The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research will host an
additional webinar to discuss its Revised Proposal on Updates to
the CEQA Guidelines on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA
(Implementing Senate Bill 743 (Steinberg, 2013), released on
January 20, 2016. OPR notes that registration for the webinar is
limited to 500 participants. This webinar and one from this week
will be recorded and available for viewing on our website
following the live presentation.
ABX1 16 (Patterson) – Request for Comments As introduced on August 31, 2015
ABX1 16, by Assembly Member Patterson, would create a five-year
pilot project whereby two counties, one in northern California
and one in Southern California, would assume responsibility for
the state highway system within the county, including funding
programmed for the maintenance and improvement of those state
facilities.
This week the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) announced six
workshops to be held across the state to assist applicants
interested in applying for the 2015-16 Affordable Housing and
Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program. Interested participants
can also sign up for consultation with SGC staff regarding the
eligibility of a specific project that is ready to apply for
funding and other questions.
This week the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
issued a revised proposal for amending the CEQA Guidelines as
they relate to the analysis of transportation impacts pursuant to
SB 743 (Steinberg, 2013). Among other goals, SB 743 sought to
promote infill development, which has often been burdened with
costly mitigation measures for transportation improvements under
CEQA, even in settings where residents or workers at a
development enjoy access to transit and proximity to other
amenities that would tend to reduce their need to drive.
Former CSAC President and Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan
joined the Office of Traffic Safety as the Deputy Director of
Outreach and Community Engagement. In this new role, he is
working with local governments to ensure that they are aware of
the transportation safety programs and funding opportunities
available through the Office of Traffic Safety as part of the
Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) process.
The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and
Advisors, States of California & Nevada Chapter (SCAN) invites
CSAC members to participate in two upcoming trainings on new
wireless shot clock rules. SCAN will facilitate meetings in
Fountain Valley on January 21 and at San Francisco City Hall on
February 4. Information is available online here. Both meetings are open to
SCAN non-members.
5,000 participants from across the state are needed to ensure
California can complete a robust study of the implications of
charging drivers for the miles they drive instead of the gallons
of fuel they purchase. This is a perfect opportunity for county
supervisors and staff to get an insider’s perspective on how a
road charge might work.
The 2016 New Partners Conference is heading back west to
Portland, internationally recognized as one of the most walkable,
bikeable and transit-friendly “green” cities in the world. The
starting point of countless model innovations in smart growth,
sustainability and public engagement, the Portland region is also
an environmental wonderland – even if it rains a lot! – and has
one of the nation’s best urban parks and trails systems.
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research will be holding
multiple community outreach events throughout California during
the public comment period for the draft General Plan Guidelines
update. Planners, practitioners, and community members are
invited to attend and learn about the updated guidelines, ask
questions, and share their feedback. Please visit the OPR
website to register for a workshop and to find additional
information about the guidelines update. Workshops are currently
scheduled for the following dates:
The Conference Committee formed in the Transportation Special
Session scheduled its first formal hearings this week. CSAC and
the League of Cities will testify in a legislative hearing in
Sacramento on Friday, October 16 at 10 AM. A subsequent hearing
will be held on Wednesday, October 21 from 9am to 12:30pm in the
City of Ontario in San Bernardino County.
