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Home My WebLink AboutResolution No. 5601RESOLUTION NO. 5601 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NOS. 91 -145 AND 91 -146 TO THE DOWNEY GENERAL PLAN RELATING TO THE LAND USE AND CIRCULATION CHAPTERS. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Downey does hereby find, determine and declare that: A. The City Council of the City of Downey initiated the Update of the Downey General Plan to guide the development of the City in the future. B. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including mitigation measures reduc- ing and eliminating impacts identified, and in compliance with the State CEQA Guidelines and City of Downey Environmental Procedures. C. On December 18, 1991, January 22, 1992, and February 12, 1992, the Planning Commission held duly noticed public hearings on the following Chapters of the General Plan: Design, Economic Development, Land Use and Circulation (General Plan Amendment Nos. 91 -141, 91 -142, 91 -145, and 91 -146) and the Environmen- tal Impact Report, which is a section of the Downey General Plan, and carefully considered all of the evidence and public comments received at said hearing, and following the public hearing, recommended that the City Council certify the EIR and approve General Plan Amendment Nos. 91 -141, 91 -142, 91 -145, and 91 -146. D. On August 11 and August 25, 1992, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on General Plan Amendment Nos. 91 -141, 91 -142, 91 -145, and 91 -146 and the Environmental Impact Report, which is a section of the Downey General Plan, and has carefully considered all of the evidence and public comments received at said hearing. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 5600 certify- ing and adopting the Final EIR and adopting a mitigation monitoring plan. SECTION 2. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at said public hearing, the City Council further finds, determines and declares that: A. The amendments and revisions to the Downey General Plan as adopted by this Resolution are consistent with good planning practice, necessary and desirable for the development of the community and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare of the City of Downey; B. In taking this action, the City Council has considered the effects of the decision on the housing needs of the region in which the City is located and balanced those needs against the public service needs of the city residents and available fiscal and environmental resources; Resolution No. 5601 Page 2 SECTION 3. Based upon the findings as set forth above, the City Council hereby amends the City of Downey General Plan and adopts General Plan Amendment Nos. 91 -145 and 91 -146, as attached and incorporated into this Resolution by this reference as Exhibit A, and entirely supersedes the existing Land Use and Circulation Chapters of the City of Downey General Plan. The Council in adopting this Resolution takes no action with respect to the Design and Economic Development Elements of the General Plan and will consider said elements at a later date. SECTION 4. Due to potential conflicts of interest, Councilmembers Brazelton and McCaughan did not participate in the Council's consideration of nor in the approvals as set forth in this Resolution of the land use designations nor of the other provisions of the General Plan and its amendments pertaining to or affecting the "Historical Downtown Area" as de- scribed and delineated in the General Plan. Due to potential conflicts of interest, Councilmember Brazelton also did not participate in the Council's consideration of nor in the approvals as set forth in this Resolution of the land use designations nor of the other provi- sions of the General Plan and its amendments pertaining to Area 10 on Stewart and Gray Road, as more fully described and delineated in the General Plan. SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1992. ATTEST: / n / 'Judith E. McDonnell, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF DOWNEY s:disc4.couneil.res I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 25th day of August, 1992, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: Diane P. Boggs, May Riley, Brazelton, Lawrence, McCaughan, Boggs None None None Judith E. McDonnell, City Clerk EXHIBIT A An Attachment to Resolution 5601 {General Plan Amendment Nos. 91 -145 and 91 -146} LAND USE CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS LAND USE 3 —' INTRODUCTION 3 LAND USE ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES 4 GOALS, ISSUES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS 5 I. DOWNEY 15 Land Use Opportunities and Constraints 16 11. Land Use Diagram /Downey 2010 18 The General Plan Steering Committee 18 Land Use Designations & Density /Intensity 22 Flood Areas 24 Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Sites 25 Mineral Resources 25 Helipads 25 Noise Sensitive Land Uses 25 Redevelopment Areas 25 Zoning Flexibility 28 III. BUILDING INTENSITY 29 IV. DOWNEY'S UNIQUE CHARACTER 32 Background 32 Owner Occupied Housing 32 Residential Density & Projected Population 32 Second Unit Development Areas 33 Senior Citizen Housing 34 Property Maintenance 34 Downey: A Balanced Community 34 Downey: A Mature Community 35 Design Guidelines 35 Reuse of Older Structures 35 Mixed Use Designation 35 Land Use August 28, 1992 I -1 General Plan Review 36 Land Use Patterns 36 Development Standards 36 V. REGIONAL LOCATION 37 Regional Forces 37 Other Agencies 38 GLOSSARY 39 Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -2 LAND USE INTRODUCTION The State Government Code Section 65302(a) requires a land use element in the General Plan. The element should designate the proposed distribution and general location and extent of the use of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, education, public buildings and grounds, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, and other categories of public and private uses of the land. It should include a statement of the standards of population density and building intensity covered by the plan. It should also identify areas subject to flooding. The land use element is often perceived as being most representative of "The General Plan ". ' While the land use element carries no more weight than any other General Plan element, it is the most visible element of the plan and it has the broadest scope. The land use chapter designates the future use or reuse of the land within a given jurisdiction. It consists of goals, policies and programs as well as the land use diagram. The diagram is a general guide to land use distribution rather than a parcel specific map. Land use interpretations are then delegated to specific plans and the zoning maps. The plan serves as a guide to decisions in regard to the distribution and intensity of private development, as well as public decisions on the location of future public facilities and open spaces. It also serves as a basic guide to the structuring of zoning and subidivision controls, redevelopment and capital improvement programs. 2 State of California General Plan Guidelines, Office of Planning and Research, Sacramento, 1990. 2 The Job of the Planning Commissioner, Solnit, page 23. Land Use August 26, 1992 1-3 LAND USE ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES DOWNEY'S UNIQUE CHARACTER Issue One Maintaining the high quality and single family character of the city are the community's primary goals. Issue Two Downey should preserve the balance of single family residential, multi - family residential, medical, commercial, industrial, schools and open space uses. Issue Three Downey is a mature community, experiencing the forces of change. Issue Four Land use patterns in the city need to be reviewed. REGIONAL LOCATION Issue Five Downey has a superior geographic location in the Southern California basin. Issue Six Regional forces, such as demographic changes, traffic increases, the cost of land and proximity to ports and location in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, affect Downey. Issue Seven Several areas within the city are owned by and subject to regulations by other agencies, such as State, County, Federal, School, Railroad and Utility properties. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -4 The following goals, policies and programs have been developed to address land use issues in the City of Downey. GOALS Preserve Downey as the quality, premier city in the Southeast area of Los Angeles. GOALS, ISSUES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS Promote and preserve the quality of our Single- family Residential areas. Promote and upgrade the quality of commercial, industrial and open space areas. Coordinate land use and transportation needs of the community. Lend Use August 28, 1992 1-5 • Issue One Maintaining the high quality and single family character of the city are the community's primary goals. The City shall encourage owner- occupied housing development. The City shall regulate residential density to reflect minimum lot sizes appropriate for the respective neighborhoods. 1.1.3 The City shall promote property maintenance. Programs The City shall: 1.1.1.1 Encourage owner- occupied housing by establishing Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay zones; 1.1.2.1 Retain residential density as follows: low density residential at 1 -8.7 units per acre; low- medium density residential at 9 -17 units per acre; medium density residential at 18 -24 units per acre; 1.1.2.2 Designate areas of Second Unit Developments as shown in the Housing Chapter; Increase pro - active code enforcement for property maintenance; Adopt a property maintenance ordinance; Continue the Community Development Block Grant programs; paint & fix -up, Neighborhood re -hab programs, low interest home improvement loan programs; 1.1.3.4 Encourage neighborhood TASK FORCE efforts, such as the Elm Vista and Cheyenne Street projects, including Keep Downey Beautiful, for the upgrade & maintenance of targeted areas. 3 8.7 units per gt acre; net acres do not include streets. Lend Use August 26, 1392 1 -6 s • Issue Two Downey should preserve the balance of single family residential, multi - family residential, medical, commercial, industrial, schools and open space uses. Policies 1.2.1 The City shall strive to retain the relative balance of land uses. Programs The City shall: 1.2.1.1 Retain the balance between single family residential, multi - family residential, commercial, industrial, schools and open space; 1.2.1.2 Monitor land uses to retain the balance. 1.2.1.3 Promote land uses within Downey that diversify the tax base. 1.2.1.4 Locate noise sensitive land uses away from noise sources. Land Use August 26, 1992 I -7 • Issue Three Downey is a mature community, experiencing the forces of change. Policies 1.3.1 The City shall encourage quality construction on development as properties recycle; 1.3.2 The City shall encourage adaptive re -use of older structures; 1.3.3 The City shall create areas for mixed land uses; 1.3.4 The City shall continually review areas in the process of transition. Programs The City shall: 1.3.1.1 Adopt Design Guidelines for the public and the Design Review Board, consistent with the Design Chapter of the General Plan; 1.3.1.2 Adopt Floor -area ratios (FAR) to determine building intensity; 1.3.2.1 Encourage preservation and renovation of older structures; 1.3.3.1 Designate areas for mixed land uses, with residential /commercial or commercial /manufacturing; 1.3.3.2 Develop a specific plan, including mixed uses and design guidelines, for the historic downtown area; 1.3.4.1 Review the goals, policies and programs of the General Plan annually. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -8 • Issue Four Land use patterns in the city need to be reviewed. Policies 1.4.1 The City shall eliminate inconsistent zoning. 1.4.2 The City shall create neighborhood centers, or "nodes ", at designated intersections. 1.4.3 The City shall revise the zoning ordinance to include development and performance standards. 1.4.4 The City shall examine the impacts of child care needs. Programs The City shall: 1.4.1.1 Inventory zone exception cases and eliminate inconsistent zoning in those cases; 1.4.2.1 Reclassify land uses on designated strip commercial areas; 1.4.2.2 Concentrate certain commercial uses to "neighborhood nodes "; the nodes shall be integrated with "design links "; 1.4.3.1 Require larger parcel sizes in the multi - family, commercial and industrial areas when new lots are created; 1.4.3.2 Require apartments to have upgraded Planned Unit Development standards for new developments; 1.4.3.3 Revise the zoning ordinance; 1.4.3.4 Require information to be submitted by projects within proximity to, but not limited to, electric transmission lines /transformers to evaluate the presence and /or effect of electro- magnetic fields; 1.4.4.1 Establish a method of maintaining the public right of way, including parking, lighting and landscape, in the multi - family, commercial and industrial areas; Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -9 1.4.4.2 Encourage senior housing to locate in the hospital medical area and the historic downtown area; 1.4.4.3 Develop a specific plan for the area East of Stewart & Gray, South of Firestone, to reflect commercial retail uses; 1.4.4.4 Require new developments to provide adequate on -site storage areas for collecting recyclable materials; 1.4.4.5 Encourage economic incentives to provide child care facilities. Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -10 • Issue Five Downey has a superior geographic location in the Southern California Basin. Policies 1.5.1 The City shall capitalize on the four freeways that virtually surround the community; the 1 -5, 1 -605, 1 -710 and the 1 -105. 1.5.2 The City shall capitalize on the regional opportunities offered by Downey's location, and accessibility. 1.5.3 The City shall market the community at development conferences and when other opportunities arise; Programs The City shall: 1.5.1.1 Provide public information promoting the city's location and accessibility; 1.5.2.1 Consider strategies and programs advanced in the City's Economic Study prepared by Market Profiles; 1.5.3.1 Work to form a consensus with the local business community, Chamber of Commerce, merchant association, landowners and civic leaders to promote the community. Land use August 26, 1992 1 -11 • Issue Six Regional forces, such as demographic changes, traffic increases, the cost of land, proximity to ports and location in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, affect Downey. Policies 1.6.1 The City shall monitor, review and comment on regional plans, as they relate to the City's General Plan. 1.6.2 The City shall monitor, review and comment on activities of neighboring cities, as they relate to the City's General Plan. 1.6.3 The City shall market the City's potential for commercial and manufacturing uses. 1.6.4 The City shall continue to advise the Public Utilities Commission of its concerns regarding railroad traffic through the community. Programs The City shall: 1.6.1.1 Comply with and incorporate the applicable requirements of the Air Quality and Congestion Management Plan; 1.6.1.2 Examine and promote land uses that encourage telecommuting, thus reducing VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) as required by the air quality plan; 1.6.1.3 Update the city's parking standards, especially shared parking. 1.6.2.1 Review other cities' projects for impacts on Downey; 1.6.2.2 Monitor other cities' land uses for compatibility with Downey; 1.6.2.3 Recognize the economic competitiveness between communities and consider land use decisions based on that competitiveness; 1.6.3.1 Monitor demographic shifts in the Southern California area as they affect land use decisions; Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -12 1.6.4.1 Cooperate with Southeast area cities in encouraging development and use of the Alameda transportation corridor. 1.6.4.2 Continue attempts to obtain the grade separation at the Southern Pacific Railroad and these crossings: Lakewood Boulevard, Brookshire Avenue, and Woodruff Avenue; Land Use August 28, 1992 1 -13 • Issue Seven Several areas within the city are owned by and subject to regulations by other agencies, such as State, County, Federal, School, Railroad and other Utilities. Policies 1.7.1 The City should designate some of these other public agency areas as Special Planning Areas. Programs The City shall: 1.7.1.1 Inventory the other public agency areas and tentatively identify future uses; some of the other agencies are: Southern Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad Downey Unified School District Los Angeles County General Telephone So. Cal. Gas RTD Caltrans 1.7.1.2 Develop a specific plan, with open space and /or a park, for the Rockwell site if and when vacated; 1.7.1.3 Contact Department of Defense Officials regarding Rockwell and the cities' interest in its future; 1.7.1.4 Contact Downey's legislators about the Rockwell site; 1.7.1.5 Encourage the other public agencies to maintain their properties. Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -14 1. DOWNEY Downey, California 12.8 square miles 12 Miles southeast of Los Angeles Civic Center Elevation 110 feet above sea level Incorporation 1956 1990 Population 91,444 Downey is a full- service city located in the Southeast area of Los Angeles County. It is bounded by the Rio Hondo River, the San Gabriel River, Telegraph Road and Gardendale Street /Foster Road. The city is 12.8 square miles of relatively flat terrain. Downey began as an agricultural community. Like most of the southeast area cities, it experienced rapid growth after World War II. The greatest growth came in the 1950's. Forty years later Downey is again experiencing change. It is now a mature community. Communities go through cycles; they begin with new homes and buildings occupied by young families with children. As the children grow and leave home, school populations drop. Gradually the parents sell their homes and move away. Their homes are bought by young families with children, and the cycle begins again. The Southern California basin is also changing. The Southern California Area Government (SCAG) predicts that the basin's population in the year 2010 will be 22 million people. Throughout the basin, there will be housing pressures, traffic congestion, poor air quality and increased density. Like the rest of the basin, the ethnic mix of Downey's population is changing. Downey, once predominately Caucasian, is now 32% Hispanic. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -15 Land Use Opportunities and Constraints 4 Los Angeles Times, May 6, 1991. DOWNEY: PoQulation 91,444 Table 1 -1 Group 1990 Population % of 1990 Pop. Change since 1980 Anglos 50,682 55% -21% Asians 7,653 8% 177% Blacks 2,876 3% 272% Latinos 29,569 32% 113% Other 664 1% 156% 22% of the population are senior citizens: 55 years and older. (See Exhibit 1 -1). In the next ten years, another 10% of Downey's population will become senior citizens. Yet the age group between 25 -34 is one of the largest in Downey; these are the people who are now having children. The number of school age children will increase in the next 10 years. The average household size in Downey increased from 2.53 in the 1980 to 2.71 in the 1990 Census. This can be attributed to younger families replacing "empty nesters ", illegal conversions, and room additions for extended family members. One of Downey's greatest opportunities is its location. It is in the southeast section of Los Angeles County, close to Orange County. It is close to the ports; both Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor. It is surrounded by freeways; the 1 -5, the 1 -605, the 1 -710 and new 1 -105. Respondents to the 1990 city -wide survey said Downey's location was one of the things they like best. The change Downey is beginning to experience is also an opportunity. Most structures have a 40 -50 year life. As they are replaced, there is an opportunity to change uses, to change development standards and to concentrate on good design. All these issues are addressed in the Land Use Chapter. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -16 4 AGE GROUP 85 AND OLDER 80 -85 75 -80 70 -75 65 -70 60 -65 55 -60 50 -55 45 -50 40 -45 35 -40 30 -35 25 -30 20 -25 15 -20 10 -15 5 -10 LESS THAN 5, 5 AGE PYRAMID MALE FEMALE 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 THOUSANDS OF PERSONS DOWNEY GENERAL PLAN v LAND USE CHAPTER ■ 1980 1990 w O'10 SOURCE: CITY OF DOWNEY & U.S. CENSUS BUREAU A major constraint in Downey is the fact that it is built -out. There are few parcels available for development. Most of the commercial and industrial parcels are too small for the type of projects built today. Land prices in Downey are high. Downey is considered a premier community in the southeast area. It is clean, safe and has a strong sense of community. Recent sales include an industrial lot on Paramount, 21,600 sq. ft. sold in Nov. 1990 for $264,000, $12.20 a sq. ft.; in Feb. 1991, a larger industrial lot with a new concrete tilt -up building sold for $52.74 a sq. ft. and finally, a commercial site with access to Firestone Boulevard sold for $25.00 a square foot. Downey's housing costs, like the rest of Southern California, have outpaced prices for everything else. In Downey home prices range from $100,000+ to $1,000,000 in 1990. "The median price of a home in California is $204,090, double the $101,900 national average. In California, with a minimum qualifying annual income of $63,685 only 21 % of households can afford to buy a home. Nationwide, 49% of U.S. households can afford to purchase a home and need only a minimum qualifying income of $31,797." ' California has shifted employment to trade and services. Between 1982 and 1990, California manufacturing added 255,000 jobs, while the trade and service sector added nearly 2 million jobs.' Downey's land use diagram reflects the change. Less land is allocated to manufacturing and more to commercial than previous plans. 5 "The Squeeze on the Middle Class Is A Chokehold on the State ", L. A. Times, 9/30/91, Page 64. 6 1bid. Lend Uee August 26, 1882 1 -17 II. Land Use Diagram /Downey 2010 The land use diagram is one of the most visible components of the General Plan. The diagram illustrates where the city proposes commercial, industrial, residential, open space and public land uses. The land use diagram is a policy of the Plan; the zoning ordinance is the tool used to implement the land use diagram and other General Plan policies. In the summer of 1990, a land use survey team surveyed and recorded all uses on all parcels in the city. They mapped the land uses. The land use map shows areas that have not developed as the 1990 plan proposed. Underdeveloped areas and areas with non- conforming properties were identified. Statistics were also compiled. Each parcel was recorded by size and use. Acres of actual land use, not pr000sed land use, were figured (see Table 1 -2). Since Downey strives to be a balanced city, the statistics are useful in determining whether the city has too many or too few acres of a particular land use. They also show trends in land use. The General Plan Steering Committee The General Plan Steering Committee examined all the information before they proposed the 2010 diagram. The committee studied selected areas of the city they believed may be in need of change. Telegraph Avenue, Florence Avenue, Firestone Boulevard, Imperial Highway, Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood Boulevard and Downey Avenue were all studied. The committee also took several tours of Downey. In proposing the 2010 diagram, the committee discussed existing land uses, age of buildings, trends in land uses, and finally, their vision of Downey in the year 2010. There are few charges from the 1990 diagram to the 2010 diagram. Downey is a mature community. Table 1 -3 shows the 2010 proposed land uses in acres and Table 1 -4 shows the percent of changes in land use plan from the present to 2010. The proposed map, in many cases, reflects the present land use. There are sections of Fifth Street and Stewart & Gray that are designated medium density on the 1990 plan but still have single family residences. It is proposed that they will be designated low density in the '2010 plan. The committee recognizes the economic opportunities on Firestone Boulevard. There is freeway access both east and west and the renovation of Stonewood Center is drawing new customers to the area. The boulevard has been designated general commercial. It is now manufacturing at the east and west ends, with some multi - family at the east end. Lend Use August 26, 1982 I -18 .4 5-4m t... to M E 3 p; o I % 0 0 te I'mz l' ...:'• 11 0 -2, r ) 3 0 1I O'': ' .-::: 3 c 5"‹. . co m 0 ..-. 3- Cn 1 3 E C C) cn , a *V W IV 0 Z C ) r r 1 g a I C -7) 0 (1 -< F rn ri. :,-,,' t' . . c cr &-C - " -- 0 c rn jj a3 c , S ,6 0 a r- cc 2 0 . `-'), o '-; , 77 r-, o 0 m'' . c"7- c Z-r1 ',,' o — a . o. = cv 0" CC?, co ro o -'. 8 a C) ` 3- * . o • cp ,D — co 3 3', a 1 i ci n 0 0 co o 3 ci. co 0 co --? 3 ,--. c 04- -4 O S ET,- • -‘ co 0 0. 3 co 0 co 1 rn m 0 o l m D C) 7=. > z z - rn C 73 CD g cn 1 m CD ; 0 * n r W W N N N N N N N N N N tow V O f (J A W N- p0 m O -0(O0o LION A WN-.O(DW�IT(TA W N-. O' C 3 m m D D m 0 O n D ° D D D m m m 0 0 0 m y m m 2B§ D m 0 -, ,778W1 („ (n zzomomi z -'3zzzo -I CC H i °C °3cccmmmg33ICmw° mm Omr-mmmmmm mmmm3n _lcn7N- {rm, D O N m N° n n O c D c° r 2 (� 3 o 0 0 0 3 0 0 O (, 0 0 D ° 0 3 m 0 0 m T 0 0 0300�L 000 lc- l <ONmOXOn00�?t?(r-Onoz *3 700 *m D4]z3z� 33� ° �m 3 3' - � m mm �{ � 3 3� mm r H n D m y- 3 3 m 0 m (A m ai 3 3 m m m m 3 3 m .0 n N z m m- CDrZr� DD(A ?( O m D (1) (!7 (fl O m Z r -< c C m m C m 3 N -1 0 j mm (n m 3 'pG) r O ° D z a > m ° �/ 0 . Cdr rn vr'= 0 0 > 2 X D 2 m 2 70 7)N EN ° g am m 1 N m� o CO O 0 Downey has an abundance of strip commercial centers. To stimulate retail sales and concentrate commercial uses on highly visible intersections, the committee adopted the concept of "Neighborhood Nodes ". These retail nodes are scattered throughout the city and are intended to serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. Design Links will be developed to achieve an integrated design at the intersections and to establish neighborhood identity. Paramount Boulevard, south of Firestone, has a mix of apartments, strip commercial and offices. The committee believes that the area is an opportunity for low rise, garden office development. Offices are a good buffer for the abutting residential neighborhoods. Paramount also has easy freeway access for employees and customers. Lakewood Boulevard carries heavy volumes of traffic daily. It will have an off -ramp for the 1 -105 freeway as well as a green line train station. The economic potential for Lakewood is also great. Florence Avenue is designated office, neighborhood node and residential. A small section at the west end was changed from commercial to low /medium residential. Telegraph Road is in transition. It is a mix of medium density residential, office and commercial. Sections have been designated office, as support for the existing hospital and for the commercial uses being developed across the street in Pico Rivera. Imperial Highway is also in transition. The Rancho Business Park now under construction and the possible redevelopment of Rockwell are opportunities to redesignate the area commercial or commercial /manufacturing instead of manufacturing. Downey 2010, The Land Use Diagram of the General Plan, establishes the pattern of development for the next twenty years. The land use, by acres, is illustrated in Table 1 -2. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -19 Table 1 -2 1990 Land Use Inventory Land Use Category # of Acres % of Total Residential: 3798 63% Single - Family 3256 54 Two - Family 112 2 Multiple - Family 430 7 Commercial: 574 9 I Office 118 2 Retail 456 7 Industrial: 529 9 Manufacturing 529 Open Space 568 9% Schools 308 5% Public 184 3% Other (inc. vacant) 110 2% Total # Acres 6071 100% Lend Use August 28, 1992 1 -20 1 d TABLE 1 -3 Proposed Land Use 2010 General Plan 2010 Acres % of Total Residential 3764 62% Low Density 3280 54 Low/Med 114 2 Medium 370 6 Commercial 516 8 Office 167 3 Neighborhood 100 2 Commercial 249 4 Industrial 372 6 Manufacture 226 4 Commercial/Manu 146 2, Open Space 568 9 Schools 308 5 Public 184 3 Mixed Use 359 6 Total 6071 100% Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -21 • GENERAL PLAN 1990 PLAN 1990 2010 Plan % change % change DESIGNATION (adopted in Land Use (1990 (1990 1973) Inventory Plan Land Use to 2010 Inventory Plan) to 2010 Plan) Residential: 3878 3798 3784 -3% -1% Low Density 3211 3256 3280 +2% +1% Low/Medium 193 112 114 -41% +2% Medium 474 430 370 -22% -14% High 14 Commercial: 637 574 518 -19% -10% Office 79 118 167 +111% +42% Retail 561 456 349 -38% -23% Industrial: General Manufacturing Commercial/Manufacturing N/A N/A 146 N/A N/A Mixed Use N/A N/A 359 N/A N/A Land Use Designations & Density /Intensity TABLE 1 -4 PERCENT OF CHANGE IN 2010 PLAN' 643 529 372 -42% -30% 643 529 226 -85% -57% The 2010 Downey General Plan contains 12 land use designations. The designations define the type, density and intensity of development permitted throughout the city. The locations and extent of the General Plan land uses are identified on the Land Use Diagram. ' No changes are proposed for Open Space, Schools, & Public; thus they are not included in this table. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -22 • Residential Low Density Residential -This category corresponds with the R-1/Single-Family Residential zone in the Downey Zoning Code. Residences in this category are single - family, detached houses with private yards. The density is 1 -8.7 units per net acre . Using the U.S. Bureau of Census estimated 1990 average for Downey of 2.71 persons per family, the population density for the land use is approximately 22 persons per acre ° . Low /Medium Density Residential -This category corresponds with the R -2 -Two Family Residential zone. These contain usable open space and can be either attached or detached. Permitted density is 9 -17 units per net acre. The population density for the land use is approximately 46 persons per acre. Medium Density Residential -This category corresponds with the R -3 /Multiple Family Residential zone. Permitted density is 18 -24 units per net acre. Residences in this category are usually apartment or condominium complexes. The population density for the land use is 65 persons per acre. Commercial Office -This category corresponds with the C -P /Commercial Professional zone. Land uses are intended to be compatible with residential uses. Some of the uses permitted in the category were offices, including medical and dental, financial institutions including banks, small restaurants, coffee shops, flower shops, beauty & barber shops. Anticipated office developments range from low rise, garden offices to medical towers located near Downey Community Hospital. The floor area ratio (FAR) range is .5 to 5/1. 8 Net acres do not include streets. 9 8.7 units per acre is the net acreage, based on 5,000 square foot lots. However, Downey also has a significant amount of 6,000, 7,500, 8,500 and 10,000 square foot Tots. In figuring maximum density and population, 8 units per acre was used. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -23 Neighborhood Commercial -this category corresponds with the C -1 /Neighborhood Commercial zone. Uses are intended to serve adjacent neighborhoods and are intended to be located in "neighborhood nodes ". Uses include offices, shops such as camera, book, dry cleaners, delicatessen counters, drugstores, electrical appliance stores, grocery stores. The floor area ratio is .25. General Commercial -this category corresponds with the C -2 /General Commercial zone. Uses are intended to provide a wide variety of goods and services for the entire community. Uses include offices and large scale retail projects. The floor -area ratio range is .25 to 4/1. Industrial Commercial /Manufacturing -this category includes commercial and manufacturing uses and is intended to accommodate both, such as a business park. The floor area ratio range is .5 to .6. Manufacturing -this category includes the M1 & M2 /Light Manufacturing and General Manufacturing zones. Uses are restricted to certain industrial operations that are not considered environmentally detrimental to the general public. The floor area ratio is .6. Public -this category includes public uses such as the Civic Center, the city yards, Seacca, Los Padrinos, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital and the RTD yard on Telegraph. Open Space -this category includes open spaces such as utility easements, river beds, parks, cemetery and golf courses. Schools -this category includes public and private schools. Mixed Use -this category includes residential /commercial uses and commercial /manufacturing uses. Flood Areas The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted a flood study of the Los Angeles River and released maps showing Downey might be inundated by flood waters in a 100 year flood (a 100 year flood is one of such intensity that it has a 1% change of ' occuring in any given year). The maps were challenged by cities along the flood routes, including Downey. December, 1992, is the date that new maps are expected to be issued. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -24 Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Sites There are no known solid or liquid waste sites in Downey and none are planned. Mineral Resources There are no known significant mineral resources in Downey. Helipads Two helicopter landing sites currently operate within the City of Downey. Rockwell International Corporation operates a ground -level helipad east of Bellflower Boulevard and north of Independence Park. Corporate Bell Model 206 Jet Ranger helicopters execute approximately 10 flights per day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A second helicopter pad is located at the Downey Community Hospital. Lifelight provides emergency air service to this helipad, and operations are estimated 6 flights per month (these flights are for life- threatening emergencies only; they are not commercial flights). There is also an inactive helipad at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital. Noise Sensitive Land Uses Noise sensitive land uses include, but are not limited to: residences of all types, hospitals, rest homes, convalescent hospitals, places of worship, libraries and schools. Proposed residential and other noise sensitive projects impacted by 60 dB CNEL or greater should be required to prepare an acoustical analysis to ensure acceptable interior and exterior noise levels. These analyses will be prepared by a recognized acoustical engineer with experience in environmental noise assessment and noise control design and be submitted to Downey's Community Development department for review and approval. A policy of the Noise Chapter of this General Plan requires noise mitigations for developments locating near noise sources. Redevelopment Areas Downey Community Development Commission History The Downey Community Development Commission was formed in 1978 to address the issue of community revitalization. The Commission is the City Council. Together with city staff it is referred to as the Downey Redevelopment Agency. The Agency territory comprises several sections of the City. A map of the redevelopment areas is in the Economic Development Chapter. Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -25 Original Project Area The original project was adopted in August of 1978 and encompassed areas along Firestone Boulevard in the downtown, from Brookshire Avenue to Paramount Boulevard. The original project included an area on Firestone Boulevard, east of Stewart and Grey, an area west of Downey Community Hospital and a strip of four blocks on south Paramount Boulevard. These original areas have the power of eminent domain, limited by state law in duration until October of 1992. Amendment No. One The project was first amended in August of 1979. This amendment was technical in nature, adding the then zoning and general plan designations to the plan. No additional land was included. Amendment No. Two The project was amended in October, 1980. A two -block area, that now includes Mimi's Cafe and the Embassy Suites Hotel was added. These two developments generate significant property tax increments for the Agency, as well as bedroom and sales taxes for the City. Amendment No. Two includes eminent domain, which is also limited in duration until October, 1992. Amendment No. Three Amendment No. Three originally included much of Downey's commercial and industrial areas, as well as significant residential areas. The present day Rancho Los Amigos Hospital was included. Amendment No. Three failed; however it became the basis for two future amendments. Amendment No. Four One of the more viable redevelopment areas coming out of Amendment No. Three was the Firestone corridor. Amendment No. Four was completed in July of 1987. It includes both sides of Firestone Boulevard, from the San Gabriel River to Old River School Road. It also expanded the areas in downtown available for redevelopment assistance. Amendment No. Four does not contain the power of eminent domain and as a practical matter cannot assemble land for development projects. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -28 Amendment No. Five Amendment No. Five is essentially three amendments in one. Again, a product of the failed Amendment No. Three, this amendment added the area north of Downey Community Hospital, the areas adjacent to the Santa Ana and San Gabriel River Freeways and three corners of Lakewood and Gallatin. Two of the plan amendments were completed in 1991. Amendment No. 5B, at the freeway interchange, is not yet completed. The plan contains limits on eminent domain, based on owner's preferences. Woodruff Industrial Project The Woodruff Industrial Project was formed in July, 1987. It includes much of Downey's older industrial areas on Woodruff Avenue, south of Stewart and Grey Road and north of Columbus High School. Owner Participation and Development Agreements The Agency has completed over nineteen owner participation and development and disposition agreements since 1978. The most visible projects are: 220 room Embassy Suites Hotel 150,000 square foot May Company added to Stonewood Center during the Center's revitalization in 1990 158,000+ square feet of offices 71,000 square feet of commercial center 30,000 square feet of industrial development 126 units of senior housing development 247 condominium and apartment units Acura car dealership Car Wash USA Cardona Square Downey National Bank building Zillner Community condominiums Meadow Park condominiums. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -27 Zoning Flexibility The General Plan Land Use Diagram is a general policy statement. Specific land use interpretation is contained in the zoning map. To provide flexibility while retaining control over land uses, the Downey Zoning Code allows conditional use permits within each zone. Conditional use permits (CUP's) allow certain specified land uses, provided that specific conditions are met. Design standards, design review and City staff review and monitoring ensure that a project not permitted by right within a particular area is individually investigated and analyzed before a CUP is issued. Zoning variances are also granted when findings of hardship related to the land are made. In some cases, based upon the shape of the land or other land related causes, it is difficult to meet the development standards of the zoning code. A variance is granted after an investigation and analysis shows that hardship is present. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -28 III. BUILDING INTENSITY The General Plan is required to contain standards for building intensity. These standards should define the most intensive building concentration for the land use designation. Building intensity is used to identify building concentration, potential traffic problems, housing policies and effects on sewer, utility, storm drain and landfill systems. Downey has adopted Floor -Area Ratios (FAR's) for commercial and industrial land use designations. Floor area ratio, the ratio of building floor area to the total building site, is a useful method of determining "ultimate build -out" or building intensity. An FAR of 2/1 means that the total building square footage permitted is twice the square footage of the lot. A 5,000 square foot lot could have a 10,000 square foot building. Table 1 -5 indicates building intensity for the commercial and industrial areas of the general plan. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -29 Land Use Designation Existing Floor Area (Ratio & Range) TABLE 1 -5 EXISTING FLOOR AREA RATIOS & BUILDING INTENSITY Existing # Potential of Acres Building Intensity (sq. ft.)" Office .25 to 4/1 118 20,560,320 General .29 to .5 456 9,933,858 Commercial Commercial/ N/A N/A N/A Manufacturing Manufacturing .45 to .79 529 18,204,160 Building intensities are potential, not existing. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -30 TABLE 1 -6 PROPOSED FLOOR AREA RATIOS, PROPOSED INTENSITIES, PERCENT OF DIFFERENCE TO EXISTING FAR INTENSITY Lad Use Designation Proposed Floor Mee Ratio & Proposed # of Proposed Intensity Difference Range Acres from Existing Intensity Office .5/1 to 5/1 167 G/0= -50% 2,909,808 Garden Office = 80% @ .5/1, H/M= Hospital/Medical = 20% @ 5/1 7,274,520 Neighborhood Commercial .25/1 100 1,089,000 N/A General Commercial .25/1 to 4/1 249 GM= +8% General Commercial = 80% at 2,169,288 .25/1 Office= Office = 20% @ 4/1 8,677,152 Commercial Manufacturing .6/1 to 4/1 146 M= N/A 2,671,099 Manufacturing = 70% @ .8/1 O= Office = 10% 0 4/1 2,543,904 Retail = 20% @ .25/1 Rets7= 317,988 Manufacturing .6/11 to 4/1 226 M =5,318,062 -49% Manufacturing = 90% 0 .8/1 0= 3.937,824 Office = 10% 0 4/1 Mixed Use" Downtown: 107 N/A Med. Residential = 30% @ 800 unite 24du /e General Commercial = 70% @ G/C= .25/1 815,661 Rockweg & L.A. County 252 250 to 700 units Mad. Residential = 4-11% @ 24du /a Open Space = 4-8% (10 to 20 acres) .8/1 to 4/1 M =3,732.221 to CommercilMlanu = 81-92% 4,244,486 0 =3,554,496 to 4,042,368 R= 444,312 to 505,298 11 The Mixed Use figures are concept only; the actual numbers will be determined when the specific plans for the areas are written. Lend Use August 26, 1992 1-31 • IV. DOWNEY'S UNIQUE CHARACTER • Background The high quality of the city and its' single family character are Downey's primary assets. Downey has long had the reputation of being the premier community in the Southeast area of Los Angeles County. It is known for the quality of its schools, its public facilities and its residential neighborhoods. There are now second and third generation Downeyites in the community. People are proud that they live in Downey. Owner Occupied Housing To retain the excellent housing stock Downey is known for, owner occupied housing is encouraged. Owner occupants are often more aware of what needs to be done to maintain the property and they take more pride in their property than absentee landlords. Planned Unit Developments (PUD's) are a way to offer more affordable housing in a community while encouraging owner occupancy. Condominiums and Townhouses are examples of Planned Unit Developments. Downey will continue to encourage ownership housing with PUD overlay zones. Residential Density & Projected Population The 1990 census showed 91,444 persons living in Downey. Since Downey is built -out, the community has elected to retain the existing residential density standards. Residential density standards are: Low Density Low /Medium Density Medium Density 1 -8.7 units per acre 9 -17 units per acre 18 -24 units per acre Using the U.S. Bureau of Census estimated average for Downey of 2.71 persons per family, the maximum projected population for Downey 2010 is 104,603. This is an increase of 13,159 persons within the the twenty year life of the plan. This averages about 658 persons per year. Most of the increase should occur as a result of increasing household size. Lend Use August 28, 1992 1 -32 TABLE 1 -7 DOWNEY: 2010 Population 104.6Q,a Residential Land Density # of Acres Max. # Population f p on Use Designation 2010 of Units (x 2.71) Low Density 1 -8 units /acre 3280 26,240 71,110 Low /Medium 9 -17 units /acre 115 1,955 5,298 Density Medium Density 18 -24 units /acre 371 8,904 24,130 Mixed Use' Downtown 24 units /acre 33.3 800 2,168 Rockwell 24 units /acre 29 700 1,897 Total 3828.3 38,599 104,603 Second Unit Development Areas The State of California encourages the construction of second units on residential Tots. These may be units for the elderly, "granny flats" or they may be second units permitted as a public hearing item. Downey permits the latter, Second Unit Developments, in selected areas . The Housing Chapter of the plan contains a detailed discussion of the Second Unit Development Areas and their standards. 12 The Mixed Use figures are concept only; the actual acreage allocated to residential use will be determined when the specific plans for the areas are written. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -33 Senior Citizen Housing There is a discussion of senior citizen housing in the Housing Chapter. Senior's housing was not figured in the projected population because the housing is constructed on a case by case basis. There is no way to predict how many more units will be permitted in the next twenty years. Seniors housing is permitted in the area around Downey Community Hospital and in the historic downtown area. Property Maintenance Downey's position as a premier community depends on property maintenance by all property owners. The City supports pro- active code enforcement. Code enforcement officers actively patrol neighborhoods and cite property owners for lack of maintenance Pro - active code enforcement becomes more important as properties age. To aid code enforcement officers, a property maintenance ordinance should be adopted. The ordinance would outline a method of citing persons for property maintenance and identify those offences that would be cited. The Community Development Block Grant programs, paint and fix -up, Neighborhood re- hab programs and low interest home improvements loan programs are all methods the city uses to assist persons in keeping up their homes. These programs should be continued. Another method the city uses to encourage pride of ownerships is the neighborhood TASK FORCE, including Keep Downey Beautiful. Previous successful neighborhood clean- up efforts include the Elm Vista and the Cheyenne Street projects. They are volunteer efforts intended to upgrade and maintain targeted areas and should be continued. • Downey: A Balanced Community Downey represents a balanced community between single family residential, multi - family residential, medical, commercial, industrial, schools and open space. The City should strive to retain the balance between uses. This includes monitoring land uses to retain the balance and to diversify the tax base. Some land uses contribute more to the city's tax base than others. Truck terminals and warehouse distribution use city services such as streets, which are expensive to maintain. They also create noise and air pollution. The only revenue the city gets from the uses are • property taxes. The city should encourage other uses that contribute to the city's tax base. Land Uss August 26, 1992 1 -34 H W W cn cc a Z JU • Downey: A Mature Community Downey is a mature community, experiencing the forces of change. Downey's greatest period of growth was the 1950's. The buildings constructed then are 40 -50 years old, and ready to be either renovated or replaced. This is an opportunity for Downey to improve the quality of construction and design. It is also an opportunity to save and renovate old structures that are important to the history of the city. Finally, it is an opportunity to change the land use designations in certain areas of the city. Design Guidelines Design Guidelines will be available to the public. They are intended to inform the public about the design process and the requirements of the Design Review Board. The guidelines will be consistent with the Design Chapter of the General Plan. Responsibilities of the Design Review Board include quality design and construction. Reuse of Older Structures There are many older structures in Downey that are a symbol of Downey's past. Instead of tearing them down, the city encourages their "adaptive re -use ". Example of adaptive re -use include the Gypsy Johnson home that is now the Assistance League headquarters and the Harriman House at Rancho Business Park that is required to be preserved and re- used. Mixed Use Designation Most zoning codes, including Downey's, segregate land uses; thus residential uses are clustered together with no commercial or industrial uses among them. The Downey Land Use Diagram has identified two areas for mixed uses. One area is the historic downtown, where residential and commercial uses are recommended. The area is under -used. Persons living in the downtown will stroll around, patronizing the shops and the restaurants envisioned for the area. The second area designated for mixed use is the Rockwell /L. A. County •site. It is over 200 acres. If Rockwell leaves, there will be an opportunity for development. Open space, residential, commercial and manufacturing uses are all appropriate for the site. The residential units would be located on the L. A. County site south of Imperial Highway. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -35 General Plan Review Because Downey is experiencing the forces of change, the General Plan should be reviewed annually. Land use designations should be monitored to determine if they are still relevant, if they benefit the city financially and if the balance between uses is being retained. • Land Use Patterns Land use patterns in the city need to be reviewed. The Land Use Chapter of the General Plan is the policy statement for land use; the zoning ordinance carries out the policies. There are many parcels in Downey with land uses that are inconsistent with the zoning. The city should eliminate the inconsistent zoning where practical, and should revise the zoning ordinance. Development Standards Each zone has development standards such as height, setbacks, lot area and permitted coverage. The City shall change development standards as needed. Since Downey developed, there has been a trend toward larger projects. Grocery stores have developed into supermarkets, appliance stores into discount warehouses. Large residential projects also require larger parcels for more open and recreation spaces. Downey should require larger parcel sizes in the multi - family, commercial and industrial areas when new lots are created. Development standards for new apartments and PUD's should be the same. Although senior housing is permitted in the Hospital - Medical and the Commercial zones, the city should encourage its location in the hospital medical area and the downtown specific plan area. Adequate on -site storage areas for recyclable materials should be required for new developments. This is to encourage recycling and is consistent with the policies of the Conservation Chapter requiring recycling. Commercial and industrial uses should be reviewed and the zoning code updated as needed. Good quality child care facilities should be encouraged. Locating child care facilities on -site in large commercial and industrial projects would reduce employee abstenteeism and boost employee morale. The American Planning Association is concerned about land uses located near electro- magnetic fields, usually electric transmission lines and transformers. At this time, there is no conclusive data about the hazards of living or working near these facilities. However, several studies are being done. Developers interested in locating projects near electro- magnetic fields should provide information evaluating the effects of the electro- magnetic field on their project. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -36 L.A. CIVIC CENTER CULVER CITY INGLEWOOD HUNTINGTON PARK EAST LOS ANGELES 710: MONTEBELLO LOS ANGELES WHITTIER PICO RIVERA LONG BEACH REGIONAL LOCATION DOWNEY GENERAL PLAN BUENA PARK CYPRESS WESTMINSTER SEAL BEACH • V. REGIONAL LOCATION Downey has a superior geographic location in the Southern California Basin. It is virtually surrounded by freeways: 1 -5 on the north, 1 -605 on the east, 1 -105 on the south and the 1 -710 on the west. The location is an opportunity for the city to attract businesses and diversify the tax base. The city should promote Downey's location at marketing conferences and continue to work with the Chamber of Commerce promoting the community's advantages. Regional Forces Regional forces, such as demographic changes, traffic increases, the cost of land, proximity to ports and location in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, affect Downey. The Southern California Basin has grown to the point that regional agencies have been created to deal with some of the problems. The Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) is developing a Congestion Management Plan (CMP) which might affect land use decisions in Downey. The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regulations also affect Downey. Telecommuting is a way to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and meet some of the requirements of the CMP and the AQMD. Parking standards need to be reviewed. Traffic is increasing, and removing on- street parking will be necessary to create new traffic lanes. Shared parking should be considered as a means of meeting parking requirements. Other cities' land uses and projects should be reviewed for their impact on Downey. Land uses should be compatible with Downey. Downey's land use decisions should be based on demographic shifts in Southern California and also on competitiveness with neighboring cities. The Alameda Corridor is being proposed to shift truck traffic from city streets to Alameda Street. It is a regional effort to require trucks to use Alameda Street, in the City of Los Angeles, to and from the ports. This would be safer for pedestrians and motorists. The city should encourage the creation of the Corridor. Railroad activity in Downey generates noise, is a safety hazard and slows down or stops traffic. The city should continue attempts to obtain grade separations at the Southern Pacific Railroad and Lakewood Boulevard, Brookshire Avenue, and Woodruff Avenue. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -37 Other Agencies Several areas within Downey are owned by and subject to regulations by other agencies, such as State, County, Federal, School, Railroad and other Utilities. Some of the areas should be designed as future specific plan areas. Rockwell International is the most prominant site that should have a specific plan. Rockwell is presently owned by the Federal Government. The Department of Defense should be notified and reminded regularly of the cities' interest in the site. Although Downey has no jurisdiction over other agencies properties, the city should encourage maintenance and communication with agencies. Land Use August 26, 1992 1 -38 GLOSSARY NEIGHBORHOOD NODE - neighborhood shopping and office areas at selected, highly visible intersections. They are intended to serve surrounding neighborhoods. OVERLAY ZONE -an additional level of regulation superimposed upon existing zoning in specified areas. Subsequent development must comply with the requirements of both the overlay zone and the base district. " PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS -A self- contained development, often with a mixture of housing types and densities, in which the subdivision and zoning controls are applied to the project as a whole rather than to individual Tots as in most subdivisions. Therefore, densities are calculated for the entire development, usually permitting a trade -off between clustering of houses and provision of common open space.w SPECIFIC PLAN -A zoning mechanism for a special area, it contains development standards, permitted uses and other regulations for the area. It can also provide phased development like the Rancho Business Park. 13 Page 164, General Plan Guidelines. 14 Page 26, The Job of the Plannino Commissioner. Albert So!nit, Planners Press, American Planning Association, Chicago, Illinois, 1987. Lend Use August 26, 1992 1 -39 - GEN'A CIKCULATION C H A P T E R CIRCULATION CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS CIRCULATION BACKGROUND 2 CIRCULATION ISSUES 4 GOALS, ISSUES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS 5 MAJOR THOROUGHFARES AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES 14 Streets and Highways Classification 14 EXISTING CONDITIONS 17 Growth 21 Congestion Management Plan 24 Railways and Airports 26 Truck Routes 26 Parking 27 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 28 Study Intersection Evaluation 30 TRANSIT - 37 Public Transportation 37 Paratransit 38 NON- MOTORIZED CIRCULATION 39 Pedestrians 39 Bicycles 39 UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE 40 GLOSSARY 41 CIRCULATION The Circulation Chapter is not just a transportation plan, it is an infrastructure plan. A sound and safe circulation system not only allows for the efficient movement of people and goods in and around Downey, it also provides an efficient system for the delivery of services to the community. Downey's Circulation Chapter establishes goals, policies and programs that will improve the circulation system in the City. The State of California's General Plan Guidelines describe how the provisions of a circulation element affect a community's physical, social and economic environment: Physical: The circulation system is one of the chief generators of physical settlement patterns, and its location, design and constituent modes have major impacts on air quality, plant and animal habitats, environmental noise, energy use, community appearance and other environmental components. • Social: The circulation system is a primary determinant of the pattern of human settlement. It has a major impact on the areas and activities which it serves, on community cohesion, and on the quality of human life. The circulation system should be accessible to all segments of the population, including the disadvantaged, the young, the poor, the elderly and the handicapped. • Economic: Economic activities normally require circulation for materials, products, ideas or employees, and thus the viability of the community's economy is directly affected by the circulation element. The efficiency of a community's circulation system can either contribute to or adversely affect that community's economy. 1 The following text is from the General Plan Guidelines; State of California, 1990, Pages 82 and 83. Circulation August 26, 1992 11.2 Downey's Circulation Chapter follows State guidelines and identifies "the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use chapter of the general plan" {Section 65302(b) }. Issues that are of particular concern to Downey are: • Street capacity and level of service; • the new Glenn Anderson Freeway; • Public transit; • Rail lines; Truck movements in the City; • Non - motorized transportation; and • Infrastructure improvements. A glossary has been provided at the end of the Chapter to define key terms. • Los Angeles County -- -home of 8,863,164 people -- -has 5,596,100 licensed motorists." )Los Angeles Times) Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -3 Issue One Certain City intersections are operating at Level of Service "F ". Issue Two Impacts on local street systems will occur with increased traffic on area freeways, especially when the Glenn Anderson Freeway is opened. Issue Three Urbarzed counties in California are required to adopt Congestion Management Plans that will maintain and improve current movement of vehicular traffic as development occurs. Issue Four Public transit serves a minimal role for commuters within the City. Issue Five The Southern Pacific Railroad Line divides the City, and as a result, it does not integrate with the surrounding properties in the City. Issue Six Excessive noise, dust and traffic hazards are associated with truck movement through the City. Issue Seven Issue Eight CIRCULATION ISSUES Non - motorized means of transportation will become increasingly important as the reliance upon vehicular transportation is required to be reduced. Downey's infrastructure (sewer, water, and drainage line and facilities) are older and some are nearing capacity. Circulation August 28, 1992 11 -4 The following goals, policies and programs have been developed to address circulation _ issues in the City of Downey. GOALS, ISSUES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS GOALS To develop a network of streets and pedestrian areas which promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. To achieve an efficient and effective system for the delivery of services in the community. 'Mid -year figures show that of the 23453,143 vehicles registered in the state, 6,090,615 are in L.A. County. ' (Los Angeles Times, September 19, 1991) Circulation August 26, 1992 11-5 • Issue One Certain City intersections are operating at Level of Service "F ". Policies 2.1.1 The City shall promote traffic safety by improving the level of service on major streets, where possible. Programs The City shall: 2.1.1.1 Maintain intersection service levels of major streets at "E" or better, excepting those intersections currently operating at Level of Service "F ". 2.1.1.2 Support the use of non - vehicle improvements (e.g. improved signalization, parking management) to reduce peak -hour congestion and to reduce vehicle miles travelled (VMT). 2.1.1.3 Discourage parking on arterial streets to improve safety and increase traffic flow. 2.1.1.4 Pursue implementation of development fees to require new developments and expansions of existing developments to pay the cost of circulation improvements needed to serve them. 2.1.1.5 To alleviate traffic congestion on freeways and therefore on local streets, encourage the development of High Occupancy Vehicle (H.O.V.) lanes within the existing right -of -way of the 1 -5 and the 1 -605 freeways, and retain the HOV lanes proposed for the 1 -105 Freeway. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -8 • Issue Two Impacts on local street systems will occur with increased traffic on area freeways, especially when the Glenn Anderson Freeway is opened. Policies 2.2.1 The City shall pursue the standard for transportation corridors within the City that correlate with land use demands. 2.2.2 The City shall continue to promote traffic safety to protect residential neighborhoods. Programs The City shall: 2.2.1.1 Identify and concentrate land uses with high traffic generation near major transportation corridors and public transit facilities. 2.2.1.2 Complete a traffic study within five years of completion of the Glenn Anderson Freeway (I -105). 2.2.2.1 Promote the enforcement of City speed limits to protect residential streets from business and commuter through traffic. Circulation August 26, 1992 II -7 • Issue Three Urbanized counties in California are required to adopt Congestion Management Plans that will maintain and improve current movement of vehicular traffic as development occurs. Policies 2.3.1 The City shall comply with provisions of the Congestion Management Plan. Programs The City shall: 2.3.1.1 Review the Circulation Chapter on an annual basis for consistency with the Congestion Management Plan adopted by the County. _ 2.3.1.2 Coordinate with the County in identifying the Level of Service of those monitoring locations in the City identified in the Congestion Management Plan. 2.3.1.3 Develop and continue to maintain a seven -year Capital Improvements Program {Transportation System Management (TSM)} to address deficiencies on existing streets. 2.3.1.4 Adopt a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance as required by the Congestion Management Plan. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -8 Policies Programs Issue Four Public transit serves a minimal role for commuters within the City. _ 2.4.1 The City shall consider the expansion of its existing intracommunity transit service to better accommodate seniors, the handicapped, school children and the general public. 2.4.2 The City shall coordinate with other public transit authorities to assure their planning efforts will meet the changing and increasing public transit needs of the City. The City shall: 2.4.1.1 Use Proposition "A" and "C" funds to, improve public transit and paratransit needs in the City, including bus benches and shelters, bus pads and resurfacing streets. 2.4.1.2 Consider expanding its existing intracommunity transit service to include a fixed -route service from such areas as Stonewood Shopping Center, Downtown, the new Green Line Station, school routes and major employers, such as Rockwell. 2.4.2.1 Encourage Downey businesses to provide employee information to public transit authorities to assist in their planning for public transit services. 2.4.2.2 Monitor the development of the RTD's additional park- and -ride facilities and encourage additional park- and -ride routes and facilities in Downey. 2.4.2.3 Review projected development and redevelopment of land with public transit authorities to determine whether alterations to service will be required. Circulation August 26. 1992 11 -9 • Issue Five The Southern Pacific Railroad Line divides the City, and as a result, it does not integrate with the surrounding properties in the City. Policies 2.5.1 The City shall work with the Southern Pacific Railroad Line and developers to help integrate the railroad with its surroundings. 2.5.2 The City shall request Southern Pacific Railroad cooperation in facilitating access to Downey Community Hospital. Programs The City shall: 2.5.1.1 Require contributions from developers adjoining railroad rights -of -way to pay for improved signals, rubberized railroad crossings, and related crossing improvements. 2.5.1.2 Require developers adjoining railroad rights -of -way to contribute towards an eventual grade separation. 2.5.1.3 Purchase or lease peripheral railroad land for landscaped strips, sound walls, bicycle routes, and other open space /recreational uses, when possible. 2.5.2.1 Request that the Southern Pacific Railroad construct grade separations at these crossings: Lakewood Boulevard, Brookshire Avenue and Woodruff Avenue. Circulation August 26, 1992 11-10 • Issue Six Excessive noise, dust and traffic hazards are associated with truck movement through the City. Policies 2.6.1 The City shall encourage the safe and efficient movement of truck traffic through the City. 2.6.2 Land uses promoting the use of heavy trucks should be discouraged within the City. Programs The City shall: 2.6.1.1 Enforce truck traffic to use designated truck routes in the city. 2.6.1.2 To control truck parking in the City, insure that restricted parking zone ordinances are enforced and investigate the feasibility of other control mechanisms. 2.6.2.1 Require public review of land uses generating heavy truck traffic. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -1 1 • Issue Seven Non - motorized means of transportation will become increasingly important as the reliance upon vehicular transportation is required to be reduced. Policies 2.7.1 The City shall encourage walking and bicycling as attractive alternatives to, vehicular transportation. 2.7.2 The City shall require a Master Plan of street lights and sidewalks throughout the City. Programs The City shall: 2.7.1.1 Establish bicycle trails and pedestrian walkways within the proximity of compatible residential, commercial and industrial areas, and link them with other open space and recreational areas. 2.7.1.2 Consider the installation of sidewalks to and from the new Green Line station on Lakewood Boulevard, to Imperial Highway and Rosecrans Avenue, which are served by scheduled bus lines. 2.7.2.1 Adopt a Master Plan for installation of sidewalks for major arterials, collector streets and school routes. 2.7.2.2 Require sidewalks in new developments and major remodeling consistent with the sidewalk Master Plan. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -12 • Issue Eight Downey's infrastructure (sewer, water, and drainage lines and facilities) are older and some are operating near capacity. Policies 2.8.1 The City's seven -year Capital Improvements Program should address the following improvements, as necessary: Programs The City shall: Street systems Sewer facilities Water supply Drainage facilities Other major capital investments necessary to sustain the City's growth and operation. 2.8.1.1 Continue to rely upon funding programs that are earmarked for the continued maintenance and improvement of these systems. 2.8.1.2 Develop a system which will prioritize the use of funds for the completion of these improvements. Circulation August 26, 1992 11-13 I. MAJOR THOROUGHFARES AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES The circulation system in Downey ranges in size from freeways to sidewalks. It is used for people and goods to move both between and within the community. Downey is a mature city, many of its circulation problems have been built into its transportation system. The solutions to these problems are limited and any potential solutions must be carefully evaluated. • Streets and Highways Classification Downey's local circulation system not only moves vehicles within the city, but also moves vehicles between Downey and adjacent cities. The City's Master Plan of Streets and Highways (Exhibit 11 -1) provides a hierarchy of roadways that are designated to meet circulation needs throughout Downey. Because of its land use significance, the system has a direct effect on all other chapters of the General Plan. Additionally, the street and highway system is one of the most important, and possibly the most permanent, land use feature in Downey. It forms a skeletal framework of the city, controlling block sizes and shapes, neighborhood boundaries, provides utility easements and open areas. The streets and highways system in Downey is made up of a series of roadway types designed to serve the transportation needs of the City and surrounding areas. The following classification of roadways is based upon the level of traffic service and transportation function they serve. Table 11 -1 provides additional characteristics of the following roadway types. Freeways The major circulation system within the Southern California region is the freeway system. Freeways offer high -speed roadways for cars and trucks and have become the basic travel network for movement between cities. Freeways serve the regional transportation demands for the distribution of goods and services, with trucks carrying the majority of goods consumed within the community. Freeways can also be physical barriers which tend to divide the boundaries of the City. Downey is centrally located between several Southern California freeways. The Santa Ana Freeway (1 -5) runs in a northeast - southwest direction in the northern portion of the City. The San Gabriel River Freeway (1 -605) runs in a north -south direction, through the northeast portion of Downey. The Long Beach Freeway (1 -710), which runs in a north - south direction, is located approximately one mile west of Downey. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -14 0 00 > 0 n -1 C m a 0 m m G) m Z v D 2 O m z D m 0 2 > o cn 7 L CO CD a CD cal), CD 0 o m y ° _ 7 O T 0 N 0 1 N 0 Ej N n n 7 O 7 � G1 O 7 > O N < C11 7 S S cD co 0 r m G) Z v Glenn Anderson Freeway (1 -105) The Glenn Anderson Freeway (1 -105) is located in South Downey and runs in an east -west direction. It is currently under construction and due to be complete in 1993. The Glenn Anderson Freeway will run from Sepulveda Boulevard in the vicinity of the Los Angeles International Airport to the San Gabriel River Freeway (1 -605) just east of the City of Downey. Because the freeway will be fully depressed throughout the City of Downey, any noise impacts that may occur will be substantially lessened. In addition, the Green Line, a commuter train, will operate in the 1 -105 right -of -way. Within the City of Downey, there will be two freeway access points. Full freeway access will be provided at Lakewood Boulevard and at Bellflower Boulevard. Immediately outside the City limits, an eastbound on -ramp and westbound off -ramp will be provided at Paramount Boulevard and an eastbound off -ramp and westbound on -ramp provided at Garfield Avenue. Along with the above - mentioned information, CalTrans was contacted to ascertain the relative impacts on the streets of the City of Downey surrounding the proposed Glenn Anderson Freeway for the Year 2010. We were unable to obtain any information regarding the increase or decrease in future projected traffic due to the freeway. Therefore, Staff contracted with a professional Traffic Engineering firm to provide estimates regarding the amount of traffic that would be diverted to the proposed freeway from the adjacent street system. The percentages used to reflect the changes on the street system are shown on Exhibit 11 -2. Table 11 -2 provides the Glenn Anderson Freeway's affect on the traffic in the area. These volumes are included in the "Other" volumes column of the ICU worksheets. (See pages 25 and 26) Major Arterials Major arterials serve as the principal means for local traffic flow and access to the freeway system. When freeways are not available, major arterials can also serve as long - distance regional traffic corridors. High intensity commercial and industrial land uses are typically located along major arterials. Two of the major arterials that serve the City of Downey are designated as State Highways. Firestone Boulevard, which is designated as State Route 105, runs in an east - west direction bisecting the city. Lakewood Boulevard (S.R. 19) runs in a north -south direction through the city. 2 Source: Weston Pringle and Associates Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -15 Secondary Highways Secondary highways serve primarily local and some through- traffic and also provide access between collector streets and arterials. They are intended to direct traffic from local residential streets to and from traffic generators, such as employment facilities and commercial areas. As with major arterials, secondary highways primarily serve commercial, industrial and some medium density residential land uses. Collector Streets Collector streets distribute traffic from local streets and neighborhoods to arterials and secondary streets. Collectors provide access to properties that abut them, and are designed to discourage through traffic in the neighborhoods they serve. Collectors also serve some multiple family, commercial and industrial uses. Local Streets Local streets are designed to serve low density residential development and carry low volume traffic to and from collector and secondary streets. They are intended for both vehicular and pedestrian access. Local streets account for the majority of all the roadways in the City. Since the primary function of local streets is to provide access to adjacent properties, they should not carry through traffic. This can be accomplished by improving the traffic movements on collector and secondary streets as well as along arterials with improved signalization, less parking on arterial streets, the enforcement of City speed limits, and the development of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes within existing freeway rights -of -way. TABLE 11 -1 ROADWAY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Roadway Type I Ultimate Right -of -Way I Number of Lanes Major Arterial 100 feet 4 to 6 lane divided roadway Secondary 80 feet 2 to 4 lane divided ' Highway roadway Collector 60 feet 2 to 4 lane undivided roadway Local Varies Varies Circulation August 26, 1992 II -16 11. EXISTING CONDITIONS In order to quantify the existing traffic conditions of the arterial street system, field studies were conducted by Weston Pringle and Associates and counts were completed by Newport Traffic Studies. AM and PM peak hour traffic counts were conducted at 39 study intersections. Roadway geometric information was also collected during the field studies. Exhibit 11-3 shows the results of the existing roadway geometrics within the study area. Existing (Year 1991) average daily traffic volumes were obtained through the City of Downey Traffic Engineering Department (Exhibit 11-4). It should be remembered that daily traffic analyses represent only general indicators of roadway operations. Therefore, daily traffic analyses have been provided for informational purposes. Intersection Capacity Utilization methodology (discussed later in the Chapter) will provide additional information regarding the long range conditions of roadway operations. Following are the characteristics of several of the major arterials and secondary highways that serve the City of Downey as they presently exist, no expansion is presently proposed. Firestone Boulevard • Major Arterial • Four to six travel lanes depending on parking restrictions • 40 MPH speed limit east of Lakewood Boulevard and west of Paramount Boulevard • Curb -to -curb width of 84 feet Imoerial Hiahwav • Major Arterial • Six lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 80 feet Florence Avenue • Major Arterial • Primarily six lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width ranging from 76 and 78 feet Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -17 Telegraph Road • Major Arterial • Four lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 76 feet Paramount Boulevard • Major Arterial • Primarily four lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 80 feet Lakewood Boulevard Major Arterial Primarily four lane divided roadway (Near the 1 -5 it widens to six lanes) 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width varies from 76 to 80 feet Stewart and Gray Road • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 35 to 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width varies from 60 to 64 feet Woodruff Avenue (eau' • Major arterial • Four lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 76 feet Old River School Road • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 56 feet Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -18 • 1 0 "12 GI z m * s • zo z g.4 nm ri r Ij Iii I �F-�` i— s. _ rt i W. * fi Sl - a� = 0> -1 1 - m --1 rn z c oa Ev n z W y g a f 0 X -1 MONS r C) m Z 0 0 .0 « � 11111110IiM �iJUU ,ltIl Uptnwnl �!� S in ralllili multi ulti - 1 ekBral �= a% z 0 m a 1D- -< 1 • 1 r m m z 0 0 c 0 n A 0 g n 3 r W fJ NN NN,,, NNNNN mm J00 Aw N O n> O 0 - 000 ,mm • IJN 'OWm�Imm AI - O' ' zg o 333r r ya n ;33333nnn3333 CO> 33n cn3 c3 m m zz aG1 o D D>mm.000.1. m m cO D DmOO DOOZ "" " '^ zzozoiTz -'3zzz0003330z00nm3_0c 3023 u' u? cc ,,-40-40c0 cccmam333acmm T T m 3 O T r T T T m m m m T m m 3 n, y - - °.° 1O0- 771-1OyO OOOO 3n m'm° 001 z> zo ‹ ;000 *000 Z3 0 33 oQO O 0 O � Z - IOym_po0 T 0 0 ooc �� Cg mm c 3m3 nn 3 *3 Om m y�z3zm 33�oTo�m 0 3o;3nmmmm ;3 mm N m T n_ nnJ00,7,, 33m mw N 33^ m y m 33� yC o C >rZ r-� ›nom 0 O m Z y y y O Z m r y < Z Z m m T z < T T m 0 vG)v z m z 0 11 D " P. r � m ; y 0 � z m z • �o z r �. -Ic 0o c • z oz C c -I 00 m m r m G1 m v Downey Avenue • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit (25 MPH between Firestone Boulevard and Fifth Street) • Curb -to -curb width varies from 60 to 64 feet Bellflower Boulevard • Secondary Highway • Four lane divided roadway • 40 MPH speed limit • Curb - to-curb width of 64 feet Clark Avenue. • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit • Curb - to-curb width varies from 56 to 62 feet Gallatin Road (between Paramount and Lakewood Boulevards only) • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 64 feet Gardendale Street — • Secondary Highway • Four lane divided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 64 feet Foster Road • Secondary Highway • Four lane undivided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit • Curb -to -curb width of 58 feet Circulation August 28, 1992 11 -19 Brookshire Avenue • Secondary Highway • Varies from two -lane undivided to four -lane divided roadway • 35 MPH speed limit (25 MPH speed limit between Cherokee Drive and Florence Avenue) • Curb -to -curb width varies from 40 to 60 feet AM and PM peak hour traffic counts were analyzed using the Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU) methodology for signalized intersections and the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual (85HCM) for the unsignalized intersections. In the ICU methodology, an ICU value is calculated based upon the peak hour intersection volumes and available roadway capacity. These values are then related to Levels of Service (LOS). Levels of Service are qualitative descriptions of intersection operations and range from "A" (the best) to "F" (the worst), similar to report card grades (See Table 11 -2). "A" means no congestion and "F" means severe congestion. It is generally recognized that LOS A through 0 represent acceptable operations while LOS E and F indicate an over - capacity situation. However, in a situation where the City involved is older and not experiencing much growth and the intersections are built out, a Level of Service of E could still be considered acceptable' The Technical Appendix contains a more detailed explanation of ICU and its relationship to LOS. The ICU and 85HCM analyses are contained in the Technical Appendix aid summarized in Table 11 -2. It was determined that this methodology provides an acceptable standard for evaluating existing conditions as well as future operations. Since daily capacities are based on assumptions of "average" traffic distributions through a day, this method accounts for the potential fluctuations from this "average" traffic pattern. 3 Weston Pringle and Associates Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -20 • Growth Downey and other Southeast area cities are in a unique position when traffic growth rate factors are considered. Downey and the surrounding areas are older communities where development has been in place for many years; substantial growth within the area is not taking place. Any growth that may occur will be off set by the requirements of the Congestion Management Plan and AQMD (Air Quality) requirements for travel reduction programs. An actual growth rate was not used, but the projected population growth rate of 13 percent was accounted for in the "Other" category in Table 11 -2. The population and traffic growth were considered to be off set by various traffic reduction programs that were mentioned previously! The construction of the Glenn Anderson Freeway has placed Downey in a unique position. Because of the freeway's construction, local traffic has been diverted throughout the City. Although the construction alters today's traffic patterns, a new traffic study will be completed within five years of completion of the Freeway so that a truer picture of traffic patterns will be available. Exhibit 11 -5 identifies Year 2010 daily volumes for the City of Downey. ° Weston Pringle and Associates Circulation August 2e, 1992 11-21 TABLE 11-2 ICU SUMMARY EXISTING + OTHER =DM EXISTING + OTHER +PROJECT INTERSECTION AM PM AM PM AM PM Lakewood /Gallatin 1.00/E` 0.91/E 0.94/E 0.88/D 1.01/F 1.04/F Rorence/P.►amount 0.91/E 0.93/E 0.87/D 0.98/E 0.99/E 0.91/E Florence/Lakewood 0.83/0 0.89/D 0.94/E 1.05/F 0.98/E 1.15/F Florence/Woodruff 0.81/D 0.73/C 0.78/C 0.76/C 0.78/C 0.73/C 1-605 58 Ramps/Florence 0.79/C 0.89/0 0.77/C 0.92/E 0.77/C 0.90/D Studebaker/Florence 0.60 /A 0.70/8 0.58/A 0.71/C 0.58 /A 0.68/8 Firestone /0k1 River School 0.78/C 0.77/C 0.75/C 0.82/D 0.75/C 0.93/E Firestone/Paramount 0.74/C 0.79/C 0.72 /C 0.8510 0.94/E 1.04/F I Firestone/Downey 0.59/A 0.68/8 0.54/A 0.70/8 0.62/! 0.70/8 Paramount/ Stewart & Gray 0.74/C 0.85/D 0.76/C 0.91/E 1.00/E 1.041E Downey/Stewart A Gray 0.59/A 0.76/0 0.62/8 0.86/D 0.70/8 0.9010 Imperial/0b River 0.58/A 0.86/0 0.52/A 0.90/D 0.57/A 0.951E Imperial/Paramount 0.58/A 0.64/8 0.54/A 0.65/8 0.78/C 0.73!0 Downey/Imperial 0.65/8 0.72 /C 0.678 0.70/8 0.73/C 0.658 Imperial/Lakewood 0.57/A 0.68/8 0.55/A 0.69/8 0.51/A 0.76/C ImperialBe8flower 0.678 0.678 0.638 0.62/8 0.58 /A 0.77/0 Imperial/Woodruff 0.77/C 0.91/E 0.73/C 0.85/D 0.68/8 0.93/E Peramount/Gardendale 0.59/A 0.89/D 0.82/8 0.93/E 0.688 0.90/D RrestoneBrookshire 0.67/8 0.83/0 0.83/D 1.01/F 0.81/0 1.02/F Firestone/Lakewood 0.98/E 1.09/F 1.04/F 1.23/F 0.93/E 1.23/F Fireetone/Stonewood 0.46/A 0.52/A 0.51/A 0.57/A 0.51/A 0.58/A Firestone/Woodruff Meet/ 0.501A 0.57/A 0.57 /A 0.67/8 0.50 /A 0.67/8 Firestone/Woodruff (East) 0.58/* 0.85/0 0.63/D 0.93/E 0.618 0.951E 5 1.00 = Intersection Capacity. Utilization; E = Level of Service Circulation August 26, 1992 11-22 TABLE 11 -2 (Continued) ICU SUMMARY EXISTING + OTHER POSTING EXISTING + OTHER +PROJECT INTERSECTION AM PM AM PM AM PM Freetone/Stewart & Gray 0.54/A' 0.82/8 0.58/A 0.71/C 0.54/A 0.73/C Freetone/1-805 NB Ramps 1.02/F 1.02/F 1.12/F 1.141E 1.10/F 1.19/F Freetonef -605 SB Ramps 0.47/A 0.50 /A 0.55/A 0.828 0.54/A 0.84/8 1 Lakewood /Cherokee 0.44/A 0.59 /A 0.48 /A 0.628 0.46 /A 0.63/8 ' Lakewood/5th St: Ceoilia 0.60 /A 0.75/C 0.86/8 0.83/0 0.84/8 0.83/0 Lakewood /3rd St: Stonewood 0.51/A 0.55/A 0.58/A 0.638 0.49/A 0.828 Lakewood/Bellflower 0.53 /A 0.86/8 0.56/A 0.688 0.55/A 0.70/8 Lakewood/C1eta 0.38/A 0.50 /A 0.44/A 0.571A- 0.43 /A 0.58/A i ' Lakewood/Stewart & Gray 0.66/8 0.82/D 0.698 0.90/D 0.688 0.90/D Woodruff/Stewart & Gray 0.45/A 0.62/8 0.46/A 0.64/8 0.45/A 0.63/0 e 0.54 = Intersection Capacity Utilization; A = Level of Service Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -23 TABLE 11-2 (Continued) ICU SUMMARY Unsignalized Intersections EXISTING + OTHER INTERSECTION FOISTING EXISTING + OTHER + PROJECT IUnsignalized) to PM AM PM AM PM FirestonsIPatton A,E,F B,E,F A,E,F B,E,F A,E,F C,E,F Rreetane/Marbel A,D,E A,B,E B,D,E A.C.E B4O,E A,C,E Flreetone/Nesh A,B,E C,D,E A,C,E C,D,E A,a,E 0,E Lakewood/Hall A,E A,B,E A,B,E A.C.E A,B,E A,C,E Lak•woodlBucklea A,D,E A,B,E A,E A,C,E A,E A,C,E Cecilia/Woodruff A,B,C.E A,B,C,D A,B,C,E A,C,O A,B,C,D A,C,D,E • Congestion Management Plan 7 Depicts range of Level of Service for intersection movements on both the major and minor streets. ° Draft Congestion Management Plan Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -24 The Congestion Management Plan (CMP) is a new program enacted by the State legislature, whose requirements became effective with voter approval of Proposition 111 in June, 1990. Proposition 111 provided for a nine cent increase in the State gas tax over a five year period. In passing the Congestion Management Plan, the legislature noted increasing concern that congestion in urban areas was impacting the economic vitality of the State and diminishing the quality of life in many communities. As a new approach to address congestion concerns, the CMP was created for the following purposes: 1. To make the most effective use of all transportation modes (highways, streets and roads, rail, bus, demand management, bicycle and pedestrian travel) in managing congestion through the CMP process. 2. To require local jurisdictions to examine the impacts of land use decisions on the regional transportation system and be responsible for mitigating these impacts. 3. To develop transportation solutions that also work toward improving air quality. The Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) has been designated the Congestion Management Agency for Los Angeles County, and as such must prepare the CMP for this region. Two roads in Downey are currently designated as part of the CMP network: Firestone Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard. The final draft of the CMP indicates that Firestone Boulevard will be dropped from the Plan once the Glenn Anderson Freeway is opened in 1993. According to the CMP requirements there are also three intersections located in Downey that will have to be monitored: Firestone and Lakewood Boulevards, Old River School Road and Firestone Boulevard and Telegraph Road and Lakewood Boulevard. Localities also have responsibilities for implementing the program. In accordance with statute, these responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1. Conforming with level of service standards. 2. Adoption and implementation of a trip reduction and travel demand ordinance. 3. Adoption and implementation of a program to analyze the ' inipacts of land use decisions on the regional transportation system. 4. Developing and implementing annual deficiency plans for portions of the CMP system which do not meet the established level of service standards within their jurisdictions. The CMP requires that local cities set level of service (LOS) standards that conform with the standards set by the CMP. The CMP requires any roadways within the CMP network have a level of service standard set at no less than LOS "E ", except where the roadway is already operating at LOS "F ". Thus, because the intersection of Firestone and Lakewood Boulevard is currently operating at LOS "F ", its LOS standard will be set at LOS "F" In addition, the Congestion Management Plan calls for the implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation System Management (TSM) programs for the City. Transportation Demand Management involves strategies encouraging individuals to either change their mode of travel from a single- occupancy vehicle, eliminate the trip altogether, or commute at other than peak periods. Transportation System Management involves strategies designed to improve traffic flow through modifications in the operation of existing transportation facilities. The two approaches are complementary strategies that attempt to achieve more efficient transportation system utilization by focusing on both travel demand (TDM) and changes in transportation supply (TSM). Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -25 • Railways and Airports There are two railroad lines that pass through Downey, operated by the Southern Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads. The City is bisected by the Southern Pacific Rail Line which runs parallel to Firestone Boulevard. This is a main line route to Pico Rivera, Whittier and the City of Industry. The Union Pacific Rail Line crosses the city limits on the western boundary, south of Imperial Highway near the Rancho Business Park. Approximately four to eight trains use these lines each day. Because the rail lines are private property, there is no limit on the number of trains that can pass through the city. Activity on the rail lines varies due to the type of freight, the season of the year and the time of day; making it difficult to predict an average number of trains that pass through the city. In addition to the railroad lines, there are two helicopter landing sites within the City of Downey. Rockwell International Corporation operates a helicopter pad, but it is not used for the general public's transportation needs. The Hospital uses its helipad for emergency air service for life- threatening emergencies only. Airplane traffic over Downey is significant. Downey lies along the - flight path to Los Angeles International Airport and Long Beach Airport. Flight paths are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight patterns change under various conditions: wind, weather, time of day, etc.; all of which impact the City. Noise and safety problems are the main concerns associated with air traffic over the City and are discussed in the Noise and Safety Chapters of the General Plan. • Truck Routes The City of Downey has a designated truck route system which utilizes many of its major trafficways (See Exhibit II -6). Designation of truck routes provides the City with a system which offers truck access to commercial and industrial areas, while confining truck traffic to major streets. A further benefit of a truck route system is the elimination of excessive noise, dust and traffic hazards associated with truck movement through residential areas. By discouraging land uses that promote the use of heavy trucks and by encouraging truck traffic to use existing truck routes, the City should be able to better protect its residential areas. 9 Tom Barcelo of the Railroad Safety Section of the Public Utilities Commission. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -26 • Parking The City presently has adequate automobile parking facilities for most all commercial and public areas. However, within the historic downtown area there are some inadequacies in the design and amount of parking. The Downtown Blue Ribbon Committee has studied this area and has recommended that the City develop a downtown specific plan. This plan would include recommendations for improving the design and amount of parking available in the area. One solution for parking problems is shared parking. A land use that is typically used during the day time, such as a strip center, would share its parking with a land use that is primarily used during the evening hours, such as a movie theater. The City of Downey has a ridesharing plan for City employees in order to comply with the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regulations. The City of Downey employees that do use the commuting program, which includes ridesharing, bicycling, walking and public transit, receive an incentive. The incentives are based upon the numbers of days a week the program is used. The City of Downey does not have a rideshare policy which would apply to businesses within the City although some businesses may have initiated some type of rideshare program. 10 Weston Pringle and Associates Circulation August 28, 1992 11-27 III. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE " Future travel demands are directly related to changes in future land use. When changes are made to the type or intensity of a land use, there will be a change in travel demands. In addition, any change to the circulation system will impact land use. This relationship between circulation and land use is the most important concept in the Circulation Chapter. In order to analyze the traffic impacts of the proposed General Plan Update, it was necessary to determine the trip generation rates of the proposed land uses. Trip generation rates applicable to the proposed and existing land uses were referenced from Trip Generation and are listed in Table 11 -3. The existing land uses were compared to the proposed land uses. The incremental difference between these two plans represents the development which will generate the future traffic impacts. The City was divided into 26 traffic study areas. Exhibit 11 -7 illustrates the traffic study areas. The land use changes for each zone were provided by the City of Downey Planning Department. Given the trip rates listed in Table 11 -3, the total daily and peak hour trip end generation for each area was calculated and are listed in Table 11 -4. During the public hearing process before the Planning Commission, three additional changes were made to the General Plan Land Use Diagram. The three areas were included in the growth for the entire City, and having discussed the matter with the City's Traffic Engineer, find their cumulative impacts were considered negligible. Correspondingly individual discussion was felt to be unnecessary for separate consideration, as shown in Table 11 -4. When analyzing a large area such as in a General Plan, some adjustments in the trip generation should be made. These adjustments can account for: trips which remain internal to the traffic study zone, the double counting of trips which are made from one area to another, and the passerby effect where some of the new trip ends originate from the existing traffic stream. 11 Weston Pringle and Associates 12 Trip Generation, 5th Edition; Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 1991. Circulation August 28, 1992 11-28 Internal trips are where the start and end of a trip are both within an area and do not impact the surrounding areas. It is true that some of these trips may utilize arterials within the study areas, but in these cases the double counting effect still applies. The double counting effect exists because of the way trip generation analyses are calculated. Trips generated by any particular project are expressed in terms of 'trip ends ". Therefore, if someone drives from home to a shopping center, two trip ends are generated (one leaving the residential and one arriving at the shopping center), but only one trip was made. Therefore, in large projects where many of the trips are made between land uses within the same overall project area (the City of Downey) an adjustment to the trip end totals must be made. The third factor is a reduction in traffic due to the passerby effect. This effect is most common for retail land uses and occurs when existing traffic (i.e. a person going from work to home) stops at a new shopping center on the way home. This stop would be counted in the trip generation as two trip ends (one arriving and one leaving), but in reality there are no increases in traffic since the driver was already on the roadway, going home from work. A 30 percent reduction was taken due to double counting of trips and trips remaining internal. This reduction was applied to all proposed land uses except retail /commercial and residential. For the retail /commercial land uses a range of 20-30 percent passby reduction was taken based upon the applicable square footage. Trip distribution patterns were developed for each of the traffic study areas based on location of trip attractors, the surrounding street system, proximity of freeway access and type of land use. The adjusted trip ends for each area were assigned to the surrounding street system. These adjusted trip ends were all assumed to have origins or destinations outside of the City of Downey limits. The adjusted trip ends were applied to the study intersections and the ICU analyses was updated. Nine of the 39 study intersections are projected to operate at unacceptable Levels of Service. These nine intersections are discussed in detail in the following section. Circulation August 28, 1992 11 -29 • Study Intersection Evaluation The City of Downey is an older, established City with many factors (locations of buildings, availability of off - street parking, etc.) which reduce the potential for modifying the existing street system and study intersections. The following recommendations have taken into consideration the limitation of the study intersections. • Gallatin Road and Lakewood Boulevard -- This intersection has existing deficiencies which will remain at similar levels in the future. Review of the ICU analysis indicated the need for additional through lanes on Lakewood and dual eastbound left turn lanes. These improvements are recommended to mitigate existing as well as future traffic deficiencies. Paramount Boulevard and Florence Avenue -- The current Level of Service E condition at this intersection is projected to remain at Level of Service E. This intersection is basically improved to its maximum configuration. The addition of dual left turn lanes on Florence is recommended as a Tong -term goal. Since no change in Level of Service is projected, buildout would not have a significant impact upon this intersection. Florence Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard -- This intersection is projected to deteriorate from Level of Service D to E and F with buildout conditions. Review of the ICU analysis indicates a need for dual left turn lanes on all approaches. These improvements would require additional right -of -way and cannot easily be obtained. As a long -term goal, widening to allow additional left turn lanes is recommended. Paramount Boulevard and Firestone Boulevard -- At present, this intersection is operating at Level of Service C and is projected to operate at Level of Service E and F with the General Plan buildout. Increases in north -south traffic are the principal contributors to the future conditions. Traffic demands indicate the need for dual left turn lanes on Paramount and separate right turn lanes on Firestone. Paramount Boulevard and Stewart & Gray Rom -- This intersection is projected to operate at Level of Service E and F at buildout of the General Plan. Review of the ICU analysis indicates that an additional northbound and southbound lane on Paramount would be required to mitigate these impacts. t3 Weston Pringle and Associates Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -30 • Imperial Hiahwav and Old River School Rqa, -- With General Plan buildout, this intersection is projected to operate at Level of Service E during the PM peak hour. There is a need for a dual eastbound left turn lane with existing traffic, which would also mitigate long -term conditions. • Firestone Boulevard and Brookshire Avenu -- This intersection is projected to deteriorate to Level of Service D and F with "Other" project traffic and General Plan buildout. As a result of "Other" project traffic, intersection improvements are required. Since the intersection is currently "fully" improved, a long -term goal of adding lanes to the four approaches is recommended. • Firestone Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard" -- This intersection is currently operating at unacceptable conditions during both the AM and PM peak hours. Some improvement would be expected with the completion of the 1 -105 Freeway; however, on a long -term basis, intersection improvements are recommended. • Firestone and I -6Q5 Northbound Ramos -- This intersection is currently at LOS F and will continue at this condition with "Other" project traffic. The need for improvement is significant and not related to the General, Plan buildout. This improvement should be a part of the current interchange reconstruction. 14 A traffic study completed in the Summer of 1991 recommended that the following curb -to -curb and total right -of -way widths (with no median) for each leg of the Lakewood/Firestone intersection be established: exist. r -o -w future r -o -w Lakewood, North Leg: 102' 114' Lakewood, South Leg: 102' 114' Firestone, East Leg: 115' 116' Firestone, West Leg: 100' 102' Circulation August 26, 1992 1631 Land Use Descriptor 1 Medical/ 1,000 SF I Dental Office Hospital 1,000 SF Business Park 1,000 SF Low Dwelling Residential Unit Low -Med. Residential Medium Residential P.U.D. EQUATIONS: general Office Byildina (Per 1.000 SF): TABLE 11-3 TRIP GENERATION RATES 16.78 14.37 10.0 0.82 1.38 0.2 Dwelling 10.0 0.2 Unit Dwelling 8.0 0.1 Unit Dwelling 7.44 0.11 Unit Manufacturing 1,000 SF 3.85 Daily Ln(T) = 0.756 Ln(X) + 3.765 AM Peak Hour Ln(T) = 0.777 Ln(X) + 1.674 • PM Peak Hour LnIT) = 0.737 Ln(X) + 1.831 Retail (Per 1,000 SF): • Daily <570,000 SF Ln(T) = 0.625 >570,000 SF Ln(T) = 0.756 • AM Peak Hour Ln(T) = 0.589 • PM Peak Hour <600,000 SF Ln(T) = >600,000 SF Ln(T) TRIP ENDS PER DESCRIPTOR' AM PEAK HOUR PM PEAK HOUR Daily In Out In Out 1 34.17 2.07 0.62 1.22 2.86 0.5 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.41 0.21 0.73 0.06 0.4 0.35 Circulation August 28, 1992 11-32 0.34 0.32 0.74 0.24 0.33 1.15 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.3 (89% In, 11% Out) (17% In, 83% Out) LniX) + 5.985 Ln(X) + 5.154 Ln(X) + 2.378 0.637 Ln(X) + 0.725 Ln(X) + 16 Trip Generation, 5th Edition; Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE); 1991. (63% In, 37% Out) 3.553 (50% In, 50% Out) 2.987 (50% In, 50% Out) TABLE 11 -4 TRIP GENERATION COMPARISON TRIP ENDS AM PEAK HOUR PM PEAK HOUR (FROM - -TO) AREA" LAND USE SIZE DAILY IN OUT IN OUT Medium Residential 51 DU 400 5 25 30 10 • Office Building" 37,462 SF 450 55 10 10 50 • Medical Office" 93,654 SF 2.240 LUQ IQ $Q L2Q DIFFERENCE +2,290 +180 +25 +60 +230 3 Commercial 211,919 SF 11,300 160 95 530 530 • Office Building" 169,535 SF 1,470 180 20 30 160 • Medical Office" 423,839 SF 112150 fill L$l 261 8,1Q DIFFERENCE +320 +635 +110 -135 +480 P.U.D. 6 DU 45 NOM 5 ; 5 NOM • Low Residential 8 DU $Q &QM 1 N.Q11 DIFFERENCE +35 0 0 0 0 5 Commercial 109,336 SF 7,500 •110 65 350 350 • Low /Med Res. 85 DU ma 2Q AQ IQ yg DIFFERENCE - 6,650 - - -290 -325 6 Medium Residential 86 DU 700 10 45 50 20 • Low Residential 28 DU 2 2 12 2Q --Q DIFFERENCE 400 -5 -30 - - 7 Manufacturing 550,598 SF 2,100 400 35 220 190 MediurrrResidential 95 DU 760 10 50 60 20 _ I • Retar7" 174,065 SF 7,500 105 65 350 350 • Office Building" 696,263 SF 4.270 ,q¢Q fig 2Q DIFFERENCE +8,910 +235 +45 +160 +590 18 Because no changes were made to the vehicular trips for Area 1, it has not been included in this Table. 17 A 30% reduction was taken due to double counting of trips and trips remaining internal. 18 A 20 - 30% passby reduction was taken. Circulation August 28, 1992 11-33 AREA ? 8 • • (FROM -TO) LAND USE Commercial Medium Residential • Same Lend Use w /10% Increase" DIFFERENCE 9 Commercial • Low Residential DIFFERENCE 10 Medium Residential • Low Residential DIFFERENCE 11 Hospital Business Park •Manufacturing • Office Building" • Retail' DIFFERENCE 12 Medium Residential • Retail • Office Building" DIFFERENCE 13 Medium Residential • Retail' • Office Building" DIFFERENCE TABLE 11-4 (Continued) TRIP GENERATION COMPARISON SIZE DAILY IN OUT IN OUT 2,178,000 SF 57,800 630 370 2,610 2,610 576 DU 4,600 60 290 345 115 56,192 SF 20 DU 104 DU 35 DU 1,067,220 SF 980,100 SF 2,195,424 SF 2,090,880 SF 261,360 SF 40 DU 14,723 SF 58,893 SF 32 DU 11,500 SF 46,000 SF TRIP ENDS AM PEAK HOUR PM PEAK HOIJg 67.440 J94 12Q 3-200 Z945 +5,040 +55 +60 +245 +220 5,000 70 40 230 230 202 ff 1A. 1,A $ 4,800 -65 -25 -215 -225 800 10 50 60 20 2,512 2Q a 1Q -450 -5 -30 -35 -10 17,900 875 360 340 790 14,000 1,350 235 325 1,130 5,900 1,120 90 615 540 4,300 575 70 100 470 10,300 11 $,t - 11,400 -385 -350 +535 425 320 5 20 25 10 1,050 15 10 50 50 S&Q $Q 112 1.i a +1,390 +90 0 +40 +115 260 920 Mal + 1,205 5 15 20 5 15 10 40 40 S3 1Q 1 fiQ +75 +5 +35 +95 19 A 20 - 30% passby reduction was taken. 20 A 30% reduction was taken due to double counting of trips and trips remaining internal. Circulation August 28, 1992 11.34 21 A 20 - 30% passby reduction was taken. TABLE 11 -4 (Continued) TRIP GENERATION COMPARISON TRIP ENDS AM PEAK HOUR PM PEAK HOB (FROM -TO) AREA LAND USE SIZE DAILY IN OUT IN OUT 14 Manufacturing 553,000 SF 2,100 405 35 220 195 • Retail 140,000 SF 6,000 90 50 285 285 • Office Building 560,000 SF 3.600 4 ; 112 DIFFERENCE +7,500 +140 +70 +145 +475 15 Medium Residential 27 DU 215 5 15 15 5 I • Low Residential 9 DU ,QQ NQM i ¢ a DIFFERENCE -125 -5 -10 -10 0 16 Commercial 289,238 SF 13,700 190 110 645 645 • Office Building" 231,390 SF 1,800 230 30 40 200 • Medical Office" 578,477 SF 12.20 g4Q 241Q g 1,160 DIFFERENCE +2,000 +880 +170 -110 +715 17 Commercial 364,162 SF 15,900 220 130 750 750 • Office Building" 291,329 SF 2,200 275 35 50 240 • Medical Office" 728,323 SF 17.400 1.176Q all fill 1-46Q DIFFERENCE +3,700 1,115 +220 -75 +950 18 Commercial 58,153 SF 5,000 75 45 230 230 • Med. Residential 64 DU OQ ¢ ,?Q gQ 1,t DIFFERENCE -4,500 -70 -15 -190 -215 19 Medium Residential 34 DU 270 5 20 20 10 • Low Residential 11 DU 11 Q ¢ 1Q I $ — DIFFERENCE -160 0 -10 -10 -5 20 Medium Residential 200 DU 1,600 20 100 120 40 • Office Building" 144,619 SF 1,300 160 20 30 140 • Medical Office 361,548 SF 8.700 52,1 1¢Q 21Q JZ DIFFERENCE +8,400 +665 +80 +220 +825 22 A 30% reduction was taken due to double counting of trips and trips remaining internal. Circulation August 2e, 1992 11 -35 (FROM -TO) AREA LAND USE SIZE DAILY IN OUT IN OUT 21 Medium Residential 227 DU 1,800 20 115 135 45 • Retail" 82,503 SF 3,100 45 30 145 145 • Office Building" 330,010 SF 2.400 ma gQ IQ 2E2 DIFFERENCE +3,700 +325 -45 +60 +360 22 Manufacturing 913,993 SF 3,500 670 55 365 320 • Manufacturing 485,920 SF 1,300 250 20 135 120 • Office Budding" 462,781 SF 3,200 390 50 70 330 • Retail" 57,848 SF 2,500 IQ 2Q 111 DIFFERENCE +3,500 +10 +35 -45 +245 TABLE 11-4 (Continued) TRIP GENERATION COMPARISON TRIP ENDS AM PEAK HOUR PM PEAK HOUR 23 Manufacturing 8,113,756 SF 31,200 5,925 485 3,245 2,840 • Business Park" 2,861,892 SF 28,800 2,765 480 660 2,300 • Med. Residential 700 DU 5,600 10 350 420 140 • Open Space Q Q Q Q Q DIFFERENCE +3.200 • -3,150 +345 -2,165 -400 24 Manufacturing 120,443 SF 460 90 10 50 40 • Retail" 30,492 SF 1,700 25 15 75 75 • Office Building" 121,968 SF 1.100 14Q 2Q L 12,E DIFFERENCE + 2,340 + 75 + 25 + 50 + 160 25 Commercial 40,293 SF 4,000 60 35 185 185 Low /Med Residential 31 DU 310 5 20 20 10 Medium Residential 44 DU 350 5 20 25 10 • Low Residential 44 DU IQ a ,2Q DIFFERENCE 4,2 20 40 -50 -200 -190 26 Manufacturing 158,985 SF 600 115 10 65 55 • Low Residential 37 DU 1Q 2Q 2.N1 1Q DIFFERENCE -200 -105 + 10 -40 45 23 A 20 - 30% passby reduction was taken. 24 A 30% reduction was taken due to double counting of trips and trips remaining internal. Circulation August 26, 1992 11-36 IV. TRANSIT Those households which do not have automobiles, the disabled, children and senior citizens are among those who depend on public transit and paratransit service. There are approximately 1,700 households in the City of Downey which have no automobile (1990 Census). Many of these households are located in the Southern portion of the city. • Public Transportation The primary public transportation supplier in Los Angeles County is the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) which provides bus service to Downey citizens. In general, the buses operate on routes limited to the City's major streets, with a focus on regional, rather than local, travel. RTD currently operates nine lines through the City of Downey. The RTD is primarily responsible for the review and designation of services, and frequently revises schedules and routes according to expressed need._ Exhibit 11-8 shows current RTD route structure within the City of Downey. RTD also serves a Park- and -Ride site within Downey, located on the western side of Lakewood Boulevard, just north of the Santa Ana Freeway'. The site currently has parking spaces for 85 vehicles, providing access for an RTD line that serves downtown Los Angeles. RTD plans to restripe the existing lot so that approximately 95 parking spaces would be available, and also plans to develop another Park - and -Ride lot directly across Lakewood Boulevard which would provide an additional 20 spaces. In addition to its fixed -route service, the RTD has begun operation of light rail service. Although current rail service is only available on the Blue Line which operates from downtown Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles, additional rail service is planned for the area. The Green Line will operate along the new Glenn Anderson Freeway (I -105) right -of -way. According to the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC), the Green Line is expected to be operational in October of 1994. The Green Line will travel through the southern portion of Downey, providing accessible rail service to city residents. The Green Line will link up with existing Blue Line and will travel to Los Angeles International Airport. Plans include a local rail transit station to be constructed at the Lakewood Boulevard intersection with the Glenn Anderson Freeway. Current plans also call for a Park - and -Ride lot at this station, with space for 435 vehicles. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -37 • Paratransit In addition to RTD's regional service, the City operates Downey Transit, a transit program for seniors and disabled residents which has been in operation since the mid- 1970's. The service is scheduled seven days a week and eligible riders are persons who are 50 years of age or older and persons who are disabled. The service is provided for Downey residents, although elderly or disabled persons from neighboring communities may use the service for trips within Downey. Trips are primarily limited to the Downey City limits, but some trips are made to designated points outside the City. The Transit service is currently available only through a dial -a -ride program. The City's Recreation and Community Services Commission recently completed an Intracommunity Transit Study, and one of the recommendations of the study is for the development of a fixed -route service available to all Downey residents. This service would be funded through Proposition "A" and "C" funds. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -38 V. NON - MOTORIZED CIRCULATION • Pedestrians The streets in Downey were designed for automobile circulation and may not adequately serve the needs of the pedestrian. Pedestrian circulation is an important consideration, especially now that alternative modes of transportation are increasingly important for reducing traffic congestion and air quality problems. There are areas, such as the new Green Line Station on Lakewood Boulevard, that would benefit from sidewalk installation. Today, installation of sidewalks is required with all new construction projects. However, there are a number of areas, especially in older residential neighborhoods in northwest and northeast Downey, that do not have complete sidewalks because they were developed prior to this requirement. • Bicycles There is an increasing demand in the Southern California area for bike routes. Biking has become an increasingly popular form of transportation primarily because it is a viable alternative to commuting by car. Biking is economical, convenient, and provides a way to get in shape while helping to improve air quality and reducing the number of automobiles on the road. Bicycle trails are physically separated from the roadway and provide greater protection for bicyclists than do bike routes. Although Downey does not have any designated bike trails within the city, one policy from the Open Space /Recreation Chapter of the General Plan calls for a bike path that would link the existing county bike trails along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo river beds. The Southern Pacific Railroad right -of -way, that parallels Firestone Boulevard, has been suggested as an area that could be developed as such a connector bike path. Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -39 VI. UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE Utility services are provided to Downey by a number of utility companies. Electricity is provided by the Southern California Edison Company, and gas by the Southern California Gas Company. Telephone service is provided by GTE to Downey residents. The City's Water Division supplies water to city residents. Downey is located within Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 2 and the City provides maintenance to many of the lines. There will be adequate supplies of electricity, natural gas and telephone service for full implementation of the 2010 General Plan. Solid waste disposal is impacted by the lack of available landfills. AB 939 requires all cities to reduce solid waste by 50% by the year 2000. The Conservation Chapter of the General Plan contains a policy stating that the City shall comply with this requirement. The City recently completed a sewer capacity study and Capital Improvements Program for sewers. Over- capacity sewer problems have been cured; and the Capital Improvements Program concentrates on marginal capacity and near capacity sewers, using 2010 Land Use figures. Storm drain deficiencies are identified in the Safety Chapter of the General Plan. Sufficient water for fire flow is also discussed in the Safety Chapter. The Safety Chapter contains policies for upgrading the water system, including the upgrade of the fire flow system. In general, companies and districts providing utility service to Downey have indicated a general ability to accommodate the level of development represented in the General Plan Land Use Chapter, particularly since little growth is anticipated. Circulation August 28, 1992 11 -40 VII. GLOSSARY • Collector - - -A street for traffic moving between arterial and local streets, generally providing direct access to properties. • Freeway - - -A highway serving high -speed traffic with no crossings interrupting the flow of traffic (i.e., no crossings at grade). Streets and Highways Code Section 23.5, in part, states that "Freeway means a highway in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access ". • High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - -- Provide priority measures for buses, carpools and vanpools over all or part of the day. HOV lanes offer incentives for choosing a higher- occupancy commute mode that can increase efficiency in congested corridors. • Infrastructure -- -The physical systems and services which support development and people, such as streets and highways, transit services, airports, water and sewer systems, and the like. • Levels of Service - -- According to the Transportation Research Board's 1985 Highway Capacity Manual Special Report 209, level of service is a qualitative measure describing the efficiency of a traffic stream. It also describes the way such conditions are perceived by persons traveling in a traffic stream. Levels of service measurements describe variables such as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, traveler comfort and convenience, and safety. Measurements are graduated ranging from level of service A (representing free flow and excellent comfort for the motorist, passenger or pedestrian) to level of service F (reflecting highly congested traffic conditions where traffic volumes exceed the capacities of streets, sidewalks, etc.). Levels of service can be determined for a number of transportation factors including freeways, multi -lane highways, signalized intersections, intersections that are not signalized, arterials, transit and pedestrian facilities. • Local Street - - -A street providing direct access to properties and designed to discourage through- traffic. Circulation August 29, 1992 11 -41 • Major Arterial - - -A major street carrying the traffic of local and collector streets to and from freeways and other major streets, with controlled intersections and generally providing direct access to properties. • Paratransit - -- Transportation systems, such as jitneys, car pooling, van pooling, taxi service and dial -a -ride arrangements. • Transportation Demand Management (TDM) -- -The implementation of strategies which will encourage individuals to either change their mode of travel from a single- occupancy vehicle, eliminate the trip altogether, or commute at other than peak periods. • Transportation System Management (TSM) - -- Strategies that are designed to improve traffic flow through modifications in the operation of existing facilities. cn.a:disc5.circhp.2 Circulation August 26, 1992 11 -42