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RESOLUTION NO. XX – 2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO
ADOPTING THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO’S COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES 2030
WHEREAS, the California Ocean Protection Council recommends vulnerable communities prepare for the effects of climate change and sea level rise; and WHEREAS, the City of East Palo Alto has met and exceeded the emissions targets outlined in the 2011 Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the state of California, in 2022, adopted AB 1279, which codifies the achievement of a statewide carbon neutrality goal as soon as possible, and no later than 2045, and establishes an 85% emissions reduction target as part of that goal; and WHEREAS, the state of California, in 2022, adopted SB 1020, which creates clean electricity targets of 90% by 2035, 95% by 2045, with the intent of 100% clean electricity retail sales by 2045; and WHEREAS, on April 19, 2023, a special presentation of the Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan was given to the City of East Palo Alto’s Public Works and Transportation Commission (PWTC) and the PWTC recommended the Plan for adoption by City Council; and WHEREAS, on July 10, 2023, a special presentation of the Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan was given to the City of East Palo Alto’s Planning Commission and a resolution was passed recommending the Plan for adoption by City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO HEREBY:
1. Finds the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and are incorporated by this reference into this action;
2. Approves the Community Climate Action Plan and Adaptation Strategies 2030, as amended; and
3. Finds that the proposed action is covered by an Addendum to the Initial Study and Negative Declaration which was prepared for the original Climate Action Plan (CAP) and approved by the City Council on September 20, 2011 (and subsequently amended in 2014) in compliance with the requirements of Section 15074 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The Plan is a policy-oriented, programmatic document that describes a series of actions and programs that, when conducted by the City and its partners, can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its effects within the City of East Palo Alto. No significant environmental impacts that would require mitigation were identified. Any development occurring after the adoption of the proposed CAP, including development or expansion of recreational facilities, would be considered a separate “project” and would be subject to individual environmental review as well as compliance with all existing City and State standards (General Plan Land Use and Open Space Elements; General Plan EIR; Zoning Ordinance Chapters 24, 25, and 26; PRC 2100 et seq.). Additionally, as a separate Vv
and alternative basis, the proposed action is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact, and Section 15308 because it assures the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5
th day of September 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Lisa Gauthier, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
James Colin, City Clerk John D. Lê, City Attorney