DCP will be preparing a new document – a “formal” draft document which will be released at least 30 days before a DCP hearing, which they expect will take place in mid-January. DCP expects to make extensive changes to the plan before that – based on the public input that they’re receiving at meetings and via comments submitted.

When questioned, Bibas stated that the formal draft will change the word “proposed” to “designated” for bike facilities (lanes, paths, routes, bike-friendly streets) in the document.

Bibas stated that the formal draft will include environmental documentation – expected to be an MND (mitigated negative declaration – basically, in non-legal terms, a formal statement saying that it’s ok for them to do the plan without an EIR – environmental impact review – because there are no major environmental impacts). That formal draft is expected in early-December. Once the formal draft is released, they’ll be making changes sparingly (they track them by striking, underlining, etc.)… but they’ll also be formally responding to all comments at that point – creating a full public record.

So… there will be continued public comment through and at the January hearing, at the subsequent Planning Commission hearing, at Planning (PLUM) and Transportation Committee hearings, and at the full council meeting. If these entities approve the plan, though, it becomes a little more difficult to change, because then non-trivial changes can mean having to send it back to an earlier body for re-approval.

I expect that if folks want to get comments in that are likely to substantially alter the plan, they should probably be submitted by the first week in December – so it can potentially be included in the December “formal” draft.