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CC - Adoption of a Resolution Adopting City of Culver City Complete Streets Policy and Finding the Policy to be Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
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Meeting Date: January 13, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Heba El-Guindy/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/08/20)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, PW Director/City Engineer (01/02/20)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council to adopt a Resolution adopting the Culver City Complete Streets Policy and finding the Policy to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In October 2014, Metro adopted a Complete Streets Policy with a mandate that cities within the Metro region each adopt a complete streets policy via an ordinance, resolution, or a general plan update. This mandate became effective on January 1, 2017, thereby formalizing the policy requirement to qualify projects to receive Metro funds.
A complete streets policy is intended to establish the guiding principal for transportation improvements to accommodate people of all ages and abilities traveling by the different modes of transportation. The policy sets clear expectations for capital projects and outlines the procedures that will be followed to meet these expectations.
Building upon the proposed Culver City Complete Streets Policy (See Attachment 1, Exhibit A), it should be noted that in October 2019 staff submitted a grant application for the FY 2020-2021 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Sustainable Communities Grant for the Development of Complete Streets Design Guidelines. Grant award announcements are expected in spring 2020. When funding is secured, community-driven Complete Streets Design Guidelines will be developed to guide the design of all city street types to better accommodate all modes of transportation and enhance safety, especially for the most vulnerable roadway users including pedestrians and cyclists, while still serving motorists. In addition to identifying typical cross sections for the different roadway types to better accommodate all modes of transportation, the plan will also guide the design of street lighting, landscaping, street furniture, on-street parking, traffic calming, wayfinding and signage, and stormwater infiltration.
The proposed Complete Streets Policy is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility the Policy will have a significant effect on the environment. The Policy by itself, does not result in any physical changes in the environment because it merely establishes a vision and goals for the design and operation of the City’s streets. Furthermore, the Policy is not in conjunction with the approval of any specific project. Therefore, any projects implemented under the Policy, would be subject to appropriate CEQA analysis at that time.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Resolution and Complete Streets Policy.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2020-01-13_ATT - Resolution Adopting Complete Streets Policy
MOTION
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Culver City Complete Streets Policy and finding the Policy to be exempt from CEQA.