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Staff says a supplemental EIR will be needed; environmental team to update GHG and transportation analyses
Summary
Ruth (staff) told the task force the proposed General Plan changes will require CEQA review, likely a supplemental environmental impact report, and will include updates to the greenhouse gas reduction strategy, transportation analysis policy, and construction noise and vibration standards.
Ruth (staff) described the environmental review work the city will need to complete if the Planning Commission and City Council direct the General Plan changes to proceed. She said the work will likely take the form of a supplemental environmental impact report because of the increase in residential capacity being considered.
Ruth said the SEIR will include updates to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy and to the city’s transportation analysis policy; it will also consider staff recommendations to expand standard permit conditions, including allowing expanded construction hours and updating construction vibration thresholds for projects adjacent to historic resources. She noted that the greenhouse gas strategy is a policy embedded in project review and will need substantial updating as part of the analysis.
Staff told commissioners that some streamlining of permit‑condition review is already possible for certain project types but that broader policy changes will require the full CEQA process. Commissioners asked whether water‑supply assumptions — including recycled water scenarios — would be included in the environmental analysis; staff said they would look into that question as the SEIR scope is developed.
The city will begin scoping after the Planning Commission and City Council provide direction, and staff indicated the environmental work is expected to be a significant multi‑month undertaking.
