SB 743: Changing How We Analyze Traffic Impacts

Background

With the adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 743, the State of California changed the method of traffic analysis required through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for publicly and privately initiated projects. The law changed the way local jurisdictions, like the County of San Diego (County), analyze transportation impacts from development projects and identify mitigation measures to reduce those impacts. SB 743 became effective on July 1, 2020.

The previous practice of evaluating traffic transportation impacts used road congestion and delay or level of service (LOS). SB 743 requires the amount of driving and length of trips – as measured by "vehicle miles traveled" or VMT – be used to assess transportation impacts on the environment for CEQA review. These impacts will be reduced or “mitigated” by options such as Transportation Demand Management (TDM), increasing transit options, or providing for active transportation such as walking and biking. All jurisdictions have the option to tailor requirements to their unique communities.

Update Regarding September 2022 Transportation Study Guide

As directed by the Board on February 9, 2022, staff have prepared a revised Transportation Study Guide (TSG) for VMT that establishes a VMT threshold using the regional average, which includes the entire countywide area, including the incorporated cities, as well as "Infill Areas" and other screening criteria outlined in the TSG. In addition to VMT analysis in accordance with CEQA, the TSG also provides guidance and identifies methodology to analyze traffic operations and safety, referred to as a Local Mobility Analysis (LMA), as part of the County's discretionary planning process. On September 28, 2022 the Board of Supervisors adopted a new TSG. The new TSG, Board of Supervisors Minute Order, and additional resources are located below.

Resources and Adopted Transportation Study Guide:

Transportation Study Guide (Adopted September 2022)

VMT Interactive Map and Parcel Lookup Tool

Resolution Adopting Transportation Study Guide

September 28, 2022 Board of Supervisors Minute Order

Wineries Screening Criteria for Transportation Related Impacts Technical Memorandum (February 2023)

Public Review Website

For more information please contact:

Damon Davis
PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov
(858) 505-6677

Sustainable Land Use Framework Options

As part of the Board direction related to updating guidelines for VMT analysis during their February 9 hearing, the Board directed staff to return within 120 days with options to inform the development of a sustainable land use framework. Options for this process would include the following: identification of principles for sustainable development that could inform future land use decisions; and comparison of planning mechanisms to implement Board directed principles, including zoning overlays, specific plans, community plan updates, or a general plan update.

Sustainable Land Use Framework Public Workshop

We want to hear from you! What do you think a safe, healthy, and vibrant community looks like in the future? As part of the County Board of Supervisors (Board) February 9th direction (Item #7), County staff was asked to develop options to inform the development of a Sustainable Land Use Framework. This framework would take into account various community needs including economic, social, development, and environmental needs and may inform future decision-making in the unincorporated area.

PDS will be holding a virtual public meeting to hear what you think. For more details, please see the information below.

To view the introductory public workshop video, please click below.