REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
STUDY SESSION: Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update
Report
BACKGROUND
A study session was held with the Planning Commission on August 26, 2020, at which staff presented the Planning Commission with an update on the preparation of an update to the City’s Climate Action Plan highlighting work on the regulatory framework and community engagement elements. Staff provided the Commission with three memorandums:
• 2013 CAP Progress Summary
• Forecast and Overarching Targets
• Initial Actions List
These memorandums along with the staff report and presentation from August 26 study session are included for review as attachments with this report.
DISCUSSION
This follow-up study session is being scheduled to provide information to the Commission in response to the August 26th discussion and receive additional comments from the Commission. This is also an opportunity for the Commission to discuss possible actions to be included in the Climate Action Plan and the implications of adopting a more aggressive reduction target.
At the meeting staff will be asking the Commission to weigh in on their top priority actions in the first two CAP focus areas: Buildings and Energy, and Transportation and Land Use, as they are related City activities that fall within the Planning Commission’s purview. Staff is also looking for the Commission’s input on potential actions included in the list that should be removed from consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an informational report only and no action is being taken by the Planning Commission and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Over the first week of April 2020, the City’s consulting team hosted a series of stakeholder focus group calls in lieu of the first Community Workshop for the Climate Action Plan Update. The first series of focus groups were held as online webinars. Overall, they spoke with 10 community members representing various community organizations, sectors, and opinions.
The City completed an online survey on the CAP, with nearly 400 responses received. The City also conducted a virtual community workshop on July 16, where people were asked to provide input on the City’s climate goals and strategies. The 38 participants actively engaged in discussions on variety of topics including Land Use and Transportation, Buildings and Energy, Materials and Consumption, Natural Systems and Water Resources, and Community Resilience and Wellbeing. The presentation <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/home/showdocument?id=69321> from this workshop has been posted on the CAP webpage on the City’s website. Summaries of the responses from the survey and the discussions during the Community Workshop have also been posted on the CAP webpage. <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/general-plan/climate-action-plan>
A second online survey on the Climate Action Plan will be posted in October to further engage the community in the process.
Public contact was also made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
OUTCOME
The goal of the study session is to get the Commission’s confirmation on the recommended Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction target for the CAP update. Staff will also seek the Commission’s input on the initial action list by asking the Commission as a whole to indicate their top priority actions and to indicate if there are actions that should not be included in the CAP Update.
Staff
Reviewed by: Reena Brilliot, Planning Manager
Approved by: Andrew Crabtree, Director of Community Development
ATTACHMENTS
1. PC Study Session Staff Report 8.26.20
2. PC Study Session Staff Presentation 8.26.20
3. CAP Measures Status Memo
4. Forecast and Targets Memo
5. Initial Actions List
6. Comment Letter Sierra Club