1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CSG Consultants, Inc 1.0-13 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Impact (Level of Impact) Mitigation
Measure Relevant General Plan Policies
(e.g., farm equipment). (Less than Significant) Policy M-5-3 Bicycle Connection Coordination; Policy M-5-4
Accessibility and Universal Design;
Policy M-5-5 Design of New
Development
Impact 4.14.3: The proposed General Plan
Update would not result in inadequate
emergency access (Less than Significant).
Policy M-4-6 Design of New
Development; Policy M-4-7
Emergency Services
Impact 4.14.4: General Plan implementation
would increase VMT per person above No
Project conditions (Less than Significant).
Policy M-2-1 Reduce Vehicle Miles
Traveled; Policy M-2-2 Other Traffic
Flow Benchmarks; Policy M-2-3 VMT
Transportation Performance Measures;
Policy M-2-6 Development Review
Requirements; Policy M-7-1 TDM
Program; Policy M-7-2 TDM Program
for New Development; Policy M-7-3
Vehicle Trip Reduction
Impact 4.15.1: The proposed General Plan
Update would not require, or result in, the
construction or expansion of new water, new
storm water drainage, wastewater treatment
facilities or expansion of existing facilities and
entitlements, the construction of which could
cause significant environmental effects (Less
than Significant).
Policy OSC-4-1 Comply with Water
Quality Regulations; Policy OSC-4-2
Participation in the San Mateo County
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Program (SMCWPPP); Policy OSC-4-3
Reclaimed Water; Policy OSC-4-6
Stormwater Runoff; Policy OSC-4-9
Water Quality and Conservation Public
Information; Policy CS-3-4 Stormwater
Detention; Policy LU-2-4 Low Impact
Development; Policy LU-2-6 Green
Infrastructure; Policy LU-4-2
Adequacy to Serve New and Existing
Developments; Policy LU-4-3 New
Development Fair Share; Policy LU-4-4
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Impact 4.15.2: Implementation of the proposed
General Plan Update for the town would not
exceed wastewater treatment requirements of
the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality
Control Board and may result in a
determination by the wastewater treatment
provider which serves or may serve the project
that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments (Less than
Significant).
Policy LU-4-1 Adequate Public
Infrastructure and Facilities; Policy
LU-4-2 Adequacy to Serve New and
Existing Developments; Policy LU-4-3
New Development Fair Share; Policy
LU-4-4 Capital Improvement Program
(CIP)
Impact 4.15.3: Any future new or infill
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CSG Consultants, Inc 1.0-14 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Impact (Level of Impact) Mitigation
Measure Relevant General Plan Policies
development projects under the proposed
General Plan Update would be served by a
landfill with sufficient permitted capacity and
would comply with federal, state, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste, so as to
accommodate the 2040 GPU’s solid waste
disposal needs (Less than Significant).
Impact 4.16.1: Implementation of the proposed
General Plan Update would not result in
substantially impairing an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan,
nor would it result in project occupants being
exposed to pollutants concentrations from a
wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire
due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors
that exacerbate wildfire risks (Less than
Significant).
Policy CS-2-2 Development in
Hazardous Areas; Policy CS-2-3
Unsafe Buildings; Policy CS-4-1
Alternate EOC; Policy CS-7-1 Hazard
Mitigation Plan; Policy CS-7-2
Emergency Management Plan; Policy
CS-7-3 Promote Emergency
Preparedness; Policy CS-7-4
Collaborative Planning; Policy CS-7-5
Evacuation Routes.
Impact 4.16.2: Implementation of the proposed
General Plan Update would not require the
installation or maintenance of associated
infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks,
emergency water sources, power lines or other
utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that
may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to
the environment (No Impact)
Impact 4.16.3: Implementation of the proposed
General Plan Update would not expose people
or structures to significant risks, including
downslope or downstream flooding or
landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage changes (No Impact)
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-1 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
This Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR or DPEIR) was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Cal. Pub. Resources Code, Section §21000, et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs., Section §15000, et seq.). State CEQA requirements mandate that local government agencies consider the environmental consequences of their programs and projects.
This Draft PEIR therefore analyzes the potential significant environmental impacts of the adoption and implementation of the proposed Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Update. Associated mitigation measures and an identification of the possible alternatives to the proposed project, are also presented, pursuant to State CEQA Guideline Section §15123, et seq.
As defined by CEQA (Public Resources Code, Section §21067, as amended), the Town of Colma ( Town; town) is the Lead Agency for the environmental review of the proposed Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Update (proposed project; project; 2040 GPU; General Plan Update; GPU) evaluated herein. The Town has the principal discretionary responsibility for approving the project with respect to adoption, amendment, and implementation of the proposed GPU. This environmental document therefore assesses the expected environmental impacts from adoption of the GPU and subsequent development under the proposed project. For the purposes of CEQA, the term "project" refers to the whole of an action, which has the potential for resulting in a direct physical change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section §15378[a]). With respect to the proposed 2040 General Plan Update, the City Council has determined that the proposed plan is a "project" within the definition of CEQA.
The Town’s General Plan Update process commenced in June 2020. A comprehensive public process was initiated in May of 2021 in order to obtain the input of community residents, businesses, as well as elected and appointed town officials. This D PEIR utilizes technical information and analyses from studies supported by State CEQA Guidelines (Section §15148 (Citation) and §15159 {Incorporation by Reference}).
By utilizing these provisions of the State CEQA Guidelines, the Town, in preparing their Draft PEIR, has been able to make maximum feasible and appropriate use of the available technical information, as appropriate.
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE EIR
The Town of Colma, acting as the lead agency, has prepared this Draft PEIR to provide the public as well as all responsible and trustee agencies with information about the potential environmental effects of the proposed General Plan Update . The proposed 2040 General Plan consists of goals, policies and implementation programs that will guide the town’s future development.
The last comprehensive update of the town’s General Plan was certified in 19 99, with subsequent amendments occurring since , including an update to the Circulation Element in 2014 . Additionally, the City Council adopted an updated Housing Element on January 14,2015, which was subsequently certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on January 30, 2015. Since the Housing Element adoption follows HCD timeframes, the Housing Element is not part of the GPU .
Recent growth and development within the town and anticipated growth for the future has necessitated an update to the General Plan. The town of Colma commenced its General Plan Update in 2020.
As described in CEQA Guidelines Section §15121(a), an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a public informational document that assesses potential environmental effects of the proposed project, a nd identifies mitigation measures and alternatives to the pro posed project that could reduce or avoid its adverse environmental impacts. Public agencies are charged with the duty to consider and, where feasible, minimize environmental impacts of proposed development, and an obligation to balance a variety of public objectives, including economic, environmental, and social factors.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-2 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Therefore, this Draft PEIR embodies the Town of Colma ’s best efforts to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of its 2040 GPU, as well as to identify feasible mitigation measures. It fulfills the requirements of CEQA and has been prepared in order to inform decision makers, the appropriate responsible and trustee agencies, and the general public of the proposed project and its related impacts on the built and natural environments. As described below, this DPEIR is meant to be utilized as a first -tier (or “program” level ) environmental document for environmental reviews of subsequent project s undertaken in the Town of Colma. Therefore, several issue areas discussed under this DPEIR incorporate by reference appropriate issue area policies that function like mitigation measures for this DPEIR.
2.2 TYPE OF DOCUMENT
The State CEQA Guidelines iden tify several types of EIRs, each applicable to different project circumstances. This document has been prepared as a first -tier, or at a programmatic level , pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section §15168, given the Plan’s long -term planning efforts and the supposition that natural and built environment conditions are subject to change. The Town of Colma made the decision that this programmatic level environmental analysis is the appropriate analytical framework to assess the cumulative environmental effects of the full plan in a first-tier level of analysis, to identify broad concerns and sets of impacts, and to define/develop regulatory standards and programmatic procedures that reduce impacts and help achieve environmental goals and objectives.
According to CEQA Guidelines Section §15168:
“A program EIR is an EIR which may be prepared on a series of actions that can be characterized as one large project and are related either:
1) Geographically;
2) As logical parts in the chain of contemplated actions; 3) In connection with issuance of rules, regulations, plans or other general criteria to govern the conduct of a continuing program; or,
4) As individual activities carried out under the same authorizing statutory or regulatory authority and having generally similar environmental effects which can be mitigated in similar ways.” The advantages of a Program EIR include consideration of effects and alternatives that cannot practically be reviewed at the project-level, consideration of cumulative impacts that may not be apparent on a project- by-project basis, the ability to enact town-wide mitigation measures, and subsequent reduction in paperwork. The assumptions underlying the environmental analysis are the best available at the time of preparation and reflect existing conditions in the built and natural environments. Appropriate mitigation measures needed to reduce potentially significant impacts are included, so that the town of Colma may review the proposed 2040 General Plan Update prior to taking action on the GPU. Subsequent activities proposed pursuant to the goals and policies of the Town’s General Plan will be reviewed in light of this EIR and may focus on those site-specific and localized environmental issues that could not be examined in sufficient detail as part of this DPEIR.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-3 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER EIRs
As a program EIR, the preparation of this document does not relieve the sponsors of specific projects from the responsibility of complying with the requirements of CEQA (and also those of NEPA, for projects requiring federal funding). The lead agency responsible for reviewing these projects shall determine the level of environmental review that would be required, and the scope of that analysis will depend on the specifics of the particular project , and any localized environmental issues that could not be examined in sufficient detail as part of this DPEIR.
As with all projects proposed in the town, projects contained in specific focus areas where land use changes are proposed will be subject to CEQA complia nce at such time the town receives a permit application for the project. At that time, the CEQA analysis would specifically address site-specific impacts of the project.
Subsequent activities proposed pursuant to the goals and policies of the town’s Genera l Plan will be reviewed in light of this EIR. When individual projects or activities are proposed, the town would be required to determine whether the specific project effects were adequately analyzed in this program EIR (CEQA Guidelines Section §15168). If the projects or activities have no effects beyond those analyzed in this DPEIR, no further CE QA compliance would be required. In addition, this program -level GPU environmental analysis addresses the cumulative impacts of development accommodated by the proposed project as required by State CEQA Guidelines Section §15130a-e and analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project as required by State CEQA Guidelines Section §15126.6a-f.
2.3 INTENDED USES OF THE EIR
This Draft PEIR is intended to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed project to the greatest extent possible. This Draft PEIR should be used as the primary environmental document to evaluate all subsequent planning and permitting actions associated with projects undertaken subsequent to adoption of the General Plan Update . Subsequent actions that may be associated with the pr oposed General Plan Update are identified in Section 3.0: Project Description of this document; information in this document can be referenced as applicable.
Where feasible, the town’s General Plan PEIR is intended to be a “self -mitigating” document, in that the General Plan polices are designed to mitigate or avoid impacts on the environment resulting from implementation of the proposed project. To that end, the relevant GPU policies providing mitigation have been identified for each significant impact in each section. If the applicable General Plan polices were determined not to fully mitigate or avoid impacts, then additional mitigation measures have been provided. These additional mitigation measures h ave been written as policy statements that can be incorporated into the final General Plan. Each impact discussion includes a determination as to whether the impacts would be mitigated to a less than significant level or would remain significant and unavoidable after implementation of the updated General Plan policies.
2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS
The Draft PEIR process includes several steps: publication of Notice of Preparation of an EIR (NOP); EIR public scoping meeting; publication of a Draft PEIR for public review and comment; preparation of responses to general public and other agency comments on the Draft PEIR; and certification of the Final PEIR. Thus, the review and certification process for the EIR has involved, or will involve, the following general procedural steps:
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-4 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section §15082, the Town prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the proposed project, and conducted a Scoping Meeting on June 24, 2020. This notice was circulated to the State Clearinghouse and to the public, local, state, and federal agencies, and other interested parties to solicit comments on the proposed project. A 30-day public comment period commenced on June 10, 2020 and extended th rough July 13, 2020 . The Town of Colma was identified as the Lead Agency for the proposed project. Concerns raised in response to the NOP were considered during preparation of the DEIR.
The NOP, including the responses by interested parties, are presented in Appendix A.
DRAFT PEIR
This document constitutes the Draft Programmatic EIR for the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Update.
The Draft PEIR contains a description of the project; discussion of the environmental setting; identification of project impacts ; and mitigation measures for impacts found to be significant . The Draft PEIR also includes an analysis of project alternatives, identification of significant irreversible environmental changes, growth-inducing impacts, and cumulative impacts. Upon completion of the DPEIR, the Town will file the Notice of Completion (NOC) with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to begin the public review period (Cal. Pub. Resources Code Section §21161).
PUBLIC NOTICE/PUBLIC REVIEW
Concurrent with the NOC, the Town of Colma will provide public notice of the availability of the Draft PEIR for public review, and invite comment from the general public, agencies, organizations, and other interested parties. Consistent with State CEQA Guidelines, the review period for this D PEIR is at least forty-five (45) days. Public comment on the Draft EIR will be accepted both in written form and orally at public hearings. Although no public hearings to accept comments on the EIR are required under CEQA Guidelines, the town expects to hold a public comment meeting during the forty -five (45) day review period. Notice of the date, time and location of the hearing will be published prior to the hearing
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT PEIR
Comments from all agencies and individuals are invited regarding the information contained in the Draft Program EIR. Such comments should explain any perceived deficiencies in the assessment of impacts, provide the information that is purportedly lacking i n the Draft Program EIR or indicate where the information may be found. All comments on the Draft Program EIR are to be submitted to:
Farhad Mortazavi
Town of Colma Planning Department
1198 El Camino Real
Colma, CA 94014
Email: [email protected] Website: colma.ca.gov
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS/FINAL PEIR
Following the public review period, a Final Program EIR (FPEIR) will be prepared for the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan. The FPEIR will respond to written comments received during the public review period and to oral comments made at any public hearing or public meeting, if either a hearing or meeting is conducted during such review period.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-5 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
CERTIFICATION OF THE PEIR/PROJECT CONSIDERATION
The town will review and consider the FPEIR. If the Town of Colma finds that the Final PEIR is "adequate and complete", the City Council will certify the Final PEIR. Upon review and consideration of the F PEIR, the Town of Colma Council may take action to approve, revise, or reject the project. A decision to approve the proposed 2040 General Plan Update, for which this PEIR identifies significant environmental effects, could only be made if accompanied by written findings in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Section §15091 and Section §15093. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), as described below, would also be adopted for mitigation measures that have been incorporated into or imposed upon the project to reduce or avoid significant effects on the environment.
MITIGATION MONITORING
Public Resources Code Section §21081.6(a) requires lead agencies to adopt a mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) to describe measures that have been adopted , or made a condition of project approval, in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment. The specific "reporting or monitoring" program required by CEQA is not required to be included in the PEIR.
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
Pursuant to Section §15085 of the State CEQA Guidelines, a Notice of Completion (NOC) will be filed with the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the DPEIR will be circulated for public and agency review for a period of at least 45 days. A copy of the Draft PEIR will be posted on the Town’s website (colma.ca.gov). Notice of availability of the DPEIR will be sent to responsible agencies, local agencies, and concerned agencies and individuals, as requested. Public hearings will be held in co njunction with the review of the project.
AVAILABILITY OF PEIR MATERIALS
All materials related to the preparation of this Draft Program EIR are available for public review. To request an appointment to review these materials, please contact:
Abigail Domentita
Town of Colma Planning Department
1198 El Camino Real
Colma, CA 94014
Email: [email protected]/ Phone: (650)757-8888
2.5 COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE NOTICE OF PREPARATION
The town received comment letters in response to the NOP for the Town of Colma General Plan Draft PEIR.
A copy of each letter is provided in Appendix A: Notice of Preparation, of this DPEIR. The Town received letters from the following federal, state, and local agencies and interested parties:
• Native American Heritage Commission (June 5th, 2020)
• SF PUC Engineering Division (June 12th, 2020)
• City of South San Francisco Engineering Division (June 25th, 2020) • California Water Service (June 25th, 2020)
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife -Bay Delta Region (June 26th, 2020) • Bay Area Air Quality Management District (July 2nd, 2020)
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-6 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
• California Department of Conservation – California Geological Survey (July 2nd, 2020) • City/County Association of Governments, San Mateo County (July 13th, 2020) • San Francisco Water Power Sewer (July 13th, 2020)
• San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission (July 13th, 2020) • State of California Department of Transportation, District 4 (July 13th, 2020) • County of San Mateo Department of Public Works (July16th, 2020)
2.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE EIR
State CEQA Guideline (Sections §15122 through §15132 et. al) identify the content requirements for Draft and Final EIRs. An EIR must thus include a description of the environmental setting, an environmental impact analysis, mitigation measures, alternatives, significant irreversible environmental changes, growth- inducing impacts, and cumulative impacts. Discussion of the environmental issues addressed in the DPEIR was established through review of environmental and planning documentation developed for the project, environmental and planning documentation prepared for recent projects located within the General Plan Update Planning Area (Planning Area), environmental documentation developed by the County of San Mateo (County) and cities and counties adjacent to the Planning Area, and public agency comments received on the Notice of Preparation (NOP).
This Draft PEIR is organized in the following manner:
SECTION 1.0 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This EIR begins with an executive summary of the environmental analysis, which includes a review of the potentially significant adverse regional environmental impacts of the proposed project. The executive summary also describes the alternatives and their merits as compared to the proposed project and identifies the environmentally superior alternative among them. The executive summary also indicates whether or not those measures mitigate the significant impacts to a less than significant level.
SECTION 2.0 – INTRODUCTION: The Introduction section of this DPEIR provides an overview describing the purpose, type, and intended use of the Draft PEIR, responsible agencies, organization, and scope of the DPEIR, the review and certification process, and a summary of comments received on the NOP. It describes the basic legal requir ements of a program level EIR, as well as the level of analysis and the alternatives considered, how this EIR is related to other environmental documents.
SECTION 3.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This section provides a detailed description of the proposed project, including the location, intended purpose and objectives, background information, the physical setting, an outline of the projected population and employment growth, and technical characteristics of the project, including the decisions sub ject to CEQA and a list of related environmental review and consultation requirements.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-7 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
SECTION 4.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ASSUMPTIONS, SETTING, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES: Section 4.0 contains an analysis of environmental topic areas that describes the general assumptions used to evaluate project -specific and cumulative environmental impacts . Each issue area is analyzed by major topic, contains a description of the existing setting of the project area, identifies specific impacts analyses, and recommends appropriate General Plan policies and mitigation measures.
Every subsection is organized as follows:
• Environmental Setting
− Physical Setting
− Regulatory Setting
• Impact Analysis
− Significance Criteria
− Methodology and Assumptions
− Impacts and Mitigation Measures
SECTION 5.0 - CUMULATIVE IMPACTS SUMMARY: This section summarizes all identified cumulative impacts associated with the proposed project. Cumulative impacts include two or more individual impacts that when considered together are considerable or which compound or increa se other adverse environmental effects. The individual impacts may be changes resulting from a single project or a program of projects. The cumulative effect from several projects is the change in the environment that results from the incremental effect of the proposed project when added to other closely related past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor, but collectively significant, projects taking place over a period of time. As required by State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15130 and 15065(a)(3), an EIR shall discuss cumulative impacts of a project when the project's incremental effect is cumulatively considerable.
SECTION 6.0 – ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT: State CEQA Guidelines Section §15126.6 requires that an EIR describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project that could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project, and avoid and/or lessen any significant environmental effects of the project.
This alternative s analysis therefore provides a description of the alternatives that were co nsidered, an assessment of their potential to achieve the objectives of the proposed project, as well as a comparative analysis between the merits of each alternative . As required under CEQA, the selected environmental superior alternative is identified.
SECTION 7.0 – LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT : This section contains discussions a s well as analysis of various other topical issues mandated by State CEQA Guidelines Sections §15126 and §15126.2a-d. These include significant environmental effects that cannot be avoided if the project is implemented, significant irreversible environmental changes, growth-inducing impacts, and effects found not to be significant.
SECTION 8.0 - REPORT PREPARERS: All authors and agencies that assisted in the preparation of the Draft PEIR are listed here by name, title, and company or agency affiliation.
APPENDICES: This section includes notices and other procedural documents pertinent to the EIR, as well as technical materials prepared to support the analysis. The following appendices are included as part of the Draft PEIR.
• Appendix A - includes the Notice of Preparation (NOP), the NOP distribution list, Scoping Meeting notes, and the comments received during the NOP review period. • Appendix B – includes the Tribal consult letters and responses.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-8 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
DEFINITIONS: A list of definitions have been provided to assist the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the agencies and processed involved in the preparation of this PEIR.
BIBLIOGRAPHY : This section is a bibliography with the resources used in this Daft PEIR. These resource areas are sepa rated by documents and reports utilized, websites accessed, and individuals contacted for specific sources of information.
2.7 SCOPE OF THE EIR
Based on the NOP, the Town of Colma determined that the preparation of a Program level EIR was appropriate, due to potentially significant environmental impacts that could result from implementing the proposed update to the Town’s 2040 General Plan. This D raft PEIR evaluates the existing environmental resources in the vicinity of the town, analyzes potential impacts on those resources due to the proposed project, and identifies mitigation measures that could avoid or reduce the magnitude of those impacts. This EIR provides a general review of the environmental effects of development of the Town, based on proposed land use designations and estimated public service demands resulting from the proposed growth under the GPU.
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Information gathered about the environmental setting is used to define relevant planning issues, determine thresholds of significance, and evaluate potential impacts. Based on the initial analysis of environmental settings, baseline conditions, and comments on the NOP, the following issues are analyzed in this PEIR:
• Aesthetics (Section 4.1)
• Air Quality (Section 4.2)
• Biological Resources (Section 4.3)
• Cultural and Tribal Resources (Section 4.4)
• Energy (Section 4.5)
• Geological Resources (Section 4.6)
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Section 4.7)
• Hazards & Hazardous Materials (Section 4.8)
• Hydrology (Section 4.9)
• Land Use (Section 4.10)
• Noise (Section 4.11)
• Population & Housing (Section 4.12)
• Public Services and Recreation (Section 4.13)
• Traffic (Section 4.14)
• Utilities (Section 4.15)
• Wildfire (Section 4.16)
EFFECTS NOT FOUND TO BE POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT
Typically, an EIR evaluates project or program effects on environmental issues listed in the Environmental Checklist Form, which is in Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines. The NOP for the Draft PEIR identified potential environmental issues that were generally consistent with those found in the Environmental Checklist. Based on evaluation associated with the GPU, the Town determined that the proposed General Plan Update would not have potentially significant effects in the following issue areas:
• Agricultural Resources • Mineral Resources
Issues that were scoped out from analysis in the EIR are also included under the “Effects Not Found to be Potentially Significant” topic area of the Draft PEIR.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-9 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
2.8 KNOWN RESPONSIBLE AND TRUSTEE AGENCIES
For the purpose of CEQA, a “Trustee” agency is an agency that has jurisdiction by law over natural resources that are held in trust for the people of the State of California (CEQA Guidelines Section §15386).
For example, the California Department of Fish a nd Wildlife (CDFW, formerly CDFG) is a trustee agency with regard to the fish and wildlife of the state and designated rare or endangered native plants.
The term “Responsible Agency” includes all public agencies other than the Lead Agency that have discretionary approval power over the project or an aspect of the project (CEQA Guidelines Section §15381).
Potential Responsible Agencies may include, but are not limited to:
• U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) • California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) • California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• California Office of Emergency Services (OES)
• California Public Utilities Commission (CA PUC)
• County of San Mateo (County)
• Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
• San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFBRWQCB)
2.9 IMPACT TERMINOLOGY
Identified below are common terms used throughout this document. A complete list of acronyms is also provided.
CEQA TERMINOLOGY
Cumulatively Considerable Impact: A cumulative significant impact would result when the project would contribute considerably to a significant physical impact on the environment expected under cumulative conditions.
Less Than Cumulatively Considerable Impact: A less than cumulatively considerable impact would result when the project would not contribute considerably to a significant physical impact on the environment expected under cumulative conditions.
Less Than Significant Impact: A less than significant impact would cause no substanti al change in the environment (no mitigation required).
No Impact: No adverse change to the environment would occur.
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated: A less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated would cause (or would potentially cause) a substantial adverse change in the physical conditions of the environment , absent mitigation . Significant impacts are identified by the evaluation of project effects using specified sta ndards of significance. Mitigation measures are identified to reduce project effects on the environment to a level of less than significant.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-10 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Significant and Unavoidable Impact: A significant and unavoidable impact would result in a substantial change in the environment that cannot be avoided or mitigated to a less than significant level if the project is implemented.
Standards of Significance: A set of criteria used by the lead agency to determine at what level or “threshold” an impact would be considered significant. Significance criteria used in this EIR include the State CEQA Guidelines; factual or scientific information; regulatory performance standards of local, state, and federal agencies; and town goals and policies.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-11 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
ACRONYMS
This list of acronyms explains the common technical terms used in the Draft PEIR and come from different sources, including but not limited to: the California Office of Planning and Research, and the American Planning Association Glossary of Zoning, Development, and General Planning Terms, as well as from the various technical documents utilized in the environmental analysis for the GPU.
AB Assembly Bill
AAGR Average Annual Growth Rate
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
AAQ Area Air Quality
ACBMs Asbestos Containing Building Materials
ACE Affordable Clean Energy
ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
ADA Americans with Disability Act
AIA American Institute of Architects
ALUC Airport Land Use Commission
ALUCP Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
AMR American Medical Response (Transportation)
AQMD Air Quality Management District
AR4 IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BARC Bay Area Regional Collaborative
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit
BMP Best Management Practice
CA PUC California Public Utilities Commission
CAFE Corporate Average Fuel Economy
CalARP California Accidental Response Plan
CalEPA California Environmental Protection Agency
CalFIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CalGreen California Green Building Standards Code
CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery CalTrans California Department of Transportation
Cal Water California Water Service Company
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CBPP Comprehensive Bike and Pedestrian Plan
CBC California Building Code
CBSAP Colma BART Station Area Plan
CCAG City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County CCR California Code of Regulations
CDAA California Disaster Assistance Act
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
2.0 INTRODUCTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 2.0-12 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
CDPH California Department of Public Health
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CESA California Endangered Species Act
CFAA California Fire Assistance Agreement
CFPD Colma Fire Protection District
CGS California Geologic Survey
CH4 Methane
CHP California Highway Patrol
CHRIS California Historic Resources Information System
CIP Capital Improvement Program
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
CMC Colma Municipal Code
CMP Congestion Management Program
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database
CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level
CNPS California Native Plant Society
CO Carbon Monoxide
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CO2e Carbon Dioxide equivalent
CRHR California Register of Historic Resources
CSDA California Special Districts Association
CSI California Solar Initiative
CUPA Certified Unified Program Agency
CWA Clean Water Act
dB Decibel
dBA Decibel “A-Weighted”
DMA Disaster Mitigation Act
DOC State of California, Department of Conservation
DOF California Department of Finance
DPEIR Draft Program Environmental Impact Report
DR Design Review
DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control
DWR California, Department of Water Resources
ECR El Camino Real
EHRA Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act
EIA Energy Information Administration
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EISA Energy Independence and Security Act
EMA Emergency Management Authority
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EMFAC2017 Emissions Factor Model
EMS Emergency Medical Services
EOC Emergency Operations Center
EPCA Energy Policy and Conservation Act
FAR Floor Area Ratio
FESA Federal Endangered Species Act
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHSZ Fire Hazard Severity Zone
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps
FPEIR Final Program Environmental Impact Report
FRAP Fire and Resources Assessment Program
FTA Federal Transit Authority
GGNRA Golden Gate National Recreation Area
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIS Geographic Information Systems
GPU General Plan Update
GWh Gigawatt Hours
GWP Global Warming Potential
HCD California Department of Housing and Community Development HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HDM Caltrans Highway Design Manual
HFC Hydrofluorocarbon
HMP Hazard Mitigation Plan
HMTA Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
HPD Historic Property Directory
HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban Development IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ISO Insurance Service Office
IWMP Integrated Waste Management Plan
JPA Joint Powers Authority
JSB Junipero Serra Boulevard
LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commission
LCFS Low Carbon Fuel Standard
LID Low Impact Development
LOS Level of Service
LRA Local Responsibility Area
LUST Leaking Underground Storage Tank
MASH Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
MJ-LHMP Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan MMI Modified Mercalli Intensity
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MMRP Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
MMT Million Metric Tons
MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization
MRP San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit MRZ Mineral Resource Zone
MS4 municipal separate storm sewer system
MSA Metropolitan Statistical Area
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission
MWELO Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NAHC Native American Heritage Commission
NCP National Contingency Plan
NEA National Energy Act of 1978
NEHRP National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
NHTSA National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NO Nitric Oxide
NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOC Notice of Completion
NOP Notice of Preparation
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
NPL National Priorities List
NPPA Native Plant Protection Act
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRHP National Register of Historic Places
NWIC Northwest Information Center
O3 Ozone
OES California Office of Emergency Services
OFFROAD2017 Off-Road Emissions Factor Model
OHP Office of Historic Preservation
OPR California Governor's Office of Planning and Research OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCE Peninsula Clean Energy
PDAs Priority Development Areas
PDM Pre-Disaster Mitigation
PEIR Program Environmental Impact Report
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PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PM2.5 Fine Particulate Matter (less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) PM10 Particulate Matter(less than 10 micrometers in diameter) PPC Public Protection Classification
ppm Parts Per Million
PRC Public Resources Code
PUD Planned Unit Development
PV Photovoltaic
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RF Residential Focused
RHNA Regional Housing Needs Assessment
RICAPS San Matero County Regional Climate Action Planning Suite RMRA Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
RUP Restricted Use Pesticide
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
SAFE Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient
SamTrans San Mateo County Transit District
SASH Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing
SB Senate Bill
SCS Sustainable Communities Strategy
SDC Seismic Design Category
SDMP Storm Drainage Master Plan
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
SEMS Standard Emergency Management System
SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride
SFBAAB San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin
SFBRWQCB San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board SFO San Francisco International Airport
SFO ALUCP San Francisco Airport Comprehensive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan SFPUC San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
SHMA Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
SHPO State Office of Historic Preservation
SHRC State Historical Resources Commission
SMARA California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 SMCEW San Mateo County Energy Watch
SMCTA San Mateo County Transportation Authority
SMCWPPP San Mateo County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program SOI Sphere of Influence
SOIPQS Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards SRA State Responsibility Area
SSAR Seismic Safety and Analysis Report
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SSMP Sewer System Management Plan
SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics
SWMP Stormwater Management Plan
SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TCR Tribal Cultural Resource
TDM Transportation Demand Management
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TNC Transportation Network Company
TPA Transit priority area
UBC Uniform Building Code
UFC Uniform Fire Code
UPAAG Unified Program Administration and Advisory Group USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
USFS United States Forest Service
USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS United States Geological Survey
UST Underground Storage Tank
VHFHSZ Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled
WDR Waste Discharge Requirements
WFAS Wildland Fire Assessment System
WSA Water Supply Assessment
ZEV Zero-emission Vehicle
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CSG Consultants, Inc 3.0-1 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
This Draft Program EIR ( DPEIR; Draft PEIR ) has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code, §21000 et seq.) and the State of California (State) CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, §15000 et seq.). It is a “programmatic” EIR prepared in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Section §15168, which allows for the preparation of a Program level EIR to address a series of actions that can be characterized as a single project. This is the standard approach when evaluating environmental impacts associated with the adoption of a general plan.
Under State of California law (Government Code §65300 et seq.), every city and county in the State i s required to adopt a general plan that functions as the comprehensive and all-encompassing policy document for future growth and development. The purpose of a jurisdiction’s General Plan is to function as a “constitution” for land use planning and to provide a basis for sound decisions regarding long -term physical development, for development in th e incorporated area, as well in any land outside city boundaries. It also provides the connection between community values, objectives, and decisions on the Town of Colma’s future housing, growth and development.
California Government Code §65302 requires that a general plan include the following seven elements:
Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety. Additional elements may be included as well, at the discretion of a jurisdiction. All elements have equal weight, and no one element supersedes another. Cities and towns may amend the general plan four times a year (each amendment may include any number of changes), and cities are encouraged to keep the plan current through regular updates. The current Town of Colma General Plan has not been comprehensively updated since it was first adopted on June 16, 1999, by Resolution 99-22.
The Project Description section of this DPEIR describes the location of the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan update (proposed project; project; General Plan; GP; Plan; General Plan Update; 2040 GPU; or GPU) both regionally and locally, discusses the existing conditions of the General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area)1, and describes the surrounding uses. It provides the basis for the environmental analysis in Section
4.1 through Section 4.16, of this Draft PEIR. Land outside a city (or town’s) boundaries typically includes land within a city’s Sphere of Influence (SOI). For the town of Colma (Town; town), its SOI is coterminous with the Town boundaries. A general description of the project’s technical and environm ental characteristics is provided. This section also describes the objectives for the project and the approvals and entitlements necessary to implement the project. The proposed project is the adoption and implementation of an updated General Plan for the town of Colma. For more information of the proposed changes to the various elements of the GPU, please refer to the Land Use Element of the 2040 General Plan Update.
Since the town of Colma will be required to make a number of decisions on this project, all decisions subject to the California Environmental Quality Act are listed, and the implementation process is described in the order that it will occur, including both actions the town will take now and actions that may be taken in the future in association with the proposed project. For a description of the background, purpose, intended use, and type of environmental impact report (EIR), as well as a list of agencies that are expected to use this EIR in their decision -making or permitting proces s, please refer to Section 2.0, Introduction , of this document.
1 The Planning Area is the geographic area for which the General Plan establishes policies about future urban growth for the town of Col ma. The boundary was determined in response to State law requiring each city to include in its General Plan all territory within the boundaries of the incorporated area as well as “any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning” (California Government Code Section 65300).
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3.1 REGIONAL PROJECT LOCATION AND SETTING
REGIONAL SETTING
The town of Colma is located in San Mateo County (County’ county), on the San Mateo Peninsula. It is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and is approximately 7 to 11 miles south of the City of San Francisco. It is surrounded by the city of Daly City to the north and west, the San Bruno Mountain State and County Park to the east, and the city of South San Francisco to the south.
The San Francisco International Airport is located to the south and east of the town. Interstate 280 and a portion of State Route 1 (also known as Highway 1 or the Coast Highway) pass along the western boundary of the town while State Route 82 or El Camino Real passes north-south through the town. A Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station is located in the town, on D Street, at the north end of the town. The town’s regional location is shown in Figure 3.0-1 Regional Location.
PROJECT LOCATION
The proposed project area or the General Plan Planning Area for the town of Colma’s 2040 General Plan Update covers approximately 1.98 square miles of land. Of this, approximately 75% of the town’s land area is dedicated for cemetery uses and the remainder includes residential, agricultural, and commercial uses, mainly oriented north -south on both sides of El Camino Real, and along the east of Junipero Sierra Boulevard. Within the town boundaries, the ground elevation ranges from about 100 feet to about 500 feet above Mean Sea Level. The town of Colma also includes approximately 1.89 square miles of a wide valley associated with Colma Creek.
The BART system has a dedicated station at the town of Colma and runs two rapid rail services through the town, the Antioch -San Francisco International Airport -Millbrae line and the Richmond -Daly City - Millbrae line. The Colma station also serves the SamTrans bus services routes ECR, 112, 118, 120, 121, 122 and 130.
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PROJECT SETTING
The topography of the Planning Area can best be described as an alluvial valley below San Bruno Mountain, with a relatively flat valley centered on the El Camino Real in the center of town , with elevations which rise on the west and east side of the town and no major topographical features within town limits .2 As mentioned previously the town of Colma has 17 cemeteries and one (1) pet cemetery, which make up approximately 75% of the town’s land mass or 888 acres. There are approximately 162 acres of commercial land, 27 acres of residential land and 2.8 acres of vacant land.
The town is primarily viewed by its residents as a community of cemeteries, although the town has a significant commercial core that primarily serves a regional market. The majority of residential uses, which currently make only 2 % of the town’s land area, are located in the small residential neighborhood of Sterling Park, with other residential uses on Mission Road and other sites scattered through town. Given the small size of the Town, there are no educational facilities, waste facilities, timberlan d preserve zone lands, or military lands. Furthermore, there are no designated flight paths or military air space areas within the town.
The Planning Area is accessed by Interstate 280 (I-280), State Route (SR) 1, and SR 82. The closest airport is the San Francisco International Airport, located south of the town. As of the 2010 census, the town’s total population was estimated to be at 1,504 as of the 2018 .3 The town had a median household income of $94,279, with 9.2% of the town’s population at poverty l evel, and had approximately 496 housing units, and 393 businesses.4 Existing land uses (including cemetery, commercial, office, residential, public/quasi - public, and vacant) in the Planning Area are provided in Table 3.0.1: Existing Land Use Distribution and are illustrated in Figure 3.0-2 Project Location.
Table 3.0.1: Existing Land Use Distribution
Existing Land Use Acreage Percent of Total
Cemetery 887.91 75.47%
Commercial1 162.28 13.25%
Office 10.47 0.70%
Vacant 2.80 0.23%
Residential 19.14 1.56%
Multifamily 7.95 0.65%
Public/Quasi-Public/Utility2 8.57 0.70%
Roadways 125.99 10.28%
Total 1225.10 100%
2 Colma Topo Map – elevation map.net/colma 3/5/20
3 US Census Vintage 2018 Population Estimates – www.census.gov 4 US Bureau of Census – 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-year estimates – www.census.gov
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3.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
REQUIREMENT TO ADOPT A GENERAL PLAN
California Government Code Section §65300, et seq. establishes the obligation of cities and counties to adopt and implement general plans. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15124(b) requires a description of the GPU’s project purpose and objectives.
GENERAL PLAN PURPOSE
The general plan is a comprehensive, long-range general document, as well as a strategy for a community’s growth and development for the near -term. The Plan describes the overall approach for the physical development of a town or city or county and any land outside its boundaries (but in its Sphere of Influence or SOI) that, in the jurisdictional agency’s judgment, bears relation to its planning. Any general plan should reflect its community’s ideas and desires for growth, describe what is most important to its residents and how the community will focus its efforts in addressing change during the coming decades. As such, it should be broad enough to allow for flexibility in its approach taken to achieve the plan’s goals.
The general plan should address a broad range of topics, including at a minimum, the following mandatory elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety . Further, the jurisdiction may adopt additional optional elements. In addressing these topics, the general plan identifies the goals, objectives, policies, principles, standards, and plan proposals that support the jurisdiction’s vision for growth and development. Goals typically are broad, overarching targets of a community’s future; they set direction for policies. Policies are a deliberate system of standards that guide decisions towards attaining a goal.
Since the proposed Plan is designed for a range of users, it covers a wide range of issues. Where needed, the Town of Colma will rely on its Zoning Ordinance and other regulations and standards to implement the GPU policies. As a long-range document addressing growth and change in the town of Colma over a 20-year period, this GPU serves as a blueprint for future development and identifies the overall vision for the planning area.
GENERAL PLAN OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the town of Colma’s proposed GPU are:
• To enable the community to agree on long- and short-term policies related to each of the elements encompassed within the General Plan;
• To establish a vision for the physical nature of Colma in the future and set the tone for the corresponding land use and related policies required to advance this vision; and • To provide a basis for determining whether private development proposals and public projects are in harmony with the policies of the Plan.
Specifically, this General Plan aims to achieve the following purposes:
• Outline a long-range vision that reflects the aspirations of the community; • Establish goals and policies to guide development and conservation decisions by the City Council, and Town staff;
• Provide a basis for determining whether specific development proposals and public projects are in harmony with the Town’s long-range vision;
• Allow City departments, other public agencies, and private developers to design projects that enhance the character of the community, promote public health, preserve environmental resources, and minimize hazards;
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• Provide the basis for establishing and setting priorities for detailed plans and implementing programs, such as the Zoning Ordinance, sub division regulations, and the Capital Improvement Program.
GENERAL PLAN CONTENT
The GPU comprises the following chapters, meeting the requirements for required Plan elements, under California Government Code §65302. Following is a description of each prop osed General Plan element.
For a detailed description of the goals and policies for each element, the reader is referred to the town’s updated General Plan (Town of Colma General Plan Update, 2040). • Housing Element : Per the requirements of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the town’s Housing Element was last updated and adopted on January 14, 2015 (covering the period from 2015-2023) and underwent environmental review at that time. However, other elements in the GPU are consistent with the current Housing Element. • Community Health, Safety and Services Element: This section of the town’s GPU ensures the town’s safety from geologic, flood, fire, hazardous substances, wildfire, and airport related hazards. The Community Health, Safety and Services Element also lays out the needs and available services for police and fire protection, emergency preparedness and response, as well as noise issues. This Element ensures that the town can prepare for, and support the community’s desire to increase its resilience to hazards, over time. In addition, the element includes policies promoting community health. • Historic Resources Element : The Historic Resource Element sets forth goals and policies for the preservation of the town of Colma’s historic and cultural heritage. This Element also illustrates the integral role that preservation plays in conjunction with other key General Plan elements. The inclusion of this Element provides a long-range vision for the town that encourages a culturally rich community to evolve while retaining its tangible links to the town’s history. • Land Use Element: The Land Use Element directs the location and form of future development for the town of Colma, while shaping where people will live, work, play, and shop. This Element identifies the future development for the town under the GPU horizon year of 2040 and consists of land use classifications and policies and a land use map. Together, these represent the planning values and ideals of the community and designate the general distribution and intensity of present and future land uses within the town’s jurisdiction.
• Open Space and Conservation Element: Open spaces, greenbelts and scenic vistas are among the most defining and beloved of the town of Colma’s characteristics. The Open Space and Conservation Element guides the comprehensive and long -range preservation and conservation of open -space land for the town. This Element provides direction regarding the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources.
• Mobility Element: The town of Colma’s Mobility Element provides the goals, policies, and actions the town would implement in order to develop a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system. The element ensures that new improvements reflect the land uses contemplated by the Land Use Element, and ensur e appropriate facilities that enhance mobility for automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit. This Element responds to the California Complete Street Act of 2008 by providing context on the town’s existing transportation system and identif ying its current transportation vision and strategies.
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3.3 GENERAL PLAN FRAMEWORK
The town of Colma’s 2040 GPU considers all seven State required general plan topics under its six elements, discussed in Section 3.2, above. The town conducted a community-based process in its General Plan update.
Public meetings, a survey and a series of study sessions were conducted in order to gather community input of the town’s key assets, issues, opportunities and potential/perceived roadblocks to growth.
The GPU’s land use framework embodies the community’s vision for land use in 2040 and is designed to reflect the town’s future planning decisions. The Land Use Map is designed to support the goals and priorities of the GPU and consists of the Land Use Map . The land use classifications that are depicted on the diagram and which indicate the use and form of development; and the land use policies will serve to guide town actions and private development.
LAND USE MAP
The Land Use Map is a graphic representation of planned land use classifications under the GPU. It should be used in conjunction with policies established in the Plan to review and approve, modify or deny proposed deve lopment projects. The Land Use Map includes a legend that shows land use categories whose densities and allowable uses are specified in the Land Use Classifications below. Figure 4.10.2 present the Land Use Map under the 2040 General Plan Update, while Figure 4.10.1 presents the Land Use Map under the existing (1999) General Plan.
LAND USE CATEGORIES
Generally, the town’s land use designations remain the same. The proposed GPU includes a new Medium Density Residential Land Use Designation, and the proposed Land Use Map is updated to reflect where these uses are. In addition, minor changes are made throughout the town, to correct inconsistencies in the land use map. For example, residential properties in Sterling Park with a commercial land use designation were revised to show low density residential (please see Table 4.10.2: Proposed Land Use and Figure 4.10- 2: Proposed Land Use).
A commercial overlay has also been added over specific areas with a cemetery land use designation along Hillside Boulevard and El Camino Real. These areas are reserved for cemetery use but are currently not utilized as cemetery. The commercial overlay allows for the temporary development of commercial uses to efficiently utilize the limited land area within the town.
The proposed town of Colma General Plan Update includes the Land Use Map that combines specific land use designations in some areas of the town and more general descriptions of land uses in special areas planned for future growth referred to as “Planning Areas” (see Table LU-2 in the GPU). Land use categories establish allowed uses, maximum density and intensity, and the type and character of development that is desired. Details on development standards are established in the zoning ordinance, and more than one zoning district may be consistent with a General Plan land use classification. The various land uses being proposed under the 2040 GPU include:
Residential Land Use
Residential Land designated for residential purposes can be used for single family homes, small day care facilities, group residential facilities, supportive/transitional housing, home offices and cottage food operations as allowed uses. Large childcare facilities may be allowed in residential districts with approval of a Use Permit. Residential facilities, i ncluding multiple dwellings, may be allowed in areas designated for commercial use upon approval of a Use Permit.
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Areas suitable for residential use include Sterling Park, El Camino Real near the Colma BART station, Mission Road near the South San Francisc o BART station, in cemeteries as caretaker units and several scattered sites. These areas are identified in the Housing Element.
Commercial Land Use
This Commercial land use category provides for a wide range of retail commercial uses including auto dealerships, retail stores, personal and professional services, furniture stores, restaurants, and wholesale - retail trade. Other uses, where permitted in a Planning Area, may include stand -alone or mixed -use multifamily residential, mixed-use, and auto-related uses.
Executive Administrative Land Use
The Executive Administrative land use category was established to expand the range of possible land uses and economic opportunities along El Camino Real while continuing to protect the green belt theme of the cemeteries. In this land use category, cemetery or cemeteries and floricultural or agricultural uses, are permitted by right. Compatible uses in this desig nation are low intensity uses that generate minimal traffic, do not require large signs and occupy buildings heavily screened with landscaping. Fast food facilities and most restaurants, for example, are not compatible with this designation. At this time, just over one percent of the town’s land area is designated for Executive Administrative land use. Designations occur along both sides of El Camino Real from just north of Colma Boulevard to the southern town boundary.
Public and Quasi-Public Land Use
Many basic utilities, public facilities, and services are provided by contract with special districts or through agreements with adjacent cities. Town of Colma residents are provided with utilities such as water, sewer, and power; public facilities such as l ocal government and schools; and services such as police and fire protection. This land use category typically includes the types of activities and facilities which are generally recognized to be more efficiently provided by a public or quasi -public agency than by individuals. Public facilities and Town-owned facilities other than streets or the BART Right-Of-Way, include:
▪ Town Hall at 1198 El Camino Real at Serramonte Boulevard ▪ Police Station at 1199 El Camino Real at Serramonte Boulevard ▪ Colma Senior Apartment Complex (18 units) at 1180 El Camino Real ▪ Colma Historical Park and Community Center at 1500 and 1520 Hillside Boulevard ▪ Sterling Park neighborhood park and Community Center site at 427 F Street, between E and F Streets
▪ SFPUC pump station in the 500 block of F Street
▪ Corporation Yard at 601 F Street; and
▪ Bark Park on D Street
Planned Development
The Town of Colma’s Planned Development designation allow flexibility of design and land uses to deal with special situations as might be encountered with mi xed uses or uniquely shaped properties.
Developments with a PD designation are expected to be similar in intensity to projects that would be allowed by adjoining land uses and must be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
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Cemetery
In addition to cemeteries, uses found in this designation include flower growing operations, florists, greenhouses, monument shops, the Cypress Hills Driving Range and a closed landfill. This land use designation is essential in maintaining the town of Colma’s greenbelt theme and it contributes to the economic base by drawing people from around the Bay Area as a regional destination.
The town of Colma’s greenbelt theme is reinforced through the unique impression one gets while driving through the town. Open space features such as large tree masses throughout the cemeteries; median strip landscaping and street trees on principal routes; and the open, naturalized channel along open sections of Colma Creek, are all necessary in maintaining the open space character of the town. Further discussion of open space is found in the Open Space/Conservation Element.
Gateway Sites
Colma’s image is dependent on what is seen from the road as people approach and enter the town. Colma’s separate identity and sense of containment is strengthened by nine gateway locations:
▪ El Camino Real - North: In median near intersection of B Street ▪ El Camino Real - South: In landscaped area forming “T” intersection (not yet installed) ▪ Serramonte Boulevard: At northeast corner of Junipero Serra Boulevard ▪ Junipero Serra Boulevard – North: In median near northern town boundary ▪ Junipero Serra Boulevard – South: In median at southern town boundary ▪ Junipero Serra Boulevard: At southwest corner of Southgate Avenue ▪ Hillside Boulevard – North: In park strip near Hoffman Street ▪ Hillside Boulevard – South: In park strip north of Lawndale Boulevard (not yet installed); and ▪ Mission Road – South: At northeast corner of Lawndale Boulevard Each gateway location is or will be landscaped and contains a stone sign which reads, “Welcome to Colma.” According to State law, the General Plan must establish standards of population density and building intensity for each land use classification. The proposed Plan stipulates residential densities in housing units per gross acre; population density can be obtained by applying average persons per housing unit to the housing unit densities. For nonresidential uses, the proposed Plan specifies a maximum permitted ratio of gross floor area to site area (Floor Area Ratio or FAR). Recommended density and intensity standards do not imply that development projects must be approved at the intensity specified for each use. Zoning regulations consistent with General Plan policies and/or site conditions may reduce development potential within the stated ranges. Table 3.0.2: Land Use Classifications and Density Standards shows the GPU’s Land Use Classifications, along with their respective density standards.
It is assumed that by the GP Buildout year of 2040, land within the existing town limits would be totally developed for a proposed population of approximately 2,700. with approximately 838 residential units, approximately 163 acres of commercial uses . The total number of housing unit calculations take into account existing densities and units and assumes new multi-family development occurs at the highest potential level of density allowable within the applicable General Plan land use designation. Table 3.0.2 provides a summary of the proposed General Plan de signations for the Planning Area. Each proposed designation is described in more detail below.
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Table 3.0.2: Land Use Classifications and Density Standards
Land Use Designation Density/Intensity Range*
Cemetery
This designation provides for cemetery, planned cemetery, agricultural and public recreation uses.
N/A
Low Density Residential
This designation provides for single family, residential development.
Density: up to 13 units per acre
Medium Density Residential
This designation provides for compact residential
developments such as townhomes, condominiums, and
apartments.
Density: 13 to 30 units per acre
Commercial
This designation provides for a wide range of retail commercial uses including auto dealerships, retail stores, personal and professional services, furniture stores, restaurants, and wholesale-retail trade. Other uses, where permitted in a planning area, may include stand-alone or mixed-use
multifamily residential, mixed-use, and auto-related uses.
FAR: 1.0 to 2.0
Lot Coverage: 50%
Density: 13 to 30 units per acre
Executive Administrative
This designation provides for low intensity office and cemetery related uses, such as flower and monument shops. These sites allow for economic activities along El Camino Real, while continuing to protect the green belt theme.
FAR: 1.0 to 2.0
Lot Coverage: 50%
Public and Quasi-Public
This designation provides for uses that are public serving in nature, including government offices/operations, parks, utilities, transportation, and community centers.
N/A
*Additional FAR and Density may be granted to opportunity sites as noted in the Planning Area descriptions.
Buildout under the Proposed General Plan
Current population of the t own of Colma is 1,512 reside nts, with 450 housing units (see Table 3.0.3: 2040 General Plan Buildout, below). One purpose of the General Plan is to ensure that the town can accommodate projected population and job growth over the planning period, through 2040. Since the town of Colma is primarily built out, any new development and any new development would come from infill or redevelopment with limited areas for commercial and residential uses. A summary of the development as a result of the GPU is summarized in the Table 3.0.3 below.
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Table 3.0.3: 2040 General Plan Buildout
Site Residential
Units
Commercial
Area (SF)
Office Area (SF) Combined Non-
Residential (SF)
Mission Road
Infill Residential 20
Commercial 15,000
Office 5,000
Sterling Park
Infill Single Family
Residential
1 ADU’s 10
Commercial Core
Collins Avenue 100,000
Serramonte Blvd. 100,000
280 Metro 110,000 10,000
El Camino Real Corridor
Cemetery Buildings 10,000
Bocci Site 42 8,500
Town Center 240 325,000
General Office 20,000
1988 El Camino Real 10,000
Sandlaster’s site 15
Hillside Boulevard
Cemetery Buildings 5,000
Holy Cross Lands 300,000
Agricultural Buildings 10,000
Totals: 328 993,500* 35.000 1,028,500
*Note: Depending on the economy and desired building type, commercial square footage may include hotel and office.
The 2040 GPU will update the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The planning areas include development standards such as height, FAR, and density as well as development standard bonuses for specific uses in opportunity sites.
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 3.0-13 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Table 3.0.4 Comparison of Alternatives at Buildout
Existing (2019) Proposed General
Plan
Alternative 1:
No Project
Alternative 2:
Residential Focused
Housing Units 450 845 680 893
Households 434 815 660 862
Population 1,512 2,852 2,310 3,017
In addition, the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 332 additional residential units and approximately 465,000 square feet of commercial and office uses in the Sterling Park, Mission Road, Hillside Boulevard, Commercial Core Planning Areas, and at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandlaster’s sites. Buildout under the GPU would therefore increase the town’s population to 2,854 and the total number of housing units to 845 (Table 3.0.5: Comparison at Alternatives at Buildout).
Please refer to the Land Use Element of the GPU for additional details on the specific changes to each Planning Area;
In comparison, should the 1999 General Plan remain in effect, based on the existing land use distributions (Table 3.0.1), the town could only accommodate approximately 680 housing units, a population of 2,310, and a total of 4,315 jobs within the town. The existing or 1999 General Plan:
• Has different land uses— both in mix and location;
• Has lower allowable land use densities/intensities;
• Prohibits residential development in various commercially zoned areas; • Does not promote mixed-use development to the same extent as in the Proposed Project; • Does not have a Medium Density Residential land use designation. Medium Density land uses such as multifamily developments are allowed on properties with a Commercial designation. • Has reduced alternate modes of transportation.
3.4 INTENDED USE OF THIS EIR AND APPROVAL PROCESS
As previously mentioned, this PEIR provides a programmatic environmental review of implementation of the Town of Colma’s General Plan update. Subsequent activities falling under the GPU will utilize this PEIR to focus the environmental review of these consequent activities, and to determine their effects. If a new project is propos ed that is not anticipated by the General Plan, or that may result in project -level environmental effects not addressed in this program -level EIR, the proposed project will be evaluated as required under CEQA. This EIR is not intended to prohibit considera tion of future proposed projects or CEQA analysis of future proposed projects.
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 3.0-14 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Following adoption of the General Plan and certification of the EIR by the Town Council, all subsequent activities and development within the town will be guided by the goals and policies in this updated General Plan. It therefore provides specific policy guidance for implementation of plan concepts. The town of Colma will also need to work with San Mateo county and other public agencies to implement policies that affect their respective jurisdictions or would affect the region. Implementing these policies in accordance with new development (residential, commercial or industrial) will be subject to the town of Colma’s review and approval processes, with final review and approval by the town’s appropriate departmental staff as well as the appointed and elected officials.
The principal responsibilities that town of Colma officials and staff have for Plan implementation are briefly summarized below; details on their powers and duties are in the town of Colma Municipal Code:
• Updating the Town of Colma Zoning Ordinance to achieve consistency with the adopted Gene ral Plan Update.
• Rezoning properties, as dictated by future development proposals. • Approval of tentative maps, variances, conditional use permits, and other land use permits and entitlements.
• Approval of development agreements and issuance of related permits and approvals consistent with the GPU.
• Analyzing and planning for public infrastructure such as roadway improvements, other capital improvements, and natural/capital resource preservation and/or restoration. • Conduct or consider further focused planning studies, as appropriate to future development in the Town.
• Updating the Town’s Housing Element to be consistent with State requirements and the Town’s housing requirements.
CERTIFICATION OF THE EIR
The updated Town of Colma 2040 General Plan will be presented to the Colma City Council, which, as the town’s legislative body, is the approving authority for the General Plan Update. In order to approve the updated General Plan, the City Council would have to take the following actions:
• Certification of the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan PEIR. • Adoption of required findings for the above actions, including required findings under the State CEQA Guidelines, Sections §15090, §15091, and §15093.
• Adoption of the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Update.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY APPROVALS
Following certification of the PEIR and adoption of the GPU by the Lead Agency (Town of Colma), other agencies may use this document in the approval of subsequent implementation activities. Additional subsequent approvals and permits that may be required from local, regional, state, and federal agencies in the processing of subsequent development permits include, but are not limited to, the following:
Local Agencies
• San Francisco Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC)
• County of San Mateo
• San Mateo LAFCo
• City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG)
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
CSG Consultants, Inc 3.0-15 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Regional Agencies
• Bay Area Metro
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAQMD)
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW)
• California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) • California Department of Transportation District 4 (Caltrans) • San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board • San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
• State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO)
• State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
The City Council will consider adoption of the updated General Plan following certification of the PEIR.
This adoption may include the addition of identified mitigation measures as policies and/or actions into the new General Plan. Before adoption, the Town is required to make specific Findings of Fact pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, Sections §15090, §15091, and §15093 regarding the significant environmental impacts of the project, the feasibility of measures to mitigate those impacts, and, if appropriate, a statement of overriding considerations.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-1 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Cal. Pub. Resources Code Sections §21000, et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs., Section §15000, et seq.), this Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) evaluates the General Plan -Update’s related impacts, general assumptions, and mitigation needs t hat can be identified in the analysis. The reader is referred to the individual technical sections of the Draft PEIR Sections 4.1 to 4.1 6, regarding the specific assumptions and methodologies used in the analysis for that particular technical subject.
4.0.1 Impact Assessment Assumptions
The purpose of this program -level EIR then, is to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of development in the planning area pursuant to the 2040 General Plan Update , to identify appropriate mitigation measures , and to present alternatives that could minimize or avoid potentially significant environmental impacts. The planning area development capacity assumptions for this Draft PEIR are based on the GPU’s projections regarding residential and non -residential development densities. Regionally based employment projection factors were derived from the Association of B ay Area Governments (ABAG). The impact analyses in this DPEIR are based on the assumption that the 2040 General Plan Update would be successful in meeting its objectives and growth patterns by the year 2040.
BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ASSUMED IN THE DRAFT PEIR The environmental setting conditions of the Town of Colma (Town ; town) and the surrounding area are described in the individual technical sections of the Draft PEIR (see Sections 4.1 through 4.13). In general, these sections describe the setting conditions of the town and the surrounding area as they existed when the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the project was released on June 3, 2020. The Draft PEIR also includes setting information that has been updated since release of the NOP, such as the status of large -scale development projects in the General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area).
This is in compliance with Section 15125(a) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which requires that an environmental impact report (EIR) include a description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of a project, as they exist at the time the NOP is published. The CEQA Guidelines also specify that this description of the physical environmental conditions should serve as the baseline physical conditions by which a lead agency determines whether the impacts of a project are considered significant.
Table 4.0.1 presents the status of large-scale development projects in the proposed Town of Colma General Plan Planning Area and in Northern San Mateo County.
Table 4.0.1: Proposed and Approved Large-Scale Development Projects in Town of Colma Project Location
Residential
(Number of
Units)
Non-
Residential
(Square Feet)
Colma
Cadillac Dealership 775 Serramonte Blvd N/A 34,000
Medical Office Building 1055 El Camino Real N/A 12,501
Daly City
Serramonte Del Rey Campus 699 Serramonte Blvd 1,235 14,000 Retail Midway Village 45 Midway Drive 555 N/A
Junipero Serra Transit Village
(SamTrans park-and-Ride Lot) 3501 Junipero Serra Blvd 500 20,000 Retail
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-2 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Daly City Serramonte Shopping
Center Expansion Serramonte Shopping Center N/A
568,000
Retail,
medical,
hotel
Serramonte Views Condominiums
and Hotel Project 525-595 Serramonte Blvd
323 (+ 176
hotel rooms) N/A
Westlake Shopping Center 10 Park Plaza Drive 179 3,644 Retail 88 Hillside – Phase II Residential
Apartments 6401 Mission Street 167 N/A
Point Martin
Steve Courter Way and Martin
Street 133 N/A
Robertson Intermediate School
Redevelopment 1 Martin Street 71 N/A
Bryan Street Mixed Use 1590 Bryant Street 27 3,675 Retail Woods Condominiums 89 Second Avenue 20 N/A
7330 Mission Street Mixed Use 7322/7330 Mission Street 3 N/A Pacific Place Retail Conversion 2665 Geneva Avenue 7 N/A Mission Street/Goethe Street
Mixed Use Building 6098 Mission Street 36 1,568 Retail
Serra Station Mixed Use 3301 Junipero Serra Boulevard 75 2,300
Commercial
Sullivan Avenue Apartments 1784 Sullivan Avenue 12 N/A
Geneva Avenue Mixed-Use 2960 Geneva Avenue 4
Vista Grande Duplex 201 Vista Grande Ave 1 N/A
Mission Street Mixed Use 7310 Mission Street 18 N/A
Jefferson Union High School
District Faculty and Staff Housing 699 Serramonte Boulevard 116 N/A Habitat Geneva 3001 Geneva Avenue 6 N/A
Templeton homes 717 Templeton Avenue 4 N/A
Vista Grande Parcel Map 489 Vista Grande Avenue 2 N/A
Eastmoor Residential
Development 493 Eastmoor Avenue 72 N/A
San Petro/Hill Retail Building 205 San Petro Road N/A N/A Hilldale School Expansion 25 Florence Avenue N/A 2,100
North East Medical Services
Building Expansion 211 Eastmoor Avenue N/A 5,464
Serramonte Shopping Center
Northwest Quadrant 3 Serramonte Center N/A
70,000
Cinema,
75,000
Hotel,
28,000 Retail
Duggan’s Serra Mortuary
Expansion and Carvana Vending
Machine Fulfillment Center 500 Westlake Avenue N/A 15,743
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-3 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Popeye’s Chicken Drive-Through
Restaurant 362 Market Street N/A 3,275
Olympic Way Retreat Center 2152 Skyline Boulevard N/A 29,200 Serramonte Shopping Center
Northeast Quadrant 3 Serremonte Center N/A 7,262
South San Francisco
Southline 315 Maple Street N/A
2,700,000
Office and
retail
Oyster Point Redevelopment Oyster Point N/A
1,700,000
Office
Gateway Business Park Master
Plan Gateway Business Park N/A
1,300,000
Office
Genesis 1828 Tower Place N/A
665,000
Office,
commercial,
performing
arts
Public Utilities Commission Site 1051 Mission Road 800 N/A 494 Forbes Blvd 494 Forbes Blvd N/A
326,030
Office
124 Airport Blvd
142 Airport Blvd and 100 Produce
Ave 480 N/A
7 S. Linden Avenue 7 S. Linden Avenue 445 N/A
410 Noor Avenue 410 Noor Avenue 338 N/A
475 Eccles Avenue 475 Eccles N/A
262,287
Office
580 Dubuque Avenue 580 Dubuque Avenue N/A
213,000
Office
751 Gateway Blvd 751 Gateway Blvd N/A
208,000
Office
1477 Huntington Avenue 1477 Huntington Avenue 262 N/A
998 El Camino Real 998 El Camino Real 172 12,000 Retail 150 Airport Blvd 150 Airport Blvd 157 N/A
328 Roebling 328 Roebling Road N/A 50,499
Auto-Chlor System Building 465 Cabot Road N/A 31,765 Office 499 Forbes Blvd 499 Forbes Blvd N/A
128,737
Office
751 Gateway Blvd 751 Gateway Blvd N/A
208,000
Office
580 Dubuque Avenue 580 Dubuque Avenue N/A
213,000
Office
101 Gull Drive 101 Gull Drive N/A
166,613
Office
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-4 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
121 East Grand Avenue 121 East Grand Avenue N/A
940,717
Office
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites 127 W. Harris Avenue
128 hotel
rooms N/A
Days Inn 1113 Airport Blvd
12 hotel
rooms N/A
Safeway Shopping Center 180 El Camino Real N/A 63,000
Best Western Plus 840 El Camino Real
92 hotel
rooms N/A
Wyndham Garden 915 Airport Boulevard
115 hotel
rooms N/A
Sing Tao Newspapers 215 Littlefield Avenue N/A 11,585
701 Airport Blvd 701 Airport Boulevard
131 hotel
rooms N/A
Vehicle Washing Facility 246 S. Spruce Avenue N/A 0 net Mercedes Benz 2211-2245 Gellert Boulevard N/A 110,000
418 Linden Ave 418 Linden Avenue 38 N/A
201-209 Grand Avenue 201-209 Grand Avenue 46 6,000
Cadence Phase 2 405 Cypress Avenue 195 N/A
616 Maple 616 Maple 5 N/A
988 El Camino Real 988 El Camino Real 172 N/A
410 Noor Avenue 410 Noor Avenue 338 N/A
818-824 Linden Avenue 818-824 Linden Ave 7 1,650
645 Baden Avenue 645 Baden Avenue 8 10,500
40 Airport Blvd 40 Airport Blvd 292 N/A
423 Commercial Avenue 423 Commercial Avenue 4 N/A
200 Airport Blvd 200 Airport Blvd 94 3,650
124 Airport Blvd and 100 Produce
Avenue
124 Airport Blvd and 100 Produce
Avenue 480 N/A
428-432 Baden Avenue 428-432 Baden Avenue 36 N/A
455-463 Grand Avenue 455-463 Grand Avenue 27 2,865
360 and 364 Alta Vista Drive 360 and 364 Alta Vista Drive 13 N/A 1477 Huntington Drive 1477 Huntington Drive 262 N/A
Bertolucci’s Redevelopment 421 Cypress Avenue 99 1,500
Eden Housing
199 Airport Boulevard/201 Baden
Ave 82 N/A
Notes: Table shows proposed and on-going development projects in the town of Colma and neighboring jurisdictions. Information was compiled from the South San Francisco Development and Construction map, the Daly City ongoing projects list, developer websites, and planning documents--including staff reports and public meeting agendas--from the town of Colma, and cities of Daly City, and South San Francisco.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-5 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
BUILDOUT ASSUMPTIONS UNDER THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Future growth in the General Plan Planning Area is guided by the land uses identified in the General Plan Land Use Map (see Figure LU.3). The D raft P EIR impact analysis (both temporary [i.e., construction- related] and operational effects) is based on these proposed land use patterns, including prop osed transportation improvements identified under the GPU . The D raft P EIR also evaluates the indirect environmental effects of construction and operation of the land uses and transportation improvements that may take place under the proposed General Plan update and its associated project components. Table 3.0- 1 identifies the land use acreages that currently exist within the Planning Area.
4.0.2 STRUCTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Sections 4.1 through 4 .16 of this Draft PEIR contain a detailed description of current setting conditions (including applicable regulatory setting), an evaluation of the direct and indirect environmental effects resulting from the implementation of the proposed G PU, identification of proposed General Plan policies and action items that address the environmental effect, feasible mitigation measures where needed, and identification of whether significant environmental effects of the General Plan would remain after application of proposed policies and action items , and feasible mitigation measures. The individual technical sections of the Draft EIR follow the following format.
EXISTING SETTING
This subsection includes a description of the physical setting conditions associated with the technical area of discussion, consistent with State CEQA Guidelines Section 15125. As previously identified above, the existing setting is based on conditions as they existed when the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the project was released on June 3, 2020
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
This subsection consists of the identification of applicable federal, state, regional, and local plans, policies, laws, and regulations that apply to the technical area of discussion.
IMPACTS
The Impacts subsection identifies direct and indirect environmental effects associated with implementation of the proposed G PU and identifies those proposed updated General Plan policies that address the environmental effects, as well as any other regulations and ordinances that do the same. Standards of significance are identified and utilized to determine whether identified environmental effects are considered significant and require the application of mitigation measures. Each environmental impact analysis is identified numerically (e.g., Impact 4.1.1 – Physical Division of Established Communities) and is supported by substantial evidence included in the discussion.
For those environmental issue are that resulted in potentially significant impacts, p otential mitigation measures were developed through a thorough review of the environmental effects of the GPU by technical consultants as well as by environmental professionals. After identification of proposed GPU policies and action items that mitigate the environmental impact being discussed, any additional feasible mitigation measures that could further minimize significant adverse impacts are discussed, after which the impact discussion identifies whether the i mpact has been mitigated to a less than significant level or remains significant and unavoidable. Most mitigation measures identified during the project analysis were incorporated into the General Plan as policies.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSUMPTIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.0-6 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
CUMULATIVE SETTING
State CEQA Guidelines Section §15130 requires that EIRs include an analysis of the cumulative impacts of a project when the project’s incremental effect is considered cumulatively considerable ( i.e., a significant effect). Effects of a project are considered to be cumulatively considerable when the incremental effects of an individual project are significant, under cumulative conditions, when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects (CEQA Guidelines, Section §15065(a)(3)). The determination of whether the project’s impact on cumulative conditions is considerable is based on a number of factors including consideration of applicable public agency standards, consultation with public age ncies, and expert opinion. Section 5.0, CEQA Required Topics, provides a summary of the cumulative impacts associated with the General Plan.
4.0.3 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS EIR
This Draft PEIR utilizes technical information and analyses from plans that are relevant to the consideration of environmental effects of the proposed General Plan Update, which is supported by the State CEQA Guidelines (see Sections §15148 [Citation] and §15150 [Incorporation by Reference]). In addition to materials cited, the following CEQA and other technical documents have been utilized in the Draft PEIR:
• Town of Colma Housing Element Update 2015-2023
• Town of Colma Urban Design Study
• Town of Colma Serramonte Boulevard and Collins Avenue Streetscape Master Plan • Town of Colma El Camino Real Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan • Town of Colma Municipal Code, including Zoning Ordinance By utilizing these provisions of the State CEQA Guidelines, the Town of Colma, in preparing this PEIR, has been able to make maximum feasible and appropriate use of the technical information in the above- mentioned documents. This DPEIR and other referenced materials are available for review upon request at:
Town of Colma Planning Department
1198 El Camino Real
Colma, CA, 94014
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-1 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) describes the existing aesthetic character within the Town of Colma’s 2040 General Plan Update’s Planning Area (Planning Area) and surrounding vicinity and discusses the pote ntial impacts to those resources resulting from implementation of the proposed General Plan Update. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Cal. Pub. Resources Code Sections §21000, et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs., Section §15000, et seq.), this Draft Program EIR evaluates the General Plan -Update’s related impacts , general assumptions, and mitigation needs that can be identified in the analysis. The reader is referred to the individual technical section s of the Draft PEIR Sections 4.1 to 4.1 6, regarding the specific assumptions and methodologies used in the analysis for that particular technical subject.
4.1.1 EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL
San Mateo County
The town of Colma is located on the San Francisco Peninsula, in San Mateo County . It is immediately surrounded by Daly City to the north and west, San Bruno Mountain to the east, and South San Francisco to the south. Colma Creek is located roughly in the center of town, flowing from San Bruno Mountain to San Francisco Bay. The town has a total land area of 1225.1 acres (1.98 square miles) and an estimated land elevation change of approximately 121 feet, sloping down toward the center of town from San Bruno Mountain to the east and Daly City to the west. Th e Sterling Park residential neighborhood is located on the northern edge of town. Housing styles vary within the si ngle-family residential structures, while the town’s commercial uses include two shopping centers with national and local retailers, restaurants and stores, and auto dealerships. The town also has a cardroom.
Known for its history as a cemetery town, the area consists of 922.2 acres of open space which includes 16 active and 2 inactive cemeteries, 27.09 acres of residential uses, 8.57 acres of public uses, and 172.75 acres of commercial uses. Due to its historic development as a cemetery town, the majority of the town of Colma is open space ( 922.2 acres). The major components of the total open space resource in the town of Colma (about 76% of the total land area) is land owned by cemeteries that is used for memorial parks, agriculture, or general open space. Much of this land is held for future use for burials by the cemeteries. The closed Colma landfill at the base of San Bruno Mountain is an additional open space area.
Historic State Route 1 (SR -1) and Interstate 280 (I -280) pass along the western edge of the town, while El Camino Real or SR 82 bisects the town on a roughly north-south trajectory between the cities of South San Francisco and San Francisco. The San Francisco International Airport is located to the south and east of the town. Interstate 280 and a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station is located on Albert M Teglia Boulevard, directly outside the town’s northern boundary. Figure 4.1-1: Regional Location Map.
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-2 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-3 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Hillside Boulevard is a designated scenic corridor in Colma. It is located at a higher elevation than the rest of the town. Therefore, the drive along Hillside provides unique foreground views of San Bruno Mountain and panoramic views of the cities of South San Francisco, and Daly City. The view to the east along the Hillside Boulevard corridor is mostly of San Bruno Mountain and open space, including flower growing plots, cemeteries, and a few houses. The view to the west overlooks Colma and its surroundin g communities (refer to the Scenic Route Map). Part of this view is blocked by roadside fencing and vegetation, which emphasizes the view to the east. Consequently, this adds variety and interest to Hillside Boulevard. As one travels along Hillside Boulev ard there is a rural character to the corridor. There is a sense of separation from the urban development that surrounds the town of Colma. Smaller local roadways wind through the town and through the cemetery use, providi ng internal vehicular and pedestri an connections between the land uses.
Alstroemeria field along Hillside Boulevard Northbound on Hillside Boulevard Light and Glare
The Planning Area includes existing sources of daytime glare and nighttime lighting f rom residential and commercial uses located within the town of Colma. Sources of daytime glare include sunlight and reflections from windows, architectural coatings, glass , and other shiny reflective surfaces. Nighttime lighting and associated glare can be divided into stationary and mobile sources. Stationary lighting sources include structure illumination, decorative landscape lighting, lighted signs, streetlights, and other reflective sources. The major source of mobile nighttime light is the headlights of motor vehicles. However, due to the relatively compact size of the town and the types of land uses (mainly cemetery uses), nighttime lighting is not as pronounced as other urban areas in the San Francisco Bay Area. The cemeteries create dark voids that serve to reduce the total amount of artificial lighting in the town.
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-4 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Single Family Residential Homes on B Street Sterling Park Neighborhood
Typical car dealership on Serramonte
Boulevard
Veteran’s Village on Mission Road
Westbound on Serramonte Boulevard Serra Shopping Center
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-5 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
4.1.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
STATE
Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway Program
To improve and maintain the visual quality of California highways, Caltrans administers the Adopt -a- Highway program, which was established in 198 9. The program provides an avenue for individuals, organizations, or businesses to help maintain sections of roadside within California's State Highway System. Groups have the option to participate as volunteers or to hire a maintenance service provider to perform the work on their behalf. Adoptions usually span a two-mile stretch of roadside, and permits are issued for five-year periods. Since 1989, more than 120,000 California residents have kept 15,000 shoulder miles of state roadways clean by engaging in litter removal, tree and flower planting, graffiti removal, and vegetation removal.
REGIONAL
San Mateo County General Plan
The San Mateo County General Plan was adopted in 1986 to “provide overall policy guidance to assure orderly, balanced utilization and conservation of all County resources” (San Mateo County General Plan, 1986). The San Mateo County General Plan includes a chapter on Visual Quality (Chapter 4) with relevant policies regulating appearance of new development, scenic corridors, and ridgelines.
Plan Bay Area – Sustainable Communities Strategy
Plan Bay Area is a long-range, integrated transportation and land-use/housing strategy through 2040 for the San Francisco Bay Area. The plan was adopted on July 18, 2013, by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments, both of which govern the nine-county Bay Area, including San Mateo County. The plan identifies "Priority Development Areas" as areas for investment, new homes and job growth.
LOCAL
Town of Colma Municipal Code
The town of Colma Municipal Code recognizes the contribution of both trees and views to the character of the town. Removal of trees without reasonable care would destroy the natural beauty of certain areas, contribute to erosion and increase the cost of drainage systems, reduce protection against wind, and impair residential privacy and quiet. Ordinance No. 689 (2010) provides guidelines to protect both trees and views, as well as guidelines to ensure that access to public property and public rights-of way, including sidewalks, by persons with disabilities is not constrained or inhibited. For such reasons , the City Council enacted regulations to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.
Chapter 5 of the Town of Colma Municipal Code (C MC) addresses aesthetic considerations of future development. The Zoning Ordinance sets development standards for parking, building heights, setbacks, density, lot coverage, open space requirements, and signs. The CMC includes numerous references and requirements to avoid effects of light and glare on ne ighboring properties and uses, including Sections §5.03.070,§ §5.03.080, §5.03.234, and §5.03.670.
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-6 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
“DR” Combining Zone”
The “DR” Design Review zone is combined with all base zones to achieve a consistent site, landscape and building design theme in the applied areas. Design Review zones are in addition to and lay over the land use zones set forth in subparagraph (a) of Section §5.03.040 of Chapter 5 of the CMC. All real property from the junction of Mission Road and El Camino Real on the south to the junction of F Street and El Camino Real on the north, and from Junipero Serra Boulevard on the west to the town limits on the east, plus all property fronting on Mission Road, are included in the DR zone.
4.1.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following State CEQA Guidelines Appendix G thresholds of significance. Aesthetics impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista.
• Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway.
• In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality.
• Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area.
METHODOLOGY
The Town of Colm’s visual character was reviewed and analyzed with respect to existing development and vacant parcels. Impacts affecting visual character reviewed any changes to the architecture and ambience of the town and the addition o r elimination (such as ex isting open spac e) of any feature that have the potential to change the visual character of the town of Colma.
IMPACTS
Impact 4.1.1 Implementation of the proposed 2040 General Plan Update would not have a substantial adverse effect on scenic vistas or damage scenic resources within a state scenic highway (Less than Significant).
Although the town of Colma contains wide areas of open spaces that provide scenic value to the town, there are no officially designated scenic vistas or highways within the Planning Area. Accordingly, the 2040 General Plan Update would have not damage scenic resources within a state scenic highway.
The surrounding areas of San Bruno Mountain State and County Park located east of the town include views of the hills and open lands, all of which are components of the region’s visual character. The town of Colma is visually characterized by its numerous open cemetery lands, small and low-rise residential structures and a mix of regional retail and local commercial spaces. The common aesthetic component of the town’s character is mainly a result of its cemetery land uses. Large properties, rolling hills , and quiet tranquil paths are a feature of the town’s cemeter ies and future development of high intensity land uses could conflict with this major existing land use, which accounts for approximately 75% of the land uses in
4.1 AESTHETICS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.1-7 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
the town. The town had identified nine gateways that distinguish the town’s image from what is seen from the roadways as people approach and enter the town . The 2040 GPU proposes updates to the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying these into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Counc il. In addition, the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such as a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments, and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The town does have limited open areas that could be redeveloped as “opportunity” or infill sites at higher intensity or heights for any new development under the 2040 GPU, but such development would not be proximate to, or would not result in a substantial adverse on any scenic vista . The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hills ide Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,0 00 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively.
Moreover, the 2040 GPU’s Land Use and Open Space Elements include policies and action items that would further protect visual and scenic views from future redevelopment efforts within the town of Colma, and future development would be required to be consistent with the 2040 GPU such that the existing visual character of the town is preserved and any potential adverse effects are minimized.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed General Plan policies address impacts to scenic vistas and highways in the Planning Area:
Policy OSC-3-1: Transit Oriented Development. Encourage, to the extent feasible, higher density residential development to be located near transit corridors and public transportation.
Policy M-6-1: Site Planning. Locate and design development projects within a scenic corridor to carefully fit within their environment and setting. The scenic character of the site should be maintained as much as possible. All development should be sited and designed to minimize the impacts of noise, light, glare, and odors on adjacent properties with the community at large.
Policy M-6-2: Access to Scenic Corridors. Minimize the number of access roads to a scenic corridor wherever possible. Development of access roads shall be combined with the intent of minimizing intersections with scenic roadways.
Policy M-6-3: Visual Impacts. Minimize visual impacts along scenic corridors.
Policy M-6-4: Paving Integration. Require new development to design site plans that integrate paved areas into the site, relate paved areas to their structure, and landscape paved areas to reduce their visual impact from scenic corridors. Encourage use of textured paving.
Policy LU-10-7: Landscape Setback. To create a consistent greenbelt theme along El Camino R eal between Mission Road and the BART bridge, a 30’ landscape setback shall be observed.
Within the setback, only surface parking is permitted. Surface parking must maintain a minimum setback of 10’, with the setback area heavily landscaped and bermed to visibly screen vehicles.
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The GPU would thus have a less than significant impact relating to scenic vistas and no mitigation measures are required.
Impact 4.1.2 Development allowed under the proposed General Plan Update could degrade the existing visual character or the quality of public views in the Planning Area. The proposed General Plan Update would not conflict with applicable zoning or other regulations governing scenic vistas (Less than Significant).
As mentioned under Impact 4.1.1, the 2040 GPU proposes updates to the town’s existing planning areas and introduces new land use designations such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments, and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The town does have limited open areas that could be redeveloped as “opportunity” or infill sites at higher intensity or heights for any new development under the 2040 GPU. However, due to the limited number of vacant and potentially redevelopment sites in the town, the town of Colma’s 2040 General Plan Update has limited potential to change the visual character of the town.
Although the town has evaluated the potential of developing any existing vacant/developed sites it has also determined that most future development would occur around the concept of a T own Center, at the corner of El Camino Real and Serramonte Boulevard; along a Commercial Core that would include the 280 Metro Center, Serra Center, Vivana Fair and Auto Row ; within the cemetery and agricultural uses along Hillside Boulevard; with potential residential, commercial and light manufacturing uses along Mission Road; and, in the Sterling Park residential area. Such new development and future redevelopment or addition of new residential and commercial uses, construction of parking areas, additional recreational uses all have the potential to alter views in the Planning Area , which is primarily made up of urban areas and cemetery development . In addition, any fu ture potential ancillary uses such as the construction of communications towers or commercial signage could have the potential to affect the town’s existing visual quality and views.
Although the GPU anticipates 328 additional housing, 35,000 square feet of office space and 992,500 square feet of commercial uses over the 20 year General Plan horizon, all future development is anticipated to be developed on the few vacant or underutilized sites within the town. No existing developed areas would be altered in terms of uses and architecture. Since the town is limited to infill and redevelopment growth for future residential, commercial or office uses, compact development near the town center is encouraged and would protect the existing visual character of developed areas of the town and would protect the town’s visual character and existing cemetery and open space uses. Moreover, all future development projects would have to be consistent with applicable zoning in the town. Infill development would be encouraged to be aesthetically pleasing and be compatible to surrounding land uses, particularly in the downtown area of the town of C olma. This would assist in c reating minimal aesthetic contrasts with the existing uses in terms of scale, color, form, or overall visual character of the area.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed General Plan policies address impacts to the visual character of the town of Colma:
Policy LU-1-1 General Plan Land Use Diagram. Maintain and implement a Land Use Diagram for purposes of describing the types of allowed land uses by geographic location and the density and/or intensity of allowed uses within each designation.
Policy LU-1-2 Zoning Consistency. Ensure that zoning designations are consistent with the General Land Use Diagram (Figure LU-4).
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Policy LU-1-3 Balance New Development with Existing Setting. Prioritize new and higher density development consistent with the Town’s p lanning areas to ensure new development is context sensitive and contributes to creating a strong sense of place. New development shall serve to protect and enhance the positive aesthetic qualities of the Town and each geographic area.
Policy LU-1-5 Clear and Predictable Development Standards. Strive to adopt and communicate clear and predictable development standards to ensure new development meets the expectations of the town.
Policy LU-10-6 Spanish Mediterranean Design. To create a consistent design theme along El Camino Real and at entry gateways, properties included in the Spanish Mediterranean Design Overlay shall utilize Spanish and Mediterranean design elements.
Policy LU-12-1 Cemetery and Agri culture. Consider cemetery and agricultural uses as th e primary permitted land uses in the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area (Less than Significant).
Implementation of the above General Plan policies would assist in reducing impacts associated with land use changes that have the potential to change the overall visual character of the town of Colma. Since all new development would have to comply with the General Plan policies and applicable Zoning Code regulations, impacts would be reduced to less than significant and no further mitigation is required.
Impact 4.1.3 Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update could increase the amount of daytime glare and nighttime lighting in developed portions of the Planning Area and create new sources in undeveloped areas (Less than Significant).
As mentioned under disc ussions for Impact 4.1.1, though the town has limited areas for redevelopment, other than the Sterling Park residential neighborhood, most of the future development would be in existing commercial areas of the town. The proposed GPU updates the town’s exis ting planning areas and introduces new land uses such a medium density resident ial and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterl ing Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Com mercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively. The town has the capability to add 765 people under the potential development of its GPU planning period.
Any future development under the proposed GPU has the potential to add new uses that could add to existing levels of light and nighttime glare within the town of Colma. New uses also have the potential to add buildings of greater height than existing structures, or that acerbate the sunlight reflecting of structures with reflective surfaces (such as windows or large glass doors), glare (light reflected off surfaces), night - time illumination (artificial lighting from urban uses), or spillover lighting (artificial lighting from adjacent uses) that are already in existence within the town of Colma.
The construction of any additional land uses in the Planning Area has the potential for new or substantial sources of light pollution within the town. Proposed land uses, however limited in size and structure, could include additional residential, commercial, office and public uses that may add to the existing sources or glare and night-time lighting. However, since the town is primarily built out future development would be limited to the rede velopment or infill development of underutilized p arcels. Therefore, though these new development areas could result in new light sources, they would likely be compatible with nearby
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light sources (e.g., light from exiting commercial doors and windows, or upper story residential windows), especially in the Town Center, along Serramonte Blvd and Collins Avenue , and on specific sites on El Camino Real. Though implementation of the proposed General Plan Update then has the potential to result in nighttime lighting levels associated further residential and com mercial development, it is considered a less than significant impact.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed General Plan policies address impacts daytime glare and night-time lighting:
Policy M-6-1: Site Planning. Locate and desig n development projects within a scenic corridor to carefully fit within their environment and setting. The scenic character of the site should be maintained as much as possible. All development should be sited and designed to minimize the impacts of noise, light, glare, and odors on adjacent properties with the community at large.
Policy M-6-2: Lighting. The Town shall minimize obtrusive light by limiting outdoor lighting that is misdirected, excessive, or unnecessary from surrounding residential areas.
Policy M-6-3: Lighting. Encourage street and parking lot lighting that creates a sense of security, complements building and landscape design, is energy -efficient, considers night sky visibility impacts (e.g., “dark skies”), and avoids conflicts with nearby residential uses.
Policy M-6-4: Glare. The Town shall require that new development avoid the creation of incompatible glare through development design features, nighttime lighting timing restrictions, height restrictions, and types of lights, particularly adjacent to residential areas.
Implementation of the policies described above would assist in further reducing impacts associated with daytime glare and night-time lighting and the GPU would thus have a less than significant impact related to daytime glare and nighttime lighting and no further mitigation is required.
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REFERENCES
Documents
San Mateo County, California. November 1986. San Mateo County General Plan.
Town of Colma. 2020. Town of Colma Existing Conditions Report Town of Colma. 2019. Town of Colma Municipal Code.
Websites
Plan Bay Area Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy http://files.mtc.ca.gov/pdf/Plan_Bay_Area_FINAL/0-Introduction.pdf
Colma Tree Cutting and Removal Ordinance https://www.colma.ca.gov/documents/cmc-5-06-tree-cutting- removal/
Colma Public Tree Ordinance https://www.colma.ca.gov/documents/colma-municipal-code-chapter-5-20- public-trees/
Colma Zoning Ordinance https://www.colma.ca.gov/documents/cmc-5-03-zoning/
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This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) describes the existing air quality within the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan’s Planning Area (Planning Area). This section also identifies the potential impacts of implementing the proposed project on such resources as well as the appropriate proposed General Plan policies that reduce the identified impacts.
The analysis in this se ction is based on year 2040 buildout of the proposed project, as modeled using the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2017 Emissions Factor Model (EMFAC2017), the Off -Road Emissions Factor Model (OFFROAD2017), natural gas use provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), as well as trip generation and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) provided by Kittelson and Associates (see Appendix E to this Draft PEIR). The criteria air pollutant emissions modeling are included in Appendix B of this Draft PEIR.
4.2.1 EXISTING SETTING
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AIR BASIN
The San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin ( SFBAAB) comprises all of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties; the southern portion of Sonoma County; and the southwestern portion of Solano County. Air quality in the SFBAAB area is determined by such natural factors as topography, meteorology, and climate, in addition to the presence of existing air pollution sources and ambient conditions (BAAQMD 2017a). The following are the natural factors in the SFBAAB that affect air pollution:
▪ Meteorology: The SFBAAB is characterized by complex terrain, consisting of coastal mountain ranges, inland valleys, and bays, which distort normal wind flow patterns. The Coast Range 1 splits in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area), creating a western coast gap, the Golden Gate, and an eastern coast gap, the Carquinez Strait, all of which allow air to flow in and out of the Bay Area and the Central Valley.
The Bay Area climate is dominated by the strength and location of a semi-permanent, subtropical high- pressure cell. During the summer, the Pacific Ocean high-pressure cell is centered over the northeastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in stable meteorological conditions and a steady northwesterly wind flow.
Upwelling of cold ocean water from below the surface because of the northwesterly f low produces a band of cold water off the California coast. The cool and moisture-laden air approaching the coast from the Pacific Ocean is further cooled by the presence of the cold water band, resulting in condensation and the presence of fog and stratus clouds along the northern California coast. In the winter, the Pacific high-pressure cell weakens and shifts southward, resulting in wind flow offshore, the absence of upwelling, and the occurrence of storms. Weak inversions coupled with moderate winds re sult in a low air pollution potential (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Wind Patterns: During the summer, winds flowing from the northwest are drawn inland through the Golden Gate area and over the lower portions of the San Francisco Peninsula. Immediately south of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, the northwesterly winds accelerate considerably and come more directly from the west as they stream through the Golden Gate bridge area. This channeling of wind through the Golden Gate bridge produces a jet that sweeps eastward an d splits off to the northwest toward Richmond and to the southwest toward the city of San José when it meets the East Bay hills.
Wind speeds may be strong locally in areas where air is channeled through a narrow opening, such as the Carquinez Strait, the Golden Gate, or the San Bruno gap (BAAQMD 2017a).
The air flowing in from the coast to the Central Valley, called the sea breeze, begins developing at or near ground level along the coast in late morning or early afternoon and the sea breeze deepens and
1 The Coast Ranges traverses California’s west coast from Humboldt County to Santa Barbara County.
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increases in velocity while spreading inland. Under normal atmospheric conditions, the air in the lower atmosphere is warmer than the air above it. In the winter, the SFBAAB frequently experiences stormy conditions with moderate to strong winds, as well as p eriods of stagnation with very light winds.
Winter stagnation episodes (i.e., conditions where there is little mixing, which occurs when there is a lack of or little wind) are characterized by nighttime drainage flows in coastal valleys. Drainage is a reversal of the usual daytime air-flow patterns; air moves from the Central Valley toward the coast and back down toward the Bay from the smaller valleys within the SFBAAB (BAAQMD 2017a). ▪ Wind Circulation: Low wind speed contributes to the buildup of air pollution because it allows more pollutants to be emitted into the air mass per unit of time. Light winds occur most frequently during periods of low sun (fall and winter, and early morning) and at night. T hese are also periods when air pollutant emissions from some sources are at their peak, namely, commuter traffic (early morning) and wood-burning appliances (nighttime). The problem can be compounded in valleys when weak air flows carry the pollutants up -valley during the day and cold air drainage flows move the air mass down-valley at night. Such restricted movement of trapped air provides little opportunity for ventilation, and leads to buildup of pollutants to potentially unhealthful levels (BAAQMD 2017a). ▪ Inversions: An inversion is a layer of warmer air over a layer of cooler air. Inversions affect air quality conditions significantly because they influence the mixing depth (i.e., the vertical depth in the atmosphere available for diluting air contaminants near the ground). There are two types of inversions that occur regularly in the SFBAAB. Elevation inversions 2 are more common in the summer and fall, and radiation inversions3 are more common during the winter. The highest air pollutant concentrations in the SFBAAB generally occur during inversions (BAAQMD 2017a). ▪ Temperature: Summertime temperatures in the SFBAAB are determined in large part by the effect of differential heating between land and water surfaces. On summer afternoons, the temperatures at the Pacific coast can be 35 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than temperatures 15 to 20 miles inland; at night, this contrast usually decreases to less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, the relationship of minimum and maximum temperatures is reversed. During the daytime , the temperature contrast between the coast and inland areas is small, whereas at night the variation in temperature is large for this region (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Precipitation: The SFBAAB is characterized by moderately wet winters and dry summers. Winter rains (November through March) account for about 75 percent of the average annual rainfall. The amount of annual precipitation can vary greatly from one part of the SFBAAB to another, even within short distances. In general, total annual rainfall can reach 40 inches in the mountains, but it is often less than 16 inches in the area’s sheltered valleys. During rainy periods, ventilation (rapid horizontal movement of air and injection of cleaner air) and vertical mixing (an upward and downward movement of air) are usually high, and thus pollution levels tend to be low (i.e., air pollutants are dispersed more readily into the atmosphere rather than accumulate under stagnant conditions). However, during the winter, frequent dry periods do occur, where mixing and ventilation are low and pollutant levels build up (BAAQMD 2017a).
Attainment Status of the SFBAAB
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and CARB operate a regional monitoring network that measures the ambient concentrations of six criteria air pollutants: ozone, carbon mono xide
2 When the air blows over elevated areas, it is heated as it is compressed into the side of the hill/mountain. When that warm air comes over the top, it is warmer than the cooler air of the valley. 3 During the night, the ground cools off, radiating the heat to the sky.
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(CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), and lead. Areas that meet the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) are classified attainment areas, and areas that do not meet these standards are classified nonattainment areas. Severity classifications for O3 range from marginal, moderate, and serious to severe and extreme.
▪ Unclassified. A pollutant is designated unclassified if the data are incomplete and do not support a designation of attainment or nonattainment.
▪ Attainment. A pollutant is in attainment if the AAQS for that pollutant was not violated at any site in the area during a three-year period.
▪ Nonattainment. A pollutant is in nonattainment if there was at least one violation of an AAQS for that pollutant in the area.
▪ Nonattainment/Transitional. A subcategory of the nonattainment designation. An area is designated nonattainment/transitional to signify that the area is close to attaining the AAQS for that pollutant.
The attainment status for the SFBAAB is shown in Table 4.2-1: Attainment Status of Criteria Pollutants in the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin . The SFBAAB is currently designated a nonattainment area for California and federal O3, California and federal PM2.5, and California PM10 AAQS.
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Table 4.2.1: Attainment Status of Criteria Pollutants in the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin Pollutant State Federal
Existing Ambient Air Quality
Existing levels of ambient air quality and historical trends and projections in the vicinity of the town of Colma have been documented and measured by the BAAQMD , which has 24 permanent monitoring stations located around the Bay Area . Table 4.2.2: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Summary below presents measurement data from the nearest operating air quality monitoring station nearby located in the city of San Francisco, for the most recent five full years of data available (2014-2018). According to the table, the data show occasional violations of the State and federal O 3 standards, State PM 10, and federal PM 2.5 standard.
Ozone – 1-hour Nonattainment Classification revoked (2005) Ozone – 8-hour Nonattainment (serious) Nonattainment (marginal)a PM10 – 24-hour Nonattainment Unclassified/ Attainmentb
PM2.5 – 24-hour Nonattainment Nonattainment
CO – 8-hour and 1-hour Attainment Attainment
NO2 – 1-hour Attainment Unclassified
SO2 – 24-hour and 1-hour Attainment Attainment
Lead Attainment Attainment
Sulfates Attainment Unclassified/Attainment
All others Unclassified/Attainment Unclassified/Attainment Notes:
a. Severity classification current as of February 13, 2017. b. In December 2014, USEPA issued final area designations for the 2012 primary annual PM2.5 National AAQS. Areas designated “unclassifiable/attainment” must continue to take steps to prevent their air quality from deteriorating to unhealthy levels. The effective date of this standard is April 15, 2015.
Source: CARB. Area Designations Maps: State and National. http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm. 2019; and BAAQMD Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status. http://www.baaqmd.gov/research-and-data/air-quality- standards-and-attainment-status#thirteen. 2017.
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Table 4.2.2: Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Summary
Pollutant/Standard
Number of Days Threshold Were Exceeded and
Maximum Levels During Such Violations
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Sensitive Receptors
Some land uses are considered more sensitive to air pollution than others due to the types of population groups or activities involved with such uses. Sensitive population groups include children, the elderly, the acutely ill, and the chronically ill, especially those with c ardiorespiratory diseases. Residential areas are considered sensitive receptors to air pollution because residents (including children and the elderly) tend to be at home for extended periods of time, resulting in sustained exposure to any pollutants present. Other sensitive receptors include retirement facilities, hospitals, and schools. Recreational land uses are considered moderately sensitive to air pollution. Although exposure periods are generally short, physical exercise places a high demand on respiratory functions, which can be impaired by air pollution. In addition, noticeable air pollution can detract from the enjoyment of recreation. Industrial, commercial, retail, and office areas are considered the least sensitive to air pollution. Exposure per iods are relatively short and intermittent since the majority of the workers tend to stay indoors most of the time. In addition, the working population is generally the healthiest segment of the public.
Ozone (O3)
State 1-Hour 0.09 ppm
State 8-hour 0.070 ppm
Federal 8-Hour > 0.075 ppmc
Maximum 1-Hour Conc. (ppm)
Maximum 8-Hour Conc. (ppm)
0 0
0 0.079
0.069
0 1
0 0.085
0.067
0 0
0 0.070
0.057
0 2
2 0.087
0.054
0 0
0 0.065
0.048
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
State 1-Hour 0.18 (ppm)
Maximum 1-Hour Conc. (ppb)
0 83.7
0 70.6
0 58.1
0 73.0
0 68.8
Fine Particulates (PM10)
State 24-Hour > 50 µg/m3
Federal 24-Hour > 150 µg/m3
Maximum 24-Hour Conc. (µg/ m3)
0 0
35.9 0
0 47.0
0 0
35.7 2
0 77.0
0 0
43.0 Fine Particulates (PM2.5)
Federal 24-Hour > 35 µg/m3
Maximum 24-Hour Conc. (µg/m3)
0 33.2
0 35.4
0 19.6
7 49.9
14 177.4
Notes: ppm: parts per million; ppb: parts per billion; µg/m3: or micrograms per cubic meter Source: CARB. Air Pollution Data Monitoring Cards (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018). Accessed at:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/adam/topfour/topfour1.php. Accessed August 15, 2020. Data from the San Francisco Monitoring Station.
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Placement of New Sensitive Receptors
Since placement of sensitive land uses falls outside CARB ’s jurisdiction, the agency has developed and approved the Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective to address the siting of sensitive land uses in the vicinity of freeways, distribution centers, rail yards, ports, refineries, chrome- plating facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline-dispensing facilities. This guidance document was developed to assess compatibility and associated health risks when placing sensitive receptors near existing pollution sources. CARB’s recommendations on the siting of new sensitive land uses identified in Table 4.2.3: CARB Recommendations For Siting New Sensitive Land Uses , were based on a compilation of recent studies that evaluated data on the adverse health effects ensuing from proximity to air pollution sources. The key observation in these studies is that proximity to air pollution sources substantially increases both exposure and the potential for adverse health effects. There are three carcinogenic toxic air contaminants that constitute the majority of the known health risks from motor vehicle traffic: Diesel particulate matter (DPM) from trucks, benzene and 1,3-butadiene from passenger vehicles.
Table 4.2.3: CARB Recommendations for Siting New Sensitive Land Uses Source/Category Advisory Recommendations
Freeways and
High-Traffic Roads
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 500 feet of a freeway, urban roads with 100,000 vehicles per day, or rural roads with 50,000 vehicles per day.
Distribution Centers
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 1,000 feet of a distribution center (that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units [TRUs] per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week).
Take into account the configuration of existing distribution centers and avoid locating residences and other sensitive land uses near entry and exit points.
Rail Yards
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 1,000 feet of a major service and maintenance rail yard. Within one mile of a rail yard, consider possible siting limitations and mitigation approaches.
Ports
Avoid siting of new sensitive land uses immediately downwind of ports in the most heavily impacted zones. Consult local air districts or CARB on the status of pending analyses of health risks.
Refineries
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses immediately downwind of petroleum refineries.
Consult with local air districts and other local agencies to determine an appropriate separation.
Chrome Platers Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 1,000 feet of a chrome plater.
Dry Cleaners Using
Perchloroethylene
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 300 feet of any dry cleaning operation. For operations with two or more machines, provide 500 feet. For operations with three or more machines, consult with the local air district. Do not site new sensitive land uses in the same building with perchloroethylene dry cleaning operations.
Gasoline Dispensing
Facilities
Avoid siting new sensitive land uses within 300 feet of a large gas station (defined as a facility with a throughput of 3.6 million gallons per year or greater). A 50-foot separation is recommended for typical gas dispensing facilities.
Source: CARB. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. 2005, May.
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Existing Emissions
Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory
Table 4.2.4: Existing Town of Colma Regional Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Pollutant/Standard 2020 Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions (pounds per day) VOC NOX PM10 PM2.5
Pollutant/Standard 2020 Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions (tons per year)
Transportation 6 30 8 4
Energyb 0 4 0 0
Offroad Equipmentc 5 9 1 1
Consumer Products 20 ― ― ―
Total 32 43 10 5
VOC NOX PM10 PM2.5
Transportation 1 5 1 1
Energyb <1 1 <1 <1
Offroad Equipment 1 2 <1 <1
Consumer Products 4 ― ― ―
Total 6 8 2 1
a On-road transportation VMT is provided by Kittelson and Associates and modeled with EMFAC2017 Project Level (PL) Web database.
b Building natural gas are based on data provided by PG&E. c On-road vehicles and equipment are based on the OFFROAD2017 emissions inventory and include construction equipment and commercial equipment.
d Residential consumer product use based on the emissions factors in the CalEEMod Users Guide Version 2016.3.2.
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Stationary Sources
Stationary sources of air pollution—including complex sources such as the crematoriums as well as smaller facilities such as diesel generators, gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs or gas stations), and boilers —are regulated and subject to permit conditions established by the BAAQMD.4
4.2.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Criteria Air Pollutants
Pollutants emitted into the ambient air by stationary and mobile sources are regulated by federal and State law under the federal Clean Air Act (“National”) and California Clean Air Act, respectively. The pollutants emitted into the ambient air by stationary and mobile sources are categorized as primary and/or secondary pollutants. Primary air pollutants are emitted directl y; secondary air pollutants occur through chemical reactions. Carbon monoxide (CO), reactive organic gases (ROG), nitrogen oxides (NO x), sulfur dioxide (SO2), coarse inhalable particulate matter (PM10), fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5), and lead (Pb) are primary air pollutants. Of these, CO, SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 are “criteria air pollutants,” which means that ambient air quality standards (AAQS) have been established for them. ROG and NO x are criteria pollutant precursors that form secondary criteria air pollutants through chemical a nd photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the principal secondary pollutants.
Each of the primary and secondary criteria air pollutants and its known health effects are:
▪ Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odo rless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon substances, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. CO is a primary criteria air pollutant. CO concentrations tend to be the highest during winter mornings with little to no wind, when surface -based inversions trap the pollutant at ground levels. The highest ambient CO concentrations are generally found near traffic-congested corridors and intersections. When inhaled at high concentrations, CO combines with hemoglobin in the blood and reduces its oxygen -carrying capacity. This results in reduced oxygen reaching the brain, heart, and other body tissues. This condition is especially critical for people with cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung disease, or anemia, as well as for fetuses. Even healthy people exposed to high CO concentrations can experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, unconsciousness, and even death (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Reactive Organic Gases (ROGs)/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are compounds composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Interna l combustion associated with motor vehicle usage is the major source of ROGs. Other sources of ROGs include evaporative emissions from paints and solvents, the application of asphalt paving, and the use of household consumer products such as aerosols. Adverse effects on human health are not caused directly by ROGs, but rather by reactions of ROGs to form secondary pollutants such as O 3. There are no AAQS established for ROGs. However, because they contribute to the formation of O3, the BAAQMD has established a significance threshold for this pollutant (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Nitrogen Oxides (NO x) are a by -product of fuel combustion and contribute to the formation of O 3, PM10, and PM 2.5. The two major components of NO x are nitric oxide (NO) and NO 2. The principal component of NOx produced by combustion is NO, but NO reacts with oxygen to form NO 2, creating the mixture of NO and NO 2 commonly called NO X. NO2 absorbs blue light; the result is a brownish - red cast to the atmosphere and reduced visibility. NO is a colorless, odorless gas formed from atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen when combustion takes place under high temperature and/or high
4 Permitted facilities are mapped by BAAQMD and can be found at:
https://baaqmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2387ae674013413f987b1071715daa65
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pressure.5 NO2 acts as an acute irritant and in equal concentrations is more injurious than NO. At atmospheric concentrations, however, NO2 is only potentially irritating. There is some indication of a relationship between NO2 and chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Some increase in bronchitis in children (2 and 3 years old) has also been observed at concentrations below 0.3 parts per million (ppm) (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, pungent, irritating gas formed by the combustion of sulfurous fossil fuels. It enter s the atmosphere as a result of burning high -sulfur-content fuel oils and coal and from chemical processes at chemical plants and refineries. Gasoline and natural gas have very low sulfur content and do not release significant quantities of SO 2. When SO 2 forms sulfates (SO 4) in the atmosphere, together these pollutants are referred to as sulfur oxides (SOx). Thus, SO2 is both a primary and secondary criteria air pollutant. At sufficiently high concentrations, SO 2 may irritate the upper respiratory tract. At lower concentrations and when combined with particulates, SO 2 may do greater harm by injuring lung tissue (BAAQMD 2017a).
▪ Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) consists of finely divided solids or liquids such as soot, dust, aerosols, fumes, and mists. In the SFBAAB, most particulate matter is caused by combustion, factories, construction, grading, demolition, agricultural activities, and motor vehicles. Two forms of fine particulates are now recognized and regulated. Inhalable coarse particles, o r PM 10, include the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns (i.e., 10 millionths of a meter or 0.0004 inch) or less. Inhalable fine particles, or PM2.5, have an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less (i.e.,
2.5 millionths of a me ter or 0.0001 inch). DPM is also classified a carcinogen by the CARB. Extended exposure to particulate matter can increase the risk of chronic respiratory disease. PM 10 bypasses the body’s natural filtration system more easily than larger particles and can lodge deep in the lungs. The USEPA scientific review concluded that PM 2.5 penetrates even more deeply into the lungs, and this is more likely to contribute to health effects—at concentrations well below current PM10 standards. These health effects include premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms (e.g., irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing). Motor v ehicles are currently responsible for about half of particulates in the SFBAAB. Wood burning in fireplaces and stoves is another large source of fine particulates (BAAQMD 2017a). ▪ Ozone (O3) is commonly referred to as “smog” and is a gas that is formed when ROGs and NOx, both by-products of internal combustion engine exhaust, undergo photochemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. O3 is a secondary criteria air pollutant. O 3 concentrations are generally highest during the summer months when direct sunlight, light winds, and warm temperatures create favorable conditions to the formation of this pollutant. O3 poses a health threat to those who already suffer from respiratory diseases as well as to healthy people. O 3 levels usually build up during the day and peak in the afternoon hours. Short -term exposure can irritate the eyes and cause constriction of the airways.
Besides causing shortness of breath, it can aggravate existing respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Chronic exposure to high ozone levels can permanently damage lung tissue. O3 can also damage plants and trees and materials such as rubber and fabrics (BAAQMD 2017a). ▪ Lead (Pb) is a metal fou nd naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. The major sources of lead emissions have historically been mobile and industrial sources. As a result of the phasing out of leaded gasoline, metal processing is currently the primary source of lead emissions. The highest levels of lead in air are generally found near lead smelters. Other stationary sources are waste incinerators, utilities, and lead -acid battery manufacturers. Because emissions of lead are found only in projects that are permitted by the BAAQMD, lead is not an air quality of concern for the proposed project (BAAQMD 2017a).
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Table 4. 2.5: Criteria Air Pollutant Health Effects Summary , summarizes the potential health effects associated with the criteria air pollutants.
Toxic Air Contaminants
The California Health and Safety Code defines a TAC as “an air pollutant which may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or in serious illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.” A substance that is l isted as a hazardous air pollutant pursuant to Section 112(b) of the federal Clean Air Act (42 US Code § 7412[b]) is a TAC. People exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects. These health effects can include damage to the immune system, as well as neurological, reproductive (e.g., reduced fertility), developmental, respiratory and other health problems (USEPA 2019).
At the time of the last update to the TAC list in December 1999, the CARB had designated 244 compounds as TACs (CARB 1999). Additionally, CARB has implemented control measures for a number of compounds that pose high risks and show potential for effective control measures. The majority of the estimated health risks from TACs can be attributed to relatively few compounds. The most important compounds are particulate matter from diesel-fueled engines.
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Table 4.2.5: Criteria Air Pollutant Health Effects Summary Pollutant Health Effects Examples of Sources
Diesel Particulate Matter
In 1998, CARB identified DPM as a TAC. Previously, the individual chemical compounds in diesel exhaust were considered TACs. Almost all diesel exhaust particles are 10 microns or less in diameter. Because of their extremely small size, these particles can be inhaled and eventually trapped in the bronchial and alveolar regions of the lungs. According to the BAAQMD, PM emitted from diesel engines contributes to more than 85 percent of the cancer risk within the SFBAAB. Cancer risk from TACs is highest near major DPM sources (BAAQMD 2014).
FEDERAL AND STATE
Ambient air quality standards have been adopted at federal and state levels for criteria air pollutants. In addition, both the federal and State governments regulate the release of TACs. The town of Colma is in the SFBAAB and is subject to the rules and regulations imposed by the BAAQMD, the National AAQS adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the California AAQS adopted by CARB.
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
Chest pain in heart patients
Headaches, nausea
Reduced mental alertness
Death at very high levels
Any source that burns fuel such as cars, trucks,
construction and farming equipment, and
residential heaters and stoves
Ozone (O3) Cough, chest tightness
Difficulty taking a deep breath
Worsened asthma symptoms
Lung inflammation
Atmospheric reaction of organic gases with
nitrogen oxides in sunlight
Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2)
Increased response to allergens
Aggravation of respiratory illness
Same as carbon monoxide sources
Particulate Matter
(PM10 & PM2.5)
Hospitalizations for worsened heart
diseases
Emergency room visits for asthma
Premature death
Cars and trucks (particularly diesels)
Fireplaces and woodstoves
Windblown dust from overlays, agriculture, and
construction
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Aggravation of respiratory disease (e.g., asthma and emphysema)
Reduced lung function
Combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels,
smelting of sulfur-bearing metal ores, and
industrial processes
Lead (Pb) Behavioral and learning disabilities in
children
Nervous system impairment
Contaminated soil
Sources: CARB Fact Sheet: Air Pollution and Health. https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/fs/fs1/fs1.htm. 2009; and South Coast AQMD . Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/planning/air-quality-guidance/complete-guidance- document.pdf. 2005.
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▪ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was established in 1970 and is the federal agency that is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations as they pertain to environmental protection . Of these laws and regulations, the USEPA is responsible for enforcing the Federal Clean Air Act and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (National AAQS). Furthermore, the USEPA is responsible for setting emission standards and regulating emissions of air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources. ▪ California Air Resources Board (CARB). Founded in 1967, CARB is the agency that oversees air quality planning and control throughout California. CARB is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs a nd actions to fight climate change . In addition, CARB is responsible for enforcing the California Clean Air Act and the California AAQS.
Furthermore, it is responsible for regulating mobile air pollutant sources and defining vehicle emission standards for vehicles sold in California and other sources, including consumer products and off-road equipment. CARB also oversees the functions of local air pollution control districts and air quality management districts, which manage air pollutants on a regional basis.
Federal, State, regional, and local laws, regulations, plans, or guidelines that are potentially applicable to the proposed project are summarized below.
California and National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The Clean Air Act was passed in 1963 by the US Congress and has been amended several times. The 1970 Clean Air Act amendments strengthened previous legislation and laid the foundation for the regulatory scheme of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1977, Congress again added several provisions, including nonattainment requirements for areas not meeting National AAQS and the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program. The 1990 amendments represent the latest in a series of federal efforts to regulate the protection of air quality in the United States. The Clean Air Act allows states to adopt more stringent standards or to include other pollution species. The California Clean Air Act, signed into law in 1988, requires all areas of the state to achieve and maintain the California AAQS by the earliest practical date. The California AAQS tend to be more restrictive than the National AAQS, based on even greater health and welfare concerns.
Both California and the federal government have established health-based AAQS for seven air pollutants, which are shown in Table 4.2.6: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Pollutants . These National AAQS and California AAQS are the levels of air quality considered to provide a margin of safety in the protection of the public health and welfare. They are designed to prot ect “sensitive receptors” most susceptible to further respiratory distress, such as asthmatics, the elderly, very young children, people already weakened by other disease or illness, and persons engaged in strenuous work or exercise. Healthy adults can tolerate occasional exposure to air pollutant concentrations considerably above these minimum standards before adverse effects are observed.
Table 4.2.6: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Pollutants Pollutant
Averaging
Time
California
Standarda
Federal Primary
Standardb Major Pollutant Sources
Ozone (O3)c
1 hour 0.09 ppm * Motor vehicles, paints, coatings, and solvents. 8 hours 0.070 ppm 0.070 ppm
1 hour 20 ppm 35 ppm
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Table 4.2.6: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Pollutants Pollutant
Averaging
Time
California
Standarda
Federal Primary
Standardb Major Pollutant Sources
Carbon Monoxide
(CO) 8 hours 9.0 ppm 9 ppm
Internal combustion engines,
primarily gasoline-powered motor
vehicles.
Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2)
Annual
Arithmetic
Mean
0.030 ppm 0.053 ppm Motor vehicles, petroleum-refining
operations, industrial sources,
aircraft, ships, and railroads.
1 hour 0.18 ppm 0.100 ppm
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Annual
Arithmetic
Mean
* 0.030 ppm
Fuel combustion, chemical plants,
sulfur recovery plants, and metal
processing. 1 hour 0.25 ppm 0.075 ppm
24 hours 0.04 ppm 0.14 ppm
Respirable Coarse
Particulate Matter
(PM10)
Annual
Arithmetic
Mean
20 µg/m3 *
Dust and fume-producing
construction, industrial, and
agricultural operations, combustion,
atmospheric photochemical
reactions, and natural activities (e.g.,
wind-raised dust and ocean sprays).
24 hours 50 µg/m3 150 µg/m3
Respirable Fine
Particulate Matter
(PM2.5)d
Annual
Arithmetic
Mean
12 µg/m3 12 µg/m3
Dust and fume-producing
construction, industrial, and
agricultural operations, combustion,
atmospheric photochemical
reactions, and natural activities (e.g.,
wind-raised dust and ocean sprays).
24 hours * 35 µg/m3
Lead (Pb)
30-Day Average 1.5 µg/m3 *
Present source: lead smelters, battery
manufacturing & recycling facilities.
Past source: combustion of leaded
gasoline.
Calendar
Quarter * 1.5 µg/m3
Rolling 3-
Month Average * 0.15 µg/m3
Sulfates (SO4)e 24 hours 25 µg/m3 * Industrial processes.
Visibility Reducing
Particles 8 hours
ExCo =0.23/km
visibility of 10≥
miles
No Federal
Standard
Visibility-reducing particles consist
of suspended particulate matter,
which is a complex mixture of tiny
particles that consists of dry solid
fragments, solid cores with liquid
coatings, and small droplets of
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Table 4.2.6: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria Pollutants Pollutant
Averaging
Time
California
Standarda
Federal Primary
Standardb Major Pollutant Sources
liquid. These particles vary greatly in
shape, size and chemical
composition, and can be made up of
many different materials such as
metals, soot, soil, dust, and salt.
Hydrogen Sulfide 1 hour 0.03 ppm No Federal
Standard
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless
gas with the odor of rotten eggs. It is
formed during bacterial
decomposition of sulfur-containing
organic substances. Also, it can be
present in sewer gas and some
natural gas, and can be emitted as
the result of geothermal energy
exploitation.
Vinyl Chloride 24 hours 0.01 ppm No Federal
Standard
Vinyl chloride (chloroethene), a
chlorinated hydrocarbon, is a
colorless gas with a mild, sweet odor.
Most vinyl chloride is used to make
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and
vinyl products. Vinyl chloride has
been detected near landfills, sewage
plants, and hazardous waste sites,
due to microbial breakdown of
chlorinated solvents.
Notes: ppm: parts per million; μg/m3: micrograms per cubic meter; *Standard has not been established for this pollutant/duration by this entity. a. California standards for O3, CO (except 8-hour Lake Tahoe), SO2 (1 and 24 hour), NO2, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and visibility reducing particles), are values that are not to be exceeded. All others are not to be equaled or exceeded. California ambient air quality standards are listed in the Table of Standards in Section 70200 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. b. National standards (other th an O3, PM, and those based on annual arithmetic mean) are not to be exceeded more than once a year. The O 3 standard is attained when the fourth highest 8-hour concentration measured at each site in a year, averaged over three years, is equal to or less than the standard. For PM 10, the 24 -hour standard is attained when the expected number of days per calendar year with a 24 -hour average concentration above 150 µg/m 3 is equal to or less than one. For PM 2.5, the 24 -hour standard is attained when 98 percent of the daily concentrations, averaged over 3 years, are equal to or less than the standard. c. On October 1, 2015, the national 8-hour ozone primary and secondary standards were lowered from 0.075 to 0.070 ppm. d. On December 14, 2012, the national annual PM 2.5 primary standard was lowered from 15 μg/m 3 to 12.0 µg/m3. The existing national 24 - hour PM2.5 standards (primary and secondary) were retained at 35 µg/m3, as was the annual secondary standard of 15 µg/m3. The existing 24- hour PM10 standards (primary and secondary) of 150 µg/m3 also were retained. The form of the annual primary and secondary standards is the annual mean, averaged over 3 years.
e. On June 2, 2010, a new 1-hour SO2 standard was established and the existing 24-hour and annual primary standards were revoked. The 1 - hour national standard is in units of parts per billion (ppb). California standards are in units of parts per million (ppm). To directly compare the 1-hour national standard to t he California standard the units can be converted to ppm. In this case, the national standard of 75 ppb is identical to 0.075 ppm.
Source: CARB. Ambient Air Quality Standards. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/aaqs2.pdf. 2016.
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California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Tanner Air Toxics Act and Air Toxics “Hot Spot” Information and Assessment Act Public exposure to TACs is a significant environmental health issue in California. In 1983, the California Legislature enacted a program to identify the health effects of TACs and reduce exposure to these contaminants to protect public health. A substance that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant pursuant to Section 112(b) of the federal Clean Air Act (42 US Code § 7412[b]) is a toxic air contaminant. Under State law, the California Environmental Protection Agency, acting through CARB, is authorized to identify a substance as a TAC if it is an air pollutant that may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness, or may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.
California regulates TACs primarily through AB 1807 (Tanner Air Toxics Act) and AB 2588 (Air Toxics “Hot Spot” Information and Assessment Act of 1987). The Tanner Air Toxics Act sets up a formal procedure for CARB to designate substances as TACs. Once a TAC is identified, CARB adopts an “airborne toxics control measure” for sources that emit designated TACs. If there is a safe thre shold for a substance (i.e., a point below which there is no toxic effect), the control measure must reduce exposure to below that threshold. If there is no safe threshold, the measure must incorporate toxics best available control technology to minimize e missions. To date, CARB has established formal control measures for 11 TACs that are identified as having no safe threshold.
Under AB 2588, TAC emissions from individual facilities are quantified and prioritized by the air quality management district or ai r pollution control district. High priority facilities 5 are required to perform a health risk assessment, and if specific thresholds are exceeded, are required to communicate the results to the public through notices and public meetings.
CARB has promulgated the following specific rules to limit TAC emissions:
▪ 13 CCR Chapter 10, Section 2485, Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling
▪ 13 CCR Chapter 10, Section 2480, Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit School Bus Idling and Idling at Schools
▪ 13 CCR Section 2477 and Article 8, Airborne Toxic Control Measure for In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRU) and TRU Generator Sets and Facilities Where TRUs Operate Other State Regulations
California has also adopted a host of other regulations that reduce criteria pollutant emissions, including:
▪ Assembly Bill (AB) 1493: Pavley Fuel Efficiency Standards ▪ Title 20 California Code of Regulations (CCR): Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards ▪ Title 24, Part 6, CCR: Building Energy Efficiency Standards ▪ Title 24, Part 11, CCR: Green Building Standards Code
5 Each district is responsible for establishing the prioritization score threshold at which facilities are required to prepare a health risk assessment. In the Bay Area, facilities that generate a cancer risk of greater or equal to 10 in a million and a non-cancer chronic or acute risk greater or equal to 10 in a million are high priority facilities. Types of facilities that have the potential to generate risks of this level include refineries, other heavy industrial manufacturing/industrial processes, and fueling stations.
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REGIONAL
Assembly Bill 617 Community Action Plans
In July of 2017, Governor Brown signed AB 617 to develop a new community focused program to more effectively reduce exposure to air pollution and preserve public health in environmental justice communities. The bill directs CARB and all local air districts to take measures to protect communities disproportionally impacted by air pollution through monitoring and implementing air pollution control strategies.
On September 27, 2018, CARB approved BAAQMD’s recommended communities for monitoring and emission re duction planning. The state approved communities for year 1 of the program, as well as communities that would move forward over the next five years. Bay Area recommendations included all the Community Air Risk Evaluation areas as well as areas with large s ources of air pollution (refineries, seaports, airports, etc.), areas identified via statewide screening tools as having pollution and/or health burden vulnerability, and areas with low life expectancy (BAAQMD 2019b). ▪ Year 1 Communities:
▪ West Oakland. The West Oakland community was selected for BAAQMD’s first Community Action Plan. In 2017, cancer risk in from sources in West Oakland (local sources) was 204 in a million. The primary sources of air pollution in West Oakland include heavy truck and cars, port and rail sources, large industries, and, to a lesser extent, other sources such as residential sources (i.e., woodburning). The majority (over 90 percent) of cancer risk is from DPM (BAAQMD 2019c). ▪ Richmond: Richmond was selected for a community monitoring plan in year 1 of the AB 617 program. The Richmond area is in western Contra Costa County and includes most of the City of Richmond and portions of El Cerrito. It also includes communities just north and east of Richmond, such as San Pablo and several unincorporated communities, including North Richmond. The primary goals of the Richmond monitoring effort are to leverage historic and current monitoring studies, to better characterize the area’s mix of sources, and to more fully understand the associated air quality and pollution impact (BAAQMD 2019b). ▪ Year 2-5 Communities: East Oakland/San Leandro, Eastern San Francisco, the Pittsburg-Bay Point area, San Jose, Tri -Valley, and Vallejo are slated for action in years 2 -5 of the AB 617 program (BAAQMD 2019b).
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
BAAQMD is the agency responsible for assuring that the National and California AAQS are attained and maintained in the SFBAAB. Air quality conditions in the SFBAAB have improved significantly since the BAAQMD was created in 1955. BAAQMD prepares air quality management plans (AQMP), which provide a framework for air quality basins to achieve attainment of the State and federal AAQS through the State Implementation Plan. BAAQMD prepares ozone attainment plans for the National O 3 standard and clean air plans for the California O3 standard. These AQMPs prepared in coordination with Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 2017 Clean Air Plan
BAAQMD adopted the 2017 Clean Air Plan, Spare the Air, Cool the Climate (2017 Clean Air Plan) on April 19, 2017, making it the most recent adopted comprehensive plan. The 2017 Clean Air Plan incorporates significant new scientific data, primarily in the form of updated emissions inventories, ambient measurements, new meteorological episodes, and new air quality modeling tools.
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The 2017 Clean Air Plan serves as an update to the adopted Bay Area 2010 Clean Air Plan and continues in providing the framework for SFBAA B to achieve attainment of the California and National AAQS. The 2017 Clean Air Plan updates the Bay Area’s ozone plan, which is based on the “all feasible measures” approach to meet the requirements of the California Clean Air Act. Additionally, it sets a goal of reducing health risk impacts to local communities by 20 percent by 2020. Furthermore, the 2017 Clean Air Plan also lays the groundwork for reducing GHG emissions in the Bay Area to meet the state’s 2030 GHG reduction target and 2050 GHG reduction goal. It also includes a vision for the Bay Area in a post -carbon year 2050 that encompasses the following:
▪ Construct buildings that are energy efficient and powered by renewable energy. ▪ Walk, bicycle, and use public transit for the majority of trips and use electric -powered autonomous public transit fleets.
▪ Incubate and produce clean energy technologies.
▪ Live a low -carbon lifestyle by purchasing low -carbon foods and goods in addition to recycling and putting organic waste to productive use.
A comprehensive multipollutant control strategy has been developed to be implemented in the next three to five years to address public health and climate change and to set a pathway to achieve the 2050 vision.
The control strategy includes 85 control measures to reduce emissions of ozone, particulate matter, TACs, and GHG from a full range of emission sources. These control measures cover the following sectors: 1) stationary (industrial) sources; 2) transportation; 3) energy; 4) agriculture; 5) natural and working lands; 6) waste management; 7) water; and 8) super-GHG pollutants. Overall, the proposed control strategy is based on the following key priorities:
▪ Reduce emissions of criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants from all key sources. ▪ Reduce emissions of “super-GHGs” such as methane, black carbon, and fluorinated gases. ▪ Decrease demand for fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, and natural gas). ▪ Increase efficiency of the energy and transportation systems. ▪ Reduce demand for vehicle travel, and high-carbon goods and services. ▪ Decarbonize the energy system.
▪ Make the electricity supply carbon-free.
▪ Electrify the transportation and building sectors.
BAAQMD’s Community Air Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program
The BAAQMD’s CARE program was initiated in 2004 to evaluate and reduce health risks associated with exposure to outdoor TACs in the Bay Area. Based on findings of the latest report, DPM was found to account for approximately 85 percent of the cancer risk from airborne toxics. Carcinogenic compounds from gasoline -powered cars and light duty trucks were also identified as significant contributors: 1,3 - butadiene contributed 4 percent of the cancer risk-weighted emissions, and benzene contributed 3 percent.
Collectively, five compounds—diesel PM, 1,3-butadiene, benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde—were found to be responsible for more than 90 percent of the cancer risk attributed to emissions. All of these compounds are associated with emissions from internal combustion engines. The most important sources of cancer risk -weighted emissions were combustion -related sources of DPM, including on -road mobile sources (31 percent), construction equipment (29 percent), and ships and harbor craft (13 percent). A 75 percent reduction in DPM was predicted between 2005 and 2015 when the inventory accounted for the
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CARB’s diesel regulations. Overall, cancer risk from TAC dropped by more than 50 percent between 2005 and 2015, when emissions inputs accounted for state diesel regulations and other reductions (BAAQMD 2014).
Modeled cancer risks from TAC in 2005 were highest near sources of DPM: near core urban areas, along major roadways and freeways, and near maritime shipping terminals. The highest modeled risks were found east of San Francisco, near West Oakland, and the M aritime Port of Oakland. BAAQMD has identified seven impacted communities in the Bay Area:
▪ Western Contra Costa County and the cities of Richmond and San Pablo ▪ Western Alameda County along the Interstate 880 (I-880) corridor and the cities of Berkeley, Alameda, Oakland, and Hayward
▪ San Jose
▪ Eastern side of San Francisco
▪ Concord
▪ Vallejo
▪ Pittsburgh and Antioch
The major contributor to acute and chronic noncancer health effects in the SFBAAB is acrolein (C 3H4O).
Major sources of acrolein are on -road mobile sources and aircraft near freeways and commercial and military airports (BAAQMD 2006). Currently CARB does not have certified emission factors or an analytical test method for acrolein. Since the appropriate tools needed to implement and enforce acr olein emission limits are not available, BAAQMD does not conduct health risk screening analysis for acrolein emissions (BAAQMD 2010a).
BAAQMD Rules and Regulations
Regulation 7, Odorous Substances
Sources of objectionable odors may occur within the town of Colma. BAAQMD’s Regulation 7, Odorous Substances, places general limitations on odorous substances and specific emission limitations on certain odorous compounds. Odors are also regulated under BAAQMD Regulation 1, Rule 1-301, Public Nuisance, which st ates that “no person shall discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment, nuisance or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or the public; or which endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public, or which causes, or has a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property.” Under the BAAQMD Rule 1-301, a facility that receives three or more violation notices within a 30-day period can be declared a public nuisance.
Other BAAQMD Regulations
In addition to the plans and programs described above, BAAQMD administers a number of specific regulations on various sources of pollutant emissions that would apply to individual development projects allowed under the proposed Project, including:
▪ Regulation 2, Rule 2, New Source Review
▪ Regulation 2, Rule 5, New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants ▪ Regulation 6, Rule 1, General Requirements
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▪ Regulation 6, Rule 2, Commercial Cooking Equipment
▪ Regulation 8, Rule 3, Architectural Coatings
▪ Regulation 8, Rule 4, General Solvent and Surface Coatings Operations ▪ Regulation 8, Rule 7, Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
▪ Regulation 11, Rule 2, Asbestos, Demolition, Renovation and Manufacturing) San Mateo County Congestion Management Program (C/CAG)
The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) acts as the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) for San Mateo county. C/CAG is required to prepare and adopt a Congestion Management Program (CMP) on a biennial basis. The purpose of the San Mateo County CMP is to identify strategies to respond to future transportation needs, develop procedures to alleviate and control congestion, and promote countywide solutions. The most recent version of the San Mateo County CMP is the 201 9 CMP, which is developed to be consistent with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC’s) Plan Bay Area, provides updated program information and performance monitoring results for the CMP roadway system (C/CAG 2019).
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) / Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Plan Bay Area
Plan Bay Area 2050 is the Bay Area’s Regional Transportation Plan ( RTP) / Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and was adopted jointly by ABAG and MTC on October 21, 2021. It lays out a development scenario for the region, which, when integrated with the transportation network and other transportation measures and policies, w ould reduce GHG emissions from transportation (excluding goods movement) beyond the per capita reduction targets identified by CARB.
As part of the implementing framework for Plan Bay Area, local governments have identified Priority Development Areas (PD As) to focus growth. PDAs are transit -oriented, infill development opportunity areas in existing communities. Under the Draft Plan Bay Area 2050’s strategies, just under half of all Bay Area households would live within one half-mile of frequent transit by 2050, with this share increasing to over 70 percent for households with low incomes. Transportation and environmental strategies that support active and shared modes, combined with a transit -supportive land use pattern, are forecasted to lower the share of Bay Area residents that drive to work alone from over 50 percent in 2015 to 36 percent in 2050. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation would decrease significantly as a result of these transportation and land use changes, and the Bay Area would mee t the state mandate of a 19 percent reduction in per-capita emissions by 2035 — but only if all strategies are implemented (ABAG and MTC 2021). The El Camino Real PDA traverses the Town boundaries (ABAG 2015 and MTC 2020).
4.2.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
Following PRC Sections §21083.2 and §21084.1, and Section §15064.5 and Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, air quality impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan.
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• Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard. • Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentration. • Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District Thresholds
The BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines were prepared to assist in the evaluation of air quality impacts of projects and plans proposed within the Bay Area. The guidelines provide recommended procedures for evaluating potential air impacts during the environmental review process, consistent with CEQA requirements, and include recommended thresholds of significance, mitigation measures, and background air quality information. They also include recommended assessment methodologies for air toxics, odors, and greenhouse gas emissions. In June 2010, the BAAQMD's Board of Directors adopted CEQA thresholds of significance and an update of the CEQA Guidelines. These thresholds are designed to establish the level at which the Dis trict believed air pollution emissions would cause significant environmental impacts under CEQA.
In May 2011, the updated BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines were amended to include a risk and hazards threshold for new receptors and modified procedures for assessing impacts related to risk and hazard impacts; however, this later amendment regarding risk and hazards was the subject of the December 17, 2015, California Supreme Court decision (California Building Industry Association v BAAQMD), which clarified that CEQA does not require an evaluation of impacts of the environment on a project.6 The Supreme Court also found that CEQA requires the analysis of exposing people to environmental hazards in specific circumstances, including the location of development near airports, schools near sources of toxic contamination, and certain exemptions for infill and workforce housing. The Supreme Court also held that public agencies remain free to conduct this analysis regardless of whether it is required by CEQA. To account for these updates, BAAQMD published a new version of the Guidelines dated May 2017, which includes revisions made to address the Supreme Court’s opinion.
BAAQMD has established the thresholds based on “scientific and factual data that is contained in the federal and state Clean Air Acts” and recommend “that these thresholds be used by lead agencies in making a determination of significance.” The numerical emission indicators are based on the recognition that the air basin is a distinct geographic area with a critical air pollution problem for which ambient air quality standards have been promulgated to protect public health. The thresholds represent the maximum emissions from a plan or project that are expected not to cause or contribute to an exceedance of the most stringent applicable national or state ambient air quality standard. By analyzing the plan’s emissions against the thresholds, an EIR assesses whether these emissions directly contribute to any regional or local
6 On March 5, 2012, the Alameda County Superior Court issued a judgment finding that the BAAQMD had failed to comply with CEQA when it adopted the thresholds of significance in the BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines. The court did not rule on the merits of the thresholds of significance, but found that the adoption of the thresholds was a project under CEQA. The court issued a writ of mandate ordering the BAAQMD to set aside the thresholds and cease dissemination of them until the BAAQMD complied with CEQA. Following the court’s order, the BAAQMD released revised CEQA Air Quality Guidelines in May of 2012 that include guidance on calculating air pollution emissions, obtaining information regarding the health impacts of air pollutants, and identifying potential mitigation measures, and which set aside the significance thresholds. The Alameda County Superior Court, in ordering BAAQMD to set aside the thresholds, did not address the merits of the science or evidence supporting the thresholds, and in light of the subsequent case history discussed below, the science and reasoning contained in the BAAQMD 2017 CEQA Air Quality Guidelines provide the latest state-of-the-art guidance available. On August 13, 2013, the First District Court of Appeal ordered the trial court to reverse the judgment and upheld the BAAQMD’s CEQA Guidelines. (California Building Industry Association versus BAAQMD, Case Nos. A135335 and A136212 (Court of Appeal, First District, August 13, 2013)).
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exceedances of the applicable ambient air quality standards and exposure levels . The latest version of the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines was used to prepare the analysis in this EIR.
Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions and Precursors
Regional Significance Criteria
The BAAQMD’s criteria for regional significance for projects that exceed the screening thresholds are shown in Table 4.2.7: BAAQMD Regional (Mass Emissions) Criteria Air Pollutant Significance Thresholds.
Table 4.2.7: BAAQMD Regional (Mass Emissions) Criteria Air Pollutant Significance Thresholds Pollutant
Construction Phase Operational Phase
Average Daily
Emissions
(lbs/day)
Average Daily
Emissions
(lbs/day)
Maximum
Annual Emissions
(Tons/year)
If projects exceed the emissions in this table, emissions would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment status and would contribute in elevating health effects associated to these criteria air pollutants. Known health effects related to ozone include worsening of bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema and a decrease in lung function. Health effects associated with particulate matter include premature death of people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms. Reducing emissions wo uld further contribute to reducing possible health effects related to criteria air pollutants.
At the present time, BAAQMD has not provided methodology to assess the specific correlation between mass emissions generated and the effect on health in order t o address the issue raised in Sierra Club v.
County of Fresno (Friant Ranch, L.P.) (2018) 6 Cal.5th 502, Case No. S21978 (Friant Ranch). At a programmatic level analysis, it is not feasible to quantify the increase in TACs from stationary sources associated with a general plan or meaningfully correlate how criteria air pollutant emissions above the BAAQMD significance thresholds correlate w ith basin -wide health impacts. To determine cancer and noncancer health risk, the location, velocity of emissions, meteorology and topography of the area, and locations of receptors are equally important model parameters as the quantity of TAC emissions. However, for projects that exceed the emissions in Table 4.2.7, it is speculative to determine how exceeding the regional thresholds would affect the number of days the region is in nonattainment since mass emissions are not correlated with concentrations of emissions or how many additional individuals in the air basin would be affected by the health effects cited above.
ROG 54 54 10
NOx 54 54 10
PM10 82 (Exhaust) 82 15
PM2.5 54 (Exhaust) 54 10
PM10 and PM2.5 Fugitive Dust Best Management
Practices None None
Source: BAAQMD. California Environmental Quality Act Air Quality Guidelines. http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/planning-and-research/ceqa/ceqa_guidelines_may2017-pdf. 2017.
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In addition, BAAQMD does not currently does not have methodologies that would provide the Town with a consistent, reliable, and meaningful analysis to correlate specific health impacts that may result from a proposed project’s mass emissions. For criteria air pollutants, exceedance of the regional significance thresholds cannot be used to correlate a project to quantifiable health impacts unl ess emissions are sufficiently high to use a regional model. BAAQMD has not provided methodology to assess the specific correlation between mass emissions generated and their effect on health.
Ozone concentrations are dependent upon a variety of complex factors, including the presence of sunlight and precursor pollutants, natural topography, nearby structures that cause building downwash, atmospheric stability, and wind patterns. Secondary formation of PM and ozone can occur far from sources as a result of regional transport due to wind and topography (e.g., low -level jet stream). Photochemical modeling depends on all emission sources in the entire domain (i.e., modeling grid). Low resolution and spatial averaging produce “noise” and modeling errors that us ually exceed individual source contributions. Because of the complexities of predicting ground -level ozone concentrations in relation to the National AAQS and California AAQS, it is not possible to link health risks to the magnitude of emissions exceeding the significance thresholds. To achieve the health-based standards established by the USEPA, the air districts prepare air quality management plans that details regional programs to attain the AAQS. However, if a project within the BAAQMD exceeds the regional significance thresholds, the project could contribute to an increase in health effects in the basin until such time the attainment standard is met in the SFBAAB.
Current models used in CEQA air quality analyses are designed to estimate potential project construction and operation emissions for defined projects. The estimated emissions are compared to significance thresholds, which are keyed to reducing emissions to levels that will not interfere with the region’s ability to attain the health-based standards. While this serves to protect public health in the overall region, there is currently no CEQA methodology to determine the impact of emissions (e.g., pounds per day) on future concentration levels (e.g., parts per million or micrograms per cubic meter ) in specific geographic areas.
CEQA thresholds, therefore, are not specifically tied to potential health outcomes in the region.
Additionally, this type of analysis is not feasible at a general plan level because the location of emissions sources and quantity of emissions are not known.
CO Hotspots
Congested intersections have the potential to create elevated concentrations of CO, referred to as CO hotspots. The significance criteria for CO hotspots are based on the California AAQS for CO, which are 9.0 ppm (8-hour average) and 20.0 ppm (1-hour average). With the turnover of older vehicles, introduction of cleaner fuels, and implementation of control technology, the SFBAAB is in attainment of the California and National AAQS, and CO concentrations in the SFBAAB have steadily declined. Because CO concentrations have improved, the BAAQMD does not require a CO hotspot analysis if the following criteria are met (BAAQMD 2017a):
▪ The project is consistent with an applicable congestion management program established by the County Congestion Management Agency for designated roads or highways, the regional transportation plan, and local congestion management agency plans.
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▪ The project would not increase traffic volumes at affected intersections to more than 44,000 vehic les per hour.
▪ The project traffic would not increase traffic volumes at affected intersection to more than 24,000 vehicles per hour where vertical and/or horizontal mixing is substantially limited (e.g., tunnel, parking garage, bridge underpass, natural or urban street canyon, below-grade roadway).
Community Risk and Hazards
The BAAQMD’s significance thresholds for local community risk and hazard impacts apply to both the siting of a new source and to the siting of a new receptor. Local community risk and hazard impacts are associated with TACs and PM2.5 because emissions of these pollutants can have significant health impacts at the local level. The proposed project would generate TACs and PM 2.5 during construction activities that could elevate concent rations of air pollutants at the nearby sensitive receptors. The thresholds for construction-related local community risk and hazard impacts are the same as for project operations. The BAAQMD has adopted screening tables for air toxics evaluation during co nstruction (BAAQMD 2010b).
Construction-related TAC and PM 2.5 impacts should be addressed on a case -by-case basis, taking into consideration the specific construction-related characteristics of each project and proximity to off-site and on-site receptors, as applicable (BAAQMD 2010b and BAAQMD 2017a).
Community Risk and Hazards: Project
Project-level emissions of TACs or PM 2.5 from individual sources that exceed any of the thresholds listed below are considered a potentially significant community health risk:
▪ An excess cancer risk level of more than 10 in one million, or a noncancer (i.e., chronic or acute) hazard index greater than 1.0 would be a significant project contribution. ▪ An incremental increase of greater than 0.3 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) annual average PM2.5 from a single source would be a significant project contribution (BAAQMD 2017a).
Community Risk and Hazards: Cumulative
Cumulative sources represent the combined total risk values of each of the individual sources within the 1,000-foot evaluation zone. A project would have a cumulatively considerable impact if the aggregate total of all past, present, and foreseeable future sources within a 1,000-foot radius from the fence line of a source or location of a receptor, plus the contribution from the project, exceeds any of the following:
▪ An excess cancer risk level of more than 100 in one million or a chronic noncancer hazard index (from all local sources) greater than 10.0.
▪ 0.8 µg/m3 annual average PM2.5 (BAAQMD 2017a).
In February 2015, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) adopted new health risk assessment guidance that includes several efforts to be more protective of children’s health. These updated procedures include the use of age sensitivity factors to account for the higher sensitivity of infants and young children to cancer causing chemicals, and age-specific breathing rate (OEHHA 2015).
Odors
BAAQMD’s thresholds for odors are qualitative based on BAAQMD’s Regulation 7, Odorous Substances.
This ru le places general limitations on odorous substances and specific emission limitations on certain odorous compounds. Odors are also regulated under BAAQMD Regulation 1, Rule 1-301, Public Nuisance, which states that no person shall discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of
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persons or the public; or which endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause, or has a natural tendency to cause, injury, or damage to business or property. Under BAAQMD’s Rule 1-301. BAAQMD has established odor screening thresholds for land uses that have the potential to generate substantial odor complain ts, including wastewater treatment plants, landfills or transfer stations, composting facilities, confined animal facilities, food manufacturing, and chemical plants (BAAQMD 2017a). For a plan-level analysis, BAAQMD requires:
▪ Identification of potential existing and planned location of odors sources. ▪ Policies to reduce odors.
METHODOLOGY
The Town of Colma 2040 General Plan General Plan Update policies are designed to reduce or avoid impacts on the environment resulting from implementation of the proposed pr oject. To that end, the relevant GPU policies providing mitigation have been identified for each significant impact in this section.
If the applicable General Plan polices were determined not to fully reduce or avoid impacts, then additional mitigation measures have been provided. These additional mitigation measures have been written as policy statements that can be incorporated into the final General Plan. Each impact discussion includes a determination as to whether the impacts would be mitigated to a less than significant level or would remain significant and unavoidable after implementation of the updated General Plan policies.
Town of Colma General Plan
The air quality analysis was prepared in accordance with the requirements of CEQA to d etermine if significant GHG impacts are likely to occur in conjunction with future development that would be accommodated by the proposed project. The town’s GHG emissions inventory includes the following sectors:
▪ Transportation: Transportation emissions forecasts were modeled using emission rates from CARB’s EMFAC2017, version 1.0.3, web database. Modeling includes the SAFE Part 1 and Part 2 EMFAC2017 model adjustment factors released by CARB. Model runs were based on daily VMT data provided by Kittelson & Associates (see Appendix E) and calendar year 2020 (existing) and 2040 emission rates. The VMT methodology is based on the CARB Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) which accounts for a 50 percent reduction in trip lengths for trips that start or end the town but travel outside the town (intra-jurisdictional trips). Consistent with CARB’s methodology within the Climate Change Scoping Plan Measure Documentation Supplement, daily VMT was multiplied by 347 days per year to account for reduced traffic on weekends and holidays to determine annual emissions. ▪ Energy: Energy use for residential and nonresidential land uses in the town were modeled using natural gas data provided by PG&E. Residential energy and nonresidential energy forecasts are adjusted for increases in housing units and employment, respectively. The emissions rates for residential and nonresidential natural gas are based on the CalEEMod Users Guide. ▪ Off-Road Equipment: Emission rates from CARB’s OFFROAD2017, version 1.0.1, web database were used to estimate criteria air pollutant emissions from light commercial and construction equipment in the town. OFFROAD2017 is a database of equipment use and associated emissions for each county compiled by CARB. Emissions were compiled using OFFROAD2017 for the county of San Mateo for year 2020. In order to determine the percentage of emissions attributable to the town, light commercial equipment is estimated based on employment for the town of Colma as a percentage of San Mateo county. Construction equipment use is estimated based on building permit data for the town of Colma and county of San Mateo from data compiled by the US Census. The light commercial equipment
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emissions forecast is adjusted for changes in employment in the town. It is assumed that construction emissions for the forecast year would be similar to historical levels. Annual emissions are derived by multiplying daily emissions by 365 days.
▪ Area Sources: Area sources are based on the emission factors from the CalEEMod Users Guide for emissions generated from use of consumer products and cleaning supplies.
Impacts of the Environment on a Project
BAAQMD’s CEQA Guidelines include methodology for jurisdictions wanting to evaluate the potential impacts from placing sensitive receptors proximate to major air pollutant sources. For assessing community risk and hazards for siting a new receptor, sources within a 1,000-foot radius of a project site are typically considered. Sources are defined as freeways, high volume roadways (with volume of 10,000 vehicles or more per day or 1,000 trucks per day) and permitted sources (BAAQMD 2017a).
Buildout of the proposed land use plan under the 2040 General Plan Update could result in siting sensitive uses (e.g., residential) near sources of emissions (e.g., freeways, industrial uses, etc.). Developing new sensitive land uses near sources of emissions could expose persons that inhabit these sensitive land uses to potential air quality-related impacts. However, the purpose of this environmental evaluation is to identify the significant effects of the proposed project on the environment, not the significant effects of th e environment on the proposed project. California Building Industry Association v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (2015) 62 Cal.4th 369 (Case No. S213478). Thus, CEQA does not require analysis of the potential environmental effects from siting se nsitive receptors near existing sources , and this type of analysis is not provided below in the Impact Analysis section.
While it is generally not within the purview of CEQA to analyze impacts of the environment on a project, the General Plan Update includes policies which would ensure priority of the health of Colma residents through enforcement of town codes and incorporation of design features to minimize air quality impacts and to achieve appropriate health standards.
IMPACTS
Impact 4.2.1 Implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan (Less than Significant).
The following describes potential air quality impacts of consistency with the AQMP from the implementation of the proposed General Plan Update. The General Plan plays an important role in local agency project review by linking local planning and individual projects to the 2017 Clean Air Plan. It fulfills the CEQA goal of informing decision makers of the environmental efforts of the project under consideration at an early enough stag e to ensure that air quality concerns are fully addressed. It also provides the local agency with ongoing information as to whether they are contributing to clean air goals in the Bay Area.
BAAQMD requires a consistency evaluation of a plan with its curren t AQMP measures. BAAQMD considers project consistency with the AQMP in accordance with the following:
▪ Does the project support the primary goals of the AQMP? ▪ Does the project include applicable control measures from the AQMP? ▪ Does the project disrupt or hinder implementation of any AQMP control measures? ▪ Is the project VMT or vehicle trip increase less than or equal to the projected population increase.
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Bay Area Air Quality Management District 2017 Clean Air Plan Goals The primary goals of the 2017 Clean Air Plan are to attain the State and federal AAQS, reduce population exposure and protect public health in the Bay Area, reduce GHG emissions , and protect the climate.
Furthermore, the 2017 Clean Air Plan lays the groundwork for reducing GHG emission s in the Bay Area to meet the state’s 2030 GHG reduction target and 2050 GHG reduction goal.
Attain Air Quality Standards
BAAQMD’s 2017 Clean Air Plan strategy is based on regional population and employment projections in the Bay Area compiled by ABAG, which are based in part on cities’ general plan land use designations.
These demographic projections are incorporated into Plan Bay Area. Demographic trends incorporated into Plan Bay Area determine VMT in the Bay Area, which BAAQMD uses to forecast future air quality trends. The SFBAAB is currently designated a nonattainment area for O 3, PM 2.5, and PM 10 (State AAQS only).
Future growth associated with the proposed General Plan would occur incrementally throughout the 2040 buildout horizon. The antic ipated growth from the proposed General Plan is within the population and employment projections identified by ABAG for the town of Colma (see Chapter 4. 12.1, Population and Housing). Because population and employment projections of the proposed General Plan are consistent with regional projections, BAAQMD emissions forecasts consider the additional growth and associated emissions from the proposed General Pla n. Thus, emissions resulting from potential future development associated with the proposed General Plan are included in BAAQMD projections, and future development accommodated under the proposed General Plan would not hinder BAAQMDs ability to attain the California or National AAQS. Accordingly, impacts would be less than significant.
Reduce Population Exposure and Protect Public Health
Buildout of the proposed General Plan could result in new sources of TACs and PM2.5. Stationary sources, including smaller stationary sources (e.g., dry cleaners, restaurants with charbroilers, emergency generators and boilers) are subject to review by BAAQMD as part of the permitting process. Adherence to BAAQMD permitting regulations would ensure that new stationary sources of TACs do not expose populations to significant health risk. Mobile sources of air tox ics (e.g., truck idling) are not regulated directly by BAAQMD. As a result, development allowed by the proposed General Plan could result in new sources of criteria air pollutant emissions and/or TACs near existing or planned sensitive receptors.
Mitigation Measure AQ-3.2 would ensure mobile sources of TACs not covered under BAAQMD permits are considered during subsequent project -level environmental review by the town of Colma. Individual development projects would be required to achieve the incremental ris k thresholds established by BAAQMD. Thus, implementation of the proposed General Plan would not result in introducing new sources of TACs that on a cumulative basis, could expose sensitive populations to significant health risk.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Reduce GHG Emissions and Protect the Climate
Consistency of the proposed General Plan with State, regional, and local plans adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions are discussed in Chapter 4. 7.1, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, of this Draft EIR.
Future development allowed by the proposed General Plan would be required to adhere to statewide measures that have been adopted to achieve the GHG reduction targets of AB 32 and SB 32. The proposed General Pla n is consistent with regional strategies for infill development identified in Plan Bay Area.
Furthermore, the proposed General Plan would also be consistent with the Town of Colma Climate Action Plan 2030. GHG-2 identifies that the proposed General Plan is consistent with state, regional and local plans to reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, the proposed General Plan is consistent with the goal of the 2017
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Clean Air Plan to reduce GHG emissions and protect the climate, and the impact would be less than significant.
2017 Clean Air Plan Control Measures
Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan , identifies the control measures included in the 2017 Clean Air Plan that are required by BAAQMD to reduce emissions for a wide range of both stationary and mobile sources. As shown in the table, the proposed General Plan would not conflict with the 2017 Clean Air Plan and would not hinder BAAQMD from implementing the control measures in the 2017 Clean Air Plan. Accordingly, impacts would be less than significant.
Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
▪ Stationar
y Source
Control
Measures
▪ SS 1 – Fluid Catalytic Cracking in
Refineries
▪ SS 2 – Equipment Leaks
▪ SS 3 – Cooling Towers
▪ SS 4 – Refinery Flares
▪ SS 5 – Sulfur Recovery Units
▪ SS 6 – Refinery Fuel Gas
▪ SS 7 – Sulfuric Acid Plants
▪ SS 8 – Sulfur Dioxide from Coke
Calcining
▪ SS 9 – Enhanced NSR Enforcement
for Changes in Crude Slate
▪ SS 10 – Petroleum Refining
Emissions Tracking
▪ SS 11 – Petroleum Refining
Facility-Wide Emission Limits
▪ SS 12 – Petroleum Refining
Climate Impacts Limit
▪ SS 13 – Oil and Gas Production,
Processing and Storage
▪ SS 14 – Methane from Capped
Wells
▪ SS 15 – Natural Gas Processing
and Distribution
▪ SS 16 – Basin-Wide Methane
Strategy
▪ SS 17 – GHG BACT Threshold
▪ SS 18 – Basin-Wide Combustion
Strategy
▪ SS 19 – Portland Cement
▪ SS 20 – Air Toxics Risk Cap and
Reduction from Existing Facilities
▪ SS 21 – New Source Review for
Toxics
Stationary and area sources are regulated directly by
BAAQMD; therefore, as the implementing agency,
new stationary and area sources within the Town
would be required to comply with BAAQMD’s
regulations. BAAQMD routinely adopts/revises rules
or regulations to implement the stationary source (SS)
control measures to reduce stationary source
emissions. Based on the type of the proposed land
uses (primarily residential and commercial) under the
proposed project, implementation of the proposed
project would not hinder the ability of BAAQMD to
implement these SS control measures.
Major stationary source are more commonly
associated with industrial manufacturing or
warehousing and, in the case of the Town, cemetery
operations. However, BAAQMD and the Town have
existing regulations in place to ensure that potential
future development under the proposed project
would not conflict with the applicable SS control
measures. Nonresidential land uses may generate
small quantities of stationary source emissions during
project operation (e.g., emergency generators, dry
cleaners, and gasoline dispensing facilities); however, these small-quantity generators would require review
by BAAQMD for permitted sources of air toxics,
which would ensure consistency with the 2017 Clean
Air Plan.
The Land Use and Mobility Elements also include
policies and programs for coordination with
BAAMQD on air pollutant reductions and
considering air quality conditions when siting new
receptors:
▪ Policy LU-1-6. Public-Private Partnerships.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
▪ SS 22 – Stationary Gas Turbines
▪ SS 23 – Biogas Flares
▪ SS 24 – Sulfur Content Limits of
Liquid Fuels
▪ SS 25 – Coatings, Solvents,
Lubricants, Sealants and
Adhesives
▪ SS 26 – Surface Prep and Cleaning
Solvent
▪ SS 27 – Digital Printing
▪ SS 28 – LPG, Propane, Butane
▪ SS 29 – Asphaltic Concrete
▪ SS 30 – Residential Fan Type
Furnaces
▪ SS 31 – General Particulate Matter
Emission Limitation
▪ SS 32 – Emergency Backup
Generators
▪ SS 33 – Commercial Cooking
Equipment
▪ SS 34 – Wood Smoke
▪ SS 35 – PM from Bulk Material
Storage, Handling and Transport,
Including Coke and Coal
▪ SS 36 – PM from Trackout
▪ SS 37 – PM from Asphalt
Operations
▪ SS 38 – Fugitive Dust
▪ SS 39 – Enhanced Air Quality
Monitoring
▪ SS 40 – Odors
▪ Policy LU- 5-1. Regional Cooperation
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County Collaboration.
▪ Policy LU-6-3. Environmental Protection.
▪ Policy M-3-1. Agency Collaboration and
Coordination
▪ Transport
ation
Control
Measures
▪ TR 1 – Clean Air Teleworking
Initiative
▪ TR 2 – Trip Reduction Programs
▪ TR 3 – Local and Regional Bus
Service
▪ TR 4 – Local and Regional Rail
Service
▪ TR 5 – Transit Efficiency and Use
▪ TR 6 – Freeway and Arterial
Operations
▪ TR 7 – Safe Routes to Schools and
Safe Routes to Transit
The largest source of air pollution in the Town of
Colma is vehicular traffic. Transportation (TR) control measures are strategies to reduce vehicle trips, vehicle use, VMT, vehicle idling, and traffic congestion for
the purpose of reducing motor vehicle emissions.
Although most of the TR control measures are
implemented at the regional level—that is, by MTC or
Caltrans—the 2017 Clean Air Plan relies on local
communities to assist with implementation of some
measures. The proposed project includes the
following policies for expanding the active transit
network:
▪ Policy LU-3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods.
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
▪ TR 8 – Ridesharing, Last-Mile
Connection
▪ TR 9 – Bicycle and Pedestrian
Access and Facilities
▪ TR 10 – Land Use Strategies
▪ TR 11 – Value Pricing
▪ TR 12 – Smart Driving
▪ TR 13 – Parking Policies
▪ TR 14 – Cars and Light Trucks
▪ TR 15 – Public Outreach and
Education
▪ TR 16 – Indirect Source Review
▪ TR 17 – Planes
▪ TR 18 – Goods Movement
▪ TR 19 – Medium and Heavy Duty
Trucks
▪ TR 20 – Ocean Going Vessels
▪ TR 21 – Commercial Harbor Craft
▪ TR 22 – Construction, Freight and
Farming Equipment
▪ TR 23 – Lawn and Garden
Equipment
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy M-5-1. Complete Streets.
▪ Policy M-5-2. Design for All Travel Modes.
▪ Policy M-5-3. Bicycle Connection Coordination.
▪ Policy M-5-4. Accessibility and Universal
Design.
▪ Policy M-5-5. Design of New Development
▪ Policy OSC-1-4. Pedestrian Trails and
Walkways.
▪ Policy OSC-1-5. Colma Creek Trail.
▪ Policy OSC-3-5. Pedestrian-Scaled Design.
The following policies and programs also reduce
vehicle travel in the Town.
▪ Policy LU-1-4. Land Uses that Support Transit.
▪ Policy LU-10-3. Mixed Use and Nonresidential
Development.
▪ Policy LU-11-1. Town Center.
▪ Policy LU-13-4. In-Fill Housing.
▪ Policy LU-13-5. Mixed Use
▪ Policy M-2-1. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled.
▪ Policy M-2-2. Other Traffic Flow Benchmarks.
▪ Policy M-2-3. VMT Transportation
Performance Measures.
▪ Policy M-2-4. Multi-Modal Impact Fee.
▪ Policy M-3-1. Agency Collaboration and
Coordination.
▪ Policy M-3-3. Regional Transportation
Planning.
▪ Policy M-3-5. Transportation Gaps.
▪ Policy M-4-2. Reliable Transportation Services.
▪ Policy M-4.4. Transit Oriented Development.
▪ Policy M-7-1. TDM Program.
▪ Policy M-7-2. TDM Program for New
Development.
▪ Policy M-7-3. Vehicle Trip Reduction.
▪ Policy OSC-3-1. Transit Oriented
Development.
The following policy also supports implementation of
zero-carbon transportation solutions:
▪ Policy LU-2-7. Electric Vehicles.
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
▪ Energy
and
Climate
Control
Measures
▪ EN 1 – Decarbonize Electricity
Production
▪ EN 2 – Renewable Energy
Decrease Electricity Demand
The energy and climate (EN) control measures are
intended to reduce energy use as a means to reducing
adverse air quality emissions. The General Plan
Update includes policies and programs to align the
Town’s goals with the State’s carbon neutrality
initiatives:
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency.
▪ Policy LU-2-6. Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-7. Electric Vehicles
▪ Policy LU-2-10. Green Building.
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County
Collaboration.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations.
Furthermore, new developments accommodated
under the proposed project would be built to comply
with the latest Building Energy Efficiency Standards
and CALGreen standards. Therefore, implementation
of the proposed project would not conflict with these
EN control measures.
▪ Buildings
Control
Measures
▪ BL 1 – Green Buildings
▪ BL 2 – Decarbonize Buildings
▪ BL 3 – Market-Based Solutions
▪ BL 4 – Urban Heat Island
Mitigation
The buildings (BL) control measures focus on
working with local governments to facilitate adoption
of best GHG emissions control practices and policies.
The Land Use Element and the Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies and programs
for energy efficiency and sustainability:
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency.
▪ Policy LU-2-6. Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-8. Climate Action Plan.
▪ Policy LU-2-9. Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Targets.
▪ Policy LU-2-10. Green Building.
▪ Policy LU- 5-1. Regional Cooperation.
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County
Collaboration.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations.
In addition, as stated, new developments
accommodated under the proposed project would be
built to comply with the latest Building Energy
Efficiency Standards and CALGreen standards. Thus,
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
the proposed project would not conflict with these BL
control measures.
▪ Agricultu
re
Control
Measures
▪ AG 1 – Agricultural Guidance and
Leadership
▪ AG 2 – Dairy Digesters
▪ AG 3 – Enteric Fermentation
▪ AG 4 – Livestock Waste
Agricultural practices in the Bay Area accounts for a
small portion, roughly 1.5 percent, of the Bay Area
GHG emissions inventory. The GHGs from
agriculture include methane and nitrous oxide, in
addition to carbon dioxide. The proposed General
Plan Update does not specifically include goals and
policies pertaining to agricultural control measures.
However, it does contain policies that would help to
reduce pollutants that may stem from agriculture,
such as Policies LU-2-1 for water conservation, LU-2-
10 for green infrastructure, LU-2-5 for energy
efficiency improvements, and LU-2-6 for solar energy
incentives. Therefore, implementation of the
proposed project would not conflict with these AG
control measures.
▪ Natural
and
Working
Lands
Control
Measures
▪ NW 1 -- Carbon Sequestration in
Rangelands
▪ NW 2 – Urban Tree Planting
▪ NW 3 – Carbon Sequestration in
Wetlands
The control measures for the natural and working
lands sector focus on increasing carbon sequestration
on rangelands and wetlands. The General Plan
includes the following policies and programs on
carbon sequestration:
▪ Policy LU-2-4. Low Impact Development.
▪ Policy LU-2-10. Green Building.
▪ Policy LU-3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods
▪ Policy M-1-4. Street Trees.
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape
Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-1-4. Pedestrian Trails, Bikeways
Walkways
▪ Policy OSC-1-5. Colma Creek Trail
▪ Policy OSC-2-2. Recreation Requirements for
New Developments.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and
Native Plants.
▪ Policy OSC-5-6. Regional Open Space
Preservation Efforts
▪ Waste
Manage
ment
Control
Measures
▪ WA 1 – Landfills
▪ WA 2 – Composting and
Anaerobic Digesters
▪ WA 3 – Green Waste Diversion
▪ WA 4 – Recycling and Waste
Reduction
The waste management (WA) control measures
include strategies to increase waste diversion rates
through efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. The
proposed General Plan Update does not specifically
include goals and policies pertaining to waste
management control measures. However, it does
contain policies that would help to reduce pollutants
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
that may stem from waste management, such as
Policies LU-2-8 for maintaining a Climate Action Plan,
LU-2-9 for GHG reduction, LU-2-4 for low impact
development, and M-3-1 for improved connectivity
between cities and towns within the county.
Implementation of the ongoing Town regulations and
proposed policies to reduce waste would ensure that
implementation of the proposed project would not
conflict with these WA control measures.
▪ Water
Control
Measures
▪ WR 1 – Limit GHGs from publicly
owned treatment works (POTWs)
▪ WR 2 – Support Water
Conservation
The 2017 Clean Air Plan includes measures to reduce
water use. The Conservation and Climate Change
Element includes the following policies and programs
to increase plumbing water efficiency and reduce
landscape water use:
▪ Policy LU-2-1. Water Conservation.
▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape.
▪ Policy LU-2-4. Low Impact Development.
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape
Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-4-2. Participation in the San Mateo
County Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Program (SMCWPPP).
▪ Policy OSC-4-3. Reclaimed Water.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and
Native Plants.
▪ Policy OSC-4-6. Stormwater Runoff.
▪ Super-
GHG
Control
Measures
▪ SL 1 – Short-Lived Climate
Pollutants
▪ SL 2 – Guidance for Local Planners
▪ SL 3 – GHG Monitoring and
Emissions Measurements Network
Super-GHGs include methane, black carbon, and
fluorinated gases. The compounds are sometimes
referred to as short-lived climate pollutants because
their lifetime in the atmosphere is generally fairly
short. Measures to reduce super GHGs are addressed
on a sector-by-sector basis in the 2017 Clean Air Plan.
Through ongoing implementation of the Town’s CAP,
the Town will continue to reduce local GHG
emissions and meet State, regional, and local
reduction targets, which would ensure
implementation of the proposed project would not
conflict with these SL control measures.
The General Plan Update includes policies and
programs for encouraging use of renewable energy
and GHG reduction.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency.
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Table 4.2.8: Control Measures from the BAAQMD 2017 Clean Air Plan Type Measure Number / Title Consistency
▪ Policy LU-2-6. Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-8. Climate Action Plan.
▪ Policy LU-2-9. Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Targets.
▪ Policy LU-2-10. Green Building.
▪ Policy LU- 5-1. Regional Cooperation.
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County
Collaboration.
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy M-3-3. Regional Transportation
Planning.
▪ Policy M-5-1. Complete Streets.
▪ Policy OSC-2-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations.
▪ Further
Study
Control
Measures
▪ FSM SS 1 – Internal Combustion
Engines
▪ FSM SS 2 – Boilers, Steam
Generator and Process Heaters
▪ FSM SS 3 – GHG Reductions from
Non Cap-and Trade Sources
▪ FSM SS 4 – Methane Exemptions
from Wastewater Regulation
▪ FSM SS 5 – Controlling start-up,
shutdown, maintenance, and
malfunction (SSMM) Emissions
▪ FSM SS 6 – Carbon Pollution Fee
▪ FSM SS 7 – Vanishing Oils and
Rust Inhibitors
▪ FSM SS 8 – Dryers, Ovens and
Kilns
▪ FSM SS 9 – Omnibus Rulemaking
to Achieve Continuous
Improvement
▪ FSM BL 1 – Space Heating
▪ FSM AG 1 – Wineries
The majority of the further study control measures
apply to sources regulated directly by BAAQMD.
Because BAAQMD is the implementing agency, new
and existing sources of stationary and area sources in
the project area would be required to comply with
these additional further study control measures in the
2017 Clean Air Plan.
Regional Growth Projections for VMT and Population
Future potential development allowed by the proposed General Plan would result in additional sources of criteria air pollutants. Growth accommodated by the proposed General Plan could occur throughout the buildout horizon. BAAQMDs approach to evaluating impacts from criteria air pollutants generated by a plan’s long-term growth is done by comparing population estimates to the VMT estimates. This is because BAAQMDs AQMP plans for growth in the SFBAAB are based on regional population projections identified
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by ABAG and growth in VMT identified by C/CAG. Changes in regional, community-wide emissions in the EIR Study Area could affect the ability of BAAQMD to achieve the air quality goals in the AQMP.
Therefore, air quality impacts for a plan -level analysis are based on consistency with the regional growth projections. Table 4.2.9: Comparison of the Change in Population and VMT in the Town of Colma , compares the projected increase in population with the projected increases in total VMT.
Table 4.2.9: Comparison of the Change in Population and VMT in the Town of Colma Category Existing
2040 Without
Project
2040 With
Project
Change from
Existing
Change from 2040
No Project
Change Percent Change Percent
As stated, BAAQMD’s AQMP requires that the VMT increase by less than or equal to the projected population increase from the proposed General Plan (e.g., generate the same or less VMT per population).
However, because the proposed General Plan accommodates both residential and nonresidential growth, a better indicator of how efficiently the town is growing can be made by comparing the increase in VMT to the increase in service population (e.g., generate the same or less VMT per service population). This approach is similar to the efficiency metrics for GHG emissions, which consider the total service population when calculating project efficiency. In addition, because the 2017 Clean Air Plan utilized growth projections based, in part, on cities’ general plan land use designations, the growth rate in VMT compared to service population is evaluated betwee n buildout under the proposed General Plan and buildout under the currently allowed under General Plan 2020.
VMT estimates based on data provided by Kittelson & Associates, were calculated for the town of Colma.
As shown in the table, implementation of the proposed General Plan would increase daily VMT by 20,886 vehicle miles per day in the town, or about 30 percent, when compared to existing conditions. However, implementation of the proposed General Plan would result in lower VMT per capita than under existing conditions (32 percent lower in the town) and lower VMT per service population ( 8 percent lower in the Town), than under existing conditions. Compared to the demographic and VMT growth projections of the 2040 Without Project conditions (i.e., growth that would occur as currently allowed and projected under the current General Plan), the 2040 With Project conditions would also decrease the VMT/SP by approximately 1 percent in the town. This indicates that buildout conditions under the proposed General Plan would be more efficient in reducing VMT on a per service population basis. Thus, the proposed General Plan would be consistent with the goals of the 2017 Clean Air Plan. In summary, implementation Population 1,519 2,269 2,914 1,395 92% 645 28%
Employment 4,070 4,315 4,959 889 22% 644 15%
SP 5,589 6,584 7,873 2,284 41% 1,289 20%
VMT per
Day 70,494 76,908 91,380 20,886 30% 14,472 19%
VMT/person 46.4 33.9 31.4 -15 -32% -3 -7%
VMT/SP 12.61 11.68 11.61 -1 -8% -0.1 -1%
Notes: SP: Service Population
Source: Based on VMT data provided by Kittelson and Associates. The 2040 without project scenario is the current General Plan.
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of the proposed General Plan would not conflict with the 2017 Clean Air Plan , and impacts would be less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The General Plan policies listed in Table 4.2.9 would ensure consistency with the AQMP.
Impact 4.2.2 The project would result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of criteria pollutants for which the project region is in non-attainment under applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard (Significant and Unavoidable).
This section analyzes potential impacts related to air quality that could occur from the buildout associated with the proposed General Plan in combination with the regional growth in the SFBAAB. The SFBAAB is currently designated a nonattainment area for California and National O 3, California and National PM 2.5, and California PM10 AAQS. At a plan level, air quality impacts are measured by the potential for a project to exceed BAAQMDs significance criteria and contribute to the State and federal nonattainment designations in the SFBAAB. Any project that produces a significant regional air quality impact in an area that is in nonattainment adds to the cumulative impact. As described in Impact 4.2.1, the proposed General Plan would be consistent with the 2017 Clean Air Plan. However, the proposed General Plan could generate a substantial increase in criteria air pollutant emissions from construction and operational activities that could exceed the BAAQMD regional significance thresholds.
Construction
Construction activities would temporarily increase criteria air pollutant emissions within the SFBAAB. The primary source of NO x emissions is the operation of construction equipment. The primary sources of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) emissions are activities that disturb the soil, such as grading and excavation, road construction, and building demolition and construction. The primary sources of VOC emissions are the application of architectural coating and off-gas emissions associated with asphalt paving.
A discussion of health impacts associated with air pollutant emissions generated by construction activities is included under “Air Pollutants of Concern” in Section 4.2.2: Regulatory Framework of this PEIR section.
Construction activities associated with the proposed General Plan would occur over the buildout horizon, causing short -term emissions of criteria air pollutants. Information regarding specific development projects, soil types, and the locations of receptors would be needed in order to quantify the level of impact associated with construction activity. Due to the scale of development activity associated with buildout of proposed General Plan, emissions would likely exceed the BAAQMD regional significance thresholds. In accordance with the BAAQMD metho dology, emissions that exceed the regional significance thresholds would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SFBAAB. Emissions of VOC and NOX are precursors to the formation of O 3. In addition, NO X is a precursor to the formati on of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5). Therefore, the proposed General Plan would cumulatively contribute to the nonattainment designations of the SFBAAB for O3 and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Future development under the proposed General Plan would be subject to separate environmental review pursuant to CEQA in order to identify and mitigate potential air quality impacts. Subsequent environmental review of development projects would be required to assess potential impacts under BAAQMDs projec t-level thresholds based on site -specific construction phasing and buildout characteristics. For the proposed General Plan, which is a broad -based policy plan, it is not possible to determine whether the scale and phasing of individual projects would excee d the BAAQMD's short-term regional or localized construction emissions thresholds. As a result, construction activities associated with implementation of the proposed General Plan could potentially violate an air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation.
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Existing federal, State, and local regulations, and the policies and programs of the proposed project described throughout this section protect local and regional air quality. Continued compliance with t hese regulations would reduce construction-related impacts. In addition, there are certain General Plan policies that would reduce construction emissions.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The General Plan policies listed in Table 4.2.9 would ensure consistency with the AQMP. While the existing regulations and policies have the potential to reduce emissions, potential future development projects accommodated under the proposed General Plan (individually or cumulatively) could still excee d the BAAQMD significance thresholds for construction. Therefore, implementation of the proposed General Plan could result in significant construction-related regional air impacts and the following mitigation measures are required.
Mitigation Measure
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: As part of the town’s development approval process, the town of Colma shall require applicants for future development projects to comply with the current BAAQMD basic control measures for fugitive dust control, including:
▪ Water all active construction areas at least twice daily, or as often as needed to control dust emissions. Watering should be sufficient to prevent airborne dust from leaving the site. Increased watering frequency may be necessary whenever wind speeds exceed 15 miles per hour. Reclaimed water should be used whenever possible.
▪ Pave, apply water twice daily or as often as necessary to control dust, or apply (non -toxic) soil stabilizers on all unpaved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas at construction sites. ▪ Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand, and other loose materials or require all trucks to maintain at least 2 feet of freeboard (i.e., the minimum required space between the top of the load and the top of the trailer).
▪ Sweep daily (with water sweepers using reclaimed water if possible) or as often as needed all paved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at the construction site to control dust. ▪ Sweep public streets daily (with water sweepers using reclaimed water if possible) in the vicini ty of the project site, or as often as needed, to keep streets free of visible soil material. ▪ Hydroseed or apply nontoxic soil stabilizers to inactive construction areas. ▪ Enclose, cover, water twice daily, or apply nontoxic soil binders to exposed stockpil es (dirt, sand, etc.).
▪ Limit vehicle traffic speeds on unpaved roads to 15 miles per hour. ▪ Replant vegetation in disturbed areas as quickly as possible.
Mitigation Measure AQ-2: Prior to issuance of building permits, development project applicants that are subject to CEQA and exceed the screening sizes in the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines shall prepare and submit to the town of Colma a technical assessment evaluating potential project construction -related air quality impacts. The evaluation shall be prepared in co nformance with the BAAQMD methodology in assessing air quality impacts. If construction -related criteria air pollutants are determined to have the potential to exceed the BAAQMD thresholds of significance, as identified in the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines, the town shall require that applicants for new development projects incorporate mitigation measures to reduce air pollutant emissions during construction activities to below these thresholds to the
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extent feasible . These identified measures shall be incorporate d into all appropriate construction documents (e.g., construction management plans) submitted to the town of Colma and shall be verified by the Town’s Building Division and/or Planning Division.
Mitigation Measure AQ -1 would require adherence to the curren t BAAQMD basic control measures for reducing fugitive dust and reduce fugitive emissions to less -than-significant levels , and Mitigation Measure AQ-2 would reduce NOX emissions. However, future development in the town could still generate construction exhaust emissions in excess of the BAAQMD significance thresholds. An analysis of emissions generated from the construction of specific future projects under the proposed project would be required to evaluate emissions compared to BAAQMDs proj ect-level significance thresholds during individual environmental review. The identification of this program -level impact does not preclude the finding of less-than-significant impacts for subsequent projects that comply with BAAQMD screening criteria or meet applicable thresholds of significance. However, due to the programmatic nature of the proposed project, no additional mitigation measures are available, and the impact is considered significant and unavoidable.
Operation
BAAQMD has identified thresholds of significance for criteria pollutant emissions and criteria air pollutant precursors, including VOC, NO, PM10, and PM2.5. Development projects below the significance thresholds are not expected to generate sufficient criteria pollut ant emissions to violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. According to BAAQMD’s CEQA Guidelines, long-range plans, such as the proposed General Plan, present unique challenges for asses sing impacts. Due to the SFBAAB’s nonattainment status for ozone and PM and the cumulative impacts of growth on air quality, many of these plans have significant, unavoidable adverse air quality impacts.
Implementation and adoption of the proposed General Plan would result in an increase in development intensity in the town. Buildout of the proposed General Plan would result in direct and indirect criteria air pollutant emissions from transportation, energy (e.g., natural gas use), and area sources (e.g., aerosols and landscaping equipment). Although BAAQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Guidelines only require an emissions inventory of criteria air pollutants for project-level analyses, enough information regarding the buildout of the proposed 2040 General Plan is available; thus, an inventory of criteria air pollutants was generated to identify the magnitude of emissions from buildout of the proposed General Plan. Table 4.2.10: Town of Colma Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast, identifies the emissions associated with buildout of the proposed General Plan. Subsequent environmental review of development projects would be required to assess potential impacts under BAAQMD’s project-level thresholds.
The proposed General Plan includes several policies to reduce air quality impacts of potential future development, particularly in the Land Use (LU), Mobility (M) , and Open Space and Conservation (C ) Elements. Overall, these components of the proposed project would contribute to reducing emissions.
As shown in Table 4.2.10, buildout of the proposed General Plan would not generate a substantial increase in criteria air pollutant emissions because emissions would not exceed the BAAQMD regional significance thresholds for VOC, NOx, PM10, and PM2.5.
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Table 4.2.10: Town of Colma Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Forecast Category
Criteria Air Pollutants
(Average Pounds/Day)
VOC NOx PM10 PM2.5
Existing Land Uses at 2040
Transportationa 4 14 8 3
Energyb 1 7 1 1
OffRoad Equipmentc 5 9 1 1
Consumer Productsd 49 — — —
Total Average Daily (pounds/day) 30 30 10 5
Proposed Project Land Uses 2040
Transportationa 5 18 11 4
Energyb 1 7 1 1
Offroad Equipmentc 6 10 1 1
Consumer Productsd 49 — — —
Total Average Daily (pounds/day) 61 35 13 6
Change from Existing Land Uses 31 5 3 1
BAAQMD Average Daily Project-Level Threshold 54 54 82 54 Exceeds Average Daily Threshold No No No No
Scenario
Tons per Year
VOC NOx PM10 PM2.5
Existing Land Uses at 2040 5 5 2 1
Proposed Project Land Uses at 2040 11 6 2 1
Change from Existing Land Uses 6 1 <1 <1
BAAQMD Annual Project-Level Threshold 10 10 15 10
Exceeds Annual Threshold No No No No
Notes: Emissions may not total to 100 percent due to rounding. a On-road transportation VMT is provided by Kittelson and Associates and modeled with EMFAC2017 using 2040 emission rates.
b Building natural gas are based on data provided by PG&E. The electricity rates were adjusted to reflect the increase in dwelling units and employment within the Town.
c On-road vehicles and equipment are based on the OFFROAD2017 emissions inventory and include construction equipment and commercial equipment.
d Emissions from consumer products is based on the CalEEMod User’s Guide Version 2016.3.2 for residential consumer product use.
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Proposed General Plan Update Policies
▪ Policy LU-2-10. Green Building. Support sustainability and green building best practices through the orientation, design, and placement of buildings and facilities to optimize their energy efficiency in preparation of State zero -net energy requirements for residential construction and c ommercial construction.
▪ Policy LU -3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods. The Town shall promote walkable neighborhoods by supporting alternative modes of transportation; enhancing bike and pedestrian connectivity to local commercial districts and transit centers; an d maintaining sidewalks, public plazas, parks and greenways, parkways, street tree canopies, and landscaping throughout residential neighborhoods. ▪ Policy M -2-1. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled. Require new development projects to achieve a reduction in VMT per capita or VMT per service population compared to both baseline VMT performance conditions and General Plan 2040 VMT performance conditions. The Town will regularly monitor baseline VMT to provide updated benchmarks for project applicants. Encourage use of VMT reduction strategies and methods to encourage non-automobile travel. ▪ Policy M-2-2. Other Traffic Flow Benchmarks. Establish additional traffic flow benchmarks, such as VMT, vehicle-hours of travel, and safety-related metrics, in order to evaluate and monitor changes in traffic flow over time.
▪ Policy M -2-3. VMT Transportation Performance Measures. Update the Town’s transportation measures and thresholds to use VMT standards for traffic impact analysis rather than LOS. ▪ Policy M-4-4. Transit Oriented Development. Promote the development of multi -modal mixed-use development at sites surrounding the Colma BART station, where feasible along Mission Road, and at the Town Center site.
▪ Policy M-4-5. Connections to Homes and Businesses. Seek opportunities to improve first and last mile connections between transit, homes, and businesses.
▪ Policy M -5-2. Design for All Travel Modes. Plan, design, and construct transportation projects to safely accommodate the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, people with mobility challenges, and persons of all ages and abilities.
▪ Policy M-7-1. TDM Program. Continue to participate in the TDM Program as outlined by the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG).
▪ Policy M-7-2. TDM Program for New Development. Require major development proposals to include a detailed, verifiable TDM program for consideration by the Town during the review of the development application.
▪ Policy M-7-3. Vehicle Trip Reduction. Support vehicle trip reduction strategies, including building safer and more inviting transportation networks, supporting connections to high frequency and regional transit, implementing TDM programs, and integrating land use and transportation decisions. ▪ Policy OSC -3-1. Transit Oriented Development. Encourage, to the extent feasible, higher density residential development to be located near transit corridors and public transportation.
Compliance with applicable policies and programs would contribute to minimizing long-term emissions.
Implementation of the proposed General Plan would result in a less than significant operational impact.
However, while Mitigation Measures AQ -1 and AQ-2 would reduce emissions from construction, due to the programmatic nature of the proposed project and potential for construction emissions to exceed the
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BAAQMD significance thresholds identified in their CEQA Guidelines, impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
Impact 4.2.3 The project could expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations (Significant and Unavoidable).
Implementation of the proposed General Plan would cause or contribute significantly to elevated pollutant concentration levels such that it would expose sensitive receptors to elevated pollutant concentrations.
Unlike regional emissions, localized emissions are typically evaluated in terms of air concentration rather than mass so they can be more readily correlated to potential health effects.
Construction Community Risk and Hazards
Future construction under the proposed GPU would temporarily elevate concentrations of TACs and DPM in the vicinity of sensitive land uses during construction activities. Since the details regarding future construction activities are not known at this time, due to this analysis being conducted at a GPU Program level—including phasing of future individual projects, construction duration and phasing, and preliminary construction equipment —construction emissions are evaluated qualitatively in accordance with BAAQMD’s plan-level guidance. Subsequent environmental review of future development projects would be required to assess potential impacts under BAAQMD’s project-level thresholds. However, construction emissions associated with the proposed General Plan could exceed BAAQMD’s project level and cumulative significance thresholds for community risk and hazards. Therefore, construction-related health risk impacts associated with the proposed General Plan are considered significant.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The proposed project includes the following polic ies that would reduce construction -related air quality impacts:
▪ Policy LU-6-3. Environmental Protection. The Town shall apply environmental protection measures equally among geographic and socioeconomic neighborhoods of the town. ▪ Policy CS-1-1. Health in All Policies. Prioritize the overall health of Colma residents in its strategies, programs, daily operations, and practices.
Mitigation Measure
Mitigation Measure AQ-3: Applicants for construction within 1,000 feet of residential and other sensitive land use projects (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers) in the town of Colma, as measured from the property line of the project to the property line of the sourc e/edge of the nearest travel lane, shall submit a health risk assessment (HRA) to the town prior to future discretionary project approval. The HRA shall be prepared in accordance with policies and procedures of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Ass essment (OEHHA) and the BAAQMD. The latest OEHHA guidelines shall be used for the analysis, including age-sensitivity factors, breathing rates, and body weights appropriate for children ages 0 to 16 years. If the HRA shows that the incremental cancer risk exceeds ten in one million (10E -06), PM 2.5 concentrations exceed 0.3 µg/m 3, or the appropriate noncancer hazard index exceeds 1.0, the applicant will be required to identify and demonstrate that mitigation measures are capable of reducing potential cancer and noncancer risks to an acceptable level (i.e., below ten in one million or a hazard index of 1.0), including appropriate enforcement mechanisms.
Measures to reduce risk may include, but are not limited to:
▪ During construction, use construction equipment rated as US EPA Tier 4 Interim for equipment of 50 horsepower or more.
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▪ During construction, use of construction equipment fitted with Level 3 Diesel Particulate Filters for all equipment of 50 horsepower or more.
Measures identified in the HRA shall be included in the environmental document and/or incorporated into the site development plan as a component of the proposed project. Prior to issuance of any construction permit, the construction contractor shall ensure that all construction plans submitted t o the Town of Colma Planning Division and/or Building Division clearly show incorporation of all applicable mitigation measures.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ -2 and AQ-3 would reduce construction -related health risk impacts to the extent feasible. However, despite implementation of mitigation, construction-related health risk impacts may still exceed the applicable thresholds due to future project -specific circumstances.
Therefore, this impact remains significant and unavoidable.
Operational Phase Community Risk and Hazards
Types of land uses that typically generate substantial quantities of TACs and PM 2.5 include industrial and manufacturing (stationary sources) and warehousing (truck idling) land uses.
Stationary (Permitted) Sources
Various industrial and commercial processes (e.g., manufacturing, dry cleaning) allowed under the proposed General Plan woul d be expected to release TACs. Since TAC emissions are generated by stationary and point sources of emissions within the SFBAAB , they are regulated and controlled by BAAQMD. However, emissions of TACs from mobile sources when operating at a property (e.g., truck idling) are regulated by statewide rules and regulations, not by BAAQMD, and have the potential to generate substantial concentrations of air pollutants.
Land uses that would require a permit from BAAQMD for emissions of TACs include chemical processing facilities, chrome-plating facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline -dispensing facilities. Though such services are limited in the town, any e missions of TACs from stationary sources are controlled by BAAQMD .
Therefore, any future permitting would be subject to further study and health risk assessment prior to the issuance of any necessary project level air quality permits under Regulation 2, New Source Review, as well as Regulation 11, Rule 18, Reduction of Risk from Air Toxic Emissions at Existing Facilities.
Review under New Source Review ensures that stationary source emissions (permitted sources) would be reduced or mitigated below BAAQMD significance thresholds. Though these sources would incrementally contribute to the proposed General Plan’s inventory individually, they would be mitigated to the standards identified above. Impacts related to permitted stationary sources of TACs are considered less than significant.
Nonpermitted Sources
Mobile sources of TACs are not regulated by BAAQMD. The primary mobile source of TACs within the town is truck idling and use of off -road equipment. New warehousing operations could generate substantial DPM emissions from off-road equipment use and truck idling. In addition, some warehousing and industrial facilities may include use of TRUs for cold storage. New land uses in the town that would be permitted under the proposed GPU that would use trucks, including trucks with TRUs, could generate an increase in DPM that would contribute to cancer and noncancer health risk in the SFBAAB. Additionally, these types of facilities could also generate particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) that may cause an exceedance or contribute to the continuing exceedance of the federal and State AAQS. These new land uses could be near existing sensitive receptors. In addition, trucks would travel on regional transportation routes throughout the Bay Area, contributing to near-roadway DPM concentrations. The GPU does not anticipate
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significant new growth from industrial warehousing. However , health risk impacts from nonpermitted sources associated with potential development of industrial and commercial land uses are considered significant.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
▪ Policy LU- 5-1. Regional Cooperation. Participate with other cities in the county and across the region in work ing towards solutions to the issues of regional land use, housing, homelessness, and transportation planning through partnership with the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the San Mateo City/County Association of Govern - ments (C/CAG).
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County Collaboration. Continue to consult with San Mateo Coun ty and other cities in the region on effective land use, transportation, sustainability, and eco nomic development strategies to learn about additional strategies that could be used in Colma to achieve the community’s vision and goals.
▪ Policy LU-6-3. Environmental Protection. The Town shall apply environmental protection measures equally among geographic and socioeconomic neighborhoods of the town. ▪ Policy M -3-1. Agency Collaboration and Coordination. Collaborate with Caltrans, the City and County Associat ion of Governments (C/CAG), surrounding jurisdictions, and other agencies to improve connectivity between the county, cities, and the town. ▪ Policy M -3-3. Regional Transportation Planning. Actively participate in and support regional transportation planning efforts.
▪ Policy CS -1-1. Health in All Policies. Prioritize the overall health of Colma residents in Town strategies, programs, daily operations, and practices.
The policies and programs listed above would contribute toward minimizing potential health risk impacts to sensitive receptors. However, i mplementation of the proposed General Plan Update could expose sensitive receptors to substantial toxic air contaminant concentrations from nonpermitted sources.
Mitigation Measure
Mitigation Measure AQ -4: Prior to discretionary project approval, applicants for industrial or warehousing land uses in addi tion to commercial land uses that would generate substantial diesel truck travel —i.e., 100 diesel trucks per day or 40 or more trucks with diesel -powered transport refrigeration units per day based on the CARB recommendations for siting new sensitive land uses— shall contact the BAAQMD or the town of Colma in conjunction with the BAAQMD to determine the appropriate level of HRA required. If preparation of an HRA is required, all HRAs shall be submitted to the town and the BAAQMD for evaluation.
The HRA shall be prepared in accordance with policies and procedures of the OEHHA and the BAAQMD. If the HRA shows that the incremental cancer risk exceeds ten in one million (10E -06) or the risk thresholds in effect at the time a project is considered, or the appropriate noncancer hazard index exceeds 1.0, or 0.3 µ/m3 of PM2.5 or the thresholds as determined by the BAAQMD at the time a project is considered, the applicant will be required to identify and demonstrate that measures are capable of reducing potential cancer and noncancer risks to an acceptable level, including appropriate enforcement mechanisms.
Measures to reduce risk impacts may include but are not limited to:
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▪ Restricting idling on-site beyond Air Toxic Control Measures idling restrictions, as feasible. ▪ Electrifying warehousing docks.
▪ Requiring use of newer equipment and/or vehicles.
▪ Restricting off-site truck travel through the creation of truck routes.
Measures identified in the HRA shall be identified as mitigation measures in the environmental document and/or incorporated into the site development plan as a component of the proposed General Plan.
Development allowed by the proposed General Plan could result in new sources of criteria air pollutant emissions and/or TACs near existing or planned sensitive receptors. Review of development projects by BAAQMD for permitted sources of air toxics (e.g., industrial facilities, dry cleaners, and gasoline dispensing facilities) in addition to proposed General Plan goals, policies, and programs would ensure that health risks are minimized. Additionally, Mitigation Measure AQ-5 would ensure mobile sources of TACs not covered under BAAQMD permits are considered during subsequent project -level environmental review by the town of Colma. Individual development projects w ould be required to achieve the incremental risk thresholds established by BAAQMD, and TAC and PM 2.5 impacts would be less than significant with Mitigation Measure AQ-4.
CO Hotspots
Areas of vehicle congestion have the potential to create pockets of CO, called hotspots. These pockets have the potential to exceed the State 1-hour standard of 20 ppm or the 8-hour standard of 9.0 ppm. Since CO is produced in the greatest quantities from vehicle combustion and does not readily disperse into the atmosphere, adherence to AAQS is typically demonstrated through an analysis of localized CO concentrations. Hotspots are typically produced at intersections, where traffic congestion is highest because vehicles queue for longer periods and are subject to reduced speeds.
C/CAG’s CMP must be consistent with the ABAG/MTC’s Plan Bay Area , which is updated periodically.
An overarching goal of the Plan Bay Area is to concentrate development in areas where there are existing services and infrastructure rather than allocate new growth in outlying areas where substantial transportation investme nts would be necessary to achieve the per capita passenger vehicle VMT and associated GHG emissions reductions.
The GPU would be consistent with the overall goals of the Plan Bay Area. Additionally, the proposed General Plan would not hinder the capital improvements outlined in the CMP. Thus, the proposed General Plan would not conflict with C/CAG’s CMP. Furthermore, under existing and future vehicle emission rates, a project would have to increase traffic volumes at a single intersection by more than 44,0 00 vehicles per hour—or 24,000 vehicles per hour where vertical and/or horizontal mixing is substantially limited —in order to generate a significant CO impact (BAAQMD 2017a) . The proposed General Plan would not increase traffic volumes at affected intersec tions by more than BAAQMD screening criteria of 44,000 vehicles per hour or 24,000 vehicles per hour where vertical and/or horizontal mixing is substantially limited. Therefore, overall, the proposed project would not have the potential to substantially increase CO hotspots at intersections in the town and vicinity.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
▪ Policy M-7-1. TDM Program. Continue to participate in the TDM Program as outlined by the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG).
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▪ Policy M-7-2. TDM Program for New Development. Require major development proposals to include a detailed , verifiable TDM program for consideration by the Town during the review of the development application.
▪ Policy M-7-3. Vehicle Trip Reduction. Support vehicle trip reduction strategies, including building safer and more inviting transportation networks, supporting connections to high frequency and regional transit, implementing TDM programs, and integrating land use and transportation decisions.
Overall, these aforementioned components of the proposed project would contribute to reducing congestion and associated emissions. Localized air quality impacts related to mobile -source emissions would therefore be less than significant and no further mitigation is required for mobile source emission impacts.
Impact 4.2.4 The project would not result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people (Less than Significant).
The following discusses potential operation - and construction -related odor impacts associated with implementation of the proposed 2040 General Plan Update.
Construction-Related Odors
During construction activities of future developments in the Town, constr uction equipment exhaust and application of asphalt and architectural coatings would temporarily generate odors. Any construction - related odor emissions would be temporary and intermittent. Additionally, noxious odors would be confined to the immediate vic inity of the construction equipment. By the time such emissions reach any sensitive receptor sites, they would be diluted to well below any level of air quality concern , and impacts would be less than significant.
Operation-Related Odors
Potential impacts could occur if new sources of nuisance odors are placed near sensitive receptors. Table
4.2.11: BAAQMD Odor Screening Distances , identifies screening distances from potential sources of objectionable odors within the SFBAAB. Odors from these types of land uses are regulated under BAAQMD Regulation 7, Odorous Substances.
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Table 4.2.11: BAAQMD Odor Screening Distances
Land Use/Type of Operation Screening Distance
▪ Wastewater Treatment Plant ▪ 2 miles
▪ Wastewater Pumping Facilities ▪ 1 mile
▪ Sanitary Landfill ▪ 2 miles
▪ Transfer Station ▪ 1 mile
▪ Composting Facility ▪ 1 mile
▪ Petroleum Refinery ▪ 2 miles
▪ Asphalt Batch Plan ▪ 2 miles
▪ Chemical Manufacturing ▪ 2 miles
▪ Fiberglass Manufacturing ▪ 1 mile
▪ Painting/Coating Operations ▪ 1 mile
▪ Rendering Plant ▪ 2 miles
▪ Coffee Roaster ▪ 1 mile
▪ Food Processing Facility ▪ 1 mile
▪ Confined Animal Facility/Feed Lot/ Dairy ▪ 1 mile
▪ Green Waste and Recycling Operations ▪ 1 mile
▪ Metal Smelting Plants ▪ 2 miles
While not all sources in the table are found in the town of Colma (e.g., rendering plants, confined animal facilities), commercial and industrial areas in the town have the potential to include land uses that generate nuisance odors. Buildout permitted under the proposed GPU could include new sources of odors, such as composting, greenwaste, and recycling operations; food processing; and painting/coating operations, because these are types of uses in the commercial and/or industrial areas in the Town. Future environmental review could be required for industrial projects listed in the table above to ensure that sensitive land uses are not exposed to objectionable odors. BAAQMD Regulation 7, Odorous Substances, requires abatement of any nuisance-generating an odor complaint.7 Facilities listed in the table would need to consider measures to reduce odors as part of their project level environmental review. The proposed General Plan would also accommodate future residential, retail, and commercial development. These uses would not generate substantial odors that would affect a substantial number of people. During operation,
7 Typical abatement includes passing air through a drying agent followed by two successive beds of activated carbon to render air odor free.
Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District. California Environmental Quality Act Air Quality Guidelines, Table 3-3, Odor Screening Distances, and associated Appendix D of these Guidelines. https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/planning-and-research/ceqa/ceqa_guidelines_may2017-pdf.pdf?la=en. 2017
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residences and restaurants could generate odors from cooking. However, odors from cooking are not substantial enough to be considered nuisance odors that would affect a substantial number of people.
Furthermore, nuisance odor s are regulated under BAAQMD Regulation 7, Odorous Substances, which requires abatement of any nuisance generating an odor complaint. BAAQMD’s Regulation 7, Odorous Substances, places general limitations on odorous substances and specific emission limitati ons on certain odorous compounds. 8 In addition, odors are also regulated under BAAQMD Regulation 1, Rule 1 -301, Public Nuisance.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
▪ Policy M -6-1. Site Planning. Locate and design development projects within a scenic corridor to carefully fit within their environment and setting. The scenic character of the site should be maintained as much as possible. All development should be sited and designed to minimize the impacts of noise, light, glare, and odors on adjacent properties with the community at large.
Review of projects using BAAQMD’s odor screening distances during future CEQA review, implementation of the policies and programs above, and compliance with BAAQMD Regulation 7 would ensure that odor impacts are minimized to less than significant.
8 It should be noted that while restaurants can generate odors, these sources are not identified by BAAQMD as nuisance odors since they typically do not generate significant odors that affect a substantial number of people. Larger restaurants that employ five or more people are subject to BAAQMD Regulation 7, Odorous Substances.
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REFERENCES
Websites
Associated Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Priority Development Area Showcase. July 2015. http://gis.abag.ca.gov/website/PDAShowcase/.
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 2021,May. Draft Plan Bay Area 2050. https://www.planbayarea.org/draftplan2050 Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Community Air Risk Evaluation Program, Phase I Findings and Policy Recommendations Related to Toxic Air Contaminants in the San Francisco Bay Area. 2006. http://www.baaqmd.gov/Divisions/Planning-and-Research/Planning-Programs-and- Initiatives/CARE-Program/~/media/54D434A0EB8348B78A71C4DE32831544.ashx.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Air Toxics NSR Program, Health Risk Screening Analysis Guidelines. 2010a.
http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/Files/Engineering/Air%20Toxics%20Programs/hrsa_guidelines. ashx. (accessed August 25, 2020).
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Screening Tables for Air Toxics Evaluations during Construction. 2010b, May.
https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/Files/Planning%20and%20Research/CEQA/CEQA_Constructi on_Screening_Approach.ashx.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Improving Air Quality & Health in Bay Area Communities, Community Air Risk Program (CARE) Retrospective and Path Forward (2004–2013). 2014, April. https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/planning-and-research/care- program/documents/care_retrospective_april2014.pdf.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). California Environmental Quality Act Air Quality Guidelines. 2017a (revised). http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/planning-and- research/ceqa/ceqa_guidelines_may2017-pdf
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status. 2017b, January. http://www.baaqmd.gov/research-and-data/air-quality-standards-and- attainment-status#thirteen
California Air Resources Board (CARB). Final Staff Report: Update to the Toxic Air Contaminant List. 1999.
California Air Resources Board (CARB). Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. 2005, May.
California Air Resources Board (CARB). ARB Fact Sheet: Air Pollution and Health. 2009, December 2.:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/fs/fs1/fs1.htm (accessed February 21, 2019).
California Air Resources Board (CARB). Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. 2017, March.:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/final_SLCP_strategy.pdf. (accessed August 25, 2020).
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California Air Resources Board (CARB). Area Designations Maps: State and National. 2019a, August. http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm (accessed August 25, 2020).
California Air Resources Board (CARB). San Francisco Bay Area Community Health Protection Program. 2019b, April 16. https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/ab617-community- health/2019_0325_ab617onepager-pdf.pdf?la=en.
California Air Resources Board (CARB). West Oakland Community Action Plan. 2019c, October 2. https://www.baaqmd.gov/community-health/community-health-protection-program/west- oakland-community-action-plan.
California Air Resources Board (CARB). Air Pollution Data Monitoring Cards (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018). 2020. https://www.arb.ca.gov/adam/topfour/topfour1.php. Data (accessed August 15, 2020).
City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), San Mateo. San Mateo County Congestion Management Program (CMP) 2019. 2020, April 9. https://ccag.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2019-CMP- Final-040920.pdf.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).
Priority Development Areas Current. 2020.
https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?panel=gallery&suggestField=true&url=http s%3A%2F%2Fservices3.arcgis.com%2Fi2dkYWmb4wHvYPda%2Farcgis%2Frest%2Fservices%2F priority_development_areas_current%2FFeatureServer%2F0 (Accessed September 1, 2020).
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).
Plan Bay Area 2050. 2021, https://www.planbayarea.org/plan-bay-area-2050-1.
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Guidance Manual for the Preparation of Health Risk Assessments. 2015, February
South Coast Air Quality Management District. Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. 2005, May. http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default- source/planning/air-quality-guidance/complete-guidance-document.pdf.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Health and Environmental Effects of Hazardous Air Pollutants. 2019. https://www.epa.gov/haps/health-and-environmental-effects-hazardous-air- pollutants.
4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Cal. Pub. Resources Code Sections §21000, et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs., Section §15000, et seq.), this section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) describes the existing biological resources including the special -status species and sensitive habitats known to occur or that potentially occur in the proposed Town of Colma General Plan Update Planning Area (Planning Area). It also discusses the regulations and programs which provide for their protection, and an assessment of the pot ential impacts of implementing the Town of Colma’s 2045 General Plan Update. This section includes a discussion of mitigation measures necessary to reduce impacts to a less than significant level, where feasible.
4.3.1 EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL
The Planning Area is located in San Mateo county, approximately 1.5 miles west of the San Francisco Bay.
The San Francisco Bay and Delta make up the Pacific Coast’s largest estuary, encompassing roughly 1,600 square miles of waterways and draining over 40 percent of California’s fresh water. The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers flow from Northern California’s inland valleys into the Delta’s winding system of islands, sloughs, canals, and channels, before emptying into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
The town is part of the Bay Area/Delta Bioregion, as identified by the US Geological Survey. This is one of the most populous of the State’s 10 bioregion areas, covering both the San Francisco Bay area as well as the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. This bioregion supplies about two -thirds of the State of California’s drinking water, irrigates farmlands and sustains fish and wildlife. Encompassing about 12 of the State’s counties from Sonoma to San Joaquin and stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, the Bay Area/Delta Bioregion is the second most populated bioregion in the State. The bioregion is mostly hilly with low coastal mountains. It includes two major watersheds – the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, and numerous rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals, such as the Russian, Napa and Putah creeks, and Lake Berryessa. Coastal prairie shrub, coastal salt marshes, freshwater marshes, mixed hardwoods and valley oaks along with eucal yptus, manzanita and northern coastal scrub make up most of the bioregion.
California buttercups, goldfields, and Tiberon mariposa lily are also found in the greater bioregion. Typical plants include Marin western flax, Baker's manzanita, Point Reyes check erbloom, Sonoma sunshine , pickleweed, great bulrush, saltbush, and cattail. The common marine life in this bioregion include Chinook salmon, harbor seal, sea lion, leopard shark, and bat ray. Other wildlife includes grey fox, mule deer, bobcat, raccoon, Pa cific tree frog, and the swallowtail and painted lady butterfly. Endangered species include the California least tern, California black rail and clapper rail, Smith's blue butterfly, salt marsh harvest mouse, California freshwater shrimp, northwestern pond turtle, and tidewater goby.
The San Francisco Bay is also part of the Pacific Flyway, the route taken by migrating waterfowl twice each year. The marshes and mudflats of the San Francisco Bay provide important feeding and roosting habitat for these migrating birds. Typical bird species include canvasback, western grebe, black -crowned night heron, great egret, snowy egret, California brown pelican, white pelican, gull, acorn woodpecker, golden eagle, western bluebird, Caspian tern, American avocet, and cedar waxwing.
4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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LOCAL
The town of Colma encompasses approximately 1,219 acres or 1.9 square miles of land . Its main natural feature is Colma Creek which flows primarily underground through the town from the Crocker Hills within the San Bruno Mountain range to San Francisco Bay to the south (Figure 4.3-1: Creeks).
Since most of the creek is either surrounded by flood control walls or buried underground, the common natural vegetative habitat along Colma Creek is scrub, with very little riparian habitat. The vegetative cover now consists primarily of introduced ornamental and native plant materials.
The majority of the town, or almost 887 acres, is dedicated to cemetery uses. Even though park and open space areas are otherwise limited within its boundaries, the town of Colma has the ability to, or supports a variety of vegetative, plant and animal species as evidenced in Table 4.3.1: Plant and Wildlife Species Potentially in the Planning Area below.
Table 4.3.1: Plant and Wildlife Species Potentially in the Planning Area
SPECIES STATUS
(Fed; State; CNPS) HABITAT
PLANTS
Allium peninsulare var.
franciscanum (Franciscan onion) --; --; 1B.2
Cismontane woodland, Valley and
foothill grassland
Amsinckia lunaris (bent-flowered
fiddleneck) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal bluff scrub, Cismontane
woodland, Valley and foothill grassland
Arctostaphylos franciscana
(Franciscan manzanita) FE; --; 1B.1 Coastal scrub (serpentinite) Arctostaphylos imbricata (San Bruno
Mountain manzanita) --; CE; 1B.1 Chaparral, Coastal scrub Arctostaphylos montana ssp.
Ravenii (Presidio manzanita) FE; CE; 1B.1
Chaparral, Coastal prairie, Coastal
scrub
Arctostaphylos montaraensis
(Montara manzanita) --; --; 1B.2 Chaparral (maritime), Coastal scrub Arctostaphylos pacifica (Pacific
manzanita) --; CE; 1B.1 Chaparral, Coastal scrub
Astragalus tener var. tener (alkali
milk-vetch) --; --; 1B.2
Playas, Valley and foothill grassland
(adobe clay), Vernal pools
Carex comosa (bristly sedge) --; --; 2B.1
Coastal prairie, Marshes and swamps
(lake margins), Valley and foothill
grassland
Centromadia parryi ssp. parryi
(pappose tarplant) --; --; 1B.2
Chaparral, Coastal prairie, Meadows
and seeps, Marshes and swamps
(coastal salt), Valley and foothill
grassland (vernally mesic)
Chorizanthe cuspidata var.
cuspidata (San Francisco Bay
spineflower) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal dunes,
Coastal prairie, Coastal scrub
Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta
(robust spineflower) FE; --; 1B.1
Chaparral (maritime), Cismontane
woodland (openings), Coastal dunes,
Coastal scrub
4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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SPECIES STATUS
(Fed; State; CNPS) HABITAT
Cirsium andrewsii (Franciscan
thistle) --; --; 1B.2
Broadleafed upland forest, Coastal bluff
scrub, Coastal prairie, Coastal scrub
Cirsium occidentale var. compactum
(compact cobwebby thistle) --; --; 1B.2
Chaparral, Coastal dunes, Coastal
prairie, Coastal scrub
Collinsia corymbosa (round-headed
Chinese-houses) --; --; 1B.2 Coastal dunes
Collinsia multicolor (San Francisco
collinsia) --; --; 1B.2
Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal
scrub
Fritillaria liliacea (fragrant fritillary) --; --; 1B.2 Cismontane woodland, Coastal prairie,
Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill
grassland
Gilia capitata ssp. chamissonis (blue
coast gilia) --; --; 1B.1 Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub
Gilia millefoliata (dark-eyed gilia) --; --; 1B.2 Coastal dunes Grindelia hirsutula var. maritima
(San Francisco gumplant) --; --; 3.2
Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub,
Valley and foothill grassland
Helianthella castanea (Diablo
helianthella) --; --; 1B.2
Broadleafed upland forest, Chaparral,
Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub,
Riparian woodland, Valley and foothill
grassland
Hemizonia congesta ssp. congesta
(congested-headed hayfield tarplant) --; --; 1B.2 Valley and foothill grassland Hesperevax sparsiflora var.
brevifolia (short-leaved evax) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal bluff scrub (sandy), Coastal
dunes, Coastal prairie
Heteranthera dubia (water star-
grass) --; --; 1B.2
Marshes and swamps (alkaline, still or
slow-moving water)
Horkelia cuneata var. sericea
(Kellogg's horkelia) --; --; 1B.1
Closed-cone coniferous forest,
Chaparral (maritime), Coastal dunes,
Coastal scrub
Horkelia marinensis (Point Reyes
horkelia) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal dunes, Coastal prairie, Coastal
scrub
Layia carnosa (beach layia) FE; CE; 1B.1 Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub (sandy) Leptosiphon rosaceus (rose
leptosiphon) --; --; 1B.1 Coastal bluff scrub
Lessingia germanorum (San
Francisco lessingia) FE; CE; 1B.1 Coastal scrub (remnant dunes) Malacothamnus arcuatus (arcuate
bush-mallow) --; --; 1B.2 Chaparral, Cismontane woodland Monardella sinuata ssp. nigrescens
(northern curly-leaved monardella) --; --; 1B.2
Chaparral (SCR Co.), Coastal dunes,
Coastal scrub, Lower montane
coniferous forest (SCR Co., ponderosa
pine sandhills)
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SPECIES STATUS
(Fed; State; CNPS) HABITAT
Pentachaeta bellidiflora (white-rayed
pentachaeta) FE; CE; 1B.1
Cismontane woodland, Valley and
foothill grassland (often serpentinite)
Plagiobothrys chorisianus var.
chorisianus (Choris' popcornflower) --; --; 1B.2
Chaparral, Coastal prairie, Coastal
scrub
Sanicula maritima (adobe sanicle) --; CR; 1B.1
Chaparral, Coastal prairie, Meadows
and seeps, Valley and foothill grassland
Senecio aphanactis (chaparral
ragwort) --; --; 2B.2
Chaparral, Cismontane woodland,
Coastal scrub
Silene scouleri ssp. scouleri
(Scouler's catchfly) --; --; 2B.2
Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal prairie,
Valley and foothill grassland
Silene verecunda ssp. verecunda
(San Francisco campion) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal bluff scrub, Chaparral, Coastal
prairie, Coastal scrub, Valley and
foothill grassland
Suaeda californica (California
seablite) FE; --; 1B.1 Marshes and swamps (coastal salt) Trifolium amoenum (two-fork
clover) FE; --; 1B.1
Coastal bluff scrub, Valley and foothill
grassland (sometimes serpentinite)
Triphysaria floribunda (San
Francisco owl's-clover) --; --; 1B.2
Coastal prairie, Coastal scrub, Valley
and foothill grassland
Triquetrella californica (coastal
triquetrella) --; --; 1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub
WILDLIFE
Rana draytonii (California red-
legged frog) FT; --; SSC
quiet pools of streams, marshes, and
occasionally ponds
Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia (San
Francisco gartersnake) FE; CE; CP
Emys marmorata (western pond
turtle) --; --; SSC
Permanent or nearly permanent
aquatic habitat
Falco peregrinus anatum (American
peregrine falcon) FD; CD; CP
Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
(California brown pelican) FD; CD; CP
Rallus obsoletus obsoletus
(California Ridgway's rail) FE; CE; CP
Riparia riparia (bank swallow) --; CT; --
Riparian and other lowland habitats in
California west of the deserts during
the spring-fall period
Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus
(California black rail) --; CT; CP
Tidal salt marshes dominated by
pickleweed, and brackish and
freshwater marshes.
Accipiter cooperii (Cooper's hawk) --; '--; WL
Breeds in southern Sierra Nevada
foothills, New York Mts., Owens
Valley, and other local areas in
southern California
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SPECIES STATUS
(Fed; State; CNPS) HABITAT
Eremophila alpestris actia
(California horned lark) --; '--; WL
Short grasslands (stubble fields),
disturbed areas, agriculture fields, and
beach areas
Falco mexicanus (prairie falcon) --; '--; WL
Distributed from annual grasslands to
alpine meadows, but associated
primarily with perennial grasslands,
savannahs, rangeland, some
agricultural fields, and desert scrub
areas.
Lanius ludovicianus (loggerhead
shrike) --; '--; SSC
open habitats with scattered shrubs,
trees, posts, fences, utility lines, or other
perches.
Geothlypis trichas sinuosa
(saltmarsh common yellowthroat) --; '--; SSC
Riparian thickets and riparian
woodlands with a dense understory.
Melospiza melodia pusillula
(Alameda song sparrow) --; '--; SSC
Emergent wetlands with low, dense
vegetation such as willows.
Phalacrocorax auritus (double-
crested cormorant) --; '--; WL
Inland lakes, fresh, salt and estuarine
waters. Overnight roosts on humanly
inaccessible areas without vegetation.
Mylopharodon conocephalus
(hardhead) --; --; SSC
Eucyclogobius newberryi (tidewater
goby) FE; --; SSC
Shallow lagoons and lower coastal
stream reaches with salinities from
brackish to fresh
Spirinchus thaleichthys (longfin
smelt) FC; CT; --
Salt or brackish estuaries with a sandy-
gravel substrate.
Bombus occidentalis (western
bumble bee) --; CCE; --
Callophrys mossii bayensis (San
Bruno elfin butterfly) FE; --; --
Hilltops and ridges of coastal scrub
supporting the host plant species,
stonecrop
Plebejus icarioides missionensis
(Mission blue butterfly) FE; --; --
Euphydryas editha bayensis (Bay
checkerspot butterfly) FT; --; --
Foothills of serpentine soils supporting
host species, native plantain and owl’s
clover
Speyeria callippe callippe (callippe
silverspot butterfly) FE; --; --
Corynorhinus townsendii
(Townsend's big-eared bat) --; --; SSC
Utilizes a variety of communities,
including conifer and oak woodlands
and forests, arid grasslands and deserts,
and high elevation forests and
meadows.
Source: California Natural Diversity Database Search Results. 2020. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB. Accessed 24 July 2020.
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Riparian Vegetation - Riparian vegetation, largely willow and alder, is limited to the banks along the few open sections of Colma Creek. These areas are located behind the commercial district west of Mission Road, from the Cypress Lawn Cemetery offices to Collins Avenue, west of City Hall from Serramonte Boulevard north about 800 feet, and in front of Woodlawn and Greenlawn cemeteries adjacent to El Camino Real.
Non-Native Plants - Non-native plant species are prevalent in certain areas of the town of Colma and are often so prolific that they are invasive and spread into surrounding ecosystems, displacing nati ve plants.
Non-native plants tend to be more aggressive in their growth habits, often produce more seed that lasts longer in the soil and are more resistant to diseases, to competitors and to predators. Invading non -native plants in the town include German Ivy (Senecio mikanioides), Cape Ivy (Senecio angulatus), Pampas Grass (Cortaderia jubata), Fennel (Foeniculum), Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius), and Gorse (Ulex europaea).
Tree Masses - The vegetation that is most clearly recognized in the town of Colma is the significant tree masses that exist throughout the town. The majority of these trees were planted by the cemetery owners to act as buffers, windbreaks and for aesthetic purposes. The cemeteries chose pine, cypress, palm, acacia, and eucalyptus because of their availability and compatibility with the town’s microclimate.
Wildlife – The town of Colma has a diversified wildlife population. The San Francisco Bay Area is located along the Pacific Flyway, so migratory birds are attracted to the open spaces of San Bruno Mountains and to the memorial parks and cemetery irrigation ponds in the town. Bird species seen in the area include vultures, hawks, owls and a variety of songbirds. Small animals common to the Colma area are snak es, lizards, gophers, squirrels, frogs, mice and rabbits. Mammals such as racoons, possum, skunk and coyotes are also common in the town of Colma and on San Bruno Mountain.
Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species – Open space land in the town of Colma is characterized as disturbed due to agricultural practices and normal cemetery landscape maintenance which has occurred for over 100 years. However, there are areas adjacent to the town where threatened and endangered species are found, such as San Bruno Mountain, and there are areas within the town of Colma where man-made environments may favor the presence of sensitive species. The California red -legged frog, California Ridgway’s rail, longfin smelt, western bumble bee, and the San Francisco garter snake (Table 4.3.1) are a few of the State and federally endangered species that may exist within the town.
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4.3.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FEDERAL
Federal Endangered Species Act (1973)
When Congress passed the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) in 1973, it expressed concern that many of our nation’s native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct. The purpose of the FESA therefore is to protect and recover imperiled species and their related ecosystems. The Department of U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS) and the Commerce Department’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) administer the FESA. USFWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife such as whales and anadromous fish such as salmon. Under the FESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. All species of plants and animals, except pest insects, are eligible for listing as endangered or threatened.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implements international treaties between the U.S. and other nations devised to protect migratory birds, any of their parts, eggs, and nests from a variety of activities such as hunting, pursuing, captu ring, killing, selling, and shipping, unless expressly authorized in the regulations or by permit.
Clean Water Act
The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted as an amendment to the federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, which established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and established quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. “Clean Water Act” became the Act’s common name with amendments in 1972.
The purpose of the Clean Water Act (CWA) is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, which include rivers, streams, estuaries, the territorial seas, ponds, lakes and wetlands. Wetlands are defined as those areas “that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” (33 CFR 328.3 7b).
The CWA empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national water quality standards and effluent li mitations and includes programs addressing both point -source and nonpoint-source pollution. Point-source pollution is pollution that originates or enters surface waters at a single, discrete location, such as an outfall structure or an excavation or constr uction site. Nonpoint -source pollution originates over a broader area and includes urban contaminants in stormwater runoff and sediment loading from upstream areas.
CWA Permits for Fill Placement in Waters and Wetlands - Section 404 Section 404 of the CWA prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States” without a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) also has authority over wetlands and may ove rride a USACE permit.
Substantial impacts on wetlands may require an individual permit. Projects that only minimally affect wetlands may meet the conditions of one of the existing Nationwide Permits. A Water Quality Certification
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or waiver pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA is required for Section 404 permit actions; this certification or waiver is issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
STATE AND REGIONAL
California Endangered Species Act
The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) is a California state environmental law that conserves and protects plant and animal species at risk of extinction. Plant and animal species may be designated threatened or endangered under CESA after a formal listing process by the California Fish and Game Commission. Approximately 250 species are currently listed under CESA. Any CESA-listed species, or any part or product of the plant or animal, may not be imported into the state, exported out of the state, “taken” (i.e., killed), possessed, purchased, or sold without proper authorization.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) works with agencies, organizations, and other interested persons to study, protect, and preserve CESA -listed species and their habitats. CDFW also conducts scientific reviews of species petitioned for listing under CESA, administers regulatory permitting programs to authorize take of listed species, maintains an extensive database of listed species occurrences, and conducts periodic reviews of listed species to determine if the conditions that led to original listing are still present.
The State of California first began to designate species as “Fully Protected” prior to the creation of the CESA and the FESA. Lists of fully protected species were initially developed to provide protection to those animals that were rare or faced possible extinction, and included fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The regulations that implement the Fully Protected Species Statute (California Fish and Game Code Section 4700) provide that fully protected species may not be taken or possessed at any time. Furthermore, the CDFW prohibits any state agency from issuing incidental take permits for fully protected species, except for necessary scientific research.
California Department of Fish and Game Code – Predatory Birds The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC, Sec. 703, Supp. I, 1989) prohibits killing, possessing, or trading in migratory birds in accordance with regulations under the US Secretary of the Interior. This act encompasses whole birds, parts of birds, and bird nests and eggs. In California, birds of prey are protected under the State Fish and Game Code, Section 3503.5 (1992). Section 3503.5 states that it is “unlawful to take, possess, or destroy any birds in the order Falconiformes or Strigiformes (birds of prey) or to take, possess, or destroy the nest or eggs of any such bird except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto.” Construction disturbance during the breeding season could result in the incidental loss of fertile eggs or nestlings, or otherwise lead to nest abandonment. Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort is considered “taking” by the CDFW. Any loss of fertile eggs, nesting raptors, or any activities resulting in nest abandonment would constitute a significant impact.
California Department of Fish and Game Code - Bats
All bat species are protected under the California Fish and Game Code Section §4150, which states that all non-game mammals or parts thereof may not be taken or possessed except as otherwise provided in the code or in accordance with regulations adopted by the commission.
California Department of Fish and Game Code - Native Plant Protection Act The Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA) of 1977 was created with the intent to “preserve, protect and enhance rare and endangered plants in this state.” The NPPA is administered by the California Department
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of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The Fish and Game Commission has the authority to designate native plants as “endangered” or “rare” and to protect endangered and rare plants from take. The California Endangered Species Act ( CESA) provides further protection for rare and endangered plan t species, but the NPPA remains part of the Fish and Game Code.
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) maintains a list of special status plant species based on collected scientific information. Designation of these species by CNPS has no legal status or protection under federal or state endangered species legislation. CNPS designations are defined as List 1A (plants presumed extinct); List 1B (plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere); List 2 (plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more numerous elsewhere); List 3 (plants about which more information is needed – a review list); and List 4 (plants of limited distribution - a watch list).
Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
The Porter -Cologne Water Qualit y Control Act imposes stringent controls on any discharges into the "waters of the state" (California Water Code §13000, et seq.). This law assigns overall responsibility for water rights and water quality protection to the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) and directs the nine statewide Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) to develop and enforce water quality standards within their boundaries.
Waters of the state are defined as any surface water or groundwater, including salin e waters, within the boundaries of the state. P ursuant to the Porter-Cologne Act, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has the ultimate authority over state water rights and water quality policy. The Act also establishes nine Regional Water Qual ity Control Board ( RWQCBs) to oversee water quality at the local/regional level, where the State retains authority to regulate discharges of waste into any waters of the state, regardless of whether the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has con current jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This applies specifically to isolated wetlands considered non-jurisdictional by the Corps.
State Definition of Covered Waters
Under California State law, “waters of the state" means “any surface water or groundwater, including saline waters, within the boundaries of the state” (California Water Code §13050(e)). Therefore, water quality laws apply to both surface and groundwater. After the US Supreme Court decision in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. Army COE of Engineers (SWANCC v. USCOE), the Office of Chief Counsel of the SWRCB released a legal memorandum confirming the State’s jurisdiction over isolated wetlands.
The memorandum stated that under the California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, discharges to wetlands and other waters of the state are subject to State regulation, and this includes isolated wetlands.
In general, the RWQCBs regulate discharges to isolated waters in much the same way as they do for federal- jurisdictional waters, using Porter-Cologne rather than CWA authority.
LOCAL
Town of Colma Municipal Code
The town of Colma recognizes the contribution of both trees and views to the character and beauty of the town. Removal of trees without reasonable care would destroy the natural beauty of certain areas, contribute to erosion and increase cost of drainage system s, reduce protection against wind, and impair residential privacy and quiet. Guidelines are provided in the town’s Tree Ordinance and Public Tree Ordinance to protect both trees and views and to ensure that access to public property and public rights - of-way, including sidewalks, by persons with disabilities is not constrained or inhibited.
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4.3.2 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
The impact analysis provided below is based on the following State CEQA Guidelines Appendix G thresholds of significance. Biological resources impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat mod ifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. • Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means.
• Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites.
• Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance.
• Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan.
METHODOLOGY
This section describes potential impacts on biological resources that could result from the GPU and discusses General Plan goals, policies, and implementation programs that would avoid or reduce those potential impacts. This impact assessment is based on the project description (Section 3.0, Project Description), information available from various existing planning documents and database searches .
Analysis of the effects of implementing the Proposed General Plan Update was based on the review of available data sources. No new field studies or other research were conducted for the preparation of this DPEIR, as existing information on biological resources in the Planning Area was deemed an appropriate level of detail for a program-level environmental assessment. Based on a review of aerial photographs, data from the CNDDB’s electronic database, and available information from other environmental documents provided by the Town, this Draft PEIR presents a list of special -status species that have the pot ential to occur in the Planning Area, due to the presence of the basic habitat types that they inhabit.
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IMPACTS
Impact 4.3.1 The proposed GPU would not have a substantial adverse effect through habitat modification on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species , or impact riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communit ies as identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service (Less than Significant).
A search of the California Natural Diversity Data Base has revealed the potential occurrence of one amphibian, one bird species, one fish species, four insect species, one reptile (California garter snake), and eight plant species with the town of Colma that are either State or Federal Threatened or Endangered species.
The 2040 GPU proposes few changes that could potentially alter the future development proposed in the town. The proposed GPU updates the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The planning areas include development standards such as height, FAR, and density as well as development st andard bonuses for specific uses in opportunity sites. In addition, the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cem etery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster’s site, respectively.
Though the proposed GPU in itself would not directly approve or entitle any development , it would facilitate future development by allowing for infill development as well as redevelopment of the few vacant and underutilized parcels that exist within the town of Colma, thereby incentivizing new development in already de veloped areas with limited potential for wildlife habitat. Although the CNDDB recognizes several potentially protected and endangered species, some, like the California garter snake, have not been found in the town of Colma, while others may exist in the numerous cemetery areas in the town. Although some development of the few currently vacant parcels in the town may affect some candidate, special status, or candidate species, the areas that may develop are already designated for urban uses. Construction and site maintenance activities associated with future development have the potential to result in the direct or indirect loss or disturbance of these plant or animal species. However, future site-specific projects would be required to conduct biological resources review under State CEQA Guidelines to ensure that there are no impacts to potential habitat modifications , for any one particular area . In addition, the General Plan includes policies that would minimize or avoid impacts to sensitive habitat by requiring the protection and preservation of such resources.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed General Plan policies would minimize or avoid impacts to riparian corridors and natural communities:
Policy OSC-4-7: Colma Creek Bank Setback. Protect and enhance areas of Colma Creek for riparian habitat, linear park opportunities, and aesthetic value.
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Policy OSC-5-3: Sensitive Biological Habitats. Require new development on or near sensitive habitats such as open creeks, ponds and other water features to be subject to an investigation of the presence of the threatened Red-legged frog and endangered San Francisco garter snake.
Policy OSC-5-4: Habitat Enhancement. Require new development to minimize the disturbance of natural habitats and ve getation, and revegetation of disturbed habitat with native or non-invasive, naturalized species.
The GPU would have a less than significant impact on species identified as a ca ndidate, sensitive, or special statute species in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Moreover, these less than significant impacts would be further reduced with the i mplementation of the policies described above and no further mitigation is required.
Impact 4.3.2 Development under the proposed General Plan Update would not have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means (No Impact).
While streams, rivers, vernal pools and marshes are of typical concern since they provide unique habitats, there are no such habitats within the Planning Area. Colma Creek flows from the San Bruno Mountains through Colma to the San Francisco Bay. While portions of the creek provide habitat and could support protected species, the portions of the creek that flow through Colma flows mostly underground . While portions of the creek daylight in town, it is concrete-lined and does not provide habitat.
There are no State or federally protected wetlands within the General Plan Update Planning Area.
Moreover, the majority of the 1225.18-acre Planning Area is either dedicated for cemetery uses or is already developed with residential and commercial uses. Alt hough implementation of the proposed GPU would allow approximately 328 residential units, 990,000 square feet of commercial uses and 35,000 square feet of office uses at buildout, most of this would occur as infill development of redevelopment of underutil ized parcels of land. Therefore, there would be no impact and no mitigation measures are required.
Impact 4.3.3 The proposed GPU would not i nterfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites (Less than Significant).
Wildlife habitat corridors often provide wildlife with connectivity for daily movement or migration.
Wildlife species often utilize movement corridors as either thru -ways between outlying habitats during seasonal migrations or movement within a home range, or as dwelling areas for a longer period of time.
Habitat loss, fragmentation, or degradation resulting from changes to land use can change the viability of wildlife movement corridors.
While the Planning Area is mainly developed with urban uses, there are small areas of diversified wildlife population within the town. Table 4.3.1 lists the various native and migratory wildlife, bird and amphibious species that may be found in the town of Colma, particularly along its areas that abut San Bruno Mountain. Since the town of Colma is located along the Pacific Flyway, migratory birds ar e often found in the town’s open spaces related to cemetery uses. The town’s tall tree masses are also potential testing sites for sensitive raptors protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Major parts of Colma Creek that flow through the town of Colma, are either underground water resources or contained by narrow culverts. Existing habitats that could support wildlife are surrounded by urban areas and therefore do not
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support the migration of land animals. Ornamental ponds within some of the town’s cemeteries may be potential habitat for the federally listed threatened Red -legged frog. Site conditions favoring this species include ponds at least two feet deep with moving water and borders of dense, shrubby or emergent riparian vegetation. Although the state and federally-listed endangered San Francisco garter snake seeks the Red- legged frog as a food source, there are currently no known populations of the snake in the town of Colma.
Ornamental ponds within some of the town’s cemeteries may be potentia l habitat for the federally listed threatened Red-legged frog. Conditions favoring this species include ponds at least two feet deep with moving water and borders of dense, shrubby or emergent riparian vegetation. Although the state and federally-listed endangered San Francisco garter snake seeks the Red -legged frog as a food source, there are currently no known populations of the snake in the town of Colma.
Wildlife species typically use movement corridors in various ways. However, movement corridors through the town are somewhat limited due to the geography of the town and its numerous cemetery uses. S ince the only large continuous areas of open space within the Planning Area are related to the town’s cemetery uses, given their contiguous nature these are the few areas that have the potential to function as wildlife corridors. Future new development will either consist of redevelopment of underutilized or infill sites and no new development would be allowed in the town’s cemetery sites. Therefore, although there may be indirect impacts to the movement of wildlife, development/redevelopment under the GPU is not expected to result in direct impacts to habitat or fragmentation of open space.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
In addition to Policy OSC -3.7, Program OSC -3.8a, Policy OSC -4.3, and Policy OSC -4.4, t he following proposed General Plan policies minimize or avoid impacts to important wildlife corridors and linkages:
Policy OSC-5-5: Nesting Bird Protection. Require project applicants to retain the services of a qualified biologist(s) to conduct a pre -construction nesting bird survey during the nesting season (February 1 through August 31) prior to all new development that may remove or be in close proximity to any trees or vegetation that may provide suitable nesting habitat for migratory birds or other special -status bird species. If nests are found the qualified biologist(s) shall identify appr opriate avoidance measures, and these measures shall be incorporated into the project and implemented accordingly.
Implementation of the policies described above would further ensure that environmental impacts associated with wildlife species movement is less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Impact 4.3.4 Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would not conflict with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance (No Impact).
The Town of Colma has a Tree Ordinance that promotes the healthy growth of trees, controls the removal of trees, and encourage s the replacement of trees within the Town. Any b uildout activity under the proposed GPU would be required to follow these regulations. Therefore, any buildout activities under the proposed General Plan Update would have no impact and mitigation is not required.
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Impact 4.3.5 Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan (No Impact).
There are no adopted Habitat Conservation Plans for the Town, nor are there any Natural Community Conservation Plans at the county level that include land within the Planning Area. Therefore, future development under the GPU would not conflict with provisions of these conservation plans. There would be no impact and no mitigation is required.
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REFERENCES
Documents
City of San Mateo. 2010. City of San Mateo Draft General Plan. San Mateo, California.
County of San Mateo. 2019. San Mateo County, California Colma Creek Hydrology and Hydraulic Modeling Analysis.
State of California. 2011. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Policy – Preliminary Substitute Environmental Document. Sacramento, CA
Town of Colma. Town of Colma General Plan. 1999.
Town of Colma. Town of Colma Existing Conditions Report, Natural Resources. 2020.
Town of Colma. Town of Colma Municipal Code. Colma, California. 2019.
United States Code (USC). Subsection 1251. 1972. Clean Water Act of 1972. United States.
Websites
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2020. <https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/Laws> Accessed September 2020.
California Legislative Information. 2020. California Water Code. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WAT§ionNum=13000#:~:text=T he%20Legislature%20finds%20and%20declares,the%20people%20of%20the%20state.> Accessed September 2020.
California Legislative Information. 2020. California Fish and Game Code. <http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FGC§ionNum=4150#:~:text=4150 .,regulations%20adopted%20by%20the%20commission.> Accessed September 2020.
California Legislative Information. 2020. California Endangered Species Act. <http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=FGC&division=3.&title=&par t=&chapter=1.5.&article=> Accessed September 2020.
California Natural Diversity Database. 2020. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB. Accessed 24 July 2020.
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Progra m. 2021. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (online edition, v8-03 0.39). http://www.rareplants.cnps.org. Accessed 20 January 2021.
Fish and Wildlife Service. 1918. < https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/migtrea.html> Accessed September 2020.
Fish and Wildlife Service. 1973. Endangered Species Act of 1973. <https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/ESACT.HTML#:~:text=Endangered%20Species%20Act%20of%201973%2 0(16,1531%2D1544%2C%2087%20Stat.&text=Through%20federal%20action%20and%20by,%2C%20wildlife% 2C%20and%20plants%20depend.> Accessed September 2020
4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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Town of Colma. Municipal Code Section 5.06. https://www.colma.ca.gov/documents/cmc-5-06-tree-cutting- removal/. Accessed 21 January 2021.
United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2020. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. <https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Jurisdictional-Determination/Section-404-of-the- Clean-Water-Act> Accessed September 2020.
United States Codes. 1918. Title 16 Subsection 703. <https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/703> Accessed September 2020.
United States Geological Survey. 2020. < https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/bioregions-pacific-us?qt- science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.> Accessed September 2020.
4.4 CULTURAL AND TRIBAL RESOURCES
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This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) describes the existing cultural and tribal resources within the Town of Colma’s 2040 General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area).
This section therefore identifies the potenti al impacts of implementing the proposed project on such resources as well as the appropriate proposed General Plan policies that reduce any identified impacts.
This section of the DPEIR also includes the Native American consultation and the analysis prepar ed by ASM Associates Inc.
Cultural resources are defined as prehistoric and historic sites, structures, and districts, or any other physical evidence associated with human activity considered important to a culture, a subculture, or a community for scientific, traditional, religious, or any other reason. Paleontological resources include fossil remains, as well as fossil localities and formations which have produced fossil material. For analysis purposes, cultural resources may be categorized into: archaeological resources (prehistoric and historical); historic properties, buildings and districts; and paleontological. Cultural resource impacts include th ose affecting existing historic resources (i.e., historic districts, landmarks, etc.) . Tribal resources generally address areas of importance to Native Americans, such as, but not limited to, sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are either included or determined to be eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) or included in a local register of historical resources.
ASM Associates Inc. (ASM) conducted a tribal cultural study for the Town of Colma, in March of 2021, and their analyses is presented in the discussion and analysis of this section, undertaking documentary research in September 2020. Deanna M. Kee gan, MA, RPA, served as Principal Investigator and is the primary author of this report. Ms. Keegan meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology and Principal Investigator. ASM Director Ted Bibby, PhD, and ASM Associate Archaeologist Jennifer Mak, BA, assisted Ms. Keegan with sections of this report. Professiona l Qualifications are available in Appendix D of the Town-wide Archaeological Resource Study.
CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY
The following definitions are common terms used to discuss the regulatory requirements and treatment of cultural resources:
• Cultural reso urce is a term used to describe several different types of properties: prehistoric and historical archaeological sites; architectural properties such as buildings, bridges, and infrastructure; and resources of importance to Native Americans.
• Historic properties is a term defined by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion on, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), including artifacts, records, and material remains related to such a property.
• Historical resource is a CEQA term that includes buildings, sites, structures, objects, or districts, each of which may have historical, prehistoric, architectural, archaeological, cultural, or scientific importance, and is eligible for listing or is listed in the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR). The CRHR includes resources listed in or formally determined eligible for listing in the NRHP, as well as some California State Landmarks and Points of Historical Interest. • Paleontological resource is defined as including fossilized remains of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, fossil tracks and trackways, and plant fossils. An unique paleontological site would include a known area of fossil bearing rock strata.
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• Tribal Cultural resource is a CEQA term that includes site features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places or objects, which are of cultural value to a tribe and is either: (a) on or eligible for the CA Historic Register or a local historic register; or (b) is treated as a Tribal Cultural Resource by the lead agency.
4.4.1 EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL
Bay Area Prehistoric Resources
Cultural Background - Prehistoric
In an effort to provide a categorization of prehistoric time periods for cultural stages that describe archaeological resources and cultural patterns, archaeologists have created and used regional chronologies throughout California for each time frame. The town of Colma lies in the San Francisco Bay (Bay) region.
Milliken et al. (2007) divide the prehistoric cultural chronology of the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area) into five periods: the Early Holocene (8000–3500 B.C.E.), Early (3500–500 B.C.E.), Lower Middle (500 B.C.E.– C.E. 430), the Upper Middle (C.E. 430–1050), and the Late Period (C.E. 1050–Contact).
Many researchers include the terminal Pleistocene (11,700 –8000 B.C.E.) in the San Francisco Bay Area chronology; however, there is no supporting archaeological evidence that the area was lived in prior to the Early Holocene. Although it is likely that Early Paleoindian groups lived in the region, factors (e.g., sea level rise, development, erosion) could be obscuring archaeological evidenc e. As such, the terminal Pleistocene in this chronology has not been discussed in this document.
The earliest archaeological evidence of use of the San Francisco Peninsula is represented by the remains of a female aged 24 to 36 years during the constructio n of the Ba y Area Rapid Transit (BART) Civic Center Station in the city of San Francisco. The remains were discovered approximately 7.5 mi. northeast of the Planning Area. Discovered in 1969, the female skeleton was identified 75 feet below ground surface.
Associated organic material found near the female skeleton provided radiocarbon dates to approximately 5,000 years ago (CA-SFR-28).
The earliest archaeological study of the San Francisco Peninsula was conducted between 1906 and 1909.
Nelson (1909) studied the perimeter of San Francisco Bay and focused on shell mounds in or adjacent to the Bay. The survey also included the city of San Francisco. Nelson noted the absence of prehistoric sites in the city of San Francisco and the surrounding area, which were significantly developed by then.
The following periods in prehistory are described below:
Early Holocene (11,600-7700 B.C.E.)
Early Holocene populations in the San Francisco Bay were semi-mobile hunter-gathers. Holocene alluvial deposits buried Early Holocene sites in the San Francisco Bay, thus limiting the availability of information for this period. The earliest eviden ce of the Early Holocene comes from radiocarbon dates obtained from excavations at Los Vaqueros (CA-CCO-696). In addition to radiocarbon dates, a large obsidian spear/dart point was found (CA -CCO-696). An excavation in the Santa Clara Valley at CA -SCL-178 revealed additional radiocarbon evidence of the Early Holocene in the San Francisco Bay. Both CA -CCO-696 and CA-SCL-178 had artifact assemblages containing flaked stone tools, including leaf-shaped projectile points and ground stone implements, such as mil ling slabs and ground st ones, which were used in the Early Holocene.
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Middle Holocene (7700-3800 B.C.E.)
The Middle Holocene saw increased sedentism and trade in the San Francisco Bay. The mortar and pestle replaced ground stone technologies of the Early Holocene. The first eviden ce of mortar and pestle use comes from CA-CCO-637, near the Los Vaqueros Reservo ir, approximately 40 mi. east from the town of Colma, across the San Francisco Bay. Rectangular cut bead traditions appeared throughout the San Francisco Bay (Milliken et al. 2007). The use of shell beads in dis tribution and burials throughout the San Francisco Bay may indicate evidence of social stratification.
Late Holocene (3800 B.C.E.-1780 C.E.)
The archaeological record in the Sa n Francisco Bay Area is greatest in the Late Holocene. Large shellmounds were es tablished then, as evidenced by the Emeryville shell mound (CA -ALA-309), Ellis Landing (CA-CCO-295), and the West Berkeley Site (CA-ALA-307). Olivella saucer beads largely replaced the rectangular beads from the Middle Holocene. Other artifact assemblages include bone awls, net sinkers, mortars, bow and arrow, sea otter bones, harpoon, and hopper mortar.
LOCAL
The town of Colma is located in the far northern portion of the San Francisco Peninsula, in San Mateo county, along the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. The Planning Area is located in the middle to northern portion of the San Francisco Peninsula. The town’s elevation ranges from 30 to 170 meters (m) abo ve sea level, and it lies upon an alluvium consisting of predominantly Orthent soils throughout cemetery areas (Figure 4.4 -1: Soils of the Project Area and Vicinity ). Adjacent urban and developed areas are classified as urban land cut slopes and fills with mixtures of other Orthent soils. The foot slopes of the adjacent San Bruno Mountain reveal minor constituents of the Barnabe -Candlestick complex and consist of very gravelly sandy loam in the upper 12 inches of the profile, with weathered bedrock below.
The town lies between steep Pacific shore bluffs to the we st and the rising western flank of San Bruno Mountain (with a maximum elevation of 400 m) to the east. The town’s eastern and western borders are centered across a shallow sloping depression between these two features, which has an overall flat to concave profile across the Planning Area, with slopes averaging a 9 percent grade (5 degrees). Highway 82 (El Camino Real) extends through the center of the town (north/south) and follows historic drainages and perennial streams that naturally occur in the center of this topographic profile (Figure 4.4-2: Portion of USGS 1892 Topographic quadrangle showing drainages and perennial streams). Present day Colma Creek bisects the Planning Area and drains southeast toward historic marshlands at Point San Bruno.
Geologic units throughout the Planning Area are almost exclusively Pleistocene marine and marine terrace deposits. Bedrock outcrops on the eastern border of the Planning Area that form San Bruno Mountain are Franciscan formation sandstones from the late Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous (Figure 4.4-3: Geologic units of the Project Area and vicinity from Jennings et al. (2010)). Geomorphic maps classify the major component alluvium throughout the Planning Area as the Colma Formation, which is Pleistocene in age. Minor geomorphic alluvial and fluvial deposits occur in the perennial stream/Colma Creek areas and are reported as Holocene to late Holocene (<1,000 years) in age (Figure 4.4 -4: Portion of Greene et al. (2014) geomorphology map showing Holocene units (Qa, Qya) within the Project Area).
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Figure 4.4-1: Soils of the Project Area and Vicinity
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Figure 4.4-2: Portion of USGS 1892 Topographic quadrangle showing drainages and perennial streams
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Figure 4.4-3: Geologic units of the Project Area and vicinity from Jennings et al. (2010)
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Figure 4.4-4: Portion of Greene et al. (2014) geomorphology map showing Holocene units (Qa, Qya) within the Project Area.
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History of the Town
The town of Colma, or the Planning Area , is geographically defined by various road alignments and property boundaries and is very roughly established as aligned to Junipero Serra Blvd. to the west, Lawndale Blvd. to the southeast, generally following San Bruno Mountain’s western foothill contours, and has a farthest northern extent at the intersection of San Pedro Rd. and Mission St., adjacent to the city of Daly City. The Planning Area encompasses all 16 active and two inactive cemeteries within the town limits.
In 1849 the gold rush brought hundreds of thousands to the city of San Francisco and with them they also brought disease leading to a high death rate. Twenty -six cemeteries had been established and most were almost filled by the 1880s.
In the late 1880s, cemetery owners started lo oking for new property to bury their dead as the city of San Francisco’s cemeteries were full. The southern end of the town of Colma was chosen because of transportation. There was easy access by horse and carriage by way of Mission Street, street cars ran from the city of San Francisco to the town of Colma, trains were going alongside the cemeteries and most all having stops at each cemetery.
In 1900, the City and County of San Francisco passed an ordinance that there were to be no more burials allowed, as the land was too valuable to be wasted on the cemeteries, it was to be used for the living. In 1914, eviction notices were sent out to all cemeteries to remove their bodies and monuments. The town of Colma then inherited hundreds of thousands of bodies. Many went into mass graves as there were no relatives to pay the $10.00 for removal.
The town was incorporated in 1924, primarily to protect cemetery interests. A series of annexations in the twentieth century altered the town of Colma’s boundaries so that, today, the town of Colma is comprised of approximately 1.9 square miles bounded by the city of Daly City on the north, San Bruno Mountain to the east, city of South San Francisco in the south and Junipero Serra Boulevard to the west.
The town of Colma has a unique history among California cities. Although it has been an important center, at various times, for agriculture and floriculture, it is truly unique bec ause of its cemeteries that incorporated as a town in 1924 and now comprise nearly three -quarters of the land area within the town limits. Buildings, monuments and residences associated with the cemeteries are among the most prominent historical resources in town.
Recognizing its uniqueness, the town of Colma commissioned an historic resources inventory in December 1992. The Colma Historic Resources Inventory identifies and describes a number of buildings and sites having significance of local, State and National importance. A small sample of the town’s notable historic resources includes Cypress Law n Memorial Park on e of the last grand rural cemeteries built in the west.
The Cypress Law Community Mausoleum covers four and one-half acres and represents one of the finest collections of stained glass in the United States with work by Tiffany, Connick an d Lamb. Cypress Lawn has established a program to restore all of the stained-glass window and ceiling panels. A restoration studio and technical staff are located at 1791 Old Mission Road.
Other historic features in the town include t he Holy Cross Gateway /Lodge which is one of the only few examples of the Richardson Romanesque architectural style of Sa n Mateo County and is the oldest remaining building ensemble of the town of Colma’s first cemetery; Woodlawn’s Gatehouse is considered to possess the highest artistic value of any like architectural feature in the town or possibly in the State of California. Other historic commercial or residential buildings include: Molloy’s, the town’s oldest commercial establishment in continuous operation since 1883; L. Bo cci Monuments Shop which was
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established in 1904 and is still in operation; and, the Ottoboni resid ence at 417 F Street where the town’s floriculture industry began.
The town’s Chartered Historic Association and its Colma Historical Association play important parts in the town’s historic preservation efforts, with collections of relics and information from the past. For example, the town acquired the Old Colma Railroad Station (Station), built in 1881, which was threatened to be demolished; by the construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) facilities. The Station, formerly known as the School House Station, played a key role in the development of northern San Mateo county as it was where farmers and teamsters stopped on their way to San Francisco; wh ere the area's first school was built and around which businesses were established. The Station’s architectural style is rare in the Bay Area and is one of the last surviving examples of early station houses. The Station will be restored for the Colma Historical Association to house its offices and museum.
Background Research – CHRIS Records Search
On August 14, 2020, ASM Director Ted Bibby, PhD, requested a California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) records search from the Northwest Information Center (NWIC) for the Project Area and within a 0.25-mi. radius of the town of Colma. NWIC provided records search results on September 14, 2020 (File No. 20-0300). Summarized records search results provided below are sourced from the NWIC, and corres pondence is provided in Appendix B of the town-wide Archaeological Resource Study.
ASM conducted additional archival research, including the review of historic maps and photographs, land records, and queries to the OHP Historic Property Directory (HPD) and NRHP for archaeological resources. ASM reviewed historic topographic maps including those of the city of San Francisco, California, from 1869, 1947, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, and 1964; San Francisco South, California, in 1947, 1950, and 1956; and San Mateo, California, from 1892, 1896, 1899, 1915, 1939, and 1943. There are specifically no archaeological sites within the town of Colma listed in the NRHP, OHP, or the HPD, although there are numerous historical structures.
Previous Cultural Resource Studies
The NWIC report shows a total of 18 previously completed projects within the town of Colma Planning Area. Table 4.4.1: Previous Cultural Resource Inventory Projects Conducted within 0.25 Mi. of the Planning Area , summarizes previous cultural resou rces stud ies that have been conducted within the Project Area and/or within a 0.25-mi. search radius. Of the Planning Area’s 1.9 square mi. area (1,223 acres),
0.94 square mi. (601 acres) have been previously studied, encompassing approximately 49 percent of the Planning Area (Figure 4.4-5: Previously conducted studies within 0.25 mi. of the Project Area).
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Figure 4.4-5: Previously conducted studies within 0.25 mi. of the Project Area
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Table 4.4.1: Previous Cultural Resource Inventory Projects Conducted within 0.25 Mi. of the Planning Area
NWIC
Study No. Title Author (Date) Location
S-003032
Report of the Archaeological Reconnaissance of
the Proposed San Bruno Mountain
County Park,
San Mateo County, California
Archaeological
Consulting and
Research Services (1974)
Within Project
Area
S-003043
Cultural Resources Evaluation of the Colma
Wastewater Collection System, Town of Colma,
San Mateo County, California
Chavez (1977) Within Project
Area
S-003074 Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Proposed
San Andreas Pipeline No. 3, San Mateo County Baker (1979) Within Project Area
S-003134 Archaeological Survey Report for Widening
Project on 4-SM-82-20.8/22.1 Young (1976) Within 0.25-mi. buffer
S-003155
Archaeological Resources Evaluation for the
BART Daly City Station Turnback
Improvement Project, San Mateo County,
California
Chavez (1980) Within Project
Area
S-007202
Cultural Resource Evaluation of the Samtrans
Park and Ride Facility in Unincorporated
Colma, County of San Mateo
Cartier (1985) Within Project
Area
S-012436
Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Proposed
Serramonte Boulevard Reconstruction Project,
in the Town of Colma, San Mateo County,
California
Clark (1991) Within Project
Area
S-016687
BART-San Francisco Airport Extension Project,
Draft Environmental Impact
Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental
Impact Statement,
Archaeological Survey Report
Rice (1994) Within Project
Area
S-017191
BART-San Francisco Airport Extension Project,
Draft Environmental Impact
Report/Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement: A Historic Resources Evaluation
Report of Seven Colma Cemeteries, Colma,
California
Shoup, Brack, Fee, and
Giberti (1994)
Within Project
Area
S-017192 BART-San Francisco Airport Extension Project,
Draft Environmental Impact Report/
Shoup, Brack, Fee, and
Giberti (1994)
Within Project
Area
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NWIC
Study No. Title Author (Date) Location
Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement,
Historic Architectural Survey Technical Report
S-020143 Cultural Resource Evaluation of 359 and 365 B
Street in the City of Colma Cartier (1997) Within 0.25-mi. buffer
S-020359
A Cultural Resources Evaluation of the Macy's
Warehouse Site, El Camino Real,
South San Francisco, California
Roop and Bacchetti
(1997)
Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
S-024907 Colma Creek Flood Control Project,
Archaeological Monitoring Plan Clark (2002) Within Project Area
S-026406 Colma Creek Flood Control Project,
Final Report of Archaeological Monitoring Clark (2003) Within Project Area
S-027830
Historic Evaluation of the Structures at
1410 El Camino Real in the
City of South San Francisco
Cartier (2003) Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
S-027831
Cultural Resource Evaluation of the Property
at 1410 El Camino Real in the
City of South San Francisco.
Cartier (2003) Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
S-027930
Cultural Resource Assessment of Alternative
Routes for PG&E's Jefferson-Martin
Transmission Line,
San Mateo County, California
Brown, Marlow, Allan,
and Self (2003)
Within Project
Area
S-032250
Historic Property Survey Report, Mission Bells
Project, State Route 82/Interstate 101,
San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, California
Lapin (2003) Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
S-033504
Historic Property Survey Report, Seismic
Retrofit of BART Aerial Structures and
Stations Along Concord, Richmond, Daly City
and Fremont Lines, Alameda, Contra Costa,
and San Mateo Counties, STPLZ-6000 (25)
Bauer and Price (2007) Within Project
Area
S-037303
Architectural Survey, Evaluation and Finding
of Effect for the South San Francisco BART Cell
Site, San Mateo County
(Bureau Veritas Project No. 3310909569.01;
PL. No. 1974-32) (letter report)
Cimino (2010) Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
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NWIC
Study No. Title Author (Date) Location
S-039631
Historic Context and Archaeological Survey
Report for the Regional Groundwater Storage
and Recovery Project Area,
San Mateo County, California
Pastron and Touton
(2011)
Within Project
Area
S-047111
FCC Form 621, Collocation Submission Packet,
Section 106 Review, Proposed AT&T Mobility
LLC Telecommunications Site,
AT&T Site No. CCL05415,
1 Serramonte Center, Daly City, CA
Moore and Losee (2015) Within 0.25-mi.
buffer
S-048130
Archaeological Reconnaissance of a Proposed
Mercy Housing Project at
1670-1692 Mission Road,
Town of Colma, San Mateo County, California,
and Finding of No Historic Properties Affected
Clark (2015) Within Project
Area
Rce for the
tableS-
049340
Cultural Resources Survey Report, Daly City
Wastewater Improvement Project,
San Mateo County, California
Shoup, Guenthner, and
Wong (2017)
Within Project
Area
S-049454
Historical Resources Study of the Property at
1988 El Camino Real, Colma,
San Mateo County, California
Franco and Origer
(2016)
Within Project
Area
S-051358
Historic Building Documentation Photography,
Holy Cross Cemetery, Waterworks & Irrigation
Complex, 1690 Mission Road, Colma,
San Mateo County, California
Schafer (2017) Within Project
Area
Source: Town-wide Archaeological Resource Study, General Plan Update, Town of Colma, San Mateo County, California Previously Recorded Archaeological Resources
The NWIC records search identified 111 previously recorded cultural resources within the Planning Area and 0.25 mi. buffer. Of these resources, 105 were within the town limits and six were within the 0.25 -mi. search radius. All resources are built architectural structures or historic districts, and none were identified as archaeological resources. A map depictin g previously recorded cultural resource density, wh ich includes seven historic districts within the Planning Area, is included in Figure 4.4-6: Previously recorded cultural resource density within the Project Area . No previously recorded archaeological res ources exist within the Planning Area.
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Figure 4.4-6: Previously recorded cultural resource density within the Project Area
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Native American Outreach
An SLF records search request was submitted by ASM to the NAHC on August 10, 2020. The NAHC responded on August 14, 2020, with a negative result for the SLF search of the Planning Area. Additionally, the NAHC provided a list of Native American tribal contacts who have knowledge of the Project Area. The town has sent information request letters to six of the tribal contacts provided by the NAHC. Appendix C of the town-wide Archaeological Resource Study includes requests to the NAHC, their response and results, a list of contacts for information about the P lanning Area, and an associated outreach letter from the Town.
Buried Archaeological Site Sensitivity
For the purposes of this report, “sensitivity” is defined as the likelihood for the discovery of buried archaeological deposits in an area. Meyer et al. (2010) assessed archaeological sensitivity of buried deposits based on landform age in relation to human occupation, topographic relief, and proximity to water. If a landform predates human occupation of a region, the archaeological sensitivity for that region w ould be low. Additionally, if a landform was altered during the historic and/or modern eras (e.g., by development, erosion, cut/fill) the archaeological sensitivity for that region would be low. However, if a landform postdates human occupation of a region , the archaeological sensitivity for that region would be higher if the landscape would support habitation (e.g., topographic relief and proximity to water).
The town of Colma is underlain by a Quaternary alluvium composed predominantly of Orthent soils an d mixed cut slopes/fill s. Quaternary deposits mapped within the P lanning Area ar e reported to be predominantly Pleistocene in age, with minor components along drainages reported as Holocene to late Holocene (<1,000 years) in age. The nearest source of wate r is the Colma Creek that bisects the P lanning Area and drains southeast toward the former Point San Bruno Marsh (present -day San Bruno Canal). As such, based on the landform age, topographic relief, and nearest source to water, the P lanning Area has a low sensitivity for buried prehistoric and historic archaeology in areas underlain with Colma Formation alluvium, as the soil is Pleistocene in age. However, areas underlain with minor units of geomorphic alluvial and fluvial deposits in perennial streams are Holocene to late Holocene in age and have a high sensitivity for buried prehistoric archaeological deposits (Meyer et al. 2010).
4.4.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FEDERAL
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was enacted in 1966, to prevent unnecessary harm to historic properties (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). It includes regulations that apply specifically to Federal land - holding agencies, but also includes regulations (Section 106) that pertain to all projects funded, permitted, or approved by any Federal agency that has the potential to affect cultural resources. Provisions of the NHPA establish a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (the National Register is maintained by the National Park Service), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Offices, and Federal grants-in-aid programs.
National Environmental Policy Act
The environmental review process initiated with the passage of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act ( NHPA) by Congress ushered in a new approach to Federal project planning. The passage of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) in December 1969 and its subsequent signing into law
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on January 1, 1970, expanded environmental reviews and formal ly established environmental protection as a Federal policy. NEPA and NHPA require Federal officials to “stop, look, and list en” before making decisions that impact historic properties and the human environment.
NEPA and NHPA each created agencies to impl ement major environmental programs that shape Federal project planning. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) administer regulations viewed as the cornerstones of the Federal environmental review procedures. The CEQ Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, (40 C.F.R. Parts 15001508) (CEQ regulations) encourage integration of the NEPA process (NEPA review) with other planning and environmental reviews, such as Section 106 of NHPA (Section 106). The regulations that implement Section 106, Protection of Historic Pr operties (36 C.F.R. Part 800), encourage agencies to plan Section 106 consultations coordinated with other requirements of other statutes, as applicable, such as NEPA. The concepts of “coordination” and “integration” are found in both the CEQ regulations and Section 106 regulations, because they provide efficiencies, improve public understanding, and lead to more informed decisions.
Preserve America: Executive Order 13287
The Preserve America Executive Order directs federal agencies to advance the protecti on, enhancement, and contemporary use of federal historic properties and to promote partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties, particularly through heritage tourism.
STATE
Senate Bill 451
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 451, the state historic tax credit bill, into law on October 9, 2019. Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins authored the bill with sponsorship from the California Preservation Foundation and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) California Council.
Historic Preservation Tax Incentives programs are an effective and proven means of leveraging private investment in the adaptive reuse and preservation of historic buildings. Under 451, $50 million will be allocated annually from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2026. The tax credit is worth 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenses, with a 25 percent credit for certain types of adaptive reuse, including affordable housing. Some of the tax credit allocation s will be earmarked for smaller projects and the bill would also establish a tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenditures for a qualified residence.
Mills Act
Adopted by the California Legislature in 1976, the Mills Act gives local governments the authority to grant property tax relief t o owners of qualified historic properties, including owner -occupied and income producing properties. In exchange for this relief, the property owners must agree by contract to maintain the properties in accordance with specific historic preservation standards and conditions. The overall intent of the legislation is to provide an incentive for owners to preserve and maintain the community’s historic resources.
Key program elements include:
• Is a completely voluntary program.
• Is an economic incentive to encourage preservation of historic properties by reducing property taxes. • Can be used by homeowners as well as income producing historic properties.
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• Includes commitment to preserve and maintain the property for a minimum period of 10 years. • Is a contract between the City and the owner of a designated historic property.
Public Resources Code 5024 and 5024.5
The California State Legislature enacted Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 5024 and 5024.5 as part of a larger effort to establish a state program to preserve historical resources. These sections of the code require state agencies to take a number of actions to ensure preservation of state-owned historical resources under their jurisdictions. These actions i nclude evaluating resources for National Register of Historic Places (National Register) eligibility and California Historical Landmark (California Landmark) eligibility; maintaining an inventory of eligible and listed resources; and managing these histori cal resources so that they will retain their historic characteristics.
California Register of Historical Resources
The State Historic Preservation Officer maintains the California Register of Historic Resources (California Register). Historic properties li sted, or formally designated for eligibility to be listed, on the National Register are automatically listed on the California Register (Public Resources Code, Section 5024.1). State Landmarks and Points of Interest are also automatically listed. The Calif ornia Register can also include properties designa ted under local preservation ordinances or identified through local historic resource surveys.
For a historic resource to be eligible for listing on the California Register, it must be significant at the local, state, or national level under one or more of the following four criteria:
• It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of California or the United States; • It is associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history; It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values; or
• It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation (California Public Resources Code, Section 5024.1).
Additional criteria are listed in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 11 .5. A building must usually be o ver 45 years old, must have historic significance, and must retain its physical integrity.
Historical resources achieving significance within less than 45 years may be considered for listing in the California Register if it can be demonstrated that suffici ent time has passed to understand it historical importance.
California Historical Resources Information System
The California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) is a statewide system for managing information on the full range of historical resources identified in California. CHRIS is a cooperative partnership between the citizens of California, historic preservation professionals, 12 Information Centers, and various agencies. This system bears the following responsibilities: integrate newly recorded sites and information on known resources into the California Historical Resources Inventory; furnish information on known resources and surveys to governments, institutions, and individuals who have a justifiable need to know; and supply a list of consultants who are qualified to do work within their area
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California Health and Safety Code
Section 7050.5(b) of the California Health and Safety code specifies protocol when human remains are discovered.
State CEQA Guidelin es Section 15064.5, subdivision (e) requires that excavation activities be stopped whenever human remains are uncovered and that the County coroner be called in to assess the remains. If the County coroner determines that the remains ar e those of Native A mericans, the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) must be contacted within 24 hours of the determination. At that time, the lead agency must consult with the descendant(s) of the deceased Native American(s), if any, as identified by the NAHC. Sect ion 15064.5 directs the lead agency (or applicant), under certain circumstances, to develop an agreement with the Native Americans for the treatment and disposition of the remains.
State CEQA Guidelines also require that a lead agency m ake provisions for the accidental discovery of historical or archaeological resources, generally. Pursuant to Section 15064.5, subdivision (f), Paleontological resources are classified as non -renewable scientific resources and are protected by state statute (PRC Chapter 1.7, Section 5097.5, Archeological, Paleontological, and Historical Sites and Appendix G). No state or local agencies have specific jurisdiction over paleontological resources. No state or local agency requires a paleontological collecti ng permit to allow for the recovery of fossil remains discovered as a result of construction-related earth moving on state or private land in a project site.
California Code of Regulations
The California Code of Regulations (Section 1427) recognizes that California's archaeological resources are endangered by urban development and population growth and by natural forces. The Legislature further finds and declares that these resources need to be preserved in order to illuminate and increase public knowledge concerning the historic and prehistoric past of California. Every person, not the owner thereof, who willfully injures, disfigures, defaces, or destroys any object or thing of archaeological or historical interest or value, whether situated on private land s or within any pub lic park or place, is guilty of a misdemeanor. It is a misdemeanor to alter any archaeological evidence found in any cave, or to remove any materials from a cave.
Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 43
Senate Resolution Number 43 requir es all state agenci es to cooperate with programs of archaeological survey and excavation, and to preserve known archaeological resources whenever it is reasonable.
LOCAL
San Mateo County General Plan
The Historical and Archaeological Resources section of the San Mateo General Plan outlines policies that help to protect historic resources, provide guidelines for the rehabilitation of historic structures, encourage the development of inventories of historical resources, and provide guidelines on how to integrate historical preservation into the planning process.
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San Mateo County Historic Resources Ordinance
The San Mateo Historic Resources Ordinance (No. 02894) safeguards the historic structures and sites of San Mateo County and promotes their public use and enjoyment. The Ordinance helps to:
• Safeguard the historic resources of San Mateo County by preserving buildings, structures and sites of historic, cultural, architectural, archaeological or aesthetic significance. • Promote the use and enjoyment of historic resources for the public’s education, pleasure and welfare. • Enhance the visual character of the County by encouraging through regulations the development and maintenance of architectural styles within historic districts which reflect unique and established architectural traditions.
• Integrate the preservation of historic resources into public and private land management and development processes.
• Establish County historic landmarks and historic districts where uses other than those allowed by existing zoning regulations may be permitted through the provisions of the Section 6500(d)1, 2, a), b), and c), Chapter 24 of Part One of Division VI of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code.
County of San Mateo
The County of San Mateo (County) issued the following policies and mitigation me asures as they pertain to archaeological resources in 2013 (County of San Mateo: Department of Planning and Building 2013).
Section 5.14 issued a statement for the registration of significant archaeological sites in the County:
Registration of Significant Archaeological Sites: Recommend State and/or national register status or significant archaeological/paleontological sites.
Section 5.20 provides stipulations if new development projects are proposed in the County:
Site Survey: Determine if sites proposed for new development con tain archaeological/paleontological resources. Prior to approval of development for these sites, require that a mitigation plan, adequate to protect the resource and prepared by a qualified professional, be reviewed and implemented as a part of the project.
Section 5.21 includes County mitigation measures for the treatment of archaeological sites:
Site Treatment:
a. Encourage the protection and preservation of archaeological sites. b. Temporarily suspend construction work when archaeological/paleontological sit es are discovered. Establish procedures which allow for the timely investigation and/or excavation of such sites by qualified professionals as may be appropriate. c. Cooperate with institutions of higher learning and interested organizations to record, preserve, and excavate sites.
Sections 5.25 and 5.26 provide preservation techniques as they pertain to archaeological data:
• Archaeological Resource Data Base: Maintain and update a comprehensive archaeological/paleontological data base.
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• Discovering Unrecorde d Archaeological Sites: Support comprehensive studies to discover unrecorded archaeological and paleontological sites, particularly in areas under pressure for development.
4.4.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
Following PRC Sections 21083.2 and 21084.1, and Section 15064.5 and Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, Cultural Resources impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to subsection 15064.5.
• Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to subsection 15064.5.
• Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries.
METHODOLOGY
CEQA (§15064.5b,2) further provides context that the significance of a historical resource is materially impaired when a project:
A) Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical chara cteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its inclusio n in or eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR; or
B) Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics that account for its inclusion in a local register of historical resources pursuant to section 5020.1(k) of the PRC or its identification in an historical resources survey meeting the requirements of section 5024.1(g) of the PRC, unless the public agency reviewing the eff ects of the project establishes by a preponderance of evidence that the resource is not historically or culturally significant; or C) Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR as determined by a lead agency for purposes of CEQA.
Archaeological Resources
Section 15064.5(c) of CEQA applies to effects on archaeological sites and contains the following provisions regarding archaeological sites:
1. When a project will impact an archaeological site, a lead ag ency shall first determine whether the site is an historical resource, as defined in subsection (a).
2. If a lead agency determines that the archaeological site is an historical resource, it shall refer to the provisions of Section 21084.1 of the PRC, and this section, Section 15126.4 of the Guidelines, and the limits contained in Section 21083.2 of the PRC do not apply.
3. If an archaeological site does not meet the criteria defined in subsection (a), but does meet the definition of a unique archaeological resou rce in Section 21083.2 of the PRC, the site shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of section 21083.2. The time and cost limitations
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described in PRC Section 21083.2 (c -f) do not apply to surveys and site evaluation activities intended to determine whether the project location contains unique archaeological resources.
4. If an archaeological resource is neither a unique archaeological nor an h istorical resource, the effects of the project on those resources shall not be considered a significant ef fect on the environment. It shall be sufficient that both the resource and the effect on it are noted in the Initial Study or EIR, if one is prepared to address impacts on other resources, but they need not be considered further in the CEQA process.
Tribal Cultural Resources
Appendix G, XVIII of CEQA provides a framework on the determination of effect on Tribal Cultural Resources.
Would the project caus e a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in PRC Section 2 1074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place , or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in PRC Section 5020.1(k), or b) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of PRC Section 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of PRC Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.
Human Remains
Section 15064.5 (d) & (e) contain additional provisions regarding human remains. Regarding Native American human remains, paragraph (d) provides:
When an initial study identifies the existence of, or the probable likelihood, of Native American human remains within the project, a lead agency shall work with the appropriate Native Americans as identified by the Native American Heritag e Commission as provided in PRC Section 5097.98. The applicant may develop an agreement for treating or disposing of, with appropriate dignity, the human remains, and any items associated with Native American burials with the appropriate Native Americans as identified by the Native American Heritage Commission. Action implementing such an agreement is exempt from: the general prohibition on disinterring, disturbing, or removing human remains from any location other than a dedicated cemetery (Health and Safe ty Code Section 7050.5); and the requirement of CEQA and the Coastal Act.
Resource Identification Framework
The cultural and tribal resources study conducted for this GPU EIR provides a constraints-level analysis of potential impacts to archaeological and tribal cultural resources for the implementation of the GPU, and as such does not an alyze project-specific impacts. Section 4.4.3 above, provided standards of significance in accordance with the State CEQA Guidelines as they pertain to historical, archaeological, and tribal cultural resources, and human remains. The following provides a framework for the identification and evaluation of historical, archaeological, and tribal cultural resources, and human remains ; project specific mitigation measures should be developed, as appropriate, to address:
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1. A cultural resource study, including an i ntensive archaeological survey, of the project’s footprint is required to identify any archaeological resources. The Town Planning Director initiates the cultural resource study at the planning phase of the project by contracting a project archaeologist. T he project archaeologist will determine the likelihood for the project site to contain historical resources by reviewing site photographs and existing historic information and conducting a site visit. Before field reconnaissance, background research is req uired which will include a record search at the NWIC. A review of the SLF maintained by the NAHC will also be conducted at this time. If historical resources are identified through background research and field surveys, then a qualified archaeologist or historian must perform an evaluation of significance if avoidance is not possible and impacts to cultural resources could occur.
2. If avoidance is not possible, historical reso urce significance evaluations are required when new resources are identified as a result of a survey, when previously recorded resources that have not been previously evaluated are re -located during a survey, and when previously recorded sites are not re - located during the survey if there is a likelihood that the resource still exists. Si gnificance evaluations will not be required if the resource has been evaluated for CEQA significance or for NRHP eligibility within the last five years, and if there has be en no change in the conditions that contributed to the determination of significance or eligibility.
3. An archaeological testing program will be required for archaeological sites in need of historical resource significance evaluation. Archaeological testing programs include evaluating the horizontal and vertical dimensions of a site, the chronological placement, site function, artifact/ecofact density and variability, presence/absence of subsurface features, and research potential. It should be noted that tribal representatives and/or Native American monitors will be involved in making recommendations regarding the significance of prehistoric archaeological sites during this phase of the process. The testing program may require reevaluation of the proposed project, which could result in a combination of project redesign to preserve significant resources, as well as mitigation in the form of data recovery and monitoring (as recommended by the qualified archaeologist and Native American representative).
4. If significant archaeological resources are identified within the project footprint, the site may be eligible for designation on one or more registers. If no significant resources are found, and site conditions are such that there is no potential for further discov eries, then no further action is required. Resources found to be non -significant as a result of a survey and/or assessment will require no further work beyond documentation of the resources on the appropriate California Department of Parks and Recreation site forms and inclusion of results in the survey and/or assessment report. If no sig nificant resources are found but results of the initial evaluation and testing phase indicate there is still a potential for resources to be present in portions of the property that could not be tested, then mitigation monitoring is required.
5. Avoiding and preserving the resource through project redesign is the preferred mitigation for historic resources. If the resource cannot be entirely avoided, all prudent and feasible me asures to minimize harm will be taken. For archaeological resources for which preser vation is not an option, a research design for a data recovery program will be prepared. The data recovery program will be based on a written research design and is subject to the provisions as outlined in CEQA, Section 21083.2.
Archaeological monitoring may be required during building demolition and/or construction grading, when significant resources are known or suspected to be present on a site but cannot be recovered prior to grading due to obstructions such as existing development or dense vegetation.
6. A Native American monitor must be retained for all subsurface investigations, including geotechnical testing and other ground-disturbing activities, whenever an archaeological site or a Native American Traditional Cultural Property within the project footprint would be impacted. In the event that human remains are encountered during data recovery and/or monitoring program, the provisions of PRC
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Section 5097 must be followed. The Native American monitor will be consulted during the preparation of the written report, at which time they may express concerns about the treatment of sensitive resources.
IMPACTS
Impact 4.4.1 Future development to implement the proposed project cou ld potentially cause a direct substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section §15064.5 (Significant and Unavoidable).
According to CEQA (§15064.5b), a project with an effect that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment. CEQA defines a substantial adverse change as follows:
Substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource means physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource would be materially impaired.
The significance of a historical resource is materially impaired when a project:
1. Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its inclusion in or eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR; or
2. Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics that account for its inclusion in a local register of historical resources pursuant to section 5020.1(k) o f the PRC or its identification in an historical resources surv ey meeting the requirements of section 5024.1(g) of the PRC, unless the public agency reviewing the effects of the project establishes by a preponderance of evidence that the resource is not historically or culturally significant; or
3. Demolishes or material ly alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR as determined by a lead agency for purposes of CEQA.
The demolition o r substantial alteration of a resource listed on, or formally determined eligible for, the NRHP or the CRHR, including contributors to National Register or California Register Historic District s, or that meet the CEQA criteria for historical resources, wou ld represent a significant direct impact to historical resources. Additionally, grading, excavation and other ground -disturbing activities associated with development projects may affect currently unknown significant archaeological sites or traditional cultural properties that would represent a significant direct impact to historical resources.
ASM Affiliates (2020) completed a cultural resource study that included a review of historical aerial photographs, topographic maps, and a comprehensive CHRIS record s search. Results concluded that no previously recorded archaeological resources are located within the town, and, as such, no archaeological and/or TCRs are listed as historic propertie s. The town’s Historical Resources Element (1999) outlines architectural historic properties within the P lanning Area. The 2040 GPU proposes updates to the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new plannin g areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The planning areas under the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commer cial uses, and 5,000
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square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed GPU policies address the preservation of historic resources in the town of Colma:
Policy LU-13-2: Historic Buildings. Historic buildings and uses along Mission Road shall be maintained and enhanced according to the Secretary of the Interior’s standards.
Adaptive reuse of structures is encouraged.
Policy HR-2-1: Preservation Collaboration. Work with the Colma Historical Association as a partner to improve awareness of local preservation.
Policy HR-2-2: Consultation on Projects. Consult with the Colma Historical Association on discretionary review projects involving cultural sites and historic resources in the Town of Colma.
Policy HR-3-1: Public Awareness. Foster awareness, appreciation and celebration of the Town’s unique historic and cultural heritage and educate and encourage preservation of these resources.
According to the Historical Resources Element for the town’s GPU, historic properties as they pertain to architectural resources are present within the town , though n o historic resources as they pertain to archaeological or TCRs are currently within the town limits.
While the GPU does not specifically propose demolition, or substantial alteration of a historical resource, or ground -disturbing activities such as grading or excavation , there are historic properties with in the Planning Area and as such it can be assumed that future development consistent with the goals and policies of the GPU have the potential to result in significant direct and/or indirect impacts to historical resources.
Therefore, this is a significant and unavoidable impact, and th e following mitigation measures are proposed:
Mitigation Measures: CUL-1
1. For any project with potential to impact historical resources, a historical resource inventory of the project footprint shall be required to identify an y historical resources. Before actual field reconnaissance occurs, background research shall include a record search at the NWIC, as well as a review of the SLF maintained by the NAHC. The project archaeologist shall determine the likelihood for the projec t site to contain archaeologica l resources by reviewing site photographs and existing historic information and conducting a site visit (for projects with exposed ground).
2. If archaeological resources cannot be avoided, significance evaluations shall be required when a survey identifies new resources, when a survey re -locates previously recorded resources that have not been previously evaluated, and when the survey does not re -locate previously recorded sites if there is a likelihood that the resources still exist.
3. Significance evaluations shall not be required if the historical resource has been evaluated for CEQA significance or for NRHP eligibility within the last five years, and if there has been no change in the conditions that contributed to the determination of significance or eligibility. A historical resource shall
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be reevaluated if its condition or setting has either improved or deteriorated, if new information is available, or if the resource is becoming increasingly rare due to the loss of other similar resources.
4. An archaeologic al testing program shall be required for archaeological sites in need of historical resource significance evaluation. Archaeological testing programs include evaluating the horizontal and vertical dimensions of a site, the chronological placement, site function, artifact/ecofact density and variability, presence/absence of subsurface features, and research potential. Tribal representatives and/or Native American monitors shall be involved in making recommendations regarding th e significance of prehistoric a rchaeological sites during this phase of the process. The testing program may require reevaluation of the proposed project, which could result in a combination of project redesign to preserve significant resources as well as mitigation in the form of data recovery and monitoring (as recommended by the qualified archaeologist and Native American representative).
5. If significant historical resources are identified within the project footprint, the site may be eligible for designation in one or more registers. If no significant resources are identified, and site conditions are such that there is no potential for further discoveries, then no further action shall be required. If a survey and/or assessment finds nonsignificant resourc es, no further work shall be re quired beyond documentation of the resources on the appropriate California Department of Parks and Recreation site forms and inclusion of results in the survey and/or assessment report. If the survey finds no significant resources but results of the initia l evaluation and testing phase indicate there is still a potential for resources to be present in portions of the property that could not be tested, then mitigation monitoring shall be required.
6. Preferred mitigation for historical resources shall be to avoid and preserve the resource through project redesign. If the resource cannot be entirely avoided, an archaeologist who meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards (SOIPQS) for Archaeolog y shall take all prudent and feasible measures to minimize harm. For archaeological resources for which preservation is not an option, an archaeologist who meets the SOIPQS for Archaeology shall prepare a research design for a data recovery program. The data recovery program shall be based on a written research design and is subject to the provisions as outlined in CEQA, Section 21083.2. Archaeological monitoring may be required during building demolition and/or construction grading when significant resourc es are known or suspected to be present on a site but cannot be recovered prior to grading due to obstructions such as existing development or dense vegetation.
7. When subsurface investigations, including geotechnical testing and other ground-disturbing activities, impact an archaeologica l site or a Native American Traditional Cultural Property within the project footprint, a Native American monitor shall be retained. In the event that the data recovery and/or monitoring program reveals human remains, the provisions of PRC Section 5097 shall be applied. An archaeologist who meets the SOIPQS for Archaeology shall consult the Native American monitor during the preparation of the written report, at which time the monitor may express concerns about the treatment of sensitive resources.
Impact 4.4.2 Future development to implement the proposed General Plan Update could result in the potential disturbance of cultural resources (i.e., prehistoric archaeological sites, historical archaeological sites, and isolated arti facts and features) within the Planning Area (Significant and Unavoidable).
According to CEQA (§15064.5b), a project with an effect that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment. CEQA defines a substantial adverse change as follows:
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Substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource means physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immedia te surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource would be materially impaired.
The significance of a historical resource is materially impaired when a project:
1. Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its inclusion in or eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR; or
2. Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics that account for its inclusion in a local register of historical resources pursuant to section 5020.1(k) of the PRC or its identification in an historical resources survey meeting the requirements of section 5024.1(g) of the PRC, unless the public agency reviewing th e effects of the project establishes by a preponderance of evidence that the resource is not historically or culturally significant; or
3. Demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its eligibility for inclusion in the CRHR as determined by a lead agency for purposes of CEQA.
The demolition or substantial alteration of a resource listed on, or formally determined eligible for, the NRHP or the CRHR, including contributors to National Register or California Register Historic Districts, or that meet the CEQA criteria for historical resources, would represent a significant direct impact to historical resources. Additionally, grading, excavatio n and ot her ground-disturbing activities associated with development projects that affect significant archaeological sites or traditional cultural properties would represent a significant direct impact to historical resources.
ASM Affiliates (2020) complet ed a cul tural resource study that included a review of historical aerial photographs, topographic maps, and a comprehensive CHRIS records search. Results concluded that no previously recorded archaeological resources are located within the town, and, as such, no archaeological and/or TCRs are listed as historic properties. The town’s Historical Resources Element (1999) outlines architectural historic properties within the Planning Area.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed GPU policies address potential disturbances of cultural resources and human remains due to future development:
Policy OSC-6-1: Development Review Process. Require, as part of the development review process, standard conditions of approval or mitigation measures that identify proper measures and protocols to be followed in the event that tribal or cultural resources are discovered on a project site.
According to the Historical Resources Element for the Town’s GPU, historic properties as they pertain to architectural resourc es are present within the town , though no historic resources as they pertain to archaeological or TCRs are currently within the town limits.
While the GPU does not specifically propose demolition, or substantial alteration of a historical resource, or ground-disturbing activities such as grading or excavation, the GPU does propose updates to the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The planning areas under the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemeter y
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land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively. Therefore there is the potential that previously undiscovered historic properties may exist within the Planning Area and as such it can be assumed that future development consistent with the goals and policies of the GPU have the potential to result in significant direct and/or indirect impacts to cultural resources. Therefore, t his is a significant and unavoidable impact and the following mitigation measure would be required:
Mitigation Measures: CUL-2
1. If an archaeological resource is identified during future development or operations, all activity within 100 feet of the archaeological resource shall cease and be flagged for avoidance. An archaeologist who meets the SOIPQS for Archaeology shall be immediately notified of the discovery. The archaeo logist shall inspect the find and notify the Town of their assessment.
2. If the assessm ent concludes that the discovery constitutes a significant or unique archaeological resource, or TCR, the resource shall be avoided if possible. If avoidance is not possible, the Town shall consult with all applicable parties, including Native American tri bes if prehistoric, in an effort to determine measures to mitigate any potential impacts to the resource in accordance with PRC Section 21083.2 and CEQA Guidelines S ection 15126.4. An archaeologist who meets the SOIPQS for Archaeology shall employ measures that include documentation of the resource.
3. If an archaeological site does not meet the criteria defined in subsection (a), but does meet the definition of a unique archaeological resource in Section 21083.2 of the PRC, the site shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of section 21083.2. The time and cost limitations described in PRC Section 21083.2 (c-f) do not apply to surveys and site evaluation activit ies intended to determine whether the project location contains unique archaeological resources.
4. If an archaeological resource is neither a unique archaeological nor a historical resource, the effects of the project on those resources shall not be consider ed a significant effect on the environment. These procedures shall be included as Condition of Approval for all projects. Where appropriate, preconstruction measures will follow the guidelines as stated in CUL-1.
Impact 4.4.3 The proposed project would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a TCR as defined in Public Resource s Code Section §21074 or §5020.1(k) (Significant and Unavoidable).
Assembly Bill 52 requires lead agencies to provide notice to tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of a project if they have requested to be noti fied of projects subject to AB 52. Consultation as defined under AB 52 includes, but is not limited to, discussing the type of environmental review necessary, the significance of TCRs, the significance of the project impacts on the TCRs, and alternatives and mitigation measures recommended by the tribe.
Records searches completed by ASM for the town (ASM Affiliates 2020) from the NAHC and NWIC report no known TCRs within the town’s Planning Area. The Town has sent information request letters to contacts provided by the NAHC; however, no responses have been received to date. Though there are no reported
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TCRs within the P lanning Area, Native American tribes were distributed across the San Francisco Peninsula region, and there is a possibility that unknown TCRs exist within the area.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
Policy OSC-6-2: Tribal Consultation Compliance. Comply with SB 18,AB 52, and other applicable State and federal laws by consulting with local California Native American tribes prior to development decisions or General Plan or Specific Plan amendments. Respect tribal policies regarding confidentiality of information about tribal resources or sacred sites.
In addition to the policies listed above, GPU Policy OSC-6-1 also addresses potential disturbances of TCRs.
While the GPU does not specifically propose demolition or substantial alteration of a resour ce or ground- disturbing activities such as grading or excavation, as discussed under Impact s 4.4.1 -4.4.2, it can be assumed that future development consistent with the goals and policies of the GPU have the potential to result in significant direct and/or indirect impacts to TCRs. Therefore there is the potential that previously undiscovered TCRs may exist wi thin the Planning Area and as such it ca n be assumed that future development consistent with the goals and policies of the GPU have the potential to result in significant direct and/or indirect impacts to . Therefore, this is a significant and unavoidable impact and the following mitigation measures should be included:
Mitigation Measures: CUL-3
1. For any project with potential to result in adverse impacts to TCRs, the Town shall avoid and/or minimize impacts by facilitating the identification of tribal cultural resources through field studies.
Coordination and collaboration regarding the resource s hall be completed with agencies, tribes, and institutions, such as the Northwest Information Center, the Native American Heritage Commission, and local tribal governments, including consultation as outlined in Senate Bill 18 and Assembly Bill 52.
The resource shall be treated with culturally appropriate dignity, taking into account the tribal cultural values and meaning of the resource, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) Protecting the cultural character and integrity of the resource; (B) Pro tecting the traditional use of the resource; and (C) Protecting the confidentiality of the resource.
2. If possible, the Town shall avoid and preserve the resources in place, including, but not limited to, planning and construction to avoid the resources and protect the cultural and natural context.
3. Greenspace, parks, or other open space shall use appropriate planning to incorporate the resources with culturally appropriate protection and management criteria. Permanent conservation easements or other interests in real property shall be created with culturally appropriate management criteria for the purposes of preserving or utilizing the resources or places.
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Impact 4.4.4 Adoption of the proposed General Plan U pdate could result in the potential disturbance of human remains, including those interred outside of cemeteries within the Planning Area (Significant and Unavoidable).
Section 15064.5 (d) & (e) contains additional provisions regarding human remains. Rega rding Native American human remains, paragraph (d) provides:
When an initial study identifies the existence of, or the probable likelihood, of Native American human remains within the project, a lead agency shall work with the appropriate Native Americans as identified by the Native American Heritage Commission as provided in PRC Section 5097.98. The applicant may develop an agreement for treating or disposing of, with appropriate dignity, the human remains, and any items associated with Native American bur ials with the appropriate Native Americans as identified by the Native American Heritage Commission. Action implementing such an agreement shall be exempt from: the general prohibition on disinterring, disturbing, or removing human remains from any location other than a dedicated cemetery (Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5); and the requirement of CEQA and the Coastal Act.
There are no known areas within the town of Colma where prehistoric human remains have been uncovered, yet much of the town consists of historic cemeteries and burials. Therefore, the potential for encountering prehistoric human remains during construction development activities is low, but the potential for encountering human remains in general is possible, and GPU implementation may result in impacts to human remains.
While the GPU does not specifically propose demolition or substantial alteration of a resource or ground - disturbing activities such as grading or excavation, as discussed under Impacts 4.4.1-4.4.2, it is possible that future development consistent with the goals and policies of the 2040 General Plan Update have the potential to disturb human remains. Therefore, this is a significant and unavoidable impact and the following mitigation measures should be implemented:
Mitigation Measures: CUL-4
1. If Native American human remains are discovered within a project footprint, the Town shall work with the most likely descendants identified by the NAHC as provided in PRC Section 5097.98. The applicant may develop an agreement for treating or disposing of, with appropriate dignity, the human remains, and any items of cultural patrimony associated with Native American burials with the appropriate Native Americans as identified by the NAHC. Action implementing such an agreement is exempt from the general prohibition on disinterring, disturbing, or removing human remains from any location other than a dedicated cemetery (Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5).
2. In the event of the accidental discovery or recognition of any human remains in any location other than a dedicated cemetery, the following steps shall be taken:
a. All construction activity shall cease within 100 feet of the discovery until the San Mateo County Medical Examiner is contacted and has completed their study. b. The San Mateo C ounty Medical Exa miner shall be contacted to determine whether an investigation of the cause of death is required.
c. If the medical examiner determines that the remains are Native American, the medical examiner shall contact the NAHC within 24 hours.
d. The NAHC shall identify the person or persons it believes to be the Most Likely Descendant from the deceased Native American.
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e. The landowner shall discuss and confer with the Most Likely Descendant regarding all reasonable options for treatment of human re mains a nd any associated grave goods as provided in PRC Section 5097.98.
3. As part of the objectives, criteria, and procedures required by PRC Section 21082, a lead agency shall make provisions for historical or unique archaeological resources accidentally d iscovered during construction. These provisions shall include an immediate evaluation of the find by a qualified archaeologist. If the archaeologist determines the find to be a significant historical or archaeological resource, contingency funding and a time allotment sufficient to allow for implementation of avoidance measures or appropriate mitigation shall be necessary. Work may continue on other parts of the project site while resource mitigation takes place.
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REFERENCES
Documents
City of Taft General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report, City of Taft General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (2009).
County of San Mateo 2017-2019, County of San Mateo 2017-2019 (2019).
NEPA and NHPA: a handbook for integrating NEPA and Section 106, NEPA and NHPA: a hand book for integrating NEPA and Section 106 (2013).
Bibbym Theodore, Keegan, Deanna, Mak, Jennifer. Town-wide Archaeological Resource Study, General Plan Update Town of Colma, San Mateo County, California (2021). Referred to as the Cultural Resources Technical Report.
Greene, H. G., S. R. Hartwell, M. W. Manson, S. Y. Johnson, B. E. Dieter, E. L. Phillips, and J. T. Watt 2014 Offshore and onshore geology and geomorphology, Offshore of Pacifica map area, California, sheet
10. in Edwards, B.D., Phillips, E.L., Dartnell, P., Greene, H.G., Bretz, C.K., Kvitek, R.G., Hartwell, S.R., Johnson, S.Y., Cochrane, G.R., Dieter, B.E., Sliter, R.W., Ross, S.L., Golden, N.E., Watt, J.T., Chin, J.L., Erdey, M.O., Krisgman, L.M., Manson, M.W., and Endris, C.A. (S.A. Cochran and B.D. Edwards, eds.), California State Waters Map Series-Offshore of Pacifica, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1260, pamphlet 38 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141260.
Henn, W. G., T. L. Jackson, and J. Schlocker
1972 Buried Human Bones at the "BART" site, San Francisco, California. California Geology 25(9):208-209.
Hynding, Alan
1982 From Frontier to Suburb: The Story of the San Mateo Peninsula. Star Publishing, Belmont, California.
Jennings, C. W., Carlos Gutierrez, William Bryant, George Saucedo, and Chris Wills 2010 Geologic Map of California. Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
Sacramento, California.
Jennings, Charles W., and John L. Burnett
1961 Geologic Map of California, Olaf P. Jenkins Edition, San Francisco Sheet. State of California, Department of Natural Resources, Divison of Mines.
Jones, Terry L., Nathan E. Stevens, Deborah A. Jones, Richard T. Fitzgerald, and Mark G. Hylkema 2007 The Central Coast: A Midlatitude Milieu. In California Prehistory, edited by Terry L. Jones, and Kathryn A. Klar. Altamira Press, Lanham, Maryland.
Kroeber, Alfred L
1925 Handbook of the Indians of California. Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin No. 78: 1-995.
Washington, D.C.
Levy, R.
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1978 Costanoan. In Handbook of North American Indians: California, edited by R. F. Heizer. Vol.
8. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Meyer, Jack, Craig D. Young, and Jeffrey S. Rosenthal
2010 Volume I: A Geoarchaeological Overview and Assessment of Caltrans Districts 6 and 9 - Cultural Resources Inventory of Caltrans District 6/9 Rural Conventional Highways. Copies available from Inc. Far Western Anthropological Research Group.
Milliken, Randall
1995 A Time of Little Choice: The Disintegration of Tribal Culture in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1769-1810. Ballena Press Anthropological Papers 43.
Milliken, Randall, Richard T. Fitzgerald, Mark G. Hylkema, Randy Groza, Tom Origer, David G. Bieling, Alan Leventhal, Randy S. Wiberg, Andrew Gottsfield, Donna Gillette, Viviana Bellifemine, Eric Strother, Robert Cartier, and David A. Frederickson
2007 Punctuated Culture Change in the San Francisco Bay Area. In California Prehistory, edited by Terry L. Jones, and Kathryn A. Klar. Altamira Press, Lanham, Maryland.
Milliken, Randall, Laurence H. Shoup, and Beverly R. Ortiz 2009 Ohlone/Costanoan Indians of the San Francisco Peninsula and their Neighbors, Yesterday and Today. National Park Service: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California..
Moratto, Michael J.
1984 California Archaeology. Academic Press, Orlando, Florida.
Nelson, Nels C.
1909 Shellmounds of the San Francisco Bay region. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 7(4).
Ordnance No. 02894, Ordnance No. 02894 (1984).
Ralston, Candice, Susan D. Talcott, Jelmer W. Eerkens, Jack Meyer, and Jeffrey Rosenthal 2016 A reexamination of hypothesized diachronic diet breadth shifts and sex differences in subsistence: Stable isotope evidence of paleodiet at CA-CCO-696. In Reconstructing Lifeways in Ancient California: Stable Isotope Evidence of Foraging Behavior, Life HIstory Strategies, and Kinship Patterns, Vol 18, edited by Alexandra Greenwald, and Gregory R.
Burns. Center for Archaeological Research in Davis, Davis, California.
San Mateo County general plan, San Mateo County general plan Town of Colma general plan, Town of Colma general plan (1999) Seavey, Kent
1992 Historical Resources Inventory, City of Colma, California, Colma, California.
Shoup, Laurence , and Brack. Mark
1994 Historical Architectural Survey Technical Report for BART-San Francisco Airport Extension Project, Oakland, California.Stanger, Frank M.
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1938 A California Rancho Under Three Flags: A History of Rancho Buri Buri in San Mateo County. California Historical Society Quarterly 17(3)Svanevik, Michael , and Shirley Burgett 2002 Pillars of the Past: At Rest at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park. Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation, Colma, California.Thompson, A. H., and W. D. Johnson 1892 San Mateo Quadrangle. U.S. Geological Survey.United States Coast Survey 1869 San Francisco Peninsula, 1:40,000.USDA Soil Survey Staff 2020 Web Soil Survey. Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Websites
California Environmental Quality Act Statutes https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/ Accessed March 5 California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 7050.5
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=7050.5.#:~:text=70
50.5.,of%20the%20Public%20Resources%20Code. Accessed March 5, 2021 California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200120020AB978 Accessed March 5, 2021 California Register of Historical Resources https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21238 Accessed March 5 California State Parks, State of California. “California State Hist oric Tax Credit.” CA State Parks. https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27495. Accessed March 23, 2020 California State Parks, State of California. “PRC 5024 & 5024.5 - State Agency Compliance.” CA State Parks. https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27964. Accessed March 23, 2020 California State Parks, Sta te of California. “Preservation Laws, Codes, Regulations.” CA State Parks. https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1077. Accessed March 23, 2020 County of San Mateo: Department of Planning and Building 2013 General Plan Policies, Ch. 5 - Historical and Archaeological Resources, https://planning.smcgov.org/documents/general-plan-policies, accessed 10/5/2020.
Federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act https://www.nps.gov/archeology/tools/laws/nagpra.htm Accessed March 5, “Mills Act Info.” Old Towne Preservation Association. Accessed March 23, 2020. https://www.otpa.org/mills-act-info.html
National Historic Preservation Act https://www.nps.gov/history/local-law/nhpa1966.htm Accessed March 5, 2021
4.5 ENERGY
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This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) describes the existing energy resources and consumption within the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area). In accordance with the goals of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this section also identifies the current regulatory framework with regard to energy laws, plans and policies ; discusses the existing conditions for the town of Colma and identifies energy sources; describes existing and projected energy use during construction and operation.
4.5.1 EXISTING SETTING
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), primary energy consumption in the United States was 37% from petroleum sources, 32% from natural gas sources, 11% from coal, 11% from renewable energy sources (such as biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric), and eight percent from nuclear electric power.
The State of California (State) relies on a regional power sys tem that is composed of a mix of natural gas, renewable energy, nuclear electric power and hydroelectric power sources. The transportation sector in the State consumed about 40% of California’s Energy sources, followed by industrial uses (23%) and commercial (19%) and residential (18%) uses (US Energy Information Administration, 2020). California produces almost 73% of its electric power needs in the State, with the remaining 27% of its electricity demand is imported from t he Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Nevada) and from Arizona in the Pacific Southwest. (Transmission Agency of Northern California, 2020).
In 2018, the State’s total energy consumption was roughly the second highest in the US, but it also ranked the highest in the country in the production of solar, geothermal and biomass energy sources, and fourth in the nation in production of hydroelectric power. In 2010, the State’s in -state generated electricity as derived from natural gas (53.4%), hydroelectric resources (14.6%), coal (1.7%), nuclear sources (15.7%) and renewable energy resources (14.6%). These renewable energy resources included geothermal, biomass, wind, solar, and small hydroelectric sources. In 2018, California’s in -state natural gas energy generatio n had decreased to about 43.8%, hydroelectric to 12.3%, coal to 1.2%, nuclear sources to 8.7% , but had increased for renewable energy resource usage, to about 34%.
According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), though the State’s total energy consumption had increased from 228,038 Giga-Watt hours (GWh) in 1990, to almost 285,574 GWh in 2008, the state’s energy consumption decreased to 285,488 GWh in 2018. Thirty four percent of California’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2018. However, despite this slight decrease, the State’s overall energy consumption is anticipated to increase over the next few decades due to population and job growth. Calif ornia’s electricity usage is anticipated to grow anywhere from 13% to 15% though gas usage may decrease by almost 20% during the next 20 years.
REGIONAL
In 2008, San Mateo County published the San Mateo County Energy Strategy 2012 to address the future energy and water needs of the county. The 2012 Strategy was subsequently adopted by every city in San Mateo County in calendar year 2009. The strategy included the development of a natural gas power plant within San Mateo County. At this time, both electricity and gas were provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Since then, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) launched and many of the local governments within the county , including the town of Colma, opted to move from centralized fossil fuel sources, to cleaner, distributed sources of energy. PCE is a locally controlled electricity provider that provides all PG&E customers within San Mateo County 100% carbon free electricity. While customers have the option to opt out of power procured by PCE, the opt out rate has been relatively low. In 2019 the opt out rate was
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less than 1 percent. PG&E continues to maintain the energy infrastructure and provide natural gas to the community.
The county consumed about 5076.1 GWh of electricity in 2008 compared to 4254.6 GWh in 2018, and approximately 230.553 million therms of natural gas in 2008, compared to 209.664 mi llion therms in 2018.
In San Mateo County, the average household in each of the four most affluent communities consumes between two and five times more energy than households in other cities. Although residents in those communities pay higher utility bills, their energy habits require a larger energy infrastructure in the county than would otherwise be needed.
Energy Demand
PG&E is responsible for forecasting future energy needs in its territory based on historical demand, anticipated population increases, expected job growth and numerous other factors. The forecasts are used to ensure that sufficient electricity and transmission capacity are available to meet expected demand and prevent outages. PG&E estimates a one percent annual increase in overall electricity use for the San Francisco Bay area, which includes San Mateo County.
Peak Demand is the biggest factor in planning how much energy infrastructure is needed in a given area.
Demand for energy in the San Francisco Bay area generally peaks on weekday summer afternoons when most businesses use air conditioning. Power plants that are used only when needed to meet the increased demand are called peaker plants. PG&E expects its area’s peak demand to grow by 11% in the next decade.
Energy Supply
As previously mentioned, PCE supplies 100% carbon free electricity to the town of Colma. Customers have the choice to opt out of purchasing PCE’s electricity and to purchase energy from PG&E instead. Customers that opt out of purchasing PCE’s electricity returns to purchasing energy from PG&E. While the energy is not 100% carbon free, PG&E’s energy mix is one of the cleanest in the country, with the majority of PG&E- owned generation and power purchases coming from nuclear, renewable, and large hydro sources. The State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard requires utilities to obtain 20 % of their energy portfolio from renewable sources by 2010. Eligible renewable resources include geothermal, most hydroelectric, biomass, selected municipal solid waste facilities, solar and wind.
More than 13,000 customers in PG&E’s San Francisco Bay service area meet some or all of their energy needs through self-generation, where they buy or lease systems that produce energy on-site. Several kinds of self-generation systems are eligible for rebates, tax credits or other financial incentives that make them more affordable to install. Self -generation systems are usually more cost -effective for users in the long - term. Self-generation systems also help the overall electric system by reducing the load on the grid and contributing energy when it is needed most, during peak periods. Solar electric systems frequently produce more energy in summer afternoons than the owner can use. As long as the system is connected to the grid (“grid-tied”), the extra energy can flow onto the grid and be used elsewhere. “Net -metering” describes a user’s ability to store energy credits with the utility for later use. State legislation currently limits net - metering to a single account, meaning any energy credits produced at a site can only be used at the same site or meter. Some municipaliti es, including the cities of Davis and San Francisco, have successfully lobbied for legislation allowing them to apply energy credits earned at one site to their accounts at other facilities.
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LOCAL
According to the Town’s 2017 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the town consumed 25,850,496 kWh of electricity and 651,775 therms of natural gas in 2017. More than 77% of this electricity came from PG&E and PCE with the remaining approximately 22% from direct access sources. Direct access electricity includes any electricity that is procured from a source outside of PG&E and PCE. The total consumption of electricity has trended down between 2010 and 2017, with an average decrease of 0.7% per year. The use of natural gas has trended similarly with an average decrease of 1.4% per year between 2010 and 2017. While these trends are anticipated to continue as buildings and appliances become more efficient, the Town anticipates additional development, with approximately 328 new housi ng units, an additional 990,000 square feet of commercial uses and 35,000 s quare feet of office uses at buildout. With the assumption s that average households consume 3.5 kWh and 0.31 therms per square foot per year and the average household is 1400 square feet, the additional residential development would consume approximately 1,607,200 kWh and 142,350 therms per year. In addition, if non-residential uses consume 13.63 kWh and 0.26 therms per square foot per year , the additional commercial and office uses are expected to increase energy usage by approximately 13,970,750 kWh and 266,500 therms annually.
The town of Colma website includes a sustainability page that maintains information on energy -related programs for its residents and businesses. The programs include energy efficiency home improvements with rebates through PG&E and the Energy Upgrade California Home Upgrade program, where homeowners may receive rebates from $1,000 to $3,150 for improvements including but not limited to, air vent and duct sealing, insulation, high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters , as well as the installation of energy-efficient windows . Through the town’s Advanced Home Upgrade program, homeowners and local businesses may receive $1,000 to $6,500 for a more in -depth energy upgrade including energy assessments and rebates for energy improvements.
Though t here are not any wind farms or windmills located in the town of Colma, although the town participates in the Peninsula Clean Energy program which purchases wind energy as a source of renewable energy that provides a clean energy alternative to San Mateo County residents and businesses.
4.5.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FEDERAL
Energy Independence and Security Act
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) (Public Law 110-140) was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 19, 2007. The Act’s goal is to achieve energy security in the United States by increasing renewable fuel production, improving energy efficiency and performance, protecting consumers, improving vehicle fuel economy, and promoting research on greenhouse gas capture and storage. The Act therefore addresses energy savings in government and public institutions, promoting research for alternative energy, additional research in carbon capture, and the creation of “green jobs.” The EISA also includes a variety of new standards for lighting and for residential and commercial appliance equipment. The eq uipment includes residential refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator -freezers, metal halide lamps, and commercial walk-in coolers and freezers.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides renewed and expanded tax credits for electricity generated by qualified energy sources, such as landfill gas; provides bond financing, tax incentives, grants, and loan guarantees for clean renewable energy and rural community electrification; and establishes a federal purchase requirement for renewable energy.
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Energy Policy and Conservation Act
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; Public Law 94–163, 89 Stat. 871, enacted December 22, 1975) was enacted to ensure that all vehicles sold in the United States meet certain fuel economy goals, and established the first fuel economy standards for the country. Pursuant to the Act, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the agency responsible for establishing and revising a ny additional vehicle standards. Compliance with federal fuel economy standards are typically determined on the basis of each vehicle manufacturer’s average fuel economy for vehicles sold in the United States (US). The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) program was therefore created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to determine vehicle manufacturer’s compliance with current fuel economy standards. The US EPA calculates a CAFÉ value for vehicle manufacturer. These are based on the city and highway fuel economy tests and number of vehicle sales.
National Energy Act
In response to the energy crisis in the 1970s, Congress passed the National Energy Act of 1978 (NEA) to establish energy efficiency programs, tax incentives, tax disincentives, energy conservation programs, alternative fuel programs, and regulatory and market-based initiatives.
Energy Star Program
Enacted in 1992, Energy Star is a joint program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. The program establishes criteria for energy efficiency for household products and labels energy efficient products with the Energy Star seal. Homes can be qualified as “Energy Star homes” if they meet efficiency standards. In California, Energy Star homes must use at least 15 percent less energy than standards set by Title 24, pass the California Energy Star Homes Quality Insulation Installation Thermal Bypass Checklist Procedures, have Energy Star windows, and have minimal duct leakage.
STATE AND REGIONAL
Senate Bill 1
Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) (Chapter 132, CA Statutes of 2006) set a goal to install 3,000 megawatts of new solar capacity by 2017, moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers.101 The “Million Solar Roofs” Program is a ratepayer -financed incentive program aimed at transforming the market for rooftop solar systems by driving down costs over time. It provides up to $3.3 billion in financial incentives that decline over time.
Senate Bill 350
The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act, or Senate Bill 350 (SB 350) was signed into law in September 2015 and establishes tiered increases to the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)by requiring 40 percent of the state’s energy supply come from renewable sources by 2024, 45 percent by 2027, and 50 percent by 2030.
SB 350 also set a new goal of doubling the energy efficiency savings in the electricity and natural gas sectors through energy efficiency and conservation measures.
Assembly Bill 758
New state law promulgated in 2009 under Assembly Bill 758 (AB 758) or the Energy Audit, mandates the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a comprehensive energy efficiency program for existing buildings. This bill w as implemented in three phases. On December 14, 2016, the CEC published the updated version of the Existing Buildings E nergy Efficiency Action Plan , which provides a 10 -year
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roadmap to transform California’s existing residential, commercial, and public building stock into high - performing and energy efficient buildings.
Assembly Bill 811
The 2008 Assembly Bill 811 (AB 811) (Chapter 159, California State Statutes of 2008) authorizes California cities and counties to designate districts within which willing property owners may enter into contractual assessments to finance the installation of renewable energy generation and energy efficiency improvements that are permanently fixed to the property. These financing arrangements would allow property owners to finance renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements through low-interest loans that would be repaid as an item on the property owner's property tax bill.
California’s 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards
In December 2018, the California Building Standards Commission gave the final approval to a solar PV requirement mandating all new buildings under three stories tall be equipped with solar systems. The standards officially take effect on January 1, 2020, and include solar installation, battery storage, and improved energy savings through high-performance walls, attics, and windows.
Executive Order B-48-18
On January 26, 2018, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed EO -48-18 to boost the use of zero -emission vehicles (ZEVs), electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure in California. The order will implement the Governor’s target of 5 million ZEVs on the road by 2030 and 250,000 vehicle charging stations and 200 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025.
California Building Energy Efficiency Standards
The 2013 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Section 6) was created as part of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulat ions) by the California Building Standards Commission in 1978 to establish statewide building energy efficiency standards to reduce California’s energy consumption. These standards include provisions applicable to all buildings, residential and nonresident ial, which describe requirements for documentation and certificates that the building meets the standards. These provisions include mandatory requirements for efficiency and design of the following types of systems, equipment, and appliances and include ad ditional mandatory requirements for space conditioning (cooling and heating), water heating, and indoor and outdoor lighting systems and equipment in non-residential, high-rise residential, and hotel or motel buildings. Mandatory requirements for low-rise residential buildings cover indoor and outdoor lighting, fireplaces, space cooling and heating equipment (including ducts and fans), and insulation of the structure, foundation, and water piping. In addition to the mandatory requirements, the standards call for further energy efficiency that can be provided through a choice between performance and prescriptive compliance approaches. Separate sections apply to low -rise residential and to non -residential, high -rise residential, and hotel or motel buildings. In buildings designed for mixed use (e.g., commercial and residential), each section must meet the standards applicable to that type of occupancy.
California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards are updated on an approximately three -year cycle as technology and methods have evolved. As a result of new law under A ssembly Bill 970, passed in the fall of 2000 in response to the state’s electricity crisis, an emergency update of the standards went into effect in June 2001. The California Energy Commission (CEC) constantly updates its energy standards to improve upon the current standards for new construction of, and additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings. The most recent standards focus on several key areas to improve the energ y efficiency of newly constructed buildings and additions and alterations to existing buildings and include
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requirements that will enable both demand reductions during critical peak periods and future solar electric and thermal system installations.
California Solar Initiative
The California Solar Initiative (CSI) was authorized in 2006 under Senate Bill 1 and allows the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to provide incentives to install solar technology on existing residential, commercial, nonprofit, and governmental buildings if they are customers of the State’s investor -owned utilities (IOUs), including Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The CSI program has several components, including the Research and Development, Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH), Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH), and Solar Water Heating Pilot Program, each of which provides incentives to further the installation of solar technology on California’s buildings.
California Green Building Standards
The California Energy Commission (CEC) first adopted Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce energy consumption in the state. Although not originally intended to reduce GHG emissions, increased energy efficiency, and reduced consumption of electricity, natural gas, and other fuels would result in fewer GHG emissions from residential and nonresidential buildings subject to the standard. The standards are updated periodically to allow for the consideration and inclusion of new energy efficiency technologies and methods.
Part 11 of the Title 24 Building Standards Code is referred to as the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen Code) or the Title 24 Energy Standa rds. The purpose of the CALGreen Code is to “improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design and construction of buildings through the use of building concepts having a positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices in the following categories: (1) planning and design; (2) energy efficiency; (3) water efficiency and conservation; (4) material conservation and resource efficiency; and (5) environmental air quality.” The CALGreen Code is not intended to substitute or be identified as meeting the certification requirements of any green building program that is not established and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC). Unless otherwise noted in the regulation, all newly constructed buildings in California are subject of the requirements of the CALGreen Code.
CALGreen contains both mandatory and voluntary measures. For non-residential land uses there are 39 mandatory measures including, but not limited to exterior light pollution reduction, wastewater reduction by 20 percent, and commissioning of projects over 10,000 square feet. Two tiers of voluntary measures apply to non-residential land uses, for a total of 36 additional elective measures.
LOCAL
City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) is the council of governments that consist of the County of San Mateo and its 20 cities and towns, which include the Town of Colma.
C/CAG typically deal w ith transportation, air quality, stormwater runoff, hazardous and solid wastes , recycling, and use near airports, and other issues that affect the quality of life in general. C/CAG supports a variety of sustainability initiatives such as:
San Mateo County Energy Watch
The San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) program is a local government partnership between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and C/CAG to promote energy efficiency in municipal buildings.
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This program has provided staff assistance to support San Mateo County jurisdictions in the development of their Climate Action Plans.
Reach Codes
The Town of Colma adopted reach codes or more stringent building codes that require new residential and non-residential construction to be electric -ready and have additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Natural gas is still allowed with the adopted reach codes.
Town of Colma Climate Action Plan (CAP) (2013)
The town of Colma has policy control over many important decisions that affect GHG reduction, such as energy efficiency requirements for residential and commercial projects, water conservation, bicycle lanes, green business certification programs, recycling pro grams and other strategies. The town ’s CAP was developed collaboratively with a regional program that funded CAP development for participating jurisdictions. The resulting measures are outlined in the town’s CAP and provide practical and effect methods to meet the 15% GHG reduction target of AB 32.
4.5.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
Following PRC Sections 21083.2 and 21084.1, and Section 15064.5 and Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, energy impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Result in potenti ally significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation. • Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency.
METHODOLOGY
State CEQA Guidelines Appendix F recommend that the analyses of applicable energy impacts should concentrate on whether a proposed project would result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy. The Regulatory Setting section of this Draft PEIR Chapter discusses energy legislation, policies, and standards adopted by State and local governments for the purpose of reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in the use of energy . Therefore, for the purpose s of this analysis, inconsistency with legislation, policies, or standards designed to avoid wasteful and inefficient energy usage is used as the basis for evaluating whether the proposed General Plan Update would result in a significant impact related to energy resources.
IMPACTS
Impact 4.5.1 Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would not result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources during project construction or operation, nor would it conflict or obstruct a state o r local energy efficiency plan (Less than Significant).
The 2040 GPU proposes few changes that could potentially alter the future development proposed in the town. The proposed GPU however updates the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The planning areas include development standards such as height, FAR, and density as well as development standard bonuses for specific uses in opportunity sites. In
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addition, the proposed GPU introduces new land uses such a medium density residential land use that is consistent with current developments and a commercial overlay over vacant and underutilized cemetery land east of Hillside Boulevard. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commerc ial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster’s site, respectively. The town has the capability to add 765 people under the potential development of its GPU planning period. This could result in 328 additional housing units and 1,127,500 square feet of commercial and office buildings.
Construction of future development, or even redevelopment projects, under the GPU has the potential to consume electricity, natural gas, gasoline and diesel during the operation of heavy -duty construction equipment and vehicles. All this could have an adverse impact on the environment. However, these would- be temporary consumption of energy, only related to project construction under future development projects. Further, any future developmen t would be limited by the town’s geography and relation to existing cemetery uses. The town anticipates that future development projects would be limited to the town center or existing commercial and residential areas. The town of Colma therefore is anticipating more mixed use development, in terms of its growth. This in itself would r educe travel distances and energy consumption.
Additionally, although it is anticipated that energy efficiency will also improve in the future, and any new development under the General Plan Update would have to conform to the State of California’s AB 32 Scoping Plan (for Greenhouse Gas emissions) and the Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6) and CALGreen Code (Title 24, Part 11). These standards outline improved building design and energy conservation measures to ensure that there are no unnecessary or inefficient use of energy. As mentioned previously, most of the town is already developed, with few vacant parcels remaining, and future construction would not require the excessive amount of energy consumptions that typically occur with large scale industrial facilities. Proposed GPU policies that would reduce air quality impacts during projec t construction, as well as constantly evolving energy efficiency standards, would also result in associated reductions in construction related energy uses.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following proposed General Plan policies further reduce the anticipated less than significant wasteful, insufficient or unnecessary consumption of energy resources during project construction and operation:
Policy OSC-3-1: Transit Oriented Development. Encourage, to the extent feasible, higher density residential development to be located near transit corridors and public transportation.
Policy OSC-3-2: Reduce Energy Consumption. Support measures and education to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Policy OSC-3-3: Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations . Pursue opportunities to improve energy efficiency and install renewable energy systems, where feasible, in new and existing Town-owned facilities and operations.
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Policy OSC-3-4: GHG Reduction. Implement the Climate Action Plan to achieve GHG reduction targets that are consistent with the State Scoping Plan, AB 32, and SB 32 and the Town’s goals.
Policy OSC-3-5: Pedestrian-Scaled Design. Support the use of public/mass transit by encouraging pedestrian-friendly street design and mixed-use development near transit hubs.
Implementation of the policies described above would reduce the environmental impacts associated with consumption of energy resources to less than significant and no mitigation is required.
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REFERENCES
Documents
California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2007. Bioenergy Action Plan for California.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company. 2020. Where your electricity comes from.
Peninsula Clean Energy. 2020. 2019 Community Benefits Summary Colma.
Public Law 94-163. 1975. Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
Public Law. 95-619. National Energy Act of 1978.
Public Law 109-58. 2005. Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Public Law 110-140. 2007. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
San Mateo County. 2012. San Mateo County Energy Strategy.
Town of Colma. 2013. Town of Colma Climate Action Plan.
Websites
Building Standards Commission. 2007. < https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Resources/Page-Content/Building- Standards-Commission-Resources-List-
Folder/CALGreen#:~:text=CALGreen%20is%20the%20first%2Din,to%201990%20levels%20by%202020.> Accessed September 2020.
California Energy Commission (CEC). 2012. <https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac> Accessed August 2020.
California Energy Commission (CEC). 2013.
<https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/title24/2013standards/#:~:text=California's%20Building%20Energy%20Efficiency%2 0Standards,to%2C%20residential%20and%20nonresidential%20buildings.> Accessed September 2020.
California Energy Commission (CEC). 2015. < https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules-and-regulations/energy- suppliers-reporting/clean-energy-and-pollution-reduction-act-sb-350> Accessed September 2020 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2016. <http://ecdms.energy.ca.gov/> Accessed August 2020.
California Energy Commission (CEC). 2019. < https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and- topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/2019-building-energy-efficiency> Accessed September 2020.
California Energy Commission. 1974. < https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules-and-regulations/warren-alquist-act> Accessed September 2020.
California Government. 2018. < https://www.ca.gov/archive/gov39/2019/01/04/executive-order-b-62- 18/index.html> Accessed September 2020.
California Legislative Information. 2017.
<https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1> Accessed September 2020.
California Legislative Information. 2008.
<https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=200720080AB811> Accessed September 2020.
California Public Utilities Commission. 2016. < https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/General.aspx?id=6043> Accessed September 2020.
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County of San Mateo Performance. 2016. <https://performance.smcgov.org/en/stat/goals/single/hbdy-d9cx/view> Accessed August 2020.
Energy Upgrade California. 2020.
<https://www.energyupgradeca.org/#:~:text=Energy%20Upgrade%20California%C2%AE%20is,a%20long%20wa y%20for%20California.> Accessed September 2020.
National Conference of State Legislatures. 2020. < https://www.ncsl.org/research/energy/renewable-portfolio- standards.aspx> Accessed August 2020.
Peninsula Clean Energy. 2020. <https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/> Accessed September 2020.
Public Resources Code (PRC). Chapter 470. 2009.
<https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200920100AB758> Accessed September 2020.
Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC). 2020. <www.tanc.us> Accessed August 2020.
United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) . 2020. <https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/us- energy-facts/> Accessed August 19, 2020.
United States Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2020. < https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/> Accessed August 2020.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2019 . <https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air- pollution/affordable-clean-energy-rule> Accessed September 2020.
Pacific Gas and Electricity Company. Where your elec tricity comes from. (2020) <https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/your-account/your-bill/understand-your-bill/bill- inserts/2020/1220-PowerContent-ADA.pdf>.
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This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft Program EIR; DPEIR) discusses the geologic and soil conditions of the Town of Colma 2040 General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area) . It also includes the regulatory framework necessary to evaluate potential environmental impacts resulting from the 2040 General Plan Update (GPU), describes potential impacts that could result from the GPU. This Draft PEIR discusses General Plan Update goals, policies, and related potential environmental impacts if the proposed General Plan Update were implemented.
4.6.1 EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL
The proposed town of Colma (town)’s 2040 GPU Planning Area is located in San Mateo County (county), which itself is located on the San Francisco Peninsula and within the North Coast Range of the Coast Ranges Geomorphic Province. This geomorphic province is part of Pacific coastal California, and provides a barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the San Joaquin Valley. Since this province consists of mountain ranges and the corresponding valleys and basins. it is controlled by a series of folds and faults t hat resulted from the collision of the Farallon and North American tectonic plates and subsequent strike -slip faulting along the San Andreas fault zone. Much of the Coast Ra nge province is composed of marine sedimentary deposits and volcanic rocks, running subparallel to the San Andreas Fault Zone. The Coast Ranges can be further divided into the northern and southern ranges, separated by the San Francisco Bay. Regionally, th is fault system is the boundary between the North American Plate and Pacific Plate, a complex system of northwest trending faults that extend across the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The San Andreas is also the closest active fault to the Planning Area.
Geology and Soils
According to the 1985 San Mateo County General Plan, soil types in San Mateo county have been classified according to eight major groups composed of 25 association types. Soils within each association have similar properties and characteristics. Approximately 80 percent of San Mateo county is covered with sandy loam, clay loam, and clay upland soils, generally on slopes of 30 percent or greater. The deepest and best drained soils occur on small alluvial fans and low terraces, especially al ong major stream channels. Other well-drained soils, originally formed primarily from marine sediments, occur on the high terraces of the coastal plain, and constitute less than 20 percent of the county’s land area.
San Mateo county is also host to serpentine-based soils; a unique soils group due to the restricted range of plan species it supports. Serpentine soils occur infrequently and are sporadically distributed. Undisturbed habitats are quite rare, occurring primarily within the San Francisco Watershed, Jasper Ridge B iological reserve, and Emerald Lake Hills area. Typical bedrock types include Quaternary alluvium and marine deposits, Pliocene Marine rocks and the Franciscan Complex. The Quaternary alluvium and marine deposits consist of poorly consolidated friable, wel l sorted, fine to medium grained sand, gravel, silt and clay deposits. The se d eposits overlay the Pliocene Marine rocks which consists of unconsolidated and moderately consolidated sandy silt and fine sand found throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Franciscan Complex occurs in the San Bruno Mountain foothills. This association is composed of sedimentary volcanic and metamorphic rocks of shale and siltstone containing blocks of sandstone, greenstone and chert. The bedrock and surface geologic characteristics are shown in Figure 4.6-1: Geology below.
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Faults
The San Francisco Bay area is wholly located within the San Andreas Fault Zone. This significant tectonic feature is located just over a mile west of the town of Colma (Figure 4.6-2: Fault Lines and Seismic Hazards).
Other major regional active faults include the Hayward, Concord, Calaveras and San Gregorio faults. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that between 2003 and 2032, there is a 63% probability that a 6.7 or greater magnitude earthquake will occur in the San Francisco Bay Region, and a 21% chance that a 6.7 or greater magnitude earthquake will occur along the San Andreas Fault.
The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale describes shaking severity resulting from earthquakes (Table
4.6.1: Modified Mercall i Intensities and Effects ). An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 on the San Andreas Fault would have MMI shaking severity levels of Very Strong to Violent throughout the Planning Area.
Table 4.6.1: Modified Mercalli Intensities and Effects
MM Effect
I Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable Conditions.
II Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
III Many feel movement indoors, may not be perceptible outdoors.
IV Most feel movement indoors; Windows, doors, and dishes will rattle.
V Felt by nearly everyone, sleeping people may be awakened VI Felt by all, difficulty walking; heavy furniture moved, slight damage.
VII Difficulty standing; some furniture breaks ; damage to well -built buildings negligible.
VIII Damage to poorly built structures, partial collapse of well -built structures, houses may shift on foundations.
IX Considerable damage to well-built buildings, ground may crack.
X Most buildings and foundations destroyed.
Source: USGS, 2013
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Surface Rupture and Subsidence
Surface rupture is the fracturing or cracking of the earth's surface by fault displacement or fault movement during an earthquake. Surface rupture in the form of landslides may occur when earthquakes cause cracks in sidewalks, streets, and buildings, thereby resulting in curb separation, cracks on structures, and broken gutters. Subsidence is the sinking or lowering of a part of the earth's surface, and may be either earthquake induced or occur independent of earthquakes. Subsidence as a direct result of fault displacement is not as likely the region due to the nature of the how the San Andreas Fault moves during an earthquake.
Ground Shaking and Liquefaction
The potential severity of ground shaking during an earthquake depends on a variety of factors. A region’s susceptibility to the highest potential levels of seismic shaking are generally those areas closest to the active earthquake-generating faults and areas underlain by thick unconsolidated deposits, particularly soft, saturated mud and fill. Ground shaking may be a potentially serious seismic hazard for areas in close proximity to the San Andreas Fa ult. A Geologic Units Map prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) classifies geologic units into categories of similar susceptibility to ground shaking from very low to extremely high intensity (see Figure 4.6-2). The ABAG map indicates that portions of the greater San Francisco Bay area u nderlain by the Colma and Merced Formations would have moderately high to very high susceptibility to ground shaking. Areas underlain by the Franciscan outcrop, such as those ad jacent to San Bruno Mountain, have low to moderately low susceptibility. Some areas in the Bayshore neighborhood, however, have high to extremely high susceptibility due to the mixture of different geologic formations near the San Francisco Bay.
Liquefaction is the rapid transformation of saturated, loose, fine -grained sediment to a fluid -like state caused by seismic ground shaking. Soils susceptible to liquefaction include saturated loose to medium dense sands and gravels, low -plasticity silts, and some lo w-plasticity clay deposits. Liquefaction and associated failures could damage foundations, disrupt utility service, and cause damage to roadways. A composite liquefaction susceptibility map prepared by ABAG indicates that the majority of the Town of Colma has a very low susceptibility level (see Figure 4.6-3: Liquefaction Susceptibility).
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Slope Instability
A landslide is a mass of rock, soil and debris displaced down slope by sliding, flowing or falling (mudflows, or “mudslides” are types of landslides). Landslides can be a direct result of an earthquake, as occurred in the greater San Francisco Bay area during earthquakes in 1906, 1957, and 1989. However, landslides could also be caused by other natural events such as heavy rainfall, or by human activities such as grading and deforestation or removal of vegetation. The vulnerability of homes and businesses to landslide hazards in the San Francisco Bay area is exacerbated by the San Andreas Fault.
Cliff erosion is often considered a type of landslide and is generally caused by an increase in moisture along the bluff line of a cliff which results in the breaking away of material along the face of the cliff. Development along coastal bluffs can also contribute to increases in cliff erosion throu gh increased runoff due to ineffective storm drainage design.
Expansive Soils and Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is the process by which soils are worn away from the earth’s surface by precipitation and runoff or wind. The rate of erosion depends on many factors, including soil type and geologic parent materials (inherent erodibility), degree of surface disturbance and resulting vegetative cover, degree of compaction, degree and length of slope, rainfall and/or wind amount and intensity, and erosion control practices. Soils that are high in silt and low in clay and organic matter are the most inherently erodible; but, regardless of soil texture, erosion potential may be high in steep, unvegetated areas — especially those areas disturbed by cut-and-fill or other construction activities.
Expansive soils possess a “shrink-swell” behavior. Shrink-swell is the cyclic change in volume (expansion and contraction) that occurs in fine -grained clay sediments from the process of wetting and drying.
Structural damage to buildings can occur over a long period of time, usually as a result of inadequate soil and foundation engineering or the placement of structures directly on expansive soils. As shown in Figure
4.6-4: Landslide Potential, erosion susceptibility in the Town of Colma is typically around the base of the San Bruno Mountain State Park. This is an area of low -to-moderate erosion potential, as well as low -to- moderate shrink/swell potential.
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LOCAL
The town of Colma occupies a wide drainage basin centered on Colma Creek. The geologic formation of the area is known as the Colma formation. It consists of friable, well -sorted, fine to medium grained sand and local gravel, sand silt and clay. The formation is weakly to moderately consolidated and is well drained.
An alluvial strip, consisting of unconsolidated permeable sand and gravel, exists along Colma Creek. The bedrock types underlying the town include the Quaternary alluvium and marine deposits, the Pliocene Marine rocks and the Franciscan Complex.
The town is located in the seismically active San Francisco Bay Area. Due to its location near the boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates , the town is exposed to geologic and seismic hazards such as strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction and landslides.
Although mapping analyzed under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act indicates that no active earthquake fault zones are located in the town, several major regional active fault zones are of concern. The San Andreas is also the closest active fault to the Planning Area and t here is one recognized inactive fault in the town, the Serra Fault. The Serra fault runs parallel to Junipero Serra Boulevard and is approximately 1 mile from the San Andres Fault. The fault extends from the town of Hillsborough to the city of Daly City.
Seismically induced hazards with potential to affe ct the town of Colma include ground shaking, ground failure, liquefaction and surface rupture.
A composite liquefaction susceptibility map prepared by ABAG indicates that the majority of the town of Colma has a very low susceptibility level to liquefaction (see Figure 4.6-3).
4.6.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FEDERAL
Disaster Mitigation Act
The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA ) of 2000 provides the legal basis for F ederal Emergency Management Agency mitigation planning requirements for state, local, and Indian Tribal governments as a condition of mitigation grant assistance. DMA 2000 amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by repealing the previous mitigation plann ing provisions and replacing them with a new set of requirements that emphasize the need for state, local, and Indian Tribal entities to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts. The requirement for a state mitigation plan is conti nued as a condition of disaster assistance, adding incentives for increased coordination and integration of mitigation activities at the state level through the establishment of requirements for two different levels of state plans. DMA 2000 also established a new requirement for local mitigation plans and authorized up to seven percent of Hazard Mitigation Grand Program funds available to a state for development of state, local, and Indian Tribal mitigation plans.
STATE AND REGIONAL
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Act) was signed into law in 1972 as the Alquist -Priolo Geologic Hazard Zones Act. The name was subsequently changed to the Alquist -Priolo Special Studies Zones Act in 1975 and finally to the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act in 1994. The Act requires the delineation of zones along active faults in California. The purpose of the act was to prohibit the location of most structures for human occupancy across active fault t races and to thereby mitigate the hazard of surface fault rupture. The law only addresses the hazard of surface fault rupture and is not directed toward
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other earthquake hazards, such as ground-shaking or landslides. It regulates development on or near active fault traces to reduce the hazard of fault rupture and to prohibit the location of most structures for human occupancy across these traces.
The Act requires the State Geologist to establish regulatory zones (known as Earthquake Fault Zones) around the surface traces of active faults and to issue maps to all affected cities, counties, and State agencies for their use in planning and controlling development. Local agencies must regulate most development projects within the zones, and there generally can be no construction for human occupancy within 50 feet of an active fault zone.
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
In 1990, the California State Legislature passed the Seismic Hazard Mapping Act (Act) to protect public safety from the effects of strong shaking, liquefaction, landslides, or other ground failure, and other hazards caused by earthquakes. The Act became operative on April 1, 1991. The program and actions mandated by the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act closely resemble those of the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act.
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act of 1990 addresses non -surface fault rupture earthquake hazards, including liquefaction and seismically induced landslides, and its purpose is to protect public safety from the effects of strong ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, other ground failure, and other hazards caused by earthquakes.
Specifically, the maps identify areas where soil liquefaction and earthquake -induced landslides are most likely to occur. The Act directs cities, counties, and state agencies to use the maps in their land use planning and permitting processes. A site-specific geotechnical evaluation is required prior to permitting most urban developments within the mapped zones. The Act requires the State Geologist to delineate various seismic hazard zones and requires cities, counties, and other local permitting agencies to regulate c ertain development projects within these zones. Before a development permit is granted for a site within a seismic hazard zone, a geotechnical investigation of the site must be conducted, and appropriate mitigation measures incorporated into the project design.
California Health and Safety Code
Section §19100 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code establishes the State’s regulations for earthquake protection. This section of the code requires structural designs to be capable of resisting likely stresses produced by strong winds and earthquakes.
California Building Code
The purpose of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) is to provide minimum standards to preserve public peace, health, and safety by regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, equipment, location, grading, use, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings and structures. UBC standards address foundation design, shear wall strength, and other structurally related conditions.
In addition to the r equirements of the Uniform Building Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also known as the California Building Standard Code or the California Building Code (CBC), establishes further guidance for foundation design, shear wall strength, and othe r structurally related concerns. The CBC is administered by the California Building Standards Commission, which, by law, is responsible for coordinating all building standards.
The CBC modified national UBC regulations for specific conditions found in California, and therefore requires structures to be built to withstand ground shaking in areas of high earthquake hazards and the placement of strong motion instruments in larger buildings , to monitor and record the response of the structure and the site of seismic activity. Compliance with CBC regulations ensures the adequate design
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and construction of building foundations to resist soil movement. I t regulates and controls the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, and mainte nance of all building and structures within its jurisdiction. The CBC also contains drainage requirements in order to control surface drainage and to reduce seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture content.
In addition, the CBC contains necessary California amendments which are based on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Minimum Design Standards 7 -05 provides requirements for general structural design and includes means for determining earthquake loads among others, for inclusion into building codes. The provisions of the CBC apply to the construction, alteration, movement, replacement, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures throughout California. The earthquake design requirements take into account the occupancy category of the structure, site class, soil classifications, and various seismic coefficients which are used to determine a Seismic Design Category (SDC) for a project. The SDC is a classificat ion system that combines the occupancy categories with the level of expected ground motions at the site and ranges from SDC A (very small seismic vulnerability) to SDC E/F (very high seismic vulnerability and near a major fault).
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has jurisdiction over State and interstate routes within California. Any work undertaken within the right -of-way of a federal or State transportation corridor is subject to Caltrans regulations. Caltrans standards incorporate the CBC, and contain numerous additional rules and regulations to protect the public from seismic hazards such as surface fault rupture, and ground shaking. In addition, Caltrans s tandards require that projects be constructed to minimize potential hazards associated with cut and fill operations, grading, slope instability, and expansive or corrosive soils, as described in the Caltrans Highway Design Manual (HDM).
LOCAL
Colma Municipal Code Subchapter 5.07 Grading and Erosion and Sediment Control The purposes of this ordinance are to provide for safe grading operations, to safeguard life, limb and property, to preserve and enhance the natural environment, to control erosion and sedimentation, to decrease the risk of flooding, to reduce the impacts on riparian habitats and stream capacity, and to assure consistency with the 2040 General Plan for the town of Colma.
4.6.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
Following P ublic Resources Code (P RC) Sections §21083.2 and §21084.1, and Section §15064.5 and Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, Geology and Soils impacts are considered to be significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
a. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault?
b. Strong seismic ground shaking?
c. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? and, d. Landslides?
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• Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil. • Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on -or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse.
• Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property. • Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater. • Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature.
METHODOLOGY
Geologic impacts and soils analyses take into account the geologic and seismic conditions within the town of Colma, and applicable regulations and guidelines. The proposed General Plan Update would facilitate development and growth within the town. Thus the analyses assess the potential for seismic activity to affect people and structures, as well as the necessary protection from seismic hazards that are provided by GPU standards. Consideration is given to erosion associated with future development, related construction activities, as well as potential geologic hazards posed by liquefaction, ground shaking, and underlying geologic materials. In order to reduce potential hazards from earthquakes or other local geologic hazards, the proposed GPU ensures development/redevelopment would continue to be completed in compliance with local and State regulations, as well as GPU policies.
IMPACTS
Impact 4.6.1 Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would expose new development to seismic hazards, including but not limited to strong ground shaking or seismically related to ground failure, including liquefaction (Less than Significant).
The town of Colma is located along the Serra Fault Zone and is approximately less than a mile east from the San Andreas Fault Zone. Therefore, the town has the potential to experience considerable ground shaking and rupture, in the event of an earthquake. In ad dition, the US Geological Survey has modeled that the greater San Francisco Bay area could experience a major earthquake within the next 20-30 years, or within the GPU planning horizon of 2040.
Liquefaction typically happens when saturated soils are trans formed from solid to liquified sta te due to ground shaking from seismic activities. As a result, the soils lose strength and cause ground failure and therefore liquefaction . S oils, therefore, in areas with groundwater tables closer to the surface result in greater liquefaction potential than soils where the groundwater table is located deeper from the surface.
The town of Colma has not been identified as having the potential for liquified soils.
Surface rupture typically happen s when the ground surface is b roken due to movement along an earthquake. Ground shaking is associated with surface rupture and could result in damages to structures and infrastructure. Seismic related ground shaking in unavoidable in the greater San Francisco Bay area, as is liquefaction induced ground failure which has the potential to affect underground utilities, shallow foundations or paved areas. The intensity of any such an event would depend on the seismic fault, the distance to the epicenter, the magnitude, and the duration of ground shaking.
The 2040 GPU proposes few changes that could potentially alter the future development proposed in the town. The proposed GPU updates the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the
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Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of comme rcial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively.
The potential for damage or loss during an earthquake could be substantial, since impacts from earthquakes tend to be more severe in softer sediments compared to denser bedrock materials. Considering the town’s close proximity to the San Andr eas fault, and its location along the Serra Fault, the town of Colma has the potential to experience ground shaking and ground failure due to seismic activity.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The proposed General Plan policies CS-2.1 through CS-2.6 address seismic hazards.
Policy CS-2-1: Geotechnical Studies . Require geotechnical, soils, and foundation reports for proposed projects and subdivisions on sites that have been identified as having moderate or high potential for ground failure, liquefaction, and seismic activity by the Town or by the San Mateo County Seismic and Safety Element Policy CS-2-2: Development in Hazardous Areas . Prohibit development, including any land alteration, grading for roads and structural development, in areas of slope instability unless the appropriate mitigation measures are taken.
Policy CS-2-3: Unsafe Buildings. Encourage seismic retrofits of existing buildings based on the recommendations of a licensed engineer or architect. Prioritize working with owners of b uildings whose loss would impact the greatest number of people and/or particularly vulnerable groups such as seniors, children, or low-income households.
Policy CS-2-4: Water Infrastructure Safety. Collaborate with San Mateo County, California Water Service Company, and the San Francisco Water District to ensure that all water tanks and main water pipelines are capable of withstanding high seismic stress.
Policy CS-2-5: Erosion Prevention. Require new grading or development to prevent erosion on slope and hillside areas by revegetation or use of slope protection material. Require project grading and drainage plans to demonstrate how the project will maintain natural surface drainage and existing vegetation, to the extent feasible.
Policy CS-2-6: Seismic Hazards. Continue to enforce appropriate standards to ensure existing and new development is located, designed, and constructed to minimize the risk of loss of life and property from seismic hazards.
Implementation of the policies above would serve to reduce the environmental impacts associated with such hazards to a less than significant level and no mitigation is required.
Impact 4.6.2 Land uses and new development or redevelopment under the proposed General Plan Update may develop structures on unstable soil or expose, structures, and development to the effects of ground settlement resulting in the risk of loss, injury, or death (Less than Significant).
Though the 2040 GPU proposes few changes that could potentially alter the future development proposed in the town , it does update the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision
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of the City Council. While limited in the amount of new development, t he 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively.
Development associated under the GPU may include earthwork activities that could expose soils to the effects of erosion or loss of topsoil. Once disturbed, soils if not managed appropriately are left exposed to the effects of wind and water. Though no specific developments are being proposed under this General Plan Update, implementation of the GPU has the potential to expand the town of Colma’s residential and commercial development. As a result, excavation, grading, construction activities, and site preparation for future development may result in the removal of topsoil or disturb and potentially expose underlying soils to wind and water erosion. Poorly designed projects may also potentially destabilize buildings or roadway foundations due to long -term soil erosion and loss of underlying supporting soils. Future development may also include paving and other site improvements that could increase amounts of impervious surfaces and result in higher levels of urban runoff.
Generally, development related construction activities on more than one acre are subject to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. As a requirement under the NPDES permit, all such development activities have to follow best management practices that reduce soil erosion, loss of topsoil, and pollution of waterways. In addition, earthwork and ground -disturbing activities, typically require grading permits, compliance with which minimizes erosion. Once construction i s complete and exposed areas are revegetated or covered by buildings, asphalt, or concrete, the erosion hazard is substantially eliminated or reduced.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The proposed General Plan policies CS-2.1, CS -2.2, CS -2.4, and CS-2.6 address soil erosion and loss of topsoil.
Policy CS-2-1: Geotechnical Studies . Require geotechnical, soils, and foundation reports for proposed projects and subdivisions on sites that have been identified as having moderate or high potential for ground failure, liquefaction, and seismic activity by the Town or by the San Mateo County Seismic and Safety Element Policy CS-2-2: Development in Hazardous Areas . Prohibit development, including any land alteration, grading for roads and st ructural development, in areas of slope instability unless the appropriate mitigation measures are taken.
Policy CS-2-4: Water Infrastructure Safety. Collaborate with San Mateo County, California Water Service Company, and the San Francisco Water District to ensure that all water tanks and main water pipelines are capable of withstanding high seismic stress.
Policy CS-2-6: Seismic Hazards. Continue to enforce appropriate standards to ensure existing and new development is located, designed, and constructed to minimize the risk of loss of life and property from seismic hazards.
Implementation of these policies would therefore reduce the environmental impacts associated with soil erosion and loss of topsoil to less than significant and no mitigation is required.
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Impact 4.6.3 Implementation of the proposed project would not result in development within areas subject to landslide (Less than Significant).
Slope instability often results in landslides, and steep slopes heighten an area’s susceptibility to landslides.
Landslides themselves can either occur naturally from seismic activity, wildfires or soil saturation, or from human activities such as construction disturbance, vegetation removal, landscape irrigation, and changes to sub -surface drainage. Structures located in the path of a landslide may be destroyed or seriously damaged. While San Mateo County has hillsides with medium or very high susceptibili ty for landslides, the town of Colma does not have steep slopes. Though it borders the base of the San Bruno Mountains, these are also the areas of the town’s cemetery uses and no future development would be allowed with these land uses . The proposed GPU u pdates the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new planning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residentia l units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sand blaster site, respectively. However, none of the proposed future development would be located in areas susceptible to landslides Proposed General Plan Update Policies
The following GPU policies address potential slope instability and landslide issues within the town of Colma.
Policy CS-2.1: Geotechnical Studies . Require geotechnical, soils, and foundation reports for proposed projects and subdivisions on sites that have been identified as having moderate or high potential for ground failure, liquefaction, and seismic activity by the Town or by the San Mateo County Seismic and Safety Element Policy CS-2.2: Development in Hazardous Areas . Prohibit development, including an y land alteration, grading for roads and structural development, in areas of slope instability unless the appropriate mitigation measures are taken.
Policy CS-2.5: Erosion Prevention. Require new grading or development to prevent erosion on slope and hillside areas by revegetation or use of slope protection material. Require project grading and drainage plans to demonstrate how the project will maintain natural surface drainage and existing vegetation, to the extent feasible.
As such, there would not be any significant impacts associated with landslides from implementation of the GPU. Moreover, the proposed General Plan policies CS -2.1, CS-2.2, and CS-2.5. address landslides and slope instability and therefore impacts associated with such hazards This impact is therefore less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Impact 4.6.4 Implementation of the proposed project would not result in development o f areas of unstable or expansive soils (No Impact).
The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of co mmercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses,
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and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively.
Implementation of the GPU for the town of Colma has the potential to result in a total 2,269 people within the Planning Area at buildout (2040). This represents an increase of approximately 765 persons (from a current population of 1,504 people) over the next 20 years, within the Planning Area. This has the potential to result in new construction activities that could have impacts on unstable or expansive soils. However, 75% of the town’s available land area are currently utilized for the town’s 17 cemeteries. Future development under the GPU would be limited to redevelopment of underutilized or infill sites within the town, and not at any of the historic cemetery sites. These available sites are already developed either wholly or partially with residential, commercial or public service uses, and no soil related issues were identified as these sites were developed. Therefore, the proposed General Plan Update would have no impact related to unstable or expansive soils and no mitigation measures are required.
Impact 4.6.5 Implementation of the proposed project would not impact areas where soils may be incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems (No Impact).
The town of Colma has approximately 33,600 lineal feet of sewer mains for its wastewater collection. The town owns the sewer collection system but does not have its own wastewater treatment plant. It contracts with the North San Mateo County Sanitation District (NSMCSD) and the city of South San Francisco for wastewater treatment. The town’s sewer system is primarily gravity flow. There are no forced mains or pump stations owned/maintained by the town. Neither are there any sewer septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems in the town. utilized for new development. As such, there are no significant adverse environmental impacts associated with septic tanks that would result from implementation of the General Plan Update Therefore, the proposed General Plan would have no impact related to soils capability to support wastewater disposal and no mitigation measures are required.
Impact 4.6.6 Implementation of the proposed General Plan U pdate would not p romote new development that could impact areas of unique paleontological resources or unique geologic features (Less then Significant).
The town of Colma is not located on any unique geological features, nor does it have areas of unique paleontological resources. Approximately 75% of the 1.9 square miles of land within the town are utilized for the 17 cemeteries that make up a majority of the town’s land uses. The 2040 GPU proposes updates to the town’s existing planning areas, simplifying the town’s existing planning areas into five new p lanning areas that are consistent with the present condition of the town and the vision of the City Council. The 2040 GPU would allow for an additional 11 residential units in the Sterling Park Planning Area; 20 infill residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial uses, and 5,000 square feet of office uses in the Mission Road Planning Area; 315,000 square feet of commercial uses within the Hillside Boulevard Planning Area; 310,000 square feet of commercial uses and 10,000 square feet of office uses in the Commercial Core Planning Area; and, 20,000 square of office uses, 352,500 square feet of commercial uses, and 42 residential units, 240 residential units, and 15 residential units at the Bocci Center, Town Center and Sandblaster site, respectively. Any future new development will therefore either consist of redevelopment of underutilized or infill sites and no new development would be allowed in the town’s cemetery sites. In the possibility that unknown resources are found during construction activities in the town, federal and State regulations would require protective measures should any paleontological resources be discovered. Section §5097 of the Public Resources Code specifies the procedures to be followed in the event of the unexpected discovery of paleontological resources. Additionally, Section §15064.5(f) of the CEQA Guidelines requires that construction activities be halted until a qualified specialist can assess the significance of the find. Any future
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development projects would require conducting their own geologic and paleontological assessments based on the project’s location . Additionally, Section 4.4 Cultural and Tribal Resources of this PEIR and GPU Policy OSC-6-3 address potential impacts on paleontological resources. Potential impacts from adoption of the 2040 GPU would be less than significant and no further mitigation is required.
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REFERENCES
Documents
Caltrans 2020 Highway Design Manual
San Mateo County, California. November 1986. San Mateo County General Plan.
Town of Colma. 2020. Town of Colma Existing Conditions Report Town of Colma. 2019. Town of Colma Municipal Code.
Town of Colma. 2017 Sewer System Master Plan
Websites
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2005/prc/2621-2630.html Accessed February 25, 2021
California code of regulations title 24 2019 https://up.codes/viewer/california/ca-existing-building-code- 2019/chapter/california_code_of_regulations_/california-code-of-regulations-title- 24#california_code_of_regulations_ Accessed February 25, 2021 Disaster Mitigation Plan of 2000 . https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/707 Accessed February 25, 2021
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. 2006. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784408094 Accessed February 25, 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) https://www.epa.gov/npdes/construction-general- permit-flow-chart-do-i-need-permit Accessed February 25, 2021 San Andreas Fault 1906 https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/1906calif/virtualtour/bayarea.php Accessed February 25, 2021
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. 1990.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC§ionNum=2697 Accessed February 25, 2021
USGS. Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale . 2013. https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake- hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects. Accessed February 25, 2021
4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
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This section of the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR; DPEIR) provides a discussion of climate change science and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Town of Colma’s 2040 General Plan Planning Area (Planning Area). This section also provides a summary of applicable regulations with respect to local, regional and statewide GHG emissions sources.
The analysis in this section is based on buildout of the proposed project, as modeled using the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Emissions Factor Model (EMFAC2017), the Off -Road Emissions Factor Model (OFFROAD2017), e nergy use provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), and trip generation and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) provided by Kittelson and Associates (see Appendix E of this DPEIR). The GHG emissions modeling is included as Appendix B, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data, of this Draft PEIR.
Terminology
The following are definitions for terms used throughout this chapter. ▪ Greenhouse gases (GHG). Gases in the atmosphere that absorb infrared light, thereby retaining heat in the atmosphere and contributing to a greenhouse effect. ▪ Global warming potential (GWP). Metric used to describe how much heat a molecule of a GHG absorbs relative to a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO 2) over a given period of time (20, 100, and 500 years). CO2 has a GWP of 1.
▪ Carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). The standard unit to measure the amount of GHGs in terms of the amount of CO 2 that would cause the same amount of warming. CO 2e is based on the GWP ratios between the various GHGs relative to CO2.
▪ MTCO2e. Metric ton of CO2e.
▪ MMTCO2e. Million metric tons of CO2e.
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4.7.1 EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL
Human activities contribute to global climate change by adding large amounts of heat -trapping gases, known as Greenhouse Gas (GHG), to the atmosphere. The primary source of GHGs is the use of fossil fuels.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPC C) has identified four major GHGs —water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), and ozone (O 3)—that may cause an increase in global average temperatures (IPCC 2014). Other GHGs identified by the IPCC that contribute to global warming to a lesser extent include nitrous oxide (N 2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6), hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons (IPCC 2001).,1,2 The major GHGs are briefly described as follows:
▪ Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and respiration, and also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere (sequestered) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle. ▪ Methane (CH4) is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultura l practices and from the decay of organic waste in municipal landfills and water treatment facilities. ▪ Nitrous oxide (N 2O) is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
GHGs are dependent on the lifetime, or persistence, of the gas molecule in the atmosphere. Some GHGs have a stronger greenhouse effect than others. These are referred to as high global warming potential (GWP) gases. The GWP of applicable GHG emissions are shown in Table 4.7.1: GHG Emissions and Their Relative Global Warming Potential Compared to CO 2. The GWP is used to convert GHGs to CO 2- equivalence (CO2e) to show the relative potential that different GHGs have to contribute to the greenhouse effect. For example, unde r IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) GWP values for CH 4, a project that generates 10 metric tons (MT) of CH4 would be equivalent to 250 MT of CO2.3
1 Water vapor (H2O) is the strongest GHG and the most variable in its phases (vapor, cloud droplets, ice crystals). However, water vapor is not considered a pollutant because it is considered part of the feedback loop of radiative forcing. 2 Black carbon contributes to climate change both directly, by absorbing sunlight, and indirectly, by depositing on snow (making it melt faster) and by interacting with clouds and affecting cloud formation. Black carbon is the most strongly light-absorbing component of particulate matter (PM) emitted from burning fuels such as coal, diesel, and biomass. Reducing black carbon emissions globally can have immediate economic, climate, and public health benefits. California has been an international leader in reducing emissions of black carbon, with close to 95 percent control expected by 2020 due to existing programs that target reducing PM from diesel engines and burning activities (CARB 2017b). However, State and national GHG inventories do not include black carbon due to ongoing work resolving the precise global warming potential of black carbon. Guidance for CEQA documents does not yet include black carbon. 3 CO2-equivalence is used to show the relative potential that different GHGs have to retain infrared radiation in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. The global warming potential of a GHG is also dependent on the lifetime, or persistence, of the gas molecule in the atmosphere.
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Table 4.7.1 GHG Emissions and Their Relative Global Warming Potential Compared to CO2 GHGs
Second Assessment
Report (SAR) Global
Warming
Potential Relative
to CO2a
Fourth Assessment
Report (AR4) Global
Warming
Potential Relative
to CO2a
Fifth Assessment
Report
(AR5) Global Warming
Potential Relative
to CO2a
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 1 1 1
Methaneb (CH4) 21 25 28
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 310 298 265
Notes:
a. Based on 100-year time horizon of the GWP of the air pollutant compared to CO2. b. The methane GWP includes direct effects and indirect effects due to the production of tropospheric ozone and stratospheric water vapor. The indirect effect due to the production of CO2 is not included.
Sources: IPCC. Third Assessment Report: Climate Change. 2001; IPCC 2007 Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007; IPCC. Fifth Assessment Report: Climate Change. 2014.
California’s GHG Sources and Relative Contribution
In 2019, the statewide GHG emissions inventory was updated for 2000 to 2017 emissions using the GWPs in IPCC’s AR4. 4 Based on these GWPs, California produced 424.10 MMTCO2e GHG emissions in 2017.
California’s transportation sector was the single largest generator of GHG emissions, producing 40.1 percent of the state’s total emissions. Industrial sector emissions made up 21.1 percent, and electric power generation made up 14.7 percent of the state’s emissions inventory. Other major sectors of GHG emissions include commercial and residential (9.7 percent), agriculture and forestry (7.6 percent) , high GWP GHGs (4.7 percent), and recycling and waste (2.1 percent) (CARB 2019a).
California’s GHG emissions have followed a declining trend since 2007. In 2017, emissions from routine GHG-emitting activities statewide were 424 MMTCO2e, approximately 5 MMTCO2e lower than 2016 levels.
This represents an overall decrease of 14 percent since peak levels in 2004, and 7 MMTCO2e below the 1990 level as well as the state’s 2020 GHG target. During 2000 to 2017, per capita GHG emissions in California continued to drop from a peak of 14 MTCO 2e per capita in 2001, to 10.7 MTCO 2e per capita in 2017, a n overall decrease of 24 percent. Overall trends in the inventory also demonstrate that the carbon intensity of California’s economy (the amount of carbon pollution per million dollars of gross domestic product) is declining, representing a 41 percent decline since the 2001 peak, while the State’s gross domestic product grew 52 percent in the same period. For the first time since California started to track GHG emissions, more than half of California’s electricity is from zero-GHG sources such as hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear energy (CARB 2019b).
4 Methodology for determining the statewide GHG inventory is not the same as the methodology used to determine statewide GHG emissions under Assembly Bill 32 (2006).
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Human Influence on Climate Change
For approximately 1,000 years before the Industrial Revolution, the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere remained relatively constant across the globe. During the 20th century, however, scientists observed a rapid change in the climate and the qua ntity of climate change pollutants in the Earth’s atmosphere that is attributable to human activities. The amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere has increased by more than 35 percent since preindustrial times and has increased at an average rate of 1.4 parts per million per year since 1960, mainly due to combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation (CCAT 2006). These recent changes in the quantity and concentration of climate change pollutants far exceed the extremes of the ice ages, and the global mean temperature is warming at a rate that cannot be explained by natural causes alone. Human activities are directly altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of climate change pollutants (CCAT 2006). In the past, gradual changes in temperature changed the distribution of species, availability of water, etc. However, human activities are accelerating this process so that environmental impacts associated with climate change no longer occur in a geologic time frame but in a human’s lifetime (IPCC 2007).
Like the expected increase in global surface temperatures (projections of which vary wide ly), the environmental consequences of gradual changes in the Earth’s temperature are hard to predict. Projections of climate change depend heavily on future human activity. Therefore, climate models are based on different emission scenarios that account f or historical trends in emissions and on observations of the climate record that assess the human influence of the trend and projections for extreme weather events.
Climate-change scenarios are affected by various degrees of uncertainty; for example, on the magnitude of the trends for:
▪ Warmer and fewer cold days and nights over most land areas, ▪ Warmer and more frequent hot days and nights over most land areas, ▪ An increase in frequency of warm spells/heat waves over most land areas, ▪ An increase in frequency of heavy precipitation events (or proportion of total rainfall from heavy falls) over most areas,
▪ Larger areas affected by drought,
▪ Intense tropical cyclone activity increases, and
▪ Increased incidence of extreme high sea level (excluding tsunamis).
Potential Climate Change Impacts for California
Observed changes over the last several decades across the western United States reveal clear signs of climate change. Statewide, in California, average temperatures have increased by about 1.7 degrees fahrenheit (°F) from 1895 to 2011, and warming has been greatest in the Sierra Nevada (CCCC 2012). The years from 2014 through 2016 have shown unprecedented high temperatures ,with 2014 being the warmest (OEHHA 2018). By 2050, California is projected to warm by a pproximately 2.7°F above 2000 averages, a threefold increase in the rate of warming over the last century. By 2100, average temperatures could increase by 4.1 to 8.6°F, depending on emissions levels (CCCC 2012).
In California and western North America, observations of the climate have shown: 1) a trend toward warmer winter and spring temperatures; 2) a smaller fraction of precipitation falling as snow; 3) a decrease in the amount of spring snow accumulation in the lower and middle elevation mountain zones; 4) advanced shift in the timing of snowmelt of 5 to 30 days earlier in the spring; and 5) a similar shift (5 to 30 days earlier) in the timing of spring flower blooms (CCAT 2006).
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Overall, California has become drier over time. Between 2007 and 2016, California five years of severe to extreme drought occurring, and unprecedented dry years in 2014 and 2015. Statewide precipitation has become increasingly variable from year to year, with the driest consecutive four years occurring from 2012 to 2015 (CCAT 2006).
According to the California Climate Action Team —a committee of State agency secretaries and the heads of agencies, boards, and departments, led by the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency—even if actions could be taken to immediately curtail climate change emissions, the potency of emissions that have already built up, their long atmospheric lifetimes ( see Table 4.7.1), and the inertia of the Earth’s climate system could produce as much as 0.6 degree celsius (1.1°F) of additional warming.
Consequently, some impacts from climate change are now considered unavoidable. Global climate change risks to California are described below and shown in Table 4.7.2: Summary of GHG Emissions Risk to California.
▪ Water Resources Impacts. By late this century all projections show dry er climate , and half of the projections suggest 30 -year average precipitation will decline by more than 10 percent below the historical average. Even in projections with relatively little or no decline in precipitation, central and southern parts of the state are expected to be drier from the warming effects alone because the spring snowpack will melt sooner, and the moisture in soils will evaporate during long dry summer months (CCST 2012).
▪ Wildfire Risks. Earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures, and longer dry periods over a longer fire season will directly increase wildfire risk. Indirectly, wildfire risk will also be influenced by potential climate-related changes in vegetation and ignition potential from lightning. Human activities will continue to be the biggest factor in ignition risk. The number of large fires statewide is estimated to increase by 58 percen t to 128 percent above historical levels by 2085. Under the same emissions scenario, estimated burned area will increase by 57 percent to 169 percent, depending on location (CCST 2012).
▪ Sea Level Rise. Sea level rise threatens existing or planned infrastru cture, development, and ecosystems (wetlands, estuaries, and fisheries) along California’s coast. Critical infrastructure lies less than four feet above the high tide, including two international airports—Oakland and San Francisco— and about 172,000 homes (OEHHA 2018). Thermal expansion of ocean water and melting glaciers have contributed to the rise in global mean sea level by seven inches. Along the California coast, sea levels have generally risen. Since 1900, mean sea level has increased by about seven inches at the city of San Francisco and by about six inches at La Jolla since 1924. In contrast, sea level at Crescent City has declined by about three inches since 1933 because of an uplift of the land surface from the movement of the Earth’s plates (OEHHA 2018).
▪ Health Impacts. Many of the gravest threats to public health in California stem from the increase in extreme conditions, principally more frequent, more intense, and longer heat waves. Particular concern centers on the increasing tendency f or multiple hot days in succession, and simultaneous heat waves in several regions throughout the State. Public health could also be affected by climate change impacts on air quality, food production, the amount and quality of water supplies, energy pricin g and availability, and the spread of infectious diseases. Higher temperatures also increase ground -level ozone levels. Furthermore, wildfires can increase particulate air pollution in the major air basins of California (CCST 2012).
▪ Increase Energy Demand. Increases in average temperature and higher frequency of extreme heat events combined with new residential development across the state will drive up the demand for cooling in the increasingly hotter and longer summer season, and decrease demand for heating in the
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cooler season s. Warmer, drier summers also increase system losses at natural gas plants (reduced efficiency in the electricity generation process at higher temperatures) and hydropower plants (lower reservoir levels). Transmission of electricity will also be affected by climate change. Transmission lines lose 7 percent to 8 percent of transmitting capacity in high temperatures while needing to transport greater loads. This means that more electricity needs to be produced to make up for the loss in capacity and the growing demand (CCST 2012).
Table 4.7.2 Summary of GHG Emissions Risk to California Public Health Impacts
Heat waves will be more frequent, hotter, and
longer
Poor air quality made worse
Higher temperatures increase ground-level ozone
(i.e., smog) levels
Water Resource Impacts
Decreasing Sierra Nevada snow pack
Challenges in securing adequate water supply
Potential reduction in hydropower
Loss of winter recreation
Agricultural Impacts
Increasing temperature
Increasing threats from pests and pathogens
Expanded ranges of agricultural weeds
Declining productivity
Irregular blooms and harvests
Coastal Sea Level Impacts
Accelerated sea level rise
Increasing coastal floods
Shrinking beaches
Worsened impacts on infrastructure
Forest and Biological Resource Impacts
Increased risk and severity of wildfires
Lengthening of the wildfire season
Movement of forest areas
Conversion of forest to grassland
Declining forest productivity
Increasing threats from pest and pathogens
Shifting vegetation and species distribution
Altered timing of migration and mating habits
Loss of sensitive or slow-moving species
Energy Demand Impacts Potential reduction in hydropower Increased energy demand
Sources: CCCC Our Changing Climate. Vulnerability and Adaptation to the Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California.2012; CEC. Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California, 2006 Biennial Report, CEC-500- 2006-077. 2006; CEC. The Future Is Now: An Update on Climate Change Science, Impacts, and Response Options for California. CEC-500-2008-0077. 2009, May; and CNRA. Safeguarding California: Reducing Climate Risk, An Update to the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy. 2014.
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LOCAL
Town of Colma
Land uses in the town generate GHG emissions from natural gas used for energy, heating, and cooking; electricity usage; vehicle trips; and area sources such as landscaping and consumer cleaning products.
Emissions associated with the town are shown in Table 4.7.3: Existing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
Table 4.7.3 Existing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Emissions Sector
Existing (2020) MTCO2e
% of Total Town of Colma
Building Electricitya 6,909 41%
Building Natural Gasa 775 5%
On-Road Transportationb 8,680 51%
Off-Road Vehicles and
Equipmentc
219 1%
Solid Waste/Landfillsd 186 1%
Water Usee 50 0.3%
Wastewater Treatmentf 45 0.3%
Total Community Emissions 16,864 100%
Service Population (SP)b 5,589 ―
MTCO2e/SP 3.0 ―
Notes: Excludes GHG emissions natural gas use from permitted sources in the Town, including these cemeteries: Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association, Pet’s Rest Cemetery, StoneMor California, Inc., and Woodlawn Cemetery. a Building electricity and natural gas are based on data provided by PG&E and PCE. b On-road transportation VMT and service population are provided by Kittelson and Associates and modeled with EMFAC2017 Project Level (PL) web database. VMT for the General Plan uses the CARB Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) recommendations.
c On-road vehicles and equipment are based on the OFFROAD2017 emissions inventory and include construction equipment and commercial equipment.
d Solid waste/landfills is based on the Landfill Model based on disposal information from CalRecycle. e Water use includes the embodied energy associated with water conveyance, treatment, and distribution. f Wastewater includes the embodied energy associated with wastewater treatment as well as fugitive emissions from treatment processes.
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4.7.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
FEDERAL
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced on December 7, 2009, that GHG emissions threaten the public health and welfa re of the American people and that GHG emissions from on -road vehicles contribute to that threat. The USEPA’s final findings respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that GHG emissions fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. The findings did not themselves impose any emission reduction requirement s but allowed the USEPA to finalize the GHG standards proposed in 2009 for new light-duty vehicles as part of the joint rulemaking with the Department of Transportation (USEPA 2009a).
To regulate GHGs from passenger vehicles, the USEPA issued an endangerment finding (USEPA 2009b).
The finding identifies emissions of six key GHGs—CO2, CH4, N2O, HCFCs, PFCs, and SF6—that have been the subject of scrutiny and intense analysis for decades b y scientists in the United States and around the world. The first three are applicable to the proposed project’s GHG emissions inventory because they constitute the majority of GHG emissions and, per BAAQMD guidance, they are the GHG emissions that should be evaluated as part of a project’s GHG emissions inventory.
US Mandatory Report Rule for Greenhouse Gases (2009)
In response to the endangerment finding, the USEPA issued the Mandatory Reporting of GHG Rule that requires substantial emitters of GHG emiss ions (large stationary sources, etc.) to report GHG emissions data. Facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons (MT) or more of CO2e per year are required to submit an annual report.
Update to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (2021 to 2026) The federal government issued new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in 2012 for model years 2017 to 2025, which required a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon in 2025. On March 30, 2020, the USEPA finalized an updated CAFE and GHG emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks and established new standards, covering model years 2021 through 2026, known as The Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Final Rule for Model Years 2021 -2026. However, consortium of automakers and California agreed on a voluntary framework to reduce emissions that shows an alternative path forward for clean vehicle standards nationwide. Automakers who agreed to the framework are Ford, Honda, BMW of North America , and Volkswagen Group of America. The framework supports continued annual reductions of vehicle greenhouse gas emissions through the 2026 model year, encourages innovation to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, and provides industry the certainty needed to make investments and cre ate jobs. This commitment means that the auto companies party to the voluntary agreement will only sell cars in the United States that meet these standards (CARB 2019).
USEPA Regulation of Stationary Sources under the Clean Air Act (Ongoing) Pursuant to i ts authority under the Clean Air Act, the USEPA has been developing regulations for new, large stationary sources of emissions such as power plants and refineries. Under former President Obama’s 2013 Climate Action Plan, the USEPA was directed to develop regulations for existing stationary sources as well. On June 19, 2019, the USEPA issued the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule , which became effective on August 19, 2019. The ACE rule was crafted under the current Administration’s Energy Independence Executive Order. It officially rescinds the Clean Power Plan rule issued during the previous administration and sets emissions guidelines for states in developing plans to limit CO emissions from coal-fired power plants.
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STATE AND REGIONAL
Current State of California guidance and goals for reductions in GHG emissions are generally embodied in AB 32, SB 32, SB 375, Executive Order S-03-05, and Executive Order B-30-15. These major GHG regulations are summarized as follows:
Assembly Bill 32
Also known as the Global Warming Solutions Act, AB 32 was signed August 31, 2006, in order to reduce California’s contribution of GHG emissions. AB 32 follows the 2020 tier of emissions reduction targets established in Executive Order S-03-05. Under AB 32, CARB prepared the 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan, the 2014 Climate Change Scoping Plan, and the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, which are discussed below.
Senate Bill 32 and Assembly Bill 197
In September 2016, SB 32 and AB 197 were signed into law. AB 197 established a joint legislative committee on climate change policies and requires the CARB to prioritize direct emissions reductions rather than the market-based cap-and-trade program for large stationary, mobile, and other sources. Executive Order B - 30-15 and SB 32 required CARB to prepare another update to the Scoping Plan to address the 2030 target for the state. On December 14, 2017, CARB adopted the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update (2017 Scoping Plan) , which establishes a new emissions limi t of 260 MMTCO 2e for the year 2030, which corresponds to 40 percent lower than 1990 levels by 2030 (CARB 2017a).
Senate Bill 375
In 2008, SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, was adopted to connect the GHG emissions reductions targets established in the 2008 Scoping Plan for the transportation sector to local land use decisions that affect travel behavior. Its intent is to reduce GHG emissions from light -duty trucks and automobiles (excludes emissions associated with goods movemen t) by aligning regional long -range transportation plans, investments, and housing allocations to local land use planning to reduce VMT and vehicle trips. Specifically, SB 375 required CARB to establish GHG emissions reduction targets for each of the 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the MPO for the nine -county San Francisco Bay Area region. Pursuant to the recommendations of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC), CARB adopted per capita reduction targets for each of the MPOs rather than a total magnitude reduction target.
Executive Order S-03-05
Executive Order S-03-05, signed June 1, 2005, set the following GHG reduction targets for the state:
▪ 2000 levels by 2010.
▪ 1990 levels by 2020.
▪ 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Executive Order B-30-15
Executive Order B-30-15, signed April 29, 2015, sets a goal of reducing GHG emissions within the State to 40 percent of 1990 levels by year 2030. Executive Order B -30-15 also directs CARB to update the Scoping Plan to quantify the 2030 GHG reduction goal for the State and requires State agencies to implement measures to meet the interim 2030 goal as well as the long-term goal for 2050 in Executive Order S-03-05. It also require s the Natural Resources Agency to conduct triennial updates of the California adaption strategy, Safeguarding California, in order to ensure climate change is accounted for in State planning and investment decisions.
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Table 4.7.4: List of State GHG Regulations, provides a list of regulations adopted in California that reduce GHG emissions.
Table 4.7.4: List of State GHG Regulations
Sector Regulations
State GHG Targets AB 32, SB 32, Executive Order S -03-05, Executive Order B-15-30
Transportation AB1493, Executive Order S-01-07, SB 375
Renewable Energy SB 1078, SB 107, SB X1 -2, Executive Order S-14-08, SB 350, SB 100, Executive Order B-55-18
Energy Efficiency
Title 24, Part 6, Building Energy Efficiency
Standards, Title 24, Part 11 , Green Building
Standards Code (CALGreen), Title 20, Appliance
Efficiency Regulations
Solid Waste AB 939, AB 341, AB 1327, AB 1826
Water SBX7-7, AB 1881
Short-Lived Pollutants SB 1383
REGIONAL
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) / Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Plan Bay Area: Strategy for a Sustainable Region
Plan Bay Area is the Bay Area’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS). Plan Bay Area 2050, adopted jointly by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and MTC on October 21, 2021, is the current version of the plan. . It lays out a development scenario for the region, which, when integrated with the transportation network and other transportation measures and policies, would reduce GHG emissions from transportation (excluding goods movement) beyond the per capita reduction targets identified by CARB
As part of the implementing framework for Plan Bay Area, local governments have identified Priority Development Areas (PDA) to focus growth. PDAs are transit -oriented, infill development opportunity areas in existing commu nities. Under the Draft Plan Bay Area 2050’s strategies, just under half of all Bay Area households would live within one half-mile of frequent transit by 2050, with this share increasing to over 70 percent for households with low incomes. Transportation a nd environmental strategies that support active and shared modes, combined with a transit -supportive land use pattern, are forecasted to lower the share of Bay Area residents that drive to work alone from over 50 percent in 2015 to 36 percent in 2050. Gree nhouse gas emissions from transportation would decrease significantly as a result of these
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transportation and land use changes, and the Bay Area would meet the state mandate of a 19 percent reduction in per-capita emissions by 2035 — but only if all strate gies are implemented (ABAG and MTC 2021). The El Camino Real PDA traverses the Town boundaries (MTC and ABAG 2020b).
Bay Area Air Quality Management Plan
Bay Area Clean Air Plan
BAAQMD adopted the 2017 Clean Air Plan : Spare the Air, Cool the Climate on April 19, 2017. The 2017 Clean Air Plan lays the groundwork for also reducing GHG emissions in the Bay Area to meet the state’s 2030 GHG reduction target and 2050 GHG reduction goal. Its vision for the Bay Area in a post carbon year 2050 encompasses the following:
▪ Construct buildings that are energy efficient and powered by renewable energy. ▪ Walk, bicycle, and use public transit for the majority of trips and use electric -powered autonomous public transit fleets.
▪ Incubate and produce clean energy technologies.
▪ Live a low -carbon lifestyle by purchasing low -carbon foods and goods in addition to recycling and putting organic waste to productive use (BAAQMD 2017a).
A comprehensive multipollutant control strategy has been developed to be implemented in the next three to five years to address public health and climate change and to set a pathway to achieve the 2050 vision.
The control strategy includes 85 control measures to reduce emissions of ozone, particulate matter, toxic air contaminants, and GHG from a full ran ge of emission sources. These control measures cover the following sectors: 1) stationary (industrial) sources; 2) transportation; 3) energy; 4) agriculture; 5) natural and working lands; 6) waste management; 7) water; and 8) super -GHG pollutants. Overall, the proposed control strategy is based on some key priorities:
▪ Reduce emissions of criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants from all key sources. ▪ Reduce emissions of “super-GHGs” such as methane, black carbon, and fluorinated gases. ▪ Decrease demand for fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, and natural gas). ▪ Increase efficiency of the energy and transportation systems. ▪ Reduce demand for vehicle travel and high-carbon goods and services. ▪ Decarbonize the energy system.
▪ Make the electricity supply carbon free.
▪ Electrify the transportation and building sectors (BAAQMD 2017a).
Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Under Air District Regulation 14, Model Source Emissions Reduction Measures, Rule 1, Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program, employers with 50 or more full-time employees in the BAAQMD are required to register and offer commuter benefits to employees. In a partnership between the BAAQMD and the MTC, the rule’s purpose is to improve air quality, reduce GHG emissions, and decrease the Bay Area’s traffic congestion by encouraging employees to use alternative commute modes, such as transit, vanpool, carpool, bicycling, and walking. The benefits program allows employees to choose one of four commuter benefit options—a pretax benefit, employer-provided subsidy, employer-provided transit, and alternative commute benefit.
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LOCAL
Town of Colma Municipal Code
The Town of Colma Municipal Code (CMC) includes various directives pertaining to GHG emissions. The CMC is organized by chapters and subchapters. Most provisions related to GHG emissions impacts are in Chapter 4, Business Activities; Chapter 5, Planning, Zoning, Use & Development of Land & Improvements; and Chapter 6, Vehicle & Traffic Code:
▪ Chapter 4.12, Reusable Bags. Prohibits store operators from providing customers with plastic carry - out bags, except product bags. This is a waste reduction measure, with secondary GHG reduction benefits.
▪ Chapter 4.13, Disposable Polystyrene Food Service Ware . Retail food vendors are prohibited from providing prepared food or takeout food to customers in, on, or with disposable food packaging, which includes polystyrene foam. This is a waste reduction measure, with secondary GHG reduction benefits. ▪ Chapter 5.05, Small Residential Rooftop Solar. This chapter ensures a streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 to achieve time ly and cost -effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. ▪ Chapter 5.10, Transportation System Management Program. Requires the Town to implement a transportation management system to decrease the number of vehicular trips and miles to help improve and maintain air quality.
▪ Chapter 6.06, Electric Vehicle Charging Station. This chapter is intended to promote the use of electric vehicles by streamlining the permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations.
Town of Colma Climate Action Plan (CAP)
In response to AB 32, the Town of Colma prepared a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2013.). The town’s CAP serves as a guiding document to identify measures and strategies that Colma can implement to reduce GHGs. The town of Colma has policy control over many important decisions that affect GHG reduction, such as energy efficiency requirements for residential and commercial projects, water conservation, bicycle lanes, green business certification programs, recycling programs, and other strategies. The town’s CAP was developed collaboratively with a regional program that funded CAP development for participating jurisdictions. Under this plan, the Town was successful in reducin g its emissions by more than the 15 percent GHG reduction target for year 2020).
To continue to combat climate change and meet the 2030 and 2050 GHG emissions reduction goals, the Town prepared an update to the CAP in 2020 to include new GHG reduction measures. The CAP update also includes new discussions on consumption-based measures, equity, and adaptation. The plan continues and builds on existing programs related to energy efficiency requirements for residential and commercial projects, water conservation, bicycle lanes, green business certification programs, recycling programs, and other strategies outlined in the 2013 CAP. In order to address transportation related GHG emissions, the plan includes programs to increase electric vehicle infrastructure and partnering with PCE to incentive electric vehicle purchases.
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4.7.3 IMPACT ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Standards of Significance
Following Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, GHG emissions impacts are considered significant if implementation of the project considered would result in any of the following:
• Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment.
• Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.
BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT THRESHOLDS
BAAQMD adopted CEQA Guidelines to evaluate GHG emissions impacts from develop ment projects (BAAQMD 2017). Land use development projects include residential, commercial, industrial, and public land use facilities. Direct sources of emissions may include on -site combustion of energy, such as natural gas used for heating and cooking, emissions from industrial processes (not applicable for most land use development projects), and fuel combustion from mobile sources. Indirect emissions are emissions produced off -site from energy production, water conveyance due to a project’s energy use and water consumption, and non-biogenic emissions from waste disposal. Biogenic CO 2 emissions are not included in the quantification of a project’s GHG emissions, because biogenic CO 2 is derived from living biomass (e.g., organic matter in wood, paper, veg etable oils, animal fat, food, animal, and yard waste) as opposed to fossil fuels. BAAQMD is currently updating its 2017 CEQA Guidelines.
Under its 2017 CEQA Guidelines, BAAQMD identified a tiered approach for assessing GHG emissions impacts of a project:
Consistency with a Qualified Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy. If a project is within the jurisdiction of an agency that has a “qualified” GHG reduction strategy, the project can assess consistency of its GHG emissions impacts with the reduction strategy.
BAAQMD Screening Level Sizes (AB 32). BAAQMD adopted screening criteria for development projects with a buildout year of 2020 and earlier that is applicable to a project based on the square footage, units, acreage, students, and/or employees generated. Typical projects that meet the screening criteria do not generate emissions greater than 1,100 MTCO2e per year and would not generate significant GHG emissions.
Brightline Screening Threshold (AB 32). BAAQMD adopted a brightline screening threshold for development projects of 1,100 MTCO2e per year that would be applicable for projects with an opening year of 2020 and earlier. If a project exceeds the BAAQMD Guidelines’ GHG screening-level sizes or screening criteria of 1,100 MTCO2e. the project would be required to conduct a full GHG analysis based on GHG reduction goals of AB 32 and SB 32 Efficiency Threshold (AB 32). AB 32 requires the statewide GHG emission to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. On a per-capita basis, that means reducing the annual emissions of 14 tons of carbon dioxide for every person in California down to about 10 tons per person by 2020 (CARB 2008). Hence, BAAQMD’s per capita significance threshold is calculated based on the State’s land use sector emissions inventory prepared by CARB and the demographic forecasts for the 2008 Scoping Plan.
The land use sector GHG emissions for 1990 were estimated by BAAQMD, as identified in Appendix D of the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines, to be 295.53 MMTCO2e, and the 2020 California service population (SP) to be 64.3 million. Therefore, the threshold that would ensure consistency with the
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GHG reduction goals of AB 32 is estimated at 4.6 MTCO2e per service population per year (MTCO2e/SP/yr) for year 2020 (BAAQMD 2017b).
Proposed Project Thresholds
Based on BAAQMD’s adopted 1,100 MTCO 2e per year brightline screening threshold and the GHG reduction target for year 2030 established under SB 32 (i.e., 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030), the interpolated brightline screening threshold of 66 0 MTCO 2e per year is used for the proposed project. If project emissions are below this brightline screening threshold, GHG emissions impacts would be considered less than significant.
This analysis also evaluates the potential for the proposed project to conflict with the GHG reduction goals established under SB 32 and Executive Order S -03-05, which require a reduction in statewide GHG emissions from existing conditions to achieve a 40 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2050.
Mass Emissions and Health Effects
On December 24, 2018, in Sierra Club et al. v. County of Fresno et al. (commonly referred to as the Friant Ranch Case), the California Supreme Court determined that the EIR for the proposed Frian t Ranch project failed to adequately analyze the project’s air quality impacts on human health. The EIR prepared for the Friant Ranch project, which involved a master planned retirement community in Fresno County, showed that project-related mass emissions would exceed the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s regional significance thresholds. In its findings, the California Supreme Court affirmed the holding of the Court of Appeal that EIRs for projects must not only identify impacts to human health, but also provide an “analysis of the correlation between the project's emissions and human health impacts” related to each criteria air pollutant that exceeds the regional significance thresholds or explain why it could not make such a connection. In general, the ruling focuses on the correlation of emissions of toxic air contaminants and criteria air pollutants and their impact to human health. Thus, this ruling is not directly applicable to GHG impacts as GHGs are not directly correlated with hea lth effect as no ambient air quality standards have been established for CO2, CH4, or N2O.
In 2009, the USEPA issued an endangerment finding for six GHGs (CO 2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF 6) in order to regulate GHG emissions from passenger vehicles. The endangerment finding is based on evidence that shows an increase in mortality and morbidity associated with increases in average temperatures, which increase the likelihood of heat waves and ozone levels. The effects of climate change are identified above in Table 4.7.2. Although effects such as sea level rise and increases in extreme weather can indirectly impact human health, neither the USEPA nor CARB has established ambient air quality standards for GHG emissions. The State’s GHG reduction strategy outlines a path to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.
As above, the two significance thresholds that the town uses to analyze GHG impacts are based on achieving the statewide GHG reduction goals , and relying on consistency with policies or plans adopted to reduce GHG emissions. Further , because no single project is large enough to result in a measurable increase in global concentration of GHG emissions, climate change impacts of a project are considered on a cumulative basis. Also, the proposed project is a General Plan Update and very broad in its nature, without any one single project being proposed at this time. Without federal AAQS for GHG emissions and given the town’s significance thresholds that are tied to reducing the state’s cumulative GHG emissions, it is not feasible at this time to connect the project’s specific GHG emission to the potential health impacts of climate change due to the cumulative nature of GHG emissions and their worldwide impacts.
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METHODOLOGY
The Town of Colma General Plan Update policies are designed to mitigate or avoid impacts on the environment resulting from implementation of a project. To that end, the relevant GPU policies providing mitigation have been identified for each significant impact in this section. If the applicable General Plan policies were determined not to fully mitigate or avoid impacts, additional mitigation measures have been provided. These additional mitigation measures have been written as policy statements that can be incorporated into the final General Plan. Each impact discussion includes a determination as to whether the impacts would be mitigated to a less than significant level or would remain significant and unavoidable after implementation of the updated General Plan policies.
This GHG evaluation was prepared in accordance with the requirements of CEQA to determine if significant GHG impacts are likely in conjunction with future development that would be accommodated by the proposed project. The town’s GHG emissions inventory includes the following sectors:
▪ Transportation. Transportation emissions forecasts were modeled using emission rates fro m CARB’s EMFAC2017, version 1.0.2, Project Level (PL) web database. Modeling includes the SAFE Part 1 and Part 2 EMFAC2017 model adjustment factors released by CARB. Model runs were based on daily VMT data provided by Kittelson & Associates and calendar year 2020 (existing) and 2040 emission rates. The VMT provided is based on the methodology identified by CARB’s Regional Target Advisory Committee (RTAC) and includes a 50 percent reduction in trip lengths for trips that start or end in the town of Colma but travel outside the town (intra-jurisdictional trips). Consistent with CARB’s methodology in the Climate Change Scoping Plan Measure Documentation Supplement, daily VMT was multiplied by 347 days per year to account for reduced traffic on w eekends and holidays to determine annual emissions.
▪ Energy. Energy use for residential and nonresidential land uses in the town were modeled using electricity and natural gas data provided by PG&E ; electricity data provided by PCE; and carbon intensity data for direct access by PG&E and PCE. Residential energy and nonresidential energy forecasts are adjusted for increases in housing units and employment, respectively. ▪ Off-Road Equipment . Emission rates from CARB’s OFFROAD2017 web database were used to estimate criteria air pollutant emissions from light commercial and construction equipment in the town. OFFROAD2017 is a database of equipment use and associated emissions for each county compiled by CARB. Emissions were compiled using OFFROAD2017 for the county of San Mateo for year 2020. In order to determine the percentage of emissions attributable to the town, light commercial equipment is estimated based on employment for the town of Colma as a percentage of San Mateo county. Construction equipment use is estimated based on building permit data for the town of Colma and county of San Mateo from data compiled by the US Census. The light commercial equipment emissions forecast is adjusted for changes in employment in the town. It is assumed that construction emissions for the forecast year would be similar to historical levels. Annual emissions are derived by multiplying daily emissions by 365 days.
▪ Water/Wastewater. GHG emissions from this sector include indirect GHG emissions from the embodied energy associated with water use and wastewater generation and fugitive GHG emissions from processing wastewater. The total annual existing and horizon year proposed project water demand and wastewater generation (gallons per year) in the town are based on the CalWater 2015 South San Francisco Unit, Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) (CalWater 2016). The per capita water use includes water use from both residential and nonresidential land uses in the town. Electricity use from water use is esti mated using energy rates identified by the California Energy Commission (CEC 2006a). Then energy is multiplied by the carbon intensity of energy for PG&E (see “Energy”
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description, above). Wastewater treatment also results in fugitive GHG emissions from wa stewater processing. Fugitive emissions from wastewater treatment in the town were calculated using the emission factors in CARB’s LGOP, Version 1.1 , and conservatively assumed that 83 percent of water use is treated as wastewater, consistent with what is identified in the UWMP (CalWater 2016). ▪ Solid Waste Disposal. GHG emissions from solid waste disposed of by residents and employees in the town generates GHG emissions. The degradable organic carbon in waste decays slowly throughout a few decades, during w hich CH4 and biogenic CO 2 are formed. If conditions are constant, the rate of CH4 production depends solely on the amount of carbon remaining in the waste. As a result, emissions of CH4 from waste deposited in a disposal site are highest in the first few years, then gradually decline as the degradable carbon is consumed by bacteria. Significant CH 4 production typically begins one or two years after waste disposal in a landfill and continues for 10 to 60 years or longer. Jurisdiction reports for the San Mateo county Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Authority were obtained from CalRecycle. Waste from the town was estimated based on the service population of San Mateo county versus the town of Colma. Waste disposal was averaged over a three-year period (2016 to 2018) several years to account for fluctuations in average annual solid was disposal for existing conditions. GHG emissions from existing average solid waste disposal were modeled using CARB’s Landfill Emissions Tool, Version 1.3, which includes waste characterization data from CalRecycle. Since the landfill gas captured is not under the jurisdiction of the town of Colma, the landfill gas emissions from the capture system are not included in the inventory. Only fugitive sources of GHG emissions from landfills are included. Modeling assumes a 75 percent reduction in fugitive GHG emissions from the landfill's Landfill Gas Capture System. The landfill gas capture efficiency is based on CARB’s LGOP, Version 1.1. Emissions were adjusted to the AR5 GWP assigned for CH4. Total GHG emissions from waste disposal in 2040 were forecast based on the percent age increase in service population for the Town. The emissions forecast does not account for reductions from increasing waste diversion.
Industrial sources of emissions that require a permit from BAAQMD are not included in the community inventory. However, due to the 15/15 Rule ,5 natural gas and electricity use data for industrial land uses may also be aggregated with the nonresidential land uses in the data provided by PG&E and PCE. Life- cycle emissions are not included in this analysis because not enough information is available for the proposed project; therefore , they would be speculative. Black carbon emissions are not included in the GHG analysis because CARB does not include this short-lived climate pollutant in the State’s GHG emissions inventory but treats it separately.
IMPACTS
Direct or Indirect Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impacting the Environment Impact 4.7.1 Implementation of the proposed project would generate GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment (Significant and Unavoidable).
Future potential development under the proposed General Plan Update would contribute to global climate change through direct and indirect emissions of GHGs in the town. However, a general plan is a long-range policy document that does not directly result in development without additional approvals. Any development proposed in the town of Colma must be analyzed for consistency with the General Plan,
5 The 15/15 Rule was adopted by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) in the Direct Access Proceeding (CPUC Decision 97-10- 031) to protect customer confidentiality. The 15/15 rule requires that any aggregated information provided by the utilities must be made up of at least 15 customers (100 for residential sectors), and a single customer’s load must be less than 15 percent of an assigned category.
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zoning requirements, and other applicable local and State requirements; comply with the requirements of CEQA if required; and obtain all necessary clearances and permits from regulatory agencies.
Buildout of the proposed General Plan is not linked to a specific development time frame but is assumed over a 20-year project horizon. Implementation of the proposed General Plan by the horizon year of 2040 would result in a net increase of 1,395 people and 889 employees in the town. Table 4.7.5, Horizon Year 2040 GHG Emissions Forecast , provides a comparison of the change in GHG emissions in the Town between the CEQA baseline (2020) and the General Plan horizon year (2040) conditions.
Table 4.7.5 Horizon Year 2040 GHG Emissions Forecast
Emissions Sector
GHG Emissions (MTCO2e/Year)
Existing (2020) 2040 Net Change
Total % Total % Total %
Building Electricitya 6,909 41% 5,695 34% -1,214 -18%
Building Natural Gasa 775 5% 1,552 9% 777 100%
On-Road Transportationb 8,680 51% 9,122 54% 441 5%
Off-Road Vehicles and
Equipmentc
219 1% 249 1% 30 14%
Solid Waste/Landfillsd 186 1% 263 2% 76 41%
Water Usee 50 0.3% 39 0.2% -11 22%
Wastewater Treatmentf 45 0.3% 47 0.3% 3 6%
Total Community Emissions 16,864 100% 16,967 100% 103 1% Service Population (SP)b 5,589 7,873 2,284 41%
MTCO2e/SP 3.0 2.2 -0.9 -39%
Notes: Excludes GHG emissions natural gas use from permitted sources in the Town, including the following cemeteries: Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association, Pet’s Rest Cemetery, StoneMor California, Inc., and Woodlawn Cemetery. a Building electricity and natural gas are based on data provided by PG&E and PCE. b On-road transportation VMT and service population are provided by Kittelson and Associates and modeled with EMFAC2017 Project Level (PL) web database. VMT for the General Plan uses the CARB Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) recommendations. c On-road vehicles and equipment are based on the OFFROAD2017 emissions inventory and include construction equipment and commercial equipment.
d Solid waste/landfills is based on the Landfill Model based on disposal information from CalRecycle. e Water use includes the embodied energy associated with water conveyance, treatment, and distribution. f Wastewater includes the embodied energy associated with wastewater treatment as well as fugitive emissions from treatment processes.
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As shown in this table, buildout of the land uses accommodated under the proposed 2040 GPU would result in a net increase of 103 MTCO2e of GHG emissions ( 1 percent in GHG emissions) from existing conditions and would not exceed the 660 MTCO2e BAAQMD bright-line screening threshold. In addition, though buildout under the proposed General Plan is projected to increase service population by 2,284 persons6 (a 41 percent increase), emissions per person would decrease compared to the baseline. Emissions per service population would decrease to 2.2 MTCO2e/SP in horizon year 2040 from 3.0 MTCO2e/SP for the baseline year.
Consistency with SB 32 and Executive Order S-03-05 GHG Reduction Targets While the proposed General Plan would not generate an increase in GHG emissions from the CEQA baseline in the 2040 horizon year forecast, this PEIR also analyzes the potential for the proposed General Plan to conflict with the GHG reduction goals established under SB 32 and Executive Order S-03-05, which require a reduction in statewide GHG emissions from existing conditions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and an 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. This PEIR assumes that the CEQA baseline ( 2020 emissions) reflects the AB 32 goal in 2020. As a result, at the General Plan horizon year of 2040, the town would need to reduce GHG emissions by 60 percent to ensure the town is on a trajectory to achieve the long-term goal under Executive Order S -03-05, which is equivalent to 10,119 MTCO2e in the town by the year 2040.
Implementation of the proposed General Plan Update would result in a small net increase (103 MTCO2e) in emissions in horizon year 2040 compared to existing baseline. Due to the magnitude of growth anticipated (41 percent increase), GHG emissions would not achieve the 60 percent reduction necessary to ensure the town is on a trajectory to achieve the long-term year 2050 reduction goal of Executive Order S- 03-05. Reduction strategies to meet the long-term 2050 GHG reduction goal in addition to establishment of a 2050 reduction target will be included in the planned future updates to the CAP. Additionally, State strategies to achieve post-2030 targets will be necessary. Therefore, until such time, GHG emissions impacts for the proposed General Plan are considered potentially significant in regard to meeting the long -term year 2050 reduction goal.
Proposed General Plan Update Policies
While growth within the town would cumulatively contribute to GHG emissions impacts, the current General Plan included goals, policies, and programs to reduce GHG emissions. The proposed General Plan retains or slightly modifies those goals and policies. These are in the Community Health and Safety (CHS), Land Use (LU), Mobility (M), and Open Space and Conservation (OSC) elements. The following describes the goals, policies, and programs that directly and indirectly result in the reduction of GHG emissions by reducing air pollution, incentivizing alternate modes of transportation, creating safe e nvironments for pedestrians and bicyclists, establishing parking spaces for more sustainable modes of travel, and placing higher density housing and commercial uses near transit stations. ▪ Policy CS -1-3. Physical Activity and the Built Environment. Support new developments or infrastructure improvements in existing neighborhoods that enable people to drive less and walk, bike, or take public transit more.
▪ Policy LU-1-4. Land Uses that Support Transit. Encourage higher-intensity development on the specific opportunity sites designated in the El Camino Real planning area.
6 Service population is 1,580 people plus 889 employees.
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▪ Policy LU-1-6. Public-Private Partnerships. Consider opportunities to use public investment to form partnerships with the private sector to achie ve quality infill development, enhance the public realm , and encourage public transit, walking, and biking.
▪ Policy LU -2-1. Water Conservation. Promote water conservation by educating and encouraging residents and businesses to incorporate drought tolerant and low water using planting, smart irrigation systems, water efficient appliances, and recycled water systems. ▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape. Apply the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance to new development and projects that include a qualifying amount of replacement or new landscaping. ▪ Policy LU-2-3. Open Space. Require accessible, attractive open space that is well maintained and uses sustainable practices and materials in all new multiple dwelling and mixed-use development ▪ Policy LU-2-4. Low Impact Development. Regulate new development and construction to minimize pollutant and sediment concentrations in receiving waters and ensure that surface water meets or exceeds applicable regulatory water quality standards. Require new development to incorporate Low Impact Development features that treat and reduce surface runoff volumes. ▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency. Support energy efficient improvements in aging building stock. ▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy. Provide incentives for installation of sola r and photovoltaic systems on existing buildings and new development.
▪ Policy LU-2-7: Electric Vehicles. As Town gasoline -powered vehicles are replaced, purchase electric and hybrid vehicles when practicable. Install electric vehicle charging stations with new commercial and mixed-use developments.
▪ Policy LU-2-8: Climate Action Plan. Maintain a Climate Action Plan and continue to partner with San Mateo County’s Regional Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS) to prepare community -wide greenhouse gas inventories.
▪ Policy LU-2-9: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets. Work to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions that are consistent with the targets established by AB32 (California Global Warming Solutions Act) and subsequent supporting legislation.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building. Support sustainability and green building best practices through the orientation, design, and placement of buildings and facilities to optimize their energy efficiency in preparation of State zero -net energy requirements for residential construction and commercial construction.
▪ Policy LU -3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods. The Town shall promote walkable neighborhoods by supporting alternative modes of transportation; enhancing bike and pedestrian connectivity to local commercial districts and t ransit centers; and maintaining sidewalks, public plazas, parks and greenways, parkways, street tree canopies, and landscaping throughout residential neighborhoods. ▪ Policy LU- 5-1. Regional Cooperation. Participate with other cities in the county and across the region in work ing towards solutions to the issues of regional land use, housing, homelessness, and transportation planning through partnership with the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the San Mateo City/County Association of Govern - ments (C/CAG).
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County Collaboration. Continue to consult with San Mateo County and other cities in the region on effective land use, transpo rtation, sustainability, and eco nomic
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development strategies to learn about additional strategies that could be used in Colma to achieve the community’s vision and goals.
▪ Policy M -2-1. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled. Require new development projects to ac hieve a reduction in VMT per capita or VMT per service population compared to both baseline VMT performance conditions and General Plan 2040 VMT performance conditions. The Town will regularly monitor baseline VMT to provide updated benchmarks for project applicants. Encourage use of VMT reduction strategies and methods to encourage non-automobile travel. ▪ Policy M-2-2. Other Traffic Flow Benchmarks. Establish additional traffic flow benchmarks, such as VMT, vehicle-hours of travel, and safety-related metrics, in order to evaluate and monitor changes in traffic flow over time.
▪ Policy M -2-3. VMT Transportation Performance Measures. Update the Town’s transportation measures and thresholds to use VMT standards for traffic impact analysis rather than LOS. ▪ Policy M -2-4. Multi -Modal Impact Fee. Consider establishing a transportation impact fee for new development tied to performance measures to generate funds for improving all modes of transportation.
▪ Policy M -3-3. Regional Transportation Planning. Actively partic ipate in and support regional transportation planning efforts.
▪ Policy M -3-4. Transit Funding. Seek joint transportation and transit funding opportunities with adjoining jurisdictions or agencies to improve transit access in and around Colma. ▪ Policy M-3-5. Transportation Gaps. Eliminate gaps in the regional active transportation network in Colma.
▪ Policy M -4-2. Reliable Transportation Services. Encourage SamTrans and other public transit providers to provide service on regular schedules along El Camino Real, arterial streets, and, as feasible, major collectors; support these transportation services to increase the mobility of seniors, the disabled, and others who depend on public transportation. ▪ Policy M -4.3. Encourage Transportation Options. Encourage and sup port various public transit agencies and companies, ride-sharing programs, and other incentive programs that provide residents and visitors with transportation choices other than the private automobile. ▪ Policy M-4.4. Transit Oriented Development. Promote the development of multi -modal mixed-use development at sites surrounding the Colma BART station, where feasible along Mission Road, and at the Town Center site.
▪ Policy M-4.5. Connections to Homes and Businesses. Seek opportunities to improve first and last mile connections between transit, homes, and businesses.
▪ Policy M-5-1. Complete Streets. Incorporate Complete Streets infrastructure elements into new streets, street retrofits and certain maintenance projects to encourage multiple modes of travel, based on the modal priorities in Table M-2, as appropriate to the context and determined reasonable and practicable by the Town.
▪ Policy M -5-2. Design for All Travel Modes. Plan, design, and construct transportation projects to safely accommodate the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, people with mobility challenges, and persons of all ages and abilities.
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▪ Policy M-5-3. Bicycle Connection Coordination. Coordinate with BART, South San Francisco, Daly City, Caltrans, and San Mateo County to plan and implement bicycle and pedestrian improvements which connect with improvements to BART facilities and regional networks. ▪ Policy M-5-4. Accessibility and Universal Design. Prioritize implementation of pedestrian facilities that improve accessibility consistent with guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing mobility -impaired users, such as the disabled and seniors, to travel safely and effectively within and beyond the town.
▪ Policy M -5-5. Design of New Development. Require new development to incorporate design that prioritizes safe pedestrian and bicycle travel and accommodate senior citizens, people with mobility challenges, and children.
▪ Policy M-7-1. TDM Program. Continue to participate in the TDM Pro gram as outlined by the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG).
▪ Policy M-7-2. TDM Program for New Development. Require major development proposals to include a detailed, verifiable TDM program for consideration by the Town during the revi ew of the development application.
▪ Policy M-7-3. Vehicle Trip Reduction. Support vehicle trip reduction strategies, including building safer and more inviting transportation networks, supporting connections to high frequency and regional transit, implementing TDM programs, and integrating land use and transportation decisions. ▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape Practices. Encourage the enhancement of public areas with landscaping practices that minimize water usage.
▪ Policy OSC -1-4. Pedestrian Trails, Bi keways Walkways. Expand and improve pedestrian trails, bikeways, and walkways to connect trails and allow access to open space land and regional trail facilities.
▪ Policy OSC -1-5. Colma Creek Trail. Colma Creek Trail. Coordinate with the City of South San Francisco to provide continuous pedestrian access from the Colma BART station along El Camino Real to the southern border of the town.
▪ Policy OSC-2-1. Open Space for Recreation Use. Develop and maintain open spaces and recreation areas that are conveniently located, properly designed, and well -maintained to serve the recreation needs and healthy living of the entire community.
▪ Policy OSC-2-2. Recreation Requirements for New Developments. Require dedication of improved land, or payment of a fee in lieu of, for park and recreation land for all residential uses. ▪ Policy OSC-2-3. Expansion of Recreation Space. Acquire and enhance properties within Colma for recreation and public use if opportunities become available. ▪ Policy OSC -3-1. Transit Oriented Development. Encourage, to the extent feasible, higher density residential development to be located near transit corridors and public transportation. ▪ Policy OSC -3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption. Support measures and education to reduce ener gy consumption and increase energy efficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. ▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations. Pursue opportunities to improve energy efficiency and install renewable energy systems, where fea sible, in new and existing Town -owned facilities and operations
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▪ Policy OSC -3-4. GHG Reduction. Implement the Climate Action Plan to achieve GHG reduction targets that are consistent with the State Scoping Plan, AB 32, and SB 32 and the Town’s goals. ▪ Policy OSC-3-5. Pedestrian-Scaled Design. Support the use of public/mass transit by encouraging pedestrian-friendly street design and mixed-use development near transit hubs. ▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and Native Plants. Encourage the use of drought tolerant and native plants in landscaping plans.
▪ Policy OSC-5-6. Regional Open Space Preservation Efforts. Support regional and sub-regional efforts to acquire, develop and maintain open space conservation lands.
Despite the policies of the General Plan, implementation of the proposed project would not meet the long- term GHG reduction goal under Executive Order S-03-05, and impacts would be potentially significant.
Mitigation Measure
Mitigation Measure GHG-1: The town of Colma shall update the Climate Action Plan (CAP) every five years to ensure the town is monitoring the plan’s progress toward achieving the town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target and to require amendment if the plan is not achieving a specified level. The update shall consider a trajectory consistent with the GHG emissions reduction goal established under Executive Order S-03-05 for year 2050 and the latest applicable statewide legislative GHG emission reduction that may be in effect at the time of the CAP update (e.g., Senate Bill 32 for year 2030). The CAP update shall include the following:
▪ GHG inventories of existing and forecast year GHG levels. ▪ Tools and strategies for reducing GHG emissions to ensure a trajectory with the long-term GHG reduction goal of Executive Order S-03-05.
▪ Plan implementation guidance that includes, at minimum, the following components consistent with the proposed CAP:
▪ Administration and staffing
▪ Finance and budgeting
▪ Timelines for measure implementation
▪ Community outreach and education
▪ Monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management
▪ Tracking tools
Implementation of Mitigation Measure GHG-1 would ensure that the town is tracking and monitoring the town’s GHG emissions in order to chart a trajectory to achieve the long-term year 2050 GHG reduction goal set by Executive Order S -03-05. However, at this time, there is no plan past 2030 that achieves the long - term GHG reduction goal established under Executive Order S -03-05. As identified by the California Council on Science and Technology, the State cannot meet the 2050 goal without major advancements in technology (CCCC 2012). Advancement in technology in the future could provide additional reductions to allow the State and town to meet the 2050 goal; however, no additional statewide measures are currently available. Therefore, Impact 4.7.1 would be significant and unavoidable.
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Conflict with Plan, Policy, or Regulation Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact 4.7.2 Implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation of an agency adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions (Less than Significant).
Applicable plans adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions include CARB’s Scoping Plan, ABAG’s/MTC’s Plan Bay Area, and the Town’s CAP. A consistency analysis with these plans is presented below.
CARB Scoping Plan
The CARB Scoping Plan is applicable to state agencies but is not directly applicable to cities/counties and individual projects (i.e., the Scoping Plan does not require the town to adopt policies, programs, or regulations to reduce GHG emissions). However, new regulations adopted by the State agencies from the Scoping Plan result in GHG emissions reductions at the local level. So local jurisdictions benefit from reductions in transportation emissions rates, increases in water efficiency in the building and landscape codes, and other statewide actions that affect a local jurisdiction’s emissions inventory from the top down.
Statewide strategies to reduce GHG emissions include the LCFS and changes in the corporate average fuel economy standards.
Project GHG emissions shown in Table 4.7.5 include reductions associated with statewide str ategies that have been adopted since AB 32 and SB 32. Development projects accommodated under the proposed General Plan are required to adhere to the programs and re gulations identified by the Scoping Plan and implemented by state, regional, and local agencies to achieve the statewide GHG reduction goals of AB 32 and SB 32. Future development projects would be required to comply with these state GHG emissions reduction measures because they are statewide strategies. For example, new buildings associated with land uses accommodated by implementing the proposed General Plan would be required to meet the CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards in effect at the t ime when applying for building permits.
Furthermore, as discussed under the impact discussion for Impact 4. 7.1, the proposed General Plan includes goals, policies, and programs that would help reduce GHG emissions and therefore help achieve GHG reduction g oals. Therefore, implementation of the proposed General Plan would not obstruct implementation of the CARB Scoping Plan, and impacts would be less than significant.
Plan Bay Area
Plan Bay Area is the Bay Area’s regional transportation plan to achieve the passenger vehicle emissions reductions identified under SB 375. Plan Bay Area 2050 is the current SCS for the Bay Area, which was adopted October 21, 2021 (ABAG and MTC 2021).
Plan Bay Area 2050 includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions include focusing housing and commercial construction in walkable, transit -accessible places; investing in transit and active transportation; and shifting the location of jobs to encourage shorter commutes (ABAG and MTC 2021). The town of Colma’s designated PDA and TPA are areas anticipated to harbor most of the Town’s growth in the next 20 years.
The proposed General Plan places higher-density uses near transit stations and in areas that are less a uto dependent. This is supported by Policy LU -1.3, which strives to reduce GHG emissions through the way the town designs and locates new housing, offices, public buildings, and other uses. Thus, the project would be consistent with the overall goals of Pl an Bay Area 2050 in concentrating new development in locations where there is existing infrastructure and transit. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with the land use concept plan in Plan Bay Area 2050, and impacts would be less than significant.
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Colma Climate Action Plan
The CAP provides additional measures and strategies to achieve a GHG reduction target of 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, consistent with AB 32. The CAP lays out measures that would exceed the 20 20 target and put the town on a trajectory to meet the 2050 goal under Executive Order S-03-05. The proposed project would further the goals of the CAP by introducing policies and programs that align with the CAP (see Table 4.7.6: Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consi stency Analysis ). Consequently, the proposed project is consistent with the town’s CAP, and impacts are less than significant.
Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
Community Wide Measures
Establish New Colma Sustainable Business Program
with Technical Assistance. Initiate multi-approach
campaign for Colma’s businesses by providing on-site
technical assistance to expand energy efficiency/water
conservation/sustainable practices. Resources, rebate
information, cost benefits will be highlighted.
Program will provide:
▪ Energy efficiency technical assistance, rebate
information, best practices, checklist of options,
outreach/education
▪ Water conservation technical assistance, rebate
information, resources
▪ Benefits of opting up to ECO 100/ Participation in
Peninsula Clean Energy
▪ Resources for solar energy installation and solar
storage rebates
▪ Sustainability Policy/ Preferable Purchasing Policy
technical assistance
▪ Partner with regional partners to expand sustainable
businesses participation
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that provide
incentives for businesses that participate in the Town’s energy and water conservation programs and engage in
sustainable practices:
▪ Policy LU-2-1. Water Conservation
▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape
▪ Policy LU-2-4. Low Impact Development
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County Collaboration.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
▪ Policy OSC-4-3. Reclaimed Water.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and Native
Plants.
▪ Policy OSC-4-5. Green Infrastructure.
Expand Participation in County Green Business
Program. Expand participation in the San Mateo
County Green Business program and set goals for
participation. Voluntary program that allows
businesses to brand themselves as green by completing
a list of energy/water conservation, recycling, pollution prevention and buy recycled practices.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that provide
incentives for businesses to help expand participation in San Mateo’s County Green Business Program:
▪ Policy LU-2-1. Water Conservation
▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape
▪ Policy LU-2-4. Low Impact Development
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy LU-5-2. San Mateo County Collaboration.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
▪ Policy OSC-4-3. Reclaimed Water.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and Native
Plants.
▪ Policy OSC-4-5. Green Infrastructure.
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Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
Expand participation in PCE’s Opt Up to ECO 100.
Through Peninsula Clean Energy, continue to
provide greener renewable electricity to the
community and promote residents and businesses
“opting up” to PCE’s ECO100 (100% renewable)
service.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to participation in PCE’s ECO 100 service, it does have policies that aim to reduce energy consumption throughout the community.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-7: Electric Vehicles.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
Campaign to promote benefits of solar energy
installation/ solar storage using PCE grant. Educate
residents about PCE rebates for installing solar and
solar storage, and explore other options. PCE offers up to $1250 in rebates for solar/solar storage. Educate the financial incentives for solar PV and hot water system
installation. Encourage bulk purchases such as the
Peninsula SunShares Program. Provide free assistance
for project developers through the PPA and
interconnection process.
https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/pop-homeowner/.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that help to
promote benefits of solar energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Expand Commercial energy efficiency programs for
existing buildings including SMC Energy Watch and
PG&E’s commercial offerings. Through marketing
and outreach, City promotes participation in
commercial energy efficiency programs and demand
response programs offered by SMC Energy Watch and
PG&E – including PGE’s appliance rebates, 0% energy
efficiency financing and demand response programs.
City provides or encourages commercial energy audits.
City considers supplementing existing efficiency
incentives and rebates.
Research programs to provide businesses who use
Direct Access energy with alternatives which reduce
GHG emissions.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to expansion of energy efficiency in existing commercial buildings, it does have policies that aim to reduce energy consumption in
commercial businesses.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.7-26 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
Expand commercial energy conservation program.
Colma will start a voluntary commercial energy
conservation program and encourage minimum
energy efficiency and water efficiency standards at the time of building sale. Consider transitioning to
mandatory comprehensive energy assessments and
benchmarking by registered energy assessors over
time.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to expansion of energy efficiency in existing commercial buildings, it does have policies that aim to reduce energy consumption in
commercial businesses.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
Encourage pairing battery storage systems with all
solar PV systems. Provide education and outreach to
stakeholders, including businesses, residents and
contractors, on the benefits of pairing battery storage with solar PV systems.
This education can be included in the Sustainable
Green Business Campaign.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that pertain to battery storage systems for PV systems, it does include policies that help to promote
benefits of solar energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
Update Building Code to disincentivize use of
natural gas in new construction and major remodels.
Require all new construction and major remodels to be
electric ready for all large appliances. Stoves may be
exempt.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that pertain to disincentivize use of natural gas, it does include policies that help to promote energy
efficiency.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Promote residential energy efficiency programs
for existing buildings. Promote residential energy
efficiency programs, including BayREN’s Home
Upgrade program and PG&E’s efficient appliance
rebates. City provides or encourages residential
energy audits. City considers supplementing
existing efficiency incentives and rebates.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that promote
energy efficiency programs for existing residential
buildings.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Incentivize electric panel upgrades in commercial to
accommodate all-electric technologies. Leverage
incentives provided by PCE to encourage commercial
and residential to upgrade electric panels in order to
accommodate all-electric technologies including solar
PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps, heat pump
water heaters, electric dryers, electric stoves and EV
chargers.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that promote the use of electric technologies.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-7: Electric Vehicles.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.7-27 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
Promote opportunities for microgrid
demonstration projects. Work with stakeholders to
identify facilities for a potential site for a microgrid demonstration project. Provide education and
outreach to these stakeholders on the multiple
benefits of developing a microgrid including
reliability, cleaner energy and cost savings. See Page
9 for an example of a microgrid.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to opportunities for
microgrid demonstration project, it does include policies that help to promote energy efficiency.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Municipal Measures
Continue to procure ECO100 electricity service for
all municipal facilities. Colma will continue to
provide greener renewable electricity to municipal
facilities with our ECO-100 service in all municipal
facilities.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to participation in PCE’s ECO 100 service in municipal facilities, it does have
policies that aim to increase energy efficiency.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
Research options for solar energy on municipal
facilities. Through feasibility studies, identify new or existing municipal facilities that are well suited to the installation of solar PV or solar hot water systems.
Install systems where feasible. Use group purchasing
power such as Bay Area SunShares or purchase power
agreements (PPAs) to lower cost.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that help to
promote benefits of solar energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-2. Reduce Energy Consumption.
Improve energy efficiency of municipal buildings.
Continue to upgrade Town facilities to be energy
efficient by reevaluating fixtures energy usage and
cost every seven years.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that would help
to improve energy efficiency of municipal buildings.
▪ Policy LU-2-5. Energy Efficiency
▪ Policy LU-2-6: Solar Energy.
▪ Policy LU-2-10: Green Building.
▪ Policy OSC-3-3. Energy Efficiency in Municipal
Operations
Update Sustainability Policy (environmentally
preferred purchasing policy). The Town will
update the sustainable purchasing policy to expand
energy efficiency e.g. purchase of ENERGY STAR
certified equipment – appliances, electronics, etc.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that would help
to improve energy efficiency of municipal buildings.
Plan and the Climate Action Plan.
▪ Policy LU-2-11. Climate Action Plan.
▪ Policy OSC-2-5. Climate Change.
4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.7-28 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
Water
Water
Promote water conservation rebates and services.
Promote BAWSCA or CalWater residential water
conservation rebate programs that offer rebates for
items including high efficiency washing machines
and toilets, rain barrels, sprinkler nozzles, irrigation controls and Lawn Be Gone (drought tolerant
landscapes). Consider feasibility of supplementing
existing rebates and services.
Consistent. The Land Use and Open Space and
Conservation Elements include policies that aim to
promote water conservation.
▪ Policy LU-2-1. Water Conservation.
▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and Native
Plants.
Develop New Water Conservation Program for
Cemeteries. Use technical expertise of Powers
Engineering and or other technical experts to
provide water conservation improvements advise to
cemeteries. Examples include upgrading old
inefficient water pumps which conserve energy and
reduce water waste. Identify grants and other
options for water conservation.
Consistent. While the General Plan Update does not have policies that explicitly pertain to water conservation for cemeteries, it does have policies that aim to promote
water conservation.
▪ Policy LU-2-1. Water Conservation.
▪ Policy LU-2-2. Water Efficient Landscape.
▪ Policy OSC-1-3. Sustainable Landscape Practices.
▪ Policy OSC-4-4. Use of Drought Tolerant and Native
Plants.
Transportation
Transportation
Establish smart growth policy. Establish a smart
growth policy that prioritizes infill, higher density,
transportation-oriented development and mixed-
use development
Consistent. The Land Use, Mobility, Open Space and
Conservation, and Community Health, Safety and
Services Elements include policies would help to
establish a smart growth policy for the Town.
▪ Policy LU-1-4. Land Uses that Support Transit.
▪ Policy LU-1-6. Public-Private Partnerships
▪ Policy LU-2-7: Electric Vehicles.
▪ Policy LU-3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods.
▪ Policy LU-10-3. Mixed Use and Nonresidential
Development
▪ Policy LU-11-1. Town Center
▪ Policy LU-13-4. In-Fill Housing
▪ Policy LU-13-5. Mixed Use
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy M-2-1. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
▪ Policy M-2-4. Multi-Modal Impact Fee
▪ Policy M-3-1. Agency Collaboration and Coordination.
▪ Policy M-3-3. Regional Transportation Planning.
▪ Policy M-3-5. Transportation Gaps.
▪ Policy M-4-2. Reliable Transportation Services.
▪ Policy M-4.3. Encourage Transportation Options.
▪ Policy M-4.4. Transit Oriented Development.
▪ Policy M-5-1. Complete Streets.
4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
CSG Consultants, Inc 4.7-29 Town of Colma General Plan Update December 2021 Environmental Impact Report
Table 4.7.6 Colma Climate Change Action Plan 2030 Consistency Analysis Measure Consistency
▪ Policy M-5-2. Design for All Travel Modes
▪ Policy M-5-4. Accessibility and Universal Design.
▪ Policy M-5-5. Design of New Development.
▪ Policy M-7-1. TDM Program.
▪ Policy M-7-2. TDM Program for New Development.
▪ Policy M-7-3. Vehicle Trip Reduction.
▪ Policy OSC-1-4. Pedestrian Trails, Bikeways
Walkways.
▪ Policy OSC-3-1. Transit Oriented Development
▪ Policy OSC-3-5. Pedestrian-Scaled Design
▪ Policy CS-1-3. Physical Activity and the Built
Environment.
Expand walkable and bikeable street landscape
and green infrastructure. Modify landscape to
make walking and biking more desirable. Install
bike lanes, bike parking, traffic calming measures,
beautification, etc.
Consistent. The Land Use, Mobility, Open Space and
Conservation, and Community Health, Safety and
Services Elements include policies that expand walkable and bikeable landscape and infrastructure.
▪ Policy LU-1-4. Land Uses that Support Transit.
▪ Policy LU-3-6. Walkable Neighborhoods.
▪ Policy M-1-5. Green Streets.
▪ Policy M-2-4. Multi-Modal Impact Fee
▪ Policy M-3-3. Regional Transportation Planning.
▪ Policy M-3-5. Transportation Gaps.
▪ Policy M-4.3. Encourage Transportation Options.
▪ Policy M-4.4. Transit Oriented Development.
▪ Policy M-5-1. Complete Streets.
▪ Policy M-5-2. Design for All Travel Modes
▪ Policy M-5-3. Bicycle Connection Coordination.
▪ Policy M-5-4. Accessibility and Universal Design.
▪ Policy M-5-5. Design of New Development.
▪ Policy OSC-1-4. Pedestrian Trails, Bikeways
Walkways.
▪ Policy OSC-1-5. Colma Creek Trail.
▪ Policy OSC-2-1. Open Space for Recreation Use.
▪ Policy CS-1-3. Physical Activity and the Built
Environment.