CIRCULATION ELEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Circulation Element sets forth a comprehensive strategy for planning, developing, and maintaining a County-wide transportation system, including the creation of new transportation corridors, to serve existing and planned land uses in El Dorado County.

An important objective of the Circulation Element is to recognize and promote transportation modes and facilities of regional as well as local significance in order to contribute to efforts to meet air quality standards. State freeways and highways, aviation facilities, bicycle trail systems, and transit services are examples of regional systems which have been incorporated into this Circulation Element to aid in providing a framework for cooperative planning and implementation of transportation services and facilities. The Circulation System on which the General Plan is based is shown in a map entitled General Plan Circulation Map, which is part of this General Plan.

STATE AUTHORIZATION

The Circulation Element is required by Government Code Sections 65302 (b) and 65303.

The Circulation Element sets forth goals, objectives, and policies describing the overall mobility program for the County. This approach is consistent with the Government Code cited above as well as the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Advanced Transportation System Development Program. Coordination between State and Local Transportation Planning is a key to the success of Regional Transportation Plan.

The Government Code requires that the Circulation Element identify the general location of existing and proposed major transportation routes, terminals, and other local public facilities.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS

The Circulation Element, one of the eleven elements of the General Plan, contains County policies on the development of transportation facilities necessary to accommodate orderly growth of the County. The Circulation Element identifies goals, objectives, policies, and implementation programs which affect the transportation system and provide guidance for future transportation planning efforts. The Circulation Element has been correlated with the Land Use Element as required by Government Code Section 65302, Subdivision (b).

ORGANIZATION OF THE ELEMENT

This element will be implemented through the County's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This element contains six major transportation system components. These components consist of the following:

1. Regional Highway System
2. Public Transportation Systems
3. Transportation Demand Management and Transportation Systems Management
4. Non-motorized Transportation Systems
5. Aviation
6. Maintenance of Existing Facilities

All six components are closely related and play a vital role in the County's attempt to achieve a balanced and sustainable transportation system.

Each component of this element identifies and briefly describes transportation goals, objectives, policies, and implementation programs which are intended to serve as County-wide guidelines. This framework is designed to promote a regional, cooperative transportation planning effort.

POLICY SECTION

REGIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Provide a regional highway system which serves as the County-wide roadway component of a balanced transportation system.

OBJECTIVE 3.1.1: COORDINATION WITH LAND USE MAP

Coordinate the Transportation System with the Land Use Plan to ensure that new development is efficiently, safely, and conveniently accessed. The Circulation Map adopted as a part of this element will show all existing and planned arterial and collector roads. The transportation system will be consistent with the Regional Highway System (RHS) and make the most efficient use of the County's existing regional highway system.

• Policy 3.1.1.1
  Roadway alignments and widths shall be consistent with the RHS. Standards for reservation of right-of-way, intersection spacing, design, and location of other points of access from subdivisions and other development shall be included in the County Design and Improvements Standards Manual.

OBJECTIVE 3.1.2: ROADWAY DESIGN STANDARDS

Develop and enforce safe and efficient roadway design standards that consider the variety of terrain and environmental conditions throughout the County and minimize the degradation of environmental quality.

• Policy 3.1.2.1
  The County shall adopt and enforce roadway design standards for use in planning and constructing new or improved roadways. These standards shall be included in the County Design and Improvements Standards Manual.
• Policy 3.1.2.2
  A separation of at least 500 feet shall be provided between the terminus of freeway off ramps and the nearest future intersection.
• Policy 3.1.2.3
  Discretionary residential development shall be directed to areas where the existing County road Level of Service is acceptable, or where infill takes advantage of the existing circulation system and mitigates direct impacts, or where the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) provides and has funding for improvements.

Provide a regional highway system which supports land use policies of the County and cities.

OBJECTIVE 3.2.1: CONCURRENCY

Ensure that safe and efficient transportation and circulation facilities are provided for concurrently with new development.

• Policy 3.2.1.1
  Development proposals shall be reviewed to determine if significant traffic impacts or reductions in Level of Service (LOS) per Policy 3.5.1.1 will occur to existing public roads as a result of the proposed project. Project proponents shall be required to make necessary road improvements or to pay a traffic impact mitigation fee (TIM), or some combination of both, to accommodate increases in traffic caused by the proposed project.
• Policy 3.2.1.2
  Development review shall consider the adequacy of public and private roads for emergency vehicle access and for off-site traffic impacts. Inadequate roads shall be improved through such measures as "area of benefit" districts, fees, project approval conditions, assessment districts, or other means.
• Policy 3.2.1.3
  All developments may be required to either improve street frontage, dedicate land for road right-of-way, provide road improvements, enter into a street improvement agreement, pay fees, provide appropriate mitigation for alternative transportation modes, or provide a combination of the above as may be appropriate for the project.
• Policy 3.2.1.4
  Where no improvement or other acceptable mitigation measures are proposed to alleviate project-induced situations concurrent with development, land development projects shall be denied.
• Policy 3.2.1.5
  Before giving approval of any kind to a residential development project of five or more units or parcels of land, the County shall make a finding that the project complies with the policies added by this initiative. If this finding cannot be made, then the County shall not approve the project, or give final approval to a tentative subdivision map, until all these policy findings can be made, in order to protect the public’s health and safety as provided by state law to assure that safe and adequate roads are in place as such development occurs.
  
  Note: This policy was added to the Circulation Element of the El Dorado County General Plan by initiative (a.k.a. Measure Y) of the people of El Dorado County on November 3, 1998. This policy may only be amended by a majority of County voters and shall remain in effect for ten years. Prior to expiration, it shall be placed on the ballot again to let the voters decide on a further ten-year extension.

OBJECTIVE 3.2.2: EQUITABLE COST DISTRIBUTION

Distribute the costs for necessary transportation improvements equitably among those who will burden the system and who will benefit from the improvements.

• Policy 3.2.2.1
  Improvements to the County roadway system will be funded partially through traffic impact fees. Traffic impact fees are to be assessed on new development as a requirement of obtaining a building permit or condition of approval for parcel and subdivision maps or other discretionary applications. To apportion transportation improvement costs to those more directly benefiting from specific improvements, a system of geographic districts will be created within the County. Each district will fund identified local transportation improvements and its proportionate share of transportation infrastructure which is of regional significance. The fees shall be computed using the County's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) costs.
• Policy 3.2.2.2.
  Funding of freeway interchanges shall be addressed through some combination of the following potential mechanisms: special benefit assessment districts, traffic impact fees, local sales tax, additional gas tax revenues from local, State or Federal sources, or other creative financing process.
• Policy 3.2.2.3
  The County shall continue to vigorously pursue funding from State and Federal sources. Even if such funding should not be forthcoming, however, the County is willing to accept the Levels of Service set forth in Policies 3.5.1.1 and 3.5.1.6.
• Policy 3.2.2.4
  Developer-paid traffic impact fees shall fully pay for building all necessary road capacity improvements to fully offset and mitigate all direct and cumulative traffic impacts from new development upon any highways, arterial roads and their intersections during weekday, peak-hour periods in unincorporated areas of the County.
  
  Note: This policy was added to the Circulation Element of the El Dorado County General Plan by initiative (a.k.a. Measure Y) of the people of El Dorado County on November 3, 1998. This policy may only be amended by a majority of County voters and shall remain in effect for ten years. Prior to expiration, it shall be placed on the ballot again to let the voters decide on a further ten-year extension.
• Policy 3.2.2.5
  County tax revenues shall not be used in any way to pay for building road capacity improvements to offset traffic impacts from new development projects. Exceptions are allowed if County voters first give their approval.
  
  Note: This policy was added to the Circulation Element of the El Dorado County General Plan by initiative (a.k.a. Measure Y) of the people of El Dorado County on November 3, 1998. This policy may only be amended by a majority of County voters and shall remain in effect for ten years. Prior to expiration, it shall be placed on the ballot again to let the voters decide on a further ten-year extension.

Provide for safe, convenient, and efficient movement of people and goods through the regional highway system.

OBJECTIVE 3.3.1: IMPROVEMENT OF INTERCHANGES

Improve interchanges along U.S. Highway 50 and the roadway system in the central urban corridor extending from the Sacramento/El Dorado County Line to Camino.

• Policy 3.3.1.1
  The County will continue to lead a comprehensive study, with the City of Placerville and the State, to determine the most appropriate alignment and design of State Route 49 and U.S. Highway 50. The preferred alternative should improve circulation efficiency and minimize adverse impacts on the environment, adjacent neighborhoods, downtown Placerville, and access to South Lake Tahoe.

OBJECTIVE 3.3.2: MINIMIZE TRAFFIC IMPACTS ON STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Development projects directly or cumulatively affecting State highways shall mitigate impacts, while recognizing level of service standards and expectations for the future funding for highway improvements.

• Policy 3.3.2.1
  El Dorado County recognizes that a substantial portion of the impacts to the State highway system is due to external influences and are not within the control of the County.

U. S. Highway 50 is a major thoroughfare to the Lake Tahoe Basin and the State of Nevada, with the majority of trips being generated by the Bay Area and Metropolitan Sacramento residents. El Dorado County also realizes that major funding limitations exist within the State system. Legislative policy allows additional growth and development within the County notwithstanding the fact that until State or Federal money can be obtained to improve existing conditions caused by external influences, new growth and development in El Dorado County may exacerbate current congestion. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the County to:

1. Recognize the State highway system within the County as a part of the County's Regional Highway System (RHS).
2. Acknowledge that there is a long-term commitment to providing a safe and efficient highway system.
3. Encourage development in such a way as to minimize impacts to the RHS.
4. Encourage the partnership between El Dorado County, the State, and neighboring jurisdictions to solve State highway problems and funding limitations.
5. Commit local monies, when available, in the partial funding of critical State highway improvements. As a part of this commitment, the County shall continue to pursue the use of development fees from private development as a funding source.
6. Acknowledge that adverse impacts to the State highway system resulting from growth and development within the County will occur until adequate funding is made available and improvements made through projects identified in the adopted State Transportation Improvement Program.
7. Monitor State activities in responding to the needs of the State system within the County and actively pursue highway funding from State and Federal sources.

Provide a regional highway system which conforms to applicable environmental quality standards to the extent possible.

OBJECTIVE 3.4.1: ENVIRONMENTAL COMPATIBILITY

Provide a regional highway system which, to the extent practical, is compatible with the physical environment, enhances the environmental quality, and conserves the natural resources of the County.

• Policy 3.4.1.1
  Circulation facilities should be sited and designed in such a way that avoids damage to the County's scenic and environmental resources to the extent feasible. Roads should be planned and designed to minimize disruption of soils, topography, vegetative cover, and wildlife habitat.

Protect the public safety and welfare, reduce traffic congestion, ensure acceptable level of service (LOS), provide for the movement of people and goods, and conserve the functional integrity of the County-maintained system.

OBJECTIVE 3.5.1: LEVEL OF SERVICE

Maintain LOS "E" on all County roads. The annual Capital Improvement Program shall target those areas where LOS or safety standards are not being met.

• Policy 3.5.1.1
  The County shall adopt a roadway plan consistent with planned land use and shall maintain an operating Level of Service of "E" or better on all roadways, consistent with Objective 3.5.1. In addition, all road segments projected in the roadway plan at the year 2015 to be operating at LOS A, B, or C shall not be allowed to fall below LOS C and all road segments at LOS D shall not fall below LOS D.
• Policy 3.5.1.2
  The County shall prepare and update annually a list of proposed roadway improvements that are needed to meet LOS "E" operations criteria. A priority list of these projects shall be developed based on the ratio of existing traffic levels to the desired service levels and in consideration of public safety. The CIP shall emphasize capacity improvements to achieve desired LOS in Community Regions and Rural Centers. In Rural Regions, the CIP shall emphasize safety improvements.
• Policy 3.5.1.3
  The County shall identify those roadways with existing or projected capacity problems, prioritize them in terms of mitigation immediacy, and develop programs for planning, financing, and constructing the needed improvements.
• Policy 3.5.1.4
  Recognize that substandard road conditions exist in some rural areas of the County and include feasible roadway, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety improvements in the roadway improvement priority list where such projects are feasible.
• Policy 3.5.1.5
  The County shall adopt an access classification system and standards for the management, regulation and control of vehicular ingress to and egress from the County Maintained Highway system. All segments of the County Maintained Highway system shall be assigned an access classification and standard by the Board of Supervisors. The standards shall be the basis for permitting access with regard to land use planning of adjacent properties and the development of County construction projects.
• Policy 3.5.1.6
  The County recognizes that Level of Service is a quantifiable factor which measures the volume of vehicles to the capacity of the roadway at a peak hour or peak period of traffic. The County recognizes that in developing its circulation system it has to consider such factors as topographical constraints, right-of-way considerations, and other jurisdictions' plans for adjoining road systems. The County recognizes that in certain situations it is not in the County's overall interest to develop a circulation system which is designed for a peak hour or peak period of traffic. These situations may include, but are not limited to, circumstances where the need to promote overall economic development or the need to protect the County's rural atmosphere, which is enhanced by two-lane roads, may outweigh the need to provide a circulation system based upon a peak hour or peak period of traffic. The County therefore recognizes that under certain circumstances a Level of Service below that referenced in Policy 3.5.1.1 may be acceptable. The County makes the finding that the road segments listed below are acceptable at a lower Level of Service. While making this finding, the County will attempt to improve these road segments to a higher Level of Service by pursuing Goals 3.9 and 3.10 of the Circulation Element of the General Plan.
• Policy 3.5.1.6.1
  Traffic from residential development projects of five or more units or parcels of land shall not result in, or worsen, Level of Service “F” (gridlock, stop-and-go) traffic congestion during weekday, peak-hour periods on any highway, road, interchange or intersection in the unincorporated areas of the County.
  
  Note: This policy was added to the Circulation Element of the El Dorado County General Plan by initiative (a.k.a. Measure Y) of the people of El Dorado County on November 3, 1998. This policy may only be amended by a majority of County voters and shall remain in effect for ten years. Prior to expiration, it shall be placed on the ballot again to let the voters decide on a further ten-year extension.
• Policy 3.5.1.6.2
  The County shall not add any additional segments of Highway 50, or any other roads, to the County’s list of roads that are allowed to operate at Level of Service “F” (gridlock) without first getting the voter’s approval.
  
  Note: This policy was added to the Circulation Element of the El Dorado County General Plan by initiative (a.k.a. Measure Y) of the people of El Dorado County on November 3, 1998. This policy may only be amended by a majority of County voters and shall remain in effect for ten years. Prior to expiration, it shall be placed on the ballot again to let the voters decide on a further ten-year extension.

GENERAL PLAN - LOS ANALYSIS
GENERAL PLAN 2015
ROAD	LOS	V/C
Cambridge Road - Country Club Drive to Oxford Road	F	1
Cameron Park Drive - Robin Lane to Coach Lane	F	1
Missouri Flat Road - U.S. Highway 50 to Mother Lode Drive	F	1
Missouri Flat Road - Mother Lode Drive to China Garden Road	F	1
Pleasant Valley Road - El Dorado Road to State Route 49 (S)	F	1
U.S. Highway 50 - Canal Street to Junction of State Route 49	F	1
U.S. Highway 50 - Junction of State Route 49 to Coloma Street	F	2
U.S. Highway 50 - Coloma Street to Bedford Avenue	F	2
U.S. Highway 50 - Bedford Avenue to Begin Freeway	F	2
U.S. Highway 50 - Begin Freeway to Washington OH	F	1
U.S. Highway 50 - Ice House Road to Echo Lake	F	1
State Route 49 - Pacific/Sacramento Streets to new four lane section	F	1
State Route 49 - U.S. Highway 50 to State Route 193 (N)	F	1
State Route 49 - State Route 193 to County Line	F	2
LEVEL OF SERVICE VOLUME/CAPACITY RANGE A 0.00 - 0.60 B 0.61 - 0.70 C 0.71 - 0.80 D 0.81 - 0.90 E 0.91 - 1.00 F >1.00 # of centerline miles at LOS F: 34.8

• Policy 3.5.1.7
  In order to ensure that Level of Service below that identified in Policy 3.5.1.1 occurs only during peak periods and not during more extended periods, the County will require project- specific traffic studies before granting discretionary approvals for projects that will add substantial amounts of traffic to the circulation system. This policy will apply even to projects that do not require General Plan amendments. If such traffic studies show that the projects in question will create, or significantly contribute to, non-peak period traffic congestion below the Level of Service specified in Policy 3.5.1.1, the County shall either condition such projects to eliminate any such impacts or will deny such projects until such time as the circulation system can absorb the traffic from the project without suffering non-peak period traffic congestion below the Level of Service specified in Policy 3.5.1.1. Alternatively, the County may approve the projects in question if such projects contribute their fair share of money or land toward planned future transportation improvements that can feasibly be constructed within a reasonably foreseeable time frame and will result in the ultimate avoidance of non- peak period traffic congestion below the Level of Service specified in Policy 3.5.1.1.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Serve the people of El Dorado County by encouraging and supporting high quality public transportation services that are convenient, safe, efficient, and effective.

OBJECTIVE 3.6.1: IMPLEMENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Identify public transportation system improvements throughout the County to meet the needs of both the general public and the public transportation dependent.

• Policy 3.6.1.1
  Utilize the existing El Dorado County Transit Authority (EDCTA) and El Dorado County Transportation Commission's (EDCTC) public transportation advisory committees to study and implement needed public transportation improvements. This work will include participation in the EDCTC's Unmet Needs Process.

OBJECTIVE 3.6.2: MULTI-MODAL INFORMATION AND SERVICE

Assist in providing multi-modal transportation service to all residents of the County.

• Policy 3.6.2.1
  The County should assist in the development of an intermodal facility at a future rail transportation station that can accommodate bus, taxi, bicycle, and other public/private transportation modes. The intermodal facility should ideally be located in the El Dorado Hills area. A Park-N-Ride lot should also be built as part of the intermodal facility.

Assist in the provision for commuter (peak hour) transportation service.

OBJECTIVE 3.7.1: COMMUTER USAGE

Increase commuter usage and service.

• Policy 3.7.1.1
  Coordinate with the El Dorado County Transit Authority in further developing its existing commuter transportation services to downtown Sacramento as well as major employment centers in the U.S. Highway 50 Corridor. This strategy will provide El Dorado County residents with a quality transportation alternative as well as create a ridership that would justify an investment in a rail transportation system. These alternatives shall be assessed and implemented through the County's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation System Management (TSM) programs.

OBJECTIVE 3.7.2: RAIL SERVICE

Plan for the extension of rail service from Sacramento into El Dorado County.

• Policy 3.7.2.1
  The County should continue to provide leadership in conjunction with neighboring jurisdictions and transportation providers in both El Dorado and Sacramento Counties to extend rail service to El Dorado County using existing Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way where feasible.
• Policy 3.7.2.2
  Investigate the possibility of a comprehensive rail financing program for the unincorporated County to secure the necessary right-of-way, capital improvements, maintenance, and operation costs through a public/private partnership.

Respond to the transportation needs of the public transportation dependent, such as senior citizens, youths, disabled persons, and those of limited means.

OBJECTIVE 3.8.1: ASSISTANCE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPENDENT

Identify and support the implementation and development of assistance to the public transportation dependent.

• Policy 3.8.1.1
  The County shall work with the El Dorado County Transit Authority and support the provision of paratransit services and facilities for elderly and disabled residents, and those of limited means, which shall include bus shelters, bus stops, and ramps at stops.