Case
Studies

The case studies below are the core of the SB 743 Implementation Assistance Project

The five case studies examine projects that were already approved under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act). Drawing on each project’s EIR (environmental impact report) or IS-MND (initial study and mitigated negative declaration), the case studies compare the project’s transportation impact assessment using the former metric of LOS (level of service), a congestion standard, to an impact assessment using VMT (vehicle miles traveled), the new metric that resulted from the passage of SB 743.

The case studies illustrate potential methods for conducting a VMT-based transportation impact analysis, with guidance from a revised set of CEQA Guidelines (pdf) and a related Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (pdf). These documents, prepared by the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, were being drafted, revised, completed and adopted during the course of the project (2016 – 2019).

The case studies were selected by the project’s leadership team to be representative of common types of projects reviewed under CEQA, such as a mixed-use development or a freeway widening. They contain: 

  • Results of the project’s LOS-based transportation analysis, including mitigation measures.

  • Potential methods for a VMT-based transportation analysis, including:

    • Assessment of a project’s eligibility for streamlining or exemption from CEQA review based on new provisions of SB 743.

    • Selection of a VMT threshold of significance for a project’s transportation impacts.

    • Methods for estimating additional VMT caused by a project.

  • Strategies for VMT mitigation, including project-based and regional approaches.

  • Implications for policymakers and insights for technical staff

 
 

State Route 210 Widening, San Bernardino County

This case study analyzes the proposed widening of State Route (SR) 210 in San Bernardino County to add a third mixed-flow lane in each direction from Sterling Avenue to San Bernardino Avenue in the cities of Highland, San Bernardino and Redlands, as well as a portion of unincorporated San Bernardino County, California. The total length of the proposed project is about 8.2 miles. Its purpose is to “reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency by providing lane continuity with the existing segments of SR 210 to the west and east of the project limits.”

The Cannery Mixed-Use Development, Davis 

The Cannery is a 100-acre, mixed-use development consisting of 550 homes (single family, town homes, and apartments) and a small retail area, plus a community garden, parks and other open space. It is at the edge of the urbanized area of Davis, abutting farmland. The development is less than two miles from downtown Davis, about ten miles from Sacramento, and within the commuter-shed for parts of the San Francisco Bay region.

Empire Lakes Mixed-Use Redevelopment, Rancho Cucamonga

Empire Lakes is a 160-acre land use project on a former golf course. Located within the City of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County, it is close to a Metrolink commuter rail station and surrounded by a mix of commercial, residential, and light industrial uses. The Empire Lakes Specific Plan calls for a mixed-use project with 2,650 and 3,450 dwelling units, to be determined during the entitlement process. Up to 220,000 square feet of non-residential uses would also be allowed, including open space elements.

Irwindale Regional Shopping Center

The proposed Irwindale Regional Shopping Center project consists of an approximately 700,000 square-foot outlet mall and associated parking to be built on a 63.5-acre site in the City of Irwindale in Los Angeles County. The project site is currently occupied by an automobile racetrack. In addition to retail space, the project will include amenities such as a central plaza and an outdoor performance area. The project is bordered primarily by heavy industrial uses with medium density multifamily neighborhoods nearby.

Woodland General Plan Update

The City of Woodland’s General Plan is the framework document guiding land development and transportation investment decisions. It is also the basis for all other planning efforts, such as specific plans, community plans, and redevelopment plans, which must be consistent with the General Plan. Like other local general plans, Woodland’s general plan helps implement the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s regional Sustainable Communities Strategy. This case study examines the transportation impacts of Woodland’s General Plan Update for the period through 2035.