Pleasant Hill City Council
March 20, 2023

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 828 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-18 Public Review Draft December 2022
Provide well-designed and well-maintained off-street paths and trails. [Source: New Goal]
TC-10.1 Prioritize Linkages
Design and maintain a pedestrian system that provides connections between trails and access to roadways and parking. [Source: New Policy] TC-10.2 Safe and Interconnected Trails
Work with other responsible/owner agencies to ensure the trails system is designed to be safe and interconnected, incorporating on-street connections where needed, designed for pedestrians and/or bicyclists, and consistent with other relevant plans. [Source: New Policy]
TC-10.3 Safe Trail Crossings
Provide safe trail crossings at surface streets for all non-motorized users. This requires the installation of signs, striping, pavement markings, and actuated traffic control devices, where applicable. [Source: New Policy] TC-10.4 New Trails
Coordinate with East Bay Municipal Utility District and other agencies to explore new trail opportunities to provide connections to parts of the city without off-road bicycle and pedestrian connections. [Source: New Policy]
Bicycle Facilities
Bikeways are classified into the following four types:
 Class I Bikeways (Bike Paths) are also described as shared paths (shared with pedestrians) or multi-use paths and provide a completely separate right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicyclists and pedestrians with minimized vehicle and pedestrian cross-flow.  Class II Bikeways (Bike Lanes) are lanes for bicyclists generally adjacent to outer vehicle travel lanes with special lane markings, pavement legends, and signage.  Class IIB Bikeways (Buffered Bike Lanes) are lanes for bicyclists with a designed buffer space to adjacent vehicle travel lanes without vertical elements within the buffer space.  Class III Bikeways (Bike Routes) are designated by signs or pavement markings for shared use with pedestrians or motor vehicles but have no separated bike right-of-way or lane striping.  Class IV Bikeways (Cycle Tracks or Protected Bike Lanes) provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel within a roadway and which are protected from other vehicle traffic with devices including, but not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, or parked cars.

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 829 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-19
The City adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in 2022 guides the expansion and improvement of bicycle facilities citywide. Figure TC-3 shows the existing and recommended bicycle network described in the Master Plan. The network includes bicycle facility gap closures on key routes, bicycle facilities, and bicycle facility upgrades (e.g., from Class III to Class I, Class II, or Class IV). The recommended network would create a more complete and connected bicycle network within Pleasant Hill and connect bicyclists to high-demand destinations within and adjacent to the city.

The following goals and policies address bicycle facilities and bicyclist needs in Pleasant Hill and are consistent with the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Increase the number of bicycle and pedestrian trips by users of all ages and abilities. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Goal 1] TC-11.1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
Support a network of safe and comfortable bikeway and pedestrian facilities connecting neighborhoods and destinations in Pleasant Hill and adjacent jurisdictions. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 1.1, modified] TC-11.2 Street Design
Require street cross-sections to accommodate bicyclists, micro-mobility users, and pedestrians. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 1.2, modified] TC-11.3 Protected Bicycle Facilities
Consider incorporating protected bicycle and pedestrian facilities in higher density land use areas and along major transportation corridors to the greatest extent feasible. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 5.1, modified] Strive to eliminate all fatal and serious injury bicycle and pedestrian related crashes. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Goal 2] TC-12.1 Collision Database
Create a traffic count data and collision database and work with applicable City departments and law enforcement to map collision data for identifying problem areas. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 2.1] TC-12.2 Design Standards
Support design upgrades to bicycle and pedestrian facilities to increase connectivity and safety citywide.
[Source: New Policy]
TC-12.3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Education
Support bicycle and pedestrian safety education in all Pleasant Hill schools. Continue to support Safe Routes to Schools programs to address pedestrian and bicycle safety. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 2.3]

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 830 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-20 Public Review Draft December 2022
TC-12.4 Safe Routes to School (SR2S)
Support Safe Routes to School infrastructure and education & encouragement programs to address and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety. Develop Suggested Route to School maps for Pleasant Hill schools to help prioritize infrastructure improvements along routes supporting student commutes. [Source: New Policy] TC-12.5 Technology Safety Enhancements
Identify and deploy technology solutions to support bicycle and pedestrian safety through the City including passive detection systems at traffic signals and trail crossings. [Source: New Policy]
TC-12.6 Bike Route Connectivity
Develop and sign a network of bicycle routes that provide connectivity between homes, job centers, schools and other frequently visited destinations. [Source: New Policy]
TC-12.7 Emphasis on Walking and Biking
Encourage more people to walk and bicycle for a variety of purposes. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Goal 3]
TC-12.8 Bicycle Parking
Support the expansion of the bicycle parking network in Pleasant Hill. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 4.1] TC-12.9 Supportive Infrastructure
Encourage the implementation of supportive infrastructure and programs. [Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 4.2, modified] TC-12.10 Safe Intersections for Bicycles
Ensure adequate crossing times and detection for bicycle users at signalized intersections. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 7.4] TC-12.11 Commute Information
Promote 511 Contra Costa alternative commute mode materials to encourage reduced reliance on vehicular use.
[Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 4.3, modified] TC-12.12 Bike to Work Day
Promote and support a Bike to Work Day.
[Source: Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 4.4]

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 831 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-21
Figure TC-3 Bikeway Network

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 832 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-22 Public Review Draft December 2022
Transit Services
Pleasant Hill’s central location within the East Bay provides access to surrounding cities and communities, as well as to other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. While the suburban setting lends itself to vehicular use as a preferred mode of travel, many trips can be made by public transit. The city’s transit services are described below.

BART
The Pleasant Hill BART station is located just southeast of the city limits in the unincorporated County, at Contra Costa Centre. The station provides connections for all modes of travel and serves as a transit village for local and regional transit services. The BART Yellow Line serves travel between Pittsburg/Antioch and San Francisco, including the San Francisco International Airport (as shown in Figure TC-5). Via connections in Oakland, riders can travel to Richmond, Milpitas, and Dublin/Pleasanton. Contra Costa Centre is also home to several regional and local bus routes with service to San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Fairfield, Vallejo, and Pleasanton/Dublin. In addition to the Contra Costa County Transit Authority’s County Connection routes, described below, regional connections are provided by Fairfield and Suisun Transit, Solano Express, and Wheels Express.

County Connection
County Connection routes traverse the city, providing access to Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill BART, Downtown Pleasant Hill (as shown in Figure TC-6), the Martinez Amtrak Station, and other key destinations (refer to Figure TC-4).

The following goals and policies address transit service in Pleasant Hill.

Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through non-automobile transportation. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goal 6]
TC-13.1 Bus and Rail Services
Coordinate with local transit providers (i.e., bus, paratransit, and rail service) to provide expanded schedules and services that meet the needs of Pleasant Hill residents. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 6A, modified] TC-13.2 Innovative Transportation Technologies
Work with transit providers, employers, schools, and developers to encourage innovative technologies that promote more effective and expanded use of transit and facilitate other innovations to serve first and last mile travel, such as mobility hubs and micro-mobility (e-scooters, e-bikes). [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program

4.7 and 6.7, modified]
TC-13.3 Support County Connection Improvements
Support County Connection to improve all types of accessibility and comfort for their facilities and to incorporate intermodal facilities where feasible. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 6.6, modified]

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Packet Pg. 833 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-23
TC-13.4 Transit for Commuters and Special Needs Populations Work with transit providers and other regional TDM entities to promote and incentivize use of transit for commuters, seniors, students, and persons with disabilities. [Source:

Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 6.9, modified] TC-13.5 Senior Van Service
Maintain the City's Senior Van Service for residents over the age of 55, subject to the availability of funding. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program

3.4]

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 834 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-24 Public Review Draft December 2022
Figure TC-4 Public Transit

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 835 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-25
Figure TC-5 Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART
TC-4 is intended to illustrate transportation network, connectivity, and mobility for all users at the BART Station area.

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 836 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-26 Public Review Draft December 2022
Figure TC-6 Pleasant Hill Downtown Area
TC-5 is intended to illustrate transportation network, connectivity, and mobility for all users in the downtown area. It is not intended to govern land uses.

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 837 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-27
Goods Movement
Pleasant Hill relies on efficient and reliable commercial truck routes to accommodate and facilitate goods movement that is essential for supporting economic growth and quality of life. On-going changes in on-demand goods delivery services and increases in e-commerce are changing the way members of the community purchase and receive goods, which changes the nature of mobility for people and freight. Since these types of deliveries are expected to increase over the coming years, it is important to address the needs of goods movement and the unique needs of trucks and delivery vehicles in order to limit the impacts associated with e-commerce.

The following roadways are designated truck routes within the city as shown on Figure TC-7. Other roadways can be used by trucks for direct pick-up or delivery, emergency vehicles, public utility vehicles, buses, and certain other purposes:
 Buskirk Avenue
 Contra Costa Boulevard
 Geary Road
 Gregory Lane
 Grayson Road between Pleasant Hill Road and Taylor Boulevard  Monument Boulevard
 North Main Street
 Pleasant Hill Road north of Gregory Lane
 Taylor Boulevard
The following goal and supporting policies address goods movement in Pleasant Hill:

Provide for the safe and efficient movement of goods to support commerce, industry, and the community. [Source: New Goal]
TC-14.1 Minimize Truck Conflicts
Minimize potential conflicts between trucks and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit travel on streets designated as truck routes. [Source: New Policy] TC-14.2 Minimize Truck Loading and Unloading Conflicts
Minimize potential conflicts between truck loading and unloading and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit travel. [Source: New Policy]
TC-14.3 Minimize Truck Impacts on Air Quality and Noise Levels Minimize the impact of truck parking and loading/unloading activities on air quality and noise levels. [Source: New Policy]
TC-14.4 Truck Route Network
Develop a signage program that identifies truck routes. [Source: New Policy]

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 838 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-28 Public Review Draft December 2022
Figure TC-7 Truck Routes

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 839 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-29
Travel Demand Management and VMT Reduction
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is the application of strategies to reduce vehicle travel with the goal of reducing vehicle miles of travel (VMT) and its corresponding impact on air quality and greenhouse gases. TDM implementation can also reduce congestion and improve traffic flow without having to increase the capacity or physical size of transportation infrastructure.

The following goal and supporting policies address TDM and overall VMT reduction in Pleasant Hill:

Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle trip lengths and manage vehicle congestion through a comprehensive program of transportation resources and services. [Source: New Goal] TC-15.1 TDM Alternatives
Meet the increased transportation needs of the community with TDM alternatives. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 3B] TC-15.2 Require TDM Programs
Require new development and redevelopment to implement appropriate TDM programs to encourage walking, biking, carpooling, and transit use, and to reduce vehicle trips. [Source: New Policy]
TC-15.3 TDM for New Development
All new development with more than 10 housing units or over 5,000 square feet of nonresidential uses shall be required to include a detailed and measurable TDM program. [Source: New Policy]
TC-15.4 Require Travel Demand Model Application
Require the City or developers to apply CCTA's travel demand model and Technical Procedures to the analysis of land use projects requiring General Plan Amendments (GPAs) and developments exceeding specified threshold per Measure J requirements. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.10] TC-15.5 Help Maintain Travel Demand Modeling System
Assist CCTA in maintaining its travel demand modeling system by providing information on proposed transportation improvements, including those adopted as part of the City's Capital Improvement Program, planned and approved development within the city and long-range plans relative to MTC/ABAG's projections for household and jobs within the city. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program

2.11]
TC-15.6 TDM Measures for Non-Residential Land Uses
Encourage measures to reduce vehicular trips and vehicle-miles travelled (VMT).

Examples are the provision of on-site childcare and after-school care facilities, and onsite modular mini-conference rooms for virtual meetings. [Source: New Policy]

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 840 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-30 Public Review Draft December 2022
Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
A Transportation System Management
Ordinance
Update the transportation system
management (TSM) ordinance or
resolution as needed, to comply with
CCTA's model TSM ordinance. [Source:

Growth Management Program 3.7]
TC-1 Engineering
Division

B Vision Zero
Adopt and maintain a vision zero action
plan that monitors areas of high
accident rates and identify mitigation
measures to eliminate traffic related
fatalities and severe injuries. [Source:

Circulation Program 1.3, modified]
TC-1
TC-3.3
TC-12.1
Engineering
Division
 
C Right-of-way Improvement
Identification
Identify specific roadway segments
where improvements may be needed to
improve safety, circulation, multimodal
access, or other infrastructure needs.
[Source: Circulation Program 1.1,
modified]
TC-1.1 Engineering
Division

D LOS Standards
Amend the General Plan, Zoning
Ordinance, Capital Improvement
Program or other relevant City plans and
regulations as necessary to attain the
LOS standards and establish VMT
criteria. [Source: Growth Management
Program 1.8, modified]
TC-2.2 Engineering
Division
 

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 841 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-31
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
E Evaluate Congested Intersections
Every five (5) years, evaluate citywide
intersection level-of-service for peak
hour congestion and develop mitigation
measures. [Source: Circulation Program

3.2, modified]
TC-2.2
TC-2.3
TC-2.4
Engineering
Division
   
F Commercial Area
Develop a plan to improve access,
circulation, and safety for potential
future development and re-development
of the Monument Boulevard Triangle as
shown in Figure TC-2. [Source: New
Implementation program]
TC-2.7 Engineering
Division
______________
City Manager
 
G Non-automobile Commute Incentives
Prepare an analysis of potential
incentives to encourage City employees
to commute to work using alternative
means, including BART and bus passes,
ridesharing, van pooling, and secure
bicycle storage facilities. [Source:

Circulation Program 6.8]
TC-6
TC-6.1
TC-6.3
TC-6.4
Engineering
Division
City Manager

H Regional Transportation Mitigation
Program Implementation
Implement TRANSPAC's Regional
Transportation Mitigation Program as
needed when assessing new
development and its impacts to regional
and sub-regional routes. [Source:

Growth Management Program 2.13]
TC-7.1 Engineering
Division


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5-32 Public Review Draft December 2022
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
I Complete Streets Best Practices
Develop and apply a complete streets
best practices checklist to guide the
design and review of proposed
transportation improvement projects
incorporating appropriate provisions
from standard reference guidelines
from federal, state and local sources
(e.g., Federal Highway Administration,
Caltrans, MTC, ABAG, ITE, etc.) [Source:

Circulation Program 2.1]
TC-8.1 Engineering
Division

J Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian
Master Plan
Update every seven (7) years the
Citywide Bicycle Plan and Pedestrian
Master Plan to specify bicycle and
pedestrian facility networks, and to
identify and prioritize bicycle and
pedestrian facility needs in the city.
[Source: Growth Management Program

3.2]
TC-11.1 Engineering
Division
   
K Explore Independent Alignments
Prepare an analysis of potential for the
dedication and preservation of
independent alignments, including
utility, abandoned waterways, and
railroad right of ways, for the
development of bicycle paths. [Source:

Circulation Program 7.6]
TC-11.1
TC-12.4
TC-12.5
Engineering
Division


10.3.a
Packet Pg. 843 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-33
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
L Review and Maintenance of
Benchmarks
Ensure public bicycle and pedestrian
needs are regularly reviewed by
preparing and maintaining benchmark
pedestrian and bicyclist volumes and
movements. (Source: Draft Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan Policy 3.2 and

3.3, modified)
TC-12 Engineering
Division

M Collision Database
Prepare and regularly update a collision
database to track and implement
transportation public safety measures.
(Source: New Implementation Program)
TC-12.1 Engineering
Division
Police
Department
 
N Bicycle and Pedestrian Design
Standards
Prepare updated design standards and
upgrades for bicycle and pedestrian
facilities consistent with the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan. (Source: Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Policy 2.2, modified)
TC-12.2 Engineering
Division
______________
Planning
Department

O Accessibility Improvements Grants
Identify and apply for grants that may
be used to assist in the funding of
projects that will improve access for
persons with disabilities. [Source:

Circulation Program 9.2]
TC-13.4 City Manager
Engineering
Division


10.3.a
Packet Pg. 844 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
5-34 Public Review Draft December 2022
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
P Incentivized Reduced Vehicle Trips
Create incentives for existing employers
to reduce their vehicle trips. [Source:

New Implementation Program]
TC-15
TC-15.1
TC-15.2
Engineering
Division
______________
City Manager

Q Promote Carpools and Vanpools
Promote the use of carpools and
vanpools by supporting and advertising
services and programs implemented by
511ContraCosta.org, which operates
transportation demand management
(TDM) programs and services in the
city. [Source: Growth Management
Program 3.5]
TC-15.1
TC-15.2
City Manager 
R Transportation Demand Management
System
Develop a transportation demand
management program checklist and
seek to fund TDM fee. [Source:

Circulation Program 6.1]
TC-15.1
TC-15.2
TC-15.3
TC-15.4
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division

S Capital Improvement Plan
Prepare and regularly update a Capital
Improvement Plan that identifies
roadways and transportation
improvements needed to implement the
general plan goals and policies for each
five-year planning period, including the
budgeting of local funds, development
fees, and various State/Federal grants
secured for the implementation of the
various projects and programs [Source:

Growth Management Program 3.1,
modified]
TC-15.5 Engineering
Division
City Manager


10.3.a
Packet Pg. 845 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

5. Transportation and Circulation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 5-35
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
T Suggested Routes to School
Develop a Suggested Route to School
Program that includes new Suggested
Routes to School Map and Education &
Encouragement programs. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
TC-12.4 Engineering
Division
City Manager

U Bike Route Connectivity
Develop and sign a network or bicycle
routes that provide connectivity
between homes, job centers, schools,
and other frequently visited
destinations. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
TC-12.5 Engineering
Division
City Manager

V Truck Route Network
Develop a signage program that
identifies truck routes. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
TC-14.3 Engineering
Division
City Manager

W Non-motorized Bicycle Requirements
Develop city code requirements
regarding the use of non-motorized
bicycles including compliance and
enforcement. [source: New
Implementation Program]
TC-6.1 Engineering
Division
City Manager
______________
Planning
Department
______________
Police
Department

X E-Bike and E-Scooter Requirements
Develop city code requirements
regarding the use of e-bikes and escooters including compliance and enforcement. [source: New
Implementation Program]
TC-6.1 Engineering
Division
City Manager
Planning
Department
Police
Department


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Packet Pg. 847 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) 6 Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element December 2022 Public Review Draft 6-1
Public facilities contribute to the quality of life for both individuals and groups in the community. They provide convenient and efficient services, a sense of identity, and define the visual character of the city.

Examples of typical public facilities include churches, hospitals, and police and fire stations. This section presents goals, policies, and programs related public facilities and community services within the city limits. [Source: New Text]
The Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element is divided into the following sections:

Contents
Section Title Page

Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Water Delivery................................................................................................................. 3 Wastewater Collection................................................................................................... 4 Storm Drainage and Flood Protection .......................................................................... 4 Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling............................................................................. 6 Utilities ............................................................................................................................ 7 Law Enforcement........................................................................................................... 8 Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response..................................................... 9 Schools ......................................................................................................................... 10 Libraries ........................................................................................................................ 11 Implementation Programs........................................................................................... 12

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 848 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
6-2 Public Review Draft December 2022
Key Terms
Municipal Service Review. A study conducted by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for a city or special district that examines all public service needs for the area and recommends action to promote the efficient provision of public services.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Federal program requiring industrial and municipal sources of pollution to hold permits before pollutants can be discharged into navigable waters.

Non-point Source Pollution. A pollution source that cannot be defined at a discrete location; a dispersed source area.

Recycled Water. Wastewater that has been treated for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a ground water basin (referred to as ground water recharge).

Renewable Energy. Energy that comes from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, rain, ocean tides, geothermal, and biomass.

Stormwater Runoff. Precipitation (rain or snowmelt) that is not used by plants, evaporated or infiltrated to soils, and transported across land surfaces to streams or other surface water bodies.

Wastewater. Water (either treated or untreated) that has been affected by human use, including household, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities.

Water Quality. The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.

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Packet Pg. 849 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element December 2022 Public Review Draft 6-3
Water Delivery
Water service is provided to much of the city by the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Martinez Water District (MWD) provide water service to areas within the western part of the city. The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) and the EBMUD also provide recycled water services and the Diablo Vista Water System (DVWS) provides nonpotable water for irrigation to over 475 residents in the Poets Corner area of the City. In this section, CCWD, EBMUD, MWD, and Central San are collectively referred to as “water providers”. [Source: New Text]
Ensure adequate water supply to existing and future development. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 11, modified]
PFS-1.1 Preserve and Enhance Water Supply
Support the water providers in their efforts to preserve and enhance the water supply. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-1.2 Infrastructure Maintenance
Collaborate with water providers in their efforts to maintain wastewater conveyance, treatment, and disposal infrastructure in good working conditions within the city. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-1.3 Water-Saving Devices
Require the use of water-saving devices (e.g., low flow faucets and shower heads, dual flush toilets) in new developments and plumbing-related remodels. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-1.4 Reclaimed Water Use
Require new development to incorporate reclaimed water infrastructure into site and landscaping design and facilities in building/home design and business operations as allowed by applicable agency guidelines. [Source: New Policy] PFS-1.5 Water Services Requirement
Ensure that water services for new developments does not negatively affect service to existing uses. [Source: Community Development Policy 11A] PFS-1.6 Water Provider Coordination
Coordinate with water providers to ensure that new proposed development can be adequately served by the water supply system prior to approving the development. [Source: Community Development Program 11.1, modified]

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Packet Pg. 850 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
6-4 Public Review Draft December 2022
Wastewater Collection
Pleasant Hill is served by Central San. Central San provides wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services; recycled water production and distribution; and household hazardous waste collection for nearly half a million residents in a 145-square-mile service area including Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. [Source: New Text] Ensure that adequate wastewater facilities and services are available to meet the needs of existing and future development. [Source: New Goal] PFS-2.1 Infrastructure Maintenance
Collaborate with Central San in their efforts to maintain wastewater conveyance, treatment, and disposal infrastructure in good working conditions within the city. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-2.2 New Development
Coordinate the review of development proposals with Central San to ensure that new development can be adequately served. [Source: New Policy] PFS-2.3 Wastewater Services Requirement
Ensure that wastewater services for new developments does not negatively affect service to existing uses. [Source: New Policy]
Storm Drainage and Flood Protection
Stormwater drainage and management is essential for controlling water runoff and discharge of pollutants into waterways. The City of Pleasant Hill is one of 76 local government entities subject to the requirements of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the San Francisco Bay Region (RWQCB’s) Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP). The MRP mandates implementation of a comprehensive program of stormwater control measures and actions designed to limit contributions of urban runoff pollutants to San Francisco Bay. Low Impact Development (LID) practices are currently implemented on land development projects in the city of Pleasant Hill, the specific methods and design criteria for which can be found referenced in Chapter 15.05 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control. [Source: New Text]According to the 2019 Green Infrastructure Plan, the City aims to shift its practices from conventional “collect and convey” storm drainage infrastructure to more resilient, sustainable stormwater management systems that reduce runoff volumes, disperse runoff to vegetated areas, harvest and use runoff where feasible, promote infiltration and evapotranspiration, and use natural processes to detain and treat runoff. A major challenge in creating this shift, however, is that storm drainage channels are largely on private property.

Property owners have been reluctant to provide drainage easement, limiting the ability to include green infrastructure planning for those areas. [Source: New Text] The City also operates a Clean Water Program. It exists to comply with State and Federal Clean Water regulations governing “non-point source” pollution and serves to implement the Pleasant Hill-specific

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components of the Contra Costa Clean Water Program, as well as NPDES permit activities. This program is funded through revenue generated through Stormwater Utility Area fees. [Source: New Text] The Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation District covers all of Contra Costa County, including its cities, and owns property throughout the county for the purpose of constructing and maintaining regional flood control basins, channels, and creeks. The District offers regional flood protection, and also provides technical information and education to cities and residents. Its operations are primarily funded through property taxes and developer fees. The Flood Control District works to reduce flood risk, promote stormwater quality and restore and enhance natural resource in an environmentally sensitive manner for the communities throughout Contra Costa County. [Source: New Text]
Flooding is a significant threat to Pleasant Hill, and there is a long history of major flooding incidents.

The principal flood problems as described in the 2017 Countywide Flood Insurance Study conclude that the flooding in Pleasant Hill has been caused by local runoff that exceeded stream channel capacities and has been greatly aggravated by blocked drainage facilities. The City has adopted Chapter 15.15 (Flood Damage Protection) of the Municipal Code which discusses development permits, standards of construction, standards for utilities, and allowed uses within designated floodplains. [Source: New Text]  NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to flooding and development impacts in designated flood plains are covered in the Hazards and Safety Element.

Provide a resilient, sustainable stormwater management system that reduces runoff volume and minimizes flood potential from existing and future development. [Source:

New Goal]
PFS-3.1 NPDES Permit Activities
Implement NPDES permit activities in compliance with State and Federal law to prevent stormwater pollution. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-3.2 Drainage Facility Maintenance
Collaborate with property owners and the Flood Control District to regularly maintain and provide funding for all drainage facilities to ensure that they continue operating at full carrying capacity. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-3.3 Green Infrastructure
Require new developments to install green infrastructure as required by the permit conditions of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, as part of their natural stormwater drainage systems, including but not limited to pervious pavement, infiltration basins, raingardens, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and other types of low impact development (LID). [Source: New Policy]

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PFS-3.4 Retrofit for Green Infrastructure
Encourage the retrofit of existing development to include sustainable infrastructure and green building practices. [Source: New Policy]
 NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to water resources including water supply, quality, and creek habitat are covered in the Environment Element.

Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling
Solid waste disposal and recycling services in Pleasant Hill are provided by a contract service provider.

This service provider offers solid waste, single-stream recycling, yard waste, organic waste, and bulk waste collection, as well as appliance recycling and commercial waste collection. State law requires commercial businesses and multifamily complexes to arrange for recycling services (AB 341). Per City ordinance, however, recycling service in Pleasant Hill is mandatory for commercial businesses and all residences. The City Solid Waste and Recycling Program and Solid Waste Ordinance provide programs and regulations that provide direction for solid waste and recycling diversion from the landfills, and recycling grants for used motor oil and beverage containers. The City also provides information on how to dispose of items that may require special procedures, including household hazardous waste, electronic waste, prescription medication, sharps (e.g., needles), and other miscellaneous recycling items (e.g., furniture).

Contra Costa County Central Sanitation District (Central San) teamed up with Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) in 1997 to build and operate the first permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility in Contra Costa County. The HHW Collection Facility is located adjacent to Central San wastewater treatment plant in Martinez, west of Solano Way from Highway 4. Hazardous waste generated from households in the central Contra Costa County area is accepted at no charge upon drop-off. To keep hazardous waste disposal to a minimum, and to assure products are used up as they were intended, the HHW Collection Facility offers a Reuse Program that allows residents and businesses to take usable products, for example, paint, automotive products, and household cleaners at no charge. [Source: New Text]
 NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to zero-waste and sustainability are covered in the Environment Element.

Continue and improve upon efforts to divert waste from landfills. [Source: New Goal] PFS-4.1 Sustainable Solid Waste and Recycling Services
Work with contract service provider to advance their sustainability initiatives to increase recovery of key materials and development of regenerative landfills. [Source:

New Policy]

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PFS-4.2 Waste Reduction Education
Collaborate and partner with local organizations to provide waste reduction education programs to residents and businesses. [Source: New Policy] PFS-4.3 Recycle and Reuse Building Materials
Require the recycling and reuse of building materials during demolition and construction including roadway projects. [Source: New Policy] Utilities
Energy production, conservation, and patterns of energy consumption are of growing importance to individuals, agencies, and jurisdictions. For residential structures, space heating and cooling is the most energy-consuming activity. Finding ways to reduce energy consumption can also help with the City’s efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions. In Pleasant Hill, gas and electricity services are currently (2021) provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). Effective April 2021, MCE, a not-for-profit public agency, will be providing renewable electricity in Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Text] As the global economy becomes more interconnected and more dependent on virtual tools, access to the internet is increasingly an equity issue. Now more than ever, telecommunications and broadband access is an essential component of community, business, and education infrastructure, promoting social and economic development as well as human and technological capacity-building. In Pleasant Hill, broadband and cellular services are currently (2021) provided by several private companies. [Source: New Text]
Provide for the current and future energy and telecommunications needs of Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Goal]
PFS-5.1 Provision of Utilities
Work with public, quasi-public, and private utility providers as practicable to provide adequate levels of service to city residents. [Source: New Policy] PFS-5.2 Coordination with Utility Providers
Coordinate with energy providers in the siting and design of gas and electric facilities to minimize environmental, aesthetic, and safety impacts. [Source: New Policy] PFS-5.3 Co-Location of Telecommunication Facilities
Encourage compatible co-location of telecommunication facilities and work with service providers to site telecommunications facilities on City-owned property or public rights-of-way. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-5.4 Utility Undergrounding
Require the undergrounding of local-serving utilities in areas of the city undergoing redevelopment or significant construction. [Source: New Policy]

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PFS-5.5 Telecommunication Technologies
Support the implementation of telecommunication technologies to attract new businesses and meet the changing communication needs of city residents and businesses. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-5.6 Fiber Optic Cable Access
Explore opportunities to expand the city's fiber optic infrastructure. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-5.7 Residential Electric Utility Use
Encourage the use of electric appliances and utility hook-ups in all new residential development. [Source: New Policy]
 NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to sustainability and conservation are covered in the Environment Element.

Law Enforcement
The quality of the City’s Police Department and its relationship with the community has a direct impact on Pleasant Hill’s overall safety, security, sense of cohesion, economic development and quality of life.

The City of Pleasant Hill Police Department provides law enforcement and dispatch services from a single station located at 330 Civic Drive. The City of Pleasant Hill Police Department provides emergency response on average within five minutes and a 20-minute response for 95 percent of nonemergency calls. According to the May 2019 Contra Costa LAFCo Municipal Service Review (MSR), the City has 1.3 full-time equivalent sworn personnel per 1,000 residents. [Source: New Text] Provide high-quality public safety and crime reduction services to maintain a safe and secure community. [Source: New Goal]
PFS-6.1 Police Staffing
Maintain Police Department staffing levels in line with community needs. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-6.2 Development Review
Include the Police Department in the review of development proposals to ensure that crime and safety issues are consistently addressed in the review of new development.

Such review shall take a comprehensive approach to public safety and promote the implementation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles, as appropriate. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-6.3 Public Communications
Use a variety of communication methods (e.g., social media, text messaging, television and radio alerts, website postings) to communicate and inform residents and businesses about crimes, investigations, and emergencies. [Source: New Policy]

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Continue to uphold police-community trust, engagement, and collaboration. [Source:

New Goal]
PFS-7.1 Professional Standards and Training
Promote policing strategies, standards, and training that prioritize de-escalation, awareness of implicit bias’ and practices that safeguard individual rights and liberties. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-7.2 Community Engagement
Enhance a community presence beyond policing duties, including, but not limited to, hosting events in neighborhoods and schools. [Source: New Policy] Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response
Fire protection and emergency medical response services are provided by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) from two stations in Pleasant Hill, Station #2 (2012 Geary Road), Station #5 (205 Boyd Road) and Station #9 (209 Center Ave, Pacheco). The CCCFPD provides fire protection response on average within five minutes. CCCFPD serves a 304-square-mile area of Contra Costa County stretching from San Pablo to Antioch, includes 25 fire stations, 27 fire companies, and 288 firefighters, and is the exclusive provider of ambulance services in the District. [Source: New Text]  NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to emergency response and preparedness, wildfire emergencies, and public health emergencies are covered in the Hazards and Safety Element.

Advocate for high-quality fire emergency response citywide to prevent and minimize injury, loss of life, and property damage. [Source: New Goal] PFS-8.1 First Response Travel Time
Work with the CCCFD to ensure that first response travel time is maintained and enhanced where possible. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-8.2 Emergency Response Facilities and Personnel
Work with the CCCFD to continue to increase the emergency response facilities and personnel necessary to meet residential and employment growth in the city. [Source:

New Policy]
PFS-8.3 Fire Safety Requirements for New Developments
Require new development to incorporate adequate emergency water flow, fire resistant design and materials, and evacuation routes. [Source: New Policy]

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PFS-8.4 Emergency Vehicle Accessibility
New development shall incorporate necessary emergency vehicle access and not impede the ability of service providers to provide adequate emergency response. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-8.5 Secondary Emergency Access Route Requirement
Require secondary emergency access routes for all areas of the city currently lacking dual access. [Source: Community Development Policy 10A, modified] Schools
Schools are an essential part of the community social fabric. There are a wide variety of schools in Pleasant Hill, including public elementary, middle, and high schools; pre-schools and kindergartens; alternative high schools; religiously affiliated schools; and special education schools. Pleasant Hill is also home to a higher-education institution, Diablo Valley College.

Mt. Diablo Unified School District, which serves Pleasant Hill, is a K-12 district with more than 31,000 students in over 50 schools as of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition to Pleasant Hill, the District also serves the cities of Clayton and Concord, portions of the cities of Martinez, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek, and communities in the unincorporated county. [Source: New Text] Promote excellence in public education. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 12]
PFS-9.1 School Contribution
Acknowledge and support the contribution of schools to the socioeconomic health of the city. [Source: Community Development Policy 12A]
PFS-9.2 High-Quality Education
Support the efforts of local educational institutions and school districts to provide high-quality education and facilities. [Source: Community Development Policy 12B, modified]
PFS-9.3 Support Qualified Teacher Recruitment
Support public and private schools in teacher recruitment, facilities planning, housing and other key efforts. [Source: Community Development Program 12.1, modified] PFS-9.4 Support Education/Schools Advisory Committee
Continue to address issues of concern to the Pleasant Hill Schools with the Mount Diablo Unified School District through the City’s Education Commission and Education Task Force Commission. [Source: Community Development Program 12.2] PFS-9.5 Support of School Upgrades
Support upgrading and updating public educational institutions, facilities, additions and improvements. [Source: New Policy]

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6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element December 2022 Public Review Draft 6-11
PFS-9.6 Collection of School Impact Fees
Continue to collect Mt. Diablo Unified School District school impact fees for new residential development. [Source: Community Development Program 13.3, modified] PFS-9.7 Coordination and Communication
Improve communication and cooperative interaction among all schools (public, private, and charter) and the Recreation and Park District. [Source: Community Development Policy 13A, modified]
PFS-9.8 Physical and Cultural Connections
Establish strong physical and cultural connections between the City, Diablo Valley College, and local schools that result in creative, proactive opportunities for cooperation. [Source: Community Development Policy 13B] PFS-9.9 Elementary Schools as Community Focal Points
Coordinate with the school districts and Recreation and Park District to use existing educational facilities for social, cultural, and recreational activities. [Source: Community Development Policy 13C, modified]
Libraries
Contra Costa County operates a Pleasant Hill Branch library in a partnership with the City of Pleasant Hill that provides for the facility and maintenance of the facility. Pleasant Hill (as the former central library) has historically had the highest “per hour” circulation of all Contra Costa library branches until the closure in 2020. Of the books checked out at the branch in fiscal year 2017-2018, nearly 40 percent were checked out by Pleasant Hill residents, with the remaining 60 percent checked out by nonPleasant Hill residents. The library collection includes* books, and audiovisual items, audiobooks, as well as computers with free Internet access and Wi-Fi throughout the facility. The library hosts a variety of community programs from storytimes for early learning, to creative workshops for makers of all ages.

In 2017, with newly acquired funding from Measure K, the Pleasant Hill City Council selected an architect to design and construct a new library to replace the old library built in 1961. Construction began in Fall of 2020 and completed in Summer of 2022. The new library expands services to the Pleasant Hill community with new amenities such as a Friends of the Library Bookstore, flexible story lab, an interactive maker space, an outdoor activity yard, and a covered outdoor reading terrace. *The Pleasant Hill Library collections represent one facet of the County's shared catalog of over 1 million items, with access to many more millions of free titles through interlibrary loan. Although the Pleasant Hill Library once held over 100,000 volumes in the pre-internet era, the rise of online research and eBooks has led to smaller, curated physical browsing collections over the decades. The new Pleasant Hill Library opened with nearly 60,000 brand new volumes in July 2022. In 2020/21, approximately 2/3 of all checkouts were digital downloads.

Ensure access to library facilities and services to meet the educational and informational needs of the community. [Source: New Goal]

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PFS-10.1 City Library Facility
Ensure that the City Library facility continues to provide high-quality services and education forums for residents and seeks to serve all members of the community. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-10.2 Library Operating Hours
Support a broad range of operating hours for the community to use the library and associated amenities. [Source: New Policy]
PFS-10.3 Benefits of the Library
Support the library in providing a diverse set of amenities for patrons, programs and events, and access to technological resources. [Source: New Policy] PFS-10.4 Lifelong Learning
Maintain and develop library programs and services that contribute to the personal education of adults (of all ages) pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. [Source: New Policy]
Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
A Diablo Vista Feasibility Study
Prepare a study to evaluate the longterm feasibility and provision of Diablo Vista (DV) water services in the
community. [Source: New Program]
PFS-1.6 Engineering
Division
City Manager


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6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element December 2022 Public Review Draft 6-13
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
B Capital Improvements Program
When updating the Capital
Improvements Program, identify and
include the following:
• Projects that could also support
green infrastructure
improvements.
• Street improvements consistent
with emergency vehicle access
standards.
• City-sponsored projects
necessary to maintain or
improve levels of performance.
[Source: Community Development
Program 10.1, modified]
PFS-3.1
PFS-3.2
PFS-3.3
PFS-3.4
PFS-9.4
PFS-9.5
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
City Manager

C Energy Efficiency Public Campaign
Develop a public outreach campaign on
the benefits of energy efficiency and
what steps residents and businesses
can take to be more energy efficient.
[Source: New Program]
PFS-3.4 City Manager
Planning
Division

D Green Retrofit Program
Seek funding to develop a program that
provides financial assistance and
informational resources to incentivize
homeowners and businessowners to
retrofit their properties with green
infrastructure. [Source: New Program]
PFS-3.4 Housing
Division
City Manager


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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
E “Dig Once” Open Trench Requirements
Prepare and maintain a list of utilityrelated infrastructure needs (e.g., for improved internet technologies) and
require the installation of purple pipe
and additional utility conduit associated
with identified needs in the public
rights-of-way when a trench is opened
for major utility projects. [Source: New
Program]
PFS-5.1 Engineering
Division
City Manager
Building
Division

F Undergrounding Utilities Study
Prepare a study to analyze varying
methods of implementing
undergrounding of utilities on a citywide
scale. [Source: New Program]
PFS-5.4 Planning
Division
Engineering
Division

G Undergrounding Requirements
Prepare an amendment to the Zoning
Ordinance that includes criteria for
determining when the undergrounding
of utilities is required. [Source: New
Program]
PFS-5.4 Planning
Division
Engineering
Division


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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
H Communications Master Plan
Prepare a Communications Master
Plan, which provides a framework to
guide the evaluation, planning,
implementation, and management of
the City's communications
infrastructure, including but not limited
to outlining the necessary coordination
between different government agencies
when installing new communications
infrastructure. [Source: New Program]
PFS-5.5
PFS-5.6
Engineering
Division
City Manager
Building
Division

I Natural Gas Ban Study
Prepare a study to analyze the
implementation of a natural gas ban for
all new residential development.
[Source: New Program]
PFS-5.7 Planning
Division
Engineering
Division

J College/University Liaison
Establish a Diablo Valley College liaison
to address issues of mutual concern
and potential community-wide benefit.
[Source: Community Development
Program 13.2]
PFS-9.1
PFS-9.2
City Manager  

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December 2022 Public Review Draft 7-1
Parks and recreation provide many benefits to a community and its citizens, including economic, health, environmental, social, and overall quality of life. Similarly, open spaces are important recreational, natural resource, and cultural assets that provide wildlife habitat, wilderness protection, groundwater retention, active recreational uses, historic landscapes, and visual corridors. The Open Space, Parks, and Recreation includes goals, policies, and programs addressing open space, parks, recreation facilities, and access conditions in Pleasant Hill.

The Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element is divided into the following sections:

Contents
Section Title Page

Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Open Space..................................................................................................................... 2 Parks and Recreation..................................................................................................... 3 Community Facilities ..................................................................................................... 7 Implementation Programs............................................................................................. 8

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Key Terms
Open Space. A parcel or area of land that is essentially undeveloped for human use and devoted to an open space use, such as the preservation of natural resources, managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, and preservation of public health and safety.

Park. An open area that offers recreational and green space for residential and visitor use.

Park, Active. Land used for outdoor activities that that include additional onsite infrastructure.

Park, Passive. Land used for outdoor activities that has a limited impact and minimal development on land designated for recreation or open space. Passive recreations space would include but is not limited to, hiking mountain cycling, boating, and nature observation.

Park Facilities. Private or publicly buildings, structures, venues, or amenities located in a designated park.

Open Space
The open spaces of Pleasant Hill are in the northern and western parts of the city and total almost 370 acres of land. These areas include a multitude of walking and hiking trails, grass fields, and creeks for residents and visitors to explore. Open space areas in Pleasant Hill include the Contra Costa Country Club, Grayson Woods Golf Course, Las Juntas Open Space, Paso Nogal Park and Open Space, Valley High, Ridgeview, and Woodside Hills Open Space.

Preserve, enhance, and protect a continuous system of open space areas, hillsides, and natural features. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 20, modified]
OSP-1.1 Open Space Preservation
Keep open space and undeveloped hillsides free of future development. [Source:

Community Development Policy 20A, modified]
OSP-1.2 Regional Coordination
Encourage and coordinate with Contra Costa County, the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District, and organizations like the East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa Water District, and John Muir Land Trust in the preservation of open space resources within and surrounding the city. [Source: New Policy]
OSP-1.3 Access to Open Space Resources
Ensure that the public has equitable access to all parts of the city to experience and appreciate open space resources. [Source: New Policy]

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OSP-1.4 Connected Open Space Areas
Integrate, wherever possible, the local open space and parks systems with the open space systems of nearby communities and the region to create and preserve a continuous and connected system of open space areas. [Source: New Policy] Parks and Recreation
The Pleasant Hill Rec Recreation and Park District (PHRPD), a Special District that operates as an independent government agency, provides and manages parks, facilities, open space, and recreation programs and events throughout the Pleasant Hill community. The PHRPD serves an area about 20 percent larger than the city of Pleasant Hill. Within the city, Pleasant Hill has approximately 180 acres of parkland that offer playgrounds, sports fields, and barbecue and picnic areas for adults and children alike. Several of the parks located in Pleasant Hill as described below also include a diverse range of other amenities including dog parks, historical identifiers, and hiking and biking trails. The following are public parks in Pleasant Hill (Figure OSP-1):
 Chilpancingo Park is a 2.5-acre passive undeveloped park among redwood and oak trees.  Brookwood Park is a 6.3-acre neighborhood park, located outside the City limits, with amenities that include picnic and barbeque areas, surfaced court and a children’s play area with a play structure.
 Frank Sangilfere Park large park with vast open space areas, as well as rentable venue facilities and a gazebo.
 Rodgers-Smith Park is a 4.5-acre park which includes reservable picnic areas, a softball/sports field, sand volleyball court, play structure, surfaced basketball court, and lighted bocce courts.  Paso Nogal Open Space and Dog Park is an open space area with a 2.5-acre public dog park with 63 acres of hiking trails.
 Pleasant Hill Park is a 16.5-acre space that includes play structures, baseball, softball, sand pits, bocce ball, community gardens, teen center, and the aquatic center.  Pleasant Hill Park is a 11.5-acre space that includes four baseball fields, soccer fields, all abilities play structure, a snack shack, and restroom facilities.  Shannon Hills Park is a 2.1-acre neighborhood park with a small tot play area, walking paths and picnic tables providing a scenic outdoor setting.
 Dinosaur Hill Park is a 13.6-acre open space park with trails for hiking and scenic views.  Sherman Acres Park is a small 0.16-acre neighborhood park for pre-school-aged children with a playground and picnic table.

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 Shadowood Park is a 2.5-acre passive park with a playground and basketball hoop.  Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center is a historic site just under two acres in size. The Rodgers farmhouse is the oldest house in Pleasant Hill, built around 1867 and expanded in the early 1900s. The site includes an urban farm that serves as an education center, hosting workshops and events including farm-to-table culinary courses, gardening, and permaculture. The Heritage Center also offers a summer day camp, hosts field trips and a harvest festival, and provides tours to the public.

The PHRPD also has programs to serve all ages and interests. Separated by age groups, programs range from sports leagues and aquatics programs, to urban farming classes. Residents of all ages can explore their passion for theatre or learn computer skills or coding at any of the six community centers.

Children as young as two-and-a-half years old can begin attending community programs or participate in preschool offered by the Recreation and Park District. For children three to five years of age, additional recreational opportunities are provided including swim lessons, sports, theater, and daytime summer camps.

Teens can enroll in enhanced recreation activities including summer camps, sports leagues and enrichment classes focusing on performing arts and computer coding. The Aquatics Center also offers teens the opportunity to participate in water sports, fitness classes, lifeguard training, and a swim team.

The local Teen Council has teen representatives directly involved in community recreation programs, allowing them to plan activities, classes, sports, and trips for students grade six through college. There are numerous opportunities for adults and seniors, including advanced art classes, dance, fitness activities, sports leagues, daytrips and excursions, and even international travel tours. Adult enrichment classes are also offered in creative writing, retirement planning, computer skills, and wine tasting. In an effort to provide the best range of courses, the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District has partnered with Ed2Go to offer a wide variety of courses in topics such as finance, computer skills, college prep, and personal development.

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7. Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 7-5
Figure OSP-1 Parks and Open Space

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Support the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District’s efforts to offer high-quality park, recreation (e.g., sports fields), and trail facilities for residents and visitors. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goals 17 and 18, modified] OSP-2.1 Recreation Facilities Planning
Plan for appropriate sites for new recreational facilities, including playing fields, tennis courts, and other facilities. [Source: Community Development Policy 18A] OSP-2.2 Recreational Programs for All
Advocate for and support PHRPD in their efforts to provide a wide range of recreation programs that are appropriate to a wide range of ages (e.g., youths, seniors), interests (e.g., sports, arts), and backgrounds which reflect Pleasant Hill’s cultural diversity. [Source: Community Development Policy 17A and Goal 19, modified] OSP-2.3 Expand Youth Programs
Encourage new and expanded youth recreation and extracurricular educational programs. [Source: Community Development Policy 19A]
OSP-2.4 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Advocate for and support PHRPD in their efforts to provide recreation programs accessible to those with disabilities and strive to improve accessibility of existing recreation programs. [Source: New Policy]
OSP-2.5 Accessibility for Persons of All Income Levels
Advocate for and support PHRPD in their efforts to make all programs available regardless of participants’ ability to pay, through scholarships, fee waivers, program cost underwriting, and other available methods. [Source: New Policy] OSP-2.6 Parkland Standard
Work with the PHRPD to establish and achieve a standard of 3 acres of developed parkland per 1,000 population. [Source: Community Development Program 17.2] OSP-2.7 Expand Recreation and Park Facilities
Work with the PHRPD in supporting implementation outlined in the2020 Parks, Facilities & Recreation Master Plan to facilitate development and expansion of recreation and park facilities. [Source: Community Development Program 18.1] OSP-2.8 Equitable Access to all Parkland
Work with the PHRPD to identify parcels for new parks and open space preservation to ensure all residents have access to parkland within a one-mile radius of their place of residence regardless of socio-economic status. [Source: New Policy]

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Community Facilities
Pleasant Hill has six community facilities for events:
 Pleasant Hill Community Center. A venue ideal for weddings, parties, business meetings, and events. Includes a reception area, meeting rooms, a dance studio, and an outdoor pavilion.  Winslow Center. A self-service events facility featuring two rooms for rent and a playground. The space includes an assembly room that seats up to 120 people with a stage area.  Senior Center. A facility that is home to programs offered for adults age 50 and up Monday through Friday, including events, nutritional programs, classes, and health services such as insurance counseling and blood pressure screening.
 Teen Center. A facility that offers programs for Middle School students, including social events, classes, after-school programs, and summer camps. Room rentals are available.  Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center. A historic ranch with a restored house and urban farm. The space hosts educational events and gardening classes while preserving the buildings on site.  Aquatic Park. A facility that features a 25-yard pool with diving boards, a shallow water pool, a sprayground, and picnic areas. Programs include swim lessons and aquatic events.

Pleasant Hill residents receive a discounted rate on room rentals, classes, programs, and each community facility offers different amenities.

Ensure the provision of a variety of community facilities that are well-maintained and accessible to all residents. [Source: New Goal]
OSP-3.1 Awareness of Facilities
Work with the PHRPD to provide information about available recreational and community facilities and strive to make all residents aware of these facilities and the programs offered in each. [Source: New Policy]
OSP-3.2 Support Facility Needs
Support the community’s needs by working with PHRPD to implement the 2020 Parks, Facilities & Recreation Master Plan). [Source: New Policy]

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Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026 – 20302031 – 2040AnnualOngoing
A Maintain Land Coverage Constraints
Ensure the Zoning Ordinance continues
to require aesthetic and land coverage
constraints on new land divisions in
open space and undeveloped hillside
areas. [Source: Community Development
Program 20.2]
OSP-1.1
OSP-1.5
Planning
Division
City Council

B Coordination with the Recreation and
Park District
Continue to coordinate with the
Recreation and Park District on efforts
and initiatives taking place in the city.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
OSP-2.2
OSP-2.3
OSP-2.4
OSP-2.5
OSP-2.6
OSP-2.7
OSP-5.1
OSP-5.2
Planning
Division
City Manager
 
.

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The Environment Element aims to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and historical resources that make Pleasant Hill a unique place. The element includes goals, policies, and programs related to air and water quality; natural, biological, and cultural resources; and sustainability in Pleasant Hill.

The Environment Element is divided into the following sections:

Contents
Section Title Page
Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Water Resources............................................................................................................ 3 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 6 Historic and Cultural Resources ................................................................................... 9 Air Quality...................................................................................................................... 11 Sustainability ................................................................................................................ 12 Implementation Programs........................................................................................... 17

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Key Terms
100-year Flood Zone. Areas with a one percent risk of flooding in any given year. 500-year Flood Zone. Area with a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year.

Aquifer. An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials that can contain or transmit groundwater below the ground surface.

BAAQMD. Bay Area Air Quality Management District; the public agency responsible for regulating stationary air pollution sources in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Channelization. Stream bank engineering strategies that include concrete waterways, piling rocks, and creating berms used to redirect water from flood plains or to protect the edges of a waterway from erosion.

Conservation. Natural resource management to prevent waste, destruction, or neglect.

Critical Habitat. Specific areas designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as essential to the conservation of a federally-listed species and which may require special management considerations or protection. On City, county, state, or private land where there is no federal involvement, a critical habitat designation has no regulatory impact. In other words, designation of critical habitat generally does not affect non-federal land unless and until the property owner needs a federal permit or requests Federal funding for a project.

Cultural Resources. Any prehistoric or historic remains or indicators of past human activities, including artifacts, sites, structures, landscapes, and objects of importance to a culture or community for scientific, traditional, religious, or other reasons.

Green Building Code. Building codes that go beyond minimum code requirements that raise the bar for energy efficiency, serve as a proving ground for future standards, and incorporate elements beyond the scope of the model energy codes, such as water and resource efficiency.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect of the planet by absorbing infrared radiation. Common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, among others.

Groundwater. Water present beneath Earth’s surface in soil pore spaces and in rock formation fractures.

Historical Resources. A district, site, building, structure, or object that is significant in the history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, or culture and is typically 50+ years old.

Impervious Surface. Surfaces impenetrable by water.

Permeable Paving. Paving that enables stormwater runoff infiltration.

Recycled Water. Wastewater that has been treated for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, and replenishing ground water basins.

Renewable Energy. Energy produced from natural resources, including solar, wind, rain, tides, geothermal, and biomass.

Riparian Area. A zone of transitional habitat between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, dependent on the existence of perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral surface or subsurface water, such as the bank of stream, river, or lake.

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RWQCB. San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board; the public agency responsible for regulating water quality in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Sensitive Species. Wildlife species or their habitat that have small or declining populations or are atrisk for decline or extinction.

Sphere of Influence. A planning boundary that designates the probable future boundary and service area of a city or special district.

Water Quality. The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.

Watershed. The land surface area from which water drains into a common point.

Wetlands. 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. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

Water Resources
Water resources of the greatest interest in Pleasant Hill include water supply, water quality, groundwater recharge, and water recycling and conservation. An adequate and high-quality water supply is an essential need, and as such, the government regulates water supply, quality, and use.

Because water moves across jurisdictional boundaries above ground and through aquifers, much of the regulation occurs at the regional, State, and Federal levels. Nonetheless, cities have legal authority over development and land use, which means they need to consider the adequacy of water supplies relative to the effects of development on the quantity and quality of water available to the community and its biological resources.

The long-term adequacy of groundwater and surface water resources has become a major public concern in California. Issues include lowered groundwater levels, salt loading, water needs of wildlife, increased storm water runoff, sediment and pollutant loading in runoff, summer rationing in dry years, water use rates, conservation methods, water storage limitations, re-use of water, and continued changes in regulations.

Water Supply
Pleasant Hill water is supplied by four water districts: Contra Costa Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Diablo Vista Water System, and the Martinez Water District. The primary water source is the Sacramento-San-Joaquin River Delta. The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) provides landscape irrigation water that meets the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water requirements for unrestricted landscape irrigation. Approved uses include irrigation at schools, parks, playgrounds, roadway median strips, and sports fields. Water from Central San can also be used for construction project dust control.

Provide an adequate water supply for residential, business, and other uses needed to support the existing and projected city population. [Source: New Goal] ENV-1.1 Adequate Water Supply and Delivery
Work with water districts and Central San to assure adequate water supply for, and delivery to, existing and future customers in Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Policy]

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ENV-1.2 Green Building Code
Enforce the Green Building Code to ensure the design, construction, operation, use, and occupancy of new construction and remodeling are subject to contemporary water efficiency standards. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-1.3 Commercial and Business Water Conservation
Require new or remodeled commercial and industrial development to make changes that conserve water, to the extent feasible. This could include utilizing efficient plumbing fixtures, installing drought-tolerant and water-wise landscaping, and harvesting rainwater for irrigation. [Source: New Policy] ENV-1.4 Municipal Water Conservation
Require, where feasible, that City facilities install efficient plumbing fixtures in new construction or renovations, replacing inefficient plumbing fixtures, and installing drought-tolerant and water-wise landscaping to conserve water. [Source: New Policy] ENV-1.5 Water Conservation in Public Facilities
During construction or renovation of public facilities, institute water conservation measures such as hot-on-demand water faucets, low flush toilets, and low water using appliances. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-1.6 Recycled Water at Public Facilities
Partner with Central San to expand recycled water lines to public facilities to connect public landscape irrigation systems to a recycled water distribution system when renovating or developing new public facilities. [Source: New Policy] ENV-1.7 Water Supply Resiliency
Work with Central San and the DVWS to expand the use of recycled and other nonpotable water for landscape irrigation and other appropriate uses. [Source: Source:

Existing General Plan, Community Development Program 23.7]  NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to water service and district suppliers are covered in the Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element.

Water Quality
Depending on the location of a city, water quality can potentially be affected by saltwater intrusion from sea level rise, and watershed runoff of contaminants such as those used in automotive and manufacturing uses, dry cleaners, or other chemical and industrial processes. Pleasant Hill’s water quality is generally good with minimal exposure to contaminants, and consistently ranks high in annual water quality based on reporting from all four water districts.

A portion of eastern Pleasant Hill is in the FEMA 100-year flood plain hazard zone due to its proximity to Grayson Creek, which is subject to periodic flooding, in part because of debris. Sedimentation and debris in water sources like Grayson Creek can compromise water quality in the creek and the water bodies into which it flows.

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Protect the quality of water resources in Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Goal] ENV-2.1 Drainage System Maintenance
Maintain and upgrade the city drainage system, including regularly clearing drainage systems of debris build up that exacerbates flood impacts. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Policy 1A and 1B, modified]
ENV-2.2 Drainage Improvements
Cooperate with regional agencies to complete regional storm drainage improvements. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-2.3 Limit Parking Areas
Discourage additional parking for any new development unless the developer can demonstrate the need for additional parking. [Source: New Policy] ENV-2.4 Alternative Paving Methods
Encourage alternative materials and designs to limit driveways, parking areas and parking lots citywide, including pervious paving material, turf stones, and “ribbon strip” driveways. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-2.5 Alternative Drainage Design
Continue to require bioswales and other innovations in new development to allow runoff from parking lots and all impervious area to drain into landscaped areas and rainwater percolate into the ground. [Source: New Policy] ENV-2.6 Creek Preservation
Creek setbacks, where feasible, should exceed minimum regulatory setback guidelines to protect native vegitation and enhance creek environments. [Source: New Policy] ENV-2.7 Watercourse Preservation
Preserve natural watercourses or provide naturalized drainage channels within the city.

Where feasible, implement restoration and rehabilitation opportunities. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-2.8 Creek Clean-up
Collaborate with local and regional agencies, businesses, property owners, and organizations proactively to reduce litter, illegal dumping, and reestablish native vegetation along local creeks and waterways. [Source: New Policy]  NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to parks, open space, and subsequent areas for recreation are covered in the Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element.

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Biological Resources
Most land in the city and its sphere of influence is developed, limiting the amount of sensitive plant and animal habitat. Undeveloped hillsides and other open spaces in Pleasant Hill support pockets of grassland, oak woodland, and shrubland-chaparral habitat. The city also has a variety of plants and trees that provide additional cover and food for animals. This “urban habitat” includes residential and commercial landscaping and streetscape plantings. Rodents, small mammals, and birds use trees and vegetated areas for foraging and nesting. Some sensitive plant and animal species have been historically identified as having the potential to be present as well. These are provided in Table 6-1.

Grayson Creek, Murderers Creek (and several others see creek map) and the Contra Costa Canal form the major waterways in Pleasant Hill. Most of the wetlands in the city have been converted to urban use, and what remains are channelized streams. While the water ways include a portion that is paved and channelized, they still provide some habitat in the channel bottoms, where sediment collects and creates opportunities for plant and animal species to become established. Seasonally wet areas become evident during rainy periods and the creek corridors include limited wetlands and riparian vegetation that provide habitat for birds, amphibians, fish, and terrestrial species. The wetlands that remain in the city are important for recharge and filtering of water supplies.

Wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered in the surrounding area include the California redlegged frog and the Alameda whipsnake. Critical species in the San Joaquin Delta north of Pleasant Hill include the delta smelt and steelhead trout.

Vegetative Communities and Animal Species with the Potential to Occur in the Planning Area
Vegetative Communities Sensitive Plant Species Sensitive Animal Species Brackish Marsh/Mudflat
Freshwater marsh
Grassland
Seasonal wet grassland
Seasonal wet plowed grassland
Non-habitat
Oak woodland
Open water
Shrubland/chaparral
Alkali milkvetch
Antioch Dunes evening
primrose
Contra Costa goldfields
Contra Costa wallflower
Large-flowered fiddleneck
Mason’s Lilaeopsis
Mt. Diablo bird’s beak
Rock sanicle
Soft bird’s beak
Bay checkerspot butterfly
California clapper rail
California least tern
California red-legged frog
California tiger salamander
Giant garter snake
Lange’s metalmark butterfly
Longhorn fairy shrimp
Saltmarsh harvest mouse
San Joaquin kit fox
Source: Contra Costa Water District 2016
Pleasant Hill is also home to several protected tree species and is surrounded by critical habitat for animal species, although no critical habitat exists within the city limits. The City has taken steps to encourage the protection of a variety of tree species through the City Zoning Ordinance (Section

18.50.110). The Zoning Ordinance includes supplemental regulations to protect native oak trees and indigenous trees with a trunk diameter of nine inches or larger at a height of 24 inches above ground.

Preserve and restore streams, wetlands, and riparian areas to function as open space and wildlife corridors. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 21, modified]
ENV-3.1 Creek Protection Zone Establishment for New Development Establish creek protection zones for creeks that extend a minimum of 25 feet (measured from the top of a bank and a strip of land extending laterally outward from

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the top of each bank), with wider buffers where significant habitat areas or high potential wetlands exist. The City shall prohibit development within a creek protection zones, except as part of greenway enhancement, including habitat conservation, bike and walking paths, wildlife habitat, and native plant landscaping). City approval is required for the following activities within the creek protection zones:

1. Construction, alteration, or removal of any structure;

2. Excavation, filling, or grading;

3. Removal or planting of vegetation (except for removal of invasive plant species); or

4. Alteration of any embankment.
[Source: New Policy]
ENV-3.2 Creek Contamination and Sedimentation Prevention Require new development to use site preparation, grading, and construction techniques that prevent contamination and sedimentation of creeks and streams. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-3.3 Creek Bank Stabilization
Require new development proposals to include appropriate measures for creek bank stabilization, and any additional steps necessary to reduce erosion and sedimentation but preserve natural creek channels and riparian vegetation. [Source: New Policy] ENV-3.4 Stream, Wetland, and Riparian Reclamation
Reclaim degraded streams, wetlands, riparian areas, and wildlife migration corridors, where possible, in cooperation with the Flood Control District, and other local and regional organizations. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 21A, modified]
ENV-3.5 Reclamation with New Development
Require new development adjacent to creek protection zones to encourage the reclamation of adjacent creeks, wetlands, and riparian areas. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Program 21.1, modified]
ENV-3.6 Natural Stream Corridor Retention and Improvement Actively support the use of natural waterways within the city. The City will actively work to avoid any new channelization of creeks and waterways within the city and shall work with regional agencies to restore channelized sections to a more natural channel, where feasible. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-3.7 Erosion Control Plans
Require erosion control plans for new development that require significant grading or are near streams, wetlands, and riparian areas. The plans shall include recommendations for grading practices that prevent erosion, loss of topsoil, and scour of drainageways, consistent with biological and aesthetic values. [Source: New Policy]

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ENV-3.8 Educational and Research Access
Work with public and private landowners adjacent to creeks to allow access to creeks, waterways, and riparian areas for educational and research programs. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-3.9 Restoration and Creek Maintenance
Encourage all landowners in the city to remove invasive species, plant native plant species, and prevent pollution from entering local creeks and waterways. [Source: New Policy]
Protect and preserve natural habitat, plants, and wildlife. [Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 22, modified]
ENV-4.1 Minimize Development Impacts
Require new development and construction activities to minimize impacts and disturbances on plants and animals, including sensitive habitat and migration corridors, landforms, and trees. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 22A and Existing General Plan, Community Development Program

22.2, modified]]
ENV-4.2 Natural Habitat Protection
Preserve, protect, and improve remaining natural habitats, sensitive habitats for special status species, waterways, and wetlands. [Source: New Policy] ENV-4.3 Fish Bypass Facilities
Support efforts of the County to determine the feasibility of constructing fish bypass facilities for flood control drop structures in area creeks. [Source: Community Development Program 22.5]
ENV-4.4 Biological Resources Assessment
Require that applicants for development projects proposed to be in or adjacent to critical habitat areas to complete a site-specific biological resources assessment as part of the development review process and modify designs or add mitigations to reduce potential impacts. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-4.5 Special Status Species Protection
Cooperate with State and Federal agencies to ensure that new development does not substantially affect any special status species on State or Federal rare, endangered, or threatened species lists. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-4.6 Urban Forestation
Increase urban forestation by promoting urban site design that retains existing trees and includes native species, reducing the urban heat island effect. [Source: New Policy]

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Historic and Cultural Resources
Contra Costa County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area have a long, rich history of human habitation, with the earliest known records dating from around 200 BC. In general, archaeological research has focused on the coastal San Francisco Bay Area, where large shell mounds were easily identified in the landscape. Native American occupation of the region included the areas of modern Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. The larger Bay Area consisted of several independent tribal territories during prehistoric and early historic periods, including the Bay Miwok language speakers, who occupied the eastern parts of Contra Costa County, from Walnut Creek to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

While the area offered resources that Native American groups could utilize for food and other uses, there are no known ethnographic settlements in the outlying margins of the San Francisco Bay Area that include Pleasant Hill. Lithic scatters, quarries, habitation sites, petroglyph sites, milling features, and isolated burial sites have been documented and have the potential to occur throughout the city and its sphere of influence, however. Archaeological sites with evidence of these cultures are still found in and around Pleasant Hill. State records list seven Native American archeological sites in Pleasant Hill.

The city also has several historic homes and places, such as Rodgers Ranch and others listed below.

Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
The Rodgers family moved to the area in 1868 and established a 149-acre ranch where they grew crops and were active members of their community. Over time, the ranch changed hands and reduced in size until the original buildings were transformed into a heritage park at the recommendation of the Pleasant Hill Historical Society. Now, the Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center is just over two acres in size and includes the Rodgers’ farmhouse and an urban farm that serves as an education center, hosting workshops and events including farm-to-table culinary courses, master and organic gardening, and permaculture. The site is owned and managed by the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District (Rec. & Park) and offers a summer day camp, hosts field trips and a harvest festival, and provides tours to the public.

Potential Historic Sites and Structures
A partial list of other buildings and structures of potential historic significance is depicted on Figure 8-1 and include the following:
▪ Corrigan House. Two-story wood frame farmhouse built late 1910s. Adjacent chicken coop remodeled as living quarters.
▪ Allen House. Built in the 1920s as main house on same site as Corrigan House. ▪ Roche Ranch Barn. California style, 1905, with central loft and side stables. ▪ Pleasant Hill Grammar School. Oldest public building in city, 1920. Owned by Rec. & Park. ▪ Boss-Slater House. A one-story cottage that may have been moved from Slater Avenue. ▪ Dathe Barn. White frame two-story barn with front hayloft opening. ▪ Francisco House. Two-story cottage style with exposed rafters. ▪ Patrick Rodgers Ranch. Wood farmhouse and California style barn, 1868. Owned by Rec. & Park District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. ▪ Rodgers House. White frame 19th-century house.
▪ DeMartini House. One-story home of an early community leader. Now used as a place of business.

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▪ Brandon House. Berkeley style, 1921, shingle house with hip roof, fireplace. May have been moved from Brandon Road.
▪ Hook House. Arts and crafts bungalow.
▪ Hobart-Daily House. Ranch style house, 1938, built by then-owner of Rodgers Ranch. ▪ World War I Monument. Originally dedicated in 1927, this monument was relocated when Interstate 680 was built. It honors 76 men and one woman from the county who died in World War I. The World War I Monument is maintained by Contra Costa County.

The Zoning Ordinance contains overlay districts intended to protect and enhance historical and cultural resources, including by guiding development around them. The historic overlay district has been applied only to the Rodgers Ranch, discussed above. The cultural resources overlay district has not been utilized.

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Protect cultural and tribal resources. [Source: New Goal] ENV-5.1 Construction Monitoring
Require new development to monitor grading, ground-disturbing, and other major earth-moving construction activities by a qualified professional during construction in previously undisturbed areas or those with known archaeological resources. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-5.2 Consultation
Perform required consultation with the appropriate tribal organization(s) as part of projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). [Source: New Policy]
ENV-5.3 Cultural Resources Treatment
Ensure that treatment of any cultural resources discovered during site grading complies with State guidelines. [Source: New Policy]
Maintain designated historic sites and structures. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 25, modified]
ENV-6.1 Community Education
Work with the Pleasant Hill Library, community partners, and Pleasant Hill Historical Society to obtain, maintain, and display historical reference materials that provide educational background on the history of Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Policy] ENV-6.2 Historic Structures
Encourage the maintenance and preservation of historic structures and appropriately designate and protect historic sites and structures. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 25.A, modified]
Air Quality
Air quality is both a local and regional issue and has an important influence on the health and quality of life in Pleasant Hill. Poor air quality contributes to higher rates of asthma, respiratory disease, and some types of cancer. Most air-borne emissions come from vehicles using I-680 and major roadways such as Contra Costa Boulevard. Because pollutants drift across city boundaries, traffic on other nearby freeways, major roadways, and the air traffic at Buchanan Field Airport also impact air quality in the city.

Pleasant Hill overall has good air quality that is generally better than statewide and nationwide averages. But, like most of California, Pleasant Hill experiences ozone pollution in the summer months and particulate matter pollution in the winter months. The ozone and particulate matter pollution can also be exacerbated by natural hazard events, such as smoke from wildland fires. Air quality monitoring for Pleasant Hill indicates that the overall ozone and particulate pollutants are relatively low compared to other areas in the state, with fewer than seven days a year from 2015 to 2017 exceeding national standards.

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Meet or exceed State and Federal Air quality standards. [Source: New Goal] ENV-7.1 Air Quality Improvements
Promote actions that improve air quality and help meet air quality attainment standards. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Policy 8A, modified] ENV-7.2 Air Quality Strategies
Work with local and regional agencies to develop a consistent and effective approach to air quality planning and management that includes strategies to reduce vehicle trips, wood burning, and the burning of fossil fuels. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Program 8.1]
ENV-7.3 Fuel-efficient Vehicles
Require fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels for vehicles, including construction and maintenance equipment, by replacing the City vehicles and equipment with zeroemission vehicles and equipment and requesting that City contractors use reduced- or zero-emission fleets. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-7.4 Landscape Equipment
Prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment and publicize the benefits and importance of alternative technologies. [Source: New Policy] ENV-7.5 Sensitive Receptors
The City shall require that any new development considered a sensitive receptors (e.g., residential units, schools, medical facilities) proposed within 1,000 feet of I-680 or other major sources of toxic air contaminants prepare an operational health risk assessment. If TACs exposure at new sensitive receptor sites would exceed BAAQMD health risk thresholds, the City shall require mechanical air filtration or other measures be included as part of the project in order to reduce health risk exposure to acceptable levels.. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-7.6 Best Management Construction Practices
Require new development to use best management constuction practices in accordance with BAAQMD standards. [Source: New Policy]
 NOTE: Goals and policies pertaining to mobile source reductions relating to vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are covered in the Mobility Element.

Sustainability
A healthy and sustainable environment is one of the most critical components to a healthy life, high quality of living, and the long-term maintenance of important natural resources. By efficiently managing natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), Pleasant Hill can address the effects of climate change and preserve the quality of life in our community.

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This section focuses on community sustainability through goals and policies targeting energy conservation, green building, greenhouse gas reduction, and recycling and solid waste. These efforts will result in a cleaner, healthier, and more ecologically responsible Pleasant Hill.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
California has become a recognized global leader in the effort to reduce GHG emissions through establishing wide-ranging GHG reduction strategies. The primary GHG reduction legislation driving State and city climate action plans includes Assembly Bill (AB) 32, Senate Bill (SB) 32, and Executive Order (EO) B-55-18. These laws and directives have charted a path towards carbon neutrality for California by 2045.

In addition to the landmark climate change bills, California has also passed legislation that increases energy efficiency in buildings (Title 24), improves fuel efficiency in vehicles (Advanced Clean Cars Program), and most recently legislation that calls for 100 percent carbon neutral electricity by 2045 (SB 100).

While the impacts of climate change are imposing and the use of fossil fuels that drive it pervasive, there are solutions. National, state, and local governments worldwide are making changes to reduce the impacts of climate change to a manageable level. What is more, places like California have been making substantial reductions in GHG emissions while continuing to grow its gross domestic product by decarbonizing the economy and investing in clean energy and next-generation technologies.

Generally, there are two primary types of strategies to address climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation strategies focus of slowing or halting future warming by reducing or capturing GHG emissions. Examples include planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, increasing fuel efficiency to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per mile driven, and conserving electricity to lower GHG emissions associated with energy production. While mitigation strategies will curb some GHG emissions, these efforts are unlikely to halt climate change entirely. Adaptation strategies, which are discussed in the Safety Element of the General Plan, focus on actions to moderate the impacts of climate change. Examples of adaptation include use of drought-tolerant landscaping, reduced impermeable surfaces, and green building codes.

Energy Efficiency and Electrification
Increasing energy efficiency and the availability of renewable energy has great potential to contribute to GHG reduction and to preserve resources. The energy needed to light, heat, and power buildings is a stationary source of GHG emissions if produced using fossil fuels, the reduction of which is a key goal throughout the state. Energy use reductions can be achieved in a variety of ways, including optimizing energy efficiency in new construction, retrofitting existing buildings that facilitate energy use reduction; promoting energy and water conservation and efficiency; and encouraging the use of renewable energy.

Energy audits for residential and commercial uses and developer and building contractor education on energy conservation and efficiency techniques are other approaches to energy conservation. As California moves toward a cleaner energy grid and greater energy efficiency, residents and businesses in Pleasant Hill can take advantage of numerous programs, incentives, and improvements that foster greater energy independence, lower energy costs, and greener and safer energy options.

Natural gas is a common source of energy in many buildings in Pleasant Hill, as it is in other cities and counties in California and across the country. Reducing and potentially eliminating the use of natural gas in existing and future buildings is important to both meeting climate change goals and to creating safer cities and homes. Achieving greater electrification will also help communities reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 set by Senate Bill 100. An all-electric building that uses 100 percent

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renewable energy has zero carbon emissions, which can go a long way toward helping Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa County, and California reach its energy and climate change goals.

The City of Pleasant Hill adopted the California Building Standards Code by reference in 2019, including sections that govern energy efficiency (Title 24, Part 6) and Green Building Standards (Title 24, Part 11), also known as CALGreen. Developed as part of a comprehensive effort to meet the AB 32 GHG reductions schedule (reducing GHGs to 1990 levels by 2020), CALGreen provides cost-effective approaches to reduce energy use and water consumption, encourage access to alternate transportation modes, and other measures that provide energy reduction benefits.

Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
Some of the solid waste generated by residents and businesses in Pleasant Hill is diverted through recycling and reuse. The Solid Waste ordinance (Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Section 13.10 et seq.) regulates the way solid waste and recycling is managed in the city, including the services of franchise waste haulers. The Solid Waste and Recycling Plan includes strategies to divert from landfills and obtain grants that are used to encourage recycling of used motor oil and beverage containers. This Plan is a State requirement that indicates how the City will promote waste source reduction, recycling and composting, and environmentally safe transformation and disposal to help achieve the statewide goal of source-reduction, recycling, or composting of 75 percent of solid waste generated in California.

Become a low carbon community that strives to exceed State GHG reduction goals by 2040. [Source: New Goal]
ENV-8.1 Meet State Emission Reduction Targets
Reduce GHG emissions at a rate that meets the long-term State target to reduce emissions by at least 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2040. [Source: New Policy] ENV-8.2 Health and Economic Benefits
Prioritize implementation of GHG reduction projects that provide health and economic benefits for the community. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-8.3 Municpal GHG Reduction
Implement cost-effective GHG reduction strategies for City facilities and operations. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-8.4 Land Use and Transportation Priorities
Support land uses and transportation improvements that prioritize alternative transportation modes that will reduce the number and length of automobile trips. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-8.5 GHG Thresholds
Require new development projects that would exceed GHG thresholds to feasibly mitigate all GHG emissions and locally offset any remaining GHG emissions that exceed the threshold consistent with the City standards. [Source: New Policy]

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8. Environment Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 8-15
ENV-8.6 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Require installation of electric vehicle charging stations as a ratio of total required parking for new and redeveloped commercial and multi-family projects and require new single family residential development to include to 220 volt outlets in all garages. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-8.7 Grant Funding
Seek grant funding to support implementation of GHG reduction projects in municipal facilities, including rebates and other incentive opportunities. [Source: New Policy] ENV-8.8 Preferences for Firms Using Reduced-emissions Equipment Give preference for City contracts to firms using reduced-emissions equipment, including for services such as trash collection and landscaping. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Program 8.5, modified]
ENV-8.9 Sustainable Community Facility Design
Encourage the incorporation of sustainable design features in community facilities to reduce energy demand and environmental impacts, such as solar reflective roofing, permeable pavement, and incorporation of shade trees. [Source: New Policy] Improve efficiency and conservation in all development. [Source: New Goal] ENV-9.1 Energy Conservation Education
Partner with utility providers to educate residents, employers, and business owners/managers on the energy conservation programs available. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-9.2 Energy Efficiency Improvements
Require energy efficiency improvements, including alternative energy technology, be made as a part of residential and commercial building renovations when a building permit application is submitted to the City. [Source: New Policy replaces Community Development Policy 23A, modified]
ENV-9.3 Local Partnerships
Partner with local businesses and organizations to secure grants and incentives that facilitate energy efficiency and renewable energy production. [Source: New Policy] ENV-9.4 Municipal Buildings Efficiency and Conservation Require the design new public buildings to exceed State standards for water and energy efficiency. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Program

23.1, modified]
ENV-9.5 Battery Energy Storage Systems
Encourage battery energy storage systems as an option for optimizing the management of electricity generated by renewable resources. [Source: New Policy]

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ENV-9.6 Urban Tree Canopy
Encourage discretionary development to include the planting of shade trees on each property and within parking areas to reduce the retention and radiation of heat. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-9.7 Energy-Efficient Lighting
Require public facilities to use energy-efficient lighting technology for outdoor and indoor spaces. [Source: New Policy]
Become a low or zero-waste community with convenient and effective options for recycling, composting, and diverting waste from landfills. [Source: New Goal] ENV-10.1 Franchise Agreements
Ensure waste franchise agreements and programs offer progressively higher rates of waste diversion with the goal of attaining and eventually exceeding the mandated 75 percent diversion rate. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 23B, modified]
ENV-10.2 Green Purchasing
Evaluate and implement green purchasing options across all City departments and consider the life cycle effects of purchases. [Source: New Policy] ENV-10.3 Zero Waste Education
Provide simple zero-waste education programs in City facilities and other organizations and partner with schools to facilitate education programs about recycling, composting, and reusing with standardized zero-waste materials. [Source:

New Policy]
ENV-10.4 Composting Equipment
Provide composting equipment at community facilities and events to encourage public and commercial composting. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-10.5 Recycled Building Materials
Encourage new development projects to use recycled building materials where costeffective and structurally feasible. [Source: New Policy] ENV-10.6 Building Salvage and Roadway Construction Projects Require maximization of building salvage and recycling in remodeling or building demolition or roadway reconstruction projects when issuing demolition and encroachment permits. [Source: New Policy]
ENV-10.7 Recycling and Waste Diversion
Evaluate recycling and waste diversion opportunities periodically to consider new opportunities to further increase waste diversion. [Source: New Policy]

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8. Environment Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 8-17
ENV-10.8 Trash Reduction
Encourage the community to continue meeting the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Control Board Permit Requirements for Trash Reduction. [Source: New Policy] ENV-10.9 Reduction of Non-Recyclable/Compostable Products Reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste in the community. [Source: New Policy] ENV-10.10 On-Site Facilities in Existing Development
Require the City and encourage commercial businesses and business parks to install recycling and compost receptacles on their premises. [Source: New Policy] ENV-10.11 Reduce Waste in Operations
Require the City and encourage residents and businesses to reuse products, choose post-consumer recycled content products, reduce packaging waste, and use non-toxic cleaning products to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. [Source: New Policy]
Implementation Programs
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
A Water Conservation Education
Update promotion and educational
materials on communitywide water
conservation, including but not limited
to City website updates and quarterly
newsletters advertising regional rebates
and programs. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-1.3 Planning
Division
Engineering
Division
◼
B Water Conservation Programs
Develop and market a program to
facilitate the installation of waterconserving equipment or infrastructure beyond that already required by the City
or State. [Source: New Implementation
Program]
ENV-1.4
ENV-1.5
Planning
Division
Engineering
Division
◼

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Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
C Public Facility Water Conservation
Programs
Prepare and update every five years an
action plan for water conservation
measures in existing and new public
facilities, including using recycled water
for public roadways and facility
irrigation. [Source: New Implementation
Program]
ENV-1.4
ENV-1.5
Engineering
Division
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
D Water Conservation Ordinance
Review and update every five years, if
necessary, the water-efficient
landscape standards for consistency
with State provisions. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-1.4
ENV-1.5
ENV-1.6
ENV-1.7
Planning
Division
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
E Development Standards
Review and update every five years, if
necessary, the citywide design
guidelines to include latest technologies
for permeable surfaces, parking lot
drainage, and other ways to reduce
pollution in urban stormwater runoff.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
ENV-2.2
ENV-2.3
ENV-2.4
ENV-2.5
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
F Litter and Debris Removal in Creeks
Create a citywide litter and debris
removal and cleanup program that aims
to address sources of pollution that
affect local creeks and waterways by
partnering with local groups,
organizations, and agencies. [Source:

New Implementation Program]
ENV-2.8 City Manager ◼

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8. Environment Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 8-19
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
G Erosion Control
Revise and update every five years the
Municipal Code as necessary to require
best practices that reduce soil erosion
and minimize or eliminate the effects of
grading on loss of topsoil. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-3.1
ENV-3.3
ENV-3.7
ENV-3.8
Engineering
Division
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
H Creek Restoration Funding
Seek regional, State, and federal funding
sources to reclaim, restore, and
enhance local creeks and waterways in
order to:
• Reduce embankment erosion
and deterioration;
• Clearing debris to maintain free
flowing waterways; and
• Stabilize and restore stream
banks through the planting of
new vegetation. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-3.4
ENV-3.4
Engineering
Division
City Manager
◼
I Planting Education
Provide residents with education and
informational sources on invasive
plants species to avoid planting, as well
as locally native plants appropriate to
Contra Costa County and Pleasant Hill.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
ENV-3.10 Planning
Division
◼

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Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
J Tree Planting and Maintenance
Strategy
Prepare and update as necessary the
tree planting and maintenance strategy
to reduce ambient air temperature on
hot sunny days. This plan should be
reviewed and updated, as appropriate.
[Source: Existing General Plan,
Community Development Program 23.5,
modified]
ENV-4.6 Maintenance
Division
Planning
Division
Engineering
Division
◼
K Tribal Construction Monitors
Require tribal monitor(s) during all
activities in areas with cultural
resources of interest to local Native
American tribes. Both monitors shall
observe grading, ground-disturbing, and
other earth-moving activities. [Source:

New Implementation Program]
ENV-5.1 Planning
Division
◼

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8. Environment Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 8-21
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
L Tribal Consultation
Require the determination of the
significance of the cultural resource(s)
and development and implementation
of any data recovery program shall be
conducted by a qualified professional
and in consultation with interested
Native American tribes. All Native
American human remains and
associated grave goods shall be
returned to their most likely descendent
and repatriated. The final disposition of
artifacts not directly associated with
Native American graves shall be
negotiated during consultation with
interested tribes. If Native American
tribes do not accept the artifact, it shall
be offered to an institution staffed by
qualified professionals, as determined
by the City Planner. Artifacts include
material recovered from all phases of
work, including the initial survey, testing,
indexing, data recovery, and monitoring.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
ENV-5.1
ENV-5.2
ENV-5.3
Planning
Division
◼
M Identify Historic and Cultural Sites
Update the historic and cultural
resources survey to identify historic or
cultural sites eligible for resource
protection, with specific consideration
of structures 45 years old and older.
[Source: Existing General Plan,
Community Development Program 25.2,
updated, modified]
ENV-6
ENV-6.1
Planning
Division
◼

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Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
N Clean Fleet Program
Research potential funding
mechanisms, including grant funding, to
prepare and implement a clean fleet
program to purchase or lease of zero
emission, alternative energy vehicles
and equipment with the objective of
replacing all fossil fuel vehicles and
equipment. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-7.3
ENV-10.2
City Manager
Maintenance
Division
◼
O Climate Action Plan
Prepare a Climate Action Plan that
addresses all changes in State law
pertaining to climate change and
emissions, as well as setting GHG
threshold targets for the City. [Source:

New Implementation Program]
ENV-8.1
ENV-8.3
Planning
Division
City Manager
◼
P GHG Reduction and Source Alignment
Pursue a diverse mix of GHG reduction
strategies across a range of municipal
activities that generate GHG emissions
and perform municipal GHG inventories
at least once every five years to track
results for implementation elsewhere.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
ENV-8.3 Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
Building
Division
◼ ◼
Q Electric Vehicle Parking Regulations
Revise and update the Zoning
Ordinance Parking regulations, as
needed, to reflect current best practices
for electric vehicle charging considering
new state legislation banning
combustion engine vehicle by 2035.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
ENV-8.6 Planning
Division
◼

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8. Environment Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 8-23
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
R Energy Conservation Education
Create a program to educate, provide
access to a clearinghouse of available
grants, and other funding sources to
promote energy conservation and the
application of alternative energy
technology. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
ENV-9.1
ENV-9.3
Planning
Division
◼ ◼
S Zero Waste
Prepare and update as necessary a
zero-waste action plan to maximize
waste diversion. [Source:

Implementation Program]
ENV-10.1
ENV-10.2
ENV-10.3
ENV-10.4
ENV-10.5
ENV-10.6
ENV-10.7
ENV-10.8
Building
Division
City Manager
◼
T Recycled and Salvaged Building
Materials
Create educational information for
distribution to development project
applicants on the use of recycled
materials in new development and
redevelopment projects and roadway
projects. [Source: Implementation
Program]
ENV-10.6
ENV-10.7
ENV-10.8
Building
Division
Engineering
Division
◼
U Ban of Non-Recyclable/Compostable
Materials
Develop an ordinance to ban the use of
styrofoam, plastics straws, and other
petroleum-based, non-recyclable, or
non-compostable materials used for
food and beverage services, including
to-go and delivery items. [Source:

Implementation Program]
ENV-10.9 City Manager
City
Administration
Code
Enforcement
◼

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Packet Pg. 895 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) 9 9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-1
The Hazards and Safety Element evaluates natural and urban safety hazards in Pleasant Hill and outlines goals, policies, and implementation programs to minimize risk to life and property. The primary natural hazard threats for Pleasant Hill are earthquakes, drought, localized flooding, wildland fires, and an increased number of high heat days. Many of the goals and policies in this element correspond to local and regional safety priorities such as those established in the Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan (CCCHMP), a multi-jurisdictional document that helps coordinate more than three dozen participating jurisdictions to reduce risk from the most prevalent natural disasters in the county.

Likewise, many of the goals and policies will correspond with City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).

Noise issues in Pleasant Hill are described in section 9.7, with descriptions of common sources of noise and goals and policies to mitigate noise for sensitive land uses such as residential, schools, and medical facilities. Hazardous materials sources are covered in section 9.8, with goals and policies to reduce the use and dangers associated with such substances.

The Hazards and Safety Element is divided into the following sections:

Contents
Section Title Page
Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Emergency Preparedness.............................................................................................. 3 Seismic Hazards ............................................................................................................ 4 Wildfire............................................................................................................................ 9 Drought ......................................................................................................................... 12 Flooding ........................................................................................................................ 12 Airport-Related Hazards .............................................................................................. 16 Noise ............................................................................................................................. 18 Hazardous Materials.................................................................................................... 21 Public Health Emergencies ......................................................................................... 22 Implementation Programs........................................................................................... 23

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Key Terms
100-Year Flood Event. A flood event that would occur on average every 100 years, or that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
500-Year Flood Event. A flood event that would occur on average every 500 years, or that has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any given year.

Ambient Noise Level. The composite of noise from all sources; the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.

Decibel (dB). A physical unit commonly used to describe noise. It is a unit for describing the amplitude of sound as heard by the human ear.

Defensible Space. An area around a building in which vegetation, debris, and other types of combustible fuels have been treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire to and from the building.

Earthquake Fault Zone. Areas around active faults where there is a complex system of primary and secondary faults. Because most faults are not a single, clean fracture in the crust, fault zones describe the area at risk of seismic activity beyond the fault itself.

Equivalent Noise Level (Leq). The average A-weighted noise level during the measurement period.

Fault. A fracture in the earth’s crust along which rocks on one side have moved relative to those on the other side. Most faults are the result of repeated displacements over a long period of time. A fault trace is the line of the earth’s surface defining the fault. An active fault is one that has ruptured in the past 11,000 years.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Areas identified by California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) that describe fire hazard severity. based on three factors: fuel, slope, and weather.

Hazardous Substances. Any biological agent and other disease-causing agent which, after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person, will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions, or physiological deformations in such persons or their offspring.

Hazardous Waste. Hazardous wastes, although included in the definition of hazardous materials and hazardous substances, are regulated separately under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). A waste is legally considered hazardous if it is classified as ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Title 22, Section 66261.24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (i.e., 22 CCR 66261.24) defines characteristics of toxicity.

Intrusive Noise. Noise that intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise at a given location. The relative intrusiveness of a sound depends upon its amplitude, duration, frequency, time of occurrence, and tonal or informational content.

Liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when soil grains consolidate during groundshaking, pushing water towards the surface and causing a loss of strength in the soil. The soil surface may sink or spread laterally. The three conditions necessary for liquefaction to occur include: a high-water table; layers of loose sand; and moderate or greater earthquake groundshaking.

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9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-3
Runoff. Precipitation (rain or snowmelt) that is not used by plants, evaporated or infiltrated to soils, and flows across land surfaces to streams or other surface water bodies.

Seismic. Geologic movement or vibrations of the earth and its crust.

Soil Erosion. The removal of soil by water or wind.

Stormwater. Large surface water quantity resulting from heavy rain or snow falls.

Subsidence. The sinking of ground when subsurface pressure is reduced by the withdrawal of fluids (e.g. groundwater, natural gas, or oil).

Surface Rupture. Fault movement that breaks through to the surface.

Wastewater. Water (either treated or untreated) that has been affected by human use, including household, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities.

Wildland. Land in an uncultivated natural state that is covered by vegetation.

Wildland Urban Interface. The line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetation fuels.

Emergency Preparedness
All municipal governments are required to prepare for natural and human-caused disasters. The Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan (CCCHMP) for the county assesses Countywide risk for natural hazards and establishes mitigation measures, funding, and plan implementation actions for Pleasant Hill.

The City of Pleasant Hill adopted a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) in March 2020, in cooperation with the Pleasant Hill Disaster Council and Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services (OES), special districts and other partners in the City to ensure the most effective response to emergencies. The CEMP establishes emergency support by assigning tasks and establishing policies and procedures. It develops systems for coordinating the planning and response efforts of various emergency personnel and using the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and National Incident Management System (NIMS). The CEMP provides preparedness guidance, as well as specific guidance to those personnel activated in the event of an emergency, in order to save lives, enhance the health of citizens, and protect property and the environment.

Ensure the city is prepared for health, natural and human-caused hazards and can respond quickly and effectively. [Source: New Goal]
HS-1.1 Emergency Preparedness Planning
Coordinate with regional agencies and incorporate emergency preparedness into all City emergency planning efforts, including preparation, communications, response, emergency equipment access, and evacuations. [Source: New Policy] HS-1.2 Hazards Education and Information
Provide hazard awareness information and education about potential health, natural, and human-caused hazards in Pleasant Hill and how to responsibly prepare for or mitigate them. [Source: New Policy]

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HS-1.3 Essential Facility Location
Prohibit siting of essential, public safety, or emergency service facilities, special occupancy structures, or hazardous materials storage facilities in areas subject to the following hazard areas, , unless the structure is designed to adequately mitigate the hazard or if no other viable option for siting is available to serve the need identified:
▪ 500-year flood zones;
▪ seismic hazard areas and fault zones;
▪ areas subject to liquefaction, landslide, or seiche hazards; and ▪ very high fire severity zone. [Source: New Policy]
HS-1.4 Neighborhood Planning Efforts
Encourage neighborhoods to create localized emergency action plans to further inform residents on how to prepare and respond to hazards. [Source: New Policy] HS-1.5 Social Unrest Planning
Institute planning efforts related to social unrest and civil disobedience. [Source: New Policy]
Seismic Hazards
Seismic hazards are caused by the movement of the earth’s surface and include earthquakes, landslides, liquefaction, seiche, and erosion. The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most active seismic regions in the United States, and Pleasant Hill is in an area of high seismic risk, as the city is near several high-risk faults. The Concord, Franklin, and Southhampton faults run directly through the city, and the Hayward, Calaveras, San Andreas, and Greenville faults are within 50 miles. Seismic activity on these faults can trigger other types of hazards, including:
• Surface rupture: The ground cracks due to an earthquake. • Ground shaking: The passage of seismic waves causes the ground to shake, damaging structures.
• Liquefaction: Loose soil loses strength and acts like a liquid during an earthquake, damaging structures built on it.
• Landslides: Earthquake shaking causes loose material to slide down a slope. • Subsidence: The ground surface drops rapidly due to an earthquake. • Seiche: A temporary disturbance or oscillation in the water level of a lake or partially enclosed body of water
Earthquake severity is measured by the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. The MMI measures ground shaking severity at a given site according to damage done to structures, changes in the earth surface, and personal accounts. Pleasant Hill is located entirely in an area expected to experience an intensity of VIII on the MMI scale if a serious earthquake occurs (Figure HS-1). This would likely result

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9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-5
in considerable damage to typical buildings and slight damage to buildings designed to withstand severe ground shaking. Actual damage caused depends on the severity of the earthquake, the specific buildings and infrastructure involved, and other factors.

During an earthquake, Pleasant Hill is also susceptible to liquefaction, particularly on the eastern side of the city and along Grayson Creek (Figure HS-2). Liquefaction is the act of soil behaving like a liquid due to ground shaking from an earthquake. Pleasant Hill’s susceptibility to liquefaction is moderate to high throughout the city, particularly along creeks and streams. The highest probability of infrastructure damage is along the orange and red areas shown in Figure HS-2, which include the downtown area and Pleasant Hill Plaza.

Landslides may also occur during earthquakes, heavy rains events, or other ground disturbing activities such as hillside grading and development. The western side of Pleasant Hill has hillside areas at risk of landslides as shown in the CCC HMP.

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9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-7

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Packet Pg. 902 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-8 Public Review Draft December 2022
Future earthquakes are inevitable in the Bay Area. The Safety Element, through the following goals and policies, guides the location, type, and resiliency of development to help mitigate the risk of damage and death if a severe earthquake occurs.

Reduce the potential harm to people and property from geologic and seismic hazards. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 3, modified] HS-2.1 Earthquake Hazard
Require new development to be sited away from high risk earthquake hazard or liquefaction-susceptibility zones, or if located in a high-risk zone, to incorporate building technologies to reduce risk to an acceptable level. [Source: New Policy] HS-2.2 Geotechnical Study Requirement
Require geotechnical studies for new development in areas with moderate to high liquefaction potential that include analysis of seismic settlement potential and specify appropriate mitigation. [Source: Safety and Noise Program 3.2] HS-2.3 Seismic Retrofit Incentives
Work with regional, State, and Federal agencies and organizations to incentivize seismic retrofits of structures. [Source: New Policy]
HS-2.4 Slope Failure
Prohibit new development in areas at risk for slope failure and ensure that hillside developments employ appropriate design and construction techniques consistent with City hillside development standards. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 3B, modified] HS-2.5 Emergency Service Building Construction
Ensure that buildings and structures required for emergency services are constructed to withstand a major earthquake. [Source: New Policy]
HS-2.6 Unbuildable Spaces
Preserve property that is unbuildable due to geologic conditions as open space. [Source: New Policy]
HS-2.7 Community Readiness
Improve community readiness regarding earthquake and other natural disaster response through community outreach. [Source: New Policy] HS-2.8 Resilient Infrastructure
Require the location, design, and construction of new public utilities, communication infrastructure, and transportation facilities to minimize risk and maximize functionality during and after an earthquake. [Source: New Policy]
HS-2.9 Slope Stability Assessment
Continue to require slope stability assessments by appropriately registered professionals upon the initiation of new development proposals in areas of known slope instability and/or on slopes steeper than 15 percent. [Source: Safety and Noise Program 3.3]

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Packet Pg. 903 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-9
Wildfire
While Pleasant Hill is not located directly in a high fire hazard severity zone, as identified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), high- or very-high fire hazard severity zones are located to the north, east, and south of the city. Pleasant Hill’s proximity to Briones Regional Park and other open, undeveloped land poses a threat of wildland fires spreading near and into the city limits where the park and open space abuts urban development to the southwest (Figure HS-3). Minor brush fires in the area are common during the fire season but historically have been extinguished before developed areas sustain much damage.

Fires that sweep through residential communities are often started by flying embers from larger fires burning nearby, rather than directly from the fire itself. Larger fires can still pose immediate and severe health concerns to Pleasant Hill residents through harmful air quality and smoke in addition to potential spread of fires into developed areas. Goals and policies related to maintaining high air quality and ensuring the health of residents during hazardous air quality events are in Section 8.3 of the Environment Element. Wildfire hazard for an area can be increased by several factors:
• Fuel: Fuel includes living or dead vegetation on the ground and above the ground in tree canopies. This can include grasses, leaves, and needles that burn rapidly, and tree branches, logs, and trunks that take longer to ignite. Dead or diseased trees are more likely to burn in a wildfire.
• Weather: Temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, and precipitation affect the ignition and spread of wildfire. Hot, dry conditions with strong, dry winds increase the chance of a fire igniting and spreading, and lightning can directly ignite a fire. • Terrain: Slope and elevation influence the amount of fuel present, potential barriers to wildfire spread such as highways and lakes, and the speed at which the fire can spread, since fire spreads more rapidly uphill.

Damage from wildfires can devastate communities, causing loss of homes, businesses, and critical facilities that serve and protect the community. In 2018, California reached a wildfire record of 1.9 million acres burned in one year. In 2020, more than 4 million acres had burned by September. Wildfire is a devastating disaster for communities across California and is predicted to worsen as climate change gradually increases the conditions conducive to more intense and frequent fires.

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Packet Pg. 904 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-10 Public Review Draft December 2022

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Packet Pg. 905 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-11
Minimize the threat to people, property, and the environment from fire hazards. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 4, modified] HS-3.1 Fire Protection District Enhancement
Enhance the ability of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to respond to and suppress fires. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 4A] HS-3.2 Weed abatement and Fire-Resistant Landscaping
Require annual weed and other fuel abatement and promote the installation of fireresistant landscaping in new and existing development. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 4B, modified]
HS-3.3 Homeowner Education
Educate homeowners of defensible space requirements and recommendations per Cal Fire, including programs to aid in removal of excess vegetation and improve home wildfire resiliency. [Source: New Policy]
HS-3.4 Fire Safety Improvements
Develop guidelines for fire safety improvements for existing and new commercial buildings and encourage upgrades where possible. [Source: New Policy] HS-3.5 Defensible Space Inspections
Coordinate with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to require annual home and business inspections to ensure proper defensible space is maintained at properties near grasslands and very high wildfire hazard severity zones. [Source: New policy, CCC HMP PH-8, modified]
HS-3.6 Interjurisdictional Coordination
Coordinate with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, East Bay Regional Park Fire Department, and other neighboring fire departments to reduce fire hazards and promote fire safety in and around Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Policy] HS-3.7 Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Ensure the Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan as it applies to Pleasant Hill is up to date with changes in State hazard legislation and lessons learned from recent wildfire related disasters. [Source: New Policy]
HS-3.8 Adequate Water Pressure
Coordinate with local water districts to seek funding and implement the necessary infrastructure upgrades to provide adequate water pressure to supply required fire suppression systems in existing and future development projects. [Source: New Policy] HS-3.9 Weed and Fuel Abatement
Coordinate with landowners to ensure that weed and other fuel abatement occurs in an effective and timely manner. [Source: Safety and Noise Program 4.3, modified] HS-3.10 Municipal Code Maintenance
Ensure the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code is kept up to date on State and Federal requirements, best practices, and City processes regarding wildfire prevention design standards and requirements. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 906 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-12 Public Review Draft December 2022
HS-3.11 Evacuation Routes
The City shall collaborate with Contra Costa County and neighboring cities as a part of the next Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update to identify evacuation routes in the event of wildfires or other natural disasters in compliance with AB 747 and SB

99. [Source: New Policy]
Drought
Drought occurs when precipitation is low or nonexistent due to unusual weather patterns, usually over the course of several years. Droughts can be short-term, lasting a few months, or long-term, lasting years. Because droughts are considered regional and long-term, localized weather patterns might bring short-term periods of rain that are insufficient to end the drought.

Much of California experiences drought periodically as part of its normal climate cycle. Contra Costa County historically has been impacted by four significant droughts between 1976 and 2016, most recently from 2012 to 2016, which included the three driest years statewide on record. The likelihood of drought occurring in the future is increasing as average temperatures for the region rise and average precipitation levels drop, both for Contra Costa County and for snowpack in the Sierra Mountains, from which the county receives most of its dry-season water supply as snowmelt.

Because of the nature of droughts, they cannot reasonably be avoided or mitigated. Strategies for adapting to drought, therefore, revolve around water conservation measures and mitigating the secondary effects of drought such as soil erosion, marine and riparian habitat impacts, and the increased risk of wildfire and flooding when heavy rain events do occur.

Minimize the effects of drought by creating an emphasis of routine water conservation. [Source: New Goal]
HS-4.1 Municipal Water Conservation
Continue to identify opportunities to upgrade City facilities with water-conserving appliances and using reclaimed water for irrigation, landscaping, and other allowable uses. [Source: New Policy]
HS-4.2 Residential Water Conservation
Implement and maintain cost-effective, citywide water conservation and efficiency programs for all customers through education, rebates, assistance programs, and building requirements. [Source: New Policy]
HS-4.3 Water Conservation Measures
Reduce the amount of water used by development by requiring compliance with adopted water conservation measures. [Source: New Policy] Flooding
Flooding occurs when the water level in a body of water such as a lake or creek rises higher than the banks, causing it to overflow into nearby areas. Localized flooding can also occur in storm events, when the amount of precipitation overburdens and backs up stormwater systems or debris clogs drains, causing water to pool and flood streets or properties.

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Packet Pg. 907 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-13
The frequency and severity of flooding from bodies of water are measured using the probability of a flood occurring in a given year. A 100-year flood plain therefore has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year, while a 500-year flood plain has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year.

FEMA maps and defines 100-year and 500-year flood plains.

Precipitation in the Pleasant Hill area is expected to increase in the future due to climate change, with an estimated increase of 6.7 to 8.2 inches of rain annually by 2045. This increase in rain will inevitably result in additional stress on the stormwater system and flooding. Pleasant Hill is primarily susceptible to flooding on the eastern border of the city, as shown on Figure HS-4, although localized flooding may occur in other areas due to geography or inadequate stormwater infrastructure. The 500-year floodplain extends the length of Grayson Creek from the northeastern edge of the city to the southeastern city limits. The northeastern city limits are also designated as a 100-year floodplain, with a small area in the 500-year floodplain just outside of the city limits. As of 2018, approximately six percent of Pleasant Hill’s population lived in the 100-year flood plain and 16 percent live in the 500-year flood plain. These areas are at greater risk from extreme floods in severe storms where Grayson Creek or Walnut Creek overflow. Figure HS-4 shows flood hazard zones in Pleasant Hill.

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Packet Pg. 908 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-14 Public Review Draft December 2022

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Packet Pg. 909 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-15
Minimize the potential for serious flooding and drainage problems including damage to property, loss of life, and economic displacement. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 1, modified]
HS-5.1 Flood Damage Potential Reduction
Reduce flood damage potential in areas known to be prone to flooding. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 1B]
HS-5.2 Flood Emergency Response
Maintain and improve the ability of the Police, Maintenance and Engineering departments to respond to flood emergencies. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 1C] HS-5.3 City Staff Training
Ensure City staff have ongoing, adequate training to support the Floodplain Management Program. [Source: New policy, CCC HMP Table 11-7] HS-5.4 Development Stormwater Impacts
Require new development to manage stormwater runoff in a safe, responsible manner.

Where possible, implement a zero-discharge policy. [Source: New Policy] HS-5.5 Development in Floodplains
Minimize development in the 100-year floodplain and require projects in the 100- and 500-year floodplains to incorporate required stormwater management and floodprevention design measures. [Source: New Policy] HS-5.6 Low-Impact Development
Require low-impact development (LID) measures in new development, major remodeling projects, and public projects to limit the amount of impervious surface in new development and to increase retention, treatment, and infiltration of urban stormwater runoff. [Source: New Policy]
HS-5.7 Creek Clean-Up
Coordinate with regional agencies and local volunteer groups to clear debris from creeks within the City to allow water to flow uninterrupted minimizing the impact of flooding. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 910 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-16 Public Review Draft December 2022
Airport-Related Hazards
Airport-related hazards are the risks to physical safety of people and property near an airport from aircraft accidents. While extremely rare, addressing these risks in land use planning ensures that nearby communities are developed in a way that is safe and compatible with local airports.

Buchanan Field Airport is just outside the northeast corner of the Pleasant Hill city limits (see Figure HS-5) and has a recently renovated runway, aviation services and facilities, emergency response services, access to Bay Area transportation and business centers, and related transportation amenities.

Annual airport operations in 2018 consisted of just over 112,000 flights, compared to a high of 353,926 in 1978. The 327 aircraft based at Buchanan Field in June 2020 included 14 jets, 6 helicopters, 32 multiengine, and 275 single-engine airplanes. The Buchanan Field Airport Master Plan was first adopted in 1990, last amended in 2008, and guides the operations, development, and safety planning of the airport influence area, which extends approximately 2.5 miles from the runways and includes most of Pleasant Hill north of Boyd Road.

Ensure that airport operations do not adversely affect quality of life and safety for residents. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 2, modified] HS-6.1 Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Adherence
Ensure consistency with the County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan development restrictions. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 2A]
HS-6.2 Airport Coordination
Coordinate with Buchanan Field Airport on land use considerations where compatibility issues may occur on the border of the airfield. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 911 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-17

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Packet Pg. 912 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-18 Public Review Draft December 2022
Noise
While a certain amount of noise is a part of daily urban life, exposure to excessive noise is considered detrimental to well-being and contributes to undue stress, sleep and concentration disturbance, and even health issues. State law requires a general plan to identify and address noise generation in the community and establish current and projected noise levels for roadways, railroads, airports, industrial uses, and other significant sources. Noise contour maps are used as guides to establish land use patterns that minimize exposure of residents to excessive noise.

Major noise sources for Pleasant Hill include vehicular traffic on freeways and major streets, such as Interstate 680 and Contra Costa Boulevard, operations at some commercial centers, and noise generated by construction projects. Noise levels are not expected to change significantly during the 20- year timeframe of this general plan. Noise contours projected for Pleasant Hill at General Plan buildout are shown in Figure HS-5 and are depicted in terms of the Day-Night Average Level. Figure HS-6 shows the land use noise compatibility criteria representing the maximum acceptable noise, in decibels, that may be received by for each of the listed land use categories.

The Noise Contour Map once the traffic analysis is complete. This is not expected to occur until late 2022.

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Packet Pg. 913 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-19
Land Use Category
Community and Neighborhood Parks, Passive
Recreation
1 1 3 4 4 4 4
Regional Parks, Outdoor Spectator Sports, Golf
Courses, Athletic Fields, Water Recreational
Facilities, Horse Stables, Park Maintenance
Facilities 1 1 1 3 4 4 4
Agriculatural (Crop Raising & Farming;
Aquaculture, Dairies; Horticulture Nurseries &
Greenhouses;
Animal Raising, Maintain & Keeping; Commercial 1 1 1 1 3 4 4 Residential - Low Density Single Family, Duplex,
Triplex, and Senior Housing
1 1 3 4 4 4 4
Residential - Multiple Units, Mixed-Use
Commercial/Residential
1 1 3 3 4 4 4
Hospitals; Nursing Facilities; Intermediate Care
Facilities; Kindergarten through Grade 12
Educational Facilities; Libraries; Museums; Places
of Worship; Child Care Facilities 1 1 3 4 4 4 4
Vocational or Professional Educational Facilities;
Higher Education Institution Facilities
(Community or Junior Colleges, Colleges, or
Universities) 1 1 1 1 4 4 4
Cemeteries
1 1 1 1 3 4 4
Commercial
1 1 1 3 3 4 4
Lodging, Visitor Accomodations
1 1 3 3 3 4 4
Business & Professional, Government, Medical,
Dental & Health Practitioner, Regional &
Corporate Headquarters 1 1 1 3 3 4 4
Commercial or Personal Vehicle Repair &
Maintenance; Commercial or Personal Vehicle
Sales & Rentals; Vehicle Equipment & Supplies
Sales & Rentals; Vehicle Parking 1 1 1 3 3 4 4
Equipment & Materials Storage Yards; Moving &
Storage Facilities; Warehouse;
Wholesale Distribution 1 1 1 3 3 4 4
Light Manufacturing, Research and Development
1 1 1 3 3 4 4
Compatible
1 Conditionally
Compatible 3
Incompatible 4
New construction should not be undertaken.

Building structure must attenuate exterior noise
to the indoor noise level indicated by the number
for occupied areas.

Standard construction methods should attenuate
exterior noise to an
acceptable indoor noise level.

Community Noise Exposure
Ldn or CNEL, dB
55 60 65 70 75 >80
45 45
45 45
45 45
50 50
45 45 45
50 50
50 10.3.a
Packet Pg. 914 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-20 Public Review Draft December 2022
Ensure the community is protected from noise that interferes with human activity or causes health problems. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 7, modified]
HS-7.1 Noise Level Standards
Require new development to be designed and constructed to meet acceptable noise level standards adopted by the City. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 7A] HS-7.2 Noise Impact Mitigation
Evaluate the noise impacts of new development based on the potential for significant increases in noise levels, in addition to compliance with acceptability standards and require mitigation, if necessary, to comply with City noise standards. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 7B, modified]
HS-7.3 Transportation Agency Cooperation
Proactively cooperate with transportation agencies, including Caltrans and CCTA, to reduce noise from existing and future transportation facilities, including the development of noise reduction strategies related to the design and location of all facilities. [Source: New Policy]
HS-7.4 Residential Site Design Noise Consideration
Protect residential areas from noise and vibration by requiring appropriate site and building design, sound walls, and landscaping and by the use of noise attenuating construction techniques and materials. [Source: New Policy] HS-7.5 Noise Restrictions in Commercial and Industrial Developments Require new commercial and industrial developments adjacent to residential uses to reduce potential noise impacts to comply with City noise standards. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 915 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-21
Hazardous Materials
A hazardous material is any material that, due to its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment. Hazardous materials include industrial wastes, pesticides, herbicides, infectious waste, radioactive materials, and combustible fuels. Transport and storage of hazardous materials pose potential public safety hazards in Pleasant Hill. Vehicle accidents involving hazardous materials have historically occurred on Interstate 680, and no regulations are in place to prevent trucks from carrying hazardous materials through the city.

Stationary sources of hazardous materials in Pleasant Hill include air emissions from industrial land uses, soil and groundwater contamination from industrial and commercial activities, and fuel pipelines and storage in various parts of the city. Industrial and commercial sources of wastes can include activities from dry cleaners and service stations to manufacturing and repair services. Two fuel pipelines also traverse the city: one beneath Taylor Boulevard and another beneath the Iron Horse Trail at the eastern edge of the city. Both pipelines are equipped with pressure-sensitive valves that automatically shut off flow in the event of a break in the line, although gas pipeline failures are considered unlikely and low risk to the community.

Hazardous materials storage in Pleasant Hill is limited to fuels in underground tanks at service stations and chemicals at light industrial sites. Each business storing hazardous materials must obtain permits from the City and the Fire District and must file a Hazardous Materials Business Plan that establishes incident prevention measures, handling protocols, and evacuation procedures with the County Environmental Health Department. The Plans are also reviewed by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The Fire District enforces the stipulations contained in the plans once they are approved.

Reduce the exposure to hazardous substances and the resulting potential for injuries, economic and social displacement, and loss of life. [Source: Existing General Plan, Safety and Noise Goal 5, modified]
HS-8.1 Hazardous Materials Business Plans
Monitor and regulate hazardous materials by requiring the preparation and periodic updating Hazardous Materials Business Plans for and periodic inspections of all businesses in the city that handle, store, use, or transport hazardous materials. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 5A, modified]
HS-8.2 Water and Air Supply Protection
Work with public agencies and private organizations to identify and eliminate hazardous material releases into the water and air supply. [Source: New Policy] HS-8.3 Site Assessment Requirement
Require Phase I Site Assessments for projects on all properties where toxins could occur. [Source: New Policy]
HS-8.4 Alternative Practices
Minimize the use of toxic and hazardous materials in Pleasant Hill, promoting sustainable materials and practices where possible. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 916 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-22 Public Review Draft December 2022
HS-8.5 Household Hazardous Waste
Expand and promote household hazardous waste programs to safely dispose of items such as paint, gasoline, engine oil, batteries, and cleaners. [Source: New Policy] HS-8.6 Hazardous Material Transportation Routes
Work with appropriate agencies to identify and require all transport of hazardous materials to follow approved routes. [Source: Safety and Noise Program 5.2, modified] Public Health Emergencies
During health emergencies, local jurisdictions provide initial leadership, resources, and information to their citizens while establishing public-private and regional response efforts. Pandemics have the potential to be the most-deadly threat to public health. A pandemic can occur when a new strain of influenza or other pathogen emerges to which most or all of the world’s human population has had no previous exposure and thus has no immunity. In the last century, multiple influenza pandemics have swept the globe.
▪ In 1918, a flu pandemic (sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Flu”) killed over 500,000 Americans and more than 20 million people worldwide. One-third of the U.S. population was infected, and average life expectancy was reduced by 13 years. (Source: National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza)
▪ Pandemics in 1957 and 1968 killed tens of thousands of Americans and millions across the world. (Source: National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza) ▪ In the spring of 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged. It was detected first in the United States and spread quickly across the United States and the world. From April 12, 2009 to April 10, 2010, CDC estimated there were 60.8 million cases (range: 43.3-89.3 million), 274,304 hospitalizations (range: 195,086-402,719), and 12,469 deaths (range: 8868-18,306) in the United States.
▪ The 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic has spread rapidly since its discovery in December 2019. COVID19 is an illness caused by a new coronavirus that can spread from person to person. As of August 5, 2020, there have been more than 4.8 million confirmed cases and 158,000 deaths in the United States. Globally, 18.6 million cases have been confirmed and 701,000 people have died from the effects of the novel corona virus.

Although the timing, nature, and severity of a pandemic cannot be predicted, a planned and coordinated response is critical to minimizing the public health impact, as well as the social and economic disruption to our everyday lives.

Reduce the potential and severity of short- and long-term health emergencies, control the rate and extent of the spread of an illness, reduce economic and social displacement, and minimize loss of life. [Source: New Goal] HS-9.1 Implement Public Health Guidance
Implement all guidance from appropriate State and Contra Costa County agencies relative to declared public health emergencies. [Source: New Policy]

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Packet Pg. 917 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-23
HS-9.2 Agency Coordination During Public Health Emergencies Work closely with the State and Contra Costa County health officials during a public health emergency to assure that City needs are considered and addressed and appropriate programs and resources are made available. [Source: New Policy] HS-9.3 Essential Health Services Delivery
Partner with organizations responsible for essential health care and human services to ensure those services are provided as early as possible during the response, recovery, and return of the public health system after a public health emergency. [Source: New Policy]
HS-9.4 Community Education and Communication
Continue to maintain and enhance the City’s communications and education resources to provide timely and up-to-date information concerning public health emergencies. [Source: New Policy]
HS-9.5 Preparedness
Work with the State and Contra Costa County to maintain a supply of resources necessary to respond to early stages of a public health emergency. [Source: New Policy]
HS-9.6 Continuity of Service
Work with the State and Contra Costa County to develop a series of procedures that would support and assist the health care system at the level necessary to maintain continuity of services and operations in the case of a medical surge during a natural disaster and/or public health emergency. [Source: New Policy] Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
A Review of the Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan
Update and review the Pleasant Hill
Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan (CEMP) every five
years to ensure it reflects current needs
and changing conditions. [Source: New
Program]
HS-1.1 City Manager
Police
Department
◼ ◼

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Packet Pg. 918 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-24 Public Review Draft December 2022
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
B Emergency Facilities Evaluation
Conduct an evaluation of public
buildings and structures that provide
emergency services and response, such
as fire and police facilities, as well as
community facilities that serve as
evacuation centers or refuge sites to
identify retrofitting necessary to ensure
the stability and safety of such facilities
in the event of a disaster. [Source: New
Program]
HS-2.4
HS-2.6
Building
Division
Police
Department
◼
C Response Drills
Conduct emergency hazard drills with
key stakeholder organizations and
school districts across the community
to improve preparedness for known
threats and hazards. (Source: New
Program)
HS-2.7 City Manager
Police
Department
◼
D Household Preparedness
Expand educational and informational
programs that help and encourage each
household in the city to be prepared to
be self-sufficient for at least two weeks
after a major earthquake, flood,
terrorism event, pandemic, or other
major disaster. (Source: New Program)
HS-2.7 City Manager
Community
Relations
Manager
Police
Department
◼
E Update Preparedness Materials
Review and update the City’s
earthquake preparedness information
website and materials annually to keep
them current. Develop and implement
an effective means to disseminate
these materials to city residents and
businesses. (Source: New Program)
HS-2.7 City Manager
Community
Relations
Manager
Police
Department
◼

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Packet Pg. 919 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session)

9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-25
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
F Assist the Fire District
Coordinate with Contra Costa County
Fire Protection District to assist with
training efforts when appropriate and
feasible and review of new development
to assure adequacy of access for
equipment, water supplies, construction
standards, and vegetation clearance.
[Source: Safety and Noise Programs

4.1and 4.2, modified]
HS-3.4
HS-3.5
HS-3.7
City Manager
Police
Department
◼
G Wildfire Design Standards
Review and update the Pleasant Hill
Municipal Code every five years to
ensure it incorporates the most up-todate standards and requirements for wildfire mitigation and risk reduction. If
needed, amend the Code to include
recently passed legislation or
significant changes in building
standards or best practices. (Source:

New Program)
HS-3.2
HS-3.4
HS-3.8
HS-3.10
Planning
Division
Building
Division
Engineering
Division
◼
H Contra Costa County Multijurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The City shall actively participate in the
next update of the Contra Costa
Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan that, among other outcomes, will
identify evacuation routes in the city in
compliance with AB 747 and SB 99.
(Source: New Program)
HS-3.8 City Manager
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
Police
Department
◼

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Packet Pg. 920 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Review Draft | Policy Document
9-26 Public Review Draft December 2022
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
I Updates to the Municipal Code
Update the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code
to comply with State, Federal, and
Regional (Contra Costa Flood Control
District Standards) requirements, best
practices, and City stormwater
management and flood control
measures. (Source: New Program)
HS-5 Planning
Division
Building
Division
Engineering
Division
◼
J Watershed Analysis Study
Conduct a Watershed Analysis Study of
runoff and drainage systems to predict
areas of insufficient capacity in the
storm drain and natural creek system.
[Source: New program, CCC HMP PH-11]
HS-5.1 Engineering
Division
◼
K Identify Capital Improvement Projects
for Flood Prone Areas
Develop a prioritized list of proposed
capital improvement projects for lowlying, flood-prone areas, and seek funding for those projects. [Source:

Safety and Noise Program 1.9]
HS-5.1
HS-5.5
Engineering
Division
◼
L Data on Low-lying Areas
Augment existing Geographic
Information System (GIS)and other data
with information about low-lying areas
obtained during storms. [Source: Safety
and Noise Program 1.8, modified]
HS-5.2 Engineering
Division
◼
M Public Safety Personnel Training
Train Police and Maintenance and
Engineering Division personnel to a
level appropriate to their positions and
responsibilities to respond to flood
emergencies. [Source: Safety and Noise
Program 1.11, modified]
HS-5.2
HS-5.3
City Manager
Police
Department
Engineering
Division
Maintenance
Division
◼

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9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-27
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
N Porous Pavement Municipal Code
Standards
Update the Municipal Code to
encourage that parking and low-impact
drive areas with 20 or more parking
spaces to install porous pavement to
reduce runoff and include. vegetative
buffers and islands. [Source: New
Program]
HS-5.5
HS-5.7
Planning
Division
◼
O Establish Acoustical Study
Requirement Areas
Prepare acoustical study requirements
based on the City noise contour map
that will determine when acoustic
studies shall be required sensitive land
uses. [Source: Safety and Noise
Program 7.2, modified]
HS-6.1,
HS-6.2,
HS-7.3,
HS-7.4
HS-7.5
HS-7.6
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
◼
P Noise Level Standards
Amend Municipal Code Chapter 9.15 to
establish clear, measurable, and
acceptable exterior noise level
standards for all new developments and
additions, including capital
improvement projects. The amended
Chapter shall include procedures to
measure and monitor noise, and
enforcement procedures. [Source:

Safety and Noise Program 7.1, modified]
HS-7.1
HS-7.4
HS-7.5
HS-7.6
Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
◼
Q Dialogue with Caltrans
Encourage Caltrans to resurface all
designated concrete roads within the
City to reduce vehicle noise. [Source:

Safety and Noise Program 7.4]
HS-7.3 Engineering
Division
City Manager
◼

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9-28 Public Review Draft December 2022
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
R Noise in Residential Areas
Amend the city noise ordinance to
prohibit activities such as garbage and
recycling pickup, parking lot vacuuming
in residential areas, and the use of all
landscape equipment. [Source: Safety
and Noise Program 7.6, modified]
HS-7.4 Planning
Division
◼
S Personal Protective Equipment Supply
The City should maintain a supply of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
for City essential workers (i.e., City staff,
contractors, vendors, and volunteers)
that protects these workers during
initial stages of a public health
emergency. [Source: New Program]
HS-9.3
HS-9.5
City Manager
Police
Department
Human
Resources
Maintenance
Division
◼
T Continuity of Operations Plan
The City shall develop a Continuity of
Operations Plan (COOP) as a
standalone plan or as part of a larger
emergency management plan for both
short-term and long-term emergencies.

The COOP should outline a set of
procedures to implement as needed in
preparation of and during a natural
disaster and/or public health
emergency. [Source: New Program]
HS-9.6 City Manager ◼

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9. Hazards and Safety Element
December 2022 Public Review Draft 9-29
This page is intentionally left blank.

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December 2022 Public Review Draft 10-1
#
100-year Flood Zone. Areas with a one percent risk of flooding in any given year. 500-year Flood Zone. Area with a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year.

A
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). An accessory dwelling unit is a detached or attached dwelling unit. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation and is generally smaller and located on the same parcel as a proposed or existing primary dwelling. An accessory dwelling unit also includes efficiency units and manufactured homes.

Acres, Gross. A measure of total land area of any lot or parcel, including future streets, parks, and other land dedications.

Acres, Net. The gross area of a site excluding:

1. Land to be dedicated for required easement for vehicles and rights-of-way, either public or private;

2. Land determined to be hazardous and unbuildable; or

3. Land to be dedicated for schools and parks or other facilities dedicated for public use.

Adaptive Reuse. The practice of converting underutilized buildings from their original or most recent use to a new use.

Ambient Noise Level. The composite of noise from all sources; the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location.

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Aquifer. An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials that can contain or transmit groundwater below the ground surface.

Arterial. A major roadway carrying the traffic of local and collector streets to and from freeways and other major streets, with controlled intersections and generally providing direct access to properties.

B
BAAQMD. Bay Area Air Quality Management District; the public agency responsible for regulating stationary air pollution sources in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

BIPOC. Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color.

Building. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walks for the housing or enclosure of persons, animals, chattel, or property of any kind.

C
Channelization. Stream bank engineering strategies that include concrete waterways, piling rocks, and creating berms used to redirect water from flood plains or to protect the edges of a waterway from erosion.

City Limits. The political boundary that defines land that has been incorporated into a city. Pleasant Hill has land use authority over all land within its city limits.

Clustered Development. Development in which a number of dwelling units are placed in closer proximity to each other or are attached, with the purpose of retaining an open space area.

Collector. A roadway for traffic moving between arterial and local streets, generally providing direct access to properties.

Commercial. A land use classification that permits facilities for the buying and selling of commodities and services.

Commercial Strip or Strip Commercial. Commercial development, usually one store deep, that fronts on a street for a distance of one city block or more. Includes individual buildings on their own lots, with or without on-site parking, and small linear shopping centers with shallow on-site parking in front of the stores.

Compatible. Capable of existing together without conflict or ill effects.

Complete Streets. A transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe and convenient access for all users regardless of their mode of transportation (such as bicycling and walking), age, and ability.

Condominium. A housing development of two or more units, the interior space of which are individually owned, with the balance of property owned by the owners of individual units. See also Civil Code section 1351(f). (Gov’t Code Section 65915(b)(4).)
Conservation. Natural resource management to prevent waste, destruction, or neglect.

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10. Glossary
December 2022 Public Review Draft 10-3
Critical Habitat. Specific areas designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as essential to the conservation of a federally-listed species and which may require special management considerations or protection. On City, county, state, or private land where there is no federal involvement, a critical habitat designation has no regulatory impact. In other words, designation of critical habitat generally does not affect non-federal land unless and until the property owner needs a federal permit or requests Federal funding for a project.

Cultural Resources. Any prehistoric or historic remains or indicators of past human activities, including artifacts, sites, structures, landscapes, and objects of importance to a culture or community for scientific, traditional, religious, or other reasons.

D
Decibel (dB). A physical unit commonly used to describe noise. It is a unit for describing the amplitude of sound as heard by the human ear.

Defensible Space. An area around a building in which vegetation, debris, and other types of combustible fuels have been treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire to and from the building.

Density. The number of permanent residential dwelling units per acre of land. Densities specified in the General Plan may be expressed in units (not including Accessory Dwelling Units) per gross acre or per net developable acre. Pleasant Hill calculates density by net acre.

Duplex/Triplex/Fourplex. Two, three, or four attached dwelling units on a single parcel.

Dwelling Unit. One or more habitable rooms designed for occupancy by only one family for living and sleeping purposes and having a kitchen.

E
Earthquake Fault Zone. Areas around active faults where there is a complex system of primary and secondary faults. Because most faults are not a single, clean fracture in the crust, fault zones describe the area at risk of seismic activity beyond the fault itself.

Easement. Usually the right to use property owned by another for specific purposes or to gain access to another property. For example, utility companies often have easements on the private property of individuals to allow for the installation and maintenance of utility facilities.

Entertainment Businesses. Establishments that operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobby and leisure activities; establishments that preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural or educational interest; or, establishments that are involved in producing, promoting, or participating in live performances, events or exhibits intended for public viewing.

Equivalent Noise Level (Leq). The average A-weighted noise level during the measurement period.

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F
Family. One or more persons occupying premises and living as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit, as distinguished from a group occupying a boarding or lodging house, hotel, club, or similar dwelling for group use. A family shall not include a fraternal, religious, social, or business group. A family shall be deemed to include domestic employees.

Fault. A fracture in the earth’s crust along which rocks on one side have moved relative to those on the other side. Most faults are the result of repeated displacements over a long period of time. A fault trace is the line of the earth’s surface defining the fault. An active fault is one that has ruptured in the past 11,000 years.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Areas identified by California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) that describe fire hazard severity. based on three factors: fuel, slope, and weather.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The gross floor area of a building or buildings on a parcel divided by the net parcel area or site area. Floor area means the entire enclosed area of all floors that are more than four (4) feet above the existing or proposed grade, measured from the outer face of exterior walls or in the case of shared walls from the centerline.

Freeway. A highway serving high-speed traffic with no crossings interrupting the flow of traffic (i.e., no crossings at grade).

G
Gateway. Points along a roadway entering a city or county at which a motorist gains a sense of having left the environs and of having entered the city or county.

Green Building Code. Building codes that go beyond minimum code requirements that raise the bar for energy efficiency, serve as a proving ground for future standards, and incorporate elements beyond the scope of the model energy codes, such as water and resource efficiency.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect of the planet by absorbing infrared radiation. Common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, among others.

Groundwater. Water present beneath Earth’s surface in soil pore spaces and in rock formation fractures.

H
Hazardous Substances. Any biological agent and other disease-causing agent which, after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person, will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions, or physiological deformations in such persons or their offspring.

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10. Glossary
December 2022 Public Review Draft 10-5
Hazardous Waste. Hazardous wastes, although included in the definition of hazardous materials and hazardous substances, are regulated separately under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). A waste is legally considered hazardous if it is classified as ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Title 22, Section 66261.24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) (i.e., 22 CCR 66261.24) defines characteristics of toxicity.

Historical Resources. A district, site, building, structure, or object that is significant in the history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, or culture and is typically 50+ years old.

I
Impervious Surface. Surfaces impenetrable by water.

Industrial. The manufacture, production, and processing of consumer goods. Industrial is often divided into "heavy industrial" uses, such as construction yards, quarrying, and factories; and "light industrial" uses, such as research and development and less intensive warehousing and manufacturing.

Institutional Use. (1) Publicly or privately owned and operated activities that are institutional in nature, such as hospitals, museums, and schools; (2) churches and other religious organizations; and (3) other nonprofit activities of a welfare, educational, or philanthropic nature that cannot be considered a residential, commercial, or industrial activity.

Intrusive Noise. Noise that intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise at a given location. The relative intrusiveness of a sound depends upon its amplitude, duration, frequency, time of occurrence, and tonal or informational content.

J
None.

K
None.

L
Land Use Designation. A designation, shown in a graphical depiction on the General Plan land use diagram of the type and density or intensity of uses that are permitted on each parcel of land.

Level of Service (LOS). A qualitative measure used to rate a roadway segment’s traffic flow characteristics. LOS acts as an indicator of roadway performance relative to locally established standards for quality of service based on measures of speed, density, and congestion that are designated using letters from “A” (good) to “F” (poor). LOS can assist in determining when roadway capacity improvements are needed.

Liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when soil grains consolidate during groundshaking, pushing water towards the surface and causing a loss of strength in the soil. The soil surface may sink or spread

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laterally. The three conditions necessary for liquefaction to occur include: a high-water table; layers of loose sand; and moderate or greater earthquake groundshaking.

Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). A commission within each county that reviews and evaluates all proposals for formation of special districts; incorporation of towns or cities; annexation to special districts, towns, or cities; consolidation of districts; and merger of districts with towns or cities.

Each county LAFCO is empowered to approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve such proposals.

Local Street. A roadway providing direct access to properties and designed to discourage through traffic.

Lot. See “Parcel”
M
Mixed Use. Mixed Use allows residential, retail, commercial, office and/or public uses with flexible parking and setback requirements (subject to compliance with the Housing Element). Individual MixedUse projects are not expected to contain any specific combination of these uses and may only include one land use. The development potential of each Mixed-Use site shall be determined through project review under the provisions of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning District, or other discretionary land use entitlement process as determined by the City.

Mixed-use, Horizontal. Mixed-use developments that allow residential, retail, commercial, office and/or public uses on a single site, but not within the same structure.

Mixed-use, Vertical. Mixed-use developments that allow residential, retail, commercial, office and/or public uses combined within the same structure.

Multifamily Residential. A building used and designed as a residence for two or more families living independently of each other with individual entrances, bathrooms, kitchens, and living space.

Multimodal. Transportation planning that considers various modes (such as automobile, bicycle, pedestrian, public transit) of travel and the connections between these modes.

Multiple Use Trails. Trails designed to facilitate multiple modes of use such as pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians, and so forth.

Municipal Service Review. A study conducted by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for a city or special district that examines all public service needs for the area and recommends action to promote the efficient provision of public services.

N
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Federal program requiring industrial and municipal sources of pollution to hold permits before pollutants can be discharged into navigable waters.

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10. Glossary
December 2022 Public Review Draft 10-7
Non-point Source Pollution. A pollution source that cannot be defined at a discrete location; a dispersed source area.

O
Office. Firms or organizations providing professional, executive, management, medical, or administrative services.

Open Space. A parcel or area of land that is essentially undeveloped for human use and devoted to an open space use, such as the preservation of natural resources, managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, and preservation of public health and safety.

P
Parcel. A site or lot of land.

Park. An open area that offers recreational and green space for residential and visitor use.

Park, Active. Land used for outdoor activities that that include additional onsite infrastructure.

Park, Passive. Land used for outdoor activities that has a limited impact and minimal development on land designated for recreation or open space. Passive recreations space would include but is not limited to, hiking mountain cycling, boating, and nature observation.

Park Facilities. Private or publicly buildings, structures, venues, or amenities located in a designated park.

Permeable Paving. Paving that enables stormwater runoff infiltration.

Planning Area. The Planning Area encompasses all incorporated and unincorporated territory that bears a physical relationship to the long-term planning of the city. For Pleasant Hill, the Planning Area is defined as the area encompassing both the city limits and SOI.

Public Art. Signs, other monuments, sculptures, murals, statuary, fountains, and other artistic installations in spaces accessible to the general public that accentuate or draw attention to a particular space or feature of the city, provide a focal point for public gathering, and/or serve a specific function, such as to provide seating.

Public and Quasi-public Facilities. Institutional, academic, governmental and community service uses, either publicly owned or operated by non-profit organizations.

Q
None.

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R
Recycled Water. Wastewater that has been treated for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a ground water basin (referred to as ground water recharge).

Renewable Energy. Energy that comes from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, rain, ocean tides, geothermal, and biomass.

Right-of-Way. A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by certain transportation and public use facilities, such as roadways, railroads, and utility lines.

Riparian Area. A zone of transitional habitat between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, dependent on the existence of perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral surface or subsurface water, such as the bank of stream, river, or lake.

Routes of Regional Significance. Roadways that carry significant through-traffic, connect two or more jurisdictions, serve major transportation hubs, or cross county lines. These routes are designated by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Regional Transportation Planning Committees; Pleasant Hill is included within the TRANSPAC RTPC.

Runoff. Precipitation (rain or snowmelt) that is not used by plants, evaporated or infiltrated to soils, and is transported across land surfaces to streams or other surface water bodies.

RWQCB. San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board; the public agency responsible for regulating water quality in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

S
Seismic. Geologic movement or vibrations of the earth and its crust.

Sensitive Species. Wildlife species or their habitat that have small or declining populations or are atrisk for decline or extinction.

Setback. The distance between a building and the property line or other buildings.

Shopping Center. A unified group of retail businesses and service uses on a single site with common parking facilities. A shopping center may include pads for future buildings or structures.

Single-Family. A building or structure designed exclusively for occupancy by one family.

Single-Family, Attached. A dwelling unit on an individual parcel that has at least one common wall with one or more other dwelling units on separate parcels.

Single-Family, Detached. A dwelling unit on an individual parcel.

Site. A parcel, or group of contiguous parcels not divided by a street, other right-of-way, or city limit, and under single ownership or unified control.

Soil Erosion. The removal of soil by water or wind.

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10. Glossary
December 2022 Public Review Draft 10-9
Sphere of Influence (SOI). An area that includes the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, as determined by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of the county.

Stormwater. Stormwater is precipitation that accumulates in natural and/or constructed storage and stormwater systems during and immediately following a storm event.

Stormwater Runoff. Precipitation (rain or snowmelt) that is not used by plants, evaporated or infiltrated to soils, and transported across land surfaces to streams or other surface water bodies.

Structure. Anything constructed or erected that requires a location on the ground, including a building, a deck, or a swimming pool, but not including a fence or a wall used as a fence, if the height does not exceed eight feet, or access drives or walks.

Subsidence. The sinking of ground when subsurface pressure is reduced by the withdrawal of fluids (e.g. groundwater, natural gas, or oil).

Surface Rupture. Fault movement that breaks through to the surface.

T
Townhouse. A one-family dwelling in a row of at least three such units in which each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside, no unit is located over another unit, and each unit is separated from any other unit by one or more common and fire-resistant walls. Townhouses usually have separate utilities; however, in some condominium situations, common areas are serviced by utilities purchased by a homeowner’s association on behalf of all townhouse members of the association.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM). Strategies used to reduce vehicle travel, with an emphasis on reducing travel during peak periods. TDM is intended to incentivize developers and motorists to use alternative transportation modes or alter commute patterns to help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow without having to increase the increase roadway capacity.

U
None.

V
Vacant Land. Land that is not actively used for any purpose, including land that is not improved with buildings or site facilities and is sizeable in area to accommodate development.

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The total amount of vehicular miles traveled by the service population of a specific site or area. VMT is used to analyze potential air quality and greenhouse gas impacts.

VMT is also the required metric used for the evaluation of environmental impacts as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

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W
TBD. Stormwater is precipitation that accumulates in natural and/or constructed storage and stormwater systems during and immediately following a storm event.

Wastewater. Wastewater is water (either treated or untreated) that has been affected by human use, including household, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. This water is conveyed through a wastewater system to a treatment plant, and may contain physical, chemical, and biological pollutants prior to treatment.

Water Quality. The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.

Watershed. The land surface area from which water drains into a common point.

Wetlands. 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. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

Wildland. Land in an uncultivated natural state that is covered by trees, brush, weeds, or grass.

Wildland Urban Interface. Areas where homes or other structures are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire.

X
None.

Y
None.

Z
Zoning. The division of a city or county into districts, and the designation of different uses and regulations in each district.

Zoning District. An area delineated on a zoning map for which uniform land use regulations and development standards are specified.

Zoning Ordinance. The adopted zoning regulations of a city or county that establish development standards for each zoning district, such as minimum lot size, maximum height of structures, building setbacks, and yard size.

10.3.a
Packet Pg. 934 Attachment: Draft 2040 General Plan (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023

ATTACHMENT B
Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan – City Staff and Environmental Impact Report Edits to Public Review Draft. Proposed modifications are noted in strike-out and underline format.

Global Comments
Update terminology
 redevelopment to development
 single family to Single-Family
 multifamily to Multi-Family
Chapter 2: Economics and Economy Element

policies, and programs related to retention and expansion of existing business sectors, attracting new businesses, and diversifying the economy to develop new kinds of businesses in the city.

sentence.

use.

changes to General Plan commercial land use designations that enhance the City’s retail and commercial growth provided such changes include effective mitigation of environmental constraints, noise, traffic, and other hazards. Further, in consideration of such changes, the City Council may require the provision of public benefit, including, but not limited to, provision of affordable housing pursuant to the policies in the City’s Housing Element; or provision of parkland, trails, or other community or recreation facilities or equivalent funding for development of such facilities; or other appropriate public benefit as determined by the City Council.

popular existing amenities (including recreation, retail and restaurant uses);”

Downtown Specific Plan as necessary. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Program 1.3, modified]”

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Packet Pg. 935 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023

case.

“and the Crossroads Shopping Center” after “DVC Plaza”.

Chapter 3: Land Use Element

per acre of land. Densities specified in the General Plan are expressed in residential dwelling units (not including Accessory Dwelling Units) per net acre.”
Update Table 3-1 to include the Tourist Commercial Overlay designation language and modify the Neighborhood Business designation.

Tourist Commercial Tourist Commercial provides for commercial retail and service uses oriented toward tourists and
other visitors to the community. The designation
includes hotels. motels and related facilities. and
visitor-serving businesses. Project development
shall have a Floor-Area Ratio maximum of 1.00.
n/a 1.00 (max)
Neighborhood Business The Neighborhood Business designation includes small-format retail focusing on neighborhoodservicesserving uses including, but not limited to, banks, personal services (such as barbershops and
dry cleaners), restaurants, and ancillary offices.
n/a 0.35 (max)

new residential development includes safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access to existing residential neighborhoods.

Conversion. Reimagining Strip Commercial. Encourage existing strip commercial uses to be redeveloped into pedestrian- friendly, contemporary shopping environments.

and horizontal mixed-use development at key intersections and within neighborhoods that result in distinct and cohesive pedestrian-oriented places destinations that provide additional neighborhoodserving amenities and intensified economic vitality.

Encourage businesses to provide secondary access to Grayson Creek and future multi-use trails.

Parking. Encourage new DVC development to provide structured parking in lieu of surface parking to provide opportunity for common open space and redevelopment of underutilized sites.

the Mangini-Delu site, a comprehensive planning process that assures the site is planned and developed

10.3.b
Packet Pg. 936 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023
in a coordinated, integrated manner shall be completed. A plan for the site shall, at a minimum, shall include a traffic study and parking analysis, review of site orientation and clustering of development, preservation of natural habitat, inclusion of open space and onsite amenities, and review of compatibility and consistency with surrounding development.”

the Mangini-Delu site to include a variety to of housing types.

Mangini-Delu site onto from Taylor Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road, if appropriate, to ease congestion and mitigate traffic impacts.

transformation of Gregory Lane into an attractive streetscape that includes neighborhood-serving mixed-use developments with active frontages facing the street, wider sidewalks, expanded bicycle lanes, and consistent landscaping.

expansion of Gregory Lane pedestrian and bicyclist bicycle infrastructure to create a more friendlier multi-modal friendly environment that increases overall safety.

Neighborhood-Serving Mixed-Use. Encourage the redevelopment of Gregory Lane to attract lowintensity, neighborhood-serving mixed-use development.

mixed-use projects to apply design and development techniques to ensure a seamless transition between to adjacent low-density residential.

neighborhood-serving mixed-use development.

the connectivity of new Oak Park Boulevard development to the EBMUD Trail.

new development and infrastructure improvements in existing neighborhoods that enable and encourage people to drive less and walk, bike, or and take public transit more.

Standards. Review and amend the citywide objective design standards every five years to ensure proposed development is meeting the expectations of the community and is properly implementing the General Plan.

analysis of the physical barriers to walking and bicycling throughout the city. Identify options for and

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Packet Pg. 937 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023
prepare a program for barrier removal. The analysis should include improvement prioritization, cost estimates, funding sources, and a timeline for improvements.

Chapter 5: Transportation and Circulation Element

sentence of this Key Term.

four-to-six-lane freeway connecting I-680 in Walnut Creek to Oakland and the Bay Bridge

read: “Chilpancingo Parkway attracts regional traffic to/from Diablo Valley College and adjacent shopping districts.”

Road serves regional traffic and provides a direct connection to the Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Centre BART.”

north-south arterial street except as a collector street between Taylor Boulevard to Paso Nogal Road.

Pleasant Hill Road serves intra-city and regional travel, and provides local access to adjacent residential areas and a school. North of Taylor Boulevard, Pleasant Hill Road/ is designated a Route of Regional Significance."

Contra Costa Boulevard, continuing as Sun Valley Boulevard east to I-680, and as Willow Pass Road east of I-680 into Concord. Taylor Boulevard carries local and through traffic. Taylor Boulevard has a median, higher speeds (45 to 55 mph), limited driveway access, and controlled intersections. Taylor Boulevard, as well as its extension to I-680 via Sun Valley Boulevard and its extension to SR 24 via Pleasant Hill Road, is designated a Route of Regional Significance.”

connecting Downtown Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa Boulevard, and North Main Street.”

Avenue to Contra Costa Boulevard, providing access to Diablo Valley College, College Park High School, Valley View Middle School, and providing direct residential access.”

between Gregory Lane and Oak Park Blvd as Collector category roadways.

Service (LOS) of LOS D or better (as defined in this Element) for all public roadways, including Routes of Regional Significance, except when maintaining LOS D would require infrastructure changes that conflict with General Plan policies or programs affecting the pedestrian network, bicycle network, safe routes to

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Packet Pg. 938 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023
school plans, or transit access. Provide annual biennial (every two years) data collection, monitoring, and reporting.

Approval) to read: “Approve new development which at least meets or is mitigated to meet adopted LOS standards, as documented in the City Findings of Consistency.”

designing for complete streets, receive input from groups and individuals representing various users of City streets.”

development. (Infill Development) to read: Support infill and redevelopment in existing urban areas and around key transit facilities.

the Monument Boulevard Triangle circulation network and to improve vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety while reducing congestion anticipated from future development.”

“VMT”.

to read: “Provide wide sidewalks to allow shared use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized modes of transportation, as directed by the City Engineer.”

read: “Identify Traffic Safety Corridors along Suggested Routes to School and protected residential neighborhoods, as allowed through California Assembly Bill 43 – Traffic Safety to establish lower speed streets to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.”

Figure TC-3. The Draft City adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan anticipated for adoption in 2022 2023, guides the expansion and improvement of bicycle facilities citywide. Figure TC-3 shows the existing and recommended bicycle network described in the Master Plan. The Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan network includes bicycle facility gap closures on key routes, bicycle facilities, and bicycle facility upgrades (e.g., from Class III to Class I, Class II, or Class IV). The recommended network would create a more complete and connected bicycle network within Pleasant Hill and connect bicyclists to high-demand destinations within and adjacent to the city.

sidewalks to meet ADA requirements…”

“specific plans”

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Packet Pg. 939 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023

Municipal Utility District and other agencies to explore new trail opportunities to provide connections to parts of the City without off-road bicycle and pedestrian connections.”

eliminate all fatal and serious injury bicycle- and pedestrian-related crashes.”

School infrastructure and education and & encouragement programs to address and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety. Develop Suggested Route to School maps for Pleasant Hill schools to help prioritize infrastructure improvements along routes supporting student commutes.

of bicycle routes that provide connectivity between among homes, job centers, schools and other frequently visited destinations.

identification.

needs of the community with transportation demand management (TDM) alternatives.

Road north of Gregory Lane between Taylor Boulevard and Devon Avenue

Taylor Blvd as a designated Truck Route.

plan that monitors areas of high accident rates and identify mitigation measures to eliminate trafficrelated fatalities and severe injuries.

Ccomplete Sstreets best practices checklist to guide the design and review of proposed transportation improvement projects incorporating appropriate provisions from standard reference guidelines from federal, state and local sources (e.g., Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, MTC, ABAG, ITE, etc.)

“City Manager” in column three to reflect in the table that the Engineering Division is in the Responsible position and City Manager is the Supporting Department.

bicycle routes that provide connectivity between among homes, job centers, schools, and other frequently visited destinations.

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Packet Pg. 940 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023
Chapter 6: Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element

“Work with the Pleasant Hill contract service provider…”

Design.

pays school impact fees to Mt. Diablo Unified School District. [Source: Community Development Program 13.3, modified]”

Division” in column three to reflect in the table that the Engineering Division is the Responsible Department and the Planning Division is the Supporting Department.

Master Plan, which provides a framework to guide the evaluation, planning, implementation, and management of the City's communications infrastructure, including but not limited to outlining the necessary coordination between among different government agencies when installing new communications infrastructure.

 Delete “Planning Division” and replace with “City Manager” as the Responsible Department  Add “Building Division” and Planning Division” to Supporting Departments.

Chapter 7: Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element

and achieve a standard of 3 acres of developed parkland per 1,000 population residents.

Community Center, with open space areas and a gazebo.”
Chapter 8: Environment Element

the Diablo Vista Water System (DVWS) to expand the use of recycled and other non-potable water for landscape irrigation and other appropriate uses.

development adjacent to creek protection zones to encourage include the reclamation of adjacent creeks, wetlands, and riparian areas.

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Packet Pg. 941 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023

for new development that require significant grading or are near streams, wetlands, and riparian areas.

The plans shall include recommendations for grading practices that prevent erosion, loss of topsoil, and scouring of drainage ways, consistent with biological and aesthetic values.

applicants for development projects proposed to be within or adjacent to critical habitat areas to complete a site-specific biological resources assessment as part of the development review process and modify designs or add mitigations to reduce potential impacts.

Hill has several historic homes and places, such as Rodgers Ranch and others listed below.”

the section titled “Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center”.

efficiency improvements, including alternative energy technology, be made as a part of residential and commercial building renovations when a building permit application is submitted to the City.

Require the design of new public buildings to exceed State standards for water and energy efficiency.

with “Engineering Division” as the Responsible Department in the table.

during all activities in areas with cultural resources of interest to local Native American tribes. Both Monitors shall observe grading, ground-disturbing, and other earth-moving activities.

and cultural resources survey to identify historic or cultural sites eligible for resource protection, with specific consideration of structures 45 or more years old and older.

the Zoning Ordinance Municipal Code Parking regulations, as needed, to reflect current best practices for electric vehicle charging considering new state legislation banning combustion engine vehicle by 2035..

redevelopment”.

Administration” and “Code Enforcement” as Supporting Departments in the table.

Chapter 9: Hazards and Safety Element

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Packet Pg. 942 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Pleasant Hill Planning Commission General Plan Study Session | Attachment B February 14, 2023

ability of the Police Department, and the Maintenance and Engineering departments Divisions to respond to flood emergencies.

property owners of the creek, and local volunteer groups to clear debris from creeks within the City to allow water to flow uninterrupted minimizing the impact of flooding.”

Manager” as a Supporting Department in the table.

Relations Manager” as a Supporting Department in the table.

personnel in the Maintenance and Engineering Division personnel Divisions to a level appropriate to their positions and responsibilities to respond to flood emergencies.

ordinance to prohibit commercial property sourced activities such as garbage and recycling pickup, parking lot vacuuming and the use of all landscape equipment, when adjacent to existing in residential areas during late night and early morning hours.

“Engineering Division” as a Supporting Department in the table.

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Packet Pg. 943 Attachment: Proposed Draft 2040 General Plan Modifications (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

Contents
Contents........................................................................................................................................................1 Public Comments Received Relating to the Public Review Draft General Plan: 2022-2023.........................1 Public Comments Received Relating to the Public Review Draft General Plan: 2022-2023
Jack Prosek
Public Comment
January 4, 2023
Listed below are the major topics from my earlier comments on the General Plan Drafts for the specific Sections as noted. References in parentheses are made to the dates of the emails wherein the more detailed comments were submitted.

Section 3 - Land Use Element (April 6th, July 24th & August 5th, 2022):

There have been some updates to the Land Use Diagram (now shown on page 3- 12), but it is highly likely that there should be many more to bring this document totally in line with all the current authorized land uses with the City. My earlier comments were limited to perhaps only 1% of the total land area within the City Limits.

Also, the scale of this one-page map as presented makes it EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to make a careful review.

Section 4 - Housing Element (in separate documents):

Although this Section was reviewed elsewhere & is NOT included in in this Public Review Draft document, I do want to take this opportunity to point out once again that the Public is STILL WAITING for documentation on the Community College District's plans for any proposed development of Site "A" - the DVC Overflow / North Parking Lot. Also, we question how the area of the development of this site has grown from FIVE to SIX to SEVEN Acres of this 10 acre site - where is the documentation that supports this mission creep ??? Will the total number of Dwelling Units be increased accordingly ??? Section 5.1, 5.4 & 5.x - Transportation (April 22nd & June 24th, 2022):

As recorded in my June 24th email, most of the detailed issues raised in my April 22nd email were NOT addressed . . . . . and they STILL have NOT been !! The MAJOR ones are:

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Packet Pg. 944 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

1- the need for a specific GOAL to have at least one standard-width pedestrian sidewalks on ALL Collector & Arterial streets by 2040.
2- the need to have revised PARKING standards for ALL Occupancies. FAILURE to address these issues AT THIS TIME will undoubtedly result in the City Staff & the City Council having to spend endless hours over the next 18+ YEARS listening & responding to complaints about street parking incursions from nearby commercial & multi-family developments - especially into our valuable singlefamily residential neighborhoods !!! Furthermore, the City Council should take whatever actions are necessary to ELIMINATE assigned parking spaces within ALL commercial developments - these create an artificial underutilization of parking spaces (of perhaps 10-20%) which then results in an unnecessary overflow into our adjacent single-family residential neighborhoods.

Section 6.8 - Schools (March 8th, March 10th & March 11th, 2022):

There continues to be a heavy bias towards the Public School system in this Section even though the City has only very limited influence on their operations & NO direct authority or responsibility for that separate government entity !! However, since our Schools are NOT LIMITED to "Public Facilities", perhaps this topic belongs under a NEW Section for Schools and Churches ! Furthermore, I believe that we do have a vibrant Home School element in our community that appears to be totally ignored. Our City should be supporting ALL efforts for age-appropriate education of ALL our CHILDREN from their pre-K thru their Junior College years. Diversity & Inclusion are the hallmarks here ! NO Section Assigned - Churches & other Religious Institutions (no prior comments):

I found NO recognition at all in this extensive Long-term Planning Document given to the role that our Churches & other Religious Institutions do & will continue to provide for the benefit of residents of our City. These are especially relevant to ALL in terms of providing food, clothing, medical care, utilities & short-term housing to the less affluent individuals & families. These Institutions also are a major supporter of efforts to address needs of the homeless population !! See comments under Schools above regarding the need for a NEW Section in the 2040 General Plan.

Sue & Ken -

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Packet Pg. 945 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

It is really disheartening to find that so very few of these quite legitimate concerns have been addressed in this nearly complete Final Draft. What is needed to get this complex document up to par ???
Jack Prosek
Public Comment
February 1, 2023
So now that the EIR for the City's 2040 General Plan Update has been published, it becomes increasingly confusing as to WHO's on First . . . . . and what the tentative schedule is for making revisions to both sets of documents as needed !!! Will the General Plan be updated during the Public Comment period for the EIR that now extends to the Ides of March ?
When will the DVC issues be addressed ??
When will the Parking Requirements be addressed ???
When will you acknowledge the important role that our Faith-based Schools, Churches & other religious institutions play in our City ???? And then there is the Housing Element - when will the HE be submitted to HCD ?????
Inquiring minds are looking for some insights into these issues . . . . . thanks ! X&M Gomez
Public Comment
February 13,
2023
I am a Pleasant Hill resident and would like to respectfully request that the planning commission and city council take the following feedback into consideration when finalizing the 2040 General Plan. Thank you for your consideration.

Flooding:

More action to help residents who live in flood prone areas by actively looking at smaller more immediate solutions in addition to big solutions. My neighborhood (Pleasant Valley Hook, Astrid and Cleaveland) experiences significant flooding any time there is a heavy rain. Flood waters reach 2-3 feet on people’s properties multiple times per year, flooding their homes and causing damage. We also pay thousands of dollars a year to pay for mandatory flood insurance. The city needs to take the lead on creating forward looking green infrastructure improvements that will help mitigate the current flooding and the worsening of flood events that is projected to happen due to global warming especially in known problem areas.

Open spaces:

It would be nice to see less ball/sports fields installed and more open spaces and parks. The open space across from the new library is a great opportunity for the city to create a beautiful open space and park. That immediate area already has 9 ball fields at PH Park and the middle school. More ball fields is not an inclusive use of the space as it excludes people who are not able bodied, not at an age or

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Packet Pg. 946 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

place in life where they can play sports, or don’t have the money to join a sports team. Creating the planned bioretention basin along with a green/open space with a native plants park and opportunities for inclusive activities would be a jewel in that area and show that Pleasant Hill is a modern, green city. Also, residents in that area already deal with excessive noise due to cheering and yelling from ball games in evenings and on weekends throughout the year. More ball fields in that specific location will just add to that and further disrupt the peace, especially if the proposed ball fields are lit and used after dark.

Pedestrian friendly trails, crossings and bike paths:

The trail system along the canal and creek needs better connectivity and safety. A pedestrian and/or bike path from the library to downtown Pleasant Hill would be a wonderful way to make southern Pleasant Hill feel more cohesive since it would encourage movement between those two popular areas. Regarding safety, the trail crossing at Oak Park Blvd should be made into a mandatory stop for cars, and speed bumps or some other method for slowing cars should be installed. I have witnessed a car accident (due to a car stopping for me to cross and then being rear ended) and have almost been hit while on foot at that intersection due to it being an optional yellow flashing light. I now actively avoid crossing that intersection whenever possible. Also middle school kids and people going to the library should have a safe way to access the school and library from the south side of Oak Park since many people use the trail to access that location.

Leaf blowers:

Look into minimizing the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and work towards a full ban. Many cities have done this to become more climate friendly and to protect the health of residents.

Noise: Leaf blowers disrupt public peace due to excessive noise. This is disruptive at any hour, but is especially a nuisance due to the fact that there are no regulations regarding allowed hours of operation. In my neighborhood residents are subjected to leaf blower noise as early as 7am on weekends.

Health: Particles due to leaf blowers are shown to negatively impact health.

Walking down the street residents are often confronted with a leaf blower and have to inhale dangerous dust and particles in order to walk down the sidewalk.

Climate: Gas leaf blowers emit more pollution than cars and are a major source of carbon emissions.

Wendy Gollop
Public Comment
February 14,
2023
I would like to comment on TC. 14.3. Minimize truck impacts on air Quality and noise. Please incorporate The CA State Air Resources Board laws and standards into the Pleasant Hill General Plan. Please consider a goal with a pathway to enforce it. Please see below.

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Packet Pg. 947 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

From the California Air Resources Board.:

California’s 5-minute Idling Rules are Enforced:

Know the rules and your options
Trucks can idle for 5 minutes everywhere in California. Any law enforcement department, including air districts and CARB, can fine a 10,000 pound or greater truck owner and driver up to $1000 per day for illegal idling (13 CCR 2480 & 2485). Where can’t trucks idle for more than 5 minutes? Within 100 feet of these restricted areas, Homes, Schools, Hospitals, Senior Care Facilities, Childcare Facilities
even with a certified Clean Idle engine/sticker or while queuing: When can trucks idle for more than 5 minutes? With certified Clean Idle engines and while queuing in unrestricted areas In adverse weather conditions Using power take-off devices In traffic During mechanical failure
We have numerous trucks using Keats Circle and Longfellow to deliver to the Oak Park Shopping Center. Many park on Longfellow and idle their trucks. These trucks are within the 100 ft restricted area of residential houses, kids walking home from school, and a Karate studio. Noise makes it hard to participate in zoom meetings and generally in daily activities around the house. Idling can last for more than an hour at times, multiple times per day.

Thank You. I look forward to your comments tonight.

Bruce Irion
Public Comment
at Planning
Commission
Meeting
February 14,
2023
One comment and two questions – natural gas debate – unintended consequence of a ban. Incentives always work better than bans (related to gas hook ups).

Wildlife corridor impacts. Compliance with wildlife regulations and preservation.

It more than that, the General Plan should also support of all wildlife, not just endangered species.
 Asked a question on status of Housing Element comments from the State.  Consider establishing baselines, related to traffic, parking, wildlife, noise, etc.

Alan Bade
Public Comment
at Planning
Commission
Meeting
February 14,
2023
Thanked the GPAC for supporting creeks and new language included in the General Plan that give them more importance than only drainage facilities. Want to seek funding from State and Federal sources related to creeks. Working on a watershed plan, not completed, but would be ideal to include if possible. Would like to see adopted 50 year plan of Contra Costa County for restoration and infrastructure improvement of creeks mentioned in the GP document. List Western pond turtle as specie of special concern. Conflicting goals of encouraging EV charging and the resulting diminishing parking supply to accommodate EV. Need more EV parking requirements in residential

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Packet Pg. 948 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

development (rental housing). Requested definition of Reach codes and any policies related to solar and EV and microgrid support.

Wendy Gollop
Public Comment
at Planning
Commission
Meeting
February 14,
2023
Natural gas equipment and noise – nice to have time of day when that can be used, particularly from activity from commercial properties onto residential properties. Want to see support for native plants in landscaping as much as possible. Creek setbacks are nice to be 25 feet, but it would be nice to have it wider, noted Grayson Creek. Avoid building at top of creeks and supporting vegetation are beneficial.

Jack Prosek
Public Comment
February 15,
2023
I did listen to the video later in the evening & was pleased to hear the home schooling issue raised. I do know that Mark & Kristin Celio did home-school a number of their children while they were living here in Pleasant Hill, and I was surprised to learn during that time that there were a significant number of other residents who did likewise. As a Member of the PH Lions Club, I did make several (unsuccessful) efforts to involve some of these children in our annual Peace Poster Contest for middle school children. At this point, I do not have any further information on this topic to share with you.

But as an important component of the General Plan's broad vision for our City, I do believe that the City should demonstrate STRONG support for the K-12+ education of ALL our students attending ALL our local schools whether they be Public (but NOT operated by the City), Faith-based or held in a home setting !!! Likewise, it is long past time for the City Council AND the City Staff to take the blinders off in order to acknowledge the important role that our local Churches & other religious institutions play in our community - especially their support for the poor & homeless among us - but you have yet to even address this topic at all !!! Several other major issues that I raised, such as Parking Requirements, were totally ignored. Parking is like the fourth leg of a rectangular table for the Transportation network - just as necessary a component as are Streets & Bike Paths & Sidewalks !!! Have you NEVER had to circle around & around in the lots at the mall or even at our old Library building (YES - I have done so) waiting for someone to leave so that you could park in the space that their vehicle had occupied ?? And you might recall that residential parking NEEDS was the primary reason that the 401 Taylor Housing project was reduced from 46+16 to 31+6 housing units before it was accepted by the immediate neighbors & approved by the City Council last year.

No, instead of making comments on a broad array of topics, most of the commissioners chose to spend over an hour focusing on two pet ideas: natural gas connections for new housing units & the "Reach Code" which appears to be a way to accelerate the imposition of even more government restrictions. I don't know if it still is true today (especially with the price increases in the past year), but for many decades, it was well known that natural gas was both cleaner burning & far LESS COSTLY to use to heat your house & your hot water than

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Packet Pg. 949 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session) Public Comments on the Public Review Draft General Plan March 2023

electricity. Here again, the City seeks to impose installation & operating cost burdens that make housing LESS AFFORDABLE in the long run. And these benefits only increase with multi-family housing units that can take the advantage of scale for such applications. I also heard some references made to "Low-rise" housing developments, but it is my firm belief that those will never "pencil out" for most of the sites included in the Housing Element & therefore few, if any housing units, will actually get built in such a development ! As I recall, you advised me that the City does NOT even have a definition for a "Low-rise" project . . . . .

So those are my thoughts following the Planning Commission meeting last night.

Bruce Irion
Public Comment
March 14, 2023
Some years ago I took a week long management course that, simply summarized, said you could only manage what you measured. That said, in looking through the General Plan and supporting documents I found numerous measures of age, race, and income demographics, jobs, employment, and business makeup, and housing diversity and ownership. I found no measures of parking, traffic density, or park, open space, trail, community facility, or recreation program use, or wildlife diversity or populations. It’s not that any of these are particularly difficult to measure. And judging by public comment, it’s not that these aren’t important to residents or even good measures for meeting the guiding principles in the General Plan. Why then were measures not included? And if they are not being measured, what can we assume about how they will be managed? Some specific questions:
 What is the current parking utilization in downtown Pleasant Hill? Is there sufficient spare capacity to handle anticipated city growth?  What does current level of street parking in varying neighborhoods around Pleasant Hill say about current and future adequacy of residential parking requirements?
 What is the current level of traffic congestion at major street intersections in the city? How will anticipated growth impact this?  What is the current utilization of existing parks, open spaces, and trails through the city? How will anticipated growth impact this and what if any plans are there for addition space?
 What community facility and recreation programs are most utilized currently? Are current offerings and facilities adequate or are changes needed to handle anticipated future growth?
 What can be said about the health and diversity of wildlife around the city? How will infill development impact trees, plants, vegetation, and open spaces these species thrive in?
Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions and input on the General Plan.

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Packet Pg. 950 Attachment: Public Comments (2040 General Plan - Study Session)