Reso23-14 Reso 0048 PC23-14 PC Reso Recommending Certification of the SEIR GP & DTPP

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Findings and Statements Required by the California Environmental Quality Act Redwood City DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments 60 ESA / 202100421.01 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report May 2023 center in the downtown area, consistent with the General Plan vision. Adoption of the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would further this vision by continuing to allow for sustainable, transit-oriented development that is responsive to market demands and can be constructed. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments include amendments to the General Plan to ensure consistency with the General Plan, including the DTPP. 2. Reducing the number of vehicle trips that occur in the City and the number of vehicle miles traveled by residents of the City. Motor vehicle trips are the biggest source of air pollution and GHG emissions in California. Reducing the number and length of vehicle trips by residents of Redwood City will benefit Redwood City residents, both directly and indirectly, by improving local air quality, alleviating traffic congestion on local streets and roadways, contributing to regional and statewide efforts to reverse or slow global warming, reducing local energy consumption, and contributing to broader efforts to reduce our nation’s dependency on foreign oil and petroleum products. The DTPP enabled substantial residential and commercial growth in close proximity to public transit, employment opportunities, entertainment and recreational opportunities, retail and commercial providers, and other necessary services, thereby eliminating and/or shortening the length of a substantial number of vehicle trips in the City. Adoption and implementation of the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would further increase commercial, residential, and retail development within the amended DTPP area adjacent to and near the Redwood City Transit Center, including Caltrain Station and SamTrans bus depot, and thus, serve to further to minimize automobile travel and VMT, consistent with the City’s GHG reduction goals. 3. Improving transportation safety and connectivity. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments include features designed to encourage and promote public access, improve vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation, where limited access exists today, and encourage alternative modes of transportation besides automobile. Specifically, the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would involve street vacations/closures that create a more pedestrian- oriented environment Downtown. The street vacations/closures would not impede vehicular traffic because of the grid circulation network across Downtown that would allow cars to reroute their trips with only minor detours. The realigned street grid north of James Avenue and west of the Transit Center would create better connections to the Transit Center, allow for wider sidewalks and improved pedestrian sight lines, and provide a new four-way stop-controlled intersection. Throughout the amended DTPP area, widened sidewalks and protected pedestrian crossings would also be provided on certain designated streets. The closure of street segments to vehicular traffic, while allowing for people to walk or ride bikes, would increase safety for these people on the closed segments. These circulation improvements would be consistent with the circulation plan set forth in the DTPP. Lastly, the improvements would support active transportation consistent with RWCmoves, Citywide Transportation Plan, the El Camino Real Corridor Plan, and in- progress Vision Zero strategy. 4. Compliance with State mandates. Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, required that GHG emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. The State has determined that cities must implement land use strategies, such as dense and