Cities and counties are leading by example and undertaking a
range of activities to address climate change in this best
practice area. These case stories demonstrate the depth and
richness of local agency activities and can serve as examples
that other agencies can adapt to meet their communities’ unique
circumstances.
Read more stories about local agency activities to green their
fleets by clicking on the link at right to our Greening Agency
Fleets Resource Center.
Virtually all cities and counties responding have goals or
processes specifically designed to reduce automobile dependency.
About the Snapshot
In Spring 2009, the Institute for Local Government’s California
Climate Action Network surveyed cities and counties to gather
information about activities, policies and programs in five areas
related to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
commercial recycling, green building, land use and community
design, efficient transportation, and civic engagement.
Case stories were prepared for ten communities to provide more
detailed background information. While the information gathered
does not reflect all of the efficient transportation programs in
California communities, it does provide a snap shot of trends,
opportunities, constraints and lessons learned.
This project was conducted in partnership with the California Air
Resources Board.
Cities and counties throughout California are responding to
climate change through their local policies and programs for land
use and community design.
Lacking the resources of many larger counties in California,
Tehama County focuses its efforts to improve transportation
efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases on collaboration with
other local government agencies, and leveraging the resources it
has to provide multiple benefits, including those not related
directly to these goals.
The City of Riverbank’s 2009 general plan update focuses on
increasing transportation choices available to residents through
closer integration of land use and transportation planning. This
includes increasing street “connectivity” (the frequency with
which streets or roads intersect) and other strategies supporting
non-automobile travel. The city works closely with developers to
implement these goals.
The City of Santa Clarita is using a variety of technologies to
increase the efficiency of, and reduce costs associated with, its
roadways and transportation systems.
San Mateo County’s Commute Alternatives Program offers county
employees transit pass, vanpool, carpool, bike, and walk to work
subsidies, along with a Guaranteed Ride Home Program,
carpool-only parking facilities, and bike lockers.
The Petaluma General Plan 2025 reflects planning goals across all
its elements that are designed to mitigate future greenhouse gas
emissions. Highlights include policies that encourage higher
densities around a new regional rail system and in the central
core, as well as greener buildings among existing and future
development.
After two decades of expanding outward and reaching the limits of
developable land, the City of San Diego’s recent general plan
update incorporates a City of Villages concept that directs
future growth to mixed-use communities that are pedestrian
friendly and linked to regional transit.
Sacramento County encourages greater infill development with a
three-pronged approach that includes 14 corridor plans with
updated designs and densities for older, under-utilized
commercial corridors; a general plan update focused on infill;
and staff assigned to facilitate infill in the county
unincorporated area.
The Riverside bicycle master plan, the result of comprehensive
planning for future bicycle mobility in the city, envisions over
140 miles of new bike paths, lanes and routes to connect
commuters with jobs, students with schools, and the general
population with parks, shopping and regional bicycle trails.
A comprehensive update of the Livermore zoning code will better
incorporate “smart code” practices, such as enhanced pedestrian
and bicycle mobility, transit-oriented development, mixed-use and
infill.
While Fremont is a largely built-out suburban community, it has
targeted remaining undeveloped and under-utilized sites for high
density, mixed use, and transit-oriented development.
Using design charrettes and facilitated meetings, Hercules
engaged the community to help evaluate and plan a new temporary
town center for their suburban community.
The Central Petaluma Specific Plan concentrates development
downtown in order to improve residents’ ability to use transit
and link to regional transportation networks.
In 2006, the City of Chico needed to re-design their 230-acre
downtown area in order to accommodate heavier traffic patterns,
parking, and development. Using the Charrettes engagement model -
a four to seven-day process involving both citizens and
stakeholders from the design, business, and planning fields – the
City used public input to customize their plan for the people of
Chico.
