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Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending the General Plan to Replace the Health and Safety Element and Airport Environs Element of the General Plan with a New Safety and Noise Element. [This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3), as the project does not have the potential to have a significant effect on the environment.] (Community Development 481005)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Public Hearing to Consider a Resolution Amending the General Plan to Replace the Health and Safety Element and Airport Environs Element of the General Plan With a New Safety and Noise Element. [This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3), as the project does not have the potential to have a significant effect on the environment]
BACKGROUND
California law (Government Code Sections 65300-65303.4) requires seven General Plan Elements, including a Safety Element and a Noise Element. The purpose of a Safety Element is to minimize the risks of loss of life, personal injury, serious illness, property damage, and environmental degradation resulting from fires, floods, earthquakes, landslides and other hazards. The purpose of a Noise Element is to limit the exposure of the community to excessive noise levels.
In 1991, the City of Alameda adopted the current Health and Safety Element and the Airport and Environs Element. Twenty-five years ago, the Alameda Naval Air Station was still in full operation, which included the Alameda Naval Air Station Airport; the Alameda Beltline railroad was still in operation; and the risks related to climate change and sea level rise were not as well understood as they are today.
Staff has prepared an update to the 1991 Health and Safety and Airport and Environs Elements to bring the General Plan into conformance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-approved (June 2016) Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Alameda. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan provides a detailed description of local hazards and resources and specific strategies that the City and its residents should take to mitigate against losses from future hazards.
As required by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is required in order to be eligible and potentially secure mitigation funding through FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs, and additional State recovery funding after disasters. FEMA’s Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide, October 1, 2011, and Plan Integration: Linking Local Planning Efforts, July 2015, both require that the Safety Element be updated for compliance, consistency and integration with the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City of Alameda Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is available at: <https://alamedaca.gov/sites/default/files/department-files/2016-07-21/localhazardmitigationplan061716final.pdf>)
On September 12, 2016, the Planning Board held a publically noticed study session to discuss staff’s 2016 draft Safety and Noise Element update. On October 10, 2016, the Planning Board held a second public hearing and provided additional direction for improvements to the draft document.
On November 14, 2016, the Planning Board held a final public hearing and adopted a resolution recommending City Council approval of the General Plan Amendment to the Safety and Noise Element, replacing the existing Health and Safety Element and Airport Environs Element. The 2016 draft Safety and Noise Element is included as Exhibit 1. The 1991 Health and Safety Element and the 1991 Airport Environs Element are included as Exhibit 2 and 3, respectively.
DISCUSSION
To streamline the General Plan and improve ease of use for Alameda residents, the draft Safety and Noise Element addresses major natural and manmade hazards confronting the Alameda community in a single Safety and Noise Element. The update is informed by, and consistent with, the 2016 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and work by the Bay Conservation Development Commission, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, CalTrans and the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District data and information to address the slow-moving, but very real, threat of sea level rise. The Element also incorporates and updates the existing General Plan policies related to airport noise and airport safety policies, which establish the City of Alameda’s position regarding existing and future airport operations at the Oakland Metropolitan International Airport.
The Planning Board unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the new Safety and Noise Element. Adoption of the new Element will bring the safety and noise elements of the General Plan into conformance with State Law, and adoption will facilitate the City of Alameda’s ability to secure financial assistance and reimbursement from FEMA in the event of a major disaster.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the General Fund or any other City Fund in adopting a resolution amending the General Plan with the new Safety and Noise Element. The revised Element will increase the City’s ability to obtain reimbursement from various federal and state emergency management agencies and will minimize the financial burden on the City resources in the event of an emergency.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The General Plan amendment of the Safety and Noise Element is consistent with the Municipal Code and State Law. The Safety and Noise Element amendment is consistent with the City’s recently approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved by FEMA on June 20, 2016.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The purpose of the Safety and Noise Element update is to identify objectives and policies to reduce the potential risks associated with various hazards and to limit exposure of the community to excessive noise levels. These objectives and policies would not have the potential to have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3), as the project does not have the potential to have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution amending the General Plan to replace the Health and Safety Element and Airport Environs Element of the General Plan with a new Safety and Noise Element. .
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Draft Safety and Noise Element
2. 1991 Health and Safety Element
3. 1991 Airport Environs Element