To: Michael Garvey, City Manager
Subject: Draft "Traffic Impacts and Mitigation Strategies" Study for the City of San Carlos
From: Elizabeth Cullinan, Planning Director

We propose to distribute the Draft "Traffic Impacts and Mitigation Strategies" Study to the Traffic Commission and the Planning Commission and then schedule public hearings for consideration of adoption of the proposed mitigation measures or amendments thereto. We also propose to post the draft plan on the City's website and make available at the library and City Hall reception desk kiosk for public review.

Following is background information relevant to the study:

• When Phase I (traffic generation analysis based on existing conditions and square footage calculations of foreseeable projects) of the study was first initiated, there were a greater number of projects involving greater traffic volume than exist today. There were also higher "existing" traffic conditions. However, it is Staff's opinion that it is most appropriate to plan around highest development scenarios rather than attempting to plan around varying economic cycles. Phase I showed that with all foreseeable development projected at the time of Phase 1 study preparation, primary intersections within San Carlos would remain at level of service D.
• The City's General Plan states that intersection service levels should be maintained at level D or above.
• We are currently at level of service D and better, depending on the specific intersection.
• The East Side Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee recently formulated a series of preferred alternatives to be studied.
• Unless mitigated, various ESSP alternatives could reduce levels of traffic service within the community to unacceptable levels. (It is interesting to note, however, that the East Side Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee recommendation includes certain assumptions regarding floor area ratios and land use ratios, which preliminarily indicate that the plan actually reduces growth potential in comparison to the 1991 East Side Specific Plan and zoning in place currently. This result would be consistent with the Committee's original mission, which was to manage growth comprehensively).

Issues Presented In The Study

The issues presented by way of the study and the above information include the following:

• How does the City want to address growing traffic concerns (i.e. growth management or consideration of behavior modifying traffic mitigation measures)?
• Is the City willing to adopt formal traffic mitigation measures (and if so what types) to be used for Specific Plans and individual projects?
• If the City is willing to adopt formal mitigation measures, what force and effect will they have on potential growth (i.e. will it reduce traffic impacts associated with growth by 25%?)

Changes Since The Draft Report Was Completed

In reviewing the attached document, it is important to acknowledge that changes in the economic conditions of the area have resulted in changes to project characterizations. (For example, the developer for 501 Industrial Road has indicated to Staff that he is no longer interested in developing office at this location).

In order to be efficient with study funding, Staff is proposing to delay updates to the study with respect to individual projects for Commission/Council review so that any recommended changes by these bodies could be incorporated into the final version of the study simultaneously.

Public Review Process

Once the attached document is reviewed and acted upon by the Council, Staff will then proceed with carrying the East Side Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee recommendation forward so that the Commissions and Council have the full range of options before them in terms of considering plan alternatives.

As the Traffic Study moves through the public review process, Staff will meet again with the Alternate Transportation Council Subcommittee, the East Side Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, and possibly potentially impacted property owners to confirm assumptions, approaches and potential zoning ordinance changes associated with the East Side Specific Plan proposal.