On November 18, 2018 Sierra College released for public review a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) on their Rocklin Campus Facilities Master Plan. City staff reviewed the Draft EIR and had concerns mostly related to Transportation/Traffic, in particular (1) how the Draft EIR discussed future desired improvements to Rocklin Road in support of the campus expansion but did not detail how those improvements would occur, and (2) how the Draft EIR approached mitigating significant traffic impacts caused by the campus expansion and increased student population as a result of the Facilities Master Plan project.
On January 22, 2019, City Council was presented with an informational report regarding the review status of the Sierra College Facilities Master Plan Draft EIR and was provided with a draft of the City’s Draft EIR comment letter. The comment suggested that a more appropriate and equitable mitigation approach would be for the college to be directly responsible for mitigating the significant impacts identified by the Facilities Master Plan expansion as well as participating on a fair share basis in existing fee programs such as what exists for the Rocklin Road/I-80 interchange and other planned improvements in the project area. To carry forward such an approach, the comment letter also suggested that the college commit to entering into an agreement with the City that would identify at minimum the phasing/timing mechanisms for when improvements or contributions to a fair share program would be necessary, the level of the college’s participation, and the process for ensuring that improvements are in place prior to or soon thereafter the need(s) arises. Following discussion of the item, the City Council directed staff to continue to work with Sierra College to address concerns noted by the City’s Draft EIR comment letter.
Discussion:
Per direction provided by the City Council, City staff have had multiple meetings with Sierra College representatives and it was jointly determined that the best approach for addressing both parties’ needs and concerns would be through the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The negotiated MOU, which has been conceptually approved by both parties, recognizes the beneficial relationship between the City and Sierra College and requires mitigation measures to address traffic impacts on Rocklin Road and Sierra College Boulevard. Specifically, the mitigation measures require the following elements:
- Sierra College shall provide a 25-year revocable offer of dedication for the additional right-of-way that is necessary to widen Rocklin Road to six lanes and to accommodate long-term circulation improvements identified in the Facilities Master Plan.
- Sierra College shall pay into the Rocklin traffic impact fee program based upon calculations taking into account the cumulative total square footage of new development, not to exceed $1,380,913.80. The payments shall be in three installments: 50% upon approval of Facilities Master Plan and associated EIR; 25% upon Division of State Architect certification of New Instructional Building, and 25% upon Division of State Architect certification of New Science Building.
- Sierra College will implement a traffic monitoring program to determine if and when on- and off-campus traffic improvements are necessary, specifically widening of Campus Drive, intersection improvements to the El Don and Havenhurst Circle intersections with Rocklin Road, and a possible third entrance along Rocklin Road between the El Don and Havenhurst intersections.
The Sierra College Facilities Master Plan includes multiple near-term projects that are slated to be built within the first five years after adoption of the Facilities Master Plan and associated EIR. It is important to note that this near-term project list includes the construction of a new parking structure on the northern edge of the developed campus with access from the Stadium Entrance intersection on Sierra College Boulevard. This multiple-story structure will be approximately 50 feet in height with a capacity of approximately 1,500 spaces. It is anticipated that the central location of the new garage will attract many students and help to balance the College’s overall traffic volume by shifting vehicle trips away from Rocklin Road onto Sierra College Boulevard.
Collectively, the land value of the additional right-of-way necessary for Rocklin Road widening, the cost of the campus repairs and improvements that would be needed as a result of widening Rocklin Road, the payment of traffic impact mitigation fees, and the on- and off-campus traffic improvements noted above are valued at approximately 8.2 million dollars. These costs and the MOU represent of Sierra College’s recognition of the need for a shared commitment to ensure adequate circulation improvements are constructed to accommodate the growth of the student population on the Rocklin campus.
The Sierra College Board of Trustees is scheduled to review and approve the MOU and the Facilities Master Plan EIR on May 14, 2019.