San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)
About SLOCOG
The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) is an association of local governments in the San Luis Obispo County region. SLOCOG provides transportation planning and funding for the region, and serves as a forum for the study and resolution of regional issues. In addition to preparing the region’s long-range transportation plan, SLOCOG plans regional public transit and other alternative methods of transportation.
SLOCOG is the designated regional transportation planning agency, metropolitan planning organization (MPO), regional census data affiliate and service authority for freeways and expressways. SLOCOG works in coordination with other regional agencies that include: San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority, the Air Pollution Control District and the California Department of Transportation.
Members: San Luis Obispo County; Cities of Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo
Transportation and SB 375
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
The 2010 Regional Transportation Plan-Preliminary Sustainable Communities Strategy (2010 RTP-PSCS) is a comprehensive plan guiding transportation policy for the region, which makes recommendations concerning improvements to the existing transportation network of highways, transit, air and water, rail and bicycling.
The 2010 RTP-PSCS contains a “Preliminary” Sustainable Communities Strategy (PSCS) as SLOCOG was not required to develop an SCS as part of the 2010 regional transportation plan update. The PSCS will be used as a foundation to prepare a complete SCS in the next RTP update, currently underway.
The 2014 Regional Transportation Plan: Connecting Communities, pursuant to SB 375, will include an SCS that coordinates land use, housing and transportation planning to reduce the amount people have to drive. Part of a statewide strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by meeting regional targets, the California Air Resources Board has set SLOCOG’s greenhouse gas reduction targets at 8 percent per capita by 2020 and 8 percent per capita by 2035 (2005 baseline).
Public Participation Plan
SLOCOG’s public participation plan, last amended in April 2010, includes a ten page description of public involvement techniques that may be used by the agency to educate the public and gather input. The plan also includes a useful appendix about strategies to work effectively with specific media outlets to keep the public informed.
Housing
As required by State Law, MPO’s are required to create a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Plan to help plan for future projected housing needs throughout the region. SLOCOG’s most updated RHNA Plan was adopted in August 2008.
Other Programs and Projects
Planning for All Modes of Transportation
SLOCOG supports planning for all modes of transportation including pedestrians, bikes, bus and rail as viable transportation choices. SLOCOG:
- Staff attends bicycle advisory committees and reviews local jurisdictions bicycle plans.
- Works with all transit providers to coordinate services through the Transit Operators Group, an ad hoc committee of transit operators, contractors, and SLOCOG staff.
- Coordinates and prepares agendas for the Coast Rail Coordinating Council.
