Cupertino Municipal Code Ch. 17.08 Evaluation of Transportation Impacts Under the California Environmental…

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section:

A. As used in this Chapter, “CEQA” means the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., and the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq.

B. Vehicle Miles Travelled or “VMT” refers to the distance a vehicle travels regardless of the number of occupants of the vehicle. Vehicle miles traveled is the daily VMT of all vehicle trips, vehicle types, and trip purposes for all project land uses. An adjustment to the VMT should be made to include the full length of trips that leave the travel forecasting model area to fully capture interregional travel.

C. Total Boundary VMT refers to VMT that occurs within a selected geographic boundary (e.g., city, county or region) by any type of vehicle. Total Boundary VMT captures all on-road travel occurring on a roadway network for any purpose and includes local trips as well as trips that pass through the area without stopping.

D. Service Population refers to population plus employment and may include students or visitors. Service population is intended to include all independent variables used in estimating trips.

E. High Quality Transit Corridor means an area within ¼ mile walking distance from fixed-route transit service with service intervals no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours.

(Ord. 21-2223, § 1 (part), 2021)

As a result of California Senate Bill (SB) 743 (2013), the City of Cupertino has implemented the use of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in environmental review of new land-use development projects, transportation projects, and other projects pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and the State CEQA Guidelines (together, CEQA). This section contains standards relating to the use of VMT in Cupertino for evaluating transportation impacts.

(Ord. 21-2223, § 1 (part), 2021)

A. This chapter applies to all land-use development projects, transportation projects, and other projects subject to review by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

B. Some projects may be screened out from more detailed VMT analysis based on a project’s location, characteristics, or a combination of both. A project relying on the following screening must be consistent with applicable General Plan policies and supported by substantial evidence demonstrating cumulative VMT is declining. Project screening may be used for projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. A project located within one-quarter mile of a High-Quality Transit Corridor or transit stop as defined by CEQA;

2. Local-serving retail of 50,000 square feet or less;

3. Land-use projects consisting of 100% affordable housing.

(Ord. 21-2223, § 1 (part), 2021)

A. The VMT significance thresholds for land use projects and plans compared to baseline conditions are:

1. Project Impact: A significant impact would occur if the total project generated VMT per service population for the project would exceed a level of 14.4% below the citywide baseline VMT rate.

2. Project Effect: A significant impact would occur if the project increases total (boundary) countywide VMT compared to baseline conditions.

B. The VMT significance thresholds for land use and transportation projects and plans under cumulative conditions are:

1. Project Effect: A significant impact would occur if the project increases total (boundary) countywide VMT compared to cumulative no project conditions.

2. All land use and transportation projects: A significant impact would occur if the project is inconsistent with the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy Plan (Plan Bay Area).

C. The VMT significance thresholds for transportation projects are:

1. Baseline Transportation Thresholds: A significant impact would occur if a project causes a net increase in total (boundary) citywide VMT compared to baseline conditions or opening year no project conditions.

2. Cumulative Transportation Thresholds: A significant impact would occur if a project causes a net increase in total (boundary) citywide VMT compared to cumulative no project conditions.

(Ord. 21-2223, § 1 (part), 2021)