HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Regional and State Transportation Policies AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10/12/2020
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Emma Newman/DPW
Staff Phone No: 541.726.4585
Estimated Time: 30 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Promote and Enhance
our Hometown Feel
while Focusing on
Livability and
Environmental Quality
ITEM TITLE: REGIONAL AND STATE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Approve or amend Council – Staff Communication Proposal regarding statewide
and regional transportation planning policies and direct staff on Springfield
priorities for Equity and Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking process.
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
The Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (CLMPO) has launched a
project to update the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in accordance with
federal requirements. This process establishes regional goals, objectives, and
performance measures for transportation in the metropolitan area.
The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) launched
an Equity and Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking process to amend several
statewide planning goals, with a particular focus on amendments to Goal 12, the
Transportation Planning Rule (TPR). This effort is incorporating direction from
Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Staff is seeking input from City Council on how the City of Springfield would like
to engage with regional and statewide partner agencies as part of these two
transportation planning efforts that involve the development and adoption of policy
changes. Staff would like to confirm communication methods between staff and
City Council for both projects and confirm Springfield priorities for rulemaking.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Council Briefing Memo
Attachment 2: Letter to LCDC from Councilor Pishioneri
Attachment 3: Regional Transportation Plan Update Project Overview
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The Regional Transportation Plan Update is underway and aims to be adopted by
Central Lane Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) in 2021. So far, MPC received
project overview information including the ten required federal planning factors.
MPC started discussing draft Goals for the plan on October 1, 2020. Development
and approval of Objectives to support the Goals and performance measures to
evaluate implementation will follow. See Attachment 3 for details.
The Land Conservation and Development Commission plans to have a Rulemaking
Advisory Committee (RAC) develop draft rule amendments regarding Equity and
Climate Friendly Communities by fall 2021 and conclude the adoption process by
the end of 2021.
Both of these policy efforts (state and regional) are likely to have implications for
future planning and implementation efforts in Springfield.
M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield
Date: 10/12/2020
To: Nancy Newton COUNCIL
From: Tom Boyatt, Community Development Director
Emma Newman, Senior Transportation Planner
BRIEFING
Subject: REGIONAL AND STATE TRANSPORTATION
POLICIES
MEMORANDUM
ISSUE:
The Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (CLMPO) has launched a project to
update the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in accordance with federal requirements. This
process establishes regional goals, objectives, and performance measures for transportation in
the metropolitan area.
The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) launched an Equity and
Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking process to amend several statewide planning goals,
with a particular focus on amendments to Goal 12, the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR). This
effort is incorporating direction from Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04 on reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
Staff is seeking input from City Council on engaging with regional and statewide partner
agencies as part of these two transportation planning efforts that involve the development and
adoption of policy changes. Staff would like to confirm communication methods between staff
and City Council for both projects and confirm Springfield priorities for rulemaking.
COUNCIL GOALS/
MANDATE:
Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel While Focusing on Livability and Environmental
Quality
BACKGROUND:
Staff is seeking direction on the following:
• Council – Staff Communication Proposal
• Springfield Priorities for Equity and Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking
1) Council – Staff Communication Proposal
Staff is seeking input from the full City Council on the following communication proposal with
input from the City of Springfield Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) representatives,
Councilors Pishioneri and Van Gordon:
• Staff attends and/or participates in DLCD Equity and Climate Friendly Communities
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) – staff applied to be a member of the
committee and is anticipating a response by mid-October
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 3
MEMORANDUM Page 2
• Staff provides brief updates through work sessions and/or Communication Packet
Memos during RTP update and rulemaking process
• Staff meets with the City’s MPC representatives as the lead Council representatives for
both of these efforts on an as needed basis and/or incorporated into MPC briefing
meetings
• MPC representatives communicate with staff regarding opportunities for the City to
provide public comment and testify as part of rulemaking process
Does Council support the Communication Proposal above? Would Council like to make
any adjustments?
2) Springfield Priorities for Equity and Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking
Mayor Christine Lundberg presented to the Land Conservation and Development Commission
(DLCD) on behalf of Central Lane MPO in May 2020. In September, Council President
Pishioneri submitted a letter of support to LCDC to encourage DLCD to appoint Emma
Newman, City of Springfield’s Senior Transportation Planner, to the RAC. The letter also
articulated Springfield’s interests and hopes for the process (see ATT2).
At the September LCDC meeting, the Commission discussed the charge for rulemaking and
launched the process. The Rulemaking Charge agenda item (see item 2) details out the intent of
the rulemaking process, including requirements for:
• high levels of development in climate-friendly areas,
• high quality pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure planning,
• limiting ability to mandate minimum off-street parking,
• limiting use of motor vehicle congestion standards,
• prioritizing and selecting projects to support greenhouse gas emission reductions, and
• supporting electric vehicle charging facilities.
So far, City of Springfield communications to LCDC have emphasized the following points.
• Flexibility to respond to local context - LCDC should set statewide goals and
determine the why of the rulemaking process while allowing cities across Oregon to
have flexibility in determining the how of implementing actions that reflect the values
and unique characteristics of individual communities. Two or more agencies can
accomplish the same goal by taking different paths. The State should allow a local
jurisdiction to use a variety of different tools that are important to a community and
enable them to maximize co-benefits that are important to them such as improved
economy, public health benefits, and equity outcomes.
• Different standards for different MPOs - The jurisdictions in the metropolitan areas
outside of Portland Metro should have standards that differ from Portland Metro since
Portland Metro is the only MPO in Oregon with land use authority and has a
significantly larger population.
• State should not require more planning and evaluation without funding – The State
should not mandate monitoring by local jurisdictions unless significant funding
accompanies the requirement. Smaller cities do not have staff available to dedicate more
time and energy to State issues when we are trying to focus our staff’s time and energy
on delivering projects that help implement the goals of the Statewide Transportation
Strategy and result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 3
MEMORANDUM Page 3
• Rulemaking should reflect prior rulemaking effort – About two years ago, Oregon
MPOs, and others, were involved via a DLCD Advisory Committee in nearly two years
of draft rulemaking that resulted in recommended updates and would have moved
metropolitan area transportation forward. DLCD pulled the draft rule amendments with
no explanation at the last minute, resulting in a loss of progress. This new Equity and
Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking effort should focus on similar TPR
amendments to those drafted more than a year ago and not start over.
• Lack of implementation funding is the key barrier to achieving outcomes - In order
to make significant reductions to transportation related greenhouse gas emissions in
Springfield and Central Lane MPO, funding to implement projects, policies, and
programs in our transportation plans is critical. Significant investments in walking,
biking, and transit are necessary to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Are there any additional Springfield priorities to emphasize as staff and Council
representatives engage in the upcoming process? Does Council wish to adjust any of the
priorities above?
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Council – Staff Communication Proposal regarding
statewide and regional transportation planning policies and direct staff on Springfield priorities
for Equity and Climate Friendly Communities Rulemaking process.
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 3
COURT OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL 225 FIFTH STREET
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477
541.726.3700
FAX 541.726.2363
www.springfield-or.gov
September 18, 2020
Land Conservation and Development Commission
635 Capitol St NE, Suite 150
Salem, OR 97301-2540
RE: Initiating Climate Friendly Equitable Rulemaking
Commissioners,
I am writing on behalf of the City of Springfield in favor of appointing Emma Newman, our Senior Transportation Planner,
to the rulemaking advisory committee for the Climate Friendly Equitable Rulemaking process. We want to ensure the
process is successful in reaching statewide goals while being broad and flexible enough to allow cities and local
jurisdictions implementation options.
One of Oregon’s strengths is the diversity of cities and metropolitan regions. There are a wide variety of geographies,
histories, industries, populations, prior development patterns, and visions for the future.
Representation from the City of Springfield will help ensure individual communities across Oregon directly impacted by
the outcomes are able to help shape the rules to reflect their values and greatest opportunities. The local context is integral
to developing amendments which allow our city and others to hold true to local characteristics while shaping and
accomplishing statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
People come to Springfield specifically to access a high quality of life and experience a healthy community. In 2020,
Springfield’s walkable, vibrant downtown was named the BEST Walkable Neighborhood in Lane County. Downtown, one
of the city’s commercial centers, is an example of our rich history, with flourishing new developments, businesses, and a
renewed focus on revitalization that is true to the Springfield community’s vision and needs. Planning based in the local
community allows the various neighborhoods throughout a city to reflect the neighborhood priorities while accomplishing
broader transportation and land use goals.
We are Springfield. What works for us may not work for other cities across Oregon and vice versa. We urge the State to
focus on the why of the rulemaking process while allowing cities across Oregon to have flexibility in determining the how.
By appointing Emma Newman to the rulemaking advisory committee, you will be choosing a RAC member who will help
move the process forward to reach statewide outcomes while garnering support from local jurisdictions by providing
options as to what path, transit service, or other transportation tools help us reach our communal destination.
Sincerely,
Joe Pishioneri
City Council President
Attachment 2, Page 1 of 1
Central Lane MPO Regional Transportation Plan Update Project Overview
Project Purpose
The Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is underway with an update to the Regional
Transportation Plan, including updates to the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) plan and
Congestion Management Process (CMP) in accordance with federal planning requirements. This project
will ultimately:
• Create common regional transportation goals, objectives, and performance measures that can
be used for the RTP, CMP, and ITS plan.
• Ensure future transportation investment decisions consider the full range of tools to meet
community needs and the region’s goals and objectives.
• Outline long range and day-to-day transportation operations needs and produce strategies and
projects that consider the full range of transportation options.
Many state and federal funding sources require an established plan be in place that identifies the
transportation needs and how to meet them. This regional planning effort will fulfill these requirements.
This plan will build on previous work from area partners and help move the region closer to realizing
regional goals, action measures, and projects.
Project Study Area
The RTP covers the MPO Planning Area. The MPO Planning Area is the area within the urban growth
boundaries of Eugene, Springfield, and Coburg, and a small area of Lane County adjacent to these urban
areas. Partners in the MPO are:
• City of Coburg
• City of Eugene
• City of Springfield
• Lane County
• Lane Transit District
• Oregon Department of Transportation
Project Timeline
The project launched in fall 2020 and is expected to be completed and adopted by the Metropolitan
Policy Committee (MPC) by June 2021.
Draft Plan Content
The September MPC agenda item highlights the major changes to be integrated into the 2045 RTP and
includes the ten required federal planning factors. The October MPC agenda item includes draft Goals.
Attachment 3, Page 1 of 1