Board opts to partner with SANDAG on VMT mitigation, delays local exchange program

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors directed staff on June 10 to continue coordinating with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) on a regional VMT mitigation program and to return with additional analysis as part of the sustainable land use framework in early 2027.

Planning staff summarized how SB 743 changed environmental review to focus on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rather than level of service and described three mitigation pathways: the state's voluntary fee-based mitigation program, a SANDAG regional mitigation model, and a potential county-run local exchange option. Staff reported that recent legal interpretations have allowed continued reliance on Section 15183 streamlining for many general-plan-consistent projects but that not all projects qualify for streamlining.

"We know that mitigation within unincorporated areas will likely be very expensive depending on the location," staff said, citing draft state cost estimates that ranged widely depending on the project and location. The presentation included a Transit Opportunity Area (TOA) assessment showing modest density increases in targeted areas could reduce VMT.

Board action: Supervisor Desmond moved (and colleagues seconded) to continue partnering with SANDAG, pursue grant funding for a regional pilot, and not direct staff to develop a county-run local VMT mitigation exchange at this time; staff was directed to return within 12 months or sooner as part of scheduled land-use policy updates. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: The decision keeps the county aligned with regional planning work and avoids establishing a potentially costly local mitigation mechanism while state and regional programs mature. Conservation groups at the hearing, including the Sierra Club, urged stronger local action to prioritize housing near transit and to implement reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions from transportation.

What to watch next: Staff will return with the sustainable land use framework and options for land-use changes that could influence VMT performance, including TOA-informed zoning adjustments, and the county will continue participating in SANDAG technical work on regional credits and exchange options.

Sources: Planning staff presentation and public comment, Board of Supervisors hearing, June 10, 2026.