Reduce the level of demand on County roadways through the implementation of policies and programs that minimize congestion, improve level of service, conserve energy, and minimize air pollution.

OBJECTIVE 3.9.1: TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES

Promote the development of strategies that increase the capacity of the highway system, reduce the level of demand placed on the system, or spread the period of peak demand.

• Policy 3.9.1.1
  Transportation alternatives that are cost-effective shall be strongly encouraged. A public transit system linking employment, shopping areas, and schools with residential areas should be encouraged.

• Policy 3.9.1.2
  The County, in cooperation with the El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC), shall cooperate with providers of transit, commercial bus, and taxi services in the planning and implementation of new or improved service.

• Policy 3.9.1.3
  The County shall continue to work with employers, residents, and other agencies to encourage increased car pools, van pools, and park and ride lots.

• Policy 3.9.1.4
  School and public bus stops and turnouts shall be considered for inclusion into new developments.

• Policy 3.9.1.5
  Project review shall take into account all forms of transportation and circulation systems including rail, bicycle trails, pedestrian paths, equestrian easements, off-site, and on-site parking where appropriate.

• Policy 3.9.1.6
  Prior to or in conjunction with project review and approval and/or development of a commercial, industrial, or multifamily project within the Community Regions and Rural Centers, the developer shall cooperate with the County in providing for the construction of pedestrian and bicycle paths (separate or integrated) to allow unimpeded circulation within the entire property being developed.

• Policy 3.9.1.7
  Planned communities shall be designed to incorporate all of the measures under Goal 3.9 and provide for a greater mixture of land uses in closer proximity to better accommodate for alternative transportation modes.

• Policy 3.9.1.8
  The County shall coordinate and work with the El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC) in implementing programs to reduce airborne particulates as set forth in the Air Pollution Control District's Air Quality Attainment Plan.

OBJECTIVE 3.9.2: TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAMS

Increase employer and developer participation in trip reduction programs and to maximize private sector participation.

• Policy 3.9.2.1
  When reviewing site plans and environmental documents for high-density residential, industrial, and commercial development, encourage positive incentives (e.g., bus passes, ride sharing rewards/incentives, and preferential parking for car/van pools, etc.) for public transportation solutions as mitigation measures for traffic impacts.

• Policy 3.9.2.2
  Higher intensity land uses shall be encouraged adjacent to public transportation routes to ensure compatible and supportive relationships.

• Policy 3.9.2.3
  New development shall be required to install bus turnouts, bus shelters, and other public transportation-related improvements where appropriate.

• Policy 3.9.2.4
  The County shall maintain a program to install bus turnouts, bus shelters, and other public transportation-related improvements where appropriate.

• Policy 3.9.2.5
  The County, through the Department of Transportation, shall add a policy to the Trip Reduction Program which provides, to the extent allowed under State and Federal law, incentives to employees to decrease single occupancy vehicle use. Such incentives could include:
  • Encourage assignment of preferential parking spaces to ride sharers; and

  • Provide parking discounts or other incentives to ride sharers.

• Policy 3.9.2.6
  Where the County determines that State law prohibits the mandatory imposition of employee trip reduction measures for discretionary development decisions, the County may allow a project proponent to volunteer to bind itself to satisfy such measures as an alternative to other mitigation measures or alternatives (e.g., the reduction of proposed development densities) that the proponent finds less desirable even though they may be legally permissible. Similarly, an applicant may voluntarily agree to bind itself to carry out employee trip reduction measures in order to qualify, where appropriate, for a mitigated negative declaration rather than an environmental impact report. Once an applicant has made such a voluntary commitment, the County shall enforce the measures in question as binding mitigation measures and/or conditions of approval.

• Policy 3.9.2.7
  Where the County has approved a development proposal that will increase traffic and/or air pollution because of increased vehicle trips by employees who will work within the project area, the County should consider using a development agreement as a mechanism by which the County can obtain binding employee trip reduction measures in exchange for benefits provided to the project proponent (e.g., the vesting of rights).

Develop a plan and programs such as signal integration/coordination and channelization as an economical means of reducing existing and projected traffic congestion.

OBJECTIVE 3.10.1: BROAD-BASED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Ensure a broad based approach to Transportation System Management among all participants in the County.

• Policy 3.10.1.1
  For projects creating the demand for TSMs to mitigate transportation related impacts, all circulation studies and plans prepared shall contain realistic options and recommendations for the use of TSM's as a means of reducing traffic congestion to the extent that the County has the legal ability or obligation to implement the TSMs.

• Policy 3.10.1.2
  The County will develop an integrated program for managing the transportation system through community outreach and other forms of leadership in the community. This will include coordinating committees and organizations to develop effective strategies.

OBJECTIVE 3.10.2: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES

Develop, in cooperation with appropriate agencies and jurisdictions, regional facilities in a manner that will help to facilitate public transportation ridership and alleviate highway congestion, energy consumption, and air quality problems as determined by the El Dorado County California Clean Air Act Plan.

• Policy 3.10.2.1
  Identify and designate Park-N-Ride lots and major transfer stations planned by public transportation providers on the Regional Highway System (RHS).

• Policy 3.10.2.2
  When reviewing development proposals, ensure that sufficient land and facilities are provided for public transportation purposes.

OBJECTIVE 3.10.3: TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT ON STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

El Dorado County will consider the implementation of ramp metering and high occupancy vehicle lanes, where feasible, on State highway interchanges, and freeways in El Dorado County.

NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (NMTS)

Develop and implement a comprehensive bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trails plan that maximizes the opportunities for non-motorized transportation and meets the recreation and local commute needs of El Dorado County residents.

OBJECTIVE 3.11.1: TRAIL DEVELOPMENT

Develop a bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trails network which provides non-motorized alternatives for commuter travel as well as recreational opportunities.

• Policy 3.11.1.1
  Where practical and safe, design regional bicycle, hiking, and equestrian routes to connect residential areas with major activity centers (employment, educational, civic, etc.) by requiring as conditions of approval of discretionary projects the dedication of right-of-way and construction in conformance with the County's Bikeway Master Plan and the County's Hiking and Equestrian Trails Master Plan.

• Policy 3.11.1.2
  Plan bicycle, hiking, and equestrian routes to facilitate access to recreational areas such as regional parks, rivers, and major tourist commercial/recreational facilities.

• Policy 3.11.1.3
  Plan a bikeway, hiking, and equestrian network to interface with other modes of transportation (train or transit stations and Park-N-Ride lots, etc.) in order to encourage and support the use of non-motorized transportation modes and reduce the use of motor vehicles.

• Policy 3.11.1.4
  Encourage other modes of transportation (buses, trains, etc.) to plan for and provide space for on-site storage or for carrying recreational and commuting bicyclists on public transportation systems where feasible.

• Policy 3.11.1.5
  Locate regional bikeways, hiking, and equestrian routes along designated scenic highways wherever environmentally, physically, or economically feasible and encourage the development of scenic vista points and rest areas where feasible and appropriate.

• Policy 3.11.1.6
  Utilize existing and abandoned public rights-of-way along ditches, parks, and road, utility and railroad rights-of-way wherever possible and where a need can be demonstrated to construct bikeways, hiking, and equestrian trails.

• Policy 3.11.1.7
  Continue to develop a bikeway system connecting South Lake Tahoe and Meyers adjacent to Pioneer Trail.

• Policy 3.11.1.8
  Promote use of a bikeway network by implementing a program of preventative and corrective maintenance in the Capital Improvement Program funded through the State Transportation Development Act (TDA).

OBJECTIVE 3.11.2: TRAIL NETWORK

Develop a bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trail network which maximizes the safety and convenience of users of all levels of experience within that system.

• Policy 3.11.2.1
  Promote the development of bicycle, hiking, and equestrian trail and safety information to the public.

• Policy 3.11.2.2
  Design and construct regional bikeways in accordance with County and Caltrans standards in order to maximize safety, minimize potential conflicts with pedestrians and motor vehicles, and assure compatibility with the surrounding environment.

• Policy 3.11.2.3
  Separate non-motorized from motorized traffic wherever possible taking into consideration safety, users of the facility, economic factors, and physical feasibility.

• Policy 3.11.2.4
  Encourage the provision of bicycle racks, showers, lockers, staging areas, and storage facilities at destinations where practical and economically feasible when reviewing discretionary permits for major employment and/or activity centers.

OBJECTIVE 3.11.3: INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Promote coordination among the County, cities, and other agencies in providing an integrated bikeway, hiking, and equestrian system that provides linkages across jurisdictional boundaries.

• Policy 3.11.3.1
  Plan, develop, and maintain a network of County-wide regional trails in both incorporated and unincorporated areas, through cooperative efforts with cities, State and federal government, schools and utility companies.

• Policy 3.11.3.2
  Encourage other jurisdictions to adopt a system of bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trails that complement the County system.

• Policy 3.11.3.3
  All roadways should have shoulders to accommodate bicycle riders to the maximum extent practical.

• Policy 3.11.3.4
  Encourage the use of activities such as bicycle rodeos to promote elementary school bicycle education programs.

OBJECTIVE 3.11.4: TRAIL FINANCING

Seek all available means of financing bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trails, including local, State, and Federal sources.

• Policy 3.11.4.1
  Solicit and utilize all sources of private, local, regional, State and Federal funds to plan, acquire right-of-way, and construct bikeway, hiking, and equestrian trails.

AVIATION

Provide safe and efficiently managed County airport facilities with compatible surrounding land uses that will enhance economic development.

OBJECTIVE 3.12.1: AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AND AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN

Provide for the consistency between the Airport Master Plan, Airport Layout Plan, Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plans, and the General Plan.

• Policy 3.12.1.1
  The General Plan shall be consistent with the Airport Master Plan, Airport Layout Plan, and the Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plans.

• Policy 3.12.1.2
  Compatible commercial and industrial uses shall be allowed adjacent to airports where feasible.

• Policy 3.12.1.3
  The County should support development of airport improvement plans that promote safety and industry in accordance with policies developed by the El Dorado County Airport Commission as well as the Placerville Airport Master Plan and the Georgetown Airport Layout Plan. The Airport Improvement Plans will be included in the County's Capital Improvement Program.

• Policy 3.12.1.4
  Discretionary applications within a designated Airport Safety Zone shall be submitted to the Airport Land Use Commission for review and recommendation.

Provide general aviation airport facilities that are responsive to user needs and operate and efficiently manage these facilities with available resources, seeking to place both airports on a sound financial footing using enterprise funds.

OBJECTIVE 3.13.1: AIRPORT REVENUES

Increase and maximize revenues through innovative approaches to airport uses and obtain all available airport grants.

• Policy 3.13.1.1
  The County shall make every effort to obtain airport funds and promote equitable Federal and State airport funding programs in accordance with its annual work activities, use, programs, and promotion campaigns.

MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING FACILITIES

Assure that the transportation system continues to provide efficient, safe, and convenient access to the travelling public.

OBJECTIVE 3.14.1: DEVELOPMENT OF MAINTENANCE TRACKING PROGRAMS

Develop and implement a comprehensive system to monitor and evaluate the condition of maintenance needs of the existing transportation network.

• Policy 3.14.1.1
  Develop a system that provides dependable and adequate resources to maintain the County's existing system of roads, bridges, drainage facilities, and airports.

• Policy 3.14.1.2
  Develop programs that evaluate the condition of, and provide amortization for, the County's fleet, including auto, bus/van and heavy equipment.

OBJECTIVE 3.14.2:: MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM

Maintain the existing road system to assure safe, convenient, and efficient movement of people and goods through the regional highway system.

• Policy 3.14.2.1
  The County will inventory and categorize the County maintained roads by road type and condition using a Pavement Management System (PMS).

• Policy 3.14.2.2
  Develop strategies to maintain and improve County roads exclusive of funds or road improvements exacted from new development.

• Policy 3.14.2.3
  The County will work with the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) to ensure that the RTPA's Regional Transportation Plan is coordinated with the County's Capital Improvement Plan. This coordination will allow access to Federal and State funds by inclusion in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the Federal Transportation Improvement Program, where possible, for road maintenance and improvements.

• Policy 3.14.2.4
  Prior to the five-year General Plan update review, the County shall work with the City of Placerville to resolve any possible differences between the interface of connecting City and County arterial streets.