Circulation Element

Only areas with a white background are considered part of the General Plan.

Overview

The Circulation Element provides overall guidance for the city's responsibility to satisfy the local and subregional circulation needs of our residents, visitors, and businesses while maintaining the city's quality of life. In addition, it coordinates the circulation system with future land use patterns and levels of buildout and addresses access and connectivity among the various neighborhoods and economic development districts. Using a layered transportation network approach (Exhibit C-1: Layered Transportation Network), the Circulation Element pays particular attention to addressing the range of mobility options in Menifee, including vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs)/golf carts, transit, and trucks. Layered transportation networks are designed to improve the balance between environmental concerns, community objectives, and performance (mobility and safety).

Circulation Network Principle

Within Menifee, progress toward a sustainable transportation system can be advanced by focusing on the following principles:

• Network Connectivity (more than 1 route between land uses and a mixture of low speed and high speed road connections wherever possible)
• Operational Balance (flexibility to achieve community objectives and place making without sacrificing safety and mobility)
• Emissions Reduction / Energy Efficiency (prioritize designs that minimize idling times and vehicle miles traveled, help conserve resources, and minimize waste)
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations (walkways and bikeways fully integrated)
• Transit Readiness (access to transit stops and effective interface of modes)
• Neighborhood Electric Vehicle/Golf Cart Provisions (system of NEV/golf cart paths, lanes, charging stations, etc.)
• Quality Public Space (roadways spatially defined to reflect the context and desired character of the surrounding land uses)

The City of Menifee Circulation Element emphasizes the systematic upgrade and ongoing maintenance of a transportation system for the city that responds to the demands of current and planned land uses as detailed in the Land Use Element. State and regional programs have helped shape the plan for circulation and its goals and policies; in turn, the Circulation Element goals and policies work together to meet the intent of various programs.

Regulatory Framework

The City of Menifee's circulation network responds to regional and statewide regulatory direction and is strategically designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled by promoting a range of transportation options. Beginning January 1, 2011, the California Complete Streets Act (AB 1358) required circulation elements to address the transportation system from a multimodal perspective. The bill states that streets, roads, and highways must "meet the needs of all users in a manner suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan." The City of Menifee Circulation Element meets the requirements of the law by planning for all appropriate transportation options, including walking, biking, automobile travel, and public transit.

Purpose of Element

Section 65302 of the State of California Government Code identifies 7 mandatory elements in a General Plan, including circulation. The Circulation Element must cover the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan. The Circulation Element must also plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users (bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, users of public transportation, and seniors) of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel.

The General Plan roadway network is designed to support the vision for the Menifee that is reflected in the Land Use Element. The proposed network will provide the necessary roadway infrastructure and connectivity to accommodate the population and employment growth planned for the City of Menifee.

Background

The City of Menifee is bisected by Interstate 215. The east side of the city is predominately new and future development, and the west side is a blend of existing homes and new/future development. Recent development projects include sidewalks and other amenities not present in rural parts of the city. Over time, the city will invest in infrastructure improvement where necessary or require these from new development for a healthy, accessible, and interconnected community.

The Circulation Element covers 5 general topics: the roadway system, bicycles and pedestrians, public transit, NEVs and golf carts, goods movement, and scenic highways. A brief description of each of these topics is presented alongside the related goal and policies for context. For more detailed information on each of these issues and how they relate to Menifee's past and future, please review the general plan exhibits and related documents identified below.

Goals

Click on the goal links below to see the policies that are associated with the individual goals identified in this element. Readers should also refer to the Implementation Actions for additional items that must be undertaken by the city to achieve the goals and policies for this element.

• C-1: Roadway System. A roadway network that meets the circulation needs of all residents, employees, and visitors to the City of Menifee.
• C-2: Bicycles and Pedestrians. A bikeway and community pedestrian network that facilitates and encourages nonmotorized travel throughout the City of Menifee.
• C-3: Public Transit. A public transit system that is a viable alternative to automobile travel and meets basic transportation needs of the transit dependent.
• C-4: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles / Gold Carts. Diversified local transportation options that include neighborhood electric vehicles and golf carts.
• C-5: Goods Movement. An efficient flow of goods through the city that maximizes economic benefits and minimizes negative impacts.
• C-6: Scenic Highways. Scenic highway corridors that are preserved and protected from change which would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to the designated routes.

General Plan Exhibits

• Exhibit C-1: Layered Transportation Networks
• Exhibit C-2: Roadway Cross-Sections
• Exhibit C-3: Roadway Network
• Exhibit C-4: Bikeway and Community Pedestrian Network
• Exhibit C-5: Potential Transit Services
• Exhibit C-6: Potential Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Network
• Exhibit C-7: Truck Routes
• Exhibit C-8: Scenic Highways