Stanislaus growth, pollution subject of meeting

STANISLAUS COUNTY -- People interested in how growth affects air quality are invited to share ideas with transportation leaders.

The general concept: cleaner air through reduced driving because leaders engage in better planning.

State air quality officials have ordered agencies in Stanislaus County to reduce 2005-level greenhouse gas emissions 5 percent by 2020 and 10 percent by 2035. Integrating growth and road planning could do the trick, say leaders with the Stanislaus Council of Governments.

They are preparing key documents combining what's called a regional transportation plan with a new sustainable communities strategy. An environmental review features a Jan. 22 public workshop, and other comments should be submitted by Feb. 5.

The transportation plan will list projects envisioned across the county through 2040, including new roads and anything else having to do with cars, buses, trucks, trains, bicycles, airplanes and walking paths.

Leaders want to "improve system efficiency by influencing individual travel behavior," perhaps with "incentives to encourage alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle," a notice says.

The plan will analyze the region's need for new homes and jobs and lay out funding sources, the notice reads.

The sustainable communities component, required by state climate-change law, will discuss goals for building more compact communities that require less driving.

The Jan. 22 "scoping meeting," to gather input on study content, or scope, starts at 4 p.m. in StanCOG's third-level board room at 1111 I St., Modesto.

Written comments should be mailed by Feb. 5 to StanCOG, 1111 I St., Suite 308, Modesto 95354. Questions also may be addressed to StanCOG at (209) 525-4600.