advancing sustainability in discretionary review 1

47
Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review Nancy Bragado, City of San Diego, General Plan Sara Lyons, City of San Diego, San Ysidro Community Plan Sachin Kalbag, Centre City Green Kathleen Garcia, Former San Diego Planning Commissioner November 3, 2010

Upload: wallace-roberts-todd

Post on 17-Dec-2014

381 views

Category:

Business


0 download

DESCRIPTION

City of San Diego's General Plan and a prototypical Community Plan (San Ysidro) which have strong policies for sustainability and environmental justice

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Advanc ing Susta inabi l i ty in

Discret ionary Rev iew

Nancy Bragado, City of San Diego, General Plan

Sara Lyons, City of San Diego, San Ysidro Community Plan

Sachin Kalbag, Centre City Green

Kathleen Garcia, Former San Diego Planning Commissioner

November 3, 2010

Page 2: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Planning for Sustainability

APA California November 3, 2010

Nancy BragadoSara Lyons

Page 3: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

• City of San Diego General Plan– Comprehensive plan for

growth and development unanimously adopted by the City Council in March 2008

– Smart growth approach tailored for San Diego

– Relies on infill development to meet City’s needs

– Sustainability policies integrated throughout plan

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Page 4: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

General Plan Overview– Guided by 10 Principles and City of Villages

Strategy

– Represents a shift in focus from how we develop vacant land to how we invest in our existing communities

– Emphasis on combining housing, employment, schools, civic uses at different scales, in village centers

– Strategy works to preserve established residential neighborhoods and open spaces

– Achieve high quality of life, address mobility and facilities needs, and manage the City’s continued growth

Page 5: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

New Requirement: AB 32 -Address Climate Change

Page 6: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

ON-ROAD TRANSPORTATI

ON 46%

ELECTRICITY 25%

NATURAL GAS END USES

9%

CIVIL AVIATION5%

INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

AND PRODUCTS5%

OTHER FUELS/OTHER

4%

OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT

AND VEHICLES4% WASTE

2%

AGRICULTURE/FORESTRY/LAND

USE2% RAIL

1%WATER-BORNE NAVIGATION

0.4%

San Diego Regional GHG Inventory Project Results

Source: www.sandiego.edu/epic

GHG Emissions for San Diego County (2006)

Page 7: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

GHG Inventory Project Results

www.sandiego.edu/epic

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2006 Levels 2020 BAU Projections AB 32 Target Executive Order S-3-05 Target (2050)

MM

T C

O2E

Hypothetical GHG Emissions Reduction Targets San Diego County

Page 8: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San Diego 2050 Impacts

• Climate will be hotter and drier• Sea level 12-18 inches higher• Severe water shortage• More intense and frequent wildfires• Public health at risk• Loss of native plant and animal species• Energy needs

Source: San Diego Foundation Focus 2050 Study

Page 9: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Climate Change Addressed Throughout the General Plan

Page 10: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

General Plan: Land Use as a Sustainability Strategy

• Population is growing– How to plan for growth

responsibly and to achieve sustainability goals?

• City of Villages strategy – Links land use and transit

planning– Distinctive, mixed use villages– Pedestrian oriented– Interconnected streets– Local destinations (stores,

services, parks, schools)– Connected to transit– Distinctive public places

Page 11: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Village Propensity MapVillage Propensity Map

Page 12: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Mobility StrategiesCars and trucks produce 46% of GHG emissions in San Diego County

• Transit/Land Use Coordination• Multi-modal solutions

– Walkable communities– Bicycle facilities– Streets and freeways– Transit and transit-orientation – Parking management– Transportation management

• Toolboxes allow for tailored solutions

• Regional Collaboration

Page 13: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Walkability

– General Plan addresses:• Safety and accessibility

– Safe Routes to Schools

• Street Connectivity• Walkability• Lively, attractive streets

– Toolbox of Solutions• Pedestrian Improvement

Toolbox• Traffic Calming Toolbox• Parking Toolbox

Page 14: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here is a page from the General Plan Mobility Element showing a part of the Pedestrian Improvement Toolbox. The benefit of the toolbox approach is that we are able to provide a menu of tools along with citywide policies on how they are to be used, will also allowing for flexibility in implementation at the community or project level.
Page 15: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Parking Toolbox:Supply and Demand Strategies

Supply– Re-stripe streets for

diagonal parking– Community parking

facilities– Adjust regulations– Car lifts and

mechanized garages– Code enforcement

Demand– Parking meter districts– Residential permit parking

districts– Transit upgrades– Car sharing– Parking pricing– Safe pedestrian and bicycle

routes– Employee parking

programs

Page 16: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Urban Design Historic Preservation

• Create diverse, walkable, mixed-use villages• Design vibrant public spaces and prominent civic

architecture• Public health co-benefits• Conserve resources and reduce construction debris

Page 17: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

– Open space to define and link communities

– Complement the environment and respect natural features

Page 18: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Sustainability Through Open Space Protections• Watershed, river parks,

creek restoration, urban canyon lands– Ground water infiltration– Carbon sequestration– Biodiversity– Urban heat island

• San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program– Comprehensive habitat

conservation planning– 49,230 acres (93% of

City’s goal) are conserved or are obligated to be conserved.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Work being done on Chollas Creek, SDRP plan, focus of grants
Page 19: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Conservation Electricity use accounts for 25% of San Diego County GHG emissions

• Specifically addresses climate change– Reduce carbon footprint– Green buildings/sustainable development

• Conserve and manage resources – Water conservation– Energy efficiency and renewables– Waste management– Wastewater collection and treatment– Urban forestry

• Open space preservation– Ecosystem role

Page 20: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

General Plan Water Policies

• Water Supply and Infrastructure– Increase alternative water

sources– Provide and maintain

infrastructure– Expand recycled water

distribution system– Recognize water/energy nexus

• Sustainable Development– Green buildings – Landscape design and

maintenance

Public Facilities and Conservation Elements

Page 21: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

General Plan Water PoliciesPublic Facilities and Conservation Elements

• Water Conservation and management– Water conservation measures– Watershed protection– Groundwater and surface water

resources management– Manage floodplains

• Coordinated Planning– State and regional water

resource planning– Water and land use planning– Development project review– Plan for emergencies and climate

change impacts• Public Education

Page 22: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Water/Energy/Carbon Nexus

Page 23: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Economic Prosperity Element:Align Environmental Protection and Economic Competitiveness

• Innovation Challenge• Business Incubator• Biomimicry

Partnership • Green Workforce

Training• Clean Enterprise

Program

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Environmental, Economic and Equity goals mutually supporting through GP policies to support Clean Tech and base sector industries
Page 24: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

The General Plan Action Plan

– Identifies actions (implementation measures) derived from General Plan goals and policies

– Organized by GP Element and timeframe

– Sets key implementation priorities

– Helps to inform the budget process

– Will be used for annual monitoring of the General Plan

– Adopted July 2009

Page 25: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Climate MAP

• Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Plan• Includes updated GHG inventory for City

operations and community-at -large• Will incorporate prior city actions and new

strategies • Prepared as a part of the City’s Sustainable

Community Program• Environmental document to be prepared

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Updates to the City’s Sustainable Building Council Policies Energy Efficiency and Retrofits Clean Generation
Page 26: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

26

Regional CollaborationSANDAG

• 2004 – Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP)

• 2006 – Smart Growth Concept Map• 2007 – Smart Growth Tool Box• 2010 – Climate Action Strategy• 2010 – Urban Area Transit Strategy• 2011 – Regional Transportation Plan

– Sustainable Communities Strategy– Environmental review will address

greenhouse gas emissions

Presenter
Presentation Notes
To provide some background context, in 2004, the SANDAG Board adopted the Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) for the San Diego region. The RCP is based on principles of smart growth and sustainability. In 2006, SANDAG accepted the Smart Growth Concept Map as a key implementation action of the RCP to show where the region has existing, planned, or potential opportunities for smart growth. The Board recently accepted a Technical Update. In 2007, SANDAG started developing the Smart Growth Tool Box, with the goal of assisting local jurisdictions to build smart growth in the smart growth opportunity areas on the Concept Map.
Page 27: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Sustainability Tool:Land Development Code

• Commercial/Mixed-Use zones• Pedestrian-Oriented Design

standards• Parking reductions for mixed-

use, transit proximity• Tandem parking in some areas• Bicycle parking & amenities• Small lot and townhouse zones• Landscape Standards

– Street trees required– Turf limited– Water conservation mandates

• Local Food - Community Gardens issues

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Land Development Code contains many innovations that can be applied to specific properties to achieve plan general/community plan land use designations and policy goals
Page 28: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Discretionary Project ReviewAffordable Housing and Sustainable Development Incentive Program

Page 29: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

• Climate Protection• Land Use, Housing,

Open Space• Mobility• Clean Tech and the

Economy• Energy• Water• Waste Management• Storm Water

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Brochure recently created to highlight the wide range of City actions that affect sustainability.
Page 30: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Implementation:Community Plans

• Implement GP and SB 375– Reduce GHG through land use

and transportation planning– Reduce GHG through

sustainable buildings and practices

• Urban forestry• GHG analysis in CEQA

documents• Vulnerability analysis • Adaptation• Public education role – Local

Government Partnership

Page 31: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San YsidroCommunity Planning Area

City of San Diego Communities

Presenter
Presentation Notes
San Ysidro is one of 55 distinct community planning areas which have their own land use plans. Community plans are an extension of the General Plan and specifically address land use distribution and land use designations at the community specific level. Policies of the General Plan are not repeated in the community plans but are built upon, and the policies and recommendations included in community plans supplement the General Plan. Last comprehensively updated the SY CPU in 1990 Develop a plan that Reflects current conditions, Establishes a long-term vision Implements the General Plan Integrates Port of Entry Project Address land use, urban design, mobility planning, economic revitalization, and historic preservation
Page 32: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San Ysidro Community

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Community Attributes The San Ysidro Planning Area encompasses approximately 1,863 acres. Topographically, much of the San Ysidro planning area is realitively level; however, there hilly terrain and steep slopes exist to the northeast. The Tijuana River floodplain comprises most of the planning area south and west of I-5. San Ysidro’s proximity to Mexico and its strong Hispanic heritage are among the community's greatest resources. San Ysidro’s location adjacent to Mexico provides abundant opportunities for cultural exchange and commerce serving both the tourist and the resident population. It also has unique challenges because of the proximity to the border particularly in coping with the direct and indirect impacts caused by border traffic. Demographics: San Ysidro’s population for 2009 is 28,304 and is expected to be nearly 35,000 by 2030. San Ysidro is a young Hispanic community. The Hispanic population makes up 93% of the community compared to 28% Citywide. 76% of the population is under 44 years of age. Households are large and multi-generational. The persons per household average has gone up since 2009 and is significantly higher in San Ysidro than the Citywide. In 2000 the persons per household was 3.89 and in 2009 it was 4.10 compared to a current 2.74 city wide persons per household average.   The median household income is $39,743 compared to approximately $70,000 city wide. (Interestingly, two people working minimum wage make approximately $27,000 a year.)
Page 33: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San Ysidro COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Areas of stability Single-Family neighborhoods Las Americas Areas of transition POE; ITC Pilot Village Area Opportunities Rich cultural and historic areas – old town center Redevelopment area Existing urban design within older area of community New developments – regional shopping center
Page 34: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Planning Considerations

• Proximity to Land Port of Entry• Excellent trolley access• Intermodal Transit Center• Improve connectivity throughout community• Pilot Village location

• Environmental Justice

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The primary catalyst for updating the SY CP is the Reconfiguration and Expansion of the LPOE. The federal project is exempt from CEQA and the City determined it was necessary to comprehensively exam this community planning area, particularly for circulation and mobility issues, in order to address the impacts the POE project would create for the community. The community has a high ridership of transit and has two trolley stations within its boundaries. The trolley station located at the border is envisioned to be a “grand central station.” The Intermodal Transit Center concept was explored in a recent mobility study and is identified as a key project to mitigate the POE impacts and provide a more efficient transit hub at the border. The second trolley station is located near the Pilot Village site, is more of a community resource, in the old center of the community. While the access to trolley is excellent it also, similarly to the freeways, creates a barrier with few cross connections over the tracks. The Mi Pueblo Pilot Village concept was one of a handful of model projects that were chosen to highlight the General Plan’s City of Villages growth strategy. The Village plan was mired in implementation issues and it is anticipated that through the community plan update we will help to position this area of the community to help it to fully realize this vision. Quality of life issues is a central theme with the plan update and is very important to the community. Issues for the community range from providing affordable housing, creating better connections across the various freeways and tracks, and anticipating the impacts of the POE such as additional traffic and air quality and mitigating them the best we can.
Page 35: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Key Objectives• An attractive international border destination• Leverage bicultural and historic traditions and diversity• Mix of land uses that serves residents and generates prosperity • Increase mobility through a border intermodal center and create a strong

pedestrian focus• Identify urban parks, plazas, and promenade• Identify trail options and joint use opportunities; promote a healthy , active

community• Incorporate sustainability, address environmental justice, and contribute to a

strong economy• Provide a lively, pedestrian-friendly, healthy environment• Facilitate the development of the Mi Pueblo Village • Craft a clear and practical implementation strategy

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Through the vision process we came up with 10 Key Objectives. These objects focus on creating a balanced community – economically, environmentally and socially. It looks at leveraging the location and bicultural aspects of the community as well as enhancing the accessibility to existing transit and improving the pedestrian realm, identifies area for outdoor activities and enhancing the outdoor environment that already exists to a large degree. It incorporate sustainability practices, policies and design features that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address environmental justice, and contributes to a strong economy AND lastly, it helps facilitate the implementation of key catalytic projects.
Page 36: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San Ysidro Open Space and Parks“…a full and varied range of recreational opportunities

accessible to all San Ysidro residents…” (San YsidroCommunity Plan page 93.)

Open Space• Dairy Mart Ponds• Floodplains • Tijuana River Valley• Steep hillsidesParks• Mini Parks and Plazas• Joint Use opportunities• Open areas at gateways• Beyer Park

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The plan intends to leverage the existing open space and recreation to provide more opportunities. We are looking at the existing open space and parks within San Ysidro and seeing how it can become an even better assets through better connectivity. We are aslp looking at places where new passive and recreational parks and open space could be located to enhance the existing network. The goal is to provide a better network of parks and open space with better accessibility for residents to encourage walking, biking and an overall safer neighborhood. Conservation and addressing climate change, although a larger regional and global issue, is also the responsibility of each community. Long Range Plans must consider environmental consequences for what they anticipate and plan for. There are things we can do at a local level to reduce a community’s “carbon footprint.” An example could be as big as the ITC or as simple as a comprehensive street tree plan which could address heat island effect, air pollution, and beautification.
Page 37: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Village Propensity

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Propensity Map indicates the viability of the pilot village area as a key location to concentrate smart growth.
Page 38: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Community Plan Level:San Ysidro

Village designations to occur in community plan

Mi Pueblo Pilot Village

HousingPathways to KnowledgePlazasRestaurant, Mercado, kiosks, and offices

Presenter
Presentation Notes
In 2004, five innovative projects were selected to become Pilot Village demonstration projects for the City of Villages strategy of smart growth in San Diego. The projects that were selected represented a variety of approaches and styles that demonstrated how Villages can revitalize existing neighborhoods while retaining their individual character. San Ysidro’s Mi Pueblo proposal was one of the projects. One objective of this Plan Update is to look at the Village concept more closely and help this concept move forward. Start thinking about how to personalize the village policies of the General Plan to help define the village area in San Yisdro, for example, alley ways are heavily used by pedestrians. How can we make alleys safer and more friendly to those who walk.
Page 39: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The San Ysidro Port of Entry (POE) is the busiest international border in the hemisphere, and continues to function as a significant international commuting and tourist terminal. The POE currently processes an average of 50,000 northbound vehicles and 25,000 northbound pedestrians per day. Sandag (San Diego Association of Governments) predicts an increase in vehicle traffic at San Ysidro POE of up to 70% (equivalent to 85,000 vehicles and 42,500 pedestrians) by year 2030.
Page 40: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Intermodal Transportation Center Concept

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Mitigation for LPOE The second mobility study to be started in May 2009, will specifically analyze mobility impacts associated with the General Service Administration’s (GSA) proposed Port of Entry (POE) facility at the border. The goal of the San Ysidro POE Reconfiguration Mobility Study is to evaluate the impacts of the proposed GSA changes on transportation mobility within the impacted area and identify alternatives to address these impacts. The objectives of this study include: a.Identification of the extent of the impacted area. b.Analysis of the POE circulation, including all modes of travel and parking, vis-a-vis the POE reconfiguration. c.Development of a refined conceptual mobility strategy to be incorporated in the plan update taking into consideration outcomes of the San Ysidro Transportation Collaborative. d.Conceptual designs and cost estimates that can be used to update the San Ysidro Facilities Financing Plan. In order to address some of the mobility impacts generated by reconfiguration of the POE, a multi-agency group (comprising Caltrans, SANDAG, Metropolitan Transit System, GSA, and City of San Diego) is coordinating to analyze viable opportunities for facilitating a multi-modal transportation center at a close proximity to the reconfigured POE. As such, it will be necessary for the selected Consultant Team to analyze mobility recommendations resulting from this study and other studies in San Ysidro for consideration as part of the larger community plan update process. Coordination with the San Ysidro POE Reconfiguration Mobility Study consultant, City staff, and the plan update consultant team is critical to maintaining efficiency, consistency and avoid duplication in the mobility analysis component of the plan update process.
Page 41: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San YsidroLocal topics related to Mobility

The Border and Port of EntryCongestion within the communityBarriers: Rail, FreewaysSidewalk improvementsConnectivity

We are not starting from scratch:San Ysidro Port of Entry Reconfiguration Mobility Study - January 2010San Ysidro Mobility Strategy - January 2009 City’s Bicycle Master PlanCity’s Pedestrian Master Plan

Presenter
Presentation Notes
If two Mobility Studies in two years is any indication - the severity of traffic and connectivity issues in San Ysidro is a major element of this update. The good news is that we have the benefit of these studies. The multi-modal approach to circulation in the General Plan and the findings of the Mobility studies will hopefully really help us move forward with some create solutions to improving circulation in San Ysidro.
Page 42: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Mobility - Pedestrians

Presenter
Presentation Notes
opics Evaluated: Pedestrians Transit Streets and Freeways Intelligent Transportation Systems Transportation Demand Management Bicycling Parking Management Airports Good Movements and Freight
Page 43: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Mobility - Transit

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Denotes transit access.
Page 44: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

• New inspection protocols in Mexico and the U.S. are causing southbound delays at the border.

• Southbound inspections are a new reality of border for both U.S. and Mexico alike.

• Drivers trying to minimize their time in queue, creating traffic congestion on on-ramps, off-ramps, and city streets around the port of entry

• Quality of life and Environmental Justice issues

San YsidroLand Port of Entry

Presenter
Presentation Notes
There are things out of our control and jurisdiction that we are trying to understand and plan for. For example, the realities of border crossings into the US have been around for almost 10 years. However, now with the issues in Mexico, the Mexican government are now performing vehicular inspections for weapons. This new policy has huge impacts to southbound traffic within San Ysidro.
Page 45: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

Border Crossing Concept

Images created by The Miller Hull Partnership

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The reconfiguration project is a $577 million dollar project which will realign the freeway and create 37 lanes – 31 inbound and 6 outbound. The communities largest complaint with the Master Plan for the POE was that it did very little to improve the pedestrian access. The plan focused more on the car than any other mode. It was pointed out that over 25,000 pedestrian crossed into the US daily and that more was needed to improve this access. The proposal incorporates significant modifications of the existing international border station and environs; including: Demolition and new construction of most of the POE, including primary and secondary inspection areas. Realignment of I-5 southbound travel lanes. New pedestrian access routes and bridges. Port facility expansion and reconfiguration (including new administration and pedestrian buildings, and other support structures). Structured parking facilities (CBA employees). New commercial development and relocation of existing businesses. Construction of a new southbound roadway with inspection facilities to connect with Mexico’s El Chaparral facility. The expanded facility will consist of approximately 225,000 square feet of building space, 29 inbound vehicle lanes, two bus lanes, and six outbound vehicle lanes. Innumerable off site and right-of-way improvements and (and proximate to) the proposed POE facility.
Page 46: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Master Plan

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here is the new POE Master Plan which reconfigures the freeway, adds lanes and a ped bridge and a second pedestrian crossing so there will now be one on both the east and west. In response to the community’s unhappiness with addressing pedestrian access General Services provided a pedestrian analysis as part of their EIS traffic analysis. It is now up to the Community Plan to incorporate the connections as part of the master plan into its analysis and provide policies and recommendations to improve the public realm and internal circulation of the community.
Page 47: Advancing Sustainability in Discretionary Review 1

General Plan: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml

General Plan Action Plan: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/genplan/index.shtml

San Ysidro Community Plan Update Websitehttp://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/cpu/sanysidro/