STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 3, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director
Via: Fred Ramirez, Assistant Community Development Director By: Karen Pan, Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Adopting a Negative Declaration and Approv ing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Update (Project No. 22-0000935)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK ADOPTING A
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROV ING THE CITY OF BURBANK GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION PLAN UPDATE (Project No. 22- 0000935) (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
The City of Burbank originally adopted its first Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (GGRP) on February 19, 2013 as a standalone planning document to accompany Chapter 2 of the Burbank 2035 General Plan titled Air Quality and Climate Change Element. The City’s GGRP examines communitywide activities that result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and establishes strategies that help reduce those emissions in the future, which includes emissions from existing development through both voluntary and mandatory actions. Many of the strategies included in this planning document focus on building and protecting neighborhoods through responsible development, bike and pedestrian facility improvements, energy -efficient construction and retrofits, better air quality, lower ener gy and water bills through education and conservation, and reduced waste to extend the lifetime of Burbank’s landfill. T he success of these strategies relies on the shared effort by the City and community to work together toward a safe, beautiful, and thriving community.
As part of City Council’s goals for sustainability, the City Council directed City staff to work on a proposed GGRP Update to incorporate recent legislation, new measures, and community input in the City’s efforts to reduce its fair share of emissions.
This staff report
provides an overview of the proposed GGRP Update that was developed by the City with
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 the participation of key community stakeholders who contributed to new ideas and feedback.
DISCUSSION
The proposed GGRP Update seeks to align with federal, state, and local guidelines (listed in Attachment 1) and the main goal s are to: 1) reduce GHG emissions to 49% below 2010 levels by 2030 (Senate Bill 32 target year); 2) reduce GHG emissions to 66% below 2010 levels by 2035 (General Plan horizon year), and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 (Executive Order B-55-18 target year). Therefore, the City can meet these guidelines by reducing its fair share of emissions by 86,555 MT CO2e1 by 2030, 232,235 MT CO2e by 2035, and 531,203 MT CO2e by 2045.
This is a leading effort of the community, boards , commissions, and multiple City departments, including: Burbank Water and Power (BWP), City Manager’s Office, Community Development Department (CDD), Fire Department (FD), Information Technology (IT), Parks and Recreation (Parks), and Public Works (PW). Based on the solicited feedback, 12 main strategies were developed as shown in Table 1 below. Each strategy includes quantitative measures and action items toward GHG reductions .
Additional explanation of the strategies is attached as Attachment 2.
Table 1. GGRP Strategies, Measures, and Actions
No. Strategy Measures Actions
1 Affordable Housing 1 10
2 Building Energy 3 19
3 Electricity Generation 1 9
4 Reduce Passenger Car Vehicle Miles Traveled 2 12
5 Transportation Demand Management 2 8
6 Zero-Emission Vehicles 1 9
7 Parking 1 4
8 Water-Energy Nexus 1 7
9 Organic Waste Diversion 1 10
10 Carbon Sequestration Strategy 1 6
11 City Government 4 17
12 Adaptation 3 13
Total 21 124
Each action item is also categorized as a short-term, mid-term, or long-term goal, creating a roadmap for the City to plan and prioritize items for City Council consideration. This document includes a substantial number of aspirational action items that would necessitate ongoing discussions in order for the City to achieve the goals outlined in the document. Since Burbank is a full- service City with its own landfill, water, and power , meeting these target goals would mean changes to infrastructure, ratepayer costs, and essential services that are provided to the community , such as Fire and P olice. The success of some measures mentioned in the proposed GGRP Update is contingent on
1 MT CO2e = Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
3 the feasibility of new technology for electrification, new infrastructure for different types of non-GHG vehicles, and the inclusion of new technology for new buildings versus retrofitting existing buildings.
The GGRP Update includes a framework for implementation and monitoring emission- reducing activities, and further promotes adaptation and resilience. The City will monitor these strategies, measures, and actions on an ongoi ng basis. City staff is working on a Monitoring and Reporting Tool to track the progress of each individual measure as well as the estimated GHG reduction associated with each measure. T he tool w ill feature graphs and other visualization tools that would be readily available for the public to view on the City’s website.
The GGRP Update is also intended to be a qualified GHG Reduction Plan and meets the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) § 15183.5 for development streamlining opportunities for discretionary projects that implement applicable strategies of the GGRP Update to reduce emissions.
Community Outreach
The development of the document has been a citywide, collaborative effort between City staff, City Council, Boards, Commissions, and the public. Outreach began with an online community survey conducted in October 2020, and two virtual community meetings in November 2020 and March 2021. In addition, City staff hosted outreach events at the Burbank Farmers Market in March 2021 and April 2022. The purpose of the events was to inform the public about the project and to provide an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts and ideas.
The following stakeholders, Boards, and Commissions were included in the outreach :
Planning Board, Sustainable Commission, Burbank Water and Power Board, Transportation Commission, Parks Board, Residents Inspiring Service and Empowerment ( RISE) Group, Youth Board, Burbank T ransportation Management Organization (BTMO), Burbank Eco-Council, Board of Appeals for Building & Safety/Fire, and most recently, tribal consultation where City staff met with California Tribal Historic and Cultural Preservation Department in January 2022.
During this period, City s taff received comments from the Burbank Sustainable Commission (BSC) that included feedback on all existing measures in the current GGRP, as well as new recommendations . Additionally, the SBC wrote a letter to City Council in May 2021 voicing their support for Sunrise Movement LA’s (regional organization) proposed Green New Deal for Burbank (Attachment 6). Most of these recommendations have been incorporated in the GGRP Update, however, some of them were not feasible.
A list of the Sustainable Commission’s recommendations and the City’s responses are attached as Attachment 7.
4 General Plan Consistency
Guided by the framework set forth in the Burbank2035 General Plan, the GGRP Update implements Goal No. 3, Reduction of GHG Emissions2, and associated Policies No. 3.1 and No. 3.2. Policy No. 3.1 establishes the target for Burbank to reduce communitywide GHG emissions by at least 15% from 2013 levels by 2020, and Policy 3.2 establishes the goal to reduce emissions by at least 30% from 2013 levels by 2035. This target and goal are consistent with statewide efforts established in their Scoping Plan to reduce statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The Burbank2035 General Plan is focused on balanced development, community image and character, complete streets, economic vitality, environmental equality, housing variety, open space and conservation, proactive and responsive government, quality neighborhoods and school s, and safety for the City of Burbank’s community. The Burbank2035 General Plan has set policies to address the goal of reducing GHG emissions and preparing for effects due to climate change. The implementation of the GGRP Update and Climate Change Adaption strategies are how the Burbank2035 General Plan addresses the previously mentioned goals.
The GGRP Update is consistent with all other citywide plans including:
• Complete Our Streets Plan
• Urban Water Management Plan
• Street Lighting Master Plan
• Bicycle Master Plan
• Transportation Electrification Plan
• Integrated Resources Plan
• Tree Master Plan
• Green Streets Policy
Environmental Assessment - Initial Study and Negative Declaration CEQA requires public agencies to review the environmental impacts of proposed projects, including climate action plans like the GGRP . An Initial Study and Negative Declaration (Exhibit 2 to Attachment 1) was prepared for the proposed GGRP Update in accordance to the CEQA Guidelines. The Initial Study assessed the P roject’s potential result in significant environmental impacts for each environmental category listed in the CEQA Guidelines’ Appendix G. Environmental Checklist Form. The Initial Study found that there would be either no impact or a less than significant impact on all resource categories , therefore, no mitigations have been proposed for the Project.
The GGRP Update is a planning document and would not involve land use or zoning changes, but would rather promote infrastructure development and redevelopment.
Projects implemented in support of the GGRP Update would be reviewed for consistency with the General Plan and other applicable regulatory land use actions. Additionally , future plans or projects would be subject to environmental review under CEQA, and individual impact analyses will identify required plan- or project -specific mitigation measures where applicable. Therefore, a Initial Study and Negative Declaration was prepared for the proposed GGRP Update.
2 Goal 3 of the Burbank 2035 General Plan states: “Reduction of GHG Emissions – Burbank seeks a sustainable, energy-efficient future and complies with statewide GHG reduction goals.” 5 The Initial Study and Negative Declaration was filed with the State Clearinghouse and Los Angeles County Clerk. Notices were sent to responsible agencies and other agencies and interested parties and published in the Los Angeles Times
Public Comments on Negative Declaration
Between March 13 and March 24, 2022, t he City received comments on the Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND). (Attachment 8). The commenters were all member of Carpenters Local 661. The commenter requests that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan require the use of a local skilled and trained workforce on all construction projects in the City of Burbank.
Labor is not a required topic analyzed under CEQA. The commenter’s requests for changes to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan are included herein for Council consideration, but they do not raise issues with the adequacy of the analysis or conclusions in the IS/ND. The purpose of the IS/ND is an informational document that is intended to provide public agencies and the public with detailed information about the effect that the project is lik ely to have on the environment. The City is not required to consider such comments or requests to change the project in its CEQA analysis absent a commenter providing substantial evidence that the proposed change would feasibly reduce one or more environmental impacts identified in the IS/ND. It is staff’s assessment that the commenters requests are best addressed through a separate City Council discussion related to Citywide planning and policy assessment process that is outside the scope of the Project’s CEQA process. The City’s response to these comments was provided to the respondents on April 21, 2022 and is included herein as Attachment 9.
Planning Board
At the March 14, 2022, Planning Board meeting, the Board voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Coun cil adopt the Initial Study Negative Declaration and approve the GGRP Update. There were no further comments.
Citywide Efforts from 2020 to Present
During the development of the GGRP Update, City staff has been making a n ongoing effort to implement the action items in the GGRP Update. This includes the following milestones:
• 2020
o Adopted the City’s first Complete Our Streets Plan (CDD) o Received the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Sustainability Award for Active, Healthy, and Safe Communities with the Burbank Channel Bikeway Project (CDD)
o Implemented the Plant for a Greener Burbank Initiative to plant 500 additional trees in Burbank (Parks)
o Implemented an online software to only accept and review electronic plans for planning entitlement permits and plan check online (CDD) o Applied for and was awarded a $430,000 grant from California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Local Early Action Plan to implement the 6 Downtown Burbank Transit-Oriented Development Specific Plan that will facilitate the responsible development of the mix and number of housing (CDD) o Applied for and was awarded a $310,000 Senate Bill 2 grant to implement the Golden State Specific Plan (CDD)
o Reviewed annual updates of the BWP Wildfire Mitigation Plan (BWP) o Participated in California Air Resources Board’s Statewide Electric Vehicle Point-of-Sale Rebate Program using Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program Proceeds by e ntering into the Multilateral Clean Fuel Reward Program Governance Agreement with various electric utilities (BWP) o Installed irrigation controllers throughout City parks , improving watering and staffing efficiencies that will provide significant cost savings and increase water conservation. The modernization of the controllers will help reduce water usage by 15%annually (Parks)
• 2021
o Burbank Sustainable Commission’s efforts with the Library Services Department that provided a series of educational workshops and discussions about sustainability (Library)
o Implemented a new City website that provides educational and informational web pages on sustainability, video tips on how to care for trees, recycling, electric vehicles, and commercial/residential programs and rebates (IT, City Manager’s Office, and Citywide)
o Installed 16 new electric vehicle charging station ports in Downtown Burbank (BWP)
o Approved agreements with Los Angeles Community Garden Council to manage community gardens at 1141 N. Pass Avenue and 3705 W. Clark Avenue (Parks)
o Completed construction of the 0.75-mile Class-I bicycle and pedestrian path called the Burbank Channel Bikeway (CDD and PW)
o Approved the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (BWP)
o Received the American Planning Association (APA) Los Angeles Award of Merit for the Complete Our Streets Plan (CDD)
o Held monthly compost workshops (PW)
o Implemented the “Where it Goes” online system for residents and businesses to understand how to recycle and divert waste from the landfill (PW) o Adopted the BWP Renewable Portfolio Standard Procurement Plan and Enforcement Program Version 3 (BWP)
o Updated the Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate Program (BWP)
o Authorized the move to Stage II and Conditions to Move to Stage III of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (BWP)
o Reviewed annual updates of the BWP Wildfire Mitigation Plan (BWP) o Approved financing of four (4) Accessory Dwelling Units with the Burbank Housing Corporation to incorporate energy-efficient elements including electric appliances (CDD and BWP)
7 o Implemented Green Streets Policy urban design measures as part of the Avion Burbank Project and the 777 Front Street Mixed Use Development Project (City)
• 2022
o Established the Sustainability Officer position (BWP) o Adopted a Parking Ordinance for the future implementation of paid parking at the Downtown Metrolink Station (CDD)
o Held monthly compost workshops (PW)
o Applied for and was awarded a $430,000 grant from the Southern California Association of Governments to implement the Media District Specific Plan(CDD)
o Provided City Council an overview of BWP’s Water Conservation Programs in January (BWP)
o Provided City Council an update on water supply reliability projects and proposals in February (BWP)
o Adopted an Ordinance prohibiting the sale of metallic or mylar balloons (BWP) o Adopted an Ordinance relating to solid waste and organics recycling (S enate Bill 1383) (PW)
o Reviewed the Arroyo Verdugo Transit Operators Bus Electrification Feasibility Study and Adopted BurbankBus Electrification Transition Policy
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact in adopting the proposed GGRP Update.
The implementation of the total GGRP Update is estimated to be a $2 billion investment to meet GHG reduction target goal s. Half of the investment forecasted is taken into consideration for renewable energy technology and implementation. All measures include City staff time, consultant services, education, programs, grant applications, structural changes, and more. Each strategy, measure, and action item would be reviewed and considered at a future City Council meeting. City s taff will continue to seek funding for opportunities when available.
CONCLUSION
While climate change is global, the effects and responses occur significantly at the local level, and impacts and policies will affect the ways the C ity and the region function in almost every aspect. Cities, like Burbank, are continuously trying to reduce GHG emissions to achieve a safe, beautiful , and thriving community, particularly those associated with land use and development, and to incorporate resilience and adaptation strategies into planning for smart growth. This effort to update the GGRP aligns with the City Council’s Sustainability goal for 2022. City staff recommends that City Council approve the GGRP Update and adopt the Negative Declaration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Summary of the GGRP Update 12 Strategies
3. Community Survey (October 2020)
8 4. March 14, 2022, Planning Board Resolution
5. March 14, 2022, Planning Board Minutes
6. May 2021 Sustainable Commission’s Letter to City Council , including the Proposed Green New Deal
7. City’s Response to the Proposed Green New Deal
8. Public Comments Received
9. City Response to Public Comments
Correspondences