Council adopts updated local hazard mitigation plan and amends Safety Element to maintain FEMA eligibility

Rancho Santa Margarita’s City Council unanimously adopted the city’s updated local hazard mitigation plan and a General Plan Safety Element amendment, a step staff said is necessary to maintain eligibility for federal mitigation grants.

Charlotte Barker of Denovo Planning Group told the council the hazard mitigation plan identifies local hazards and vulnerabilities and lays out mitigation actions. Barker said Cal OES reviewed the draft and, after minor wording revisions to clarify vulnerabilities and climate-change language, found it compliant; FEMA later deemed the plan "approvable pending adoption." Barker said adopting the plan and incorporating it into the Safety Element is required to remain eligible for federal programs and to qualify for AB 2140 state cost-share funding for eligible mitigation projects.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the five-year update cycle and funding eligibility. Staff confirmed the plan must be updated every five years to meet FEMA requirements and that AB 2140 availability depends on incorporation of the approved plan into the Safety Element. There were no public speakers during the public-hearing portion; council moved, seconded and unanimously adopted the resolutions to amend the Safety Element and adopt the hazard mitigation plan.

The adopted plan will be submitted to Cal OES and FEMA for final approval and the city will provide required documentation showing the plan was incorporated into the General Plan Safety Element.