TOWN OF ATHERTON
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF ATHERTON PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE
ATHERTON GENERAL PLAN TO IMPLEMENT UPDATES TO THE
COMMUNITY SAFETY ELEMENT, OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION
ELEMENT, AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65300, each city and county in California must adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan addressing the physical development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which in the agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65302 identifies seven mandatory elements which all city and county general plans must include (land use, circulation, conservation, open space, noise, safety and housing); and
WHEREAS, The Atherton General Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2020 and has been amended as needed; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4) requires that local agencies update their general plan safety element to address climate adaptation and resiliency, and California Government Code Section 65302(g)(5) requires that local agencies update their general plan safety element to identify residential developments in any hazard area identified in the safety element that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes; and WHEREAS, recent legislation requires that the Town review the Safety Element and update it as needed upon updates to the Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, or at least once every eight years; and
WHEREAS, the Safety Element of the General Plan integrates and incorporates by reference the current San Mateo County Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in accordance with California Government Code Sections 8685.9, 65302, and 65302.6; and WHEREAS, the Open Space and Circulation Element and Circulation Element contain information and policies relevant to natural hazards and topics pertinent to the Safety Element; and WHEREAS, the Town determined the proposed amendments to the Safety Element are subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and its implementing regulations (CEQA Guidelines); and
WHEREAS, provided in Government Code Sections 65352 -- 65352.5 the Town mailed a public notice to all California Native American tribes provided by the Native American Heritage Commission and other entities, and the Town completed consultation with the Tamien Nation; and ATTACHMENT 6
WHEREAS, the Safety Element was developed in consultation with emergency service providers and members of the public, was reviewed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and California Geological Survey and incorporates recommendations from these agencies, and reflects best practices outlined in the State’s General Plan Guidelines and Technical Advisories; and
WHEREAS, there have been numerous opportunities for members of the public to participate in the development of the Safety Element update, including in-person and virtual workshops, and Planning Commission and City Council informational items; and WHEREAS, the Community Safety Element Update project qualifies for a CEQA exemption under the common-sense exemption set fort in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment; and
WHEREAS, on May 27th, 2026 the Atherton Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing with careful consideration of all maps, facts, exhibits, correspondence, testimony, and other evidence submitted in this matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission hereby recommends approval of the amendments to the Atherton Community Safety Element, Open Space and Conservation Element, and Circulation Element based on the findings, supported by substantial evidence in the record, that:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated by reference into this action.
2. The Safety Element update project is in the public interest and furthers the Town of Atherton’s responsibility to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
3. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Notice of Exemption, which provides that the Safety Element would not result in significant environmental impacts.
4. The Safety Element is internally consistent with other elements of the Atherton General Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council finds that the Safety Element Update project is consistent with the certified General Plan Environmental Impact Report, and that the Notice of Exemption has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15260.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council adopts a General Plan Amendment to amend the Community Safety Element, Open Space and Conservation Element, and Circulation Element to integrate the revised Elements into the General Plan.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Atherton held on this 27th day of May 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: 5
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0