C-4.1

Balance Circulation and Land Use Patterns: Limit development to that which can be adequately served by Lafayette’s circulation system. 

Program C-4.1.1: Require applicants for new development to demonstrate that there is adequate transportation capacity to handle the additional traffic their project would generate. Evaluate area-wide cumulative traffic impacts as well as the impacts of any proposed mitigations in development review. 

Program C-4.1.2: Consider transit-oriented developments, which are consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan. 

Program C-4.1.3: Approval of development expected to generate over 50 peak hour vehicle trips shall occur only if found to be consistent with Lafayette’s growth management goals and the other goals and policies of the General Plan. 

Based on the size and complexity of a proposed development application, the City requires an appropriately scaled traffic study.  

The City’s designation as a Priority Development Area and the adoption of its Downtown Specific Plan are measures taken that are supportive of transit-oriented development.

Proposed development which generates 50 or more PM peak hour trips must be consistent with the Lamorinda Action Plan Update and the City’s Growth Management strategies adopted in the General Plan.

Ongoing.

C-4.2

Traffic Mitigation: Require new developments to pay their fair share of circulation improvements. 

Program C-4.2.1: Ensure that new development mitigates its off-site adverse impacts on the circulation system and, if applicable, contributes to a citywide traffic mitigation fee program.

Program C-4.2.2: Ensure that new developments provide adequate on-site improvements, such as delivery access, on-site vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian circulation amenities, public transit facilities, and off-street parking, as appropriate.

Through its development review process, the City has required that new development provide a variety of circulation improvements including sidewalks, crosswalks, medians, curb bulbs, and traffic signals.

Also through this process, the City has secured inclusion of short and long-term bike parking, policies and practices related to a properties loading and unloading activities, implementation of transportation demand management measures, improved utilization of off-street parking, and improved pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle access.

The City is a member of the Lamorinda Fee and Finance Authority which collects regional and local transportation mitigation fees so that new development mitigates its off-site adverse transportation impacts.  

To date, the LFFA has authorized three disbursements of its regional funds of which Lafayette receives 55% and has funded roadway improvements on Lafayette’s arterial roadways.

On-going.  

The LFFA is considering whether to update its nexus study which establishes the amount of the fees collected, the share to each jurisdiction and the projects that can be funded.

H-2.7

Infill Housing: Encourage private housing development on existing infill sites in order to efficiently utilize existing infrastructure. 

Program H-2.7.1:  Infill Sites: Develop and maintain an inventory of vacant and/or underdeveloped residential land, distinguishing between land within the City limits and land within the City's Sphere of Influence. 

Responsibility: Planning Division
Financing: City 
Scheduling: Completed

LU-20.12

Growth Management Implementation: Review development projects for conformance with adopted performance standards and require mitigation measures where necessary to maintain adopted standards.  Capital improvements shall be in place at the time of project implementation when necessary to maintain adopted performance standards.  

• Development applications are reviewed for conformance with adopted standards. Conditions are imposed on projects to ensure that their impacts are mitigated.

This policy is implemented through the discretionary review process.

LU-20.13

Capital Improvement Program: Ensure that the Capital Improvement Program identifies capital projects necessary to maintain levels of performance as well as funding sources for all phases of intended projects.

• The Capital Projects Assessment Committee is charged with identifying and prioritizing projects for inclusion in the CIP.  In recent years, the Council has directed the CIP to focus on the PMP and reconstruction of local roads and drains, with all other priorities deferred unless outside funding is available.  The constraints on the City’s financial resources limit the pace at which these priorities are carried out.

The CIP is re-assessed on a continual basis to maximize value of available funding.

LU-15.1

Review Capital and Public Improvements: Review capital and public improvements to ensure that they are designed and built in a manner sensitive to the surrounding area. 

Program LU-15.1.1: Establish a formal procedure to ensure that capital improvements are reviewed for their impacts on surrounding areas.

Program LU-15.1.2: Include the following requirements in design review guidelines for residential, commercial, and public improvements: 

1. criteria for evaluating the visual and aesthetic impacts of capital improvements and the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); and

2. require capital improvement projects to protect landforms and provide adequate landscaping to mitigate the visual impacts on surrounding areas;  

3. retain significant plants and trees and the natural landscape to the maximum feasible extent;

4. locate structures, such as retaining walls, light fixtures and utility facilities to preserve visual quality along the roadway.

• Each year, Planning Commission reviews the upcoming CIP to ensure consistency with the General Plan. At that meeting, the Commission identifies projects that are to be subject to additional review by the Planning or Design Review Commissions and/or the Downtown Street Improvement Master Plan Implementation Committee. 

This goal and policy are implemented by the Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”). 

LU-15.2

Inter-Agency Coordination: Work with agencies who carry out capital improvements in the City to ensure that they are aware of, and comply with, the city's aesthetic standards and review procedures.

• City staff works with utility companies and other agencies to ensure that capital improvements comply with the City’s aesthetic standards.

This policy is implemented by staff.

LU-18.1

Interjurisdictional Participation: Participate in interjurisdictional planning. 

Program LU-18.1.1: Consider the regional implications of land use decisions when reviewing development proposals and revisions to the Zoning Ordinance or the General Plan. 

Program LU-18.1.2: Work with other public entities to ensure that development in their jurisdictions does not adversely impact Lafayette’s ability to achieve its General Plan goals.

• The City participates in and comments on regional planning efforts such as Shaping Our Future and Plan Bay Area.

• The City assesses the impacts of development proposals on the region through the environmental review process.

• The City reviews and comments on projects in adjoining jurisdictions.

• The City is a member of the Lamorinda Project Management Committee and the Southwest Area Transportation Committee of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Development proposals of a significant size are required to be reviewed by adjacent jurisdictions. 

This policy is implemented through mutual cooperation between the City, adjoining jurisdictions and Contra Costa County and through the requirements of the CCTA.

LU-18.2

Coordination of Public Services: Coordinate water supply, flood control, wastewater and solid waste disposal, soil conservation, and open space preservation with other jurisdictions to create the greatest public benefit and the least degree of environmental impact.

Program LU-18.2.1: Periodically review level of service standards with the districts providing water supply, flood control, wastewater and solid waste disposal, soil conservation, and open space preservation. 

Program LU-18.2.2: Monitor growth and infrastructure capacity through project review under CEQA and through coordination with provider agencies. 

Program LU-18.2.3: Consider infrastructure and service capacity when reviewing development proposals.

• Development applications are referred to EBMUD, Central Sanitary District, PG&E, Consolidated Fire District and other agencies for review and comment.

• The City reviewed level of service standards with the districts serving the City when it updated the Growth Management Chapter of the General Plan in 2009.

This policy is implemented through the discretionary review process.

C-3.1

Community Identity and Through Traffic: Place a higher priority on safety, encouraging a pedestrian-oriented design and scale; and on maintaining the quality of life and identity of residential neighborhoods than on accommodating through-traffic.  

Program C-3.1.1: Require that a traffic study be carried out for proposed change in access to local streets from arterial or collector streets. Include in the traffic study the projected increase in average daily and peak hour traffic that would result from the proposed change; include any traffic safety-related matters and consider alternative feasible options. Conduct new traffic counts when and where needed.  

The design intent and the resulting implementation of the Stanley-Springhill Traffic Calming and Walkway Project is an excellent example of the execution of this policy.  Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety was improved by slowing vehicles, re-aligning an intersection, designating a bike boulevard, adding a continuous walkway.  As a result of the project, residents have improved non-motorized mobility and a neighborhood association was formed.  Residents have reported a significant increase in neighbor interaction and sense of community.  

The implementation of the Pleasant Hill Road South End Corridor Improvements changed the character of the roadway from a non-descript thorough-fare to a welcoming City street.  The project re-organized the right-of-way to add pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for users with a variety of experience levels.  As a result of the planning phase, a neighborhood association was formed.

Through the development review process, the implementation of roadway CIP projects and traffic calming projects traffic studies are undertaken. 

Under Measure C, the City was required to conduct traffic counts at key intersections every other year.  With the adoption of Measure J, this requirement is no longer included.  Traffic counts are now generally collected as part of a traffic study for a development application or a City study or grant application. 

Staff is in the process of developing an interactive map for the City’s website which would provide access to traffic data.

On-going.  Transportation planning studies whether on a corridor basis or a neighborhood level allows residents the opportunity not only to provide input on a plan, but also to meet and interact with fellow members of the community and those with shared interests.  

The collection of traffic data is an on-going effort.

C-1.3

Review and Update Traffic Management Plans: Periodically review traffic management plans, including downtown traffic plans and any neighborhood traffic management plans to ensure consistency with the goals and policies of the Lafayette General Plan.

The Lamorinda Action Plan is regularly updated and new CIP and development review projects are reviewed to ensure consistency with its goals and policies and those of the Lafayette General Plan.

In 2012 the City Council adopted the Downtown Specific Plan which contains guidance on downtown transportation issues.

In 2012 the Planning Division began work on developing Downtown Design Guidelines.  Draft DDGs related to circulation have been reviewed by Engineering Division staff and the Circulation Commission and BPAC.

Ongoing.

In 2013, the Lamorinda Program Management Committee began the update process for the Lamorinda Action Plan.

Later in 2013, Engineering staff, Circulation Commission and BPAC are anticipating a second review of the draft

Goal LU-19 Maintain the existing infrastructure essential to the public health and safety of the community. 

LU-19.1

Capital Improvement Program: Maintain and update the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Program LU-19.1.1: Implement the five-year Capital Improvement Program.

Program LU-19.1.2: Conduct Planning Commission review of CIP annually to ensure consistency with the General Plan. 

Program LU-19.1.3: Continue the practice of including in the CIP a multi-year budget for projects including specific pavement management projects, an annual allowance for discretionary projects, and a fund for emergencies. 

Program LU-19.1.4: Evaluate projects for the CIP using the following criteria: compliance with the General Plan; potential threat to health and safety; financial liability; protection of investment; cost of future maintenance; and visual impacts on the surrounding area. Other criteria may be added as needed to prioritize projects.

Program LU-19.1.5: Coordinate the timing of City capital improvement projects and those of other agencies (e.g. CalTrans, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District) to optimize resources and minimize the impacts on residents.

Program: LU-19.1.6: Plan for adequate staff to implement the program.

Engineering services staff bi-annually updates the five-year CIP and facilitates implementation of the CIP.  The update process includes a review by the Circulation Commission of transportation projects and the Planning Commission to ensure consistency with the General Plan.

The Capital Projects Assessment Committee reviews and recommends projects based on a variety of factors including health and safety, and financial liability and future maintenance costs.

The City notifies other agencies of upcoming CIP project to facilitate coordination of utility improvements.  

The Engineering Division maintains a staffing level sufficient to implement the annual CIP.  When needed, staffing is supplemented through temporary hires to assist in overseeing CIP projects.

Ongoing.

LU-19.2

Finance Capital Improvements: Provide public facilities to meet the needs generated by new development within Lafayette through continued planning and budgeting for public facilities and coordination with other agencies for public services the City does not provide. 

Program LU-19.2.1: Evaluate the operating and maintenance costs of infrastructure improvements needed to support development. 

Program LU-19.2.2: Provide information on development applications to other service-providing agencies, to enable them to assess the appropriate fair share impact fees. Request that the County require proof of payment of these fees before issuing a building permit. 

Program LU-19.2.3: Implement the City's pavement management program to maintain Lafayette's roadways.

Program LU-19.2.4: Require new developments to pay their "fair share" of capital improvements and the cost of public services to maintain adequate levels of service.  New development that creates incremental demand that exceeds the capacity of existing infrastructure shall be considered only through the development agreement process.

Program LU-19.2.5: Maintain development and mitigation fees at a level adequate to finance infrastructure costs. Periodically review the City's fee structure to determine that it accurately reflects the actual cost of providing services, and recommend the appropriate revisions to the City Council. 

See responses in Circulation Chapter.

New development is required to contribute local and regional transportation mitigation fees based on the size and type of development to offset its transportation impacts.

Annually the Lamorinda Fee and Finance Authority considers an adjustment to its local and regional transportation mitigation fee.

The City is maintaining its PMP on a continual basis.

See responses in Circulation Chapter.

In 2013, the LFFA plans to issue an RFP to conduct an update to its nexus study in order to evaluate and update its fees and expenditure plan.

Goal LU-20 Match the demand for public facilities and infrastructure generated by new development with the capacity of existing facilities, capital improvement programs and development mitigation programs.

Policy #

Policies and Programs

C-7.1

Automobile Travel Demand: Seek to reduce vehicle trips by promoting alternatives to the single-occupant automobile. 

Program C-7.1.1: Continue to implement the City’s Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Ordinance. 

Program C-7.1.2: Establish incentives for new commercial developments to provide hoteling (shared office facilities), cafeterias, day-care facilities, lunchrooms, showers, bicycle parking, home offices and other amenities which encourage the use of transit, bicycling, walking or telecommuting as commute modes to work.  

Program C-7.1.3: Work with neighboring jurisdictions to find additional ways to reduce travel demand. 

Goal C-8 Promote alternatives to the single-occupant automobile.  

Policy #

Policies and Programs

C-8.1

Increase Use and Availability of  Public Transit: Take measures to increase use of public transit.  Work with public transit providers to improve equipment, schedules, and better serve the community.  Encourage providers to promote their services. 

Program C-8.1.1: Work with the school districts and the Lamorinda School Bus Program to provide an effective bus system for Lafayette's public school students. 

Program C-8.1.2: Consider the needs of public transit, such as bus stops, shelters, turnouts, etc. when planning roadway improvements and when reviewing development proposals.

Program C-8.1.3: Conduct a study of ways to enhance local access to the City’s BART station.

Program C-8.1.4: Support expanded feeder service to BART.  

Program C-8.1.5: Continue to require the provision of bus stops, bus shelters, benches, turnouts, and related facilities in all major new commercial, residential and institutional developments.  

Program C-8.1.6: Study signal preemption for buses on City arterials.  Improve signal timing where warranted.  

Program C-8.1.7: Establish options for future transit use when designing improvements for roadways and renovations or construction of major commercial, residential and institutional developments. 

C-8.2

Bicycles: Encourage bicycling by making it easier and safer for people to travel by bicycle. 

Program C-8.2.1: Update the City’s Master Bikeways Plan.  Give priority to bikeways connecting downtown, school, recreations facilities, regional facilities and existing bikeways.  Participate in Contra Costa County’s Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee.  

Program C-8.2.2: Incorporate bikeways into the design and construction of public and private roadway improvements, wherever feasible.  

Program C-8.2.3: Require adequate bicycle parking in new commercial developments, and at the BART station. Encourage adequate bicycle parking in commercial areas.  

Program C-8.2.4:  Revise the Zoning Ordinance to require that new development located on sites where planned bikeways occur to provide the easement or right-of-way for the bikeway, as appropriate.

Program C-8.2.5: Involve local bicycling organizations in the planning of bikeways throughout the City.  

Program C-8.2.6: Utilize grant funding and other means, as appropriate, to acquire rights-of-way needed for a comprehensive bike route system and to provide bike racks and other bicycle-related facilities.  Prepare a Bicycle Facilities Plan to identify projects to be programmed into the City’s Capital Improvement Program. 

Goal C-10 Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination: Work closely with neighboring jurisdictions and agencies responsible for roadways, transit facilities and transit services in Lafayette. 

C-10.1

Regional Planning: Participate in regional transportation planning in order to minimize adverse impacts on Lafayette’s circulation system. Evaluation of proposed changes within Lafayette’s circulation system must consider the seismic, soils and scenic constraints in addition to the goals and policies of the Lafayette General Plan.  

Program C-10.1.1: Provide City Council, staff, and resident representation on regional transportation planning agencies’ boards and technical committees. 

Program C-10.1.2: Work with transportation agencies to develop programs consistent with the goals and policies of Lafayette’s General Plan. 

Program C-10.1.3: Work with neighboring cities and regional transportation planning committees to address regional transportation and land use issues of mutual interest.

Program C-10.1.4: Provide staff resources to review, analyze and monitor  transportation plans of neighboring jurisdictions. 

See current adopted and pending transportation management plans such as those for Pleasant Hill Road, Moraga Road, the Downtown Traffic Plan, and the Lamorinda Traffic Study & Project List. 

C-11.1

All Users:   Design and operate city streets based on a ”Complete Streets” concept that enables safe, comfortable, and attractive access and travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, movers of commercial goods and transit users of all ages and abilities.  

C-11.5

All Projects and Phases:  Apply Complete Street concept to the planning, funding, design, approval and implementation phases of roadway projects, including those involving new construction, reconstruction, retrofits, major rehabilitation, or changes in the allocation of pavement space on an existing roadway, as well as those that involve new privately built roads and easements intended for public use.  Specific infrastructure for a given category of users may be excluded if an exemption is approved via the process set forth in Policy C11.6, “Exemptions.”

Program C11.5.1:  Solicit early input from the Circulation Commission and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, or their representatives, during project development to verify bicycling and pedestrian needs for projects.  

Program C-11.5.2:  Coordinate the implementation of Complete Streets concepts, as appropriate, with ongoing transportation programs and plans such as the Pavement Management Program, Capital Improvement Program, Transportation Demand Management Program, Traffic Calming Program, Master Walkways Plan, and Bikeways Master Plan.

Program C-11.5.3:  Include “Complete Streets” considerations in all circulation improvement projects when planning, reviewing, and implementing capital improvement plans, major roadway rehabilitation and development review applications.  When appropriate, these design considerations may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Minimize the number of driveway accesses (Consistent with existing Program C-1.6.3)

2. Public transit facilities, like bus stops and related improvements

3. Safety considerations such as lighting, sight distance, and traffic calming measures for residential streets

4. Sign design (e.g. street signs, entry signs, directional signs);

5. Street furniture; paving material, landscaping

6. Type, width and routing of pedestrian facility and supporting improvements

7. Type, width and routing of bikeway, bike parking and supporting improvements  

8. Senior and disabled access

9. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) incentive measures

10. Accommodation of alternative fuel vehicles

Program C-11.5.4:  Evaluate Lafayette’s Complete Streets approach by using the following performance measures to be tracked annually:

1. Total miles of on-street bikeways added (defined by streets with clearly marked or signed bicycle accommodation)

2. Linear feet of new walkways added 

3. Number of new curb ramps added or replaced

4. Number of publicly-accessible support measures for alternative fuel vehicles implemented (e.g. charging stations, designated parking) 

5. Number of reported injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicycles