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elevant LUTE Goals and Policies
GOAL LT-1: COORDINATED REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING - Protect the quality of life, the natural environment, and property investment, preserve home rule, secure fair share of funding, and provide leadership in the region. • Policy LT-1.7 Emphasize efforts to reduce regional vehicle miles traveled by supporting active modes of transportation including walking, biking, and public transit.
• Policy LT-1.10 Participate in federal, state, and regional programs and processes in order to protect the natural and human environment in Sunnyvale and the region.
• Policy LT-1.11 Prepare for risks and hazards related to climate change prior to their occurrence.
GOA
L LT-2: ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - Support the sustainable vision by incorporating sustainable features into land use and transportation decisions and practices.
• Policy LT-2.1 Enhance the public’s health and welfare by promoting the city’s environmental and economic health through sustainable practices for the design, construction, maintenance, operation, and deconstruction of buildings, including measures in the Climate Action Plan.
• Policy LT-2.2 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate and the environment though land use and transportation planning and development. • Policy LT-2.3 Accelerate the planting of large canopy trees to increase tree coverage in Sunnyvale in order to add to the scenic beauty and walkability of the community; provide environmental benefits such as air quality improvements, wildlife habitat, and reduction of heat islands; and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
• Policy LT-2.6 Address sea level rise, increased rainfall, and other impacts of climate change when reviewing new development near creeks, and consider the projected flood levels over the economic lifespan of the project. • Policy LT-2.7 Provide Sunnyvale residents and businesses with opportunities to develop private, renewable energy facilities.
GOA
L LT-3: AN EFFECTIVE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - Offer the community a variety of transportation modes for local travel that are also integrated with the regional transportation system and land use pattern. Favor accommodation of alternative modes to the automobile as a means to enhance efficient transit use, bicycling, and walking and corresponding benefits to the environment, person- throughput, and qualitative improvements to the transportation system environment.
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• Policy LT-3.1 Use land use planning, including mixed and higher-intensity uses, to support alternatives to the single-occupant automobile such as walking and bicycling and to attract and support high investment transit such as light rail, buses, and commuter rail.
• Policy LT-3.2 Refine land use patterns and the transportation network so they work together to protect sensitive uses and provide convenient transportation options throughout the planning area.
• Policy LT-3.4 Require large employers to develop and maintain transportation demand management programs to reduce the number of vehicle trips generated by their employees.
• Policy LT-3.5 Follow California Environmental Quality Act requirements, Congestion Management Program requirements, and additional City requirements when analyzing the transportation impacts of proposed projects and assessing the need for offsetting transportation system improvements or limiting transportation demand.
• Policy LT-3.6 Promote modes of travel and actions that provide safe access to city streets and reduce single-occupant vehicle trips and trip lengths locally and regionally. The order of consideration of transportation users shall be: (1) Pedestrians, (2) Non-automotive (bikes, three-wheeled bikes, scooters, etc.), (3) Mass transit vehicles, (4) Delivery vehicles, and (5) Single-occupant automobiles. • Policy LT-3.7 Provide parking and lane priority to environmentally friendly motorized vehicles (e.g. carpools, low emission, zero emission). • Policy LT-3.8 Prioritize safe accommodation for all transportation users over non-transport uses. As City streets are public spaces dedicated to the movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, facilities that meet minimum appropriate safety standards for transport uses shall be considered before non-transport uses are considered.
• Policy LT-3.9 As parking is the temporary storage of transportation vehicles, do not consider parking a transport use of public streets. • Policy LT-3.10 Prioritize street space allocated for transportation uses over parking when determining the appropriate future use of street space. • Policy LT-3.11 As they become available, use multimodal measures of effectiveness to assess the transportation system in order to minimize the adverse effect of congestion. Continue to use level of service (LOS) to describe congestion levels. Use vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis to describe potential environmental effects and impacts to the regional transportation system. • Policy LT-3.12 Maintain a funding mechanism where new and existing land uses equitably participate in transportation system improvements.
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• Policy LT-3.13 Move progressively toward eliminating direct and hidden subsidies of motor vehicle parking and driving, making the true costs of parking and driving visible to motorists.
• Policy LT-3.14 Require roadway and signal improvements for development projects to improve multimodal transportation system efficiency. • Policy LT-3.15 Prioritize transportation subsidies and project financing over time to the most environmentally friendly modes and services. Support bicycling through planning, engineering, education, encouragement, and enforcement. • Policy LT-3.17 Set speed limits at the lowest practicable levels consistent with state law.
• Policy LT-3.18 Facilitate safe and orderly traffic flow and promote school pedestrian and bicycle safety.
• Policy LT-3.19 Utilize intelligent transportation systems and other technological applications to improve travel efficiency and safety.
• Policy LT-3.20 Optimize the city’s multimodal traffic signal system and respond quickly to signal breakdowns.
• Policy LT-3.21 Implement best practices, innovative facilities, and technology to enhance complete streets.
• Policy LT-3.22 Provide safe access to city streets for all modes of transportation.
Safety considerations of all transport modes shall take priority over capacity considerations of any one transport mode.
• Policy LT-3.23 Ensure that the movement of cars, trucks and transit vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities does not divide the community.
City streets are public spaces and an integral part of the community fabric. • Policy LT-3.24 Ensure effective and safe traffic flows for all modes of transport through physical and operational transportation improvements. • Policy LT-3.25 Maintain a functional classification of the street system that identifies local roadways, Congestion Management Program roadways and intersections, and intersections of regional significance. • Policy LT-3.26 Support the proliferation of multiuse trails within Sunnyvale and their connection to regional trails in order to provide enhanced access to open space, promote alternative transportation options, and increase recreational opportunities while balancing those needs with the preservation of natural habitat, public safety, and quality of life in residential neighborhoods. • Policy LT-3.27 Require appropriate roadway design practice for private development consistent with City standards and the intended use of the roadway. • Policy LT-3.28 Support statewide, regional, and subregional efforts that provide for a safe, effective transportation system that serves all travel modes consistent with established service standards.
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• Policy LT-3.30 Support regional and cross-regional transportation improvements and corridors while minimizing impacts to community form and intracity travel.
GOAL LT-4 AN ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITY FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES - In combination with the City’s Community Design Sub-Element, ensure that all areas of the city are attractive and that the city’s image is enhanced by following policies and principles of good urban design while valued elements of the community fabric are preserved.
• Policy LT-4.1 Preserve and enhance an attractive community, with a positive image, a sense of place, landscaping, and a human scale. • Policy LT-4.2 Encourage nodes of interest and activity, public open spaces, well- planned development, mixed-use projects, signature commercial uses, and buildings and other desirable uses, locations, and physical attractions. • Policy LT-4.3 Enforce design review guidelines and zoning standards that ensure the mass and scale of new structures are compatible with adjacent structures, and also recognize the City’s vision of the future for transition areas such as neighborhood Village Centers and El Camino Real nodes. • Policy LT-4.4 Avoid monotony and maintain visual interest in newly developing neighborhoods, and promote appropriate architectural diversity and variety.
Encourage appropriate variations in lot sizes, setbacks, orientation of homes, and other site features.
GOAL LT-6 PROTECTED, MAINTAINED, AND ENHANCED RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS - Ensure that all residential areas of the city are maintained and that neighborhoods are protected and enhanced through urban design which strengthens and retains residential character.
• Policy LT-6.2 Limit the intrusion of incompatible uses and inappropriate development in and near residential neighborhoods, but allow transition areas at the edges of neighborhoods.
• Policy LT-6.4 Allow compatible and supporting uses such as group homes, places of assembly, community centers, recreational centers, and child-care centers in residential neighborhoods (including single-family neighborhoods) subject to review and consideration of operations, traffic, parking, and architecture.
GOAL LT-7 DIVERSE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES - Ensure the availability of ownership and rental housing options with a variety of dwelling types, sizes, and densities that contribute positively to the surrounding area and the health of the community.
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• Policy LT-7.2 Determine the appropriate residential density for a site by evaluating the site planning opportunities and proximity of services (such as transportation, open space, jobs, and supporting commercial and public uses). • Policy LT-7.5 Consider the impacts of all land use decisions on housing affordability and on the housing needs of special needs groups within Sunnyvale.
GOAL LT-8 OPTIONS FOR HEALTHY LIVING - Create a city development pattern and improve the city’s infrastructure in order to maximize healthy choices for all ages, including physical activity, use of the outdoors, and access to fresh food. • Policy LT-8.4 Promote compact, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development in appropriate neighborhoods to provide opportunities for walking and biking as an alternative to auto trips.
• Policy LT-8.5 Promote walking and bicycling through street design.
GOAL LT-9 ADEQUATE AND BALANCED RECREATION FACILITIES - The City strives to provide and maintain adequate and balanced open space and recreation facilities for the benefit of maintaining a healthy community based on community needs and the ability of the city to finance, construct, maintain, and operate these facilities now and in the future. (Previously Open Space and Recreation Goal 2.2A) • Policy LT-9.1 Ensure that the planned availability of open space in both the city and the region is adequate.
• Policy LT-9.18 Improve accessibility to parks and open space by removing barriers.
• Policy LT-9.19 Protect creeks and wetlands as important parts of the community’s natural environment and open space and for their contribution to flood control.
GOAL LT-10 REGIONAL APPROACH TO PROVIDING AND PRESERVING OPEN SPACE - The City embraces a regional approach to providing and preserving open space and providing open space and recreational services, facilities and amenities for the broader community. (Previously Open Space and Recreation Goal 2.2C) • Policy LT-10.2 Support public and private efforts in and around Sunnyvale to acquire, develop and maintain open space and recreation facilities and services for public use.
• Policy LT-10.3 Encourage School Districts to make available school sites in and around Sunnyvale for community open space and recreation programs. • Policy LT-10.5 Engage in regional efforts to enhance and protect land uses near streams and to respond to sea level rise and climate change.
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GOAL LT-11 SUPPORTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT - Facilitate an economic development environment that supports a wide variety of businesses and promotes a strong economy within existing environmental, social, fiscal, and land use constraints.
• Policy LT-11.1 Provide existing businesses with opportunities to grow in Sunnyvale and provide opportunities to expand into new technologies. • Policy LT-11.2 Support a full spectrum of conveniently located commercial, mixed-use, public, and quasi-public uses that add to the positive image of the community.
• Policy LT-11.3 Promote business opportunities and business retention in Sunnyvale.
• Policy LT-11.4 Participate in regional efforts to respond to transportation and housing problems caused by economic growth in order to improve the quality of life and create a better environment for businesses to flourish.
GOAL LT-12 A BALANCED ECONOMIC BASE - Develop a balanced economic base that can resist downturns of any one industry and provides revenue for City services. • Policy LT-12.1 Encourage green technology industries. • Policy LT-12.4 Attract and retain a diversity of commercial enterprises and industrial uses to sustain and bolster the local economy and provide a range of job opportunities.
• Policy LT-12.5 Encourage land uses that generate revenue while preserving a balance with other community needs, such as housing.
• Policy LT-12.7 Maintain an adequate supply of land zoned for office, industrial, and retail development to meet projected needs.
• Policy LT-12.8 Provide quality neighborhood, community, and regional retail centers/uses to meet the needs of residents.
• Policy LT-12.9 Consider the importance of tax generation (retail, hotel, auto, and business-to-business uses) to support the fiscal health of the community and to fund municipal services.
GOAL LT-13 PROTECTED, MAINTAINED, AND ENHANCED COMMERCIAL AREAS, SHOPPING CENTERS, AND BUSINESS DISTRICTS - Achieve attractive commercial centers and business districts and buildings that are maintained and allow a full spectrum of businesses that operate unencumbered.
• Policy LT-13.1 Identify valuable physical characteristics and business aspects, and protect the uniqueness and integrity of all business areas and districts. • Policy LT-13.2 Improve the visual appearance of business areas and districts by applying high standards of architectural design, landscaping, and sign standards for new development and the reuse or remodeling of existing buildings.
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• Policy LT-13.3 Use density and design principles, such as physical transitions, between different land uses and to buffer between sensitive uses and less compatible uses.
• Policy LT-13.5 Support convenient neighborhood-serving commercial centers that provide services that reduce automobile dependency and contribute positively to neighborhood character.
• Policy LT-13.8 Require high design standards for office, industrial, and research and development (R&D) buildings in all business districts. • Policy LT-13.9 Maintain areas of Class B and C buildings to support all types of businesses and provide a complete community.
GOAL LT-14 SPECIAL AND UNIQUE LAND USES TO CREATE A DIVERSE AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY - Provide land use and design guidance so that special and unique areas and land uses can fulfill their distinctive purposes and provide a diverse and complete community fabric.
• Policy LT-14.1 Provide existing businesses with opportunities to grow in Sunnyvale and provide opportunities to expand into new technologies. • Policy LT-14.3 Use special area plans to guide land use and development in areas that support alternative travel modes, Village Centers, economic development, and a better jobs/housing ratio.
• Policy LT-14.4 Use specialized zoning districts and other zoning tools to address issues in the community, and update as needed to keep up with evolving values and new challenges in the community.
• Policy LT-14.7 Balance the need for additional residential uses with industrial uses needed for a healthy economy.
• Policy LT-14.8 Ensure that development projects provide appropriate improvements or resources to meet the city’s future infrastructure and facility needs, and provide development incentives that result in community benefits and enhance the quality of life for residents and workers.
• Policy LT-14.11 Maintain and promote conveniently located public and quasi- public uses and services that enhance neighborhood cohesiveness and provide social and recreational opportunities.
• Policy LT-14.14 Allow community-serving places of assembly in commercial zoning districts if the provision of a full range of conveniently located retail and retail services is not compromised.
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