Michael Huff, RCA
Principal Fire Protection Planner
Michael Huff is a senior project manager within Dudek’s Urban Forestry/Fire Protection Planning team with 27 years’ experience as a forester and fire protection planner. Mr. Huff specializes in management of community-wide and project-specific fire protection plans (FPPs), wildland–urban interface (WUI) fire management plans, wildfire hazard reduction projects, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) supporting technical documents, Oak Woodland impact and mitigation plans, urban and community forest management plans, forest and tree inventories, impact analysis studies, and tree hazard evaluations. Mr.
Huff possesses considerable project issue resolution experience and focuses on working within the regulations to provide creative, cost-saving solutions to his clients. He also serves as a speaker/trainer at the annual Fire Prevention Officer’s Institute.
Project Experience
Development
Post-Wildfire Landscape Assessments, AIG Insurance, Santa Barbara, Poway and Rancho Santa Fe, California. Managed several projects involving the post-wildfire landscape assessments and loss valuations.
The projects included landscape inventory with GPS technology, assessments of plant material for damage level and anticipated recovery, and appraised loss value calculations.
On-Call Fire Plan Review/Third-Party Consultant, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County, California. Provides as-needed review of fuel modification plans and provides special studies regarding alternative materials and methods for the Orange County Fire Authority. To date, Dudek has provided review and comment of fire behavior modeling and proposed fuel modification and structural hardening for a large, master planned community in southern Orange County. Also involved with research and preparation of a report on the efficacy of utilizing water cannons as an alternative for full fuel modification width.
FPP Third -Party Review, Rancho Cielo Shelter -in-Place Community, Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, Rancho Santa Fe, California. Provided third -party review of an existing FPP for the Cielo community. The existing plan was outdated and required updating according to new codes and new industry findings. Dudek confirmed fire behavior modeling results and provided updated language throughout the procedu ral manual which is distributed to Cielo homeowners.
Education
Northern Arizona University
BS, Forest Management, 1992
Certifications
Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA)
Certified Arborist, No. WE-4276A
San Diego County Department of
Planning and Land Use (DPLU)-
Approved Fire Protection Planner
Laguna Beach Fire Department-
Approved Fire Protection Planner
Certified Wildland Fire Ecologist
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Consulting
Arborists
National Fire Protection Association
– International
California Fire Chief’s Association –
Fire Prevention Officers
Michael Huff
FPP, Bella Vista Residential Development, Encinitas Fire Department, Encinitas, California. Prepared an FPP providing “same practical effect” justification for reduced fuel modification width on this ridge top project in Encinitas. Sensitive biological habitat constrained the possible disturbance area. Coordinated regularly with the fire marshal, attending on-site meetings to discuss the results of fire behavior modeling and the proposed measures to offset fuel modification. The FPP was approved by the fire department and enabled construction of two additional luxury homes that would not have been possible otherwise.
Fuel Modification Zone Analysis and Fuel Management Program Development, Various Developers, Orange County, California. Managed various fuel modification plan projects for a residential development in Orange County. Field assessments of existing vegetation types and fuel loads were followed by fuel model input and scenario outputs. In addition, managed the preparation of conceptual and precise fuel modification plans meeting Orange County Fire Authority guidelines.
On-Call Fire Consulting, Laguna Beach Fire Department, Laguna Beach, California. Provides as -needed consulting to the Laguna Beach Fire Department. Among tasks requested are site fire risk assessments, vegetation hazard assessments, shelter -in-place assessments, red flag warning action plans, and fuel reduction monitoring and inspecti ons.
West Coyote Hills Fire Protection Plan and Assessment, Chevron, Fullerton, California. Manages the preparation of an FPP for a 500-acre, 1,600-unit planned community in Fullerton. The project includes WUI and based on the fire behavior assessments and analysis on the site, proposed reduced fuel modification in areas that include reduced fire intensity. The net result of the proposed fuel modification zones is a reduction in native habitat impacts with fire behavior modeling backed justifications for the reduced impacts.
Fuel Modification Zone Analysis and Fuel Management Program Development, Various Developers, Orange County, California. Assisted a wildland fire ecologist on several residential development projects in Orange County. Field assessments of existing vegetation types and fuel loads were followed by fuel model input and scenario outputs. Fuel management programs that justified deviations from the Orange County Fire Authority standards were provided, along with agency coordination and meeting a ttendance.
Master Planned Community FPP, Confidential, Southern California. Assembled a fire protection planning team anchored by Dudek and Hunt Research on this 26,000-acre project site in Southern California. Authored the report, integrated subconsultant input, provided presentations to fire department personnel, managed fire behavior modeling using FlamMap, and worked closely with project biologists to minimize ecological impacts while providing fire protection.
Master Planned Community FPP, Confidential Project, Southern California. Revised, updated, and re-wrote an existing FPP based on a revised project footprint and updated fire and building codes. The FPP includes documentation of all fire protection features that will be provided for this community. Key issues included road width reductions, fire response travel times, fuel modification plant palettes, and fire station construction.
Master Planned Community FPP, Yokohl Ranch, Tulare County, California. Prepared an FPP for this 36,000-acre project site near Visalia. The FPP summarizes the site’s current conditions, fire history, overall risk of wildfire, anticipated fire behavior, and required and recommended fire protection features. The site includes grasslands, chaparral, oak woodlands, and mixed conifer forest fuel types.
Fuel Modification Plans, Restoration Area FPP, Newhall Land, Santa Clarita, California. Provided support on this project which included preparation of conceptual and precise fuel modification plans for proposed residential development. The project also included assessment of a proposed sensitive species restoration site and pre- plans for fire department response to minimize damage to the restoration area.
Ryan Allen
Urban Forester
Ryan Allen is an urban forester with 11 years’ experience providing strategic environmental planning to organizational programs. Mr. Allen’s work deepens the positive impact on the communities he serves and increases organizational capacity. He has experience working with elected officials and staff as he builds and maintains strategic partnerships.
Project Experience
UFMP Preliminary Planning and Roadmap, Los Angeles, California. Prepared a comprehensive report on the current conditions of the Los Angeles urban forest and its management as the beginning phase of the City’s preparation to begin an urban forest management plan. Developing the report was a 10- month long process that included monthly working group meetings with over 40 urban forest stakeholders, extensive departmental interviews, conducting a public survey with 2,600 responses, and comparing Los Angeles urban forest activities with three other municipal urban forest programs. The report analyzes current funding levels, City planning documents, ordinances, policies, governance structure, and management practices against urban forest sustainability standards. The result of the analysis delivered key findings on the status of the urban forest, and made recommendations on the steps the City needs to take to move toward the completion of an urban forest management plan and implementing sustainable practices.
Urban Forest Management Plan, Downey, California. Currently leading the development of the City’s 30-year planning document to expand canopy cover, implement efficient management practices, and increase public awareness of the urban forest. This process has included a through analysis of the current tree inventory, canopy cover analysis, calculating ecological benefits of the urban forest using the i-Tree Eco suite, and determining the current value of the City’s trees. We have reviewed current policies and ordinances against urban forest sustainability standards and will update these documents and create new policies as appropriate. Assessed the governance structure, interdepartmental protocols, and management practices of the City through departmental interviews with all staff who effect trees. Completion of the UFMP is expected in October 2019.
Urban Forest Management Plan, City of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California. Assisting with the development of the City’s 30-year planning document to implement sustainable management practices to create a healthy urban forest canopy. Dudek also analyzed the City managed tree population, completed a wildfire hazard assessment for an area designated a very high fire hazard severity zone, and provided recommendations to manage a more fire safe community that will be included as a chapter of the UFMP.
On-Call Arborist, City of Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California. Serves as contract city arborist. Responsibilities include a variety of arboricultural tasks, from reviewing third-party arborist reports to informing city council members on urban forestry issues. He is responsible for identifying nuisance trees, reviewing and evaluating urban forestry budgets, recommending measures to reduce or eliminate tree impacts, recommending mitigation measures for impacted trees, and being the primary contact for arboricultural-related issues.
Education
Pepperdine University
BA, Communications, (Creative
Writing emphasis), 2002
Certifications
Certified Arborist, No. WE 10316A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Ryan Allen
Oak Tree and Woodland Inventory and Evaluations, NBC Universal, Los Angeles, California Conducted an inventory, mapping, and evaluation of oak trees and oak woodland on the Universal Studios Site in Hollywood. Proposed development on the site required preparation of an environmental impact report (EIR) and Dudek’s oak woodland management plan is a technical appendix of that document. Dudek provided impact analysis along with a comprehensive mitigation program.
Relevant Previous Experience
The Junipers Tree Inventory and Evaluation, San Diego County, California. Conducted the assessment and GPS mapping of trees for proposed large scale construction project. Trees were assessed according to size, health, and for possible relocation. Trimble GPS units were used for mapping.
Victoria Gardens Tree Inventory and Evaluation, Carson, California. Conducted the asses sment and GPS mapping of trees for proposed large scale construction project. Trees were assessed according to size, health, and for possible relocation. Trimble GPS units were used for mapping and each individual trees were tagged for identification.
City of Los Angeles Community Forest Advisory Committee, Los Angeles, California. Served as chair. Elected Chair to be the lead representative for committee and community members to work with City officials and staff by advising on urban forestry issues, addressing concerns of the community, and developing improvements to City of Los Angeles urban forest policy. Facilitated monthly meetings with committee members, City staff, and community members, as well as prepared and served as liaison on all official communications of the committee with the Board of Public Works Commissioners, elected officials, and City staff.
Los Angeles Beautification Team, Los Angeles, California. Served as director of environmental programs. Oversaw daily operations of community-based environmental projects by generating budgets, maintaining external relationships, and meeting contract deliverables. Served as lead arborist, ensuring arboricultural best management practices were followed by staff on all projects and provided consultation on urban forestry projects with external stakeholders. This included site assessment and species selection for multiple tree planting and maintenance projects with the City of Los Angeles Urban Forest Division, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, and Los Angeles Unified School District. Built local government relationships and partnerships with the City of Los Angeles, including the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council Districts 2, 6, 7, 13, and City Plants. Frequently developed plans with City Council staff on bringing urban forestry programs into the local community. Implemented and wrote state-funded grant projects from $200,000–$700,000 through the Cap and Trade funded Cal Fire Urban and Community Forestry and the Environmental Enhancement Mitigation Program.
Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Los Angeles, California. Served as Environmental Services Unit (Unit) manager. Developed and implemented strategic vision for the Unit, which led to an increase in annual revenue from $1.1 million to $2.1 million, adding eight full time staff positions, and the creation of two new programs.
Initiated a community-based approach to the Unit’s urban forestry program, fostering partnerships within multiethnic low-income neighborhoods with multiple community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and residents. This approach led to densely planted streets in communities needing to regenerate a depleted tree canopy. Annually the urban forestry program would plant more than 1,000 trees and provide regular maintenance after planting. Managed relationships with corporate sponsors ensuring annual funding including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dunn Edwards, Bank of Hope, and Jamison Properties. Initiated and co-led six-month team building process for the management team, improving on group dynamics and leading to a focused approach on improving internal structures and procedures. In addition, generated $1.2 million in grant funding and increased maintenance contracts annual revenue from $33,000 to $200,000, providing multiyear revenue sources that established sustained finances for the unit.
Chelsea Richer, AICP
Associate
EDUCATION
Master of Urban & Regional Planning,
University of California at Los Angeles, 2014
• Award-winning Capstone
Project for the Los Angeles
Regional Collaborative on
Climate Action & Sustainability:
Transportation and Climate
Change Adaptation –
Vulnerability and Resilience in
LA County
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies and
Public Policy, University of Chicago, 2008
REGISTRATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP)
AFFILIATIONS
American Planning Association (APA) – Los
Angeles Section Board of Directors
PRESENTATIONS
Understanding How Women Travel –
Rail~Volution, Vancouver, BC (2019)
More than Minivans: Gender Equity in
Transportation – LA CoMotion, Los Angeles
(2018)
Vision Zero Case Study: Los Angeles – Vision
Zero Advocate Conference, Toronto, ON
(2018)
ABOUT
Chelsea Richer has 10 years of experience in transportation planning, focusing on first/last mile planning, active transportation planning, multi-modal safety, and transportation demand management (TDM). With experience working in diverse communities in Los Angeles, Chelsea excels on projects that center transportation equity, data analysis, project evaluation, and community engagement as the tools to inform better decision-making and better outcomes. She is proficient in ArcGIS, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and SPSS. Her technical practice areas are underpinned by strong communication skills, attention to detail, and experience managing complex planning projects with interdisciplinary teams.
PROJECT EXP ERIENCE
West Hollywood Citywide Traffic and Mobility Study
Fehr & Peers is leading a team to assist the City of West Hollywood. Key tasks include the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, Physical Roadway Improvements, and Traffic Impact Fee Program, which all have unique challenges and the Fehr & Peers team is helping the City navigate through this process and emerge with solutions that work to achieve the City’s goals and serve the changing needs of land use development and the travelers we all serve. For the TDM program, the Fehr & Peers team used extensive team expertise along with the best available data and input from stakeholders to tailor strategies and solutions that are likely to be most effective in West Hollywood. The use of “Big Data” in evaluating the travel markets for each of the five commercial districts is a critical element in understanding the needs of the districts. Chelsea is Project Manager.
Metro Understanding How Women Travel Study
What are the needs and experiences of women traversing LA County? Developing from Metro’s Women and Girls Governing Council, this first -of-its- kind study aimed to answer these questions in order to improve women's safety and comfort on transit and attract and retain women to the Metro system. To ensure a comprehensive approach that captured the diverse needs and experiences of women in LA County, Fehr & Peers led a team using a n innovative, mixed -methods approach to capture quantitative data as well as qualitative data from hard -to-reach rider populations including women experiencing homelessness, women immigrant s, and women with disabilities.
Key partners were selected to develop and execute participant observation, focus groups, an online survey, art-based
participatory workshops, and pop-up events. The final report is a graphically rich, visually compelling document that covers an expansive array of findings and highlights areas for Metro to explore in the next phase of implementation-focused work.
Willoughby & Gardner/Vista Greenway Planning
& Design
Willoughby Ave and Gardner St/Vista St were identified in the West Hollywood Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan as priority corridors for neighborhood greenway facilities. In 2019, Fehr & Peers was hired as part of a team to study, plan, and design these corridors. Fehr & Peers conducted an origin-destination analysis using cellular data to understand the travel patterns along the corridors, and collected information about other existing conditions such as parking patterns, collision history, and opportunities for improvement for people on foot and on bike, in order to develop initial concepts for the corridors. Chelsea is managing this project.
Metro Blue Line First/Last Mile Plan
Fehr & Peers led a community-driven first/last mile planning process for all 22 stations along the Metro Blue Line. This project built upon the methodology established in the Metro First/Last Mile Strategic Plan to incorporate input from the communities along the Blue Line through a participatory planning process and a project team structure that included community-based
organizations. The project included field assessments of the built environment through community-led walk audits, the
development of a Pathway Network, and generation of project ideas to address barriers and challenges. The process involved extensive community outreach, and resulted in the development of a plan that highlights the social and historical context of the communities along the Blue Line and addresses the top-priority needs to improve access to each station along the line. Following the adoption of the Plan, Fehr & Peers supported Metro in the development of six large grant applications for the Caltrans Active Transportation Program, conducting feasibility analysis and cost estimating project along 20 miles of the highest-priority Pathway Network corridors. Chelsea managed this project.
Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan
Fehr & Peers prepared the Active Transportation Strategic Plan for Metro, which was used to build support and set funding levels for active transportation projects in LA’s successful sales tax initiative for transportation (Measure M). The team’s outreach efforts included a Technical Advisory Committee; public meetings with local stakeholders; and meetings with Councils of
Governments throughout Los Angeles County. As part of the Active Transportation Strategic Plan, Fehr & Peers worked with Metro to develop first-/last-mile treatments that improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists accessing transit. This process included extensive data assembly from multiple stakeholders, data analysis, and the creation of visual displays to communicate a complete picture of transportation issues at each station site.
Chelsea was the lead analyst on this project.
Fountain Avenue Safety Study
Fehr & Peers conducted a safety study on Fountain Avenue in the City of West Hollywood to determine potential
recommendations that could be implemented to improve safety on corridor. The study included an analysis of the collision history on the corridor, travel patterns using Big Data, and intersection delay. Recommendations were provided in several time buckets based on ease of implementation and identified need at certain locations by City staff. Fehr & Peers also analyzed the expected safety benefits using data from FHWA’s Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse, and the potential for changes to vehicle travel through adjacent neighborhoods.
Capturing VMT Impacts and Benefits to CEQA
The City of Los Angeles is shifting from an auto-oriented metropolis to a city built around transit, compact transit-oriented development, and multi-modal “Complete Streets” which
emphasize all travel modes. However, these dynamic policy shifts have been significantly impeded by requirements under CEQA to mitigate automobile delay. The City wants to seize the historic opportunity, mandated by SB 743, to realign the environmental review processes with policies that support infill development and Complete Streets transportation projects. Fehr & Peers was selected to work closely with the LADCP and LADOT to develop new VMT-based CEQA thresholds and to update the tools
necessary to implement the new procedures. In addition to developing the new thresholds, Fehr & Peers is updating the City’s travel demand model and developing a sketch model tool to perform project-level VMT analysis; quantifying the parking demand and vehicle trip reduction benefits for mixed-use projects, creative office buildings, market rate housing, and affordable housing, and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies. The affordable housing sites are broken down based on population (senior, family, special needs, permanent supportive) and location (inside or outside a transit priority area).
Fehr & Peers is educating city staff, private developers, and the community about the new impact review methodology through an engaging public outreach program.
John Muggridge, AICP
Associate
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Transportation Planning
and Engineering, University of Leeds,
Leeds/UK, 1999
Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical and
Process Engineering, University of Sheffield,
Sheffield/UK, 1996
REGISTRATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP)
AFFILIATIONS
American Planning Association (APA)
ABOUT
John Muggridge, AICP has over 19 years of experience in transportation planning and engineering, both in England and in the United States. As a transport planner, John has research and analysis experience in both the private and academic sectors. John is experienced in multi-disciplinary transportation and research projects, including multi- modal transportation planning projects and travel demand forecasting. He has authored numerous reports, managed and participated in a large range of transportation planning, traffic engineering, and parking studies for both private and public clients in Southern California and Hawaii. He also has extensive experience in conducting parking and circulation studies, traffic impact studies, downtown parking studies, long-range transportation plans, corridor studies and specific plans. John has worked with interdisciplinary teams to develop consensus on a wide range of transportation improvements. He has extensive experience in transportation analyses in the City of West Hollywood, including several mixed-use projects on Sunset Boulevard and elsewhere, as well as familiarity with the City’s traffic model.
PROJECT EXP ERIENCE
LA Zoo Vision Plan EIR
Fehr & Peers is preparing the transportation analysis for the Los Angeles Zoo Vision Plan, a long-term comprehensive plan, encompassing physical growth, enhancement of the attractions and visitor services, and growth in attendance. The transportation analysis is taking a deep dive into historic zoo attendance, membership, and operations to develop an empiric understanding of on-site trip generation, trip distribution, and visitor trip origins, with unique analyses for both employees and visitors. Fehr & Peers developed and oversaw extensive visitor, employee, and transit- rider surveys to supplement the historic data analyzed. Fehr & Peers is working closely with the project consultant team to refine the visitor growth projections and assumptions for use in the transportation analysis.
LAX Model Development and Specific Plan Amendment Study Draft EIR Fehr & Peers performed a comprehensive transportation analysis for the LAX Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS). Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) developed the LAX Master Plan to provide a strategic framework for future development of the airport. The SPAS process was intended to identify potential alternative designs, technologies and configurations for the LAX Master Plan program. ..
The off-airport surface transportation analysis for the SPAS alternatives addresses traffic-related impacts outside the airport, including arterial roads, highway segments and ramps that serve traffic approaching and departing the airport environs. Fehr & Peers developed a sub-area travel demand model based on the SCAG regional travel model. The travel model produced traffic forecasts that provide the basis for assessing and solving operational traffic impacts associated with the SPAS. Project alternatives along with the associated increase in annual passengers were analyzed. A total of 200 intersections and over 45 regional freeway segments/ramps intersections across 10 jurisdictions were included in the study, providing a complete analysis of conditions in this dense urban environment. Mitigation measures were developed for all impacted locations where feasible, including physical improvements, traffic operational solutions and expansion the airport transportation demand management program. The effectiveness of various mitigation measures identified for the SPAS alternatives were evaluated.
Fehr & Peers has been involved in the agency coordination and the public outreach process during the course of the study. John is Principal-in-Charge.
West Hollywood Citywide Traffic and Mobility Study
Fehr & Peers is leading a team to assist the City of West Hollywood. Key tasks include the Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Program, Physical Roadway Improvements, and Traffic Impact Fee Program, which all have unique challenges and the Fehr & Peers team is helping the City navigate through this process and emerge with solutions that work to achieve the City’s goals and serve the changing needs of land use
development and the travelers we all serve. For the TDM program, the Fehr & Peers team used extensive team expertise along with the best available data and input from stakeholders to tailor strategies and solutions that are likely to be most effective in West Hollywood. The use of “Big Data” in evaluating the travel markets for each of the five commercial districts is a critical element in understanding the needs of the districts.
Central City/Central City North Community Plan EIR
As part of a team, Fehr & Peers is conducting a transportation analysis for the Central City/Central City North Community Plan EIR for the City of Los Angeles. This includes an existing conditions analysis and evaluating future conditions using a locally refined version of the City’s travel demand model, which Fehr & Peers developed. We are reviewing options for metrics for impact analysis, specifically in the downtown area. Then the future Community Plan scenarios are being analyzed with possible transportation network improvements, changes to land use, and changes to households and employment.
Transportation mitigation measures could include the City’s 2035 Mobility Plan, also prepared by Fehr & Peers, and tailored refinements for the Central City and Central City North communities. Fehr & Peers is responsible for the preparation of the Transportation section of the EIR for the Plan update. John Muggridge is the Principal in Charge of the project.
Temple City General Plan
Fehr & Peers worked on the General Plan Update for Temple City. The first part of the project involved the preparation of new goals and policies for the Circulation Element. The update included the latest direction from the state regarding the need to address Complete Streets and multi-modal transportation as specified in AB 1358. This reflected the City’s recent efforts towards management of the transportation system as
evidenced by the Traffic Calming Master Plan and the Parking Master Plan. The Circulation Element also reflected the City's goals of promoting bicycle and pedestrian travel. Fehr & Peers then prepared a Transportation Study to assess the impacts associated with the General Plan land use for inclusion in the Environmental Impact Report. John Muggridge served as the Principal in Charge.
Expo Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plans
Fehr & Peers served the City of LA in their “Transit
Neighborhood Planning” for 10 future light rail stations along the Crenshaw and Expo lines. The project included new land use and streetscape regulations, general plan amendments, and specific plans for five of the stations. Our approach to trip generation, parking demand estimation, and
transportation evaluation was informed by the City’s new and innovative approaches to transportation evaluation
contained in the LA2B update to the circulation element.
Fehr & Peers’ combination of experience with market based private development impact analysis and our citywide efforts on the Mobility Element came together to meet the City’s desire to incentivize an appropriate mix and density of land uses, foster economic development, improve ridership,
provide and maintain affordable housing, and enhance the quality of the built environment.
Pasadena General Plan Update & Travel Demand
Model Development
Fehr & Peers developed a travel demand model for the City of Pasadena to be used as a tool in the evaluation of Land Use and Mobility Element land use scenarios and transportation system alternatives. The model provides the ability to evaluate transportation system network and modal alternatives, and to assess various performance indicators for land use and
transportation, including vehicle miles travelled. Fehr & Peers prepared the transportation impact analysis for the general plan update EIR. John served as Project Manager.
Sarah Brandenberg, PE
Principal
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
REGISTRATIONS
Licensed Traffic Engineer, State of California
(#2213)
PRESENTATIONS
Measuring the Miles: CEQA Changes with SB
743 in Los Angeles, CA, Association of
Environmental Planners, 2017
ABOUT
Sarah Brandenberg has over 15 years of experience with Fehr & Peers and is a licensed Traffic Engineer. Sarah served as the Operations Manager of the Los Angeles office for seven years, and is currently the Regional Principal-in-Charge of Southern California. Sarah has managed a variety of complex studies, such as transportation impact studies, EIR transportation sections, transportation planning studies, and corridor studies focused on roadway operations, transit and active transportation. Key projects include the City of Los Angeles Mobility Plan 2035 EIR, Beverly Hills On-Call Transportation Services, Westside Mobility Plan, Marina del Rey Mobility Plan, and Hollywood Community Plan Update. Sarah’s ability to work closely with clients, complete a high-quality technical analysis, and clearly communicate study findings have been and will continue to be critical to project success.
PROJECT EXP ERIENCE
Santa Clarita SB 743 Implementation
Fehr & Peers is assisting the City of Santa Clarita with SB 743 Implementation. We will provide knowledge and insight that will allow the City to be well prepared for a transition to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) as its primary transportation impact metric for CEQA analysis, marrying the State’s objectives to encourage transportation- efficient development with the City’s own goals and objectives. Because we have the data and materials prepared related to VMT methodology options, VMT thresholds, and the latest information regarding VMT mitigation, Fehr & Peers is able to wholly support the City. We have also anticipated the critical questions that the City and its stakeholders will have, and we are knowledgeable on relevant plans and policies already in place. We have an implementation approach that will allow the City to meet the State’s July 1, 2020 adoption deadline. As part of the process, Fehr & Peers used the regional SCAG model to estimate 2012 and 2040 household generated automobile VMT per capita estimates for each Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) in the City. After establishing a methodology to estimate project VMT, Fehr & Peers will help to update Santa Clarita’s traffic study guidelines to incorporate the process in compliance with latest CEQA guidelines.
Beverly Hills On-Call Engineering Support
Fehr & Peers, with Sarah as the Project Manager, has served as the on-call transportation consultants for over 10 years. We have assisted by reviewing and providing recommendations regarding traffic-related concerns submitted by residents and business owners and provided support to City staff.
We also prepared plan check comments for several temporary traffic control plans associated with minor encroachment permit work and very complex utility relocation work associated with the Metro Westside Subway Project.
Transportation Impact Analysis in Beverly Hills
Fehr & Peers has extensive experience preparing traffic studies, traffic circulation plans, analysis of access and circulation for land uses, and intersection and street improvement plans in Beverly Hills. Since 2012, Sarah has lead the following traffic studies in the City:
121 Spaulding Drive Transportation Assessment
401 S. Robertson Transportation Assessment
9265 Burton Way Transportation Assessment
301 N. Rodeo Drive Transportation Assessment
8767 Wilshire Boulevard Site Access Study
One Beverly Hills EIR Transportation Impact Study
9908 S. Santa Monica Boulevard EIR Transportation
Impact Study
Beverly Hills Garden and Open Space Initiative
Traffic Assessment
Beverly Hills Media Center EIR Transportation
Impact Study
9200 Wilshire Boulevard EIR Transportation
Impact Study
Beverly Hilton Revitalization EIR Transportation
Impact Study
The majority of these studies have required our participation in the public hearing and project approval process, such as Traffic and Parking Commission, Planning Commission and City Council hearings. Sarah has worked closely with City staff for many years to ensure that technical questions regarding transportation and traffic impacts are thoroughly addressed as projects are being considered for approval and implementation.
Mobility 2035, City of LA Mobility Element
Fehr & Peers, with Sarah as the EIR project manager, led a team to update the General Plan Mobility Element for the City of Los Angeles. From a selection of alternative approaches, the City chose to implement a multimodal layered-network with a context sensitive overlay to update its street classification system. Fehr & Peers used its previous work on the LA Street Classification and Benchmarking System study to develop concepts for a layered network and create new street standards. Through an extensive social media campaign and a series of meetings and workshops, Fehr & Peers framed the conversation in terms of transportation choices, where options and tradeoffs are clearly defined to reflect both aspirational goals and the constraints of conditions on the ground. Throughout the project, our team performed outreach and branding related to public engagement for the Mobility Element (called LA2B). In Phase 2 of the Mobility Plan update, Fehr & Peers led the team to prepare the technical analysis and EIR required for plan adoption. The City’s Travel Demand Model, developed by our team, was used to develop non-traditional performance measures to quantify the benefits of the City’s new layered network. As part of this effort, our team geo-coded all of the planned and pending transportation improvement projects in the City that can be used by staff going forward. LA2B created a new vision for mobility in the City of LA and provide the environmental clearance needed for implementation.
Westside Mobility Plan, City of Los Angeles
Fehr & Peers, with Sarah as the Project Manager, led a multi- disciplinary team to develop a long-term comprehensive Mobility Plan for the Westside of the City of Los Angeles, California. The study included six major components: development of a state-of- the-art travel demand model; a mobility and rail connectivity study including the potential for north/south rail transit connections from the LAX area through the Westside and
integration of transit, highway, bicycle and pedestrian modes; a comprehensive Westside parking study; updates to the Coastal Transportation Corridor and the West Los Angeles
Transportation Specific Plans (including trip fee nexus studies for each); and a livable boulevards study addressing the integration of urban design/streetscape and transportation planning. The study included a substantial public outreach program to engage the community throughout the process. The Westside Mobility Plan blueprint is intended to serve as a catalyst for future action to improve transportation on the Westside.
Wilmington EMPOWER Mobility & Action Plan,
City of Los Angeles
Fehr & Peers, with Sarah as the Project Manager, led the Wilmington EMPOWER study. EMPOWER combined community
input and our team’s technical expertise to identify mobility challenges and opportunities for the Wilmington area. A comprehensive Mobility Plan to serve the community through 2035 along with an Action Plan outlining six to eight near-term transportation improvements was developed by our team. A comprehensive public outreach effort was formulated to engage the community in the study and gather input through an on-line MetroQuest survey. The outreach activities provided an overview of the study and gathered input from the community on various mobility topics, such as transit, bicyclists and pedestrians, trip reduction strategies and roadway infrastructure. We also developed an EMPOWER website to increase project exposure and expand access to the residential and business surveys. All public outreach materials were created in both English and Spanish. Fehr & Peers developed an informational brochure on traveling in the Wilmington area with useful and practical tips on using active modes of transportation and transit to reduce environmental impacts through personal mobility decisions.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Encinitas (Main)
San Diego
La Quinta
Pasadena
Riverside
San Juan Capistrano
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Auburn
Oakland
Sacramento
HAWAI'I
Kailua, O‘ahu
OREGON
Portland
FLORIDA
Lake Worth Beach
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