HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. PLN-15-00059 - Bicycle Master PlanSTAFF REPORT
PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: APRIL 15, 2015
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWED BY: WILLIAM E. DAVIS, CITY PLANNER
PREPARED BY: DAVID BLUMENTHAL, SENIOR PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-15-00059 (GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY) – A REQUEST TO
FIND THAT THE PROPOSED BICYCLE MASTER PLAN IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
LOCATION: CITYWIDE
ZONING: VARIOUS
REPORT SUMMARY
The City of Downey is currently preparing a Bicycle Master Plan, which will set policies and
direction on how to provide better bicycle amenities within the City. This will include
recommending changes to the Zoning Code to establish regulations on providing bicycle
amenities. Prior the City Council conducting public hearings on the Master Plan, staff wants to
make sure the proposed plan is consistent with the City’s General Plan. Based on the analysis
contained in this report, staff is recommending the Planning Commission adopt the following
titled resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED BICYCLE MASTER
PLAN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
BACKGROUND
The City of Downey is currently preparing a Bicycle Master Plan, which will set policies and
direction on how to provide better bicycle amenities within the City. This will include recommending
changes to the Zoning Code to establish regulations on providing bicycle amenities. On February
18, 2015, the Bicycle Master Plan was presented to the Planning Commission during a regular
scheduled meeting.
DISCUSSION
The Bicycle Master Plan will provide the City direction on how to improve the bicycling experience
in the City. This includes proposals that will provide bicycle lanes to connect a variety of land uses,
Agenda Page 1
General Plan Consistency – PLN-15-00057
April 15, 2015 - Page 2
provide wayfaring signs, increase safety, and require on-site facilities to accommodate bicycles.
The overall goal is to increase bicycling in the City, which not only has health benefits, but can
reduce traffic.
It is anticipated that the City Council will conduct public hearings to consider the Bicycle Master
Plan in May 2015. Prior to these hearings, staff wants to ensure that the plan is consistent with the
General Plan. Accordingly, staff is requesting the Planning Commission adopt a General Plan
Consistency Finding. In reviewing the General Plan staff notes that it is a policy of the General
Plan (2.2.2) to “Promote bicycling as an attractive alternative to vehicular transportation.” This
policy is implemented by the following General Plan programs:
2.2.2.1 Encourage the use of bicycling as a form of transportation for employment
commuting and business purposes, in addition to recreational purposes.
2.2.2.2 Establish a bikeway master plan to link employment centers, recreational
facilities, and bikeways along the Rio Hondo River, the San Gabriel River,
Union Pacific Railroad Line, and those of neighboring communities via a
network of bike routes, lanes, and paths.
2.2.2.3 Promote the provision of bicycle racks at retail service and other businesses
for use by customers and employees.
2.2.2.4 Encourage the provision of showers, changing rooms, and bicycle storage
areas at retail, office, industrial, and other businesses for use by employees.
It is staff’s opinion that the Bicycle Master Plan will encourage the use of bicycles to link
employment centers with recreational facilities. Additionally, it will encourage businesses to
provide on-site amenities to accommodate bicycle riders. For these reasons, staff believes that the
Planning Commission can find that the Bicycle Master Plan is consistent with the General Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State of California Code of Regulations, staff has found
that this request is not subject to CEQA since finding that adopting a Bicycle Master Plan is
consistent with the General Plan does not have the potential to create an environmental impact.
The Bicycle Master Plan will have a separate CEQA analysis during the adoption process.
EXHIBITS
A. Draft Resolution
Agenda Page 2
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED BICYCLE MASTER PLAN IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Downey General Plan (Vision 2025) was adopted on January 25,
2005; and,
WHEREAS, it is a policy of the General Plan (2.2.2) to “Promote bicycling as an
attractive alternative to vehicular transportation;” and,
WHEREAS, the City of Downey is preparing a Bicycle Master Plan to encourage the use
of bicycling within the City; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission does hereby find and determine that the
proposed Bicycle Master Plan is consistent with the General Plan since it will encourage the use
of bicycling in the City. It provides for bicycle lanes that connect homes, employment centers,
and recreational facilities. Additionally, the Bicycle Master Plan recommends changes to the
Zoning Code to accommodate bicycle racks and other amenities on-site for bicycle riders.
SECTION 2. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2015.
Hector Lujan, Chairman
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 15th ay of April,
2015, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission
Agenda Page 3