The Capistrano Insider

OCTA Urges Kids to Take the Bus to OC Entertainment Spots

 ORANGE – Summer is fast approaching and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is offering the perfect summer ride for those 18 and younger. 

The Youth Summer Bus Pass provides the opportunity to use the bus system at a reduced rate from June 1 to Aug. 31. In addition, pass holders will experience the benefits of discounts at 18 businesses and entertainment centers throughout the county including Vans Skate Park and Knott’s Berry Farm.

“The pass offers young people the freedom of traveling anywhere in the county all summer long,” said Jerry Amante, Chairman of OCTA. “With more than 6,200 bus stops, riders can go anywhere in the county, from the beaches in San Clemente to Medieval Times in Buena Park, all at an affordable price.”

Last year, OCTA sold more than 3,400 Youth Summer Bus Passes. The $50 pass can be purchased online, over the phone or at the OCTA store.  

For information, visit http://www.octa.net/summerpass or for pass sales, call (714) 560-5932. 

New County Bike Map Available

From Supervisor Pat Bates' office:

2010 Orange County Bikeways Map

In conjunction with Bike to Work Week, the Orange County Transportation Authority released the latest edition of the Orange County bike map, which is available now online.

During the development of the 2009 OCTA Commuter Bikeways Strategic Plan, valuable input was gathered from the public (many of which are active bicyclists), as well as OCTA’s Citizens Advisory Committee. This public feedback helped to identify what bicyclists need from a map, and helped OCTA address these issues in this year’s updated map.

Some of the new features include a map with identification of steep grades, segment lengths, trail access points and even bike shop locations. There is also an interactive map online that allows users to select the specific information in which they are interested. To view the 2010 Orange County Bikeways Map, click here.

Transportation Planners Want Your Opinion

The Orange County Transportation Agency is working on its 2010 Long-Range Transportation Plan, a blueprint for roadway and other improvements through 2035.

 

The plan is updated every four years and includes a constrained plan, based on expected budgets, and a pie-in-the-sky unconstrained plan that looks at potential improvements without regard to cost.

 

The agency, which coordinates major transportation projects in Orange County, is seeking the public’s input on the plan through an Internet survey on its website, www.octa.net

 

The survey offers respondents multiple choices to solve traffic problems and allows residents to offer their own suggestions, while also prioritizing transportation-improvement plans.

 

One of the key elements of the update will be sustainability, specifically how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

 

Get more information and complete the survey at www.octa.net/lrtp_overview.aspx

Capistrano In-N-Out Plan Killed

The City Council on Tuesday all but killed a proposed In-N-Out Burgers proposed for Del Obispo Street. The council approved an ordinance allowing drive-through restaurants, but excluded any new ones from Del Obispo.

The vote was just the latest chapter in the city's love-hate relationship with drive-through restaurants. New ones were banned in town about a decade ago after three opened within blocks of the historic Mission.

But now the prohibition has some drawbacks: existing drive-through restaurants are reluctant to expand or do major remodels because they likely wouldn't get their drive-up windows again. And with the economy sagging, a Sizzler on Del Obispo closed, taking away precious sales-tax income from city coffers. In-N-Out, the Cadillac of drive-ups, applied to take over the Sizzler property.

That would have been a boost to the city, because the Sizzler building is old, under pre-Prop. 13 taxes. A tear-down-rebuild required for the In-N-Out would have been a boost to the city's property tax rolls. And sales tax would have been additional revenue on top of that.

But traffic's always a concern in town, and others thought a drive-thru restaurant would not fit in with new plans being drafted for the downtown.

The vote was 3-2, with Mayor Lon Uso and Councilman Sam Allevato in dissent. Uso and Allevato argued the city needs new businesses, and that the land was privately owned, so the property owner had rights to develop it as he saw fit.

Renewed Measure M Projection: Economy Takes $10 Billion Bite

The sagging economy is taking its toll on the new Measure M, which was the sales-tax increase approved by Orange County voters for transportation improvements, according to an update just released.

Perhaps most significantly locally is that Measure M is paying for a large portion of the improvements necessary to create the "quiet zones" at Capistrano's rail crossings. Trains won't have to blow their horns.

This from the actual report:

As compared to the 2005 nominal revenue estimates, the first 12 months of M2 sales tax revenue is now projected to be $100 million less than the 2005 projections, and the average annual growth rate over the 30-year period is projected to decrease by approximately 0.5 percent. Overall, the nominal M2 sales tax revenue is projected to decrease from a 2005 estimate of $24.3 billion to a revised estimate of $14.7 billion for the 30-year period.

See the whole report at http://www.octa.net/M2-AR-Landing-page.aspx