Chapter 4: Community Policy Element
Overview
This chapter includes policies for community areas in Mono County. These policies were developed by local citizens planning advisory committees and reflect community consensus on transportation needs within those community areas. They are intended to be consistent with the regional policies presented in the previous chapter; however, in some cases, public consensus in certain areas may not agree with the regional policies in the previous chapter. These policies should be considered when developing and implementing overall RTP policies and programs.
These policies are presented in a format that is consistent with the Mono County General Plan; i.e., Goals, Objectives, Policies, Actions (except for the Town of Mammoth Lakes policies that are consistent with the town General Plan). Policies are presented for the following community areas:
Antelope Valley
Swauger Creek/Devil’s Gate
Bridgeport Valley
Bodie Hills
Mono Basin
Yosemite
June Lake
Mammoth Vicinity/Upper Owens
Long Valley
Wheeler Crest
Tri-Valley
Oasis
Town of Mammoth Lakes (under review by TOML)
Antelope Valley
GOAL 18. Provide and maintain an orderly, safe, and efficient transportation system that preserves the rural character of the Antelope Valley.
Objective 18.A. Retain the existing scenic qualities of US 395 in the Antelope Valley.
Policy 18.A.1. Ensure that future highway improvements in the Antelope Valley protect the scenic qualities in the area.
Policy 18.A.2. Consider additional landscaping along US 395 in appropriate areas.
Policy 18.A.3. Support preservation of the existing heritage trees along US 395 in a manner that ensures roadway safety.
Objective18.B. Support safety improvements to the existing circulation system in the Valley.
Policy 18.B.1. Support operational improvements to the existing two-lane US 395.
Action 18.B.1.a. Promote shoulder widening along US 395 to allow for bike, pedestrian, and equestrian use.
Action 18.B.1.b. Promote the installation of turn lanes on US 395 as needed.
Action 18.B.1.c. Consider improvements to reduce deer collisions in the Valley as needed.
Action 18.B.1.d. Study potential operational and safety improvementsat the intersection of Eastside Lane and US 395.
Objective 18.C. Provide a loop trail system in the Valley for use by bicyclists and pedestrians.
Policy 18.C.1. Seek funding for development of multi-use and single-purpose trails along routes to be identified in the Valley.
Objective 18.D. Develop a main street program for US 395 in Walker.
Policy 18.D.1. Create a Main Street plan for Walker to improve the visitor experience, provide for enhanced wayfinding and use of community assets (park, community center, Mountain Gate, etc.) for residents and visitors.
Action 18.D.1.a. Seek grant funding for a Main Street program in cooperation with business owners, Caltrans, and the Regional Planning Advisory Committee.
Swauger/Devil’s Gate
GOAL 19. Provide and maintain a circulation system that maintains the rural character of the area.
Objective 19.A. Correlate circulation improvements and future land use development.
Policy 19.A.1 Minimize the impacts of new and existing roads.
Action 19.A.1.a. Limit new secondary roads to those necessary for access to private residences.
Action 19.A.1.b. Minimize the visual impacts of roads by using construction practices that minimize dust and erosion.
Action 19.A.1.c. Prohibit roadway construction on designated wet meadow areas.
Action 19.A.1.d. Establish a speed limit of 25 mph on all secondary roads.
Bridgeport Valley
GOAL 20. Provide and maintain a safe and efficient transportation system in the Valley while retaining the rural qualities of the area and supporting a vibrant local Main Street.
Objective 20.A. Provide safety improvements to the existing circulation system in the Valley.
Policy 20.A.1. Support operational improvements to US 395 and SR 182.
Action 20.A.1.a. Support shoulder widening along US 395 and SR 182 from the Evans Tract to the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam and state line while continuing to provide for current uses, such as stock travel.
Action 20.A.1.b. Support study of safety/operational improvements at the following Intersections, which were also analyzed and considered in the Bridgeport Main Street Revitalization Project Final Report: junction of US 395/SR 182; Emigrant Street junction with US 395; and Twin Lakes Road junction with US 395 southbound.
Action 20.A.1.c. Support the addition of bike lanes on SR 182 consistent with the county Bikeway Plan.
Action 20.A.1.d. Support shoulder widening on US 395 north of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest housing complex.
Action 20.A.1.e. Support a left turn lane on Virginia Lakes Road from northbound US 395.
Policy 20.A.2. Request that the California Highway Patrol enforce the speed limit in Bridgeport.
Policy 20.A.3. Provide parking improvements to address parking-related safety problems.
Action 20.A.3.a. Collaborate with Caltrans to study the ability to reduce red-curbing at the corners of side streets entering US 395 in Bridgeport due to the back-in angled parking design and/or reduction of curb cuts.
Action 20.A.3.b. Provide additional off-street parking for County office use, court use, oversize recreational vehicles such as RVs and trailers, and visitors to Bridgeport.
Action 20.A.3.c. Monitor the operational effectiveness of back-in angled parking design on Main Street, and continue to improve design and driver education methods.
Policy 20.A.4. Support improvements to SR 270 to enhance the visitor experience.
Action 20.A.4.a. Support efforts to pave/improve SR 270 to Bodie State Historic Park.
Objective 20.B. Provide a trail system in the Valley for use by bicyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and OHV use.
Policy 20.B.1. Develop a Trails Plan for all skill levels, ages and user types.
Action 20.B.1.a. Develop a Bridgeport Area Trails Plan illustrating existing regional trails that is ready for publication and distribution.
Action 20.B.1.b. Develop a wayfinding system that directs travelers to recreation amenities from the town.
Action 20.B.1.c. Work with appropriate agencies to develop a Bridgeport Area Trails Plan that identifies future trail development opportunities.
Action 20.B.1.d. Seek all available funding sources for trail improvements and maintenance.
Action 20.B.1.e. Encourage trail users and recreationalists outside the Bridgeport Valley to come into town by providing services such as a free hiker shuttle.
Policy 20.B.2. Preserve historical access for equestrian use.
Action 20.B.2.a. Encourage dispersed equestrian use consistent with plans and land use designations.
Policy 20.B.3. Explore winter trails and recreation opportunities.
Action 20.B.2.a. Survey winter trail resort areas, such as the Methow Valley in Washington State, for success stories, trail plan examples, the trail development process, and financing and maintenance options.
Action 20.B.2.b. Work with local winter trail organizations to explore development and maintenance partnerships.
Objective 20.C. Support Complete Street concepts that provide for safe travel for people using any legal mode of travel, including bicycling, walking, riding transit, and driving; the Livable Communities policies; and the results of the Bridgeport Main Street Revitalization Project.
Policy 20.C.1. Develop plans for Main Street Revitalization in Bridgeport, including traffic calming, pedestrian safety and other enhancements to encourage exploration of the town and surrounding area.
Action 20.C.1.a. Retain, and refine as needed, the current design of one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane, and recommend a colored center turn lane.
Action 20.C.1.b. Prioritize and support continued implementation of pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements, such as completing sidewalk gaps and repairs, (removable) curb extensions, pedestrian-scale street lights, pedestrian furniture, street trees, crosswalk improvements (increased number, pedestrian-activated lights), etc.
Action 20.C.1.c. Encourage Main Street properties to take pride in aesthetic appearances and implement building designs from the Bridgeport Idea Book.
Action 20.C.1.d. Actively seek partners to develop a multi-agency office and visitor center complex.
Action 20.C.1.e. Seek to install monument signs at each end of town to announce to highway travelers that they are entering a community.
Action 20.C.1.f. Request improved pedestrian access and crossings on the north and south sides of the Walker River Bridge.
Action 20.C.1.g. Work with Caltrans to install infrastructure for an arch/banner over Main Street.
Policy 20.C.2. Improve multi-modal transportation facilities within and surrounding the town core, including residential neighborhoods.
Action 20.C.2.a. Improve pedestrian and bicycling facilities, such as bike lanes on Twin Lakes Road, striping bike/pedestrian lanes on County roads, and possibly pursuing raised sidewalks in the future.
Bodie Hills[13]
GOAL 21. Provide for multiple modes of access to Bodie to enhance safe, convenient travel and accessibility for Bodie visitors, in a manner consistent with the Bodie Experience.
Objective 21.A. Improve existing transportation and access to the Bodie Bowl. Minimize congestion, traffic noise, dust, and improve rough roads and parking facilities.
Policy 21.A.1. Limit traffic in the State Park to a level consistent with the Bodie Experience [the Bodie Experience is defined in the Bodie Bowl Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Bodie Hills Planning Area: A Recommended Cooperative Management Plan (1993). Policies from that document have been incorporated into the Mono County Land Use Element.
Action 21.A.1.a. When developing traffic limitations for the Bodie Hills Planning Area, consider the carrying capacities for the Park (see Table 13), as established in the Bodie State Historic Park Resource Management Plan of 1979.
Action 21.A.1.b. Recommend to State Parks that it update the carrying-capacity estimates shown in Table 13.
[13] These policies are integrated from the historic Bodie Hills Multi-Modal Transportation Plan.
