Chapter 17.700 — TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The purpose of the transportation systems management (TSM) program is to establish requirements for employers and developers to reduce traffic congestion, optimize use of the transportation system, and improve air quality, all in furtherance of the city's general plan goal to reduce vehicle miles traveled by 35 percent. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

As used in this chapter,

"Alternative commute mode" means a trip where the transportation method is other than a single-occupant vehicle. "Buspool" means private or public fixed-route transportation service designed to carry eight or more persons.

"Carpool" means two or more persons commuting in a motorized vehicle to and from work.

"Ridesharing" means the cooperative effort of two or more persons traveling together using alternative commute modes.

"Shuttle bus" means a private or public transportation service providing short-distance, fixed-route passenger service, limited to specific destinations and connections, with parking lots or existing transit services.

"Single-occupant vehicle" means a motor vehicle occupied by one person for commute purposes.

"Taxipool" means a type of service which a public or private taxi operator provides daily commuter service for a group of preassembled subscribers on a prepaid or daily-fare basis, following a relatively fixed route and schedule. "Traffic engineer" means the person appointed by the city manager to the office of traffic engineer pursuant to section 10.08.030.

"Transit" means public transportation, including bus or light rail services.

"Transportation coordinator" means an individual trained to promote and implement transportation system management program measures at the worksite.

"Transportation management association" means an individual or group responsible for the implementation of transportation system management program measures for the purpose of meeting alternative mode requirements for a specific geographical area. The acronym for "transportation management association" is "TMA."

"Transportation management plan" means a document detailing transportation system management program measures to relieve traffic congestion and reduce vehicle trips to and from work. The acronym for "transportation management plan" is "TMP."

"Transportation systems management" means measures to better utilize existing transportation facilities and services and promote alternative commute modes. The acronym for "transportation system management" is "TSM."

"Trip" means a single, one-direction vehicle movement.

"Vanpool" means a van that sits six or more people commuting to and from work.

"Vehicle parking facility" means any parking structure or parking area used for the purpose of parking vehicles.

(Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

This chapter applies to the following development project types, as defined:

A. "Minor project," which means a development project that is expected to be the primary place of business of between 25 and 99 employees based on the employee generation rates in section 17.700.050.

B. "Major project," which means a development project that is expected to be the primary place of business of 100 or more employees, based on the employee generation rates in section 17.700.050.

C. "Expansion project," which means a development project that proposes structural expansion. If, after expansion, the project will be the primary place of business of between 25 and 99 employees, the project shall be deemed a minor project. If, after expansion, the project will be the primary place of business of 100 or more employees, the project shall be deemed a major project. The number of employees is determined based on the employee generation rates in section 17.700.050. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

The following activities are exempt from the requirements of this chapter:

A. Temporary construction activities, including activities performed by engineers, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and construction workers, when the activities are related to the construction, development, or other improvement to real property;

B. Emergency activities in which persons are employed to render aid or other services during an emergency or natural disaster; and

C. Other temporary activities that employ persons for a period of less than 90 days. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

The following chart shall be used to estimate the total number of full-time employees expected to occupy a development project under this chapter:

(Ord. 2020-0006 § 11; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A. Minor projects. The property owner of every minor project shall post information on alternative commute modes at the project site and shall coordinate with the appropriate transit agency and regional ridesharing agency to maintain and provide current information on alternative commute modes to employees working at the project site.

• B. Major projects.

1. The property owner of a major project shall do all of the following:

a. Post information on alternative commute modes at the project site and coordinate with the appropriate transit agency and regional ridesharing agency to maintain and provide current information on alternative commute modes to employees working at the project site;

• b. Designate a transportation coordinator for the project site;

• c. Provide an annual status report to the city in a format to be specified by the traffic engineer. At a minimum, the report shall document:

• i. Commute modes of all employees currently occupying the project;

• ii. Progress toward attainment of the alternative commute mode goal of the city; and

iii. If the alternative commute mode goal has not been attained, a plan for additional TSM measures; and

• d. Prepare a transportation management plan containing some or all of the measures identified in section

17.700.070 and demonstrating that the measures are adequate to attain the alternative commute mode goal designated for the project. The TMP shall be submitted to the planning director and the traffic engineer for review and approval. i. The measures to be included in the TMP shall be selected initially by the applicant. The planning director and traffic engineer may deny use of a particular measure if the combination of measures specified does not produce a balanced program for trip reduction.

ii. After approval by the planning director and traffic engineer, the TMP shall be binding upon the property owner and any successors in interest, and shall be either included in covenants, conditions, and restrictions recorded for the development project, or separately recorded.

iii. At any time after the original TMP has been approved, the property owner may request modification of the TMP by filing an application and processing fee in the amount specified by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A transportation management plan may include the measures set forth in this section.

A. Transportation management association. Formation of a new, or use of an existing, TMA for a specific geographical location.

B. Preferential employee carpool and vanpool parking spaces. Designation of a portion of the required employee vehicle parking spaces as "carpool/vanpool only." The spaces shall be located near building entrances, in a covered or shaded area, or other preferential location. If parking fees are imposed, a discount of not less than 50% for carpools and vanpools shall be offered. The administration and enforcement of this parking program shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

C. Parking fees. A monthly parking fee for some or all employees whose primary commute method is by a singleoccupant vehicle, if the planning director and traffic engineer determine that such a program will not create adverse parking impacts to adjacent developments. The applicant shall specify the amount of parking fees to be imposed throughout the duration of the program, the number of workers anticipated to be required to pay the fees, and the period of time that the program will be in effect.

D. Transit passenger shelter. A transit passenger shelter, if the proposed development is located on an existing or designated transit route along a major arterial and a transit agency serving the site determines that a passenger shelter is needed in the vicinity of the development. The applicant shall construct or pay for construction of the shelter on or adjacent to the property. The design, maintenance, liability, and ownership of the shelter and other applicable provisions shall be set forth in an agreement between the applicant and the transit agency.

E. Bus or light rail transit station subsidy. Payment of all or part of the cost of land, construction, or maintenance of an existing or designated bus transit center or light rail station located within 1,320 feet of the development project or another center or station within the transit system. The amount of funds, payment arrangements, use of the funds, and other applicable provisions shall be set forth within an agreement between the property owner and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.

F. Transit operating subsidy. Payment of a one-time transit operating cost subsidy to a transit agency serving the site, if the development project is located within 1,320 feet of an existing or designated bus route or light rail transit station. The amount of funds, payment arrangements, use of the funds, and other applicable provisions shall be specified within an agreement between the property owner and the transit agency.

Payment of a one-time transit operating cost subsidy to a transit agency serving the site, if the development project is located within 1,320 feet of an existing or designated bus route or light rail transit station. The amount of funds, payment arrangements, use of the funds, and other applicable provisions shall be specified within an agreement between the property owner and the transit agency.

G. Transit pass subsidy. Payment of 50% to 100% of the cost of a monthly transit pass for employees of the development project who use transit services as their primary commute mode to the subject property. This measure may be utilized only if the proposed development is located within 1,320 feet of an existing or designated transit route and a transit agency serving the site determines that the transit services provided along the adjacent transit route have the capacity to accommodate additional transit riders. The applicant shall specify the total amount of subsidy, the number of passes to be subsidized, and the period of time that the subsidy program will be in effect. The property owner shall enter into an agreement with the transit agency specifying these and other relevant provisions.

H. Buspool or shuttle-bus program. A buspool or shuttle-bus service funded by the owner and operated either individually or by contract with a public or private transit agency. The service shall transport employees of the development project from park-and-ride lots, transit stops, or other designated locations to and from the project site. At least one bus shall operate during the morning and afternoon peak commute period. The applicant shall specify the level of services to be provided, the number of employees that are anticipated to utilize this service, the duration of the program, and the amount of user fees, subject to the review of the traffic engineer, the participating transit agency. I. Vanpool program. The purchase, lease, or other subsidy of the capital or operating costs of one or more vanpools for use by the employees of the development project. The applicant shall specify the type and level of vanpool assistance to be provided throughout the duration of the program, the number of vans to be subsidized, the number of anticipated vanpool participants, and the period of time that the vanpool program will be in effect.

J. Showers and lockers. Provision of shower and clothes locker facilities for the employees of the development project. The applicant shall specify the number of and location of such facilities and whether user fees will be imposed.

K. Land dedication for transit facilities. Dedication of land for construction of a lightrail station or stop if a need is determined by the Sacramento Regional Transit District. Evidence of the land dedication is required prior to issuance of building permit or in conjunction with submittal of the final parcel or tentative map.

L. Subsidy for TSM capital improvements. Contribution to a TSM capital improvement program, if the proposed development is located in an area where needed TSM capital improvements have been identified. The TSM capital improvement program will construct facilities that increase the people-moving capacity of the existing transportation system.

M. Other. Any other TSM program designed by the applicant to promote alternative mode use approved by the planning director and traffic engineer. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

The calculation of credits toward meeting the 35% trip-reduction goal and additional trip reductions necessary to qualify for parking reductions under chapter 17.608 shall be performed by the traffic engineer and the planning director. The calculations shall take into account the development project characteristics, such as distance from bus and transit stations, amount of transit subsidy, parking fees, and the degree to which carpoolers are provided with preferential parking. The maximum trip reduction percentages allowed for each transportation system management measure identified in section 17.700.070 are set forth in this section.

A. TMA membership and TSM coordinator: no reduction credit for TSM coordinator; 5% for joining a TMA that has demonstrated 15% trip reduction; 10% for joining a TMA that has demonstrated 30% trip reduction.

• B. Preferential parking: 10% in the central business district (CBD); 5% outside CBD.

• C. Parking fees: none in CBD; 10% outside CBD.

• D. Transit shelter: 2%.

• E. Bus transit center or light rail station subsidy: 20% in CBD; 15% outside CBD if within 660 feet of major transit station; 10% outside CBD within ¼ mile of bus route or one-half mile of bus transit center or light rail station.

• F. Transit operating subsidy: 20% in CBD; 15% outside CBD if within 660 feet of major transit station; 10% outside CBD within ¼ mile of bus route or one-half mile of a or bus transit center or light rail station.

G. Transit pass subsidy: 80% for new buildings in CBD; 100% for office conversions or additions in CBD; 25% outside CBD.

• H. Buspool or shuttle program: 20% in CBD; 10% outside CBD.

• I. Vanpool program: 10%.

• J. Showers and lockers: 5% in CBD: 2% outside CBD.

• K. Land dedication for transit: 5%.

• L. TSM capital improvements: 5%.

• M. Other: 10%. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)