Bill Text: CA SB689 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Local coastal program: bicycle lane: amendment.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-01-29 - In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. [SB689 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB689-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Senate  January 03, 2024

Amended  IN  Senate  March 20, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 689

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Introduced by Senator Blakespear

February 16, 2023

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An act to add Sections 891.3 and 1814 to the Streets and Highways Code, Section 30610.91 to the Public Resources Code, relating to streets and highways. coastal resources.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 689, as amended, Blakespear. Local coastal program: conformity determination. bicycle lane: amendment.

(1)The

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires any person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone, as defined, in addition to obtaining any other permit required by law from any local government or from any state, regional, or local agency, to obtain a coastal development permit, as provided. The act requires the issuance of a coastal development permit if the proposed development is in conformity with the certified local coastal program. The act provides for the certification of local coastal programs by the California Coastal Commission Commission.

This bill would provide that an application by a local government to convert an existing motorized vehicle travel lane into a dedicated bicycle lane shall not require a traffic study for the processing of either a coastal development permit or an amendment to a local coastal program. The bill would require, if a proposal to create a dedicated bicycle lane within the developed portion of an existing right-of-way requires an amendment to a local coastal program, the amendment be processed according to specified law, if the executive director of the commission makes specified determinations.

Existing law requires the Department of Transportation, in cooperation with county and city governments, to establish minimum safety design criteria for the planning and construction of bikeways. Existing law requires all city, county, regional, and other local agencies responsible for the development or operation of bikeways or roadways where bicycle travel is permitted to utilize the minimum safety design criteria established by the department or alternative criteria that meet specified requirements. Existing law authorizes a city or county to prepare a bicycle transportation plan with specified required elements for these purposes and, subject to approval of the county transportation commission or transportation planning agency, authorizes the city or county to submit the plan to the department with an application for funds for bikeways and related facilities that will implement the plan.

This bill would require any project that is contained within, or consistent with, a bicycle transportation plan to be deemed consistent, and in conformity, with any applicable certified local coastal program.

(2)Existing law provides generally for the regulation of construction and maintenance of city streets.

This bill would require any project that is solely intended to restripe a street or highway for the purpose of relieving traffic congestion to be deemed consistent, and in conformity, with any applicable certified local coastal program.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 30610.91 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

30610.91.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares that designing and building complete streets that safely accommodate the needs of nonmotorized vehicles, pedestrians, and motorized vehicles in the coastal zone is preferred and encouraged.

(b) In order to expedite the provision of safe, nonvehicular travel within urbanized areas for the purpose of increasing recreational public access to the coast, limiting vehicle miles traveled, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, an application by a local government to convert an existing motorized vehicle travel lane into a dedicated bicycle lane shall not require a traffic study for the processing of either a coastal development permit or an amendment to a local coastal program.

(c) If a proposal to create a dedicated bicycle lane within the developed portion of an existing right-of-way requires an amendment to a local coastal program, the amendment shall be processed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 30514, if the executive director determines that, on balance, the project will provide additional public access benefits without significantly reducing existing public access opportunities.

SECTION 1.Section 891.3 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read:

891.3.

Any project that is contained within, or consistent with, a bicycle transportation plan shall be deemed consistent, and in conformity, with any applicable certified local coastal program.

SEC. 2.Section 1814 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, immediately following Section 1813, to read:

1814.

Any project that is solely intended to restripe a street or highway for the purpose of relieving traffic congestion shall be deemed consistent, and in conformity, with any applicable certified local coastal program.