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