is titled "Transportation Impact Study (TIS) Guidelines" to acknowledge the analysis will require study of all modes of transportation, not just vehicles. The TIS Guidelines include an outline of the expected format, citations from state law and El Dorado County General Plan policies, as well as appendices with applicable information.
The updated TIS Guidelines will assist applicants in the preparation of TIS' for proposed projects within unincorporated areas of El Dorado County. These guidelines are intended to ensure that the traffic impacts of proposed development projects are addressed in a manner that is consistent with the policies set forth in the Transportation and Circulation Element of the County's General Plan and any applicable Specific Plan. The guidelines also enable the County to analyze the potential transportation and circulation impacts of development proposals pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The County expects these guidelines to result in studies that provide comprehensive and accurate analysis of potential transportation impacts to County facilities and services.
Reason for Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board receive and file the TIS Guidelines to provide information required to implement the Transportation and Circulation Element Goals and Policies contained in the County's General Plan.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
CDA staff will implement the guidelines.
Contact
David Defanti, Assistant Director
Community Development Agency