Mountain View approves new rules to cut down on traffic - San Jose Spotlight

"In a unanimous vote, the City Council backed major updates to a policy that requires developers to encourage sustainable forms of transportation, such as offering transit subsidies, bicycle facilities and carshare services."

"Mountain View first adopted a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policy in 1994 to comply with regional and state requirements. The goal was to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, according to the city staff report. The approach however was piecemeal and not always clear to the developers and employers who were tasked with meeting the requirements."

"The new policy approved this week aims to implement the TDM program consistently citywide, with the goal of cutting down on drive-alone trips, according to Assistant Public Works Director Allison Boyer. The policy will apply to all new residential, commercial and mixed-use developments in Mountain View that are expected to generate at least 200 net new average daily trips, Boyer said."

"To get a project approved, a developer will need to create a plan to reduce average daily trips by between 20% and 50%, depending on the project's size, type and proximity to a major transit stop or corridor, Boyer said. Developers also will need to show how they plan to manage the program,"

Mountain View approved a citywide Transportation Demand Management policy to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. The City Council unanimously backed major updates to requirements for developers to encourage sustainable transportation, including transit subsidies, bicycle facilities, and carshare services. The city previously adopted a TDM policy in 1994, but implementation was piecemeal and unclear for developers and employers, with additional rules added for specific areas. The new policy applies consistently across the city to new residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments expected to generate at least 200 net new average daily trips. Some projects are exempt, including all-affordable housing and certain patron-driven uses. Developers must submit plans to reduce average daily trips by 20% to 50% based on project characteristics and proximity to major transit.

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