Title
REF200043 - VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT) THRESHOLDS
Public hearing to consider policy direction on the method of establishing a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) threshold(s) for the unincorporated areas of Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that the Planning Commission provide policy direction to staff as to the method of establishing a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) threshold for the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. Specifically, staff is seeking direction as to whether to use: 1) a single county-wide average for VMT; or 2) specific geographic areas within the County corresponding to the current County traffic impact fee zones.
SUMMARY:
Staff is presenting the following policy question for the Planning Commission as it relates to identification of the per capita or per employee VMT for existing development: Should Monterey County use a single County-wide average for the existing development VMT; or should Monterey County apply a more geographically specific average for existing development VMT based on the boundaries of our existing traffic fee zones?
The legislative intent of the change to VMT is to move growth toward cities where there is more access to alternative modes of transportation and a higher concentration of jobs, goods and services. A single County-wide average is consistent with OPR guidance, is in line with the way many other jurisdictions are implementing VMT, and it is a more simplistic solution as a single number.
If the Planning Commission were to select the option to use a single County-wide average, as part of the CEQA review process staff would theoretically identify potentially significant impacts on traffic for a residential project exceeding 9.7 VMT per capita (15% below 11.4; see discussion that follows for details on these figures). If the project would have a VMT higher than 9.7, mitigation measures might be added that have the effect of reducing VMT to at or below 9.7. If the project cannot be mi...
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