2035 General Plan Update, Belmont Village Specific Plan, and Climate Action Plan

Transcription

1 2035 General Plan Update, Belmont Village Specific Plan, and Climate Action Plan EIR Scoping Meeting at the Planning Commission September 6, 2016

2 Agenda 1. Meeting Purpose 2. Summary of Project Description General Plan Update Belmont Village Specific Plan Climate Action Plan 3. CEQA Purpose and Process 4. Schedule and Next Steps 5. Planning Commission and Public Comment on Scope of EIR

3 Meeting Purpose Provide a summary of the three plans that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will cover Provide an overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Process Receive your comments on the scope of the EIR

4 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Structure Programmatic EIR One document covering three plans: General Plan Update Belmont Village Specific Plan Climate Action Plan

5 Project Description General Plan Comprehensive update to the 1982 General Plan Determined that an EIR is needed Sections and of CEQA Guidelines Horizon is to 2035 Encompasses City of Belmont and its Sphere of Influence (SOI) Harbor Industrial Area Area involved: 4.7 square miles

6 Planning Area

7 Project Description General Plan Projected buildout for 2035 horizon year: 30,500 residents (4,100 additional residents) 12,400 households (1,600 additional households) 13,400 jobs (4,800 additional jobs)

8 General Plan Development Current General Plan adopted in 1982 Outdated, conditions and priorities have changed Outreach Workshops, stakeholder interviews, newsletters, website, community mail-in survey, City Council and Planning Commission study sessions Developed a Draft Plan currently in Public Review State required Elements incorporated Does not include the Housing Element (updated in 2015)

9 What is in the General Plan? 1. Introduction 2. Land Use Element 3. Circulation Element 4. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element 5. Conservation Element 6. Safety Element 7. Noise Element 8. Housing Element Note: The Housing Element is a separate document from the rest of the Public Review Draft General Plan, due to statutory requirements that it be updated more regularly than the other Elements

10 Project Description Belmont Village Specific Plan Guide for land use, urban design, and development standards in Belmont Village, the primary development focus of the City of Belmont Consistent with General Plan, and one of its primary implementation tools Horizon is to 2035

11 Project Description Belmont Village Specific Plan Projected Buildout: 1,780 residents (1,110 additional) 890 households (560 additional) 2,350 jobs (910 additional) 1,044,000 non-residential sq. ft. (364,800 sq. ft. additional)

12 Belmont Village Specific Plan Development Outreach Workshops, stakeholder interviews, informational sessions with neighborhood organizations, City Council and Planning Commission study sessions Two Alternative Village Concepts were developed: Concept 1: One Village, Two Centers Concept 2: One Large Village Center (selected and then refined) Specific Plan being drafted; anticipated release of Public Review Draft in mid-september

13 Belmont Village Specific Plan Chapters 1. Introduction and Background 2. Land Use 3. Mobility 4. Urban Design 5. Infrastructure and Public Services 6. Environmental Sustainability, Health, and Safety 7. Implementation

14 Project Description Climate Action Plan Plan for reducing a community s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Quantifies existing and projected (horizon year 2035) GHG emissions in line with the Belmont General Plan Update and the Belmont Village Specific Plan Section of CEQA Guidelines Includes 2035 reduction targets and mitigation measures to reach those targets

15 Climate Action Plan Chapters 1. Introduction and Background 2. Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Forecast 3. Climate Action Strategies 4. Implementation 5. Monitoring and Improvement 6. Conclusion

16 Purpose of Program EIR Inform decision-makers and the public Describe the project Identify affected environment Describe environmental effects Prevent significant, avoidable damage to the environment Define mitigation or policies that serve to avoid or reduce significant environmental effects

17 CEQA Process Establish the scope of the Program EIR Opportunity to comment on what the EIR will analyze Prepare the Draft Program EIR Provide for 45-day public and agency review of the Draft Program EIR Opportunity to comment on the adequacy of the Program EIR Prepare the Final EIR Respond to all comments submitted on the draft EIR

18 Potential Environmental Impacts Aesthetics Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology/Soils Hazards and Hazardous Materials Hydrology and Water Quality Land Use, Population, and Housing Noise Public Services and Recreation Transportation Utilities

19 Potential Environmental Impacts Topics that will not be addressed in the EIR Agriculture Forest/Timber Resources Mineral Resources

20 Other Environmental Issues Covered Alternatives to the proposed project Includes No Project (Existing General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan, and no CAP) Significant environmental effects that cannot be avoided if the project is implemented Significant irreversible environmental changes Growth inducing impacts Cumulative impacts Effects not found to be significant

21 Opportunities to Participate in Program EIR Process Notice of Preparation (NOP) September 1 October 3, 2016 Program EIR Scoping Meeting (tonight) Draft Program EIR Release Tentatively scheduled for November/December 2016 Following release, minimum 45-day comment period Final EIR Responds to comments on Draft EIR Public Hearings: Planning Commission and City Council

22 How to Comment Oral Comments at this meeting Comment forms at this meeting Written comments on Notice of Preparation By mail or Comments due October 3, 2016

23 Comment Submission Carlos de Melo, Community Development Director City of Belmont One Twin Pines Lane, Suite 310 Belmont, CA

24 Remaining Schedule Task Approximate Timing Draft EIR Released Late 2016 EIR Public Review Period (45 days minimum) Late 2016/ Early 2017 Final EIR Early 2017 Hearings on General Plan, Specific Plan, CAP First Quarter 2017

25 2035 General Plan Update, Belmont Village Specific Plan, and Climate Action Plan EIR Scoping Meeting with the Planning Commission September 6, 2016