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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-216 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF REVISED LIMITS FOR THE REGIONAL ARTERIAL SYSTEM TO THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Starting on July 1, 2008, each agency in the San Diego region was required by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to contribute a minimum of $2,000 in exactions (updated annually) for each residential single family home (or equivalent) to contribute to the upgrade of the Regional Arterial System (RAS), as defined in SANDAG's Regional Transportation Plan. This amount was increased to $2,254 on July 1, 2014. The current list of streets does not include any streets west of the I-5 freeway. In order for the Bayfront Development Impact Fee (BFDIF) to comply with SANDAG's fee requirements, the RAS list must include additional streets west of the I-5.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA guidelines because the activity consists of administrative/fiscal actions that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
In November 2004, San Diego County voters approved the new TransNet Ordinance, which included the Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program (RTCIP). The purpose of the RTCIP is to insure that new development directly invests in the Regional Arterial System (RAS) to offset the negative impacts of growth on congestion and mobility. SANDAG subsequently prepared a report titled, "RTCIP Impact Fee Nexus Study - Final Report", dated November 26, 2007. The RTCIP stated, "Starting on July 1, 2008, each local agency in the San Diego region shall contribute $2,000 in exactions from the private sector, for each newly constructed residential housing unit in that jurisdiction to the RTCIP." This amount has been escalated on an annual basis to reflect cost of living increases, and most recently has been increased to $2,254 per unit as of July 1, 2014.
In June 2007, SANDAG staff presented a revised list of streets to be included in the RAS. This list had been modified with the participation of the SANDAG member agencies. Additions to the list needed to meet one of the following criteria:
· The arterial is already included in the RAS.
· Parallel capacity is provided in high volume corridors to supplement freeways, state highways and/or other regional arterials.
· It provides capacity and a direct connection between freeways or other regional arterials, ensuring continuity of freeway, state highways, and arterial network throughout the region without duplicating other regional facilities.
· It provides all or part of the route for existing or planned regional and/or corridor transit service that provides headways of 15 minutes or less during the peak period.
· It provides access to intermodal facilities (rail, freight, tourist attractions)
None of the streets added in 2007 were listed under the City of Chula Vista as the jurisdiction. However, one of the streets listed under the City of San Diego is located at least partly in the City of Chula Vista. This location is: Beyer Way - Main Street to Palm Avenue (Main Street to City of Chula Vista City limits is within the City boundaries). Another roadway needing a revision to the jurisdiction is Proctor Valley Road. It is listed within the (unincorporated) County of San Diego but it is within the City of Chula Vista through the San Miguel Ranch and Rolling Hills Ranch subdivisions.
Mobility 2030, which is the SANDAG report that provides a program of major street and highway improvements to be completed by the year 2030, listed 18 streets within Chula Vista as regional arterials. Some of these streets will serve as important arterials for development of the Chula Vista Bayfront. These streets include E Street and H Street. J Street from Bay Boulevard to Broadway should also be included, since it has a direct connection to the I-5 freeway and is part of the arterial network in western Chula Vista. Since Marina Parkway serves as a continuation and link between the H Street and J Street access to the freeway, it should also be included as a major arterial. Bay Boulevard provides parallel capacity to the I-5 freeway. Main Street, which is in the TDIF, should also be extended from Heritage Road to SR-125, instead of using the name "Otay Valley Road".
Currently, the limits of the regional arterial streets end at Interstate 5. Staff recommends that SANDAG change the description of these streets to extend westward to San Diego Bay or Bay Boulevard, as applicable. The proposed Revised Regional Arterials in Chula Vista list is provided in Attachment 1. The portion of Beyer Way that is within Chula Vista has also been added to the list.
Compliance with SANDAG's policy for the RTCIP depends on the westward expansion of the Regional Arterial System (RAS). For the Bayfront Transportation Development Impact Fee, only $1,104.71 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) is contributed to the streets on the current RAS list. However, if this list is expanded to include streets to the west of I-5, the total contribution to the RAS will be $4,542.99, which considerably exceeds the requirement of $2,254 per EDU.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries which are the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This item supports the Strong and Secure Neighborhood Strategy because it supports the City's Transportation Development Impact Fee programs. These programs finance the construction of new and upgraded transportation infrastructure, which is a key City function in providing a safe and efficient roadway system for residents, businesses and visitors.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct impact on the General Fund or any other funding sources from approving the proposed resolution.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There are no direct future fiscal impacts.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Regional Arterials in Chula Vista
Staff Contact: Elizabeth Chopp, Senior Civil Engineer