HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-21 - AGENDA REPORTS - SEPT 30 1997 APPROVAL (2)AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: October 21, 1997
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Councilmember Boyer
SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT UPDATE;
RECONSIDERATION OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, APPROVAL
DEPARTMENT: City Council
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Councilmember Boyer recommends that the City Council: Consider reconsidering the
September 30, 1997, approval of the General Plan Circulation Element Update.
BACKGROUND
On September 30, 1997, the City Council adopted an amendment to the City's General Plan
Circulation Element. At the October 15, 1997, City Council meeting, Councilmember Boyer
requested that the Council consider reconsidering the September 30, 1997, approval.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact associated with the motion.
ATTACHMENTS
1. September 30, 1997, City Council staff report (without attachments)
2. Resolution of Approval No. 97-113.
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APPROVED..t -Agenda Item—L
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approva
Item to be presented by:
Jeffrey Lambert
PUBLIC HEARING
DATE: September 30, 1997
SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT AMENDMENT
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services
Following Council direction, staff has prepared a proposed amendment to the Circulation
Element of the City's General Plan. The preparation of this amendment includes an
Environmental Impact Report and an extensive public outreach program. Council received the
Proposed. Circulation Element Text on June 3, 1997 and a copy of the Draft EIR on June 16,
1997: A Final EIR was distributed to the Planning Commission on September 2, 1997 and to
the Council on September 10, 1997. The Final EIR includes the Draft EIR Responses to
Comments, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and Summary of Community
Meetings.
The Circulation Element Amendment is intended to accomplish two goals: to select a roadway
network for the center of the City which accomodates the removal of SR 126 from the General
Plan and to update the General Plan policies to reflect current conditions in the Santa Clarita
Valley. An executive summary of the text changes is attached to this report. Generally, these
changes. update the General Plan to reference an increasingly diversified transportation system.
These changes include reference to the Metrolink service, bus service and other improved transit
services such as the proposed high-speed rail. In addition, recommended text changes
encourage development standards that ensure local streets will function as designed and
developments will encourage non -vehicular access by bus, pedestrian and bicycle.
The City Council directed staff to conduct an extensive public outreach program for the
Circulation Element Amendment. This program consisted of two full page ads in the paper and
three interactive community workshops. In addition, staff has gathered a mailing list of 350
interested citizens and groups and has kept this group informed throughout the review process.
The most significant theme expressed by the community was to encourage the City to remove
the Caltrans SR 126 roadway from the General Plan. This can only be accomplished by selecting
one of the six alternatives described in the Circulation Element Amendment EIR. City staff, the
City Council, the Planning Commission, and the community have been working towards this end
since 1992.
Adop ��Age Item:—L
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission held five public hearings between July 15, 1997 and September 10,
1997 to consider the amendment, its environmental effects, and testimony from the public and
from staff and City consultants. Through extensive discussions, the Planning Commission made
a number of changes to the original Circulation Element text; these changes are listed in
Resolution 97-113.. In addition to the changes the Commission made to the Circulation Element
Amendment, they raised several other issues and concerns: Northerly By-pass alternative,
business/residential impacts of augmented intersections, and specific alignment impacts of
future roadways such as Golden ValleyRoad. On these issues, the Commission found that no
further action was necessary.
The EIR for this project identified the following five issue areas as having significant impacts
that cannot be mitigated to levels less than significant: Air Quality, Earth Resources, Biological
Resources, Noise, and Aesthetics. In addition to their consideration of significant impacts, the
Commission reviewed the proposed mitigation measures and weighed the public benefits of the
amendment against the impacts. These project benefits include promoting an acceptable local
and regional transportation system that accommodates land use expansion as envisioned in the
City General Plan and providing for efficient transportation by including policies for reducing
single -occupancy vehicle trips, encouraging voluntary trip reduction methods, providing roadway
designs that include bikeways and encouraging technological advances to minimize air quality
impacts (Resolution 97-112). The Planning Commission also gave consideration to a letter
suggesting that roadway links with LOS "F" be designated as 8 -lane divided major highways,
similar to the existing designation for Bouquet Canyon Road between Seco Canyon Road and
Soledad Canyon Road.
The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council certify the Final EIR, adopt a
Statement of Overriding Considerations and approve the proposed Circulation Element
Amendment as prepared by staff with modifications. Alternative 4, the Newhall Ranch Road
Reduction with augmented intersections was the circulation alternative unanimously preferred
by the Commission. The Commission also identified that transportation demand management
(TDM) methods should be considered on a voluntary basis, with the elimination of parking
pricing strategies. The Commission unanimously recommended the following modifications to
the amendment text which are included in the attached Resolution 97-113:
• Addition of new policies relating to traffic calming (including an exhibit), traffic light
synchronization, and study of vehicle weight limitations for roadways where appropriate.
• Identification of Level of Service (LOS) goals below "D" for 20 roadway links.
• Recommend that the following roadway links be designated as 8 -lane divided major
highways:
Newhall Ranch Road between Bouquet Canyon Road and. Interstate 5 Freeway which is
presently designated as an 84ane limited access expressway.
Maeic Mountain Parkway between Valencia Boulevard and Interstate 5 Freeway which
is presently designated as a 6 -lane divided major arterial highway.
McBean Parkway between Valencia Boulevard and Newhall Ranch Road which is
presently designated as a 6 -lane divided major arterial highway.
Valencia Boulevard between Magic Mountain Parkway and Interstate 5 Freeway which
is presently designated as a 64ane divided major arterial highway. The Commission was
split 2,2 on approval of this roadway link.
As stated above, the Commission was unanimous in their recommendation to the City Council
on all aspects of the Circulation Element Amendment (text and roadway alternative) except
increasing the designation of Valencia Boulevard to an 8 -lane divided major highway.
This special hearing was advertised with a display ad in the Signal and mailing of the public
notice to over 350 individuals and associations. This list included everyone who attended the
scoping meeting and community workshops, all who commented on the EIB. and all the
homeowner associations.
RECOMMENDATION
1. City Council receive staff report; Open the public hearing; Receive public
testimony; Discuss the project; Close the public hearing.
2. Adopt Resolution 97-112, to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the
Circulation Element Amendment and to 'adopt a Statement of Overriding
Considerations for the Circulation Element Amendment.
3. Adopt Resolution 97-113, to Approve the Circulation Element Amendment (Master
Case No. 97-111, Previous Master Case No. 93-198, .General Plan Amendment No. 97-
002).
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A - Circulation Element Amendment History Chart
Exhibit B - Proposed Circulation Element Text - Executive Summary
Exhibit C - Resolution 97-112
Exhibit D - Resolution 97-113
Exhibit E - Circulation Update 2
READING FILE
Planning Commission Resolutions P97-15 and P97-16
Planning Commission Staff Reports and Minutes from:
July 15, 1997
July 23, 1997
August 19, 1997
September 2, 1997
September 10, 1997
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RESOLUTION NO. 97-113
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA APPROVING
REMOVAL OF STATE ROUTE 126 FROM THE MASTER PLAN OF ARTERIAL
HIGHWAYS AND OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT
MASTER CASE NO. 97-111 (PREVIOUS MASTER CASENO.93-198)
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 95-002
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council does hereby find and determine as follows:
a. On June 25, 1991, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 91.98, adopting the General
Plan of the City of Santa Clarita and Certifying the Environmental Impact Report.
b. In November 1992 the City Council adopted General Plan Amendment 92-02 (Master
Case No. 92-154) that revised the Circulation Element text for clarity and added the
Lyons Avenue Extension as a planned arterial roadway with a connection to Dockweiler
Drive.
C. On October 13, 1992 the City Council, by minute action, urged Caltrans to find an
alternative route for SR 126_ and.then.directed staff to find another east -west route
through the City center.
d. A City Manager's Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) was formed to
study an east -west route and presented their recommendation to the Planning
Commission in July 1993. The Planning Commission recommended network was
presented to the City Council in December 1993 for consideration in studying a possible
Circulation Element Amendment.
e. In September 1994, the City Council commissioned the Center City Traffic and Modeling
Study to examine the existing General Plan circulation system and four alternative
roadway networks recommended or endorsed by CTAC, the Planning Commission, and
the City Council.
f. The findings of the Center City Traffic and Modeling Study were presented to the City
Council at a January 1995 study session and , subsequently, two additional alternatives
were added to the study and were included in the Draft Final renter City Qjrrwatjon
Element Study, dated June 1995.
g. On November 13, 1995, a community meeting was held to present the City's
recommended circulation system amendment (Scenario 5 from the Draft Final Center
City Circulation Element Study), however, based on the meeting response, the Council
determined that the CEQA process should be used to study various alternatives at an
equal level of detail, with no preferred alternative.
h. An Initial Study was ..prepared for this project on November 4, 1996. A Draft
Reso. 97-113
Page 2
Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) SCH No. 96112028 was prepared for this
project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.(CEQA )by Rincon
Consultants, Inc following the 30 -day public review period for the Notice of Preparation
(NOP) beginning November 4, 1996 and a formal scoping meeting held on December 5,
1996. Following the scoping meeting, the NOP circulation period was extended two
additional weeks to December 19, 1996. The Draft EIR and Notice of Completion (NOC)
for this project was released for a 45 -day public review period on June 16, 1997. Two
duly noticed public hearings on the Draft EIR were held before the Planning Commission
during the public review period on July 15, 1997 and on July 23, 1997. The public review
period ended on July 31, 1997. The Draft EIR analyzes seven circulation network
alternatives, including Alternative 1 which is the No Project Alternative under CEQA
I. Duly noticed public hearings were held by the Planning Commission on July 15, 1997,
July 23, 1997, August 19, 1997, September 2, 1997, and September 10, 1997 in the City
Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 7:00 p.m.
j. A duly noticed public hearing was held by the City Council on September 30, 1997 in the
City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:30 p.m.
k. The Circulation Element identifies. the general location and extent of existing and
proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public
transportation facilities all correlated with the land use element of the General Plan.
The Circulation Element Amendment is consistent with the objectives of the General
Plan.
1. The Circulation Element Amendment includes the following project objectives: Identify
the primary east -west corridor alternative to an extension of SR -126; Remove SR -126 as
a limited access expressway from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways; Identify the
existing and planned standards for major, secondary, and limited secondary highways
in the City; Identify the primary features of the City's transit system; Reduce the level
of vehicular trips in general, and specifically the use of autos for drive -alone trips;
Identify alternative commute options including Metrolink, commuter buses, park-and-
ride, and telecommuting; Encourage land use planning that supports these mobility
goals; Establish mobility corridors within the City.
m. The Circulation Element, as amended, may necessitate subsequent amendment of other
elements of the General Plan including•the noise element, air quality element, open
space and conservation element and land use element.
SECTION 2. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received, and upon studies
and investigation made by the Planning Commission and by the City Council and on its behalf,
the City Council further finds and determines that the. proposed General Plan amendment is
consistent with the goals and policies of the adopted General Plan, and that the proposed
amendment complies with all other applicable requirements of state law and local ordinances.
Reso. 97-113
Page 3
SECTION 3. The City of Santa Clarita City Council has reviewed and considered the
environmental information contained in the Draft and Final EIR SCH No. 96112028 and
determines that it is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Public
Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.) The Planning Commission has adopted Resolution.P97-
15 that recommends certification of the Final EIR documents and recommends adoption of a
Statement of Overriding Considerations (SOC). The City Council has adopted Resolution 97-112
on September 30, 1997 that certifies the Final EIR and adopts a Statement of Overriding
Considerations.
SECTION 4. Based upon the foregoing, the City Council approves the following:
a. 'The roadway network analyzed in the Draft EIR as Alternative 4 (Augmented Newhall
Ranch Road Reduction) with the addition of Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
measures as listed in the Draft EIR Table 2.5 on a voluntary basis with the exception of
Parking Pricing Strategies which would be eliminated.
b. Recommend that an acceptable Circulation Element Level of Service (LOS) for the
General Plan be less than "D" for the following roadway links based on the DEIR
Transportation/Circulation (Section 5.8) projected Volume -to -Capacity ratios (Figure 5.8-
4) and analysis for Alternative 4:
1. Bouquet Canyon Road, between Cinema Drive and Seco Canyon Road and
between Santa Clarita Parkway and Haskell Canyon Road.
2. Newhall Ranch Road, between Bouquet Canyon Road and west of I-5 Freeway.
3. Soledad Canyon Road, between west of Golden Valley Road and east of Sierra
Highway.
4.- Magic Mountain Parkway, between west of The Old Road and east of Bouquet
Canyon Road
5. Valencia Boulevard, between west of the I-5 Freeway and east of Bouquet Canyon
Road.
6. McBean Parkway, between north of Newhall Ranch Road and south of Valencia
Boulevard, and north of Decoro Road
7. Orchard Village Road, between McBean Parkway and Wiley Canyon Road..
8. Via Princessa, between west of San Fernando Road and Sierra Highway.
9. Seco Canyon Road, between north of Decoro Road and Bouquet Canyon Road
10. Rye Canyon Road, between The Old Road and north of Newhall Ranch Road
11. Wiley Canyon Road, between Orchard Village Road and west of San Fernando
Road
12. Pico Canyon Road, between west of Valencia.Boulevard and SR -126.
13. Sierra Highway; between Dockweiler Drive and Santa Clarity Parkway.
14. SR -126, between east of Avenue. Stanford and Chiquito Canyon Road
15. The Old Road, between Rye Canyon Road and Valencia Boulevard.
16. I-5 Freeway, between Calgrove Boulevard and the southerly Planning Area
Boundary.
17. SR -14, between San Fernando Road and I-5 Freeway.
Reso. 97.113
Page 4
18. San Francisquito Canyon Road, north of Copperhill Road.
19. Lyons Avenue, between I-5 Freeway and east of Wiley Canyon Road, and between
Newhall Avenue and San Fernando Road.
20. Copperhill Road, between Newhall Ranch Road and north of Decoro Road, and
between McBean Parkway and Seco Canyon Road.
C. The Proposed Circulation Element Teat dated June 1997 (Attachment A), herein
incorporated by reference, with the following changes:
1. Re -order the circulation policies, add anew traffic calming policy, add a new
traffic synchronization policy, add a new truck. limitation policy, add a new
Traffic Calming text and exhibit, and add a revised Table C-1 (Attachment B).
2. Include Augmented Intersection text.
3. Remove Avenue Scott as a Secondary Highway east of McBean Parkway to
Hillsborough Parkway.
4. Remove Rio Vista Drive as a Major Highway from the Lyons Avenue Extension
to Via Princessa.
5. Designate Lyons Avenue as a Major Highway from The Old Road to Dockweiler
Drive as presently exists on the General Plan.
6. Designate Golden Valley Road as a Major Highway from SR -14 to Newhall Ranch
Road.
7. Designate Golden Valley Road as a Secondary Highway from Newhall Ranch
Road to Plum Canyon and from Placerita Canyon to SR -14
8. Designate Newhall Ranch Road as a Major Highway from 1-5 to Golden Valley
Road.
9. Change the proposed Text Major Highway discussion (Page C-7) fifth line from
the top- level &r to show level -E-.
10. Remove Bouquet Canyon Road as a Major Highway from Seco Canyon Road to
the Angeles Forest Boundary and designate Bouquet Canyon Road as a Major
Highway from Seco Canyon to Vasquez Canyon Road and a Secondary Highway
from Vasquez Canyon Road to the Angeles National Forest Boundary.
11. Remove Castaic Road as a Secondary Highway from SR -126 to Lake Hughes Road
and designate Castaic Road as a Secondary Highway from Newhall Ranch Road
to Lake Hughes Road.
Reso. 97.113
Page 5
12. Remove Parker Road as a limited secondary highway since it is already covered
under listings for major and secondary highways.
13. Designate the following roadway segments as eight -lane major highways:
Newhall Ranch Road between McBean Parkway and the I-5 Freeway.
Magic Mountain Parkway between Valencia Boulevard and I-5 Freeway.
McBean Parkway between Valencia Boulevard and Newhall Ranch Road.
14. The Circulation Element incorporates and is consistent with specific plans
previously adopted by the City of Santa Clarita. It is recognized that
roadway corridors and intersection augmentations depicted on maps in the
environmental analysis for the Circulation Element are conceptual only.
No specific roadway alignments or intersection augmentations have been
determined for areas covered by an adopted specific plan. Where a specific
plan has been adopted and approved, the Circulation Element has
incorporated roadway alignments and intersection characteristics that are
consistent with such adopted specific plans.
15. Modify the Truck Route narrative (Attachment B ) to remove reference to super -
truck routes and eliminate Exhibit C-10 Truck Routes and Super Truck Routes
(STAA).
16. The Lyons Avenue Extension includes an at -grade crossing of the railroad, rather
than a bridge.
17. Delete the major highway segment of The Old Road between Valencia Blvd and
McBean Parkway.
18. Strengthen the language in support of the Ventura Rail Line (Attachment B)
d. The proposed map exhibits of the Proposed Circulation Element Text dated June 1997
(Attachment A) are hereby amended to reflect the changes noted above.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
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Reso. 97-113
Page 6
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED
�vssr-s�. I:L•F�
this 30th day of
CITY COUNCIL
ATTEST:
SHARON L. DAWSON
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Clarity at a regular meeting thereof, held on the _30t!h day of September
19-27 by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Darcy, Beidt, Klajic, Boyer, Smyth
NOES: COUNCILMEM 3ERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCII.MEMBERS: None
MIA
Exhibit A
Proposed Circulation Element Text
June 1887
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit B
The purpose of this exhibit is to respond to the Planning Commission's request to list the various
Policies identified under the sixgoal statements of the Proposed Circulation Element Amendment
T=1. This exhibit also includes a new traffic calming policy (Policy No. 1.22), new traffic
calming text to be inserted between the "Collector and Local Streets" and "Augmented
Intersections" narratives (page G38 of the proposed Circulation ElamentAmendment Teri) and
an attached traffic calming graphic that will be included as part of the recommended Proposed
Circulation Element Amendment Text. This exhibit also includes new policies concerning vehicle
weight limits(Policy No. 1.23) and traffic synchronization (Policy No. 1.24). All new proposed text
is highlighted.
The following goals and supporting policies are the general policies used to guide the
development of the Circulation Plan contained in the Circulation Plan and the
implementation programs outlined in the Implementation Plan Section. The policies further
define the goals and describe the intent of the goals. As such, the policies serve as guides by
which to measure goal achievement and tailor specific programs. TYtb PaTkO �ellstgd fig
arinptaCwsiba%tuet.ix"I The Goals and Policies area direct result
of the issues discussed in the Statement of Issues Section.
The general policies outlined below must be applied and implemented pursuant to the plans
and implementation programs contained in the following sections, and in conjunction with
the other elements of the General Plan.
Need for Arterial Street System
GOAL 1: To provide a circulation system to move people and goods safely and efficiently
Policies: throughout the City of Santa Clarita and the general Planning Area.
Fttadia� .
(1.4)
Maintain a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) which incorporates a funding program for
the construction of improvements to the City's roadway system. Specific improvement
proposals should be determined for the entire community and all local benefit, cost,
feasibility, and safety issues should be considered. Seek alternativefundingopportunities to
provide adequate transportation and circulation improvements.
Seek alternative funding opportunities to provide adequate transportation and
circulation facilities.
Preliminary.... ueat�tion
Adopt.a program of street and highway landscaping (i.e., median planting and street trees)
to enhance the appearance of the City's circulation system.
1.4`(1.13)
Enforce dual access requirements.where appropriate for safety and circulation purposes.
Establish street standards which are sensitive to topographical constraints, necessary grade
separations and other special needs.
1:(4 (1.19)
Develop design standards for roadway and intersection improvements to safely and
efficiently accommodate existing and projected_ transportation patterns and circulation.
1.7(l.20)
Provide reasonable traffic flow and consider the adoption of a limited access policy which
would provide guidelines and criteria by which reciprocal access and parking agreements
may be provided to consolidate and minimize traffic interruptions.
1A (1.24)
Establish a traffic impact threshold of significant" condition which will require appropriate
mitigation for nroiects mhar irxflin nerauia%at �. tt.ri,..ts ..,s r . _ b >� _
_....................................
1.9 (1.25) ....
Where alignments are known, the preservation of corridor rights-of-way should be
immediately established.
iwxa� (1.21)
Pursue and develop a Congestion Management Program (CMP) to promote and ensure
realistic and feasible traffic distribution and growth throughout the City of Santa Clarita
and the general Planning Area.
I�pTemeati
u(u)
Improve circulation facilities to provide improved levels of service and standards of safety
over current traffic operations with a priority to improve local transportation patterns.
I i2 (1.2)
Maintain appropriate levels of service at all intersections in the City during peak hours to
ensure that traffic delays are kept to a minimum
IIB (1.3)
Preserve the quality of residential neighborhoods by discouraging the flow of truck and
through traffic in these areas consistent with circulation and emergency needs.
4W1.6)
Work cooperatively with County, regional and state agencies to integrate the City's
circulation system with that of the surrounding region.
1.1'5 (1.9)
Maximize and improve the operating efficiency and safety of the existing roadway system
wherever possible.
1.18 (1.10)
Limit the number of intersections and driveways on all major, secondary and limited
secondary roadways to accommodate a safe, efficient and steady flow of traffic.
L17 (1.11)
Develop and maintain an appropriate supertruck (trucks with an extended trailer length of
approximately 48' to 60') and truck route program which will accommodate the needs of the
commercial and industrial uses within the City, and the general Planning Area, but will also
provide for the protection and preservation of the City's circulation system and residential
areas. Avoid establishing truck routes in areas which contain natural, scenic or other
resources.
1:=8:(1.14)
Require vehicular access to higher density land uses and commercial developments from
major, secondary and limited secondary roadways, and not from low density residential
neighborhoods.
SIB(1.17)
Maintain adequate access to state highways and freeways serving the Santa Clarita
Planning Area including Interstate 5 on the west, State Route 14 on the southeast and State
Route 126 on the northwest
1�ZEIf (1.18)
Optimize use of all major, secondary and limited secondary roadways while mini,niing use
of all collectors and local streets. Encourage development design that ensures that local
streets function as designed and not as collector streets or other higher capacity roadways.
.*1 (1.22)
Establish roadway alignments and require appropriate dedication of rivht.nf waw f„r an
9�siale
LU (1.7)
Continue to work with the County in developing and maintaining planned roadways.
(1.8)
Maintain the Santa Clarity Valley Consolidated Traffic Model to regularly review future
traffic projections as development occurs and land uses change.
Encourage schools and parents to use the Suggested Routes to School Plan.
LUM26)
Discourage the creation of new gated private roadways that block area -wide through routes.
1.29(l.5)
Encourage consistent through -street names.
Need for Local and Regional Transit Services
GOAL 2: Promote a diversified public transportation system that is safe, convenient,
efficient, and meets the identified needs of the City of Santa Clarita and the
general Planning Area.
Policies:
&112.3)
Coordinate local transit planning with regional transportation planning agencies and transit
agencies in adjacent communities.
Z2 (2.7)
Identify and reserve locations for future commuter rail stations.
U (2.8)
Pursue the development of a local car pool information and routing program. The program
can provide alternative transportation for concentrated users.
MUM
Explore the use of the railroad right-of-way for intra -valley and commuter use between SR -
14 and any proposed station locations.
25 (2.1)
Incorporate accommodations and facilities to support local transit services (i.e., bus lanes,
bus stops and bus shelters) in new and redeveloped projects, where feasible that are
consistent with local transit planning.
Z§ (2.2)
Provide for the mobility of City residents to access local services and employment,
particularly for those who may experience mobility difficulties, including the elderly,
disabled, low income residents and youth.
(2.4)
Develop multi -modal transit facilities that are strategically located in the Planning Area
convenient to major local residential and employment centers.
0(2.5)
Develop adequate pedestrian access and encourage the use of these systems.
(2.6)
Require right-of-way dedication and/or construction of appropriate facilities in support of a
public transportation system in new and redeveloped projects.
*4000*04
2.10
Explore the expansion of rail service to Ventura County, to Los Angeles, and to the Antelope
Valley. Encourage connections to future high-speed rail that may be located through the
Santa Clarita Valley.
Transportation Alternatives
GOAL 3: To Promote safe and.effective alternatives to the personal automobile that will
meet the needs of all Planning Area residents.
U (3.5)
Develop, with the support of other agencies, alternative transportation systems throughout
the City. and Planning Area.
&2 0.4)
Develop an integrated system of bus service that reaches all major concentrations of
residential development and employment.
Provide a system of sidewalks or pathways, tunnels and bridges in residential, commercial
and industrial areas that features a safe, attractive and convenient environment, integrating
pedestrians and bicycles in a manner harmonious with the surrounding neighborhoods.
U (3.6)
Identify and reserve rights-of-way for, local .transit to connect to regional systems.
&$,(3.9)
Establish multi -use corridors and reserve appropriate rights-of-way.
&G (3.1)
Maintain the Master. Plan of Bikeways that is coordinated with the County plan for the
Santa Clarita Valley and regional network, including Ventura County, in order to provide an
adequate system for the safe and efficient movement of cyclists.
0 (3.3)
Promote bicycle and pedestrian accessibility to all commercial, industrial, multi -family
residential, and public -facilities, including parks, schools, and centers of civic activity.
MOM
Promote ride -sharing.
" (3.8)
Consider the establishment of a pedestrian only district that is bicycle -friendly.
Parking Facilities
GOAL 4: To provide for and ensure an adequate supply of off-street private and public
parking to meet the needs of local. residents and visitors to the City and the
Planning Area.
poli i s-
iplftliminarY Implementation
...:.:.....,...
4.1
Provide parking requirements for various types of land uses which consider travel patterns,
mode split, and vehicle size. Periodically review and update these standards as these factors
change over time.
Impemesctatiosti
4.2
Provide public parking resources and transportation alternatives in response to the demand
for such facilities (including park-and-ride facilities), through development exactions, special
assessment districts or other appropriate funding mechanisms.
4.3
Screen and/or buffer large parking areas from public view through the use of landscape
setbacks, earth berms and hedge screens (to headlight level) and trees and landscaping in
parking areas while providing convenient pedestrian access.
4.4
On -street parking should generally be eliminated from all major, secondary and limited
secondary roadways.
4A (4.7)
In addition to the retention of park-and-ride opportunities near the Antelope Valley
Freeway, suitable park-and-ride locations near Interstate 5 should be investigated.
t�6e
48 .... (4....:..:.5) .:.::...::...::::
Encourage enclosed bicycle lockers at major destinations.
4«7 (4.6)
Consider the use of shared parking and jointly operated parking structures, as appropriate.
Regional System Impacts
GOAL 5: Pursue an aggressive posture in the region in advocating a regional
transportation system.
Polices,
5.1
Advocate at the local, state and federal level Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
and transit programs, including rail transit and local coordinated buswayshroutes and bike
stations.
Imistemeafationt
Encourage the development and utilization of the Metrolink commuter rail system.
5:3 (5.5)
Encourage linkages between the City s transportation system, regional rail, light rail, and
high speed rail.
54 (5.5)
Encourage the creation of High -Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and other methods to
increase the capacity of the SR -14 and I-5.
Maiateasnc
55 (5.2)
Encourage intergovernmental coordination and cooperation among all agencies and levels of
government for the planning, management, financing, and implementation of transportation
system improvements.
&A' (5.3)
Work cooperatively with regional transportation agencies to develop and improve mass
transit system connections between the City, metropolitan Los Angeles, Los Angeles
International Airport, the Antelope Valley and Ventura County.
Trip Reduction Methods
GOAL 6: Encourage the implementation of trip reduction methods to reduce daily auto
trip generation through alternate transportation, land use planning and other
strategies.
Policies:
GA (6.9)
Develop marketing and customer service plans to promote widespread use of alternatives to
the auto. Target public agencies, major employers, the Chamber of Commerce,
Transportation Management Associations (THAs), etc., to encourage commute patterns
using public transit.
Develop coordinated plans for land use, cimdation,.and transit with City and County
departments to concentrate high density housing, employment and commercial areas close to
transit corridors.
Encourage implementation of the CiWs General Plan, Transportation Development Plan,
Bikeway Master Plan, Infrastructure Master Plan and other documents with transportation
policies through new development and redevelopment.
(6.6)
Encourage flexibility in development standards to permit higher floor area ratios and lower
parking requirements for commercial developments that provide and maintain transit
facilities and that subsidize shared -ride programs.
Implementatipst
6.8 (6.2)
Encourage "transit friendly" residential, commercial and industrial development that
provides convenient pedestrian and bicycle access.
6.6 (6.3)
Encourage new development to use pedestrian "zippers" or walkways to provide a
convenient link between different residential neighborhoods and between residential
neighborhoods and commercial centers.
&1(6.4)
Encourage the location of convenience services, such as day care, at transit centers.
68 (6.7)
Synchronize the expansion of public transportation facilities with new development with
implementation of "pay as you go" for expansion of public transportation facilities
"(6.10)
Use attractive bus stops and transfer points to promote transit.
(Lin (6.11)
Encourage implementation of transportation demand management strategies including
telecommuting, compressed work weeks, and aggressive ride -sharing promotion.
Msiat+eaano� .
6.11 (6.8)
Support improvements to Congestion Management Plan (CMP) facilities and aid in the
implementation of the CMP to improve mobility corridors in the Santa Clarita Valley and
North Los Angeles County region.
One of the primary goals of the Circulation Element is to provide for the safe and efficient
movement of traffic and goods.
reg"t-- -' _9_9 _ ..... Industrial uses require truck access
for the delivery of raw materials or unfinished parts, the shifting of inventories and the
delivery of finished products to the marketplace. Commercial uses require the delivery of
sales goods to market and the transferring of commercial inventories.
Regular truck routes within the Circulation Element
Plan serve to minimize the effects of truck traffic within the circulation system, including
noise and reduced roadway and intersection capacity. Additionally, truck routes serve to
identify additional structural requirements imposed on the arterial roadway system and
minimize the effects of structural deterioration within the circulation system. Truck routes
are planned to service the commercial and industrial components of the land use plan
adequately and provide sufficient access to the regional freeway system. Generally, truck
routes are placed away from residential and light retail commercial uses and function along
roadways leading from industrial and business park uses.
nei'ruck routes shall be appropriately designated with street signs. In order to
facilitate and maintain peak cornmerter traffic flows, truck travel should be encouraged
during off peak periods. These off peak periods generally range from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
and from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Continuous rail connection between the Santa Clarita Metrolink line and Ventura is desired
in the future The City aAs
�gq,�g will eap}ere Matsu¢
opportunities to re-establish this rail c11
onnection through either a freight or light rail system.'
S:\cd\advance\cirelmt5.Ibs
TABLE C-l(A)
LEVELS OF SERVICE (LOS). VOLUME TO CAPACTTY(V/C) RATIOS At SERVICE
VOLUMES FOR URBAN ARTERIAL HIGHWAYS
Level of
V/C
Average Daily Trak Service Volumes
Service
B+ai2
D c rori n
8-L
8 -Lane
6 -Lane 4.Lme 4 Lane
2•Lane
A
N.36
Free Flow - low volumes:
vided
48.00036000
Divided
24.000 ivide Undivided
SUn
little or no delay through-
(28.000)
.000
out the day or during peak
hours.
B
N.54
Stable Flow - relatively
$4,000
40,400 27,000 18.000
7,300
low volumes: acceptable
(32.000)
delays experienced through-
out the day- some peak hour
C
congestion.
50.71
Stable Flow - relatively
60,000
43,000 ' 30,000 20.000
10.000
low volumes: acceptable
(36.000)
delays experienced through•
out the day some peak hour
D
congestion
<_0.87
Approaching Unstable Flow -
66,000
49,500 33.000 22.000
12,500
Poor. yet tolerable delay
(40.000)
experienced throughout the
day. Peak hours may
experience significant
congestion and delay.
E
51.00
Unstable Flow - heavy
72.000
54.000 36.000 24.000
15.000
congestion and delay
(Q4.000)
experienced throughout the
day and during peak hours.
Volumes at or near capacity -
F
> 1.00+
Forced Flow - both speeds
this condition represents system
and flow of traffic can drop
breakdowa and does not
to zero. stoppages may
have a specific
occur for long periods with
relationship to service volumes.
vehules backing up from one
intersection through another.
(Referred to as "gridlock"
condition.)
AUGMENTED INTERSECTIONS: Will add 15% to the above roadway capacity,
SOURCE: Highway Capacity MwuaL Special Repot 209; KKR Assoeta n, 1987.
+NOTE: ()CX XXX) . Capacity For Limited A� I Lr n"A, . �-I
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