South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Livable Communities Working Group
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
South Bay Environmental Services Center
20285 Western Ave., Suite 100
Agenda
I.
Welcome & Introductions
Attendees: Masa Alkire (El Segundo), Grieg Asher (SCAG-GHG Project
Manager), Perry Banner (Lawndale), Andrea Giancoli (Beach Cities
Health District), Eric Haaland (Manhattan Beach), Yvonne Mallory
(Gardena), Leza Mikhail (RPV), Saied Naaseh (Carson), , Steven Mateer
(Metro), Sung bin Cho, Boyang Zhang, Jung Seo and Frank Wen (SCAG:
RTP Local Input), Eric Widstrand (RBF Consulting), Jacki Bacharach,
Wally Siembab and Rosemary Lackow (SBCCOG)
II.
SCAG Data Request – 1-on-1 Meetings, City Survey
Frank Wen, PhD, Manager, Research and Analysis
Division of Land Use & Environmental Planning
And Local Input Team
Wally introduced Frank Wen, who then introduced the SCAG RTP Local Input
team including: Jung Seo, Sung bin Cho, and Boyang Zhang who provide
support with the planning, GIS, and forecasting for the RTP data collection
program. The “Data Map Books”, November 2013, were handed out to all
cities who were present, and the COG will mail out copies to cities not
represented.
Mr. Wen provided a brief recap on the RTP schedule, reminding that there
are 3 stages and presently the program is in early Stage 2, which includes:
Review of Base Year 2012 Socioeconomic Data and Future Years’ (2020,
2035, 2040) Forecasts, Green Region Initiative Survey, and Open Space
Conservation Activity- Local Governments Questionnaire and goes from
November, 2013 to May, 2014). Currently they are working on the growth
forecasts. Stage 3 will involve Land Use Scenario Planning Exercises and will
go from May to September, 2014. Most subregions missed deadlines, and so
the deadlines from Stage 1 are rolled over into Stage 2. Mr. Wen summarized
that the cities need to review the data and forecasts and complete 2 surveys:
the Local Implementation Survey Part I (12/11/13) and the Open Space
Conservation Activity – Questionnaire. The surveys can also be done online,
each should take no more than 30 minutes to do. The goal is to put all the
data into one subregion table.
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In mid-February, SCAG plans to hold “one-on-one” meetings which each city
so that each city will be clear as to that is needed from them, and also have
an opportunity to identify any areas of disagreement. The COG will assist
SCAG in setting these up. It is hoped that when the cities meet, they will be
prepared and be able to go right into a discussion about the data and
forecasting. All the surveys will be requested to be returned by the end of
February.
Q & A / Discussion
Rancho Palos Verdes (Leza) asked and Frank Wen responded that he will
confirm their contact person for RPV. Frank further noted at this time, the
cities need to focus on the land use maps for their cities that SCAG is
preparing, revision of the gross forecasting, and completing and turning in the
surveys.
Finally Mr. Wen explained that while there is no direct relevance to the RHNA
at this point in time, as they proceed down the road there will be carry over to
the next RHNA cycle in 2020 so, it is important that data and info be as
accurate as possible.
In response to a question from Wally, Mr. Wen indicated the online tool may
be ready as early as May. Wally pointed out that the tool is key because the
Map Book forecasting will be based on the same model used for the online
tool and is potentially very powerful and useful.
The COG will send Frank all the names of City contacts attending the Livable
Communities Working Group who will be added to the one-on-one meetings
contact list.
Brief discussion followed in which cities referred to comments made on the
first Map Book maps, regarding errors in classifying land use of sites, (e.g.
institution listed as vacant). It was explained that this is the purpose of the
one-on-one meetings and that emails will be sent to the cities explaining
meeting schedules, and how to prepare for the meeting.
III.
First Mile/Last Mile Path Planning Guidelines-- Draft
Steven Mateer, Project Manager and Transportation Planner, Metro
Jacki introduced Mr. Mateer, explaining that this First/Last mile issue is
getting a lot of attention at Metro. Wally added that Steven is new to Metro,
and replaces Sarah Jepson, who now works for SCAG. This is very
important and significant study.
Mr. Mateer gave a power point presentation of the Plan, which is available in
pdf format on the SBCCOG website under Committees, Livable Communities
Working Group page at:
http://www.southbaycities.org/sites/default/files/livable_communities/Presenta
tion_First%20and%20Last%20Mile_SBCOG_Livable%20Communities.pdf
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The following were the main points:
 Purpose: 3 objectives: to expand reach of transit, to maximize multimodal
benefits & efficiencies, and guide strategic investment in transportation
networks.
 Impetus: there is a clear need to get users to / from transit stations.
 13 case studies, sensitive to subregional needs
 Safety and Security and obstacles identified. (e.g. freeways, long blocks.)
 Metro Strategy: respond to the transit user challenges, with a focused
infrastructure improvement strategy, “the PATH”; Path networks increase
speed of active travel, reduce point to point distances, and support
multimodal transfer activity.
Mr. Mateer noted that comments on the draft document are due in midFebruary and they hope to adopt late Fall, 2014. They are currently seeking
input from local partners, technical groups and the public.
Q & A / Discussion
Discussion was held and it was noted that after adoption there still would be a
lot to work out, and this is why it’s vital to work with local partners. It was
noted that this plan could assist jurisdictions or agencies in seeking grant
applications, by using the strategies and referencing guidelines. G. Asher
(SCAG) noted that this type of policy document is essentially a toolbox and
can get you to a point up to digging in the street – at which point funding
would be needed for construction activities from agencies like Caltrans or
Metro. Mr. Mateer also indicated that Metro is looking into applying for Tiger
grants (US DOT discretionary grants)
Masa A. (El Segundo) inquired as to who to contact to advise on how to
coordinate in-lieu fees received from developers within Specific Plan Areas
near their light rail stations, which are to be used ultimately for bike stations.
Avital Shavit at Metro and Steve Lantz, Transportation consultant with the
SBCCOG, were suggested.
Input to Metro on Plan
Further discussion resulted in the following input to Metro:
 Wally suggested that the Plan add mention of “roller lanes” specially sized
lanes for use by slower modes (scooters, bikes, anything on wheels other
than cars).
 Jacki B. asked whether Metro has data on mode split at their stations,
concerned that standard performance measures typically do not address
slower vehicles and look only at cars versus one other mode, such as
public transit. She suggested that Metro determine realistic mode splits
for their stations, to determine whether there actually will be sufficient
transit use to support that split. Mr. Mateer indicated he did not think the
mode split info as suggested was readily available, but could be obtained,
agreeing that performance measures are very important especially for
implementing the Plan.
 Grieg A. (SCAG) supported developing performance measures is
important to avoid unintended results, and cited a case in downtown and
one on Figueroa near USC where a standard width lane is planned to be
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eliminated and it will be interesting to see that study forthcoming within
the year and will inform Jacki about that.
Grieg briefly mentioned “Active Transportation”, noting that a lot of federal
funding is being allocated, SCAG and Metro have a joint work program, and
that it is big in the RTP. Grieg noted that the intent in their joint program is to
include a mix of stations, urban and small town, etc., so this can work for
many cities. Wally recommended that roller lanes be mentioned in
presentations on these projects and he will see about having Sarah Jepson
present in an upcoming meeting. Brief discussion on roller lanes followed
and it was established that their width is 6-7- feet, which can be
accommodated by reducing the width of lanes from 11 or 12 feet to 10 feet
(up to 2 feet can sometimes be acquired).
Wally concluded by stating that the SBCCOG is very supportive of these
concepts and inquired as to the next meeting on the First Last Mile Strategic
Plan. Mr. Mateer stated it would be in March and he can come back to the
group in April or May. On February 12th additionally Metro will be conducting
a Complete Streets Workshop.
IV.
PEV Readiness -- Findings
Wally Siembab, SBCCOG
Wally gave an update reporting that employers are saying they are going to
wait until someone comes to them requesting the EV charging infrastructure
and they are not planning now to install. The concern is that the mid-price
market is going to stall. HOA’s are typically fiscally very conservative and
owners of even the biggest most expensive buildings are not interested.
However in Seattle there is going to be a pilot program to see if putting in EV
charging will result in better tenants.
Wally is finalizing recommendations and next steps. Discussion followed
about monitoring vehicle registrations and public education. Regarding
registrations, it appears that the longer you can monitor, the better you can
forecast. It is exciting because it is expected that the mode share among
driver is expected to remain high.
In response to question from Eric H. (MB), Wally indicated that we have some
info on registrations, but if the South Bay contracts with car2go, we could
have access to that data and derive the effect of carsharing, for example on
the numbers of other types of vehicles, including EVs.
Wally indicated also that he found it very difficult to get info directly from onsite building managers. Information was easier gained by posing as potential
tenants. It was also found that half of the total dwelling units in the South Bay
are multifamily buildings, and 20% are condominiums - so that is a significant
constraint. However, the Luskin Center is also saying that build out is more
likely to happen under large economy of scale conditions. A further constraint
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based on that is that in South Bay very few of the multifamily dwelling units
are in very large multifamily buildings.
Wally concluded by stating more studies are needed. A thought was that due
to such large constraints, perhaps pressure should be taken off of the
buildings and move towards dual use charging. For the cities, there is a need
for a common application form for all the cities for charging stations and the
key commonality is that all cities have zoning and building ordinances where
policy can be established. For example, Rolling Hills Estates took the step
(and won an award for) revising their code to require pre-wiring of homes for
EV charging.
Grieg A. (SCAG) suggested that cities interested in revising their codes and
policies or developing applications, could apply to SCAG for a grant to
accomplish this. He noted it is a year until the next “call for projects” so this
type of grant funding is available meanwhile.
V
Updates
SBCCOG General Assembly – February 28
Jacki Bacharach, SBCCOG
Jacki distributed a flyer, noted the speakers so far and theme (impacts from
changing climate), and urged all to attend.
V.
Other Business – None
VI.
Adjournment – 4:35 pm
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