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EVERY MEMBER TOOL

APRIL 2001
GROWTH: TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE
The theme of the 2001 LWVS Annual State of the Community Luncheon is the also topic of discussion at the April Unit Meetings. This EMT, as prepared by the LWVS Natural Resources Director, is intended to provide an introductory overview of the Sacramento area's transportation and land use issues and their interrelationship, and facilitate discussion of region's growth related issues and policies. (Member Feedback from 2000 Study)

TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE AN INSEPARABLE NEXUS

Our communities have been along transportation routes. Sacramento was founded in 1848 at the confluence of two major rivers because riverboats were the predominant means of transportation at that time. Elk Grove is on the location of a traveler's inn established in 1850 on the "Lower Stockton Wagon Road". Roseville, like many other cities, originated at a rail station established by the Central Pacific in 1864.

The original purpose of the Interstate Highway system was to provide for inter-urban and not intra-urban or local traffic. Interstate 80 through the north area of Sacramento was originally conceived as a "bypass" with a limited local access. However, development interests along the I-80 route were able to influence changes that resulted in the existing congested local commuter facility. The location of Interstate 5 through historic Old Sacramento is the result of advocacy by downtown business interests.

TRANSPORTATION PAST and PRESENT

Sacramento has a rich transportation history. Initially there were the riverboats that traveled the Sacramento River to the Bay Area and up the Valley as far as Colusa and Red Bluff. There were daily overnight trips to the Bay Area until the late 1930's. In 1855, Sacramento was the origin for the first railroad west of the Mississippi when the Sacramento Valley Railroad was built to Folsom. The City was the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad, the Central/Union Pacific, completed in 1869. Locally there was an excellent trolley system, starting with horse drawn vehicles and converting to electric powered following the completion of the Folsom Powerhouse in 1895. There was access to the trolleys within a three to four block walk until the late 1940's. Then a joint venture consisting of the General Motors, Standard Oil, and Firestone Tire purchased the Sacramento system along with others throughout the nation and promptly removed the tracks, and replaced the service with buses.

The automobile has played an increasing role in our transportation system since it's introduction during the early 20th century. The post World War II construction of the freeways solidified the automobile dominance. Other landmark events include the completion of the Yolo Causeway in 1916, providing all weather access to the Bay area, and the opening of year around travel over the Sierra's in the 1940's.

Since the removal of the trolley system, we have had bus public transit, although many believe the system to be inadequate. Public transit started a "comeback" in mid-1980's with the construction of the initial stage of the light rail system. In recent years, additional consideration has been given alternative modes of local transportation with preparation of a Bikeway Master plan and the inclusion of bike lanes on streets and bike trails along the American River Parkway and other recreation corridors. Both the City and County are attempting to provide added pedestrian convenience and safety by the implementation of facilities such as traffic circles, pedestrian islands, high visibility crosswalks, speed bumps, and sidewalk improvements. Public interest and support for these alternatives is increasing.

TRANSPORTATION FUTURES, WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Sacramento County's population is projected by the California Department of Finance to grow by nearly 50 percent to 1.8 million by 2025 In response, there is much activity in transportation planning including:
  • The City of Sacramento is preparing transportation plans for the new growth areas. It is conducting a Neighborhood Traffic Management Program in which it works with neighborhood groups to plan and implement traffic "calming" measures to make the areas more pedestrian friendly. These measures are intended to reduce traffic speeds and facilitate pedestrian access including children, the elderly, and the physically and visually impaired. The City will prepare a Pedestrian Master Plan starting this year.
  • Sacramento County, as part of their transportation planning for new development is attempting to accommodate transit, bikeways, and pedestrian considerations. They also indicate that they are adding pedestrian measures such as sidewalk improvements in existing communities
  • The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is preparing a comprehensive Metropolitan Transportation Plan. SACOG is made up of the Counties of Sacramento, El Dorado, Pacer, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba and the eighteen cities within those counties. SACOG is preparing a Plan, to be completed next year. It is intended to provide comprehensive guidance for the growth in transportation needs through the year 2025, when population has been projected to grow by more than 1 million in the six counties. The planning includes a Transportation Roundtable at which are representatives of governments, business, neighborhood groups, environmental organizations, and broad-based public interest groups, including the LWV. Previous planning and funding decisions by SACOG have been challenged in Court by a coalition of environmental groups who believe that these programs did not include adequate funding for transit, and would not result in attainment of Federal air quality standards.
  • The Sacramento City-County Transportation/Air Quality Collaborative will be initiated sometime this year. This effort will be modeled after the Sacramento Regional Water Forum at which representatives of stakeholders throughout the County will attempt to reach a consensus on transportation policies. It is intended to compliment the SACOG Master Plan. This Collaborative will be mediated by the California Center for Public Dispute Resolution who provided this service for the Water Forum. .
  • Air quality remains a significant issue with respect to land use and transportation planning. The Sacramento Region normally ranks among the nations 5 to 10 worst air quality regions The Ozone standard was exceeded four times in 1997 while standards permit a maximum of one. If the area is area does not comply with the standards by 2005, it could loose millions in Federal transportation funding. The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District monitors air quality and review proposed projects. Air quality is regulated and monitored by the California Air Resources Board who s State emission standards. The Environmental Protection Agency sets Federal air quality standards.
  • Sacramento Regional Transit (SRT) is responsible for Bus and Light Rail service in the Sacramento area. They are preparing an updated facility Master Plan. This plan Include provisions for extension of Light Rail to the south near Cosumnes River College east along Highway 50 to Folsom, northeast along Interstate 80 to Roseville, and north to Sacramento International Airport. SRT is also studying land uses near light rail stations with respect to compatibility and possible enhancement.
  • The City of Sacramento is conducting a study of an inter-modal transportation hub at or near the Historic Rail Depot at Fifth and I Streets. This facility would include heavy and light rail, buses, and other transit options such as local shuttles. A collaborative of rail transportation providers lead by the Union Pacific Railroad favors relocation of the rail tracks and the construction of a new rail Depot to the north of a 37 acre toxic free portion of the rail yards that is slated for development. They indicate that this would result in preferred track alignment. A coalition of community groups, including the LWVS, advocates the restoration and expansion of the Historic Depot as the inter-modal transportation hub.
  • The Sacramento County Airport Systems is conducting an Airport Master Plan Study for the future expansion and management of Sacramento International Airport to the year 2020. During that time passenger, usage is projected to double and cargo shipping to more than triple. The Master Plan will consider adjacent land use, transportation to the airport along with Airport expansion. The County is also conducting Master Plan studies and implementation activities for the conversion of Mather Field and McClellan Air Base to civilian uses.

  • The California Department of Transportation has focused their planning on congestion relief on the major freeway corridors of I-5, I-80, Hwy-99 Bus-80, and Hwy-50. Currently they are pursuing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 50. A project from El Dorado Hills to Hazel Avenue is approved and Caltrans is seeking approval of HOV lanes to downtown Sacramento. This .$80 million project has received significant criticism from community and environmental groups who feel that it will generate more traffic and the funds would be better used for public transit.

  • The California High Speed Rail Authority is studying a $25 to 33 billion high speed rail system between Sacramento and San Diego, with branches to the Bay Area and Riverside and the Antelope Valley. With speeds up to 200 mph and a trip to Los Angeles would require only two hours and fifteen minutes at a cost as low as $4o. Amtrak is also considering upgrading its top speed from 80 to 125 mph.
  • The State Transportation Commission (STA) reviews projects and recommends Federal and State funding for all State and local transportation projects in California.
  • The Federal Department of Transportation administers the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21). This six year $218 billion program is the primary source of funding for most transportation projects in the nation. The STA allocates TEA21 funds California.

LAND USE, ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES

There is a myriad of land use related issues and activities. Some of the more significant are :

  • There is increasing interest in "Smart Growth" planning that, as defined by the California Legislature Smart Growth Caucus "Smart Growth" should:
    • Encourage a healthy balance between jobs and housing.
    • Minimize sprawl, ensure the orderly extension of services and ensure growth is consistent with state and local policies.
    • Strengthen existing communities, minimize pollution and preserve open space & agricultural lands t Many believe that "Smart Growth" means infill and compact urban development, to limit sprawl.
  • The Cities and the County are responsible for preparing and implementing General and Community Land Plans that must be prepared in accordance with State guidelines. However, the State does not have direct jurisdiction over local land use decisions. The 1992 County General Plan is being updated and is scheduled for adoption by 2003. An important element of the County Plan is the Urban Services Boundary (USB) that defines the line beyond which urban development is generally not permitted in an attempt to preserve open space and environmental quality. Measure O, that was defeated in the November election, was an attempt to circumvent the planning process and alter the Plan.

    The 1989 City General Plan was, in effect, updated with the adoption of the 1995 Natomas Specific Plan. The planning process includes public and interest group input at all levels of the process including the review by Neighborhood Advisory Committees and Community Panning Councils, the Planning Commissions, and the City Councils and Board of Supervisors review and decision making.

  • The County is conducting a South County Open Space Study. The first phase schooled for completion this spring will establish open space criteria, financing mechanisms, and management policies. The study is intended to develop policies for preserving open space in the area outside the USB.

  • State and Federal endangered species laws require the preparation of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) which are intended to ensure the survival and recovery of endangered species as listed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A HCP prepared for the North Natomas area has been ruled inadequate by a Federal Court and must be corrected to allow development of the area to continue. An HCP is now being prepared by the County for the undeveloped area within the USB in the South County.

  • The Sacramento County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) a joint powers authority is responsible for approving or denying applications for incorporation of new cities, annexation of land by cities, formation of special districts, and the alteration of sphere of influence (SOI) boundaries. The SOI is a plan for the probable future boundaries of, and service area of a local government.

  • The community of Rancho Cordova has applied for incorporation. The City of Folsom has applied for an expansion of its SOI. The Cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, and Citrus Heights are also considering significant expansion of their SOI, which is considered a precursor to annexation and ultimate urban development. Annexations and incorporations are controversial and pose challenges to the role and economic viability of County government... A report, "Growth Within Bounds", published last year by the State "Commission on Local Governance for the 21st Century" outlines proposed changes that are intended make the LAFCO's more effective in their role of controlling sprawl and preserving environmental values and community sustainability.

LWVS TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE POLICIES AND ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

The LWVS policies stress regional planning, limiting sprawl, encouraging infill and affordable housing; and alternative modes of travel including public transit. The LWVS positions and policies are printed in the front of the current LWVS Roster and were in the EMT for the February Unit meetings. Following are suggested issues and policies for discussion. The policies should be ranked in order of preference or priority.

  • Implementation "Smart Growth" policies including infill and compact urban growth, even if it could result in some increases in housing costs.
  • Continue the present market based land use policies that are consistent the traditional "American Dream" concept of suburban living, even if it means loss of open space and a sustainable quality of life .
  • Implement alternative modes of transportation as much as possible, limiting new roads and parking.
  • Continue the freedom and convenience of movement transportation pollicies, emphasizing roads.
  • Limit construction of transportation facilities or other infrastructure, and/or restructure fees for public services, such as sewers, as means of controlling limiting sprawl and encouraging infill type growth.
  • Limit growth by limiting the number of building permits issued each year.
  • Implement a system of regional planning and land use regulation that could override local decisions, similar to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.