|
|
Welcome to the Orange County
Sustainable Communities Strategy Website
The OC SCS was adopted unanimously by the OCTA and OCCOG Boards of Directors in June of 2011. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has incorporated the Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy (OC SCS) into the Draft 2012 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) / Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). The Draft RTP/SCS was available for public review in January 2012. A program level EIR was prepared for the RTP/SCS by SCAG. This environmental disclosure document was circulated for public review in December 2012. The document can be reviewed at the SCAG website. The public review period closed on February 14, 2012. Numerous agencies and individuals provided comments on the Draft 2012 RTP/SCS and PEIR. SCAG will complete the response to comments on the PEIR on or before March 13, 2012. The OCCOG Board is continuing to work with SCAG as they move toward final approval of the RTP/SCS on April 4, 2012. For more information and to download the Draft 2012 RTP/SCS, visit the SCAG website.
"A Forum for all OC Stakeholders to be informed and contribute
to the development of the Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy"
SB 375 creates a process and data framework that ambitiously connects land use, transportation, housing, and environmental planning in a regional planning process with the specific goal of reducing greenhouse gas emisions from travel. In Orange County, the product of this planning is the Orange County subregional Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which will show how growth planned for at the local level within the county and the county's transportation network work together with a variety of policies, and programs to achieve the required greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The road to implement SB 375 and the delegation of the subregional SCS responsibility has been a long journey with a successful conclusion, as the agreements between Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG), Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) provide for a balanced approach and fair process to accomplish reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Show More >>
The Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) Recommendations Report outlines, and the SCAG Framework and Guidelines document clarifies, what is expected to be included in the subregional SCS. Orange County cities and the County of Orange, working with the Orange County Transportation Authority, have contributed greatly to date, creating many projects, policies, and programs which have positively affected vehicular congestion and its effects.
The Orange County SCS will include the following:
- A Land Use Strategy, including growth distribution and general locations, densities, and intensities of future development.
- Identification of areas sufficient to house all the population of the subregion including all economic segments of the population.
- Transportation investments in transit projects, highway commitments and alternate travel choices.
- Other transportation policies, including Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation Systems Management (TSM).
- Technological improvements initiated by local and regional agencies that have local cities have demonstrated will go above and beyond what is envisioned under Assembly Bill (AB) 32.
These elements lay the foundation for Orange County's ongoing commitment and contribution to the regional obligation for greenhouse gas reductions, consistent with SB 375.
The subregional SCS is a process in full swing. The development of the subregional SCS is contingent on an active engagement with the Orange County cities and the County of Orange, community stakeholders, and the general public. This web tool is one part of a comprehensive strategy on the part of OCCOG and OCTA to make information available and to solicit input towards the development of a locally-generated SCS.
|
|
|
California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) |
|
Assembly Bill (AB) 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, gives the California Air Resources Board (CARB) authority over sources of greenhouse gas emissions, including cars and light trucks, in order to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels. According to CARB, transportation accounts for approximately 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, with cars and light trucks accounting for almost three-quarters of those emissions (30 percent overall). State Bill (SB) 375, authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg, directs CARB to set regional targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). SB 375 was intended to help California achieve GHG reduction goals for cars and light trucks under AB 32, the state's landmark global warming legislation. Because the existing regional transportation planning and housing allocation processes are overseen by local elected officials selected by their peers to serve on regional agency boards, the law is intended to ensure that cities and counties are closely involved in developing an effective plan for the region to achieve the targets.
Show More >>
To increase public participation and local government input, the law strengthens several existing requirements for public involvement in regional planning. The new law establishes a collaborative process between regional and state agencies to set regional GHG reduction targets, and provides CEQA streamlining incentives for development projects that are consistent with a regional plan, known as a Sustainable Communities Strategy, that meets those targets. However, under SB 375 cities and counties maintain their existing authority over local planning and land use decisions.
SB 375 Involves Three Major Processes:
- Using the regional transportation planning process to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions consistent with AB 32's goals;
- Offering California Environmental Quality Act incentives to encourage projects that are consistent with a regional plan that achieves greenhouse gas emission reductions; and
- Coordinating the regional housing needs allocation process with the regional transportation process while maintaining local authority over land use decisions.
|
|
|
Featured Sustainability Strategies |
|
Orange County jurisdictions' Sustainability Strategies to address vehicle travel and greenhouse gas generation are highlighted below.
Anaheim Platinum Triangle
| Project Location |
City of Anaheim |
|
Sustainability
Strategy
Category
|
Land Use Policies:
- Horizontal Or Vertical Mixed Use
- Increasing Housing Densities Within/Adjacent To Employment Areas
- Increasing Residential/Commercial Density Near Transit
- Integrate Affordable And Market Rate Housing
- Local Housing For Local Workforce
- Making Developments Transit Ready
- New Housing And Jobs Within 1/2 Mile Of Existing/Planned Transit Stations
Alternate Modes:
Increase Bike/Walk Trips With Improved Streets And Facilities |
| Project Description |
Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle features high density housing, millions of square feet of new development opportunities for office and commercial, two championship sports teams, an exciting array of dining and entertainment, plus immediate access to and from the rest of Southern California from three freeways and a major transit center. The project includes both vertical and horizontal mixed-use in an infill environment. |
| Emissions Reductions Benefits |
The Platinum Triangle provides pedestrian and transit friendly environments both internally and through linkages to regional trails and bikeways, an employment and entertainment destination that encourages transit use to the area, and new energy and water efficient buildings and residences – all of which contribute to a greener future. |
| Project Status |
Project is approved and partially under construction. |
See More Strategies |
|
|
|
