CHAPTER 1. BUSINESS LICENSING

(See Title 8, Finance, Revenue and Taxation, Chapter 6, Business Licensing)

The City Council of the City of Walnut Creek does ordain as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 1 (Transportation Demand Management) of Title 6 (Business, Professions & Trades) is hereby amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 1. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

6-1.01 Findings.

(a) Transportation Systems Management has the potential to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle emissions more efficiently and cost effectively than major roadway improvements;

(b) For many years prior to the passage of Measure C, local jurisdictions developed and implemented a variety of TSM projects and programs, e.g., operation of transit systems, construction of bicycle facilities, land use policy coordination and related improvements;

(c) Since 1992, the Authority has committed both Measure C and Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds to four subarea programs for the implementation of Measure C and Clean Air Plan goals;

(d) In compliance with the requirements of the TDM Ordinance, large employers had been required to develop and implement trip reduction programs at work sites; pursuant to that requirement, implementation of the TDM Ordinance was delegated to TRANSPAC (the Central Contra Costa Transportation Committee).

(e) The Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan incorporates each Regional Committees Action Plan for Routes of Regional Significance, which support specific TSM/TDM goals and objectives;

(f) Over the past four years, the subarea TDM programs have been successful in reducing vehicle trips and emissions at the employment sites specified in the TDM Ordinance, as well as in school and residential areas where programs have been implemented;

(g) Since the adoption of the TDM Ordinance, TDM efforts have been expanded to include aspects of the transportation system other than employer programs, e.g., enhancement of transit and bicycle facilities, residential and commuter transit incentive promotions, incorporation of new technologies into the system including ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) and EDP (Early Deployment Program) strategies, expanded school ridematching outreach to include all schools and community colleges in Contra Costa, land use policy coordination and related enhancements;

(h) In adopting this ordinance, cooperation and coordination with other local jurisdictions and subareas in TSM are acknowledged as having the potential to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its efforts; accordingly the Board/Council directs staff to take steps to implement TSM in accordance with the policies, goals and objectives set forth herein, and in cooperation with TRANSPAC staff. (§2, Ord. 1678, eff. 3/18/88; by §2, Ord. 1812, eff. 1/14/93; by §1, Ord. 1840, eff. 7/7/94; and by §1, Ord. 1926, eff. 7/3/98)

6-1.02 Purpose.

The City of Walnut Creek enacts this chapter for the following purposes:

(a) To promote maximum efficiency in the existing transportation system and to further the transportation goals of the Measure C Growth Management Program, Contra Costa Congestion Management Program and the Bay Area Clean Air Plan by:

1. Promoting and encouraging the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours and telecommuting as alternatives to solo driving;

2. Incorporating these goals and objectives into the land use review and planning process;

3. Developing proactive programs and/or projects either alone or in conjunction with other jurisdictions, or with TRANSPAC aimed at achieving these goals;

4. Considering the incorporation of appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit and highway information, provide trip generation alternatives, and related technology into the transportation system;

5. Educating Central County employees, employers, residents and students regarding the benefits and availability of commute alternatives;

6. Working with the transit authorities to better serve Central Contra Costa County;

7. Encouraging the most cost effective, broad-based and wide range of transportation improvement projects aimed at achieving congestion relief;

8. Cooperating with other jurisdictions, the private sector, and transit operators in planning and implementing transportation programs.

(b) To reflect an ongoing commitment to expand TSM efforts beyond employer-based trip reduction programs, in order to achieve traffic congestion management and air quality goals.

(c) To comply with applicable state and federal laws as well as with Measure C Growth Management Program requirements pertaining to TSM.

(d) The goal of the TSM Ordinance as amended is to ensure the continuation of a proactive TSM program effort aimed at reducing vehicle trips, vehicle emissions and traffic congestion in the most efficient and cost effective manner. (§2, Ord. 1678, eff. 3/18/88; by §2, Ord. 1812, eff. 1/14/93; by §1, Ord. 1840, eff. 7/7/94; and by §1, Ord. 1926, eff. 7/3/98)

6-1.03. Objective.

The objective of this section is to establish the following policies:

(a) To participate, in conjunction with other jurisdictions and TRANSPAC, in a proactive effort to support and develop projects which will achieve the Measure C TSM/TDM goals as described in the TRANSPAC Action Plan, the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Measure C Strategic Plan, the Congestion Management Plan and/or the Bay Area Clean Air Plan. Such participation may include, but need not be limited to:

1. Promotion and encouragement of the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours, telecommuting or other alternatives to solo driving;

2. Projects incorporating appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit and highway information and related technology.

(b) To incorporate these goals, as appropriate, into its land use review and planning process. (§2, Ord. 1678, eff. 3/18/88; by §2, Ord. 1812, eff. 1/14/93; by §1, Ord. 1840, eff. 7/7/94; and by §1, Ord. 1926, eff. 7/3/98)

6-1.04 Participation in TRANSPAC.

The City of Walnut Creek agrees to continue to participate in TRANSPAC and to delegate to TRANSPAC implementation of the TSM Program in order to achieve the goals and objectives as described in the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Measure C Strategic Plan, the Congestion Management Plan and/or the Bay Area Clean Air Plan. (§2, Ord. 1678, eff. 3/18/88; by §2, Ord. 1812, eff. 1/14/93; by §1, Ord. 1840, eff. 7/7/94; and by §1, Ord. 1926, eff. 7/3/98)