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Planning commission says final EIR finds unavoidable air quality and greenhouse‑gas impacts for RBD update
Summary
Planning staff told the commission the final subsequent EIR for the Ravenswood Business District finds most impacts can be mitigated but that vehicle-related air pollution and greenhouse‑gas emissions would remain "significant and unavoidable." The EIR identifies mitigation measures and alternatives the city considered.
The East Palo Alto Planning Commission reviewed the final subsequent environmental impact report (EIR) for the Ravenswood Business District (RBD) and heard staff say that, while most impacts can be reduced through mitigation, air quality and greenhouse‑gas emissions tied to vehicle trips would remain significant and unavoidable.
Tony Danielson of David J. Powers Associates summarized the final EIR, saying the draft and final analyses found the two update scenarios would generate substantially more vehicle trips than the adopted 2013 plan. "The amount of pollution that would be generated from vehicle trips primarily exceeds thresholds established by the regional air district," Danielson said. He added the state’s aggressive climate goals mean the city cannot, on its own, reach required carbon neutrality by 2045.
The final EIR also documents a range of mitigation measures for other topics — cultural resources, biology and hazardous materials — and evaluates alternatives, including a reduced‑scale alternative at roughly 60% of the proposed update and a no‑project alternative. Danielson said two topics remain significant even with mitigation: air quality and greenhouse‑gas emissions.
The staff report and consultant presentation note the EIR is intended to inform both the Planning Commission’s recommendation and the City Council’s forthcoming hearings. The commission adopted a resolution finding it had reviewed and considered the final EIR and recommended the City Council consider the amendments at its Dec. 3 hearing.
