The approved 2021 Regional Plan provides a long-term blueprint for the San Diego region that seeks to meet regulatory requirements, address traffic congestion, and create equal access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other community resources. The plan is the result of years of planning, data analysis, and community engagement to reimagine the San Diego region with a transformative transportation system, a sustainable pattern of growth and development, and innovative demand and management strategies.
The plan combines the Regional Transportation Plan, Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), and Regional Comprehensive Plan. As such, the 2021 Regional Plan must comply with specific state and federal mandates, including an SCS, per Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008), that achieves greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board; compliance with federal civil rights requirements (Title VI); and environmental justice considerations, air quality conformity, and a public participation process.
Timeline
- May 28 to August 6, 2021: The Draft 2021 Regional Plan was circulated for public review and comment.
- December 10, 2021: The SANDAG Board of Directors adopted the Final 2021 Regional Plan.
Due to significant community advocacy, SANDAG amended the 2021 Regional Plan to remove a regional road user charge as one of the possible future funding sources for the transportation network.
This change to the plan required a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), which analyzed the amendment’s potential impact on our region’s environment. We responded to public comments submitted on the SEIR in Attachment C and Appendix F of the revised plan.
- Fall 2023: The SANDAG Board of Directors certified the SEIR and adopted the amendment along with the CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the SEIR.
- February 2025: The California Air Resources Board approved the Amended 2021 Regional Plan, verifying that the Sustainable Communities Strategy will achieve mandated 2035 GHG reduction targets.