A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

C H A P T E R   4 :   R E Q U I R E D   E L E M E N T S
   |   189
4
Considerations for Communities Beyond San Joaquin Valley
The general plan, as the foundation for local planning and development, can be an important tool for implementing policies 
and programs beneficial to air quality. Communities may choose to adopt a separate air quality element or to integrate 
air quality-beneficial objectives, policies, and strategies in other elements of the plan, such as the 
land use
, 
circulation
, 
conservation
, and community design elements. Whichever method is selected, consistency among elements and policies within 
the plan is essential for successful implementation. 
Required Contents for Disadvantaged Communities
Cities and counties whose general plan must include an 
environmental justice element
, or related goals, policies, and objectives 
in other elements, must include ways to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by 
reducing pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality. For more information on disadvantaged communities 
and air quality requirements, see the 
environmental justice element section
.
Communities with a Port of Entry 
According to the Air Resources Board, 
“The diesel equipment operating in and around freight hubs, such as seaports, railyards, and warehouse and distribution 
centers, is a significant source of diesel [particulate matter] PM, a toxic air contaminant that can cause cancer and other 
health problems, including respiratory illnesses, increased risk of heart disease, and premature death. Exposure to diesel 
PM is a health hazard, particularly to children whose lungs are still developing and the elderly, who may have other 
serious health problems. The diesel PM emissions from freight operations impact communities located adjacent to those 
operations, as well as residents living miles away” (
Sustainable Freight: Pathways to Zero and Near-Zero Emissions, 2015
).
Port of entry communities may experience extensive exposure to air pollutants, and should have a comprehensive set of goals, 
policies, and objectives that can improve air quality. Sample policies may be found at the end of this chapter, and in greater 
detail in 
Appendix A
. 
Considerations in Land Uses Near High-Volume Roadways
4
 
A general plan update is the opportune time to address issues that require thoughtful 
cross-sector analysis and discussion
. 
Land 
use
 decisions near or adjacent to high volume roadways often present conflicts between economic, health, and environmental 
benefits from the development and the potential health impacts of vehicle emissions on nearby residents, businesses, schools, 
and other uses. Mitigating existing near-roadway land use conflicts and planning to avoid such conflicts in new projects requires 
coordination of several general plan elements, including 
land use
, 
housing
, 
circulation
, 
environmental justice
, and 
health
. 
Infill development 
along primary transportation corridors can help to achieve multiple policy objectives (good access to 
destinations, low VMT, environmental, heath, and economic benefits, fiscal savings for governments and transportation 
cost savings for citizens), but may also involve residential and commercial development adjacent to high-volume and other 
4 
High volume roadway is defined as: Roadways that, on an average day, have traffic in excess of 50,000 vehicles in a rural area and 100,000 vehicles in an urban area

---

C H A P T E R   4 :   R E Q U I R E D   E L E M E N T S
   |   190
4
roadways elevated levels of air pollution or air toxics. Studies show that exposure to traffic pollution is associated with health 
issues including worsening of asthma and other respiratory health impacts. The foremost strategy for reducing pollution exposure 
near high-volume roadways is to minimize creation of traffic pollution in the first place. There are many efforts to do this:
• Federal and state emissions standards for cars, trucks, and buses
• State regulations for zero emission vehicle adoption
• SB 375, SB 743, regional, and local policies that reduce driving
• California’s Sustainable Freight Transport Initiative
• Community- and government-led efforts to increase alternative transportation modes including public transit, biking, and walking
From a 
land use
 perspective, other strategies such as removing car lanes, having dedicated transit lanes, adding in separate bike 
lanes, and widening sidewalks are all practical strategies that can reduce emissions since they minimize traffic. Some areas have 
started Ciclavias, closing down a road for one day to cars to promote the use of the space by walkers, bikers, and other forms 
of activity.
xxvi
 The 
land use
 and 
circulation
 sections discuss these options in more depth. Capping – by covering and building 
atop—or removing freeways is another strategy employed by some areas as appropriate.
xxvii
 Eliminating the high frequency road 
altogether, and providing alternate modes of efficient transportation, as San Francisco did when removing the 
Embarcadero 
Freeway
, may create co-benefits in the community, including increased health and economic vitality. 
Some policies and regulations will go into effect in the next few years and will lead to substantial emissions reductions before 
development guided by current general plan updates will occur, while others have compliance dates that extend well into the 
future. Other policies, such as travel demand management, vary at the local level. Fleet turnover and changes in the built 
environment to increase non-auto travel will also take time. As these policies are realized, there is a need for local governments 
to consider other mitigation options to protect sensitive populations from near-roadway pollution exposure and to reduce the 
health impacts associated with living or working near busy roadways.
Deciding where to site a project is not a simple task. The pollutant levels and air quality near a freeway can vary significantly 
based on air-flow patterns, temperature, time of day, season, presence of sound barriers, vegetation, height of structures and 
other variables. The variation of near-roadway pollution levels means that development plans must consider reducing both peak 
and long-term pollution exposures. Cross-sector discussion and analysis are of utmost importance to determine adequate sites 
for future development and balance multiple policy objectives.
Research has begun to evaluate measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate air pollution exposure near roadways. 
Simultaneously, new research shows health benefits from reducing GHGs; improving housing stock; preserving agricultural 
spaces, habitats, and recreational spaces; and engaging in the active transportation and mass transit made possible through 
infill development.
A comprehensive discussion around process strategies and mitigation strategies to address near roadway land use has the 
potential to improve air quality and reduce exposure to toxics. Furthermore, a holistic examination allows for weighing benefits 
related to equity, health, economics, resource protection, and overall sustainability goals. 

---