Title
Public Hearing to Review and Comment on 2024 Annual Reports. Review and Comment on the Annual Reports on the General Plan, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan. CEQA Determination: Endorsement of the annual reports is statutorily exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Exhibit 1 General Plan / Housing Element Annual Report
Body
To: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report addresses the annual reports on the General Plan / Housing Element (2022), Active Transportation Plan (2022), Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), and Transportation Choices Plan (2018). The annual report for the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan is provided under separate cover.
These documents show City progress towards its goals as well as priority actions for the coming year. The plans all require the preparation and presentation of annual reports to the Planning Board and City Council each year. These documents serve as the annual report for all of these plans.
Staff provides these annual reports early in the spring of each year so that the community and City Council is able to use the annual reports to inform citywide budget and Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”) decisions.
Planning Board comments on these annual reports and associated priorities for the upcoming years will be transmitted to the City Council in March, in time for the City Council’s June public hearings and adoption of budget decisions.
BACKGROUND
Every city and county in the State of California is required to adopt and maintain an up-to-date General Plan, which establishes the local development and conservation policies necessary to guide physical development and protect the general health, safety and welfare of the community. The General Plan should be an “integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the adopting agency.” (Gov. Code, § 65300.5.) Government Code section 65400 et seq. requires that the City of Alameda (City) annually review the adequacy of the General Plan and progress made toward meeting the City’s regional housing needs allocation (RHNA).
The Annual Report on the General Plan describes the current status of the General Plan and progress towards meeting the City’s RHNA over the past year. The report identifies priorities for the upcoming year to better achieve General Plan and Housing Element objectives and regional housing obligations.
The Transportation 2024 Annual Report and 2024 Work Plan (Exhibit 2) shows City progress towards its transportation goals as well as priority actions for the coming year, and serves as the annual report for the Active Transportation Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, and Transportation Choices Plan.
The Transportation Annual Report fulfills Active Transportation Plan (2022), Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), and Transportation Choices Plan (2018) requirements for an annual review of progress made toward meeting the City’s transportation goals. Transportation goals set by these plans include: enabling people of all ages and abilities to walk, use mobility devices, and bike to destinations; eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2035; providing for the mobility needs of the full diversity of Alameda community members; and improving alternatives to low occupancy automobile trips.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended priority actions are designed to be accomplished within existing FY24-25 budget - pending a planned mid-year budget request - plus anticipated funds in FY25-26 budget. However, final budget decisions on FY25-26 funding will be made by the City Council when it approves the FY25-27 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Program. The City Council will have constrained funds and many tradeoffs to consider, so it is possible this work program will need to be updated after the FY25-27 budget decisions are made. Endorsement of a work priority in the Annual Report does not predetermine or obligate the City Council to make a particular funding decision when it adopts the citywide Budget and Capital Improvement Program.
Staff anticipate presenting a draft FY25-27 Transportation Capital Improvement Program to the Transportation Commission on March 26.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
An annual review of the General Plan / Housing Element and the Active Transportation Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, and Transportation Choices Plan are required by the respective plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Endorsement of the annual reports is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
These planning documents support housing programs and development in mixed-use and transit oriented communities, and transportation improvements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the reports and and endorse the 2024 Annual Reports for the General Plan / Housing Element and the Transportation Work Plan
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager
Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager
Susie Hufstader, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Exhibits:
1. General Plan / Housing Element Annual Report
2. Transportation 2024 Annual Report & 2025 Work Plan Draft