Norco City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
54 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
§ 18.54.010 Intent.
This Chapter is intended to protect the public health, welfare and safety by reducing air pollution and congestion caused by vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled and to comply with the requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan and the Congestion Management Program adopted by Riverside County. (California Government Code Section 65089 et. seq.)
§ 18.54.020 Definitions.
a.
"Alternative Work Schedule"
means a variation from the traditional 5 day/40 hour work week to either a 4 day/40 hour or a 9 day/80 hour work week schedule.
b.
"Development Project"
means any new or existing development which meets or exceeds the criteria identified in Section 18.54.040.
c.
"Director"
means the Director of Planning and Community Development or his or her designee.
d.
"Employer"
means any person, firm, business, educational institution, government agency, non-profit agency or corporation, or any other entity which employs persons.
e.
"Mixed-Use Development"
means any development project that combines any of the following land uses: residential, commercial, light industrial, or business park.
f.
"Property Owner"
means the legal owner of property.
g.
"Rideshare"
means a transportation mode with multiple occupants per vehicle.
h.
"Development Plan"
means a plan for a development project pursuant to Chapter 18.40 of the Norco Municipal Code.
i.
"Tenant"
means the lessee or non-fee holding possessory interest holder of a facility or building who employs persons at such building or facility.
j.
"Transportation Demand Management"
("TDM") means programs, plans, policies or projects designed to reduce demand on the transportation system or maximize its efficient use. TDM includes, but is not limited to, an emphasis on alternative travel modes to the single occupant vehicle such as carpools, vanpools and public transit; reduction or elimination of the number of vehicle trips; shifts in the time of vehicle commutes to other than peak periods.
k.
"Worksite"
means a building, or grouping of buildings or facility located within the City used for employment purposes.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.030 Policy.
Any development project including commercial, industrial and mixed uses, may adversely impact existing transportation and parking facilities, resulting in deteriorating levels of traffic service, increased motor vehicle emissions, and possibly significant additional capital expenditures to augment and improve the existing transportation system. In order to more efficiently utilize the existing and planned transportation system and to reduce vehicle emissions, it is the policy of the City to:
a.
Reduce the number of average daily vehicle trips generated in the City;
b.
Promote and encourage the use of alternative transportation modes such as ridesharing, carpools, vanpools, and public transit, bicycles and walking, as well as those facilities that support such modes of transportation;
c.
Promote and encourage the implementation of flexible working hours and parking management strategies;
d.
Achieve related reductions in vehicle trips, traffic congestion, and public expenditure and achieve air quality improvements through utilization of existing local mechanisms and procedures for development project review and permit processing;
e.
Promote coordinated interjurisdictional implementation of strategies to reduce transportation demand and increase transportation system capacity;
f.
Achieve the most efficient use of local resources through coordinated regional and local TDM programs.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.040 Applicability–New Development.
A.
This Chapter shall apply to all new development characterized by the following:
1.
Commercial Development Generates 100 or more employees.
2.
Industrial Development Generates 100 or more employees.
3.
Mixed Use Development Measures shall be required as they apply to the above categories.
B.
Employee Generation estimates shall be determined utilizing the table below or other accepted methodologies recommended by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and other acceptable professional practices as determined by the City.
LAND USE CATEGORY | GROSS SQUARE FEET/EMPLOYEE |
|---|---|
Retail Commercial | 500 Square Feet/Employee |
Office/Professional | 300 Square Feet/Employee |
Industrial/Manufacturing | 500 Square Feet/Employee |
Warehouse | 1,000 Square Feet/Employee |
Hotel/Motel | .5 Employees/Guest Room |
Hospital | 300 Square Feet/Employee |
C.
The following provides Trip Reduction Measures which may be effective for development subject to the requirements of this Chapter:
1.
Preferential parking for carpool vehicles.
2.
Bicycle parking and/or equestrian hitching facilities.
3.
Information center for transportation facilities.
4.
Rideshare vehicle loading areas.
5.
Vanpool vehicle accessibility.
6.
Bus stop improvements.
7.
On-site child care facilities.
8.
Facilities to encourage telecommuting.
9.
Alternative work schedules.
10.
Contributions to funds providing regional facilities designed to reduce vehicle trips and miles traveled.
11.
On-site amenities such as cafeterias and restaurants, automated teller machines, and other services that would eliminate the need for additional trips.
12.
Site design which promotes pedestrian interconnection between residential neighborhoods and commercial land uses, parks, schools (i.e., sidewalks through cul-de-sacs, wall breaks, parking lot pedestrian routes, etc.).
13.
Participation in programs and strategies to increase utilization of commuter rail station and system.
14.
Other measures as approved by the Director of Planning and Community Development.
D.
Permitted Parking Reductions. Upon approval by the Director, any development utilizing these trip reduction measures may reduce its total number of parking spaces required commensurate with the number of vehicle trips reduced.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.050 Applicability–Existing Development.
A.
This chapter shall apply to all existing development that employs 100 or more persons.
B.
Trip Reduction Plans: All applicable developments or businesses shall submit a Trip Reduction Plan to reduce work related vehicle trips by 12 percent. Said Plan shall be submitted within 120 days from the issuance and/or renewal of the business license.
C.
Trip Reduction Methods: Any combination of the following methods may be utilized to achieve the required vehicle trip reduction:
1.
Alternate Work Schedules/Flex-Time
a.
Office/Professional, Industrial, Manufacturing, Warehouse
i.
Incorporate alternate work schedules and flex-time programs (Adoption of 9/80 work schedule for all employees would account for a 10 percent reduction in vehicle trips).
b.
Hospital
i.
Incorporate alternate work schedules and flex-time programs for employees that normally work between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
2.
Telecommuting
a.
Office/Professional
i.
Office facilities 25,000 square feet or larger may preserve 5 percent of the gross floor area for telecommuting purposes to allow tenants with multiple facilities to establish satellite work centers.
ii.
Establish telecommuting or work at home programs to allow employees to work at a home or a satellite work center either one day per week or one day every two weeks.
iii.
Through the telecommuting or work at home program, provide incentives or offset employee costs in acquiring the needed equipment and supplies for telecommuting.
b.
All Other Uses
i.
Establish telecommuting or work at home programs for selected employees (i.e., certain clerical or administrative employees).
ii.
Through the telecommuting or work at home program, provide incentives or offset employee costs in acquiring the needed equipment and supplies for telecommuting.
3.
Bicycle Facilities/Equestrian Hitching Facilities
a.
All Uses
i.
Provide bicycle parking facilities and/or equestrian hitching facilities equivalent to 5 percent of the total required automobile parking spaces.
ii.
Preserve 2 percent of the gross floor area for employee locker and shower facilities.
4.
Parking Management
a.
All Uses
i.
Designate, with signs in lieu of painted pavement, employee parking area based upon the following rations:
a.
Office/Professional: 75% of Required Parking
b.
Commercial Retail: 30% of Required Parking
c.
Industrial/Manufacturing/Warehouse: 80% of Required Parking
d.
Hospital: 70% of Required Parking
ii.
Designate with signs, in lieu of painted pavement, 25 percent of employee parking for carpools and vanpools.
iii.
Offer financial or other incentives to employees who participate in ridesharing or an alternative mode of transportation other than the single occupant vehicle.
iv.
Establish a parking surcharge on the single occupant vehicle.
5.
Mass Transit Facility Usage
a.
All Uses
i.
Provide incentives to employees to use Mass Transit Facilities. Incentives could include provision of a bus pass, additional pay, flex-time or any other incentive which encourages employees to use mass transit in-lieu of the single occupant vehicle.
6.
Truck Dispatching, Rescheduling and Rerouting
a.
Commercial and Industrial Uses
i.
Establish delivery schedules and truck routing to avoid congested areas and minimize peak hour travel.
D.
Other Measures: Any other method or measure which can exhibit a reduction in vehicle trips shall be credited toward attaining the requirements of this Ordinance.
E.
Compliance with AQMD Reg XV: Trip Reduction Plans approved by the South Coast AQMD in accordance with provisions of Regulation XV may be submitted to the City in lieu of plans required under the provisions of this ordinance. AQMD approved Regulation XV Trip Reduction Plans approved by the City shall be deemed to comply with trip reduction plan requirements of this ordinance. Monitoring and annual reporting requirements shall continue to be the responsibility of AQMD and individual employers in accordance with rules and procedures established by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.060 Program Requirements.
A.
Any new or existing development project subject to this chapter shall be required to submit a Transportation Demand Management Plan to the Department of Community Development for review and approval. The plan shall address measures designed to reduce vehicle trips and travel demand including the following:
1.
Responsibilities of property owners and tenants;
2.
Facility improvements;
3.
Participation incentives;
4.
Vehicular operations;
5.
Monitoring, reporting and enforcement; and
6.
Other strategies, including participation in off-site improvements or trip reduction programs.
B.
An approved TDM Plan shall constitute a condition of Development Plan approval where appropriate.
C.
All applicable developments shall incorporate facilities and/or programs in their development plans sufficient to attain a 12 percent work-related trip reduction.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.070 TDM Annual Report.
All property owners and tenants subject to TDM requirements shall prepare and submit an annual TDM report to the Director within twelve months from the date of notification by the Director or from the time of issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy Permit. Subsequent reports shall be submitted at twelve month intervals. The annual TDM report shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
A.
Building occupancy percentages;
B.
A.M. peak hour vehicle trip counts;
C.
A description of TDM activities occurring over the reported twelve month period and activities planned for the following twelve-month period;
D.
A description of any modification, addition or deletion of TDM activities deemed necessary to achieve expected trip reduction levels.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.080 Implementation and Monitoring.
For the purpose of determining whether developments subject to this chapter are in compliance, the City may conduct monitoring activities it deems appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances. Monitoring activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
A.
Field inspections which may include traffic counts;
B.
Facility surveys or studies which the City may deem appropriate.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.090 Enforcement.
In the event of noncompliance with this chapter, the City shall, following written notice to the property owner or his or her designee, initiate enforcement action against such property owner or his or her designee which may include, but is not limited to the following:
A.
Withhold recordation of the final map;
B.
Withhold issuance of a Building Permit or Certificate of Occupancy;
C.
Issue a Stop Work Order;
D.
Exercise a lien based upon the terms of the agreement, on the subject property;
E.
A monetary penalty compounded on a monthly basis upon the length of time of non-compliance equal to the business license fee;
F.
Prosecute in a court of competent jurisdiction.
§ 18.54.100 Fees.
Initial Transportation Demand Management Plan review and annual review fees shall be as established by City Council resolution and required at the time of submission.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.110 Voluntary Plans and Programs.
A.
Employers which employ fewer than 100 people will be encouraged by the City to submit Trip Reduction Plans on a voluntary basis to achieve an overall trip reduction within the City of 12%.
B.
The City (designate official) shall be responsible for development effective incentive programs which promote voluntary programs to reduce vehicle trips and miles traveled.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.120 Appeals.
Any decision of the Director pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be appealed to the City Council. The City Council shall hear the appeal within 30 days of the date of filing. The decision of the City Council shall be final.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
§ 18.54.130 Violation–Penalty.
Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 661, 1993)
