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APPROVE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2026 TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Adopting the 2026 Transportation Master Plan;
2. Finding the adoption of the 2026 Transportation Master Plan is exempt from the CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(B)(3) and 15262; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to take actions that are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The 2026 Stockton Transportation Master Plan (Exhibit 1 to the attached Resolution - also available on the City’s website, in the City Clerk’s Office, and all City Libraries) provides a framework for the City’s future transportation infrastructure needs, consistent with the buildout of the Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan (General Plan). The Master Plan takes a multimodal approach to transportation planning and provides a long-range framework for identifying transportation improvements needed to support future growth through the General Plan growth horizon.
The Master Plan also serves as the foundation for the pending Public Facility Fee (PFF) Nexus Study to update development impact fees, including one related to transportation. The transportation nexus analysis evaluates transportation improvements and the portion of eligible project costs attributable to future development, while accounting for existing deficiencies and existing users. The updated development impact fees will be considered separately through the PFF Nexus Study process.
By approving the proposed resolution, the City Council adopts the Stockton Transportation Master Plan, which will serve as the foundational guiding document for future transportation infrastructure improvements and the development of the Transportation Impact Fee through the PFF Nexus Study.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan was adopted on December 4, 2018, via Resolution No. 2018-12-04-1503-01. This document serves as the guiding policy document governing the City’s growth, establishing policies and actions needed to support the City’s long-term growth, including housing, infrastructure, public amenities, and economic development. To implement the policies outlined in the General Plan, updated master infrastructure plans, including the Transportation Master Plan, are required to ensure that transportation infrastructure and services grow in alignment with development and community needs.
The Master Plan is part of this broader citywide infrastructure planning initiative. It evaluates existing transportation conditions and infrastructure, identifies transportation needs associated with future growth, and outlines transportation improvements needed to support the City through the 2040 General Plan horizon. This comprehensive review of the City’s transportation system provides a snapshot of existing and future transportation conditions and insight into how the City can plan for future transportation infrastructure needs.
This Master Plan will directly inform the Public Facilities Fee (development impact fee) Nexus Study, required by California Government Code Section 66000 et seq., known as the Mitigation Fee Act, which mandates a clear connection or “nexus” between the collection of new development impact fees and the improvements they are intended to fund. The Master Plan will help establish this nexus by identifying transportation infrastructure needs based on Stockton’s projected growth, future travel demand, existing transportation conditions, and planning-level project cost estimates.
The fees collected will fund eligible transportation improvements needed to serve new development, ensuring that new development projects pay their fair share for these improvements as the City grows. All Public Facility Fees, including the Transportation Impact Fee, are currently under review through an effort led by the Community Development Department.
On February 23, 2021, via Resolution No. 2021-02-23-1502, City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Harris & Associates, Inc. to prepare a Public Facilities Fee (PFF) Nexus Study and to develop Master Infrastructure Plans. Harris & Associates’ proposal included sub-contractor Fehr & Peers to prepare the Master Plan. Fehr & Peers is an industry leader in transportation planning and engineering, having earned national recognition for setting new industry standards and best practices.
Present Situation
The City’s consulting team completed a draft of the Transportation Master Plan, which is now being recommended for adoption by the City Council.
The Master Plan development process included coordination between the City’s Community Development and Public Works Departments and the consultant team. In preparing this Master Plan, a series of existing City planning documents, transportation plans and programs, and other available information were reviewed to identify transportation infrastructure needs through the 2040 General Plan horizon.
The Transportation Master Plan project list includes project priorities for implementation through 2040 based on City-adopted plans and policies. The Master Plan considers a range of transportation project types, including bicycle and pedestrian improvements, bridge and rail grade separation improvements, interchange improvements, new roads and road extensions, road widening, intersection improvements, and transportation communication improvements.
This comprehensive planning effort provides the necessary foundation for the upcoming Public Facility Fee Nexus Study, which will establish an updated fee structure to ensure new development contributes its fair share toward transportation infrastructure needed to serve future growth. The Master Plan allows the City to document transportation infrastructure needs and costs associated with future development and provides the technical information necessary to support the transportation nexus analysis. It is important that this Plan be adopted prior to completion of the Nexus Study to ensure that impact fee analysis and calculations are supported by clearly identified transportation needs.
Adopting the 2026 Transportation Master Plan is not a “project” under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378(c)(3) and (c)(2) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. However, to the extent it is determined to be a “project,” it is exempt under Section 15061(B)(3) because CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, and here there is no possibility that adopting this Plan may have a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, adoption of the Plan is statutorily exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 because it is a planning study for future actions that the City has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. Accordingly, staff has prepared a Notice of Exemption to be filed if the Plan is approved (Exhibit 2 to the attached Resolution).
Industry Outreach and Public Comment
The public draft Transportation Master Plan was posted on the City of Stockton Community Development Department’s website on May 12, 2026, for public review and comment, and was also provided to members of the Industry Working Group (IWG). Additional public notice regarding the availability of the draft Plan was provided through a City press release issued on May 28, 2026, as well as through Ask Stockton notifications. Physical copies of the Plan have been made available in the City Clerk’s Office and all City Libraries.
On June 30, 2026, the draft Master Plan was reviewed with the IWG, where the Transportation Master Plan, proposed Transportation Impact Fee, and related methodology were discussed. The IWG consists of representatives from the Building Industry Association, local developers, and City staff from the City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Public Works, and Municipal Utilities Departments.
A second IWG meeting was held on August 5, 2026, to provide an additional opportunity for discussion and feedback on the draft Plan and related transportation fee analysis. Comments and questions received through the IWG process were reviewed by City staff and the consultant team, and minor refinements were made to create greater clarity.
As of the preparation of this report, no public comments have been received.
Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the Transportation Master Plan.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund from this action. Adoption of this Plan does not, by itself, appropriate funding or authorize expenditures for individual transportation improvement projects. Individual projects will be presented for consideration through the City’s applicable budget, Capital Improvement Plan, and related approval processes.