Commission on the Environment Resolution in support of the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Project.
[Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit]
Resolution in Support of the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project.
WHEREAS, The San Francisco Commission on the Environment recognizes that the reduction of carbon emissions in San Francisco is central to ensuring a sustainable future; and,
WHEREAS, In 2004, the San Francisco Climate Action Plan set a greenhouse gas reduction objective of 20% below the 1990 baseline by 2012 and 80% below by 2050; and,
WHEREAS, 40% of greenhouse gases in San Francisco are caused by transportation; and,
WHEREAS, Frequent and reliable public transportation can reduce the number of auto trips and thus reduce the amount of greenhouse gases; and,
WHEREAS, The Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project may increase transit ridership on lines serving Van Ness Avenue by up to 37% and may increase Muni systemwide ridership by up to 2%; and decrease Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by ~134,000, reducing approximately 27,600 metric tons of CO2 annually versus the existing conditions. This single project will reduce citywide emissions by about 1.3%; and,
WHEREAS, The Van Ness Avenue BRT Project would provide improved operations for regional transit service such as Golden Gate Transit, further helping to reduce emissions from regional travel by offering an alternative to driving; and,
WHEREAS, The Van Ness Avenue BRT Project may be the first in a series of projects to help complete the BRT network; and,
WHEREAS, The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), Center-Lane BRT with Right Side Boarding/Single Median and Limited Left Turns, included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project provides strong benefits compared to the No Build Alternative, and fewer risks than the other center running alternatives analyzed in the Draft EIS/EIR; and,
WHEREAS, New street projects afford the opportunity to create valuable low-impact runoff management facilities; and,
WHEREAS The Van Ness Avenue BRT Project will include installing significant amounts of infrastructure along Van Ness Avenue, including new bus shelters; and,
WHEREAS, The Van Ness Avenue BRT Project would also create approximately 800 new construction jobs according to the methodology used in the City's Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-2023 Capital Plan (http://onesanfrancisco.org/fy-2014-2023-proposed-capital-plan/), helping to support and sustain the City's local community workforce; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Commission on the Environment supports the decision of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority to approve and fund the LPA for the Van Ness Avenue BRT Project; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Commission on the Environment supports the decision of the SFMTA Board of Directors to approve and direct staff to design and construct the LPA for the Van Ness Avenue BRT Project; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Commission on the Environment urges the SFMTA to integrate renewable energy, wherever feasible, in the infrastructure of the Van Ness Avenue BRT Project, including installing solar on the bus shelters; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Commission on the Environment urges the San Francisco Country Transportation Authority and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority to work closely with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to maximize the project's ability to collect and treat stormwater runoff and to minimize the City's Combined Sewage Discharges.
I hereby certify that this Resolution was approved by the Commission on the
Environment at its Special Meeting on July 8, 2013
____________________________________
Monica Fish, Commission Secretary
VOTE: Approved 4-0
AYES: Commissioners Arce, Gravanis, Josefowitz and Wald
NOES: None
ABSENT: None