The Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) is a new element of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), as required by Senate Bill 375 (SB 375). SB 375 requires that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) prepare a SCS as a new element of their RTPs, along with the traditional policy, action, and financial requirements.
The SCS must demonstrate how the development patterns and the transportation network, policies, and programs can work together to achieve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets for cars and light trucks that will be established by the California Air Resources Board, if there is a feasible way to do so. If a MPO cannot meet the targets through the SCS, then the region is required to develop an Alternative Planning Strategy that demonstrates how the emission reduction targets could be achieved.
In essence, the SCS includes four building blocks:
- Land use compenent that accommodates the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and includes the protection of sensitive resource areas, including areas protected under habitat conservation plans;
- Transportation networks including highways, transit, and local streets and roads;
- Transportation demand management strategies; and
- Transportation system management programs and policies.
How to Get Involved
Send an e-mail to 2050rtp@sandag.org and we'll keep you post on SCS-related news.
A major part of developing the 2050 RTP, SCS, and RHNA (also due to be completed by July 2011), is public involvement. SANDAG created a Public Involvement Plan that offers several ways to become involved in planning for the future of our region.
Links to SANDAG ongoing blueprint planning work can be found below, as can links to more detailed information about SB 375. |
