HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC-1014-20 (EID-0275-2020)RESOLUTION NO. PC-1014-2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE
THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY AND
ASSOCIATED CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION THRESHOLDS AND GUIDANCE
INCLUDING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere as the result of human
activity is the primary cause of the global climate crisis; and
WHEREAS, in California alone, the initial impacts of climate change have resulted in
unprecedented disasters with tremendous human, economic, and environmental costs; and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that global
emissions need to be reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050 to
prevent global catastrophe; and
WHEREAS, the State of California enacted Senate Bill (SB) 32 to require greenhouse gas
emissions to be reduced to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and Governor Brown issued
Executive Order B-55-18 establishing a statewide target of carbon neutrality by 2045; and
WHEREAS, City of San Luis Obispo residents and businesses have repeatedly identified
climate action as a top community priority; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo City Council has directed staff to evaluate
strategies and options to achieve community -wide carbon neutrality by 2035; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo City Council first adopted a Climate Action Plan
(CAP) in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted a Major City Goal in response to the climate crises to
continue to update and implement the Climate Action Plan for carbon neutrality, including
preservation and enhancement of our open space and urban forest and planning for resilience; and
WHEREAS, a 2020 update to the Climate Action Plan has been prepared and titled,
Community Action Plan for Community Recovery, that establishes a community -wide goal of
carbon neutrality by 2035, adopts sector specific goals, and provides foundational actions to
establish a trajectory towards achieving those goals; and
WHEREAS, the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery will be a Qualified GHG
Emissions Reduction Plan consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5 for year 2030, and
includes a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Thresholds and Guidance; and
Resolution No. PC- 1014-20
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WHEREAS, the potential environmental impact of the Climate Action Plan for
Community Recovery and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and Guidance have been evaluated
in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to an initial environmental
study (EID 0275-2020) and an Initial Study/Negative Declaration of environmental impact has
been prepared and circulated for public review; and
WHEREAS, the CEQA GHG Emissions Threshold and Guidance includes a GHG
Checklist that provides that plans and projects that are consistent with the demographic forecasts
and land use assumptions used in the Climate Action Plan can utilize the checklist to demonstrate
consistency with the Climate Action Plan's GHG emissions reduction strategy, and if consistent,
can tier from the existing programmatic environmental review contained in the adopted IS -ND for
the Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public
hearing via teleconference, per the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17,
2020, relating to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on
July 8, 2020, to consider the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery, including the GHG
Emissions Thresholds and Guidance and proposed Initial Study/Negative Declaration; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of San
Luis Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. Based upon all the evidence, the Planning Commission
recommends that the City Council make the following finding:
1. The proposed 2020 update to the City's Climate Action Plan titled, Climate Action
Plan for Community Recovery, including the CEQA GHG Thresholds and Guidance is consistent
with the General Plan. It is specifically consistent with and helps implement the following
policies and programs:
a. Circulation Element Policies 2.1.3 related to Work -based Trip Reduction; 3.1.1; Transit
Development; 3.2.3 Commuter Bus Service; 4.1.1 Bicycle Use; 4.1.3 Continuous Network;
6.1.1-6.1.6 Sustainable (Multi -modal) Transportation; and 13.2.1 Parking Management
Plan including parking reduction strategies; and
b. Land Use Element Goal 10 to support statewide and regional efforts to create more
sustainable communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and develop transportation
systems that support all modes of circulation and Goal 11 to encourage energy efficiency
principles and practices in the City's built environment; Conservation and Development of
Residential Neighborhoods Policy 2.9 (reduced Automobile Dependence Downtown);
Downtown Policies 4.2 and 4.2.1 (Downtown Residential and Existing and New
Dwellings); Sustainability, Policies 9.4 for the maintenance and implementation of the
Climate Action Plan to reduce community and municipal GHG emissions consistent with
State laws and objectives, and 9.6-9.9 ( Natural Areas and Green Space, Sustainable
Building Design, Sustainable Infrastructure and to Renew the Urban Forest); Programs
9.10-9.16 (Urban Forest, Climate Action Plan, Building Code Update, Incentive Program,
LEED Certifiable, Renewable Energy Financing, and Renewable Energy Choice); and
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Healthy Communities Policies 10.2 Local Food Systems, 10.4 Encouraging Walkability,
and 10.5 Healthy Environment; and
c. Housing Element Goal 9 Sustainable Housing, Site and Neighborhood Design -
Encourage housing that is resource -conserving, healthful, economical to live in,
environmentally benign, and recyclable when demolished, including Policy 9.6 relating to
sustainable home upgrades, Program 9.7 on education of energy conservation issues, and
9.10 Implement the Climate Action Plan;
d. Conservation and Open Space Element Policy 2.2.1 Atmospheric Change, Goal 4.2
Sustainable Energy Use to increase use of sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind
and thermal energy, and reduce reliance on non -sustainable energy sources to the extent
possible with available technology and resources, Policies 4.3.1-4.3.7 relating to
sustainable energy and energy efficiency practices, 4.4.1. Pedestrian- and bicycle -friendly
design, 4.4.2. Alternative transportation, and Programs 4.6.1-4.6.18 in support of energy
sustainability; and
e. Water and Wastewater Element Program A.3.3.3 to monitor long term impacts from
Climate Change.
SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The Planning Commission recommends that the
City Council determine that the adoption of the proposed 2020 update to the City's Climate
Action Plan titled, Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery, including the CEQA GHG
Thresholds and Guidance document will not create a substantial environmental effect as defined
by the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and recommends adoption of the
associated Initial Study/Negative Declaration.
SECTION 3. Recommendation. The Planning Commission does hereby recommend the
City Council adopt the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery as consistent with the
General Plan, including the California Environmental Quality Act Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Thresholds and Guidance document as included in Climate Action Plan Attachment A..
Upon motion of Commissioner Hopkins, seconded by Vice -Chair Jorgensen, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Hopkins, Kahn, Quincey, Shoresman, Wulkan, Vice -Chair
Jorgensen and Chair Dandekar
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this Bch day of July, 2020.
r
Tyler Corey, S ary
Planning Co fission