Reso PC22-06 0079 PC Reso Recommending Certification of the SEIR

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Findings and Statements Required by the California Environmental Quality Act Redwood City Transit District DTPP Amendments 52 ESA / 202100421.00 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report October 2022 outweigh its significant adverse environmental effects and is an overriding consideration warranting approval. The City finds that the Reduced Office Alternative (referred to below as the “Transit District CTPP Amendments”) will have the following economic, social, technological, and environmental benefits: 1. Implementing the Redwood City General Plan goals and policies relating to sustainable growth. The General Plan contains numerous policies and programs designed and intended to promote sustainable growth and development. The policies and programs related to the downtown area, including the area of the Transit District, are an important component of this plan. The City’s vision for the downtown area is described generally at page BE-47, and pages BE-73 to BE-74. The DTPP was a necessary and important step in achieving this vision, by providing specific regulations intended to create a vibrant urban center in the downtown area, consistent with the General Plan vision. Adoption of the Transit District DTPP Amendments would further this vision by establishing a new sub- area within the DTPP focused on transit-oriented development that would serve a new hub of office, residential and retail uses. The Transit District DTPP 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 Transit District DTPP Amendments further increase commercial, residential and retail development within the DTPP adjacent to 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 Transit District DTPP Amendments include pedestrian, bicycle, and transit enhancements to increase safety and to improve connectivity to and from the relocated Transit Center, including an expanded Caltrain Station, and the greater Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Among these would be a requirement for protected bike lanes and potential improvements to bus loading along El Camino Real. The Transit District DTPP Amendments’ planned grid street network will allow for safe movement of people and discourage speeding and other hazardous vehicle movements. The Transit District DTPP Amendments’ proposed smaller blocks and grid network would be supplemented by enhanced crosswalks and traffic