Chapter 10.60
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Sections:
10.60.050 Transportation management certificate.
10.60.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish transportation demand management (TDM) to encourage employers located in the City to participate in implementing TDM techniques. TDM will promote alternative commute modes and reduce the total number of vehicle trips as part of a program to achieve the following objectives:
A. Reduce peak period traffic and congestion by decreasing the number of single-occupant vehicle trips associated with commuting;
B. Reduce or delay the need for major transportation facility improvements by making more efficient use of existing facilities;
C. Reduce present and future motor vehicle emissions as a contribution towards complying with federal and state ambient air quality standards;
D. Establish TDM goals for employers so that a significant number of their employees are encouraged to arrive at the worksite by means other than single-occupant vehicle.
(Ord. 1919, Amended, 11/14/2017; Ord. 1472 §1 (part), 1992).
10.60.020 Findings.
The City Council finds and declares that:
A. The City is projected by both the state and the Bay Area Association of Governments to experience significant growth in population which will result in substantial increases in traffic volume;
B. The geographical and meteorological conditions in Vacaville are conducive to the formation of air pollution attributed largely to motor vehicle emissions according to both state and regional air pollution control agencies;
C. Transportation demand management techniques including, but not limited to, ridesharing, transit, compressed work weeks and bicycle use among employees are effective means of reducing work related trips. A reduction in the number of trips will reduce congestion and vehicle emissions.
(Ord. 1919, Amended, 11/14/2017; Ord. 1472 §1(part), 1992.
10.60.030 Definitions.
The following words and phrases have the following meanings as used in this chapter:
A. “Alternative commute mode” means a trip where the transportation method is other than single-occupant vehicle.
B. “a.m. peak period” means the commute hours from six a.m. to ten a.m. during weekdays.
C. “Average vehicle ridership (AVR)” means the number of employees arriving at the worksite in the peak period divided by the number of personal self-propelled vehicles used by the arriving employees on a per week average. The denominator shall be reduced by one for each zero emission vehicle used by arriving employees and by a proportionate amount for employees using compressed work weeks.
D. “Commute” means a home to work or work to home trip.
E. “Complex” means any nonresidential use or development which is operated as a unit, whether in common or separate ownership. To be a “complex” two or more of the following must be met:
1. It is known by a common name;
2. It is governed by a common set of covenants, conditions and restrictions;
3. It was approved, or is to be approved as an entity by the City Council;
4. It is covered by a single subdivision parcel map;
5. It is operated by a single management;
6. It shares common private parking;
7. Any multi-tenant, nonresidential building or contiguous group of buildings under common ownership, which is not included within any of the points stated above.
F. “Compressed work week” means the schedule of any 40-hour per week weekday employee who regularly works less than 10 days during any 14-day period. An example of such a schedule would be four 10-hour workdays per week.
G. “Employee” means any person hired by an employer, including part-time and seasonal workers, but excluding any independent contractors hired by the employer.
H. “Employer” means any public or private entity, including the City, with a permanent place of business or worksite in the City.
I. “Employer transportation management plan (TMP)” means a document detailing TDM measures to reduce vehicle trips to and from the worksite.
J. “Existing complex” means a complex that has been issued a building permit prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
K. “p.m. peak period” means the commute hours from four p.m. to six p.m. during weekdays.
L. “Ridesharing” means two or more persons traveling together.
M. “Single-occupant vehicle (SOV)” means an automobile or light truck occupied by one person.
N. “Transit” means public transportation including bus or rail services.
O. “Transportation coordinator” means an individual trained to promote and implement TDM strategies at the worksite. Training to be approved by the City.
P. “Transportation management certificate (TMC)” means a document issued by the City to denote compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter.
Q. “Transportation demand management (TDM)” means measures to better utilize existing transportation facilities and services, and promote alternate commute modes.
R. “Worksite” means the place of employment, base of operation or a location of where an employee performs work.
S. “Zero emission vehicle (ZEV)” means any vehicle deemed a zero emission vehicle by the California Air Resources Board.
(Ord. 1919, Amended, 11/14/2017; Ord. 1472 §1(part), 1992).
10.60.040 Requirements.
A. Major Employers. Any employer who employs 100 or more employees shall be deemed a major employer. Complexes with a total of 100 or more employees shall be treated under this chapter as a major employer. All major employers within the City are encouraged to obtain a transportation management certificate (TMC) as described in Section 10.60.050.
B. Minor Employers.
1. An employer who employs 25 to 99 employees shall be deemed a minor employer. Existing complexes with 25 to 99 employees shall be treated as minor employers.
2. On an ongoing yearly basis minor employers are encouraged to:
a. Post information which describes the benefits of transit, ridesharing, bicycling and walking as alternative modes and which describes the facilities, services, schedules, rates and other pertinent information relevant to such transportation options;
b. Designate a transportation coordinator to coordinate with local transit agencies and the ridesharing agency for the distribution of alternative commute information including transit information and ridesharing applications;
c. Provide newly hired employees with alternative commute mode information that includes pertinent transit information and ridesharing applications.
C. Residential Developments.
1. New residential developments should consider design elements to further the goals of this chapter;
2. The City should institute a program to provide new or relocated residents with information on alternate transportation modes;
3. Apartment complexes are encouraged to post information, approved by the City, on alternate transportation modes.
D. Projects. All new projects shall include design elements to further the goals of this chapter.
1. Major projects shall be those which are expected to be occupied by one hundred or more employees as determined by the City. All major projects within the City are encouraged to obtain a TMC as described in Section 10.60.050.
2. Minor projects shall be those which are expected to be occupied by 25 to 99 employees as determined by the City. The property owner of a minor project are encouraged to provide facilities to post information on alternative commute modes. The property owner is encouraged to coordinate with the appropriate transit and rideshare agency(ies) to maintain and provide current information.
3. Expansion projects shall mean any development which proposes structural expansion. If after such expansion the development will be the primary place of business of between 25 to 99 employees as determined by the City, it shall be deemed a minor project. If after such expansion the development will be the primary place of business of one hundred or more employees as determined by the City, it shall be deemed a major project.
E. Exemptions. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the following activities are exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
1. Temporary construction activities, including activities performed by engineers, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and construction workers when such activities are related to the construction, development or other improvements to real property;
2. Emergency activities in which persons are employed to render aid or other services in the event of an emergency or natural disaster;
3. Other temporary activities which employ persons for a period of less than 90 days.
(Ord. 1919, Amended, 11/14/2017).
10.60.050 Transportation management certificate.
A. Transportation management certificate stipulations are as follows:
1. All major employers and major projects are encouraged to file a transportation management plan with the City;
2. The goal of the TMP is to designate TDM measures which will result in an average vehicle ridership of 1.35 during the peak period;
3. A TMC may be granted to the major employer or major project for a one-year period upon approval of the TMP by the City.
B. Each transportation management plan (TMP) should include:
1. Goal of 1.35 AVR. The goal of this chapter and of any TMP is to have an AVR of 1.35 for peak period commute trips. Employers and projects shall develop TMPs with yearly progress goals for increasing alternative commute modes for their employees or tenants;
2. At a minimum, the employer TMP should include the following provisions:
a. Document compliance with minimum TDM measures as specified for minor employers;
b. Provide a status report on current commute modes for employers in a format specified by the City;
c. Document the TDM measures needed to increase AVR in the following year;
d. Provide a plan for implementing the selected TDM measures;
3. At a minimum, the major project TMP should include the following provisions:
a. Compliance with the standards for a minor project;
b. Designate a transportation coordinator for the site;
c. Agree to provide annual status reports to the City in the specified format;
d. i. Prepare an approved TMP to provide facilities and a framework for services conducive to attaining the AVR goal. After the plan is approved by the City it shall be made binding on the property owner and any successors in interest;
ii. The plan obligations shall either be recorded in the covenants, conditions and restrictions prepared for the development or separately recorded. The property owner may request modification of the plan by filing an application and a processing fee, in the amount specified by resolution of the City.
C. Multiple Worksites. Each worksite with 100 or more employees should submit a TMP with TDM measures for the specific worksite. If the employer has worksites with 99 or fewer employees, the TMP should list all worksites and the number of employees at each site. The goal of 1.35 AVR shall apply to the total number of employees commuting to all worksites of major employers.
D. Coordination TMP Requirements.
1. If the worksite is located in a project with a project TMP in effect, the employer TMP should be coordinated with the project TMP. The employer may request the project owner revise the project TMP to incorporate appropriate TDM measures for their employees;
2. A complex and the employer within a complex may coordinate and submit one TMP. The TMP should, at a minimum, fulfill the requirements that would apply to the largest entity within the complex, or the complex itself, whichever is largest, recognized by this chapter. The TMP would be applicable to each entity within the complex and the complex itself. Existing complexes may also coordinate in this manner.
E. Issuance of TMC. Upon receiving the employer or project TMP, the City shall examine the plan to determine whether the plan is consistent with the provisions contained in this section. Inspection of the location by staff may be conducted as necessary to determine consistency with these provisions.
Except as otherwise provided, the City shall approve the TMP upon finding that the standards contained in this chapter have been met. The TMC will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance by the City. The City will notify the applicant, in writing, of the decision to issue or not to issue the TMC.
The City will also notify of the decision in writing any other person who has requested notice of the proceedings on any particular TMC or on TMCs in general.
A decision to approve or disapprove the TMP will be deemed final 14 calendar days after the date that the applicant receives notice of the City’s decision, unless an appeal has been filed.
F. Renewal of Certificate.
1. Renewal of Certificates with Less Than 1.35 AVR. The TMC is encouraged to be renewed annually except as specified in this section. In order to renew a TMC, each employer and project shall provide the following information the City at a minimum:
a. Provide an update of the initial status report in a format specified by the City;
b. Provide a summary of the previous year’s TDM program, progress in meeting TMP goals and a description of program organization and resources.
The City may require additional documentation or may visit the site and conduct his or her own survey. If an employer is unable to provide the requested information on the employees’ transportation modes, then the City may request an employer to retain a consultant with approval by the City. The consultant will submit the required information to the City.
If the information provided indicates the employer or project has achieved the 1.35 peak period AVR goal, a TMC will be renewed as specified in this section. If the information provided indicates that the goal has not been reached after a period of two years, the employer or project is encouraged to amend their TMP to include additional TDM measures.
2. Attainment of Reduction Goal. If the monitoring information provided for the renewal of the TMC indicates the achievement of the AVR goal during two consecutive years, the employer or project may apply for a TMC valid for two years.
(Ord. 1919, Amended, 11/14/2017; Ord. 1472 §1(part), 1992).