Resolution 2023-XX Page 1 of 2
DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT
ADOPTING THE URBAN FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, the Urban Forest Management Plan (“Plan”) is a comprehensive community-based planning document, designed to address the long-term management, growth and preservation of the City of Fremont’s (“City”) urban forest, with an overall goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (“GHG”) through tree planting and carbon sequestration; and WHEREAS, City staff sought input from the community on creating the Plan, including:
a project-specific website for the public to learn more about the urban forestry planning process; a virtual meet and greet was held where over 60 community members attended and asked a total of 140 questions; the Tree Advisory Working Group was formed to discuss the Plan and receive public comment; and a statistically valid survey was launched from September through November of 2021; and
WHEREAS, with a healthy, thriving, and sustainable urban forest, the Plan will thoughtfully manage Fremont’s trees in a way to maximize a range of public benefits, including a diverse ecosystem, a vibrant economy and a livable community shared by all; and WHEREAS, the framework of the goals, strategies, and actions in the Plan provides the City with the means to measure progress and adapt to an everchanging environment and availability of resources; and
WHEREAS, the Fremont Recreation Commission recommends City Council adoption of the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds that the Urban Forest Management Plan is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per, without limitation, each on a separate and independent basis, (1) the proposed amendments are part of the project analyzed in the General Plan EIR (SCH#2010082060) and none of the circumstances necessitating preparation of a subsequent EIR pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15163 are present; (2) CEQA Guidelines Section 15307, as an action taken by a regulatory agency for the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource, specifically, for the protection of the climate and to prevent further pollution of the air and water; (3) CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, as an action taken by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment, specifically, for the protection of the climate and to prevent further pollution of the air and water; (4) CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, as a minor alteration to land by adding new landscaping; and (5) CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that some of the activities under listed in the Urban Forest Management Plan may have a significant effect on the environment and parts of the plan are too speculative at this time for reasoned analysis
Resolution 2023-XX Page 2 of 2
and details will be more fully developed later with the appropriate environmental review. There are no previously identified significant effects which are substantially more severe than analyzed in the prior EIR or cannot be substantially mitigated by the imposition of uniformly applied development policies or standards applied on a citywide basis.
SECTION 2. Based on the information set forth in the report to the City Council dated April 18, 2023, as well as any information submitted to or considered by the City Council during its deliberations on this matter, the City Council adopts the Urban Forest Management Plan, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
SECTION 3. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption by City Council. On the effective date of this Resolution, all resolutions, which conflict with this Resolution, shall be repealed without further action by the Council.
ADOPTED, ______, 2023 by the City Council of the City of Fremont, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ ______________________________ City Clerk City Attorney