REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of a General Plan Amendment to Incorporate the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Program into the Safety Element of the City's General Plan
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) and the City of Santa Clara Local Annex on August 27, 2024 (Attachments 1 and 2).
A MJHMP is a document that outlines strategies to reduce the vulnerability of a community across multiple jurisdictions to natural and man-made hazards by identifying potential risks, assessing vulnerabilities, and developing mitigation actions to minimize damage from disasters, often requiring collaboration between cities, counties, and state agencies. The August 2024 adoption of the MJHMP allows the City to access Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding in case of a natural disaster.
As a follow-on action, the City is proposing a General Plan Amendment to recognize the updated MJHMP in the Safety Element of the City’s General Plan. The proposed General Plan Amendment resolution is provided as Attachment 3. This update will provide consistency between the City’s documents and will allow the City to access state funds offered through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), AB 2140 (2006). A fact sheet describing AB 2140 is provided as Attachment 4.
DISCUSSION
At the February 19, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, Community Development staff provided a presentation describing the proposed General Plan Amendment, emphasizing the benefits of access to state disaster assistance funding that would result from the amendment, and the additional obligation of making the MJHMP accessible through the City’s General Plan. The Planning Commission briefly discussed hazards covered in the MJHMP and Local Annex. The Commission then voted to recommend approval of the General Plan Amendment (motion by Commissioner Crutchlow, second by Commissioner Biagini, motion adopted by a vote of 6-0-1 with Commissioner Cherukuru absent).
Consistent with the Planning Commission recommendation, staff recommends adoption of the General Plan Amendment to provide consistency between the City’s documents and to allow the City to access state funds offered through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), AB 2140 (2006).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered would make a minor update to the 2010-2035 General Plan, and the City Council certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the General Plan on November 16, 2010. The proposed amendment updates the existing hazard mitigation plan in the General Plan and the update does not introduce new or more significant environmental effects than those discussed in the EIR, and therefore no further environmental review is warranted.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact. The City will have the ability to apply for state disaster assistance funds, which would potentially decrease the financial burden on the City after City Council adopts the General Plan Amendment. The City will continue to be ineligible for CDAA funding should the General Plan Amendment not be adopted.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services.
PUBLIC CONTACT
On February 5, 2025, a hearing notice was published in the Santa Clara Weekly. 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 or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Approving a General Plan Amendment to incorporate the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) and the City of Santa Clara Local Annex into the subsection “Emergency Preparedness” of Section 5.10.5, “Safety Goals and Policies” of the City of Santa Clara 2010-2035 General Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Afshan Hamid, Community Development Director
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Internet Links for the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Local Annex
2. MJHMP General Plan Amendment resolution
3. AB 2140 fact sheet
4. RTC 25-96 recommendation report