San Diego City Council Votes for Transit First
Anne Tolch
Friends,
In a close vote yesterday afternoon the San Diego City Council voted to support the Land Use and Housing Committee’s Comment Letter to SANDAG urging a ‘Transit First’ approach for our regional transportation.
It was inspiring to watch some of our leaders in action. Sherri Lightner demonstrated incredibly courageous leadership, holding her ground against the attempt by Carl DeMaio, Lori Zapf and Kevin Faulconer to force a watering down of the letter to ‘multi modal transit’ which would have served as a green light to SANDAG to build all the roads they want. Marti Emerald was eloquent and on the mark as always. Council President, Tony Young provided a powerful voice, standing up for the (short and long term) wellbeing of his constituents. The full scoop is below compliments of Steve Goetsch.
Love and appreciation to everyone who spoke up on this in person or by writing council members. I believe it is absolutely what made the difference.
Please join me in sending an email thanking the council members who stood up to protect our future by voting YES.
Best to you always,
Anne
SD Council sends transit-first message to SANDAG
Originally published June 27, 2011 at 6:24 p.m., updated June 27, 2011 at 7:19 p.m.
Supporting documentation:
Read San Diego City Council Resolution S402
The San Diego City Council Monday backed a push for aggressive development of mass transit services before freeway expansion.
The council voted 5-3 to send that message to the San Diego Association of Governments which is wrapping up the final touches on a 40-year, $196 billion county transportation spending plan.
The transit-first resolution picks up the banner dropped by Senator Christine Kehoe’s I-5 expansion bill, SB-468, which started life as a “transit-first” statement but has morphed its way through the state Legislature into an endorsement for adding four lanes to the highway between La Jolla and Oceanside.
The city council strongly urges SANDAG to “prioritize mass transit infrastructure and sustainable transportation projects over highway expansion” in its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.
Council member Sherri Lightner noted that the statement reflects the city’s 2008 General Plan, which calls for reduced dependence on automobiles and for expansion of transit services.
"We are stating our concerns as the City of San Diego," she said. "If we don't make mass transit a priority, it will never become a priority."
Before adopting the resolution, the council heard from about 20 transit-dependent residents and advocates who described the challenges faced in getting to jobs and school and shopping when the bus or trolley is your only option.
"When the hardest decision you have to make is how to get from A to B," observed Council member Todd Gloria, "that does not set the region up for success."
The Regional Economic Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce also weighed in, expressing concern over how the council arrived at its stance and whether the council might be pressing for projects for which no money exists.
SANDAG board vice-chairman Jack Dale said he embraced the need for mass transit but defended the plan’s “balanced effort” between highways, transit and bicycling/pedestrian projects.
"I agree with almost everything I heard," said Dale, a Santee council member. "but there are certain realities. In some places transit will work. There are some where we'll need to widen the highway."
Dale pointed out that most funding for transportation comes already committed to specific modes. "It is right to do everything we can for transit," he said, "but when we get the dollars we have to accept them."
Several council members shared that perspective.
The three voting against the resolution -- Carl DeMaio, Lorie Zapf and Kevin Faulconer -- all wanted the language modified to “give SANDAG direction but allow for flexibility,” as DeMaio framed it.
"SANDAG's approach is the right one," said Faulconer, "to end on the word 'balance' -- all modes of transportation."
But DeMaio also questioned whether the large number of advocates at the meeting was representative of the "public will."
"The rest of the public is sitting on I-5 and I-15, stuck in traffic," he said. "I don't believe this (testimony) reflects public sentiment."
But in breaking the tie, council President Tony Young said, “I am surprised to hear Ms. Lightner is not supportive of a balanced approach. We have to advocate for transit-oriented transportation. If not, we're advocating for areas outside of our city.”
bob.h...@uniontrib.com • (619) 718-5253 • Twitter: sdutTranport
From: Anne Tolch [mailto:anne...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 10:49 AM
To: 'san-diego-region-ag...@googlegroups.com'
Cc: 'Elyse Lowe'
Subject: ACTION ALERT FOR MONDAY - San Diego City Council Vote on Transit *please share*
Importance: High
San Diego Climate Activists,
Transportation accounts for 46% of our emissions here in San Diego. This is a key vote to pressure SANDAG to stop their business as usual practice of virtually ignoring transit and continuing to build more roads.
Let your voice be heard – contact your Councilmember or be there in person at 2 p.m. Monday. You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks,
Anne
Tony Young is considered the swing vote – please email or call him today at: anthon...@sandiego.gov (619) 236-6644. Help is also needed with Mayor Sanders, Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer – their votes are unknown.
From: sd-clima...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sd-clima...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Elyse Lowe
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 5:19 PM
To: sd-clima...@googlegroups.com
Subject: ACTION ALERT FOR MONDAY
Bold Transit move by San Diego Council - ACTION NEEDED 6/27
In an audacious move widely supported by advocates for transportation options, the San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee, with Councilmember Kevin Faulconer absent, unanimously voted to forward a proposed ‘Pro-Transit’ letter from the Council to SANDAG as part of the public comment period for the draft 2050 Regional Transportation Plan Update.
This is a noteworthy move, as the comments from the City will weigh heavily with SANDAG officials. In fact, due to the City’s percentage share of the region’s population, the City holds a 40% weighted vote at SANDAG meetings.
Why are we sending you an action alert?
LU&H approved, now it is going to the full Council for approval. Show your support by Monday morning by calling, writing or emailing your Councilmember (or by attending in person at the 2pm Monday Council meeting). Let the Council know you support LU&H’s recommendations for transit. View the letter here: http://docs.sandiego.gov/councilcomm_agendas_attach/2011/LUH_110622_3c.pdf.
With the City of San Diego’s leadership, the Draft 2050 RTP could be changed to bring more walk, bike and transit projects in the near future!
What can I do?
- Attend the San Diego City Council meeting on Monday, June 27 at 2pm
- Fill out a speaker slip in support, even if you don’t plan to speak (to be on the record)
- Email your Councilmember. You can use our letter template, which can be found here: http://sdrcts.wikispaces.com/Support+Letter+Template+-+LU%26H+Recommendations+for+Transit
- Tell a friend! Use your Facebook or Twitter to get your friends who want better transit to show their support too!
Why should I care?
- Congestion is not going to go away, and we need better options
- Gas is $4/gallon and increasing
- Times are tough, and transit creates jobs, and saves families money.
- To significantly increase transit ridership, we need to increase transit frequency and options.
- The San Diego region will actually INCREASE GhG per capita between now and 2050, though state law aims to reduce it.
- San Diego has the highest carbon emissions per capita in the state of California.
- Vehicle Miles Traveled per capita is expected to BARELY decrease (less than 1%) over 40 years, after significant infill growth of over 200,000 units in San Diego and over $45 Billion expended on regional transit.
How do I contact my Councilmembers?
LU&H unanimously voted to approve (Lightner, Alvarez and Gloria). The other Councilmembers would like to know if you have an opinion too!
District 2- Kevin Faulconer
kevinfa...@sandiego.gov
(619) 236-6622
District 4- Tony Young
anthon...@sandiego.gov
(619) 236-6644
District 5- Carl DeMaio
carld...@sandiego.gov
(619) 236-6655
District 6- Lorie Zapf
lori...@sandiego.gov
(619) 236-6616
District 7- Marti Emerald
martie...@sandiego.gov
(619) 236-6677
LETTER TEMPLATE
June 23, 2011
Councilmember _____
City of San Diego
202 C Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Re: Comment letter to SANDAG on the 2050 RTP
Honorable Councilmember _________:
I urge you to please approve the Land Use and Housing Committee’s comment letter to SANDAG on the draft 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. Your leadership will demonstrate this region wants and needs more effective mass transit options prioritized in order to support our future growth and help preserve its beauty for generations to come.
The draft 2050 RTP does not meet SANDAG’s ridership goals for San Diego’s urban core. San Diego is estimated to take around 50% of the regional population growth, an increase of 600,000 people and 200,000 new residences over the next 40 years. By prioritizing transit sooner than later, coupled with transit oriented development within smart growth centers, transit will help SANDAG exceed the region’s climate goals and federal air quality goals. Transit plays an important role in San Diego in its image as America’s finest city.
It is important for the region to advance the timeline of funding transit in key commute routes, improve transit frequency and fund active transportation projects. It is also important for the region to clarify how greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are being met in the Sustainable Communities Strategy. A Transit First system of projects will help ensure a successful transit oriented development strategy is developed to link public transit and affordable housing.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Sincerely,
Elyse Lowe
Executive Director
Move San Diego
Twitter @MoveSD
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