October 16, 2000

Mr. Robert I. Remen
Executive Director
California Transportation Commission
1120 N Street, Room 2233 (MS-52)
Sacramento, CA 95814


Re: California Transportation Commission Proceedings with respect to Streets and Highways Code Section 517.1

Dear Mr. Remen:

As Assistant Chancellor of UC Santa Barbara, I am writing on behalf of the University of California, to request that the California Transportation Commission (the "CTC") assume oversight and direction of the proceedings now being undertaken by various agencies in anticipation of the CTC's actions pertaining to California Streets and Highways Code Section 517.1. Section 517.1 was one of the myriad bills, which was included in an omnibus bill adopted last year. Section 517.1 directs the CTC to evaluate whether it would be "in the best interests of the state" to relinquish a portion of Route 217 from the State Highway system and, if so, to determine under the terms and conditions associated with such a relinquishment. Route 217 was constructed by the State of California to provide regional freeway access to the UC Santa Barbara campus. Preserving and enhancing regional freeway access to all of the University's campuses is a significant long-term State interest. Section 517.1 was introduced at the request of the County of Santa Barbara. The County would like to be granted ownership of the freeway in order to downgrade it to a local arterial, so that it can introduce at-grade signalized or other intersections. The County's objective is to facilitate redevelopment activities and particular private development projects in the south Goleta area.

Although UC Santa Barbara is generally supportive of area redevelopment, the University is opposed to the County's proposal to downgrade Route 217, and believes that access and improvements for the County's redevelopment project can be provided without compromising the State's interest in ensuring continued regional access to the UC Santa Barbara campus over the long-term.

The University is charged with the responsibility of being the leading provider of higher education in the state, a mission which includes being on the forefront of education, research and public service across the state. The University discharges this responsibility through its integrated operating network of nine campuses (with a tenth campus in the planning process). The University's mission reaches beyond each campus to other public and private institutions throughout the State and around the world. Each University campus also operates as a regional center with respect to its cultural programs, vast extension programs, satellite campuses, and partnerships with community colleges and the California State University system.

Enhancing and maintaining regional access to each of the University of California campuses is of primary concern to the University and the citizens of the State. Only this year the State Legislature and Governor allocated $40 million to construct a new regional access road to the proposed tenth campus of the University of California at Merced. Similarly, the State has also committed substantial funds to construct regional access to the California State University Channel Island campus. Moreover, lack of direct access to the State Highway system has given rise to serious conflicts, environmental impacts and operating constraints at existing University campuses such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Santa Cruz. At present the University is struggling to provide adequate facilities, housing, and programs to accommodate the top 12.5% of California's graduating seniors. The University's responsibilities will increase over the long-term, not decrease.

The County, other agencies, and private parties are prematurely moving forward with various processes, programs, allocations and expenditures which assume that the CTC will authorize the relinquishment and down-grading of Route 217.1 The CTC, however, has yet to initiate any proceedings pertaining to Route 217. Section 517.1 directs CTC to objectively and independently evaluate whether the County's relinquishment request is in the State's best interest. The Commission's own regulations also obligate the CTC to act as ̉lead agency" with respect to the preparation of an environmental impact report for potential detachments from the State highway system.2 The premature activities that are currently occurring prejudice the CTC's ability to fulfill these responsibilities.

The CTC's responsibilities cannot be delegated, especially given the real possibility the CTC may be called upon to balance local economic interests and requests with the question of long-term State interest. The University has engaged experts and has expended substantial funds to work with the County to identify a set of access improvements capable of facilitating the County's redevelopment objectives without compromising the State's long-term interest in maintaining regional freeway access to UC Santa Barbara. Despite the University's cooperative efforts, the County is now moving forward with its proposed improvement program over the University's objection. The University has voiced its concerns to district Caltrans representatives, who are trying to schedule a local meeting between interested parties, but who have apparently not received direction from the CTC as to how the CTC plans to conduct its Section 517.1 proceedings.

For all of these reasons, it is important that the CTC initiate its evaluation under Section 517.1 at the present time, assume its role as lead agency, and to notify all interested agencies that local programs that are dependent on relinquishment should be deferred until the CTC has completed its own primary proceedings. The University remains committed to working with local agencies and parties to identifying and implementing area improvements (including improvements to Route 217) without impairing Route 217's function to provide freeway access to the UC Santa Barbara campus. We look forward to working with the Commission and its Staff on addressing this important issue. Sincerely,

Robert W. Kuntz
Assistant Chancellor


Enclosures

cc: w/o enclosures
Chancellor Henry T. Yang
R. Gregg Albright
Mark Chaconas
Phillip Demery
Matt Dobberteen
Scott Cooper
William F. Derrick
Harry Nelson
Highway 217 Review Committee Members