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Commissioners probe circulation element: evacuation links, VMT, active transportation and parking
Summary
At a workshop on the draft circulation element commissioners pressed staff on what 'integrating regional networks and evacuation routes' means in practice, asked for traffic/evacuation studies and connectivity mapping, and discussed VMT, complete streets, parking-time limits and bus headways.
The Sonoma Planning Commission discussed the draft circulation element during its Oct. 16 meeting, focusing on integrating local streets with regional networks and evacuation planning, expanding active-transportation options and how to measure transportation impacts.
Planning staff described the circulation element as a required general‑plan section centered on mobility, regional coordination (Caltrans, Sonoma County agencies) and policies for complete streets and active transportation. Commissioners asked for clarity about what “effectively integrate” means in practice for evacuation routes and whether the city’s participation in county and regional planning (including SCTA and Caltrans) will produce a formal evacuation plan for residents.
Commissioners debated performance metrics. Staff said the city proposes retaining level‑of‑service (LOS) as a local tool while also incorporating vehicle‑miles‑traveled (VMT) analysis in environmental review consistent with SB 743. Some commissioners supported keeping LOS for local traffic management; others flagged VMT as an additional environmental measure.
Discussion turned to active transportation and parking. Staff outlined Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures and the possibility of lengthening on‑street time limits (for example, extending paid‑parking or modifying a three‑hour limit) to direct employee parking to other lots. The commission also discussed micro‑roundabouts and smaller intersection treatments as lower‑impact alternatives to full roundabouts.
Public comment came from Caitlin Cornwallis of the Sonoma Valley Collaborative and Ecology, who said the group has built an ArcGIS online connectivity map combining county and city datasets to show proposed trail and connector links, and that the project team is pursuing grant funding and partnership with the city to complete the map and proposals.
Commissioners requested follow-up including: traffic and evacuation scenario studies in the safety element, continued outreach on active‑transportation proposals, and coordination with county and regional agencies when draft maps and policies are circulated.
