Cal. Gov. Code § 14033
04/28/2017 – 06/01/2024
On or before January 1, 2018, the department shall update the Highway Design Manual to incorporate the “complete streets” design concept.
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Director’s Policy DP-37
12/07/2021 – 06/01/2024
Policy
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recognizes that walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail are integral to our vision of delivering a brighter future for all through a world-class transportation network. Additionally, Caltrans recognizes that streets are not only used for transportation but are also valuable community spaces. Accordingly, in locations with current and/or future pedestrian, bicycle, or transit needs, all transportation projects funded or overseen by Caltrans will provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities for people walking, biking, and taking transit or passenger rail unless an exception is documented and approved. When decisions are made not to include complete streets elements in capital and maintenance projects, the justification will be documented with final approval by the responsible District Director.
Opportunities for complete streets exist in all phases of project development from planning and design to construction, operations, and maintenance. Complete streets projects should prioritize underserved communities that have been historically harmed and segmented by the transportation network and should serve people of all ages and abilities. Furthermore, Caltrans commits to removing unnecessary policy and procedural barriers and partnering with communities and agencies to ensure projects on local and state transportation systems improve the connectivity to existing and planned pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities, and accessibility to existing and planned destinations, where possible.
Intended Results
This policy establishes Caltrans’ organizational priority to encourage and maximize walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail as a strategy to not only meet state climate, health, equity, and environmental goals but also to foster socially and economically vibrant, thriving, and resilient communities. To achieve this vision, Caltrans will maximize the use of design flexibility to provide context-sensitive solutions and networks for travelers of all ages and abilities.
Definitions
Complete Street
A complete street is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to provide comfortable and convenient mobility, and improve accessibility and connectivity to essential community destinations for all users, regardless of whether they are travelling as pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation riders, or drivers. Complete streets are especially attuned to the needs of people walking, using assistive mobility devices, rolling, biking, and riding transit. Complete streets also maximize the use of the existing right-of-way by prioritizing space-efficient forms of mobility, such as walking and biking, while also facilitating goods movement in a manner with the least environmental and social impacts. Complete streets shift the focus of transportation planning and project development from vehicle movement as the primary goal to the movement of people and goods.
All Ages and Abilities
The “all ages and abilities” concept strives to serve all users-regardless of age, gender, race, or ability and inclusive of the mobility needs of children, older adults, and people with disabilities-by embodying national and international best practices related to traffic calming, speed reduction, universal design, and roadway design to increase user safety and comfort, as well as accessibility for people with disabilities. This approach also includes the use of traffic calming elements or facilities separated from motor vehicle traffic, both of which can offer a greater feeling of security and appeal to a wider spectrum of the public.
Design Flexibility
Caltrans policy supports designers in their application of guidance to achieve our goals of developing complete facilities to serve all members of the community. Design flexibility refers to the ability to develop a design suited to its users and context, and to employ professional judgment and experience to interpret, apply, and adapt appropriate design standards and guidance. Flexibility in design is essential to achieving Caltrans’ goals of putting safety first, enhancing and connecting the multimodal network, leading on climate action, and advancing equity and livability in all communities. Design flexibility includes consideration of diverse user needs, assessment of risk, review of applicable guidance, and documentation of design decisions.
Underserved Community
Underserved communities include low-income, frontline environmental justice, and vulnerable communities, including but not limited to Black and Indigenous peoples, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, older adults, and youth. Refer to guidance from the Caltrans Office of Race and Equity for the most current definition.
Accessibility ( Access to Destinations)
Accessibility is the ease by which travelers can reach – or access – desired destinations such as work, shopping and other retail, school, health care, and recreation. Accessibility reflects the number and proximity of destinations, as well as the directness and condition of walking, biking, and transit facilities . This is distinct from accessibility in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); refer to Deputy Directive 42 for more information on ADA and State Disability Laws.
Connectivity
A connected multimodal network allows people to travel by whichever mode they choose and provides convenient, accessible connections between different modes.
State Transportation Network (STN)
Refers to the State Highway System (SHS) and all other multimodal facilities, including parallel and intersecting paths, frontage roads, and other facilities not directly on the SHS mainline.
Responsibilities
All employees in the following functional groups have specific responsibilities related to implementation of this policy in their program areas:
Director’s Office – Headquarters Sustainability
- Lead, coordinate, and facilitate development of implementation plan for this policy in coordination with appropriate functional groups.
- Facilitate alignment of policy, guidance, and training to meet state’s climate, health, equity, walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail goals.
- Facilitate coordination, information sharing, and collaboration among Divisions and Districts on topics related to complete streets.
- Track, monitor, report, and communicate Caltrans ‘ progress toward meeting its policy and strategic goals related to walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail.
- Establish and facilitate internal/external advisory committees to provide technical input, strategic direction, and implementation guidance to Caltrans policies related to complete streets.
Planning and Modal Programs
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update state plans, training, and resources to assist in the identification and prioritization of pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs and recommended improvements on or across the SHS.
- Develop guidance for integrating pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs from the corridor planning process into future complete streets projects.
- Identify best practices for increased and meaningful engagement with partners, stakeholders, and communities during the development of plans and projects that facilitate the inclusion of complete streets elements as appropriate.
- Work with local and regional transit and rail partners to identify and implement first mile/last mile solutions, both on and off the STN.
- Provide technical support and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on enhancing rail and transit reliability and operations related to complete streets within and adjacent to the STN.
- Promote Caltrans policies related to complete streets in rail and transit planning documents and grant program guidelines.
Districts
- Develop, maintain, and update plans, tools, and other planning documents to identify and prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and transit needs and recommended improvements on or across the SHS.
- Verify that proposed projects are in alignment with local, regional, and state planning documents detailing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail needs on or across the SHS.
- Integrate pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passenger rail improvements from the corridor planning process into projects.
- Include complete streets elements in projects during the pre-Project Initiation Document (pre-PID) and PID phases.
- Participate in Project Development Teams (PDTs) to assist in delivering complete streets elements identified in PID phase.
- Develop and implement strategy for meaningful engagement with partners, stakeholders, and communities during the development of plans and projects that facilitate the inclusion of complete streets elements as appropriate.
- Identify and pursue partnerships and funding opportunities with local, regional, and state agencies.
- Work with local and regional transit and rail partners to identify and implement first mile/last mile solutions, both on and off the STN.
- Promote pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements and land uses supportive of these modes in local projects through the Local DevelopmentIntergovernmental Review process.
Project Delivery
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, and standards pertaining to the design and construction of complete streets facilities in alignment with Caltrans and state walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail goals, including but not limited to temporary access during construction.
- Provide training and guidance to promote the use of “world-class” design best practices related to complete streets throughout Caltrans, including the adoption of design flexibility guidance, contextual guidance, and others.
- Cultivate subject-matter expertise for design excellence of complete streets facilities in projects on or across the STN.
- Designate a complete streets asset manager to track and monitor progress of complete streets statewide as an asset in the State Highway System Management Plan (SHSMP) and develop funding and performance targets for complete streets in the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP).
- Establish and oversee processes for documenting decisions related to complete streets elements.
Districts
- Implement project delivery strategies and best practices to further enhance the delivery of complete streets, including coordination of community engagement efforts.
- Implement “world-class” design best practices related to complete streets.
- Cultivate subject-matter expertise for design excellence of complete streets facilities in projects on or across the STN.
- Promote and exercise design flexibility throughout project development process.
- Document decisions related to complete streets elements.
- Implement and oversee use of standard plans and specifications, as well as best practices, for temporary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access routes during construction.
Maintenance
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, manuals, training and standards pertaining to the maintenance of complete streets facilities.
- Work with Districts to determine equipment needs for maintenance of current and future complete streets facilities, including application-specific equipment such as sweepers for sidewalks and bikeways where standard maintenance equipment cannot be used.
- Coordinate with Division of Equipment to procure complete streets maintenance equipment.
- Develop and provide training to Maintenance staff on maintenance best practices for complete street facilities.
- Facilitate collection and maintenance of active transportation facility inventory and condition data to inform maintenance decisions.
- Develop, maintain, and update maintenance agreement templates for complete streets facilities.
Districts
- Maintain complete streets facilities on the SHS in accordance with maintenance policy, procedures, guidance, manuals, and standards.
- Develop, execute, and update, as needed, maintenance agreements with local agencies for complete street facilities that are mutually beneficial to both entities and protect the investments made in new infrastructure.
- Collaborate with Headquarters Divisions of Maintenance and Equipment to purchase or lease equipment necessary to maintain current and future complete streets facilities, including application-specific equipment such as sweepers for sidewalks and bikeways where standard maintenance equipment cannot be utilized.
- Maintain and use active transportation facility inventory and condition data to inform maintenance decisions.
- Collaborate with Planning, Safety, and Complete Streets Coordinators to identify opportunities for complete streets improvements in Highway Maintenance projects.
Traffic Operations
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, and standards pertaining to the operations of facilities to improve access to destinations by walking, biking, transit, and passenger rail, including but not limited to temporary access during construction.
- Develop policy and framework for collecting and maintaining current pedestrian and bicycle count data.
- Develop, maintain, and update training, guidance, and procedures to improve encroachment permit application process for local agency-sponsored complete streets projects that are on or cross the SHS.
- Identify and develop proposals to address policy and procedural barriers to implementing locally-sponsored complete streets projects on and across the SHS.
Districts
- Collect and maintain current pedestrian and bicycle count data.
- Identify opportunities to leverage traffic control devices, where needed, to better facilitate the throughput of people walking, biking, and taking transit.
- Implement standard plans and specifications for temporary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access routes during construction.
- Support the delivery of complete streets improvements in capital projects.
- Identify strategies to streamline the approval process for complete streets projects seeking encroachment permits.
Safety Programs
Headquarters
- Develop, maintain, and update policy, procedures, guidance, plans, documents, and technical assistance to proactively or responsively identify pedestrian and bicycle safety needs on the SHS.
- Develop and administer programs to investigate locations and provide recommendations for improvements at locations with pedestrian and bicycle safety needs.
- Identify opportunities to leverage traffic control devices, where needed, to better facilitate the throughput of people walking, biking, and taking transit.
Districts
- Develop and implement innovative, context-sensitive solutions to address the safety of vulnerable roadway users.
- Investigate and implement countermeasures at locations with pedestrian and/or bicycle safety concerns/needs.
- Engage with internal functions and seek input from external stakeholders on pedestrian and bicycle safety needs during investigations.
Equipment
- Procure and provide training on equipment needed to maintain current and future complete streets facilities.
- Track and share with districts the national state of the practice for equipment used to maintain pedestrian, bicycle, and transit features.
Asset Management
Headquarters
- Track, monitor, and report on progress of complete streets as an asset in the SHSMP.
- Finalize funding and SHSMP performance targets for complete streets in the SHOPP.
- Support Districts in tracking and reporting on complete streets assets.
Districts
- Compile identified complete streets needs into SHOPP projects to support Districts in meeting performance targets.
- Regularly update Asset Management Tool with complete streets assets identified in all projects.
- Track and monitor progress of complete streets as an asset in the SHSMP and report progress to Headquarters Asset Management and Complete Streets Program Manager.
Local Assistance
Headquarters
- Provide support and technical assistance to local and regional agencies and Caltrans Districts applying for state or federal active transportation funding.
- Provide tools, training, and resources to support the successful delivery of local and regional active transportation projects on time, in scope, and within budget.
Districts
- Provide support and technical assistance to local and regional agencies and Caltrans Districts applying for state or federal active transportation funding.
- Provide tools, training, and resources to support the successful delivery of local and regional active transportation projects on time, in scope, and within budget.
Legal
- Provide counsel and support on legal issues pertaining to complete streets policies, procedures, and projects.
District-Designated Complete Streets Coordinator(s)
- District Directors will designate complete streets coordinator(s) .
- Work with PDTs to maximize opportunities for inclusion of complete streets in all project phases by actively participating in the pre-scoping, project initiation, and project development phases.
- Support the asset manager in tracking and monitoring complete streets assets.
- Assist with identifying project-specific complete streets needs throughout project planning, development, and delivery.
- Review and provide concurrence to decision documents related to complete streets.
- Work with other functions to provide technical assistance to local agency sponsored projects that are on or cross the SHS to incorporate complete streets elements.
- Collaborate with local and regional partners, advocacy and community groups, and District engineers to identify pedestrian, bicycle, and transit gaps to incorporate into planning documents and projects.
- Provide recommendations for partnerships and funding opportunities with local, regional, and state agencies.
Applicability
This policy applies to all Caltrans employees.
Cal. Government Code § 65302
01/01/2023 – 06/01/2024
The general plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals. The plan shall include the following elements:
(a) A land use element that designates the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, including agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, greenways, as defined in Section 816.52 of the Civil Code, and other categories of public and private uses of land. The location and designation of the extent of the uses of the land for public and private uses shall consider the identification of land and natural resources pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d). The land use element shall include a statement of the standards of population density and building intensity recommended for the various districts and other territory covered by the plan. The land use element shall identify and annually review those areas covered by the plan that are subject to flooding identified by flood plain mapping prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Department of Water Resources. The land use element shall also do both of the following:
(1) Designate in a land use category that provides for timber production those parcels of real property zoned for timberland production pursuant to the California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982 (Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 51100) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5).
(2) Consider the impact of new growth on military readiness activities carried out on military bases, installations, and operating and training areas, when proposing zoning ordinances or designating land uses covered by the general plan for land, or other territory adjacent to military facilities, or underlying designated military aviation routes and airspace.
(A) In determining the impact of new growth on military readiness activities, information provided by military facilities shall be considered. Cities and counties shall address military impacts based on information from the military and other sources.
(B) The following definitions govern this paragraph:
(i) “Military readiness activities” mean all of the following:
(I) Training, support, and operations that prepare the members of the military for combat.
(II) Operation, maintenance, and security of any military installation.
(III) Testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation or suitability for combat use.
(ii) “Military installation” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Section 2687 of Title 10 of the United States Code.
(b) (1) A circulation element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.
(2) (A) Commencing January 1, 2011, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element, the legislative body shall modify the circulation element to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan.
(B) Upon any substantive revision of the circulation element on or after January 1, 2025, the legislative body shall do all of the following:
(i) Incorporate the principles of the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach, in the circulation element by including policies that aim to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users through a holistic view of the roadway system, including provisions that account for human error, recognize vulnerable road users, and promote redundant and proactive safety measures.
(ii) Develop bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans based on the policies and goals in the circulation element that shall address all of the following for any urbanized area within the scope of the general plan:
(I) Identify safety corridors and any land or facility that generates high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians.
(II) Use evidence-based strategies, including strategies identified in the United States Department of Transportation’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to develop safety measures specific to those areas that are intended to eliminate traffic fatalities, with an emphasis on fatalities of bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of any other form of micromobility device in the areas identified in subclause (I).
(III) Set goals for initiation and completion of all actions identified in the plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element based upon projected development activities within urbanized areas within the scope of the general plan and projected availability of revenues.
(C) (i) A county or city shall begin implementation of the modified circulation element plan specified in subparagraph (B) within two years of the date of adoption of the plan.
(ii) A county or city shall regularly review the progress towards and identify impediments to completing implementation of the plan for a multimodal transportation network, including all bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans iterated in the modified circulation element, and the construction of any related infrastructure.
(iii) A county or city shall consider revising the circulation element if, following the review under clause (ii), the county or city determines it will not reach the goals of the bicycle, pedestrian, or traffic calming plans within 25 years of the date of adoption of the modified circulation element.
(D) For the purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) “Business activity district” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.9 of the Vehicle Code.
(ii) “Land facilities that generate high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians” has the same meaning as described in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.
(iii) “Micromobility device” means a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorized scooter as those terms are defined and described in Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of the Vehicle Code.
(iv) “Safety corridor” has the same meaning as defined in Section 22358.7 of the Vehicle Code.
(v) “Urbanized area” has the same meaning as defined in Section 21071 of the Public Resources Code.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, “users of streets, roads, and highways” mean bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, users of public transportation, and seniors.
(c) A housing element as provided in Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580).
(d) (1) A conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. The conservation element shall consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction, as described in the land use element, on natural resources located on public lands, including military installations. That portion of the conservation element including waters shall be developed in coordination with any countywide water agency and with all district and city agencies, including flood management, water conservation, or groundwater agencies that have developed, served, controlled, managed, or conserved water of any type for any purpose in the county or city for which the plan is prepared. Coordination shall include the discussion and evaluation of any water supply and demand information described in Section 65352.5, if that information has been submitted by the water agency to the city or county.
(2) The conservation element may also cover all of the following:
(A) The reclamation of land and waters.
(B) Prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters.
(C) Regulation of the use of land in stream channels and other areas required for the accomplishment of the conservation plan.
(D) Prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores.
(E) Protection of watersheds.
(F) The location, quantity, and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources.
(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, the conservation element shall identify rivers, creeks, streams, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for purposes of groundwater recharge and stormwater management.
(e) An open-space element as provided in Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 65560).
(f) (1) A noise element that shall identify and appraise noise problems in the community. The noise element shall analyze and quantify, to the extent practicable, as determined by the legislative body, current and projected noise levels for all of the following sources:
(A) Highways and freeways.
(B) Primary arterials and major local streets.
(C) Passenger and freight online railroad operations and ground rapid transit systems.
(D) Commercial, general aviation, heliport, helistop, and military airport operations, aircraft overflights, jet engine test stands, and all other ground facilities and maintenance functions related to airport operation.
(E) Local industrial plants, including, but not limited to, railroad classification yards.
(F) Other ground stationary noise sources, including, but not limited to, military installations, identified by local agencies as contributing to the community noise environment.
(2) Noise contours shall be shown for all of these sources and stated in terms of community noise equivalent level (CNEL) or day-night average sound level (Ldn). The noise contours shall be prepared on the basis of noise monitoring or following generally accepted noise modeling techniques for the various sources identified in subparagraphs (A) to (F) of paragraph (1), inclusive.
(3) The noise contours shall be used as a guide for establishing a pattern of land uses in the land use element that minimizes the exposure of community residents to excessive noise.
(4) The noise element shall include implementation measures and possible solutions that address existing and foreseeable noise problems, if any. The adopted noise element shall serve as a guideline for compliance with the state’s noise insulation standards.
(g) (1) A safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence; liquefaction; and other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires. The safety element shall include mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address evacuation routes, military installations, peakload water supply requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards.
(2) The safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2009, shall also do the following:
(A) Identify information regarding flood hazards, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Flood hazard zones. As used in this subdivision, “flood hazard zone” means an area subject to flooding that is delineated as either a special hazard area or an area of moderate or minimal hazard on an official flood insurance rate map issued by FEMA. The identification of a flood hazard zone does not imply that areas outside the flood hazard zones or uses permitted within flood hazard zones will be free from flooding or flood damage.
(ii) National Flood Insurance Program maps published by FEMA.
(iii) Information about flood hazards that is available from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(iv) Designated floodway maps that are available from the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.
(v) Dam failure inundation maps prepared pursuant to Section 6161 of the Water Code that are available from the Department of Water Resources.
(vi) Awareness Floodplain Mapping Program maps and 200-year flood plain maps that are or may be available from, or accepted by, the Department of Water Resources.
(vii) Maps of levee protection zones.
(viii) Areas subject to inundation in the event of the failure of project or nonproject levees or floodwalls.
(ix) Historical data on flooding, including locally prepared maps of areas that are subject to flooding, areas that are vulnerable to flooding after wildfires, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged by flooding.
(x) Existing and planned development in flood hazard zones, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.
(xi) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for flood protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) Establish a set of comprehensive goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A), for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risks of flooding, including, but not limited to:
(i) Avoiding or minimizing the risks of flooding to new development.
(ii) Evaluating whether new development should be located in flood hazard zones, and identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if new development is located in flood hazard zones.
(iii) Maintaining the structural and operational integrity of essential public facilities during flooding.
(iv) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of flood hazard zones, including hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, fire stations, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in flood hazard zones.
(v) Establishing cooperative working relationships among public agencies with responsibility for flood protection.
(C) Establish a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(3) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2014, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as state responsibility areas, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in Section 51177. This review shall consider the advice included in the Office of Planning and Research’s most recent publication of “Fire Hazard Planning, General Plan Technical Advice Series” and shall also include all of the following:
(A) Information regarding fire hazards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(ii) Any historical data on wildfires available from local agencies or a reference to where the data can be found.
(iii) Information about wildfire hazard areas that may be available from the United States Geological Survey.
(iv) General location and distribution of existing and planned uses of land in very high fire hazard severity zones and in state responsibility areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities. The location and distribution of planned uses of land shall not require defensible space compliance measures required by state law or local ordinance to occur on publicly owned lands or open space designations of homeowner associations.
(v) Local, state, and federal agencies with responsibility for fire protection, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) A set of goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community from the unreasonable risk of wildfire.
(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives based on the information identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Avoiding or minimizing the wildfire hazards associated with new uses of land.
(ii) Locating, when feasible, new essential public facilities outside of high fire risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in a state responsibility area or very high fire hazard severity zone.
(iii) Designing adequate infrastructure if a new development is located in a state responsibility area or in a very high fire hazard severity zone, including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for structural fire suppression.
(iv) Working cooperatively with public agencies with responsibility for fire protection.
(D) If a city or county has adopted a fire safety plan or document separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, a city or county’s adopted fire safety plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains information required pursuant to this paragraph.
(4) Upon the next revision of a local hazard mitigation plan, adopted in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), on or after January 1, 2017, or, if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county. This review shall consider advice provided in the Office of Planning and Research’s General Plan Guidelines and shall include all of the following:
(A) (i) A vulnerability assessment that identifies the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts, including, but not limited to, an assessment of how climate change may affect the risks addressed pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
(ii) Information that may be available from federal, state, regional, and local agencies that will assist in developing the vulnerability assessment and the adaptation policies and strategies required pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(I) Information from the internet-based Cal-Adapt tool.
(II) Information from the most recent version of the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
(III) Information from local agencies on the types of assets, resources, and populations that will be sensitive to various climate change exposures.
(IV) Information from local agencies on their current ability to deal with the impacts of climate change.
(V) Historical data on natural events and hazards, including locally prepared maps of areas subject to previous risk, areas that are vulnerable, and sites that have been repeatedly damaged.
(VI) Existing and planned development in identified at-risk areas, including structures, roads, utilities, and essential public facilities.
(VII) Federal, state, regional, and local agencies with responsibility for the protection of public health and safety and the environment, including special districts and local offices of emergency services.
(B) A set of adaptation and resilience goals, policies, and objectives based on the information specified in subparagraph (A) for the protection of the community.
(C) A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) Feasible methods to avoid or minimize climate change impacts associated with new uses of land.
(ii) The location, when feasible, of new essential public facilities outside of at-risk areas, including, but not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities, or identifying construction methods or other methods to minimize damage if these facilities are located in at-risk areas.
(iii) The designation of adequate and feasible infrastructure located in an at-risk area.
(iv) Guidelines for working cooperatively with relevant local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
(v) The identification of natural infrastructure that may be used in adaptation projects, where feasible. Where feasible, the plan shall use existing natural features and ecosystem processes, or the restoration of natural features and ecosystem processes, when developing alternatives for consideration. For purposes of this clause, “natural infrastructure” means using natural ecological systems or processes to reduce vulnerability to climate change related hazards, or other related climate change effects, while increasing the long-term adaptive capacity of coastal and inland areas by perpetuating or restoring ecosystem services. This includes, but is not limited to, the conservation, preservation, or sustainable management of any form of aquatic or terrestrial vegetated open space, such as beaches, dunes, tidal marshes, reefs, seagrass, parks, rain gardens, and urban tree canopies. It also includes systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes, such as permeable pavements, bioswales, and other engineered systems, such as levees that are combined with restored natural systems, to provide clean water, conserve ecosystem values and functions, and provide a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife.
(D) (i) If a city or county has adopted the local hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives and contains the information required pursuant to this paragraph, separate from the general plan, an attachment of, or reference to, the local hazard mitigation plan or other climate adaptation plan or document.
(ii) Cities or counties that have an adopted hazard mitigation plan, or other climate adaptation plan or document that substantially complies with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions, climate adaptation plan or document, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.
(5) Upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2020, the safety element shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to identify residential developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.
(6) After the initial revision of the safety element pursuant to paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5), the planning agency shall review and, if necessary, revise the safety element upon each revision of the housing element or local hazard mitigation plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element.
(7) Cities and counties that have flood plain management ordinances that have been approved by FEMA that substantially comply with this section, or have substantially equivalent provisions to this subdivision in their general plans, may use that information in the safety element to comply with this subdivision, and shall summarize and incorporate by reference into the safety element the other general plan provisions or the flood plain ordinance, specifically showing how each requirement of this subdivision has been met.
(8) Before the periodic review of its general plan and before preparing or revising its safety element, each city and county shall consult the California Geological Survey of the Department of Conservation, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, if the city or county is located within the boundaries of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District, as set forth in Section 8501 of the Water Code, and the Office of Emergency Services for the purpose of including information known by and available to the department, the agency, and the board required by this subdivision.
(9) To the extent that a county’s safety element is sufficiently detailed and contains appropriate policies and programs for adoption by a city, a city may adopt that portion of the county’s safety element that pertains to the city’s planning area in satisfaction of the requirement imposed by this subdivision.
(h) (1) An environmental justice element, or related goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, that identifies disadvantaged communities within the area covered by the general plan of the city, county, or city and county, if the city, county, or city and county has a disadvantaged community. The environmental justice element, or related environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives integrated in other elements, shall do all of the following:
(A) Identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.
(B) Identify objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in the public decisionmaking process.
(C) Identify objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
(2) A city, county, or city and county subject to this subdivision shall adopt or review the environmental justice element, or the environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives in other elements, upon the adoption or next revision of two or more elements concurrently on or after January 1, 2018.
(3) By adding this subdivision, the Legislature does not intend to require a city, county, or city and county to take any action prohibited by the United States Constitution or the California Constitution.
(4) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall apply:
(A) “Disadvantaged communities” means an area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code or an area that is a low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.
(B) “Public facilities” includes public improvements, public services, and community amenities, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 66000.
(C) “Low-income area” means an area with household incomes at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with household incomes at or below the threshold designated as low income by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code.
- Bakersfield Code 13.12.035. Complete streets.
12/29/2023 – 06/01/2024
A. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
1. “Accessibility” means the ability to reach desired destinations for all transportation system users.
2. “Complete streets features” includes but is not limited to sidewalks, crosswalks, accessible curb ramps, curb extensions, raised medians, refuge islands, modern-day roundabouts and mini-circles, traffic signals and accessible pedestrian signals such as audible indications and pedestrian countdown signals, shared-use paths, bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, street trees, planting strips, signs, pavement spanings, including multi-modal pavement striping, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities, public transportation stops, and facilities, including streetscapes, dedicated transit lanes, and transit priority signalization.
3. “Context sensitive solution” means a process in which a full range of stakeholders are involved in developing complete streets transportation solutions that identify and incorporate appropriate complete streets features designed to fit into, enhance, and support the surrounding environment and context, including land use.
4. “Multi-modal” means the movement of people and goods by more than one method of transportation. A street that accommodates walking, bicycling, mobility devices, transit, and driving is multi-modal.
5. “National industry best practices” means guidelines established by national industry groups on complete streets best policy and implementation practices, including but not limited to reports by the American Planning Association and the National Complete Streets Coalition.
6. “Transportation facility or project” means the planning, design, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or improvement of public highways, roadways, streets, sidewalks, traffic control devices and signage, and all facilities or improvements related to public transit.
7. “Users” means motorists, bicyclists, individuals dependent on mobility devices, transit riders, pedestrians, and others who depend on the transportation system to move people and goods.
B. The city shall implement a complete streets policy as follows:
1. On July 12, 2023, the city council established a complete streets policy by Resolution 108-2023 to guide and direct more comprehensive and balanced planning, design, construction and enforcement of city transportation systems.
2. The complete streets policy shall be reviewed and updated every five years, as appropriate in the discretion of the city council.
3. The public works department shall, based on a context sensitive design and development process, employ a multi-modal approach, and incorporate complete streets features in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, enforcement, and operation of transportation facilities and projects, including but not limited to the reconstruction, rehabilitation, restriping, or resurfacing of any transportation facility under the jurisdiction of the city, in accordance with the complete streets policy.
4. The public works department shall evaluate and initiate updates, if any, of existing ordinances, codes, subdivision standards, rules, policies, plans, and design guidelines to ensure their consistency with the complete streets policy and principles. Design standards, guidelines, and manuals shall consider incorporating national industry best practice guidelines and shall be updated from time to time by the directors as necessary to reflect current best practices.
5. The public works department shall provide training for its staff in complete streets features, policies, principles, and implementation procedures that may be applicable to the performance of their duties.
C. Multi-modal approaches and implementation of complete streets features are not required if the public works director, or his/her designee, determines, in writing with appropriate documentation, before or during the design process, that:
1. Use of a street or highway by nonmotorized users is prohibited;
2. The safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists may be placed at unacceptable risk;
3. There is a phased approach to ultimate buildout and interim phases of multi-modal approaches are not feasible;
4. The cost would be excessively disproportionate to the projected need or future use over the long term, as determined by the city council;
5. There is no documented current or future use to support implementation of complete streets features at the location, as determined by the city council.
D. Before December 31st of each year following the enactment of the ordinance codified in this section, a report shall be submitted to the council detailing efforts made to comply with the complete streets ordinance during the prior fiscal year.
Bakersfield Resolution 108-2023
07/12/2023 – 06/01/2024
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WHEREAS, within the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Deputy Directive No. DD-64-R 1, “Complete Streets” is defined as a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists appropriate to the function and context of the facility; and
WHEREAS, developing a Complete Street ensures that travelers of all ages and abilities can move safely and efficiently along and across a network of Complete Streets; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance public health benefits by increasing natural movement through walking and bicycling, while reducing the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes and contribution to air pollution; and
WHEREAS, State and Federal laws require local agencies to promote and facilitate increased bicycling and walking as prescribed in California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 21200-21212, and Streets and Highway Code Sections 890-894.2, identifying the rights of bicyclists and pedestrians, and establish legislative intent that people of all ages using all types of mobility devices are able to travel on public roads, unless prohibited by CVC Section 21960; and
WHEREAS, local agencies within the State of California have a duty to provide safe mobility options to all who have legal access to the transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield pledges to take action on the essential elements of traffic safety to achieve zero traffic deaths by 2050, including activities related to education, enforcement, engineering, evaluation, and encouragement; and
WHEREAS, a Complete Streets policy aligns with the City Council’s goals for public safety, quality of life, and reliable infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, on April 17, 2013, the City Council adopted a Complete Streets Policy by Resolution No. 035-13; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that an updated Complete Streets policy may be necessary for securing State and Federal grants for infrastructure projects; and
WHEREAS, the City Council therefore desires to update the City’s Complete Streets policy to recognize actions taken in support of Complete Streets, to update references, to delete obsolete references, and to reinforce the City’s commitment to incorporate Complete Streets into all projects that impact the public rights-of-way.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
- The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.
- Resolution 035-13 is hereby rescinded and replaced with this Resolution establishing the City’s updated Complete Streets Policy in furtherance of the goals, policies, and objectives of the City.
- The City Council hereby supports and directs implementation of the following Complete Streets Policy objective: City will incorporate a context sensitive, Complete Streets approach into the planning, design, design review, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of projects and programs affecting all City property, including, but not limited to, parks and roadways, to create a connected network of facilities accommodating all users.
- The City will incorporate the goals and policies of Complete Streets, as set forth in this Resolution, in any General Plan amendments and other applicable plans and ordinances.
- The City affirms that all road projects should be designed to accommodate all users and that context-based pedestrian and bicycle facilities will, where practical, be established in new construction, reconstruction, repaving and rehabilitation. The Public Works Director is authorized to implement a “Complete Streets Program” in conjunction with appropriate City staff to design, construct, and maintain Complete Street improvements in furtherance of the City’s Complete Streets Policy, which should include the following:
- Incorporation of the principles of Complete Streets into an interdisciplinary, integrative, multimodal transportation program with implementation guidelines.
- Address the needs of all users in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of all street projects.
- Consideration of existing natural systems in the earliest phases of design, planning, and implementation of Complete Streets using green infrastructure, including where appropriate the use of low impact development techniques, the use of canopy trees for pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and when practical, transit stops.
- Balance the needs of all transportation modes with community values, fiscal constraint, public safety, environmental protection, and historic preservation.
- Develop design solutions that use a context-sensitive approach using then-current best management practices that connect land use and transportation needs while remaining flexible to the unique circumstances of different streets and projects.
- Encourage staff professional development and training on multi-modal transportation issues.
- Identify current and potential sources of funding for roadway improvements in support of Complete Streets projects.
- Develop an interdepartmental review team comprising of Public Works, the Police Department, Recreation and Parks, Development Services, and Economic and Community Development.
- Quantify and review the linear footage of sidewalks and pathways added each year and provide regular updates to City Council.
- The following resources shall be used in furtherance of the City’s Complete Streets Policy set forth herein:
- 2020 Bakersfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Plan
- 2021 Bakersfield Downtown Corridor Enhancement Master Streetscape Plan
- 2022 Bakersfield Local Road Safety Plan
- 2023 Bakersfield Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
- 2022-23 Caltrans Complete Streets Action Plan
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Bike Guide
- The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Bike Guide
- The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares Guide to further develop non-motorized transportation networks within the City.
- The City will support and encourage contracted service providers to respect and use the Complete Streets approach for transportation and parks projects and related services within the City and work in coordination and cooperation with other adjacent and local jurisdictions with similar Complete Streets programs.
- The City will support and encourage coordination with its citizens, partnering agencies and organizations, such as Bike Bakersfield and the Blue Zones Project, to provide public awareness of the benefits Complete Streets provide to the community.
- This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on JUL 12 2023 by the following vote:
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