CHAPTER 8.08
TRIP REDUCTION

SECTION:

8.08.010:    Definitions

8.08.020:    Voluntary Employer Trip Reduction Program

8.08.030:    Facilities Component

8.08.040:    Implementation Schedule

8.08.050:    Enforcement

8.08.060:    Appendices

8.08.010 DEFINITIONS:

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined and explained:

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES:

Any mode of travel that serves as an alternative to the single occupant vehicle. This can include all forms of ridesharing such as carpooling or vanpooling, public transit, bicycling, walking or alternative methods such as telecommuting.

APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT:

Any new development that will meet or exceed the fifty (50) employee threshold or any existing development that applies to increase its floor area by twenty five thousand (25,000) gross square feet. Applicable developments include complexes exceeding the fifty (50) employee threshold and residential developments with twenty five (25) or more units. The following employee generation factors, categorized by type of use, may be used for purposes of determining whether a new or expanding development is subject to this chapter:

Land Use Category

Number Of Employees

Commercial (regional, community or neighborhood)

1/500 gross square feet

Office/professional

1/250 gross square feet

Industrial

1/525 gross square feet

Hotel/motel

0.8 per room

Mixed use

Sum of individual figures for each use

Restaurant

1 per 10 seats

Hospital/other medical

1 per 4 beds

Note: Locally generated data concerning employment may be substituted for the employee generation factors set forth above upon approval of the city.

AVERAGE VEHICLE RIDERSHIP (AVR):

The figure derived by dividing the number of employees (including those telecommuting) at a regulated work site who commute to and from work between six o’clock (6:00) A.M. to ten o’clock (10:00) A.M., Monday through Friday, by the number of vehicles driven by these employees between home and the work site over the five (5) day period. The methodology for calculating AVR is contained in appendix 2 of subsection 8.08.060B of this chapter.

BUSPOOL:

A heavy duty vehicle occupied by at least sixteen (16) passengers and the routing/scheduling for which is arranged between employer(s) and transit operators.

CARPOOL:

A light duty motor vehicle occupied by at least two (2), but not more than six (6), employees traveling together.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER:

A developer of a commercial project that falls under the definition of "applicable development" in this section.

COMPLEX:

A. Any business park, shopping center or mixed use development in separate or common ownership, which can be identified by two (2) or more of the following characteristics:

1. It is known by a common name given to the project by its developer.

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.

4. It is covered by a single tentative or final subdivision map or has been represented to the city as a single site development.

5. It is located on a single assessor’s parcel.

B. At the discretion of the jurisdiction, a complex may also include the central business district and/or strip commercial areas.

CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP):

The county wide program developed in accordance with California Government Code section 65088 et seq., requiring local jurisdictions and congestion management agencies to adopt and implement a trip reduction and travel demand element. The CMP law also requires designation of a CMP principal arterial network, a transit network, a land use impact analysis program, a deficiency plan and level of service monitoring system, and a seven (7) year capital improvement program.

DEVELOPER:

The individual or company who is responsible for the planning, design and/or construction of an applicable development project. The developer is the individual who signs all permit applications on behalf of the property owner.

DISCRETIONARY DEVELOPMENT/USE PERMIT:

Any permit issued and/or approved by the planning director, planning commission or city council, including, but not limited to, a "conditional use permit", a "site plan permit", or a "temporary use" of land permit (as defined in chapter 12.08 of this code), for the purpose of regulating property development and use.

FACILITY(IES):

The total of all buildings, structures and grounds that encompass a development site, at either single or multiple locations, that comprise or are associated with an applicable development project.

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT:

Any development projects that combine residential with any one of these land uses: daycare, office, commercial, light industrial, retail and business park.

MONTEREY BAY UNIFIED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT (MBUAPCD):

The regional governmental body responsible for the development and enforcement of regulations for control of air pollution within the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito.

PARK AND RIDE LOT:

A parking lot located near residential communities or along highways or other appropriate areas which can be used by commuters as a staging area for carpool formation.

PARKING CASH OUT PROGRAM:

An employer funded, tax deductible program where employers provide a cash allowance to an employee equivalent to the parking subsidy the employer would otherwise provide. State law requires cities and counties to grant appropriate parking requirement reductions for developments that implement parking cash out programs.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPER:

An individual, group or designee responsible for the development of single-family or multiple-family housing units in which twenty five (25) or more housing units will be constructed as a part of a single application.

SPECIAL EVENT:

A seasonal, recurring activity or a singular event which attracts both residents and nonresidents to a facility for recreational or other activities.

TELECOMMUTING:

A method of conducting work without leaving one’s residence and thereby eliminating the commute round trip.

TOURIST ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT:

A development that will attract visitors or nonresidents to the jurisdictions within Monterey county.

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM):

The implementation of programs, plans, pricing or policies designed to encourage changes in individual travel behavior. TDM can include pricing to effect travel mode change; an emphasis on alternative travel modes to the single occupant vehicle (SOV) such as carpools, vanpools and transit; reduction or elimination of vehicle trips; or shifts in the time of vehicle commutes to other than the peak period. A listing of TDM techniques is included as appendix 1 of subsection 8.08.060A of this chapter.

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (TMA):

A group of employers or other uses joining together in a formal association with the intent to reduce trips.

TRIP REDUCTION:

Reducing the number of trips made in single occupant vehicles.

TRIP REDUCTION CHECKLIST:

The mechanism to be used by developers to outline TDM measures they will implement to reduce trips.

VANPOOL:

Seven (7) or more persons traveling to or from work in one vehicle.

VEHICLE TRIP:

A point to point journey or trip in one direction utilizing a motorized vehicle. For example, an employed mother driving a car and dropping off two (2) children at two (2) daycare facilities and then going to an instant cash facility on the way to her job, makes a total of four (4) vehicle trips. (1972 Code § 10.58.010)

8.08.020 VOLUNTARY EMPLOYER TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM:

The transportation agency, local jurisdictions, AMBAG, MST and the private sector will implement a two (2) year voluntary trip reduction demonstration program focused on areas experiencing traffic congestion, LOS deficiencies, and/or parking congestion. The effectiveness of the demonstration program will be evaluated by TAMC and summarized at the end of the two (2) year program. Program evaluations will also be performed by TAMC as specific programs are implemented so that programs can be fine tuned as needed. (1972 Code § 10.58.020)

8.08.030 FACILITIES COMPONENT:

A.    Purpose:

1.    The purpose of this section is to outline the requirements of this chapter. It includes residential, tourist and commercial land use considerations for assisting in achieving the overall goals of 1.3 percent per year trip reduction, 1.35 average vehicle ridership, or sixty percent (60%) drive alone rate.

2.    The intent is to ensure that new development, redevelopment and expansion of existing development contain the needed infrastructure and programs to both reduce the need to travel and to encourage alternative transportation usage. "Trip" as used herein refers to all trip purposes.

B.    Applicability: The provisions of this section shall apply to expansion of existing development and all proposed residential, commercial or tourist oriented developments. The following responsibilities are imposed upon developers:

1.    All developers of applicable new residential developments with twenty five (25) or more units shall submit a trip reduction checklist as part of the application for any discretionary development/use permit. The checklist shall identify proposed design elements and facilities that encourage alternative transportation usage by residents of the development.

2.    All developers of applicable new tourist oriented developments shall submit a trip reduction checklist as part of the application for any discretionary development/use permit. The checklist shall identify proposed design elements and facilities that encourage alternative transportation usage by visitors to the development.

3.    All developers of applicable new commercial developments shall submit a trip reduction checklist as part of the application for any discretionary development/use permit. The checklist shall identify proposed design elements and facilities that encourage alternative transportation usage.

C.    Responsibility Of City: The city shall take into consideration the nature and size of the project when reviewing the trip reduction checklist. The city will determine the necessary programs as part of the permit approval process. After review of the trip reduction checklist prepared by the developer, the city may impose trip reduction requirements to mitigate the impacts of the proposed development, except that any employee trip reduction program to be implemented by an employer shall be voluntary, not mandatory. Available trip reduction programs include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.    Provide ridesharing and nearby licensed childcare facility information to employees, customers, tenants, or buyers as part of move-in materials.

2.    Install bicycle amenities, such as bicycle racks and bicycle lanes (where appropriate).

3.    Provide for future transit stops as part of the site plan, as described in the "MST Development Review Guidebook", or subsequent publications.

4.    Provide resources for site amenities that reduce vehicular tripmaking.

5.    Park and ride facilities.

6.    On site childcare facilities.

7.    Facilities to encourage telecommuting.

8.    Mixed land uses designed to reduce the length and number of vehicle trips.

9.    Pedestrian and bicycle system improvements.

10.    Pedestrian oriented design.

11.    Educational and marketing strategies designed to induce tourists to reduce their vehicular trips.

12.    Programs and projects to provide alternatives to automobile transportation into Monterey county.

13.    Provide on site banking automatic teller machines (ATMs), restaurants, dry cleaners, grocery and other typically needed services to reduce the need to travel. Link these uses with convenient and pedestrian oriented paths.

14.    Provide preferential parking for employees who rideshare.

15.    The city may require other measures to be added to or substituted for, as appropriate, any or all of the above. Additional measures which reduce trips are also acceptable. (1972 Code § 10.58.030)

8.08.040 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE:

The city shall incorporate measures and amenities into its zoning ordinance, development standards and subdivision ordinance as appropriate within six (6) months of adopting this chapter. (1972 Code § 10.58.040)

8.08.050 ENFORCEMENT:

A.    Reporting Of City:

1.    As part of the annual conformance process of the congestion management program, the city shall make materials and documentation available to TAMC for review.

2.    Trip logs and surveys of employees, as required pursuant to any subsequently implemented voluntary trip reduction demonstration program, shall be shared resources housed by the city and used to plan transit services, carpool matching, transportation modeling and emission reductions.

3.    TAMC will, from time to time, monitor the effectiveness of various TRO implementation programs and provide reports and information on effectiveness to the city and other interested parties.

B.    Enforcement And Penalties: Notwithstanding the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter through the procedures set forth in subsection C of this section, the city hereby waives the imposition of penalties against employers failing to achieve target AVR or trip reduction goals established as a result of the two (2) year voluntary trip reduction demonstration program during the pendency of such program.

C.    Violations:

1.    A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be an infraction.

2.    For purposes of ensuring that the provisions of this chapter are fully adhered to, the city shall, following written notice, initiate enforcement actions against such parties or designees which may include, but not be limited to, the standard infraction procedures which may include a fine.

D.    Administrative Appeals:

1.    The city council shall serve as the appeals board for any dispute arising out of this chapter. The appeals board shall have the authority to hear appeals, issue orders and dispose of cases.

2.    A property owner/developer required to revise a submittal pursuant to this chapter may, within thirty (30) days and upon written notice to this city, appeal such action to the appeals board. The hearing shall be held before the appeals board within sixty (60) days of receipt of the notice of appeal. The decisions of the appeals board shall be final. (1972 Code § 10.58.050)

8.08.060 APPENDICES:

A.    Appendix 1; TDM Techniques: TDM techniques may include the following:

1.    Ridesharing:

a.    Carpool/vanpool matching.

b.    Preferential parking for carpools and vanpools.

c.    Carpool/vanpool financial subsidies or rewards.

d.    Employer provided vehicles for carpools/vanpools.

e.    Employer sponsored vanpools.

f.    Rideshare marketing campaigns.

g.    Financial subsidy of vanpool liability insurance.

2.    Trip Elimination:

a.    Compressed work weeks.

b.    Work at home programs.

c.    Telecommuting.

3.    Parking Pricing:

a.    Establishing fees for employee parking.

b.    Elimination of any employer parking financial subsidy.

c.    Transition from employer parking financial subsidy to general transportation monetary allowance for all employees.

d.    Reduced parking rates for carpools and vanpools.

4.    Bicycle And Pedestrian:

a.    Bicycling financial subsidies or rewards.

b.    Financial subsidy to employees for the purchase of bicycles for commute trip use.

c.    Bicycling lockers or other secure, weather protected bicycle parking facilities.

d.    Bicycle access to building interior.

e.    Bicycle and/or walking route information.

f.    On site bicycle registration.

5.    On Site Facilities/Services:

a.    Employee shower facilities and clothes lockers.

b.    Site modifications that would encourage walking, carpool, vanpool and bicycle use.

c.    On site services to reduce midday vehicle trips, e.g., direct deposit of payroll, cafeteria, automatic teller machines, apparel cleaning, etc.

d.    On site transportation fair to promote commute alternatives.

6.    Other:

a.    Membership in a transportation management association that provides services and incentives.

b.    Establishment of employee committee to help design, develop and monitor the trip reduction program.

c.    Guaranteed ride home program.

d.    Financial subsidies or rewards for using walking and other nonmotorized transportation modes or carpools.

e.    Shuttles between multiple work sites.

f.    Providing child daycare at/near work site.

g.    Enhanced trip reduction efforts.

7.    Additional Techniques: Any additional techniques not listed here which bring about the desired reduction in vehicle trips.

B.    Appendix 2; Average Vehicle Ridership Methodology: The averaging period cannot contain a holiday and shall be for a normal, representative week. AVR for the work site is calculated by dividing the total "employee days" by the total "vehicle trip days" for the survey week. The survey will be done at least annually for the same sample week.

1.    "Employee days" are the total number of employees reporting or assigned to a work site during the peak period each work day of the survey week. The following procedures are used in totaling employee days:

a.    Employees who telecommute or are off due to a compressed work week schedule are counted as reporting to the work site in calculating the total employee days.

b.    The following employees are not included in the employee days total:

(1) Employees not working because of vacation, sickness or other time off.

(2) Employees who report to a different work site or an off site work related activity.

(3) Disabled employees.

2.    "Vehicle trip days" are the total number of vehicles used by employees in reporting to the work site each work day of the survey week. A vehicle trip day is based on the means of transportation used for the greatest distance of an employee’s home to work commute trip. The following numerical values are used in calculating vehicle trip days:

a.    Single occupant vehicle (drive alone) = 1.

b.    Employee dropped off by another person = 1.

c.    Carpool = 1, divided by the number of employees in the carpool, regardless of whether the other employees in the carpool work for the employer or at the work site.

d.    Vanpool = 1, divided by the number of employees in the vanpool, regardless of whether the other employees in the vanpool work for the employer or at the work site.

e.    Motorcycle, moped, scooter or motor bike = 1.

3.    The following = 0 vehicle trip days:

a.    Public transit.

b.    Private buspool.

c.    Bicycle.

d.    Walking and other nonmotorized transportation modes.

e.    Employees who telecommute (only on the days those employees work at home for the entire day).

f.    Employees who work a compressed work week schedule (only on their compressed day[s] off).

g.    Disabled employee vehicles at all times.

4.    Example of AVR Calculation:

One hundred (100) employees all commuting to and from work.

Employees reporting to work:

Monday

100

Tuesday

100

Wednesday

100

Thursday

100

Friday

100

Total

500

Number of vehicles driven to work site by these employees:

Monday

77

Tuesday

79

Wednesday

72

Thursday

68

Friday

74

Total

370

AVR is calculated by dividing the number of employees reporting to work during the week by the number of vehicles driven to work:

500 employees

370 vehicles = 1.35 average vehicle ridership

(1972 Code § 10.58.060)