“Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment.” The project VMT analysis and significance determination are undertaken in a manner consistent with the Office of Planning and Research’s (OPR) Technical Advisory. Per the DEIR, this project is found to have a significant VMT impact.
Caltrans acknowledges that the DEIR has identified MM TRANS-2a, MM TRANS-2b and MM TRANS-2c to help mitigate future developments’ potential VMT impact. The option of contributing VMT impact fees to Sonoma County Transportation Authority’s VMT Mitigation Program could help future developments to further mitigate their VMT impact, if the implementation of the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures are insufficient to mitigate it to a less-than-significant level.
Thank you again for including Caltrans in the environmental review process. Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Melissa Hernandez, Associate Transportation Planner via [email protected].
For future early coordination opportunities or project referrals, please visit Caltrans LDR website (link) or contact [email protected].
Sincerely,
YUNSHENG LUO
Branch Chief, Local Development Review
Office of Regional and Community Planning
c: State Clearinghouse
CALTRANS
2 of 2
4 5
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City of Cloverdale—General Plan Circulation Element Update Project Final Subsequent EIR Responses to Written Comments
FirstCarbon Solutions 2-5 https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/4859/48590005/EIR/3 - Final EIR/48590005 Sec02-00 Responses to Written Comments.docx State Agencies
California Department of Transportation
Response to CALTRANS-1
This comment includes introductory remarks only. No further response is required.
Response to CALTRANS-2
This comment notes the Circulation Element Update’s role in identifying guiding principles for people and goods movement in the City. It acknowledges the role of this measure toward supporting City compliance with State-mandated requirements for Complete Streets and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reduction. Comment noted. This comment summarizes the purpose of the Update and raises no environmental concerns. No response is required.
Response to CALTRANS-3
This comment notes the implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 743 and the role of Caltrans toward assessing VMT impacts for land use projects. The comment summarizes the role of Caltrans and raises no environmental concerns. No response is required.
Response to CALTRANS-4
This comment summarizes the Draft Subsequent EIR findings for the proposed project’s significant impact on VMT. This comment raises no environmental concerns. No response is required.
Response to CALTRANS-5
This comment acknowledges the Draft Subsequent EIR’s role in identifying Mitigation Measure (MM) TRANS-2a, MM TRANS-2b, and MM TRANS-2c as feasible mitigation measures for the proposed project. This comment raises no environmental concerns. No response is required.
Response to CALTRANS-6
This comment includes concluding remarks only. No response is required. 216
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Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
for the
General Plan Circulation Element Update Project
Environmental Impact Report
City of Cloverdale, Sonoma County, California
Prepared for:
City of Cloverdale
Planning and Community Development Department
124 North Cloverdale Boulevard
Cloverdale, CA 95425
707.894.1723
Contact: Kevin Thompson, Assistant City Manager
Prepared by:
FirstCarbon Solutions
2999 Oak Road, Suite 250
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
925.357.2562
Contact: Janna Waligorski, Project Director
Madelyn Dolan, Project Manager
Report Date: March 7, 2025
•• • FCS
An ADEC Innovation
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City of Cloverdale
General Plan Circulation Element Update Project Preface FirstCarbon Solutions 3 Https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/4859/48590005/MMRP/48590005 Cloverdale General Plan Circulation Element Update Project MMRP.docx
PREFACE
Section 21081.6 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15097 require a Lead Agency to adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) whenever it adopts an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in conjunction with a project approval.
The purpose of the MMRP is to ensure compliance with the mitigation measures occurs during project implementation.
The Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (Draft Subsequent EIR) prepared for the proposed General Plan Circulation Element Update Project (proposed project) concluded that project implementation could result in potentially significant effects on the environment and mitigation measures were incorporated into the proposed project or are required as a condition of project approval that reduce these potential impacts. However, even with incorporation of these mitigation measures, it was determined that impacts would be significant and unavoidable. This MMRP documents how and when the mitigation measures adopted by the Lead Agency will be implemented.
This document does not discuss those subjects that the environmental analysis demonstrates would result in less than significant impacts and for which no mitigation was proposed or necessary. 220
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City of Cloverdale
General Plan Circulation Element Update Project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program FirstCarbon Solutions 5 https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/4859/48590005/MMRP/48590005 Cloverdale General Plan Circulation Element Update Project MMRP.docx Table 1: General Plan Circulation Element Update Project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Mitigation Measures Method of Verification Timing of Verification Responsible for
Verification
Verification of Completion
Date Initial
3.1 Transportation and Traffic
MM TRANS-2a: When the City of Cloverdale (City) receives an application for a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it shall apply the “Screening Thresholds for Land Use Projects” set forth in the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Technical Advisory for Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA. If the project would exceed the screening thresholds, or other evidence demonstrates a potentially significant Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impact, the City shall require the applicant to prepare a quantitative project-level VMT analysis.
Review of project
application by City of
Cloverdale
Prior to approval of
project application
City of Cloverdale
MM TRANS-2b: For projects consistent with the General Plan, if the project-level Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis, prepared as a result of MM TRANS-2a, shows that the project would not meet or exceed the applicable numeric threshold of significance (a reduction of 6.3 percent VMT per service population), the City shall require the applicant to prepare and implement a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program.
Prior to issuance of building permits, project applicants shall develop a TDM Program for proposed projects, including any anticipated phasing, and shall submit the TDM Program to the City of Cloverdale for review and approval. The TDM Program shall identify trip reduction strategies as well as mechanisms for funding and overseeing the delivery of trip reduction programs and strategies. The TDM Program shall be incorporated into and implemented as part of the project. Trip reduction strategies may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Provision of bus stop improvements or on-site mobility hubs • Provision of bus stop improvements or on-site mobility hubs • Pedestrian improvements, on-site or off-site, to connect to nearby transit stops, services, schools, shops, etc.
Review of TDM
program by City of
Cloverdale for
approval
Prior to the issuance
of building permits
City of Cloverdale
222
City of Cloverdale
General Plan Circulation Element Update Project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program FirstCarbon Solutions 6 https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/4859/48590005/MMRP/48590005 Cloverdale General Plan Circulation Element Update Project MMRP.docx Mitigation Measures Method of Verification Timing of Verification Responsible for
Verification
Verification of Completion
Date Initial
• Bicycle programs including bike purchase incentives, storage, maintenance programs, and on-site education program
• Enhancements to citywide bicycle network
• Parking reductions and/or fees set at levels sufficient to incentivize transit, active transportation, or shared modes • Cash allowances, passes, or other public transit subsidies and purchase incentives
• Enhancements to bus service
• Implementation of shuttle service
• Establishment of carpool, bus pool, or vanpool programs • Vanpool purchase incentives
• Low emission vehicle purchase incentives/subsidies
• Compliance with a future County VMT/TDM ordinance
• Participation in a future County VMT impact fee program • Participate in future VMT exchange or mitigation bank programs As these TDM strategies are heavily dependent on context, a matrix, included as Table 3.1-4 of the Subsequent Draft EIR, details which TDM strategies may be most effective when taking into account local contexts, called Site Groups. The TDM Program shall illustrate that VMT impacts would be reduced by at least 6.3 percent VMT per service population.
MM TRANS-2c: Upon implementation of a Sonoma County
Transportation Authority (SCTA) Regional VMT Mitigation Bank and/or regional Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impact fee program, future individual development projects that would not meet or exceed the applicable number threshold of significance (a reduction of 6.3 percent VMT per service population) for VMT would have the option to contribute VMT impact fees to SCTA in addition to or in place of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program strategies.
Submittal of
confirmation of
payment to the City of
Cloverdale
Prior to the issuance
of building permits
City of Cloverdale
223
City of Cloverdale
General Plan Circulation Element
Update Project Subsequent EIR
City Council Hearing
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
224
Project Background
• 2009 – Current General Plan Adopted
• Current General Plan:
• Uses Level of Service (LOS) as a threshold
• State of California
• SB 743: As of July 2020, the State required the use of Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) as a metric, rather than LOS
• City of Cloverdale
• Updating its Circulation Element to ensure SB 743 compliance 225
SB 743
• Vehicle-Miles Travelled
• Looks at average project trip length, per capita
• Requires projects to demonstrate a 15 percent reduction against the City/County/Regional Average trip length
• Projects within 0.5 miles of a major transit stop or equivalent are presumed to be less than significant, if:
• FAR greater than 0.75
• No excess parking
• Does not replace affordable units
226
Project Elements
• Circulation Element Update will:
• Address Senate Bill (SB) 743
• State now requires VMT analysis rather than LOS
• Update policies, where needed to align with State
Requirements
• Ensure consistency with State law regarding Complete Streets • Requires consideration of all modes of travel
• pedestrian, bicycle, children, seniors, transit riders, disabled 227
Environmental Review Process
• City of Cloverdale is the Lead Agency
• Purpose of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is to identify potential environmental impacts, and to avoid
or mitigate those impacts, if feasible
• An EIR is the highest level of CEQA review and
provides impartial evaluation of a project’s impacts
• Circulation Element Update is limited to policy changes • does not propose any physical environmental changes.
• Subsequent EIR is focused solely on Transportation
• NOP scoped out all other topics
228
Environmental Review Timeline
= Opportunity for Public Input
Notice of
Preparation
(NOP)
Scoping Period
(30 Days)
Environmental
Review
Prepared
Draft EIR
Published
Public Comment Period
for Draft EIR
(45 Days)
Response to
Comments and
Final EIR
Planning
Commission
Meeting
January 31, 2024
January 31 – March
1, 2024 Completed September 13, 2024
October 28, 2024
City Council
Hearing
May 6, 2025 July 23, 2025
229
Key Draft EIR Conclusions
• The proposed Circulation Element Update
would decrease VMT:
• Home-based resident 19.18% reduction
• Home-based employee 13.37% reduction
• Total City VMT 9.25% reduction
• State threshold is 15% reduction
• Potentially significant impact for Total City VMT
230
Mitigation Measures
• Mitigation Measure (MM) TRANS-2a:
• Future projects must apply VMT Screening Thresholds
• Projects that exceed thresholds must conduct project-level quantitative VMT analysis
• MM TRANS-2b:
• Require a TDM program for projects that do not meet the screening threshold
• Bus stop, pedestrian / bike improvements, parking reduction, transit enhancements, etc.
• MM TRANS-2c:
• Require contribution to a future SCTA Mitigation Bank for VMT, for projects that do not screen out in TRANS-2a
231
Final EIR Content Summary
• 1 comment letter received: Caltrans
• Caltrans letter did not raise any comments or
concerns
• No edits to the Draft EIR were required
232
Next Steps
• City Council will consider the following actions:
• Certification of the EIR
• Adoption of the updated Circulation Element
233
Thank you!
234
City Council/Successor
Agency
Agenda Item Summary
Agenda Item:
Meeting Date:
H.1
July 23, 2025
Agenda Section:
New Business
Staff Contact:
Mike Maloney, City Clerk
Agenda Item Title:
Cloverdale Citizen Recognition Program (CCRP)
Recommended Council Action(s):
Provide direction to staff on the proposed recognition program. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Background:
Cloverdale City Council members indicated a desire for an annual program that allows each member of the Council to independently select and recognize residents, organizations, or groups whose efforts enhance civic spirit, improve quality of life, and otherwise contribute meaningfully to the Cloverdale community.
In response, City staff developed a proposed framework for the Cloverdale Citizen Recognition Program (CCRP). The CCRP is designed to provide a flexible and equitable structure through which each councilmember may annually nominate and honor community members of their choosing. Eligible honorees may include—but are not limited to—volunteers, youth leaders, small business owners, cultural organizers, first responders, or any individual or group whose contributions positively reflect Cloverdale’s values and community identity.
________________________________________________________________________________________ CCRP Program Summary:
• Purpose
o The CCRP is intended to complement existing recognition tools, such as proclamations, while expanding the City’s capacity to highlight the diverse contributions of Cloverdale’s residents.
By providing a standing program with defined parameters, the CCRP supports both transparency and accessibility, while maintaining space for individual councilmember discretion in identifying honorees.
• Objectives
o Recognize outstanding acts of community service, volunteerism, leadership, and innovation.
o Foster civic pride and encourage greater community engagement. o Provide a transparent platform for councilmembers to select their recipients • Program Structure
o Criteria
Community Impact
Sustainability
Reach of the contribution
Alignment with city values.
o Recognition Frequency
Each Councilmember may select 1 recipient per calendar year No more than 1 councilmember selection per meeting
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City Council/Successor Agency Agenda Item Summary
Meeting Date June 25, 2025
o Recipient Eligibility
Live in or serve the Cloverdale Community
Individuals, families, groups, or organizations may be selected Must be willing to accept the recognition
o Recognition
City Council Certificate of Appreciation
Photo featured on City Social Medias and Newsletter
________________________________________________________________________________________ Options:
Provide feedback/direction on CCRP proposal.
________________________________________________________________________________________ Subcommittee Recommendation:
N/A
________________________________________________________________________________________ Budget/Financial Impact:
Minimal – Staff time.
________________________________________________________________________________________ Attachments:
1. None.
236
From: Shirley Davis
To: Public Comments
Subject: PVP Flier
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:44:44 AM
City of Cloverdale
124 N. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA. 95425
Dear City Council:
I would like to know more specific information about the PVP flier:
“The water enterprise paid for the flyer and the cost was $430.13.” Who was the payment made to?
Who designed the flier?
Who originally produced it?
What factual resources were used to support the City’s
portrayal?
Thank you in advance for providing this information.
Shirley Davis
Cloverdale
237