SB 743 Is Back in Motion…Are You Ready?

Whether your interests are municipal, technical, or private, PlaceWorks can help! Watch our short video about SB 743 for key information and potential next steps.

On January 20, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released revisions to its proposed CEQA guidelines for the implementation of SB 743, setting in motion a new flurry of activity. The updates reflect OPR’s review of nearly 200 comment letters on the preliminary draft and many months of engagement with the public and other entities. OPR continues to recommend Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) as the appropriate measure of project transportation impacts instead of Level of Service (LOS).

The release includes the proposed CEQA Guidelines and Appendix G checklist as well as a Technical Advisory that incorporates much of the detail originally proposed for the Guidelines. Details include recommendations for VMT methodology, significance thresholds, guidance in analyzing transportation-related safety impacts, and mitigation measures and alternatives.

The deadline for written comments on the revised guidelines is 5:00 pm on February 29. Final review and rulemaking for the new guidelines are targeted for late 2016 or early 2017.

PlaceWorks continues to work with lead agencies, private sector clients, and professional organizations to develop meaningful, practical approaches to implementing SB 743. One of our greatest strengths is the wide range of our in-house expertise—including policy planning, transportation planning and engineering, and CEQA.

For more information or to find out what PlaceWorks can do for you, feel free to contact:

JoAnn C. Hadfield, Principal, Environmental Services (Corporate Office)
Fernando Sotelo, PE, PTP, Senior Associate, Transportation (Corporate Office)
Michael Nilsson, AICP CTP, Senior Associate, Active Transportation (San Diego)