MEETING DATE:
April 8, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9425 - SUPPORTING APPLICATION TO AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE AND FILE APPLICATIONS WITH SANDAG FOR SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE PROGRAM (SGIP) GRANT FUNDS.
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT resolution supporting the application to the Smart Growth Incentive Program grant program and authorizing the City Manager to finalize and file applications for said program with SANDAG.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Relevant Department Goal
Not applicable
Executive Summary
On December 13, 2024, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released a call for projects for the Smart Growth Incentive Program (SGIP) Cycle 6 grant program. This call for projects offers a total of $45 million in TransNet funding for infrastructure and planning activities that encourage housing and transportation choices. City staff has identified and is recommending Council approve the application of three projects as part of the cycle 6 SGIP grant program.
Discussion
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) administers the Smart Growth Incentive Program (SGIP), which seeks to promote projects that encourage alternative transportation, compact development, and sustainable planning principles. On December 13, 2024 SANDAG issued a call for projects for the sixth cycle of the grant. Applications are due on April 11, 2025.
After analyzing the program goals and scoring criteria in the call for projects, City staff recommend pursuing three projects for the SGIP grant:
1. San Marcos Boulevard Multi-Way (Capital Improvement Project)
This project involves the construction of a multi-way corridor segment. It aims to create a multimodal environment that maintains roadway capacity while enhancing traffic operations and pedestrian access in alignment with the current General Plan.
2. San Marcos Boulevard Corridor Plan (Planning Project)
This planning initiative addresses long-standing challenges along the San Marcos Boulevard corridor from Twin Oaks Valley Road to Rancho Santa Fe Road, including travel mode options, urban design, placemaking, planting of a tree canopy, and integration of transportation improvements with surrounding land uses.
3. Update to the San Marcos Climate Action Plan (CAP)
The currently adopted CAP of 2020 anticipated an update in 2026. If the grant funds are awarded, staff will conduct a comprehensive update of the CAP that will include an updated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory, future projections of GHGs and updated measures and programs to reduce GHGs over time to meet the State requirements. The CAP update will include extensive outreach and will incorporate public input in selection of GHG reduction measures. The CAP will also be a CEQA qualified document to allow for the development projects to streamline CEQA analysis for GHG emissions.
Environmental Review
The activity performed under this action is not itself a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
Final grant application amounts will be determined just prior to the submittal date of April 11, 2025. Should award occur, a separate action would be brought before City Council for acceptance and budget appropriations as necessary.
Attachment(s)
Resolution
Prepared by: Emad Elias, Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by: Stephanie Kellar, Deputy City Engineer
Submitted by: Isaac Etchamendy, Development Services Director
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager