readily compensated for by commemorative mitigation. Therefore, construction 2040 General Plan impacts related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable with mitigation.
Operation
Given that impacts to historical resources occurs during construction, there would be no 2040 General Plan operational impact related to historical resources.
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure CR-1: Revise General Plan Implementation Program M to Include Preparation of Historical Resources Evaluation prior to Approval for Projects Involving Buildings 45 Years or Older and Implementation of Mitigation prior to and during Construction The City shall revise 2040 General Plan Environment Element Program M to include that, in addition to updating the existing historical and cultural resources survey, a historical resources evaluation shall be prepared prior to approval of a project carried out under the 2040 General Plan involving the demolition or substantial alteration of a building, structure, object, or other built environment feature that is 45 years of age or older.
The City shall add further details to 2040 General Plan Program M that state the following:
The evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in architectural history or history (as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Part 61). The qualified architectural historian or historian shall conduct an intensive-level evaluation in accordance with the guidelines and best practices promulgated by the State Office of Historic Preservation to identify potential historical resources within the proposed development site. All properties 45 years of age or older shall be evaluated within their historic context and documented in a report meeting the State Office of Historic Preservation guidelines.
All evaluated properties shall be documented on Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523 Forms. The report shall be submitted to the City for review and concurrence. If the property is already listed in the NRHP or CRHR, the historical resources evaluation described above shall not be required.
If historical resources are identified within the site of a proposed development, efforts shall be made to the extent feasible to ensure that impacts are mitigated. Application of mitigation shall generally
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be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the Professional Qualification Standards, unless unnecessary in the circumstances (e.g., preservation in place). In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, the historical resources evaluation report shall also identify and specify the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities.
Efforts shall be made to the greatest extent feasible to ensure that the relocation, rehabilitation, or alteration of the resource is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
Application of the Standards shall be overseen by a qualified architectural historian or historic architect meeting the Professional Qualification Standards. In conjunction with a development application that may affect the historical resource, a report identifying and specifying the treatment of character-defining features and construction activities shall be provided to the City for review and concurrence. As applicable, the report shall demonstrate how a project complies with the Standards and be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the issuance of permits. If significant historical resources are identified on a development site and compliance with the Standards and or avoidance is not possible, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures shall be established and undertaken. Mitigation measures may include documentation of the historical resource in the form of a Historic American Building Survey (HABS) report, or equivalent. The report shall comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation and shall generally follow the HABS Level III requirements, including digital photographic recordation, detailed historic narrative report, and compilation of historic research. The documentation shall be completed by a qualified architectural historian or historian who meets the Professional Qualification Standards and submitted to the City prior to issuance of any permits for demolition or alteration of the historical resource.
Q. WILDFIRE
1. Response Plans
Threshold: If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the Project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
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Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation:
Construction
Impacts related to wildfire hazard risks affecting people, structures, or emergency response and evacuation plans are limited to operational impacts. No construction impacts would occur.
Operation
Pleasant Hill (i.e., the General Plan area) contains some steep terrain and is located near open space areas in the westernmost portion. Briones Regional Park directly abuts the western edge of the General Plan area. Pleasant Hill is not located in or near a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in or near a State Responsibility Area (VHFHSZ); the nearest VHFHSZ in a State Responsibility Area is located approximately four miles west of the General Plan area. However, there is a high fire hazard severity zone in a Local Responsibility Area located within the southwestern portion of Pleasant Hill City Limits and in areas adjacent to City Limits within the Pleasant Hill Sphere of Influence and further to the west.
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would be subject to the California Fire Code, which includes safety measures to minimize the threat of fire such as noncombustible or ignition-resistant building materials for exterior from the surface of the ground to the roof system and sealing any gaps around doors, windows, eaves, and vents to prevent intrusion by flame or embers. Fire sprinklers would also be required in residential developments pursuant to the Contra Costa County Code and Chapter 14.05 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code. Construction would also be required to meet CBC requirements, including CCR Title 24, Part 2, which includes specific requirements related to exterior wildfire exposure. In addition, the Board of Forestry, via CCR Title 14, sets forth the minimum development standards for emergency access, fuel modification, setback, signage, and water supply; this help prevent loss of structures or life by reducing access limitations for purposes of accessing and suppressing wildfire locations.
Furthermore, the Board of Forestry, via CCR Title 14, sets forth the minimum development standards for emergency access, fuel modification, setback, signage, and water supply, which help prevent loss of structures or life by reducing wildfire hazards.
Section 3.13, Utilities and Service Systems, discusses the Urban Water Management Plans for both CCWD and EBMUD and determined that there are sufficient water supplies to accommodate the anticipated population growth throughout their respective service areas according to ABAG Plan Bay Area 2040 projections. In addition, the General Plan area is located in
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urbanized parts of both the CCWD and EBMUD service areas. As discussed under Impact UTIL-2, there would be sufficient water supplies available to serve the 2040 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years. In compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the California Building Standards Code (CBC), development facilitated under both plans would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location, and distribution criteria. Additionally, the 2040 General Plan Safety Element includes proposed Policy PFS-1.6 that requires coordination with water providers to maintain adequate water supply for the community.
Other impacts related to wildfire that would result from specific project development characteristics would be considered when the City reviews those specific development proposals.
In addition, compliance with the following 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policies would also help reduce potential wildfire risk to people and structures and wildfire exacerbation:
Goal HS-3 Minimize the threat to people, property, and the environment from fire hazards.
HS-3.1Fire Protection District Enhancement. Enhance the ability of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to respond to and suppress fires.
HS-3.2Weed abatement and Fire-Resistant Landscaping. Require annual weed and other fuel abatement and promote the installation of fire-resistant landscaping in new and existing development.
HS-3.3Homeowner 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.
HS-3.4Fire Safety Improvements. Develop guidelines for fire safety improvements for existing and new commercial buildings and encourage upgrades where possible.
HS-3.5Defensible 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.
HS-3.6Interjurisdictional 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.
HS-3.7Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Ensure the Contra Costa
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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.
HS-3.9Weed and Fuel Abatement. Coordinate with landowners to ensure that weed and other fuel abatement occurs in an effective and timely manner.
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.
Nonetheless, given that the General Plan area and adjacent areas have some areas of steep terrain surrounded by or containing vegetation and that proposed plan could result in additional above-ground electrical lines to serve increased development, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan could be prone to and exacerbate wildfires. And with California experiencing severe drought, the open space areas in and adjacent to Pleasant Hill can experience higher fuel loads in the form of dry vegetation, and higher fuel loads combined with winds could result in the spread of wildfire to proximate development within the General Plan area. Existing codes and regulations cannot guarantee that wildfires would not occur or damage structures and harm occupants. This represents a significant wildfire exposure and exacerbation risk impact. With implementation of Mitigation Measures HAZ-1, HAZ-2, and HAZ-3, the risk of loss of structures and the risk of injury or death due to wildfires would be reduced.
These measures would make structures more fire resistant and less vulnerable to loss in the event of a wildfire as well as reduce the potential for construction to inadvertently ignite a wildfire. However, even with mitigation, it is not possible to prevent a significant risk of wildfires or fully protect people and structures from the risks of wildfires. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan operational impact related to wildfire exposure and exacerbation risk would be significant and unavoidable.
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measure HAZ-1: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy for Construction Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:
The City shall require the following measures during project construction:
4. Construction activities with potential to ignite wildfires shall be prohibited during red-flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service for the site. Example activities include welding
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and grinding outside of enclosed buildings.
5. Fire extinguishers shall be available onsite during project construction. Fire extinguishers shall be maintained to function according to manufacturer specifications. Construction
personnel shall receive training on the proper methods of using a fire extinguisher.
6. Construction equipment powered by internal combustion engines shall be equipped with spark arresters. The spark arresters shall be maintained pursuant to manufacturer
recommendations to ensure adequate performance.
At the City’s discretion, additional wildfire risk reduction requirements may be required during construction. The City shall review and approve the project-specific methods to be employed prior to building permit approval.
Mitigation Measure HAZ-: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy for Project Design Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:
Project landscape plans (as made available when project applications are submitted) shall include fire-resistant vegetation native to Contra Costa County and/or the local microclimate of the site and prohibit the use of fire-prone species especially non-native, invasive species.
If the project site is within a known landslide area (see Figure 3.5-5 in Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources), the site shall be subject to geotechnical review regarding potential post-fire slope instability. Structural engineering features incorporated into the design of a structure to reduce the risk of damage to the structure from post-fire slope instability shall be recommended by a qualified engineer and approved by the City prior to the building permit approval.
Mitigation Measure HAZ-3: Adopt and Implement a New General Plan policy to Conduct Project Design Review for Wildfire Risk Reduction
The City shall include a new 2040 General Plan Hazards and Safety Element policy as follows:
Project landscape plans shall include fire-resistant vegetation native to Contra Costa County and/or the local microclimate of the site and prohibit the use of fire-prone species especially non-native, invasive species. If the project site is within a known landslide area, the site
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shall be subject to geotechnical review regarding potential post-fire slope instability. Structural engineering features incorporated into the design of the structure to reduce the risk of damage to the structure from post-fire slope instability shall be recommended by a qualified engineer and approved by the City prior to the building permit approval.
2. Pollutant Concentrations
Threshold: Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, would the Project exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of wildfire? Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.
3. Infrastructure Risks
Threshold: Would the Project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such a roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.
4. Runoff Risks
Threshold: Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, postfire slope instability, or drainage changes? Finding: Significant and Unavoidable. (Draft EIR, 3.7-41 – 3.7-45) Explanation: See Response Plans above.
SECTION V.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Regarding the Project’s potential to result in cumulative impacts, the City hereby finds as follows:
A. AESTHETICS
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.1-21 – 3.1-22)
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The geographic scope of the cumulative aesthetics analysis is the visible areas within and surrounding the General Plan area. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill and the City of Concord, as well as plans in Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, and Plan Bay Area 2050, in addition to the proposed plan.
Scenic Vistas, Scenic Resources, and Visual Character
Development facilitated by the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 could result in impacts to scenic vistas, scenic resources, and visual quality, although largely visual quality would improve with development replacement of aging buildings and sparsely landscaped areas. Cumulative plans and projects are anticipated to increase development in areas already developed with other uses.
Cumulative plans and projects located in Pleasant Hill, adjacent cities, and Contra Costa County would be required to undergo analysis for impacts related to scenic vistas, scenic resource, and visual quality. These impacts would be mitigated by design guidelines, regulations, policies, and project-specific mitigation measures, thereby limiting damage to existing scenic resources and enhancing the visual quality of areas where development occurs. Nevertheless, Pleasant Hill’s contribution to potential cumulative aesthetic impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. Consequently, future residential development facilitated by cumulative development would not result in significant cumulative environmental impacts in conflict with requirements for preserving scenic vistas, scenic resources in State- or locally designated highways or drives, or visual quality. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to scenic vistas, scenic resources, and visual character would be less than significant.
Light and Glare
Cumulative plans and projects in Pleasant Hill, adjacent cities, and Contra Costa County would be required to undergo analysis for impacts related to light and glare. Such impacts would be mitigated by design guidelines, regulations, policies, and project-specific mitigation measures, thereby limiting damage related to light and glare in and near areas where development occurs. Nevertheless, Pleasant Hill’s contribution to potential cumulative aesthetic impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. Consequently, future development facilitated by cumulative plans and projects would not result in significant cumulative environmental impacts in conflict with requirements for limiting the effects of light and glare. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to light and glare would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
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B. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.3-36 – 3.3-37)
The geographic scope of the cumulative biological, agriculture, and forestry resources analysis is the General Plan area and the immediate vicinities in adjacent cities and in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, in addition to the proposed plan.
Special-status Wildlife and Plant Species
Most of the cumulative plans and project would be located in a highly developed urban area that has limited potential to support special-status wildlife and plant species. There are waterways that provide habitat for riparian species of flora and fauna, the closest of which is Walnut Creek. In addition, there are various open space areas throughout Pleasant Hill and the surrounding area, including Briones Regional Park to the west and Las Juntas Open Space Park and Paso Nogal Park that display grassland and woodland habitats. Riparian areas and the open space grasslands within the plan areas are relatively small and generally isolated areas surrounded by urban development. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist predominantly of general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects.
Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. However, due to the presence of habitat for some special-status species in and near Pleasant Hill, including the California redlegged frog, California tiger salamander, and Alameda whipsnake, these species also have the potential, albeit low, to occur within the cumulative projects area. Additionally, nesting birds protected by the MBTA, and special-status bat species have the potential to occur within the plan area’s surroundings. Standard pre-construction surveys and, if necessary, avoidance procedures would be required for cumulative projects with the potential to impact nesting birds and protected bat species. While there are isolated pockets of natural habitat that can support special-status wildlife and plant species, the urban and built-up nature of the General Plan area as well as the other cumulative plan and projects area precludes the possible adverse cumulative impacts to biological resources related to special-status wildlife and plant species. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to special-status wildlife and plant species would be less than significant.
Sensitive Natural Communities
Pleasant Hill contains several protected aquatic features and smaller riparian areas that would be considered wetlands and/or sensitive natural communities. These features are relatively small and often isolated from each other by large, urban developments. To address possible cumulative impacts to sensitive natural communities and wetlands, the 2040 General Plan includes several policies under proposed 2040 General Plan Goals ENV-2 and ENV-3 to address these issues and to avoid impacts to water resources
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including creeks, rivers, and their associated riparian areas. Most planned developments in the cumulative projects area are designed to address future growth problems, prevent urban sprawl, and minimize developmental impacts to sensitive natural communities. This is accomplished by designing projects to occur in previously developed or highly disturbed areas that the characteristics of lack sensitive natural communities or riparian habitat.
Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist predominantly of general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to sensitive natural communities and associated riparian habitat would be less than significant.
Wildlife Movement Corridors
Pleasant Hill and its surrounding vicinity contain a variety of creeks and open space areas that act as potential movement corridors for fish and wildlife, such as in riparian areas along riverine features such as Grayson or Murderers Creeks. Any future cumulative development that occurs within the General Plan area would have to take into account the potential impact to these corridors. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consist of predominantly general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Cumulative development would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. The areas surrounding the potential corridors within Pleasant Hill and its surroundings in the Bay Area are highly developed, further impeding the movement of species out from these areas.
Additionally, the current development plans would adhere to the 2040 General Plan’s open space and creek setback requirements to reduce any potential cumulative impacts to fish and wildlife movement corridors to a less then significant level. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to wildlife movement corridors would be less than significant.
Protected Trees
Development may require the removal or encroachment on certain protected trees as listed by the City of Pleasant Hill ordinances. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consists of predominantly general plan buildouts including commercial and residential development, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. Development and projects planned within the cumulative projects area would occur in similar, disturbed habitat common in urban areas. Future projects that occur in or near undeveloped areas may require an arborist report to determine the identity of trees planed for removal or encroachment. As such, the 2040 General Plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects, would be required to adhere to applicable tree ordinances and regulations set by City of Pleasant Hill and nearby Cities of Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, and Moraga as well as regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to protected trees would be less than significant.
Agriculture and Forestry Resources
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Since there are no plan-level impacts related to agriculture and forestry resources, there would also be no cumulative impact related to agriculture and forestry resources.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
C. AIR QUALITY
(Draft EIR, 3.2-44 – 3.2-46)
The geographic scope of the cumulative air quality analysis is the regional air basin, specifically the SFBAAB. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plans.
Criteria Air Pollutants
The SFBAAB is in non-attainment for federal standards of ozone and PM2.5 and in nonattainment for the State standard for ozone, PM2.5, and PM10. The SFBAAB is in attainment of all other federal and State standards. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would generate particulate matter and the ozone precursors (ROG and NOX) in the area during construction and operation. As described under Impact AQ-1, the 2040 General Plan would be consistent with the overall goal of the 2017 Clean Air Plan control measures as development would comply with the latest Title 24 regulations and would increase density in urban areas in proximity to transit, allowing for greater use of alternative modes of transportation. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan does not contain elements that would disrupt or hinder implementation of any 2017 Clean Air Plan control measures. In addition, the 2040 General Plan would support the primary goals of the 2017 Clean Air Plan. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of criteria pollutants in the region. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to a conflict with or obstruction of implementation of the applicable air quality plan.
As described under Impact AQ-2, 2040 General Plan construction would temporarily increase air pollutant emissions, possibly creating localized areas of unhealthy air pollution levels or air quality nuisances. BAAQMD has identified feasible fugitive dust control measures for construction activities because fugitive PM10 and PM2.5 are of concern. These temporary impacts would be mitigated with Mitigation Measure AQ-1. Implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-2 would ensure that individual projects as part of plan buildout do not exceed BAQQMD’s operational criteria pollutant thresholds. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of criteria pollutants in the region; therefore, with mitigation, the project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of a criteria pollutant from construction emissions.
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In addition, as described under Impact AQ-2, the 2040 General Plan would result in an increase of operational VMT that would not proportionately exceed the projected population increase per the BAAQMD CEQA Air Quality Guidelines for operational emissions from plans. Therefore, impacts from operational criteria pollutant impacts from the 2040 General Plan would be less than significant and the 2040 General Plan’s operational criteria pollutant emissions would not be cumulatively considerable.
Therefore, the overall cumulative impact related to criteria air pollutants would be less than significant.
Toxic Air Contaminants
As identified under Impact AQ-3, 2040 General Plan development would not have a significant impact from TACs with implementation of 2040 General Plan policies and Mitigation Measures AQ-3,AQ-4, and AQ-5. Discussion of these impacts considers the cumulative nature of the pollutants in the region, e.g., the cancer risk and non-cancer risk thresholds have been set per existing cancer risks in the area and exceeding those thresholds would be considered a cumulative impact. As implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not exceed those thresholds with identified mitigation, it would not expose sensitive receptors to a cumulatively considerable amount of substantial pollutant concentrations from TACs. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to toxic air contaminants would be less than significant.
Odors
As identified under Impact AQ-4, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would not have a significant impact from odor emissions with implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-6. Construction emissions would disperse rapidly with distance, and therefore construction projects in close proximity to one another would not result in combined odors above those analyzed. In addition, development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan is not anticipated to contain uses known to result in objectionable odors and therefore cumulative odor impacts from multiple developments would not result in a cumulatively considerable increase in odors. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to odors would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant with mitigation
D. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
See Agriculture and Forestry Resources above.
E. CULTURAL RESOURCES
(Draft EIR, p. 3.4-26 – 3.4-29)
The geographic scope of the cumulative cultural and tribal cultural resources analysis is
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the General Plan area and the adjacent areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and Unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plan.
Historical Resources
The combination of the proposed plan as well as other relevant plans and larger scale projects considered with the proposed plan (see Table 3-1) could potentially involve the cumulative demolition or alteration of historical resources. Although Mitigation Measure CR-1 would be required to reduce impacts to these resources to the maximum extent feasible, cumulative development and redevelopment could nonetheless cause the loss of built-environment historical resources. Alteration or demolition of historical resources remains a possibility throughout the plan area and immediate surroundings with potentially cumulative impacts. As such, the incremental effect of the 2040 General Plan would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to historical resources would be significant and unavoidable.
Archaeological and Tribal Cultural Resources
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan in conjunction with other nearby past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects listed in Table 3-1 could potentially disturb areas that may contain archaeological and tribal cultural resources. While there is the potential for significant cumulative impacts to archaeological and tribal cultural resources, it is anticipated that potential impacts associated with individual cumulative projects would be addressed and mitigated on a case-by-case basis and would be subject to local and State regulations regarding the protection of such resources. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to archaeological and tribal cultural resources would be less than significant with mitigation.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
F. ENERGY
(Draft EIR, p. 3.6-45)
GHG emissions and global climate change represent cumulative impacts. GHG emissions cumulatively contribute to the significant adverse environmental impacts of global climate change. No single project could generate enough GHG emissions to noticeably change the global average temperature; instead, the GHG emissions from past, present, and future projects and activities have contributed, currently are contributing, and would contribute to global climate change and its associated environmental impacts. And the geographic scope of the cumulative energy analysis is the MCE and PG&E service areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future
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plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3.0, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County in addition to the proposed plan.
GHG Emissions
Cumulative development would generate GHG emissions from vehicle trips, electrical and water use, and other sources. The analysis of GHG emissions is cumulative in nature, as emissions affect the accumulation of GHGs in Earth’s atmosphere. Projects that fall below thresholds are considered to have a less than significant impact, both individually and cumulatively. As indicated under Impact GHG-1, the proposed plan would have a significant and unavoidable impact related to GHG emissions and would conflict with GHG reduction plans, because the City of Pleasant Hill does not currently have a climate action plan and has not outlined methods and policies to meet the long-term 2030 reduction targets set by SB 32 and the 2045 carbon neutrality goal set by AB 1279. Implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would require the City to update its GHG emissions targets to be consistent with latest State and BAAQMD targets as well as to adopt and implement a climate action plan and CEQA GHG emissions threshold by Summer 2024, which in turn would reduce GHG emissions consistent with State GHG reduction targets set by SB 32 and AB 1279. In addition, until a climate action plan and a CEQA GHG threshold are adopted, implementation of the 2040 General Plan would not be consistent with BAAQMD GHG thresholds. As such, impacts from the 2040 General Plan’s GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable, and the proposed plan would represent a cumulatively considerable impact related to GHG emissions. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.
Energy
Cumulative development would increase demand for energy resources. However, new iterations of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen would require increasingly more energy efficient appliances and building materials that reduce energy consumption in new development. In addition, vehicle fuel efficiency is anticipated to continue improving through implementation of the existing Pavley Bill regulations under AB 1493. Nevertheless, the combined increase in energy consumption from cumulative projects would potentially result in a significant cumulative impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary consumption of energy resources. It is conservatively assumed, therefore, that cumulative development could result in a significant impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources. However, as described under Impact GHG-2, 2040 General Plan development would be constructed in accordance with the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen. Policies would emphasize alternative means of transportation, such as bicycles and walking, and would provide development in close proximity to transit stations. Additionally, infill development may lower VMT due to the proximity to offices and commercial uses. Therefore, as the 2040 General Plan would not result in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, the contribution to a significant cumulative energy impact is not cumulatively considerable.
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Plans and projects throughout the State are required to adhere to applicable renewable energy and energy efficiency laws, programs, and policies such as California’s RPS, AB 1493, and Title 24 standards. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to consistency with renewable energy and energy reduction plans would be less than significant. As discussed under Impact GHG-3, 2040 General Plan development would be consistent with the energy-related goals and policies of the Statewide plans and regulations. Therefore, the 2040 General Plan would not contribute to a cumulative impact with respect to consistency with renewable energy and energy efficiency plans.
The overall cumulative impact related to energy would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
G. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
(Draft EIR, p. 3.5-30)
The geographic scope of the cumulative geology/soils and mineral resources analysis is the General Plan area and the surrounding vicinity. Adverse effects associated with many geologies and soils tend to be localized; therefore, an area generally within a 0.25-mile radius would be the area most affected by activities in combination with the proposed plan.
In addition, adverse effects associated with paleontological resource impacts tend to be localized, because the integrity of any given resource depends on what occurs only in the immediate vicinity around that resource, such as disruption of soils. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in surrounding cities in addition to the proposed plan.
Seismic-related Hazards
Cumulative projects, including the proposed plan, have the potential to experience strong to violent groundshaking from earthquakes. Cumulative projects listed in Table 3-1 would be exposed to the similar ground shaking hazards and would be subject to the same requirements. All cumulative projects would adhere to the provisions of the California Building Code, and policies of the 2040 General Plan and Pleasant Hill Municipal Code and surrounding city general plans and municipal codes, reducing potential hazards associated with seismic ground shaking and ground failure. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to seismic-related hazards would be less than significant.
Soil-related Hazards
Soil conditions associated with the proposed plan, such as differential settlement, expansive soils, and soil creep, are specific to the plan area and generally do not contribute to a cumulative effect. Some or all other cumulative projects may have similar conditions, but they also would not contribute to a general geologic or soil cumulative effect. The proposed plan would be subject to all City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan policies,
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municipal code policies, and the CBC reducing soil-related hazard impacts. Other current and future development/redevelopment projects in the region would similarly be required to adhere to standards and practices that include stringent geologic and soil-related hazard mitigations. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to soil-related hazards would be less than significant.
Unique Geological Feature and Paleontological Resources Construction activities associated with development of cumulative plans and projects in or within the vicinity of the General Plan area may have the potential to encounter undiscovered geologic resources and paleontological resources. The potential impacts to paleontological resources of each of those projects would be on an individual basis, depending on their location and construction activities, rather than cumulative. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to paleontological resources and unique geologic features would be less than significant.
Mineral Resources
Since there is no plan-level impact related to mineral resources, there would also be no cumulative impact related to mineral resources.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
H. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
See Energy above.
I. HAZARDOUS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.7-45 – 3.7-46)
The geographic scope of the cumulative hazards, hazardous materials, and wildfire analysis is the General Plan area and the vicinity of the plan area. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill and surrounding areas in addition to the proposed plan.
Hazardous Materials Exposure Risk
In general, exposure to hazardous materials may cause localized adverse effects. A combination of federal, State, and local regulations limit or minimize the potential for exposure to hazardous materials. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 consists predominantly of general plan buildouts, area plan buildout, and active transportation projects. The types and sizes of development anticipated in the City of Pleasant Hill would not involve large quantities of hazardous materials or activities that transport or handle hazardous materials. In addition, there are no land uses in the vicinity of the plan area that
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are known to utilize large quantities of hazardous materials or involve hazardous activities.
However, cumulative plans and projects may include demolition of structures that have the potential to contain hazardous building materials. Building materials may contain asbestos and lead-based paint. To address potential release of hazardous materials, the City would require applicants to assess structures and impose standard mitigation (required testing, removal, and proper disposal) to minimize release prior to any demolition. Therefore, there would be a less than significant cumulative impact associated with hazardous materials exposure risk.
Hazards and Emergency Response
The City of Pleasant Hill contains main arterial streets that would act as the most likely routes out of the City and provide access to I-680 and SR-24. The areas surrounding the plan area are characterized primarily by urban development, which is not immediately adjacent to any wildlands. The cumulative projects, listed in Table 3-1, would result in predominantly in-fill development. Planned uses are contemplated in the City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan and would not significantly increase emergency services, including wildfires. Furthermore, all construction would adhere to the City Building Codes that are designed to minimize the potential for uncontrolled fires. Once development is proposed, the City would assess the needs for fire protection services and would inform efforts to improve or expand needed facilities. Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would increase population, including employees. Future development in Pleasant Hill and the surrounding area would result in increased population and could alter the existing street network. However, cumulative development would comply with emergency access requirements as a condition of construction. Cumulative development would also be required to comply with the respective city’s regulations and policies regarding emergency access. Trucks necessary to construct cumulative development would utilize truck routes designated by the respective cities and would not conflict with vehicle traffic along city streets. If cumulative development would redesign city streets in such a way that would significantly impact emergency access, they would be required by the respective city to mitigate such impacts. In addition, driveways associated with cumulative development would be constructed in compliance with the California Fire Code and other applicable regulations related to emergency access. Furthermore, the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan would not result in permanent road closures, nor impede an established emergency access route, nor interfere with emergency response requirements. Therefore, there would be a less than significant cumulative impact associated with hazards and emergency response.
Wildfire Hazards and Emergency/Evacuation Response
A combination of federal, State, and local regulations limit or minimize the potential for exposure to wildfires by reducing the amount of development in wildland urban interface areas, ensuring new development is developed according to California Building Code and California Fire Code, and incorporating requirements for fire-safe construction into the land use planning. The types and sizes of development anticipated in Table 3-1 may be located in designated High Fire Hazard Zones. In addition, plans and projects would be located in areas that are already developed, do not contain significant levels of dry fuel susceptible to ignition, or significantly high average wind speed. Furthermore, cumulative
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plans and projects would result in predominantly in-fill development and would not significantly increase emergency services beyond the existing service area. Furthermore, all cumulative project construction would adhere to the City Building Codes that are designed to minimize the potential for uncontrolled fires. Adherence to City Building Codes would ensure that California Fire Code standards such as automatic sprinkler systems are included in development. In addition, as part of project approval for the cumulative projects, the City would assess the need for fire protection services, which would inform efforts to improve or expand needed facilities. In addition, future development would comply with emergency access requirements as directed by the City and fire department regulations. Furthermore, the cumulative projects would not result in permanent road closures, nor impede an established emergency or evacuation access route, such as I-680 and SR-24, or interfere with emergency response requirements established by the City of Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan. As described in Impact HAZ-5, the proposed plan would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to the exposure of people and structures to wildfire risks. While mitigation is provided, it is not possible to prevent a significant risk of wildfires or fully protect people and structures from the risks of wildfires. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to wildfire exposure risk is significant and unavoidable.
Aviation-related Hazards and Excessive Noise Exposure
Compliance with development standards as set forth by the Contra Costa County ALUCP regarding types of development allowed and maximum stories allowed would reduce potential cumulative projects impacts related to aviation related hazards. Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan is not expected to significantly increase airport activities and, therefore, airport noise. Existing requirements for airports and proposed 2040 General Plan policies HS-6.1 and HS-6.2 would reduce the noise impacts of airport activity on residents and workers in the plan area. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to aviation-related hazards and excessive noise exposure would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
J. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.8-30 – 3.8-32)
The geographic scope of the cumulative hydrology and water quality analysis is the surface area of the Walnut Creek Watershed system shown in Figure 3.8-1 and the Ygnacio Valley Groundwater Basin shown on Figure 3.8 2. Potential impacts associated with surface water and drainage would generally be site-specific and confined within the stormwater drainage and management areas of Pleasant Hill. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1, Cumulative Plans and Larger-scale Projects List, which lists the relevant plans and largerscale projects considered in conjunction with the proposed plan (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis).
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Surface Water
Table 3-1 identifies other general plan buildouts that direct the type and intensity of land use and development within specific areas, consisting primarily of residential and commercial projects, none of which overlap with the General Plan area or are within Pleasant Hill. As with the proposed plan, cumulative plans and projects would generally occur as infill and would not develop previously undisturbed areas or substantially change drainage patterns of the area. Additionally, regulations protecting surface water would be equally applicable to cumulative projects as the proposed plan, including the NPDES program which requires implementation of SWPPPs with BMPs to minimize or avoid potential impacts to surface waters. Due to the site-specific nature of surface water impacts, the lack of site overlap between cumulative projects and the proposed plan, and the common applicability of surface water regulations, potential cumulative impacts associated with surface flows and drainage would be less than significant.
Groundwater
Potential impacts to groundwater could occur through direct pumping and consumption of groundwater, or through indirect interference with groundwater recharge. However, due to the existing developed nature of the General Plan area, and the fact that neither the proposed plan nor cumulative projects would develop previously undisturbed areas or substantially change drainage patterns of the area (see “Surface Water” above), cumulative impacts associated with interference with groundwater recharge would be less than significant. In addition, no cumulative impacts associated with direct consumption of groundwater would occur, because water supply for the proposed plan would be provided primarily by the CCWD, as well as Martinez Water District and EBMUD in some areas of the western portion of Pleasant Hill, and neither the CCWD, Martinez Water District, nor EBMUD neither manages groundwater nor uses groundwater to meet any local demands (refer to Section 3.8.2, Environmental Setting, under “Groundwater Basin Hydrology”).
As discussed under Impact HYD-2, groundwater activities conducted by these agencies involve conjunctive use and groundwater recharge programs that are designed to manage groundwater sustainably.
Water Quality
Development facilitated by cumulative plans and projects would comply with policies related to water quality, including through implementation of project-specific SWPPPs as applicable, including with BMPs to minimize or avoid water quality degradation from construction and other ground-disturbing activities. As discussed in Section 3.8.3, Environmental Setting, under “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System,” the City of Pleasant Hill is a member agency of the CCCWP, which assists municipalities and other agencies in Contra Costa County with implementation of the NPDES Permit; the proposed plan as well as cumulative plans listed in Table 3-1 are subject to the same requirements of the Clean Water Act, and would be implemented in compliance with NPDES and SWPPP requirements, through the CCCWP.
In addition, the proposed plan would not adversely affect water quality by increasing the
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extent of permeable surfaces in the area. While development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan could increase impervious surfaces throughout the General Plan area, LID features associated with new development and redevelopment would minimize potential to increase impervious surfaces and adversely affect infiltration and runoff; such features may include bioretention systems, swales, green roofs, infiltration systems, and permeable pavers. This would in turn facilitate infiltration of surface water to the subsurface and help filter contaminants out of surface runoff as it infiltrates soil to underlying groundwater resources. The potential for cumulative impacts related to water quality is considered unlikely. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to water quality would be less than significant.
Flooding
The cumulative projects would likely include LID features as part of proposed infill development and redevelopment and, thus, would increase the extent of permeable surfaces that would increase the rate and extent of infiltration of surface water runoff, thereby reducing its velocity. Due to the site-specific nature of flooding impacts and the infill characteristics of the proposed plan as well as the other cumulative plans and projects, cumulative impacts related to potential for flooding would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant
K. LAND USE AND PLANNING
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.9-21)
The geographic scope of the cumulative land use/planning and population/housing analysis is the City of Pleasant Hill and adjacent city and airport planning areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects located in Pleasant Hill (in addition to the proposed plan) and the City of Concord listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis), as well as plans in Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, and Plan Bay Area 2050.
Community Division
Development facilitated by the proposed plan in conjunction with the cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would result in the development of residential, retail, office, hotel, industrial, and transportation uses. The cumulative plans and projects do not propose the type of large or linear construction that could reduce mobility within an existing community and the surrounding area and would occur in an urban environment. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential to divide an existing community would be less than significant.
Land Use Plan, Policy, or Regulation Consistency
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Land use decisions for both the proposed plan and for the other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 are made at the City level. Development within the City of Pleasant Hill is governed by the Pleasant Hill General Plan and Pleasant Hill Municipal Code, which ensure logical and orderly land use development and require discretionary review to ensure that projects do not result in land use environmental impacts due to inconsistency with the General Plan and other regulations. Cumulative development projects in Pleasant Hill would be required to demonstrate consistency with the proposed 2040 General Plan and applicable codes, ordinances, and policies. This would ensure that these projects comply with applicable planning regulations. The proposed plan has been determined to be consistent with the City’s policy. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential conflict with a land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect would be less than significant.
Population Growth
Cumulative projects listed in Table 3-1 in conjunction with the proposed plan would add residents to the cities of Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, and Moraga, unincorporated Contra Costa County, and the greater Bay Area. The CDF estimates that the total population of Pleasant Hill was 34,026 as of January 1, 2022. The development of other cumulative plans and projects include residential projects that would add additional housing units resulting in additional residents. This increase in population would be in addition to the approximately 45,470 residents associated with the proposed plan. The proposed plan estimates Pleasant Hill at buildout to have a population of 80,145 people by 2040. Because the proposed plan is designed for planned and orderly growth, and residential development would be completed in accordance with State law, development facilitated by and in accordance with the proposed plan would not directly or indirectly induce substantial unplanned growth in Pleasant Hill.
As such, while other cumulative plans and projects would result in direct population growth, implementation of the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative projects, would result in a less than significant cumulative impact associated with direct population growth, as this growth is planned for by the City of Pleasant Hill. Furthermore, cumulative plans and projects are expected to generate employment opportunities. Total employment in Pleasant Hill was 17,600 in 2022. The cumulative plans and projects are estimated to increase employment, and the proposed plan is expected to increase jobs in Pleasant Hill by 2,200. Employees associated with the cumulative plans and projects would be expected to be drawn from the local labor force. The proposed plan is not expected to employ new employees. As such, there would not be substantial indirect population growth associated with implementation of the cumulative plans and projects. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to direct and indirect population growth would be considered less than significant.
Population/Housing Displacement
Cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 in conjunction with implementation of the proposed plan would add residential units to Pleasant Hill. The plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would not remove existing housing and rather would add housing units. Furthermore, the development facilitated by the proposed plan would add
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approximately 14,550 housing units to the Pleasant Hill housing stock. In addition, implementation of the proposed plan would not require the removal of any homes and would not displace any people. As such, implementation of the proposed plan, in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects, would not displace housing or people such that would necessitate the construction of additional housing elsewhere.
Therefore, no cumulative impact related to displacement of housing or people would occur.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant.
L. MINERAL RESOURCES
See Geology above.
M. NOISE
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.10-40 - 3.10-41)
The geographic scope of the cumulative noise analysis is the City of Pleasant Hill and adjacent city and airport areas. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (see Chapter 3.0, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, unincorporated Contra Costa County, and at the Buchanan Field Airport in addition to the proposed plan.
Construction Noise
Construction noise generated by the 2040 General Plan, in combination with construction activities for other cumulative projects that may be constructed simultaneously could, without mitigation, substantially increase noise levels in the vicinity of future projects.
Mitigation measures have been identified to help reduce noise from construction equipment from 2040 General Plan projects. Therefore, unless construction of cumulative projects, including those proposed under development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, occur in close proximity to each other and simultaneously, noise from individual construction projects have a small chance of combining to create significant cumulative impacts.
Although this scenario is unlikely, and mitigation measures would be implemented to the extent feasible, the potential remains for a cumulatively considerable increase in construction noise from 2040 General Plan projects. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to construction noise would be significant and unavoidable.
Operational Stationary Noise
Development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would introduce new stationary noise sources to the ambient noise environment in the vicinity of the plan area, including new mechanical ventilation equipment. These sources may combine with other nearby cumulative projects to result in higher noise levels. However, operational noise from these
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sources is localized and rapidly attenuates within an urbanized setting due to the effects of intervening structures and topography that block the line of sight and due to other noise sources closer to receptors that obscure project-related noise. Implementation of city municipal code noise standards would ensure that noise from new stationary sources as part of the cumulative projects would be within acceptable levels. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to operational stationary noise would be significant and unavoidable.
Operational Mobile Noise
As discussed in Impact NOI-2, roadway vehicle noise increases from development facilitated by the 2040 General Plan would contribute to a noise level increase that exceeds impact criteria and would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, in combination with mobile noise for other cumulative projects, the cumulative impact related to operational mobile (roadway vehicle) noise would be significant and unavoidable.
Noise Land Use Compatibility
Proposed 2040 General Plan Policy HS-7.1 would require new development to be designed and constructed to meet noise level standards, and Policy HS-7.3 would reduce noise from transportation facilities that result in roadway vehicle noise. These policies would ensure that future sensitive noise receptors in Pleasant Hill that are exposed to combined cumulative transportation noise levels associated with roadway and aviation noise would not exceed noise levels that the City considers acceptable for such proposed land uses.
Therefore, the cumulative impact related to potential inconsistency with noise land use compatibility standards would be less than significant.
Groundborne Vibration and Noise
Although there could be other cumulative projects simultaneously under construction near a development project facilitated by the 2040 General Plan, the potential for construction groundborne vibration and noise impacts is within relatively close distances (e.g., within approximately 25 feet for a vibratory roller). Since no two construction cumulative projects would both be within 25 feet of a given sensitive structure, cumulative groundborne vibration and noise impacts would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable
N. POPULATION AND HOUSING
See Land Use and Planning above.
O. PUBLIC SERVICES
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.11-25 – 3.11-26)
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The geographic scope of the cumulative public services analysis is the service areas of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD), the Pleasant Hill Police Department (PHPD), Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), and the Contra Costa County Library system. In addition, the geographic scope of the cumulative recreation analysis consists of the local community and regional parks within the boundary of the City of Pleasant Hill and include parks and recreational facilities managed by Contra Costa County. Because of differences in the nature of the public service topical areas, they are discussed separately. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Lafayette, Clayton, Danville, Pittsburg, and Contra Costa County, in addition to the proposed plan.
Fire Protection Facilities
The CCCFPD service area consists of the jurisdictional limits of Contra Costa County, which encompasses approximately 304 square miles. Cumulative development in Pleasant Hill would result in predominantly residential and commercial development. These types of development would increase the permanent resident and daytime population of the City.
The increase in population would result in an increased demand for fire protection facilities. However, the need for fire protection services is gradual as development occurs.
To help offset the increased demand, the cumulative plans and projects would be required to pay all applicable review and development impact fees to the CCCFPD. Cumulative developments would be in compliance with the California Fire Code, Part 9 of the CBC and would follow standards for fire safety such as fire flow requirements for buildings, fire hydrant location and distribution criteria, automated sprinkler systems, and fire-resistant building materials. For these reasons, the cumulative projects would not result in the need to construct new or expand existing fire protection or emergency medical services facilities beyond those anticipated for expected population growth. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to fire protection facilities would be less than significant.
Police Protection Facilities
The PHPD service area is within the city limits of Pleasant Hill. Cumulative development in Pleasant Hill would result in predominantly residential and commercial development.
These types of development would increase the permanent resident and daytime population. The increase in population and development would result in an increased demand for police protection facilities. Cumulative plans and projects within the service area of the PHPD would be reviewed for impacts on police protection services, would be required to address any potential impacts with mitigation, and would need to provide adequate emergency access for police services with proper signage and lighting. Because demand for law enforcement services is highly dependent on a number of factors that vary substantially by project (clientele, hours of operation, crime prevention measures, etc.), it is unlikely that there would be substantial overlap in demand that would result such that new facilities are necessary. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to police protection facilities would be less than significant.
School Facilities
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Pleasant Hill is served by MDUSD with a service area including Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and Concord; portions of Martinez, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek; and surrounding unincorporated communities. Cumulative projects would result in predominantly residential and commercial development; residential development would increase permanent population, increasing demand for school facilities. Implementation of the 2040 General Plan, in addition to the General Plans of surrounding cities including but not limited to Lafayette, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek, would also add residential units to their respective plan areas and would result in an increase in schoolaged residents. Although cumulative projects would be required to pay development impact fees towards school operation, construction of cumulative school facilities could result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to air quality, noise, cultural resources, and paleontological resources. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to school facilities would be significant and unavoidable.
Library Facilities
The geographic scope for the cumulative analysis of other public facilities analysis is the service area of the Contra Costa County Library system, which includes the existing Pleasant Hill library. Cumulative plans and projects, mainly the residential projects, may also result in the increase in library use. Contra Costa County Libraries could need to incrementally increase their library services to the cities of Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Lafayette, Clayton, Danville, Pittsburg, and Contra Costa County through the year 2040, which could in turn require the construction of new facilities to accommodate subsequent library visitors and facility space. The proposed plan in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would facilitate development in areas that are currently developed; therefore, construction of new Contra Costa County Libraries facilities, if required, would likely occur on property previously disturbed or developed.
This would reduce the potential of adverse construction impacts associated with construction of new or expanded library facilities. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to library facilities would be less than significant.
Recreation and Park Facilities
The implementation of the proposed plan in conjunction with the cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would result in residential and commercial developments in and near Pleasant Hill. Such cumulative development would be expected to permanently increase residents, which would increase cumulative demand for park facilities. The greater use of parks and recreational facilities in Pleasant Hill could result in physical deterioration of existing parks. However, population growth is only one factor in determining whether parks and recreational facilities would deteriorate through increased use. Other variables include park design, age, infrastructure, and park use. To further offset demand, the cumulative plans and projects would be required to demonstrate compliance with applicable design guidelines established in the proposed 2040 General Plan. In addition, cumulative development would be subject to parkland dedication requirements or in-lieu parkland fees. Pleasant Hill also continues to retain, enhance, and expand park and recreation facilities throughout the City limits, as well as continues to assess its current and future park needs. With payment of park impact fees by cumulative development, there
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would be limited potential physical deterioration of existing parks and recreational facilities due to increased use. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to recreational and park facilities would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable.
P. RECREATION
See Public Services above.
Q. TRANSPORTATION
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.12-44 – 3/12-45)
The transportation impact analysis (see Appendix E) prepared for the proposed plan also accounts for future land use for the entire travel model area, which includes VMT on Contra Costa County roadways that originates within and outside of the County. Adjacent development considered part of the cumulative analysis includes the projects and plan listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis).
Vehicle Miles Traveled
OPR provides the following guidance regarding cumulative impacts analysis and VMT:
When using an absolute VMT metric, i.e., total VMT (as recommended below for retail and transportation projects), analyzing the combined impacts for a cumulative impacts analysis may be appropriate. However, metrics such as VMT per capita or VMT per employee, i.e., metrics framed in terms of efficiency (as recommended below for use on residential and office projects), cannot be summed because they employ a denominator. A project that falls below an efficiency-based threshold that is aligned with long-term environmental goals and relevant plans would have no cumulative impact distinct from the project impact. Accordingly, a finding of a less-than-significant project impact would imply a less than significant cumulative impact, and vice versa.
The year 2040 total countywide VMT per service population (all residents and employees) is shown in Error! Reference source not found.. These metrics reflect VMT generated by all trips by all land uses in Contra Costa County, as well as non-County generated trips traveling on County roadways (i.e., all VMT within the Contra Costa County boundary).
As shown in Error! Reference source not found., Countywide boundary VMT per service population would decrease with the proposed plan, reflecting the travel efficiency that generally results from more dense, mixed-use development provided with the proposed plan.
While VMT per service population would decrease countywide, based on OPR’s guidance, included above, cumulative impacts would be commensurate with plan-level impacts.
Because the analysis for the proposed plan is based on Home-Based VMT and Home-Work
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VMT, the significant VMT impact finding implies that the proposed plan would also have a cumulatively considerable contribution to a significant cumulative impact. Since projectlevel significance thresholds were designed to support long-term environmental goals, they inherently also address potential cumulative VMT impacts. As such, VMT would be cumulatively considerable. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to VMT would be significant and unavoidable.
Compatibility with Programs, Plans, Ordinances, and Policies Related to Circulation Cumulative plans and projects, including the proposed plan, would be required to comply with local regulations and policies. The plans’ incremental contribution to cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Roadway Safety and Emergency Vehicle Access
Roadways constructed as part of the proposed plan in conjunction with other cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would be constructed to meet current design standards in respective cities. Modifications to public rights-of-way would be consistent with appropriate regulations and design standards set forth by the respective city’s applicable plans, programs, and policies. Similarly, cumulative development would also be required to comply with the respective city’s regulations and policies. Trucks necessary to construct cumulative development would utilize truck routes designated by the respective cities and would not conflict with the automobile traffic and bicycle and pedestrian activity along respective city streets. If cumulative development would redesign city streets in such a way that would significantly impact roadway safety, they would be required by the respective city to mitigate such impacts. Nevertheless, Pleasant Hill’s contribution to potential cumulative roadway safety impacts would not be cumulatively considerable. In addition, driveways and emergency vehicle access points associated with cumulative development would be constructed in compliance with the California Fire Code and other applicable regulations related to roadway safety and emergency access. Therefore, cumulative impacts related to roadway safety and emergency vehicle access would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Significant and unavoidable.
R. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
See Cultural Resources above.
S. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
(Draft EIR, pp. 3.13-33 – 3.13-34)
The geographic scope of the cumulative utilities and service systems analysis is the CCWD, EBMUD, Central San, Pleasant Hill Public Works, and Republic Services service areas. Because of differences in the nature of the utility and service system topical areas,
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they are discussed separately. The cumulative analysis considers the nearby past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 (refer to Chapter 3, Environmental Impact Analysis) located in Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County, and Plan Bay Area 2050.
Water Supply Infrastructure and Facilities
CCWD and EBMUD provide potable water to residents and businesses within the Contra Costa and the East Bay, including Pleasant Hill. Both CCWD and EBMUD considered the existing capacity and future demand for capacity to determine needed updates to water facilities. In the course of preparing the UWMP, both providers estimated water demand of future development in the service area and forecast the needed facility upgrades. The forecast included supply facility upgrades needed to accommodate growth in the service area, including Pleasant Hill. The CCWD and EBMUD prepared UWMPs that considered the buildout potential across the service area. The UWMPs determined that the CCWD and EBMUD would be able to provide adequate water supplies to the City during normal years and single dry years but would see shortfalls during multiple dry years which would be offset through planned water supply purchases. However, while the development facilitated by the proposed plan would result in additional population beyond the projected population within Plan Bay Area 2040, adherence to the General Plan policies would reduce per capita water use. In addition, future developments that meet certain criteria under Senate Bill 610 will be required to prepare a project-level water supply assessment, which identifies and verifies water supply availability under normal water year conditions, single dry year conditions, and multiple dry year conditions. Furthermore, cumulative plans and projects listed in Table 3-1 would be required to comply with provisions of the respective municipal codes and California Green Building Code related to water conservation. Cumulative impacts related to operations of water infrastructure and facilities would be less than significant. However, as discussed above, there is potential that infrastructure upgrades may be required to accommodate future growth. Therefore, the cumulative impacts related to water supply infrastructure expansion and construction would be significant and unavoidable. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to water supply infrastructure and facilities would be less than significant.
Wastewater Infrastructure and Facilities
Central San provides wastewater collection and treatment services for the residents and business in Pleasant Hill. Central San recently updated its Sewer System Management Plan which, the purpose of which is to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in the City’s sanitary sewer collection system and to enhance compliance with the applicable permits, laws, and regulations as related to sanitary sewer overflows. The plan includes treatment facility upgrades needed to accommodate growth in the service area and maintain compliance with applicable regulatory standards for wastewater treatment and discharge.
Cumulative plans and projects would generate volumes of wastewater. The Cities of Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County anticipate development in the respective cities and determined that capacity would exist to service the demand for wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore,
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the cumulativeCumulative impacts related to impactoperations related toof wastewater infrastructure and facilities would be less than significant. However, as discussed above, there is potential that infrastructure upgrades may be required to accommodate future growth. Therefore, the cumulative impacts related to wastewater infrastructure expansion and construction would be significant and unavoidable.
Stormwater Infrastructure and Facilities
Cumulative plans and projects predominantly consist of residential and commercial uses.
The cumulative plans and projects would be located in urban areas that would be served by existing municipal storm drainage systems. Consistent with measures in the Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and Contra Costa County Municipal Codes, development in the cities would incorporate a stormwater control plan and stormwater collection systems into the development that would in turn reduce the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff that cumulative development would generate.
Therefore, the cumulative impact related to stormwater infrastructure and facilities would be less than significant.
Solid Waste Facilities
Keller Canyon and Acme Landfills operate solid waste landfills and oversee regional waste diversion programs as well as solid waste and recycling collection services. Keller Canyon anticipates it would be able to absorb future growth. Cumulative plans and projects listed consist predominantly of residential and commercial uses. However, as with the surrounding areas, new cumulative development (residential and non-residential) would increase demand on solid waste facilities to receive, process, and store solid waste. The Keller Canyon Landfill has a maximum throughput of approximately 3,500 tons per day and anticipated closure date of December 31, 2050. The anticipated waste volume of development in the plan area represents approximately 1.4 percent of the throughput of the Keller Canyon Landfill. Existing solid waste facilities provide sufficient capacity to serve development anticipated in the Cities of Lafayette, Martinez, Clayton, Danville, Orinda, Pittsburg, Moraga, and unincorporated Contra Costa County as well as existing, planned, and probable future land uses in the respective cities for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the cumulative impact related to solid waste facilities would be less than significant.
Overall Level of Cumulative Significance
Less than significant.
T. WILDFIRE
See Hazards and Hazardous Material above.
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SECTION VI.
FINDINGS REGARDING SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGES
Sections 15126(c) and 15126.2(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, require that an EIR address any significant irreversible environmental changes that would occur should the project be implemented. Generally, a project would result in significant irreversible environmental changes if any of the following would occur:
The project would involve a large commitment of non-renewable resources; The primary and secondary impacts of the project would generally commit future generations to similar uses;
The project involves uses in which irreversible damage could result from any potential environmental accidents; or
The proposed consumption of resources is not justified.
SECTION VII.
GROWTH-INDUCING IMPACTS
Section 15126.2(e) of the State CEQA Guidelines requires a Draft EIR to discuss the ways the Project could foster economic or population growth or the construction of additional housing, directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment. In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(e), a Project would be considered to have a growth-inducing effect if it would:
Directly or indirectly foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing in the surrounding environment;
Remove obstacles to population growth (e.g., construction of an infrastructure expansion to allow for more construction in service areas); Tax existing community service facilities, requiring the construction of new facilities that could cause significant environmental effects; or
Encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment, either individually or cumulatively.
In addition, CEQA Guidelines that that growth inducement must not be assumed.
SECTION VIII.
ALTERNATIVES
A. BACKGROUND
The Draft EIR analyzed three alternatives to the Project as proposed and evaluated these alternatives for their ability to avoid or reduce the Project’s significant environmental effects while
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also meeting the majority of the Project’s objectives. The City finds that it has considered and rejected as infeasible the alternatives identified in the EIR and described below. This section sets forth the potential alternatives to the Project analyzed in the EIR and evaluates them in light of the Project objectives, as required by CEQA.
Where significant impacts are identified, section 15126.6 of the State CEQA Guidelines requires EIRs to consider and discuss alternatives to the proposed actions. Subsection (a) states:
(a) An EIR shall describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, which would feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. An EIR need not consider every conceivable alternative to a project. Rather it must consider a reasonable range of potentially feasible alternatives that will foster informed decision-making and public participation. An EIR is not required to consider alternatives which are infeasible. The lead agency is responsible for selecting a range of project alternatives for examination and must publicly disclose its reasoning for selecting those alternatives. There is no ironclad rule governing the nature or scope of the alternatives to be discussed other than the rule of reason.
Subsection 15126.6(b) states the purpose of the alternatives analysis:
(b) Because an EIR must identify ways to mitigate or avoid the significant effects that a project may have on the environment (Public Resources Code Section 21002.1), the discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly.
In subsection 15126.6(c), the State CEQA Guidelines describe the selection process for a range of reasonable alternatives:
(c) The range of potential alternatives to the proposed project shall include those that could feasibly accomplish most of the basic objectives of the Project and could avoid or substantially lessen one or more of the significant effects. The EIR should briefly describe the rationale for selecting the alternatives to be discussed. The EIR should also identify any alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were rejected as infeasible during the scoping process and briefly explain the reasons underlying the lead agency’s determination. Additional information explaining the choice of alternatives may be included in the administrative record.
Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (ii) infeasibility, or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts.
The range of alternatives required is governed by a “rule of reason” that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The EIR shall include sufficient information about each alternative to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and
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comparison with the proposed Project. Alternatives are limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the Project. Of those alternatives, the EIR need examine in detail only the ones that the lead agency determines could feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the Project.
B. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The following objectives have been established for the Project (Draft EIR) :
C. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED FROM DETAILED
ANALYSIS
Section 15126.6(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines specifies that an EIR should (1) identify alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were eliminated from detailed consideration because they were determined to be infeasible during the scoping process; and (2) briefly explain the reasons underlying the lead agency’s determination. Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives; (ii) infeasibility; and/or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts.
The following alternatives were considered but rejected as part of the environmental analysis for the Project:
Adopted General Plan Buildout (i.e., “No Project”)
Increased Intensity in Non-western Areas
25 Percent Residential Reduction
Finding: The City Council rejects the Click to enter text alternatives, on the following grounds, each of which individually provides sufficient justification for rejection of this alternative: (1) the alternatives do not avoid any significant and unavoidable impacts, (2) the alternatives would likely not further reduce any of the proposed project’s significant impacts; and (3) the alternatives are technically, financially, and legally infeasible given that Click to enter text.
Therefore, these alternatives are eliminated from further consideration.
D. EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES SELECTED FOR ANALYSIS
The alternatives selected for further detailed review within the EIR focus on alternatives that could the Project’s significant environmental impacts, while still meeting most of the basic Project objectives. Those alternatives include:
Alternative 1: Adopted General Plan Buildout (i.e., “No Project”) (Draft EIR) Alternative 2: Increased Intensity in Non-western Areas (Draft EIR) Alternative 3: 25 Percent Residential Reduction (Draft EIR)
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1. Alternative 1: Adopted General Plan Buildout Alternative Description: The Adopted General Plan Buildout Alternative (or Alternative 1) assumes that the current land use and zoning designations would not change from the City’s adopted 2003 General Plan. The 2040 General Plan would not be adopted. Current land uses for residential units and commercial, office, school, industrial, and semipublic/institutional area would remain unchanged under Alternative 1. Future buildout would continue to follow the current designations. For purposes of the environmental analysis, it was assumed that the number of persons per household would still be 2.4.
Based on this, the Pleasant Hill population increase estimate would be 41,300, which represents a relative population decrease of 4,819 compared to the proposed plan (see Table 5.1). Alternative 1 would not update the Pleasant Hill General Plan. Without the 2040 General Plan, Pleasant Hill would lack a long-term blueprint for redevelopment throughout the General Plan area and not meet its RHNA requirements.
Impacts:
Aesthetics
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under to the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. As such, there would be less new sources of light or glare within the General Plan area that could adversely affect daytime or nighttime views. While the existing (2003) Pleasant Hill General Plan does not contain a policy requiring the City to adopt lighting standards intended to maintain ambient lighting levels and minimum glare, individual future projects would be required to mitigate lighting levels as applicable. There would also be less potential for visual character of the General Plan area to be altered, as development facilitated by the existing General Plan would follow current policies that would prevent this impact. Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.1, Aesthetics). Alternative 1 would lesser aesthetics impacts compared to the proposed plan due to the lower overall potential for light, glare, and visual character alterations within the General Plan area but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level. However, this alternative would not meet the plan objectives that focus on smart and sensitive development given that infill development would not be maximized.
Air Quality
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Temporary construction-related air quality impacts from grading and construction and longer-term air quality impacts from building operation (energy usage, maintenance), would be lower than under
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the proposed plan. While individual future project mitigation could result in construction-related criteria air pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions, such projects would be required to mitigate emissions as applicable as well as comply with BAAQMD basic control measures to comply with standard permit conditions. Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to air quality would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to air quality would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.2, Air Quality). Alternative 1 would result in lesser levels of criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminant emission generation impacts compared to the proposed plan but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level. However, this alternative would not meet the plan objectives that focus on smart and sensitive development given that existing land uses within the General Plan area would not be updated with more modern facilities in compliance with latest building codes and, thus, would not promote greater energy efficiency nor maximize infill development.
Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Development changes related to wildlife, habitat, and waters of the United States conservation policies would follow the existing (2003) General Plan guidelines. Similar to the proposed plan, areas under the current General Plan currently developed with residential and non-residential uses likely are not suitable habitat for special-status species, wetlands, agricultural land, and forests. This alternative would follow the current mitigation measures in place to reduce the impact of significance level on biological, agriculture, and forestry resources. Therefore, Alternative 1 biological, agriculture, and forestry resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to biological, agriculture, and forestry resources would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.3, Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources). Alternative 1 would have a similar impact on these resources. However, this alternative would not meet the proposed plan objectives for smart and sensitive development in terms of development construction activities potentially affecting sensitive wildlife species during construction activities. Additionally, the proposed plan allows for conservation plans to update alongside local, regional, and government conservation policy update, which the existing General Plan would lack.
Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. The Patrick Rogers Farm and buildings 45 years or older are identified as existing cultural resources in the General Plan
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area (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources). These and other not-yet-identified historic resources could be altered as part of buildout of the existing (2003) General Plan. Therefore, even with mitigation identified for the proposed plan, Alternative 1 cultural and tribal resources impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Resources would be significant and unavoidable even after mitigation (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources). Alternative 1 would have reduced cultural resources impacts compared to the proposed plan due to the decrease in buildout potential but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level. However, this alternative would not adopt measures to revise the General Plan to adopt policies related to assessing and protecting historical, archaeological, and unanticipated cultural resources. Consequently, this alternative would not meet the plan objectives for smart and sensitive development in terms of development construction activities potentially affecting the significance of known and not-yetidentified historic resources during construction activities.
Geology/Soils, and Mineral Resources
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. The 2040 General Plan policy to protect paleontological resources would not be implemented and would result a lack of protection for paleontological resources. Therefore, Alternative 1 geology, soils, and mineral resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to geology/soils and mineral resources would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources). Alternative 1 would have a greater impact level compared to the proposed plan based on the lack of a paleontological resource protection policy that would have to be adopted in order to avoid future individual project adverse impacts. Without the adoption of this policy, this alternative would not meet plan objectives for smart and sensitive development in terms of development construction activities potentially affecting paleontological resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Impacts related to greenhouse gas emissions generation and energy consumption would occur with development under the existing (2003) General Plan and/or as impacts occur from current population growth rates. However, Pleasant Hill does not have a Climate Action Plan and would, thus, not meet the State goals to reduce emissions to 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Therefore, regardless of alternative implementation, the latest BAAQMD CEQA thresholds
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for GHG emissions would not be met. Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to GHG emissions and energy would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy). The existing General Plan buildout would have a lesser impact compared to the proposed plan, given less development would occur. However, due to the lack of a Climate Action Plan and, thus, consistency with the BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for GHG emissions, the significant impact level would remain the same. This would hinder this alternative’s ability to meet the proposed plan objective to foster economic diversity and sustainability.
Furthermore, this alternative would not meet the plan objectives that focus on smart and sensitive development given that existing land uses within the General Plan area would not be updated with more modern facilities in compliance with latest building codes and, thus, would not promote greater energy efficiency nor maximize infill development.
Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Impacts would occur based on the construction and operational activities following the current adopted General Plan. However, portions of the General Plan area are located in and near a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, a Local Responsibility area, and areas of vegetated open space. Similar to the proposed 2040 General Plan, compliance with applicable codes and regulations would not fully reduce the risk of loss, injury, or death from wildfire associated with development under the current General Plan.
Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to hazards, hazardous materials, and wildfire would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hazards would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.7, Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire).
Alternative 1 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan due to the area being in and near a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, a Local Responsibility area, and areas of vegetated open space. However, the current General Plan would not meet project objectives due to the lack of a plan to adopt a new General Plan policy to conduct project design review for wildlife risk reduction, which the proposed 2040 General Plan would implement in order to ensure the public safety project objective.
Hydrology and Water Quality
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Ground-disturbing construction activities that could potentially affect water quality from sedimentation or accidental spills
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would occur following current adopted zoning. Any changes related to hydrology, water quality, watersheds and drainage patterns, flood and inundation hazards, and ground water resource management caused by changes in existing development would follow the same adopted standards. Therefore, in comparison to the proposed plan, a similar level of hydrology and water quality impacts would occur under this alternative. Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant (see Section 3.8, Hydrology and Water Quality). The adopted General Plan’s buildout would have a similar less than significant impact on this resource. However, this alternative would not meet the proposed plan smart and sensitive development objective due to the lack of hydrology and water quality enhancement that would be implemented by the 2040 General Plan beyond the existing General Plan in order to meet the most recent Contra Coast Water District and San Francisco Bay Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board plans’ standards.
Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Applicable land use plans, policies, and regulations would continue to be implemented across the General Plan area.
However, the existing (2003) General Plan did not account for the increase in potential sites for housing and non-residential development. This is evident in the existing General Plan’s Potential Sites for Housing, 1999-2006 (Table H22) that only identifies 81.2 acres of vacant or underutilized land, of which 65 acres were deemed available for commercial development potential. This acreage is smaller compared to the 102 acres of vacant or underutilized land identified in the proposed 2040 General Plan, most of which is identified for single-family development (approximately 80 acres) and accounts for the addition of dwelling units that would come with the increase in population. This alternative would not include allowance for future population and development growth or plan for updated maximum buildout, which the 2040 General Plan would have. Therefore, Alternative 1 land use, population, and housing impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to land use/planning and population/housing would be less than significant (see Section 3.9, Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing). Alternative 1 would have a greater impact related to land use planning, population, and housing compared to the proposed plan due to the most recent State-mandated RHNA requirements not being met. In addition, this alternative would not meet the balanced growth plan objective due to the lack of planning for anticipated population and balanced development growth.
Noise
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Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Temporary noise generation or level increase from 2040 General Plan-facilitated future projects would be lesser than under the proposed plan. However, Contra Costa Boulevard/North Main Street was identified as an area with increased mobile noise due to continued development in the area, making impacts potentially significant. Because of this, impacts to noise would still be significant even if no construction were to occur under the adopted plans. Therefore, Alternative 1 impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.10, Noise). Alternative 1 would have a similar impact level related to noise compared to the proposed plan. While this alternative would not generate any new and significant noise levels, it would also not have the proposed plan’s attempt to mitigate the issue. Without mitigation, the proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development would not be met in terms of development potentially affecting noise-sensitive groups.
Public Services and Recreation
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. The population increase resulting from development facilitated by the existing (2003) General Plan would occur as projected as would an increased demand and usage of public services and recreational facilities. Without adoption of the proposed plan, this population growth enhanced by future, unanticipated for population growth and accompanied by the increased use of public services, increased demand for new recreation, and potential increased demand for school services would be unaccounted for.
However, due to the project population growth being lower than compared to the estimated population under the proposed project, Alternative 1 public services and recreation impacts would be less than significant.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to public services and recreation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.11, Public Services and Recreation).
The existing General Plan buildout would have a reduced impact of less than significant compared to the proposed plan due to Alternative 1’s relative decreased projected population growth. However, this alternative would not meet the proposed plan objectives to provide balanced growth and ensure public safety due to the lack of planning for increase in demand and potential new construction for public facilities.
Transportation and Traffic
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan,
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consistent with allowed existing zoning. The Transportation Impact Analysis for this “No Project” alternative included in Appendix E (see Tables 2 and 3) concluded that VMT per resident would be 11 (which is greater than under the proposed plan) and that VMT per employee would be 14 (which is the same as under the proposed plan). Changes in VMT per resident and per employee would follow current zoning development standards; however, there would be no plans implemented to ensure a transportation demand management (TDM) plan is created to reduce VMT generated by an individual project, as the current adopted plans do not include any. Therefore, Alternative 1 transportation impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to transportation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.12, Transportation). Alternative 1 would have a greater impact related to transportation compared to the proposed plan due to the lack of mitigation measures and/or plans towards reducing any future individual project VMT increases. This alternative also would not meet the proposed plan goal of encouraging smart and sensitive development, as impacts related to transportation (specifically VMT) would not be accounted for or managed.
Utilities and Service Systems
Under Alternative 1, fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage development would be developed than under the proposed plan, consistent with allowed existing zoning. Increased demand for stormwater drainage, water supply, or wastewater treatment would be consistent with the projected population increase in the existing (2003) General Plan. There would also be an increase in demand as the City’s population continues to naturally grow. The existing (2003) General Plan would not account for this increase in demands at the level that the proposed plan has anticipated, including with regard to the increase in demand for water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities.
Therefore, Alternative 1 utilities and service systems impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed 2040 General Plan’s impacts related to utilities and service systems would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.13, Utilities and Service Systems). The existing General Plan buildout would have lesser impact compared to the proposed plan due to the existing plan’s fewer residential units and less non-residential gross square footage having less of a potential impact compared to the proposed plan’s larger population projection but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level. This alternative would not meet the proposed plan’s smart and sensitive development objective due to the lack of population increase anticipation compared to what the proposed plan have projected.
Attainment of Project Objectives: No
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Finding: The City Council rejects Alternative 1: Adopted General Plan Buildout (i.e., “No Project”), on the following grounds, each of which individually provides sufficient justification for rejection of this alternative: (1) the alternative fails to meet most of the Project objectives; (2) the alternative fails to avoid or reduce the Project’s significant and unavoidable impacts relating to aesthetics and agriculture; (3) the alternative would result in increased impacts relating to geology, soils and mineral resources, land use planning, population, and housing resources, as well as transportation (VMT); and (4) the alternative is infeasible.
2. Alternative 2: Increased Intensity in Non-western Areas Description: The Increased Intensity in Non-western Areas Alternative (or Alternative 2) would adopt the 2040 General Plan with an increase in density and intensity development in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Alternative 2’s residential and non-residential development totals would be similar to the proposed plan’s buildout projections (see Error! Reference source not found.). For purposes of the environmental analysis, it is assumed that the maximum density allowed anywhere within the General Plan area would be 100 units/acre, similar to the proposed plan. However, the average density, and in turn the average floor area ratio (FAR), under this alternative would increase with concentrating the same total amount of General Plan buildout development as under the proposed plan within approximately 66 percent of the General Plan area (compared to within 100 percent of the General Plan area under the proposed plan). For purposes of the environmental analysis, it is assumed that the number of persons per household would still be 2.4. Based on this, the population would be 46,119, same as under the proposed plan. Alternative 2 would update the Pleasant Hill General Plan but via a different physical configuration and average density resulting in changes to the identified housing opportunity sites, compared to the proposed plan. This alternative would be focused on further enhancement of public safety protection.
Impacts:
Aesthetics
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would be focused in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Development would be located along transportation corridors in the eastern portion rather than along commercial corridors and/or consist of infill development throughout the entire General Plan area. There would be an overall FAR increase that would potentially affect visual character in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Available scenic vistas, such as hills west of Pleasant Hill, could be impacted by the building height increases with development concentrated in the eastern and central areas. As a result, this alternative would require mitigation to comply with the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Title 18, Planning and Land Use. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation.
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The proposed plan’s impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.1, Aesthetics). Alternative 2 would have a greater level of aesthetics impact compared to the proposed plan due to the increased height having potential adverse effects on scenic vistas but not to the extent of increasing the impact significance level. This alternative would not meet proposed plan objectives for smart and sensitive development, as it would result in increased FAR and building heights that could result in development to block scenic vistas.
Air Quality
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. There would be similar levels of overall construction-related and operation-related emissions. There would be a temporary increase in emissions from construction activities and similar operational emissions and odors that would require mitigation measures similar to the proposed plan. Therefore, Alternative 2 air quality impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to air quality would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.2, Air Quality). Alternative 2 would have a similar level of impacts compared to the proposed plan with impacts requiring mitigation measures available to further construction-related and operation-related impacts.
Alternative 2 would meet the proposed plan objective of smart and sensitive development, as this alternative would adopt proposed plan policies to help address air quality impacts from construction and operational activities.
Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area.
Development would be required to implement the same federal, State, and local regulations to not impact agricultural, forestry, and most biological resources in the area. However, development in this area could result some potential direct or indirect impacts on nesting birds and roosting bats. As a result, the same mitigation measures (MM BIO-1 and BIO-2) would be required for development under Alternative 2 to occur. Therefore, Alternative 2 biological, agriculture, and forestry resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to biological resources would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated (see Section 3.3, Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources). Alternative 2 would have a similar impact level on biological resources compared to the proposed plan. This alternative would achieve the proposed plan objective related to the adoption of the proposed 2040 General Plan Environment Element update and Environment Element Program.
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This alternative would also encourage smart and sensitive development that would also meet proposed plan objectives.
Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would be focused in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Because this development would be more concentrated in these areas, potential impacts related to historical resources, such as buildings over 45 years old or older, would be reduced. However, this alternative would still require the same mitigation (MM CR-1 and CR-2) related to potential alteration of historic and archeological resources due to potential development. Therefore, even with mitigation identified for the proposed plan, Alternative 2 cultural and tribal resources impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Resources would be significant and unavoidable with mitigation incorporated (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources). Alternative 2 would have lesser impacts compared to the proposed plan due to a relative decreased footprint of potential historic resources affects but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level. However, this alternative would meet the proposed plan objective for smart and sensitive development due to the increase in FAR resulting in concentrating development in central and eastern portions of the General Plan area, which would decrease the potential for a historic resource to be impacted by development construction-related activities.
Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. The central and eastern portions of the General Plan area are mostly underlain by sediments ranging from the Holocene to the Paleocene, with the older sediments being at a higher paleontological sensitivity level. Therefore, these paleontological resources would experience ground-disturbing activity due to construction efforts resulting from Alternative 2, which has the potential to adverse impact the sediments.
However, this alternative includes the adoption of the proposed plan’s mitigation measures to incorporate a paleontological resources protection policy (MM GEO1). Therefore, Alternative 2 geology, soils, and mineral resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to geological, soil, and mineral resources would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated (see Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources). Alternative 2 would have a similar level of geological, soil, and mineral resource impacts compared to the proposed plan with MM GEO-1 implemented. Incorporation of the proposed plan and its
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mitigation measures would help this alternative meet proposed plan objective for smart and sensitive development in terms of the measures taken to reduce the chance of development construction activities potentially affecting paleontological resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. There would be construction activities that would occur in order to increase development within the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Due to the increase in development density and intensity in a smaller portion of the General Plan area, mobile GHG emissions could be reduced. However, there would still not be a defined strategy as to how the City would meet the goals to reduce emissions to 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2045. Without a clearly defined outline for this goal, the BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for GHG emissions would not be met. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to GHG emissions and energy would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy). Although the impact level of mobile GHG emissions could be lessened related to potentially lower VMT, Alternative 2 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan due to the lack of consistency with the BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for GHG emissions. This would hinder this alternative’s ability to meet the proposed plan objective to foster economic diversity and sustainability. Furthermore, the proposed plan objectives to encourage smart and sensitive development and ensure public safety would not be met in terms of emissions of GHGs.
Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Due to development being more concentrated in the central and eastern portion of the General Plan area further away from vegetated open space areas and State and locally designated wildfire risk areas (the southwestern portion of the City Limits and the western and southwestern portions of the Sphere of Influence outside of City Limits) wildfire exposure risk would be reduced. Additionally, this alternative would adopt the proposed plan’s mitigation measure (MM HAZ-1) to implement a new General Plan policy to conduct project design review for wildfire risk reduction, which would further decrease potential wildfire impacts under this alternative. In addition, impacts related to potential exposure to hazardous materials and non-wildfire hazards (flooding) would be less than significant similar to the proposed plan. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related
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to hazards, hazardous materials, and wildfire would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hazards would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.7, Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire).
Alternative 2 would have a lesser impact level compared to the proposed plan due the increase in development density within the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area and incorporation of the proposed plan’s hazards mitigation measures to the extent of reducing the impact significance level to less than significant with mitigation. Alternative 2 would also meet the proposed plan objective to ensure public safety by locating development farther from designated wildfire risk areas and adopting measures to review project designs to ensure that wildfire risk reduction measures are incorporated.
Hydrology and Water Quality
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. With concentration of development in a smaller portion of the General Plan area, increased FAR would occur. This similarity in construction plans would also result in the similar potential effect on hydrology, water quality, watersheds and drainage patterns, flood and inundation hazards, and ground water resource management. Alternative 2 would also implement applicable hydrology and water quality enhancements similar to the proposed plan that the existing (2003) General Plan would lack. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant (see Section 3.8, Hydrology and Water Quality). Alternative 2 would have a similar impact level of less than significant. This alternative would meet proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development, as it would implement the 2040 General Plan policies to meet the most recent water quality standards.
Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. Increased density and intensity development would occur in the central and eastern portions and would be consistent with applicable land use plans, policies, and regulations.
The increase in density through increased FAR instead of additional building development would avoid any physical divide in community areas and potential displacement. Alternative 2 would also accommodate and plan for population growth and any development. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related to land use planning, population, and housing would be less than significant.
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The proposed plan’s impacts related to land use and population/housing would be less than significant (see Section 3.9, Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing). Alternative 2 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan. This alternative would meet plan objective to support diverse housing options due to residential and non-residential development remaining at maximum assumed buildout.
Noise
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area.
Construction to increase building heights throughout the proposed area would occur, likely causing new noise sources due to construction activities. While this alternative would adopt the proposed plan’s mitigation measures to reduce new noise production (MM NOI-1), impacts on noise would still be significant due to the temporary increase in noise levels during construction potentially affecting nearby noise-sensitive receptors and exceeding noise standards. Therefore, Alternative 2 impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.10, Noise). Alternative 2 would have a similar significance level compared to the proposed plan due to noise from construction activities temporarily exceeding noise standards. This alternative would meet the proposed plan’s smart and sensitive development objective in terms of noise management decreasing potential effects on sensitive receptors.
Public Services and Recreation
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. The increase in development similar to the proposed plan with increased FAR would cause a population increase, specifically among school-aged children. This increase would result in a higher demand for old and new public services, such as schools. As a result, the large amount of net new school facilities anticipated under this alternative would result in significant construction impacts associated with air quality, cultural resources, paleontological resources, and VMT. These impacts would be similar to the proposed plan’s impacts, resulting in Alternative 2 public services and recreation impacts being significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to public services and recreation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.11, Public Services and Recreation).
Alternative 2 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan.
This alternative would meet the proposed plan objectives to provide balanced growth and ensure public safety, because the increase in demand and potential new construction for public facilities would be accounted for.
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Transportation
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. There would be an increase in FAR that could lead to a decrease in VMT per resident and employee as people move into these new spaces for work and living purposes.
While future buildout still anticipates the same development total similar to the proposed plan buildout projections (see Error! Reference source not found.) resulting in an increase in population, the increase in development density would contribute to an overall VMT reduction. Furthermore, development buildout under this alternative would be planned more proximate to transportation corridors in the eastern and central portions of the General Plan area. As a result, VMT-related impacts would be reduced. However, similar to the proposed plan, Alternative 2 transportation impacts would be significant and unavoidable due to the lack of a specific TDM plan with TDM programs to ensure reduction and mitigation of VMT impacts.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to transportation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.12, Transportation). Alternative 2 would have a lesser impact compared to the proposed plan due to the reduction in VMT per resident and employee but not to the extent of reducing the impact significance level.
However, this alternative would meet the proposed plan objective to provide barrier-free mobility due to the increase in FAR and concentrated location of development resulting in a potential decrease in VMT per resident and employee across the General Plan area.
Utilities and Service Systems
Under Alternative 2, the same total amount of residential and non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, but development would occur only in the central and eastern portions of the General Plan area. There would be in an increase in demand for water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities compared to existing conditions with this alternative’s increase in population. Construction-related impacts due to potential need for new or expanded utility infrastructure and facilities would be significant and unavoidable, as there would be significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, historic resources, paleontological resources, and noise.
Therefore, Alternative 2 utilities and service systems impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to utilities and service systems would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.13, Utilities and Service Systems).
Alternative 2 would have a similar significant and unavoidable impact level compared to the proposed plan due to impacts associated with construction and operation of new or expanded facilities. However, this alternative would meet the proposed plan balanced growth objective due to the population and related
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utilities demand increase being planned for with implementation of the proposed 2040 General Plan under this alternative.
Attainment of Project Objectives: No
Finding: The City Council rejects Alternative 2: Increased Intensity in Non-western Areas Alternative , on the following grounds, each of which individually provides sufficient justification for rejection of this alternative: (1) the alternative fails to meet most of the Project objectives; (2) the alternative fails to avoid or reduce the Project’s significant and unavoidable impacts relating to aesthetics and agriculture; (3) the alternative would result in increased impacts relating to cultural resources, transportation, GHG emissions, noise, public services, and utilities and service systems, and aesthetics; and (4) the alternative is infeasible.
3. Alternative 3: 25 Percent Residential Reduction
Description: The 25 percent Residential Reduction Alternative (or Alternative 3) would reduce residential buildout by 25 percent compared to the proposed plan’s projected buildout. Compared to the proposed plan, the number of multi-family residential units would decrease by 3,016 units, and single-family (including ADUs) residential units would decrease by 1,787 units (see Error! Reference source not found.). Nonresidential gross square footage amount and type breakdown would be the same as under the proposed plan. This alternative would have the same overall footprint (but lower residential density and height) across the General Plan area as the proposed plan while not falling below the RHNA requirements or changing the identified housing opportunity sites. For purposes of the environmental analysis, it is assumed that the number of persons per household would still be 2.4. Based on this, there would be a 11,528- population decrease under Alternative 3. Alternative 3 would update the Pleasant Hill General Plan but via a reduced residential growth scenario. This alternative would be focused on smart and sensitive growth while still meeting RHNA requirements.
Impacts:
Aesthetics
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. The decrease in residential development would result in a reduced impact on views, nighttime lighting, and shadow, as there would be less residential uses on-site than the proposed plan anticipated This would result in a less than significant on aesthetic resources.
However, due to this alternative having the same footprint as the proposed plan, impacts would be similar to the proposed plan’s impacts on aesthetics and a mitigation measure (MM AES-1) would be incorporated. Therefore, Alternative 3 impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation.
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The proposed plan’s impacts related to aesthetics would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.1, Aesthetics). Alternative 3 would have a similar impact on aesthetics due to the similarity in development footprint compared to the proposed plan; however, the impact level would be incrementally reduced due to the relative decrease in residential development decreasing potential impacts on scenic vistas. This alternative would meet the proposed plan objective to provide balanced growth, due to the overall impacts related to aesthetics being lesser while providing an increase in development potential.
Air Quality
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. The decrease in residential development could result in less mobile-related emissions compared to the proposed plan. However, construction is still anticipated under this alternative and would result in the generation of criteria air and toxic air contaminant emissions during construction of individual future projects that could in turn affect regional air quality and local respiratory health. As a result, this alternative would still implement proposed plan mitigation (Mitigation Measures AQ-1, AQ-2, AQ-3).
Therefore, Alternative 3 air quality impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to air quality would be less than significant with mitigation (see Section 3.2, Air Quality). Alternative 3 would have a similar level of impacts compared to the proposed plan, due to the same development footprint as the proposed plan and, thus, the same amount of development grading and other construction activities impacting air quality. Implementing proposed plan mitigation to adopt General Plan policies to reduce construction-related emissions (MM AQ-1), reduce operation-related emissions (MM AQ-2), and implement construction health risk assessments (MM AQ-3)would result in this alternative meeting the proposed plan objective to ensure public safety given that implementation of these policies would result in decreased impacts related to public health.
Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. This development would be required to implement the same federal, State, and local regulations to not impact agricultural, forestry, and most biological resources in the area. However, there is the potential for development to result in direct or indirect potential impacts on nesting birds and roosting bats. As a result, the same mitigation measures (MM BIO-1 and BIO-2) would be required for development under Alternative 2.
Therefore, Alternative 3 biological, agriculture, and forestry resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
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The proposed plan’s impacts related to biological resources would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated (see Section 3.3, Biological, Agriculture, and Forestry Resources). Alternative 3 would have a similar level of impact related to biological resources compared to the proposed plan. This alternative would achieve the proposed plan objective for smart and sensitive development, due to the adoption of updated regulations for biological resources.
Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. Construction similar to the proposed plan’s projections would occur but would develop less residential units compared to the proposed plan. However, the same development footprint as the proposed plan is still anticipated, meaning development under this alternative could result in substantial adverse change on historical resources identified as buildings over 45 years old. The proposed plan’s mitigation measure could be implemented by preparing historical resource evaluations to reduce significant historical resource impacts before construction (MM CR-1), assessing archeological resources before future project approval (MM CR-2), and stopping construction in the event of an unanticipated discovery (MM CR-3). However, even with mitigation implementation, existing historical resources could still be materially impaired by individual future projects and the loss of historical fabric could not be readily compensated for by commemorative mitigation. Therefore, Alternative 3 cultural and tribal resources impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Resources would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.4, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources). Alternative 3 would have a similar level of significant and unavoidable resource impacts compared to the proposed plan. However, this alternative would meet the proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development because the projected residential buildout reduction would reduce the potential for development to impact historic resources.
Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. The decreased residential buildout construction would be underlain by sediments ranging from the Holocene to the Paleocene, with the older sediments being at a higher paleontological sensitivity level. Therefore, these paleontological resources would experience ground-disturbing activity due to construction efforts resulting from Alternative 2, which has the potential to adverse impact the sediments. Therefore, this alternative would adopt the proposed plan’s mitigation measure to incorporate a paleontological resources protection policy (MM GEO-1). Alternative 3
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geology, soils, and mineral resources impacts would be less than significant with mitigation.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to geological, soil, and mineral resources would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated (see Section 3.5, Geology, Soils, and Mineral Resources). Alternative 3 would result in lesser geological, soil, and mineral resource impacts compared to the proposed plan with MM GEO-1 implemented due to the decreased number of units resulting in a decrease in potential cases of impacts on paleontological resources but not to the extent of decreasing the impact significance level. Implementing the proposed plan and its mitigation measures would help meet the proposed plan objective encouraging smart and sensitive development, due to the decreased potential of development construction activities affecting paleontological resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. While this alternative would adopt the GHG mitigation measures from the proposed plan to combat any impacts, there would still be the issue of the need for a defined strategy as to how City would meet the goal to reduce emissions to 40 percent below the 1990 levels by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2045. However, with mitigation measures in place (MM GHG-1 and GHG-2), the decrease in residential unit construction would lessen GHG emissions impacts compared to the proposed plan. Therefore, Alternative 3 impacts related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to GHG emissions and energy would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy). Alternative 3 would have a lesser impact level due to the decrease in residential buildout. However, with the need to implement mitigation measures for this plan to be consistent with BAAQMD CEQA thresholds for GHG emissions, impacts would still be significant and unavoidable. This would hinder this alternative’s ability to meet the proposed plan objective to foster economic diversity and sustainability. Furthermore, the proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development would not be met with regard to emissions of GHGs.
Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. Construction plans and operational activities would likely follow guidelines and regulations to avoid significant effects from hazardous material transportation, emission, and/or exposure. However, this alternative would be built out throughout the entire
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General Plan area, including the southwestern portion of the City Limits and the western and southwestern portions of the City Sphere of Influence outside of City Limits, which are in and near a High Fire Severity Zone and Local Responsibility Area. Although this alternative has decreased development, its overall footprint would be the same as the proposed plan’s footprint, resulting in the same siting of development in and near wildfire risk zones. Therefore, Alternative 3 impacts related to hazards, hazardous materials, and wildfire would still be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hazards would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.7, Hazards, Hazardous Materials, and Wildfire).
Alternative 3 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan due to the area being in and near a High Fire Severity Zone, a Local Responsibility Area, and areas of vegetated open space. Alternative 3 would meet plan objective with policy incorporation (MM HAZ-1), which would ensure public safety by reducing the risk of wildfire impacts through project design assessment.
Hydrology and Water Quality
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. Water quality standards, drainage patterns, flood and inundation hazards, and water management plans would be similar to the proposed plan’s impact due to the similarity in development footprint. However, less residential units under this alternative and implementation applicable hydrology and water quality enhancements over the 2003 adopted General Plan would reduce the impact level. Therefore, Alternative 3 impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to hydrology and water quality would be less than significant (see Section 3.8, Hydrology and Water Quality). Alternative 3 would have a similar less-than-significant impact on these resources but at a lesser level due to the decrease in residential units. This alternative would meet proposed plan objective for smart and sensitive development, due to the implementation of proposed plan policies to meet the most recent water quality standards.
Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. This change in development could result in a change of zoning designations that potentially could not fully align with the land use plans, policies, and regulations currently in place.
However, this impact would remain at a less than significant impact level with updates to the Zoning Code that follow General Plan implementation. Therefore,
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Alternative 3 land use, population, and housing impacts would be less than significant at a greater impact level.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to land use would be less than significant (see Section 3.9, Land Use Planning, Population, and Housing). While still a less-than-significant level, Alternative 3 would have greater land use planning, population, and housing impacts, due to the Zoning Code update to follow the General Plan update. This alternative would still achieve the development variety due to the proposed 2040 General Plan implantation remaining under this alternative, which would fulfill the plan objective to support diverse housing options.
Noise
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. Development under this alternative could result in new noise sources. Although there would be a decrease in construction activities for residential units, development would still occur under this alternative, meaning impacts related to noise would remain significant due to the temporary increase in noise levels during construction potentially affecting nearby noise-sensitive receptors and exceeding noise standards. As a result, this alternative would adopt the proposed plan’s mitigation measures to reduce new noise production (MM NOI-1). Therefore, Alternative 3 impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to noise would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.10, Noise). Alternative 2 would have a similar significance level compared to the proposed plan, due to noise associated with construction activities temporarily exceeding noise standards. This alternative would meet the proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development via management of noise increase.
Public Services and Recreation
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. While residential development would be decreased under this alternative, the population is still projected to increase by 34,591 persons (see Error! Reference source not found.). This would include an increase in school-aged children, which would result in a higher demand for old and new public services, such as schools. As a result, the large amount of net new school facilities anticipated under this alternative would result in significant construction impacts associated with air quality, cultural resources, paleontological resources, and noise. Therefore, Alternative 3 public services and recreation impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
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The proposed plan’s impacts related to public services and recreation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.11, Public Services and Recreation).
Alternative 3 would have a similar impact level compared to the proposed plan, though slightly reduced due to fewer residential units. This alternative would also meet the proposed plan objectives to provide balanced growth and ensure public safety, because the increase in demand and potential new construction for public facilities would be accounted for.
Transportation
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. The relative decrease in residential development would result in a relative decrease in population (see Error! Reference source not found.), which in turn would result in a relative decrease in VMT compared to the proposed plan. As a result, there would be an incremental decrease related to transportation impacts under Alternative 3.
However, without an implemented TDM plan, Alternative 3 transportation impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to transportation would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.12, Transportation). Alternative 2 would have lesser impacts compared to the proposed plan due to the relative decrease in VMT as a result of the relative decrease in projected population but not to the extent of changing the significance level. In addition, this alternative would not meet the proposed plan objective to encourage smart and sensitive development due to the lack of an implemented TDM plan to further ensure VMT reduction.
Utilities and Service Systems
Under Alternative 3, 25 percent fewer residential units and the same total amount of non-residential development would occur as under the proposed plan, and overall development would have the same footprint. There would be a decrease in residential development, which would result in a reduced demand for stormwater drainage, water supply, and wastewater treatment in comparison to the proposed plan. However, because development and population increase would still occur under this alternative, construction-related impacts due to the need for new or expanded utility infrastructure and facilities that comes from an increase in population would be significant, due to the significant and unavoidable construction impacts associated with air quality, historic resources, paleontological resources, and noise. Therefore, Alternative 3 utilities and service systems impacts would be significant and unavoidable.
The proposed plan’s impacts related to utilities and service systems would be significant and unavoidable (see Section 3.13, Utilities and Service Systems).
Alternative 3 would have a similar impact level to the proposed plan, due to impacts associated with construction of new or expanded facilities. However, this
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alternative would meet the proposed plan objective regarding smart and sensitive development due to the planning and implementation of this alternative accounting for the population and related utilities demand increase.
Attainment of Project Objectives: No
Finding: The City Council rejects Alternative 3 25 percent Residential Reduction Alternative , on the following grounds, each of which individually provides sufficient justification for rejection of this alternative: (1) the alternative fails to meet most of the Project objectives; (2) the alternative fails to avoid or reduce the Project’s significant and unavoidable impacts relating to aesthetics and agriculture; (3) the alternative would result in increased impacts relating to cultural resources, hazards, noise, public services, utilities, greenhouse gas emissions; and (4) the alternative is infeasible.
E. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE
Section 15126.6(e)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines indicates that an analysis of alternatives to a proposed Project shall identify an environmentally superior alternative among the alternatives evaluated in an EIR. Based on the alternatives analysis contained within the Draft EIR) the Adopted General Plan Buildout alternative is identified as the Environmentally Superior Alternative.
SECTION IX.
ADOPTION OF STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15093(a), the City Council must balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the Project against its unavoidable environmental risks in determining whether to approve the project. If the specific benefits of the project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, those environmental effects may be considered acceptable.
Having reduced the adverse significant environmental effects of the Project to the extent feasible by adopting the mitigation measures; having considered the entire administrative record on the project; the City Council has weighed the benefits of the Project against its unavoidable adverse impacts after mitigation in regards to aesthetics resources, agriculture and forestry resources, air quality – operations, and transportation/traffic. While recognizing that the unavoidable adverse impacts are significant under CEQA thresholds, the City Council nonetheless finds that the unavoidable adverse impacts that will result from the Project are acceptable and outweighed by specific social, economic and other benefits of the Project.
In making this determination, the factors and public benefits specified below were considered. Any one of these reasons is sufficient to justify approval of the Project. Thus, even if a court were to conclude that not every reason is supported by substantial evidence, the City Council would be able to stand by its determination that each individual reason is sufficient. The substantial evidence supporting the various benefits can be found in the preceding findings, which are incorporated by reference into this section, and in the documents found in the Records of Proceeding.
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The City Council therefore finds that for each of the significant impacts which are subject to a finding under CEQA Section 21081(a)(3), that each of the following social, economic, and environmental benefits of the Project, independent of the other benefits, outweigh the potential significant unavoidable adverse impacts and render acceptable each and every one of these unavoidable adverse environmental impacts to accomplish the Plan Objectives noted below:
Encourage smart and sensitive development.
Foster economic diversity and sustainability.
Support and provide diverse additional housing opportunities. Foster economic improvements to provide additional and improved housing and commercial opportunities for existing and future residents of the City. Provide additional and improved housing opportunities for existing and future residents of the City in a balanced manner while ensuring public safety to the greatest extent feasible.
Increase mobility throughout the City and support alternative methods of travel and compact development to help to provide barrier-free mobility and smart development.
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EXHIBIT B
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
SEE ATTACHMENT N OF THE
MAY 18, 2023 CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
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Packet Pg. 292 Attachment: Attachment A - Proposed CC Resolution - CEQA and MMRP (General Plan and Housing Element) RESOLUTION NO. __-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PLEASANT HILL, ADOPTING THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL 2040 GENERAL PLAN, EXCLUDING THE 2023-2031
HOUSING ELEMENT, AND CERTIFICATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
WHEREAS, California state law requires each city to adopt a general plan for the “physical development of the city and any land outside its boundaries which bears relation to its planning area” (California Government Code section 65300 et seq.); and WHEREAS, the general plan expresses the City’s development goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses both public and private; and WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill last comprehensively updated its General Plan in 2003; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill initiated an update of the City’s General Plan in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan was prepared according to the requirements and guidelines set forth in California Government Code sections 65300 et seq.; and WHEREAS. the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill established a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) to guide the review of the proposed new Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan and make its recommendations to the City's Planning Commission and City Council; and WHEREAS, the GPAC held 23 public meetings from 2019 through 2023 to discuss the 2040 General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a study session on the draft 2040 General Plan update on February 14, 2023, where all persons interested might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a study session on the draft 2040 General Plan update on March 20, 2023, where all persons interested might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, a Final Environmental Impact Report, Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program were prepared for the project; and WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on May 3, 2023, regarding the proposed 2040 General Plan, at which time all interested parties were invited to provide comments on the proposal; and
WHEREAS, at the May 3, 2023 public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the 2040 General Plan and certification of the associated Environmental Impact Report through Planning Commission Resolution No. 07-23; and
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Packet Pg. 293 Attachment: Attachment B - Proposed CC Reso Project General Plan (General Plan and Housing Element) 2040 General Plan
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill adopts the 2040 General Plan (Attachment D of the May 18, 2023 City Council Staff Report) based on the following findings:
1. The proposed 2040 General Plan been completed in compliance with applicable State of California provisions.
2. The potential impacts of the proposed 2040 General Plan have been assessed and have been determined not to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. The City prepared an Environmental Impact Report that assessed impacts of the 2040 General Plan and 2023- 2031 Housing Element.
3. The City Council directs staff to modify the 2040 General Plan and incorporate the recommended changes as noted in Attachment E of the May 18, 2023 City Council Staff Report.
4. The proposed project has been processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of CEQA. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Pleasant Hill intends to certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project. The Draft EIR prepared for this project was available for public review from January 30, 2023 through March 15, 2023, and the Final EIR prepared for this project is currently available for review at the Planning Division and on the City of Pleasant Hill webpage at www.pleasanthillca.org. After mitigation measures are incorporated, the project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, Greenhouse and Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Noise, Public Services & Recreation, Transportation and Traffic and Utilities and Service Systems. All other impacts, after mitigation measures are incorporated, would not be considered significant or unavoidable or cumulatively considerable.
The Final EIR and associated Mitigation Measure Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) were also prepared for the project after the public comment review period closed.
Multiple public comments/responses were received and included in the Final EIR.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill certified the Final Environmental Impact Report, adopted the Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, adopted a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Per the Draft City Council CEQA Resolution – Attachment A of the May 18, 2023 CC Staff Report).
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Packet Pg. 294 Attachment: Attachment B - Proposed CC Reso Project General Plan (General Plan and Housing Element) 2040 General Plan
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill, at a Special Meeting of the City Council, on the 18th day of May, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________________
TIMOTHY M. FLAHERTY, Mayor
ATTEST:
Juanita Davalos, Acting City Clerk
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Packet Pg. 295 Attachment: Attachment B - Proposed CC Reso Project General Plan (General Plan and Housing Element) RESOLUTION NO. __-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PLEASANT HILL, ADOPTING THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE HOUSING ELEMENT LAW, REPEAL THE 2015-2023 HOUSING ELEMENT, AND
CERTIFICATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
WHEREAS, the California Legislature has found that “California has a housing supply and affordability crisis of historic proportions. The consequences of failing to effectively and aggressively confront this crisis are hurting millions of Californians, robbing future generations of the chance to call California home, stifling economic opportunities for workers and businesses, worsening poverty and homelessness, and undermining the state’s environmental and climate objectives” (Gov. Code Section 65589.5.); and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has further found that “Among the consequences of those actions are discrimination against low-income and minority households, lack of housing to support employment growth, imbalance in jobs and housing, reduced mobility, urban sprawl, excessive commuting, and air quality deterioration” (Gov. Code Section 65589.5.); and WHEREAS, the Legislature recently adopted the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330) which states that “In 2018, California ranked 49th out of the 50 states in housing units per capita… California needs an estimated 180,000 additional homes annually to keep up with population growth, and the Governor has called for 3.5 million new homes to be built over seven years”; and WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law (Government Code Sections 65580 et seq.) requires that the City Council adopt a Housing Element for the eight-year period 2023-2031 to accommodate the City of Pleasant Hill regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 1,803 housing units, comprised of 566 very-low income units, 326 low-income units, 254 moderate-income units, and 657 above moderate-income units; and
WHEREAS, to comply with State Housing Element Law, the City of Pleasant Hill has prepared Housing Element 2023-2031 (the Housing Element) in compliance with State Housing Element Law and has identified sites that can accommodate housing units meeting the City’s RHNA; and
WHEREAS, as provided in Government Code Section 65350 et. seq., adoption of the Housing Element constitutes a General Plan Amendment; and WHEREAS. the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill established a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) to guide the review of the proposed new Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan, including the 2023-2031 Housing Element, and make its recommendations to the City's Planning Commission and City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill wishes to adopt the 2023-2031 Housing Element, in conformance with the State of California provisions regarding Housing Elements; and
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Packet Pg. 296 Attachment: Attachment C - Proposed CC Reso Project Housing Element (General Plan and Housing Element) 2023-2031 Housing Element
WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill Housing Element establishes the goals, policies, and implementation programs that are intended to ensure that safe and available housing are provided for current and future residents of the City of Pleasant Hill; and WHEREAS, the GPAC held 23 public meetings from 2019 through 2023 to discuss the 2040 General Plan and 2023-2031 Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, as provided in Government Code Sections 65352 – 65352.5 the City of Pleasant Hill referred the Housing Element to all California Native American tribes on the contact list provided by the Native American Heritage Commission and to other entities listed; and WHEREAS, A California Native American tribe requested consultation; where input and feedback was provided to City consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and Planning Commission held a joint study session on the draft 2023-2031 Housing Element on December 13, 2022, where all persons interested might appear and be heard; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 65585 (b), on November 9, 2022, the City posted the draft Housing Element and requested public comment for a 30-day review period, and on December 27, 2022 the draft Housing Element was submitted to HCD, after responding to public comments, the City submitted the draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its review; and WHEREAS, on March 22, 2023, the City received a letter from HCD providing its findings regarding the draft Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2023, the City published a revised draft Housing Element responding to HCD’s findings and requested public comment on the draft; and WHEREAS, a Final Environmental Impact Report, Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program were prepared for the project; and WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on May 3, 2023, regarding the proposed 2040 General Plan and 2023-2031 Housing Element, at which time all interested parties were invited to provide comments on the proposal; and
WHEREAS, at the May 3, 2023 public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element (repeal the 2015-2023 Housing Element) and certification of the associated Environmental Impact Report through Planning Commission Resolution No. 06-23; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill repeals the 2015-2023 Housing Element and adopts the 2023-2031 Housing Element (Attachment F of the May 18, 2023 City Council Staff Report) based on the following findings:
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Packet Pg. 297 Attachment: Attachment C - Proposed CC Reso Project Housing Element (General Plan and Housing Element) 2023-2031 Housing Element
1. The proposed 2023-2031 Housing Element has been completed in compliance with applicable State of California provisions.
2. The proposed 2023-2031 Housing Element is consistent with the existing City of Pleasant Hill General Plan, as it has been completed in compliance with applicable State of California provisions and is consistent with the Goals, Policies and Programs contained therein.
3. The potential impacts of the proposed 2023-2031 Housing Element have been assessed and have been determined not to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. The City prepared an Environmental Impact Report that assessed impacts of the 2040 General Plan and 2023-2031 Housing Element.
4. As required by Government Code Section 65585(e), the City Council has considered the findings made by the Department of Housing and Community Development included in the Department’s letter to the City of Pleasant Hill dated March 22, 2023, consistent with Government Code Section 65585(f), and as described in Attachment F of the May 18, 2023 City Council Staff Report, to this resolution, incorporated herein, the City Council has changed the Housing Element in response to the findings of the Department to substantially comply with the requirements of State Housing Element Law as interpreted by HCD.
5. The City of Pleasant Hill 2015-2023 Housing Element is hereby repealed in its entirety, and the City of Pleasant Hill 2023-2031 Housing Element, as shown in Attachment F of the May 18, 2023 City Council Staff Report, incorporated herein, is adopted.
6. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption by the City Council.
7. The Community Development Director or designee is hereby directed to file all necessary material with the Department of Housing and Community Development for the Department to find that the Housing Element is in conformance with State Housing Element Law and is further directed and authorized to make all non-substantive changes to the Housing Element to make it internally consistent or to address any non-substantive changes or amendments requested by the Department to achieve certification.
8. The Community Development Director or designee is hereby directed to distribute copies of the Housing Element in the manner provided in Government Code Sections 65357 and 65589.7.
9. The proposed project has been processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of CEQA. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Pleasant Hill intends to certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project. The Draft EIR prepared for this project was available for public review from January 30, 2023 through March 15, 2023, and the Final EIR prepared for this project is currently available for review at the Planning Division and on the City of Pleasant Hill webpage at www.pleasanthillca.org. After mitigation measures are incorporated, the project would results in significant and unavoidable impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, Greenhouse and Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Noise, Public Services & Recreation, Transportation and Traffic and Utilities and Service
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Packet Pg. 298 Attachment: Attachment C - Proposed CC Reso Project Housing Element (General Plan and Housing Element) 2023-2031 Housing Element
Systems. All other impacts, after mitigation measures are incorporated, would not be considered significant or unavoidable or cumulatively considerable.
The Final EIR and associated Mitigation Measure Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) were also prepared for the project after the public comment review period closed.
Multiple public comments/responses were received and included in the Final EIR.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill certified the Final Environmental Impact Report, adopted the Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, adopted a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Per the Draft City Council CEQA Resolution – Attachment A of the May 18, 2023 CC Staff Report).
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill, at a special meeting of the City Council, on the 18th day of May, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________________
TIMOTHY M. FLAHERTY, Mayor
ATTEST:
________, City Clerk
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Packet Pg. 299 Attachment: Attachment C - Proposed CC Reso Project Housing Element (General Plan and Housing Element) Adopted May 1999
2040 GENERAL PLAN
May 2023
REVISED PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The City would like to acknowledge and than the following individuals and organizations who contributed to the preparation of the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan:
City of Pleasant Hill
City Council
Michael G. Harris, Mayor
Timothy M. Flaherty, Vice Mayor
Ken Carlson, Councilmember
Matthew Rinn, Councilmember
Sue Noack, Councilmember
Planning Commission
Alex Khalfin, Chair
Celia Chiang, Vice Chair
Brendan Cheney
Jihawna Johnson
Diana Vavrek
Allen Vinson
Chadwick Wyler
General Plan Advisory Committee
Sue Noack, City Council
Ken Carlson, City Council
Alex Khalfin, Planning Commission
Chadwick Wyler, Planning Commission
William Nelson, Architectural Review
Commission
City Manager
June Catalano
City Staff
Ethan Bindernagel, Assistant City Manager,
Community Development Director
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Zach Seal, Economic Development Manager
Consultants
Mintier Harnish
Jim Harnish, JD, Project Advisor, Principal
Brent Gibbons, AICP, Project Manager,
Principal Planner
Ryan Lester, Planner, Project Manager
Michael Gibbons, Planner, Project Manager
Nikki Zanchetta, Planner
Matthew Jumamoy, Planner
Amy Yang, former Associate
Rick Rust, AICP, GISP, former Project
Director
WRT
James Stickley, ASLA LEED AP, Principal
Poonam Narkar, AICP, LEED AP, Project
Manager
Peter Winch, AICP, Senior Planner
Fehr & Peers
Ellen Pling, Senior Associate
Rincon
Matthew Maddox, AICP, Principal
Darcy Kremin, AICP, Director
Della Acosta, Senior Planner
Kelsey Bennett, MPA, LEED-AP, Senior
Program Manager
Leslie Trejo, MUP, Environmental Planner
Applied Development Economics
Doug Svensson, AICP, President
Peter Cheng, Senior Associate
Tony Daysog, Senior Associate
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose and Use of the General Plan....................................................................1-2
1.2 How the General Plan was Prepared.....................................................................1-4
1.3 General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles..........................................................1-9
1.4 Analyses Informing the 2040 Guiding Principles ...............................................1-10
1.5 The Pleasant Hill Community ..............................................................................1-10
1.6 General Plan Organization....................................................................................1-15
1.7 Readers’ Guide ....................................................................................................1-17
2. Economics and Economy Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................2-2
2.1 Commercial Business Retention and Expansion..................................................2-2
2.2 Economic Diversification and Expansion..............................................................2-3
2.3 Economic Infrastructure.........................................................................................2-5
2.4 Implementation Programs .....................................................................................2-6
3. Land Use Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................3-2
3.1 Land Use Diagram and Designations ....................................................................3-5
3.2 Community Character...........................................................................................3-13
3.3 Residential Development......................................................................................3-14
3.4 Commercial and Mixed-Use Development..........................................................3-16
3.5 Growth Management............................................................................................3-17
3.6 Focus Areas ....................................................................................................3-19
3.7 Health Community ................................................................................................3-46
3.8 Environmental Justice..........................................................................................3-46
3.9 Civic Engagement.................................................................................................3-48
3.10 General Plan Consistency and Maintenance ......................................................3-49
3.11 Implementation Programs ...................................................................................3-50
4. Housing Element
4.1 Key Terms ......................................................................................................4-2
4.2 Components of the Housing Element ...................................................................4-4
4.3 Key Findings from the Needs Assessment...........................................................4-4
4.4 Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs .................................................4-10
4.5 Quantified Objectives .............................................................................................4-3
5. Transportation and Circulation Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................5-2
5.1 Roadway Network...................................................................................................5-3
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5.2 Multimodal Transportation System.....................................................................5-11
5.3 Complete Streets ................................................................................................5-14
5.4 Pedestrian Facilities .............................................................................................5-16
5.5 Bicycle Facilities .................................................................................................5-18
5.6 Transit Services ....................................................................................................5-22
5.7 Goods Movement .................................................................................................5-27
5.8 Travel Demand Management...............................................................................5-29
5.9 Implementation Programs ...................................................................................5-30
6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element Key Terms .............................................................................................................6-2
6.1 Water Delivery ......................................................................................................6-3
6.2 Wastewater ......................................................................................................6-4
6.3 Storm Drainage and Flood Protection...................................................................6-4
6.4 Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling .....................................................................6-6
6.5 Utilities ......................................................................................................6-7
6.6 Law Enforcement ..................................................................................................6-8
6.7 Fire Protection ......................................................................................................6-9
6.8 Schools ....................................................................................................6-10
6.9 Libraries ....................................................................................................6-11
6.10 Implementation Programs ...................................................................................6-12
7. Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................7-2
7.1 Open Space ......................................................................................................7-2
7.2 Parks and Recreation .............................................................................................7-3
7.3 Community Facilities..............................................................................................7-7
7.4 Implementation Programs .....................................................................................7-8
8. Environment Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................8-2
8.1 Water Resources ...................................................................................................8-3
8.2 Biological Resources ..............................................................................................8-6
8.3 Historic and Cultural Resources ............................................................................8-9
8.4 Air Quality ....................................................................................................8-12
8.5 Sustainability ....................................................................................................8-13
8.6 Implementation Programs ...................................................................................8-18
9. Hazards and Safety Element
Key Terms ......................................................................................................9-2
9.1 Emergency Preparedness ......................................................................................9-3
9.2 Seismic Hazards ..................................................................................................9-4
9.3 Wildfire ......................................................................................................9-9
9.4 Drought ....................................................................................................9-12
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9.5 Flooding ....................................................................................................9-13
9.6 Airport-Related Hazards .......................................................................................9-16
9.7 Noise ....................................................................................................9-18
9.8 Hazardous Materials ............................................................................................9-21
9.9 Public Health Emergencies ..................................................................................9-22
9.10 Implementation Programs ...................................................................................9-24
10. Glossary
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The Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan is a long-range plan that guides decision-making and establishes rules and standards for new development and city improvements. It reflects the city’s vision for the future and is intended to provide direction through the year 2040. The 2040 Pleasant Hill General Plan seeks to provide future opportunities for innovative development types, expanded economic development, the creation of unique growth areas, and upgraded public facilities and services, making the city the best place to live in the Bay Area.
The Introduction is divided into the following sections:
Contents
Section Title Page
Purpose and Use of the General Plan........................................................................... 2 How the General Plan was Prepared............................................................................ 4 General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles................................................................. 9 Analyses Informing the 2040 General Plan................................................................ 10 The Pleasant Hill Community...................................................................................... 10 General Plan Organization........................................................................................... 15 Readers’ Guide ............................................................................................................. 17
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Purpose and Use of the General Plan
What is a General Plan?
Every jurisdiction in California must have a General Plan, which is the local government’s long-term framework or “constitution” for future growth and development. The General Plan is prepared with extensive community engagement to create a plan that expresses the community’s vision for its future.
California State law requires that each town, city, and county must adopt a General Plan for the physical development of the jurisdiction and any land outside its boundaries that bears relation to its planning.
Typically, a General Plan is designed to address the issues facing the jurisdiction for the next 20 years.
A General Plan typically has four defining features:
▪ General. A General Plan provides general policy guidance that will be used to direct future land use and resource decisions.
▪ Comprehensive. A General Plan is comprehensive, covering topics such as land use; housing; economic development; racial, social, and environmental justice; sustainability and resiliency; mobility; public safety; recreation; natural resources; and much more. ▪ Long-Range. A General Plan provides guidance on reaching a future envisioned 20 or more years in the future. To achieve the vision, a General Plan includes goals, policies, and implementation programs that address both immediate and long-term needs. ▪ Integrated and Coherent. The goals, policies, and implementation programs in a General Plan present a comprehensive, unified program for development, resource conservation, and other issues that impact the community. A General Plan uses a consistent set of assumptions and projections to assess future demands for housing, employment, and public services (e.g., infrastructure). A General Plan has a coherent set of policies and implementation programs that enables citizens to understand the vision of the General Plan, and provides landowners, businesses, and industry greater certainty relative to the City’s future implementation of these policies and programs.
A General Plan comprises a collection of “elements” or chapters that cover mandatory topics, as well as topics important to the community. The State requires inclusion of the following eight elements in the General Plan: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, and environmental justice. Though the required topics must be addressed in the General Plan, communities can organize their General Plan anyway they choose. Communities may also include other optional elements that address issues of local interest. In Pleasant Hill, the one optional element included in this document is the Economics and Economy Element.
The General Plan is not to be confused with zoning. Although both the General Plan and the zoning ordinance designate how land may be developed, they do so in different ways. The General Plan has a
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Packet Pg. 307 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element)
1. Introduction
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long-term outlook and vision. It identifies the types of development that will be allowed, the spatial relationships among land uses, and the general pattern of future development. Zoning implements the General Plan vision by regulating future development through specific standards, such as lot size, building setbacks, and allowable uses. However, the land uses shown on the General Plan diagrams will typically be reflected in the local zoning maps as well, as to the two must be consistent per State law. Development must not only meet the specific requirements of the zoning ordinance, but also the broader policies set forth in the General Plan.
The Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan meets the requirements of State law by containing the required elements and one optional element, as described in more detail later in this chapter under “Organization of the General Plan.” Some of the required elements address additional issues of local interest. For example, the Land Use Element is expanded to consider Environmental Justice. and the required elements of Conservation and Air Quality are found in the broader Environment Element. Each element contains goals and policies that will guide future decisions within the City. They each also identify a set of implementation programs that will be used to ensure the goals and policies in the General Plan are carried out.
Using the General Plan
The General Plan is used by the City Council, Planning Commission, and City staff to make decisions with direct or indirect land use implications. It also provides a framework for inter-jurisdictional coordination of planning efforts among officials and staff of the City and other government agencies (e.g., Federal, State, and local). City residents, property owners, and businesses use the General Plan for guidance on City policies for particular geographic areas or for particular subjects of interest to them.
The General Plan is the basis for a variety of regulatory measures and administrative procedures.
California planning law requires consistency between the General Plan and its implementing programs, such as zoning and subdivision ordinances, capital improvement programs, specific plans, environmental impact procedures, and building and housing codes.
The specific roles of the City Council, Planning Commission, and City Departments with respect to the approval and use of the General Plan are described below.
The City Council is the political body that formulates and implements policies in Pleasant Hill. Through its decision-making authority, the Council affirms the policy direction and priorities contained within this General Plan. The City Council is ultimately responsible for adoption of the General Plan, as well as the regulations, capital improvement programs, and financing mechanisms that implement the General Plan.
The Planning Commission is responsible for conducting public hearings on the General Plan and Zoning Code modifications, considering public input, and making recommendations to the City Council on these matters. After the General Plan is adopted, the Planning Commission must ensure that all
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subsequent land use ordinances, policies, guidelines, and development applications are consistent with the goals, policies, and programs in the General Plan.
All City Departments use the General Plan for policy guidance as it pertains to their operations, service delivery, and planning for future capital projects and potential service level changes. The City’s Planning staff ensure that that the General Plan is implemented on a day-to-day basis so that:
appropriate land uses are proposed in the proper locations, appropriate levels of service are provided, proposed land uses conform to development regulations, and the environment has been adequately protected. The General Plan is a resource for all City services and provides an internally consistent checkpoint for assessing alternatives for the City’s future.
Maintaining the General Plan
Over time, the City’s population will likely increase, its goals will evolve, and the physical environment in which its residents live, and work will change. In order for the General Plan to be a useful document, it must be monitored and periodically revised to respond to and reflect changing conditions and needs over time.
The General Plan should be reviewed annually, with a more comprehensive and thorough review and revision done every ten years to reflect changes in local conditions, new local priorities, or State law.
State law permits the General Plan to be amended up to four times in any calendar year, unless special conditions apply as defined by Government Code Sections 65358(c) and (d). Each amendment may contain more than one change to the General Plan.
General Plan Amendments can be initiated by the City or at the request of a property owner. Each General Plan Amendment goes through a public review process with review and hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council. Each Amendment is also subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
How the General Plan was Prepared
The development of the General Plan began in February 2019. The Council appointed an advisory committee to guide the preparation of the 2040 General Plan, consisting of two City Council Members, two Planning Commissioners, and one Architectural Review Committee member. This group collectively became known as the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). The 2040 General Plan was shaped over a three-year period by an extensive public outreach process that engaged residents, businesses, developers, and decision-makers.
Community Engagement
The 2040 General Plan was shaped through a public outreach approach that provided an opportunity for all community members to be involved as an integral component in the General Plan process. The City gathered community input through the following methods:
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1. Community Workshops and pop-up events;
2. General Plan Update Website – www.pleasanthill2040.com;
3. e-Blasts;
4. General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC); and
5. Planning Commission and City Council Meetings, Study Sessions, Town Halls, and Public Hearings.
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Community Workshops
▪ On August 4, 2019, at a “Concerts on the Lake” event, the City held a pop-up community workshop to collect community input on existing conditions and trends; issues and opportunities in the City; and the Vision for the General Plan. The pop-up booths were a series of stations with informative boards and interactive activities for community members of all ages. ▪ On August 21, 2019, at an Off the Grid event, the City held a second pop-up community workshop to collect community input on existing conditions and trends; issues and opportunities in the City; and the Vision for the General Plan. The exercises at both pop-up booths were also replicated on the General Plan website for those who were not able to attend in person. These exercises remained open for additional community input.
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▪ From November 14-16, 2019, the City of Pleasant Hill hosted three days of planning and design workshops as part of the 2040 General Plan Update. The goal of the workshops was to bring community members, planners, and City staff together to develop a range of alternatives to address future housing, economic development, transportation, and other community needs. ▪ Throughout 2021-2022 the City facilitated a series of Housing Element focus meetings including two Townhall Events. The Townhall events provided an overview of the Housing Element process, the difference between the 5th and 6th Cycle Updates, and how interplay between the Housing Element and 2040 General Plan.
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General Plan Update Website – www.pleasanthill2040.com
To help expand the outreach efforts of the General Plan, a project website (www.pleasanthill2040.com) was created to provide information on the process including information on the General Plan, meeting dates and locations, and related documents. The City used regular updates to the project website throughout the update process to keep community members informed and involved. eBlasts
Throughout the update process, the City sent timely eBlasts to the General Plan contact list, which included elected and appointed officials, City Staff, stakeholders, and engaged community members.
People could join the contact list through a link on the project website, by signing-in at a General Plan community workshop or public meeting, or by directly contacting the City of Pleasant Hill.
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC)
To help City staff and the consulting team develop the update to the General Plan, the City formed a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). The GPAC serves as a sounding board for the discussion of issues, opportunities, and the development of the General Plan that will guide the community’s future.
The GPAC consists of two City Council Members, two Planning Commissioners, and one Architectural Review Committee member. Through the duration of the project the GPAC facilitated over 20 meetings to review deliverables and provide direction and feedback to the consultant team and City staff.
The GPAC members are:
▪ Councilmember Ken Carlson
▪ Councilmember Sue Noack
▪ Planning Commissioner Alex Khalfin
▪ Planning Commissioner Chadwick Wyler
▪ Architectural Review Commissioner Will Nelson
▪ Former GPAC Member Allen Vinson (Planning Commissioner) ▪ Former GPAC Member Karla Moseley (Architectural Review Commissioner) Planning Commission and City Council Meetings, Study Sessions, and Public Hearings
The City held various Planning Commission and City Council Meetings, Study Sessions, and Public Hearings throughout the update process to inform decision-makers and the public, discuss key milestones, and provide direction for the next steps.
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General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles
After community discussions at the General Plan Advisory Committee and Planning Commission meetings, the Pleasant Hill City Council approved a Vision Statement and set of Guiding Principles for the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan on November 19, 2019.
Vision
Guiding Principles
▪ Encourage Smart and Sensitive Development
Protect and enhance the community character and existing neighborhoods that define Pleasant Hill by guiding future residential and commercial development to meet the needs of the community and be respectful of the environment.
▪ Foster Economic Diversity and Sustainability
Promote a diverse local economy that is flexible and adaptable to changes in consumer habits and market trends. Be a business-friendly community that supports businesses that foster new job growth and attracts visitors to the city.
▪ Barrier Free Mobility
Advance and maintain a circulation network that accommodates alternative modes of travel, provides neighborhood connectivity, and enhances safety. ▪ Balanced Growth
Focus new development in areas adjacent to major corridors and transit systems while preserving existing neighborhoods and open space resources. Support sustainable development that aligns with current best practices and is compatible with our community. ▪ Ensuring Public Safety
Provide a safe community through public safety services, resilient infrastructure, public awareness, preparedness, and action plans for both human-caused and natural disasters. ▪ Support Diverse Housing Options
Pleasant Hill will be a welcoming city that prides itself on diversity, safety, and a strong sense of community. Pleasant Hill will be the best city in the Bay Area by being a resilient community that is fiscally sound, environmentally responsible, forward-thinking, and inclusive: a great place for people of all ages to live, learn, work, and play
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Create the conditions necessary to stimulate the diversity of housing options for community members of all ages and incomes.
Analyses Informing the 2040 General Plan
As part of the City of Pleasant Hill General Plan update process, the City prepared the following General Plan supporting documents:
▪ Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook. The Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook summarized where Pleasant Hill has been, its current status and standing, and trends that will shape its future. Topical areas will include land use, demographic and market analysis, circulation and transportation, and natural and cultural resources. The Workbook served as the foundation for the Growth and Policy Alternatives as part of the planning and design workshops, as well as laying the groundwork for the goal, policy, and implementation program creation in the Policy Document.
▪ Land Use Memorandum. The Land Use Memorandum described the results from community feedback from the planning and design workshops in the Fall of 2019. The memorandum identified focus areas that could experience the most land use change, and highlighted potential change that can occur through 2040 in each of those areas. The memorandum was subsequently updated following the initiation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element to ensure consistency with the Housing Sites Inventory process. The City Council ultimately adopted a 2040 Preferred Alternative on May 16, 2022, based on recommendations by the community, GPAC, and Planning Commission, that reflects the land use process of the General Plan. ▪ Environmental Impact Report. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) responds to the requirements of CEQA, as set forth in Sections 15126, 15175, and 15176 of the CEQA Guidelines Act. The Planning Commission and City Council will use the EIR during the General Plan update process to consider potential environmental implications associated with implementing the General Plan and to identify feasible mitigation measures for significant impacts. The General Plan EIR may also be used in the environmental evaluation of future projects. Future projects may be able to build (tier) their environmental review on the General Plan EIR if they are consistent with the General Plan.
The Pleasant Hill Community
At the end of World War II, the Pleasant Hill area shifted from an agricultural community to a suburban residential one with rapid construction of housing subdivisions on land previously used for agriculture.
In the 1950s, residents began pushing for incorporation of Pleasant Hill into a city. After a few failures, the community voted to incorporate in November 1961. Pleasant Hill became the 12th city in Contra Costa County and the 375th city in the state.
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Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, large companies followed their employees to suburban areas east of San Francisco. The establishment of large population centers fostered the development of equally large shopping centers. To meet demand for transportation infrastructure, the State modernized highways, roadways, and rail transit to enhance access to jobs and population centers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1964, the State completed Interstate 680 (I-680) connecting the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa. In 1973, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) completed the construction of the Concord BART line. These investments contributed to exponential growth for cities like Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill initially grew as a series of subdivisions that served as a bedroom community for other Bay Area cities. As a result, the city lacked a city center. In 1974, the City adopted the Pleasant Hill Commons Redevelopment Plan, covering an area around the intersection of Contra Costa Boulevard and Monument Boulevard. The City established a redevelopment agency to build and finance projects.
The agency, unable to finance the downtown project at its inception, started with several smaller projects to build funds. This, combined with alterations to the plan to reflect changing community priorities and economic conditions, led to the delay in the completion of the new downtown in 2000.
The new downtown included a new City Hall, which opened in 1991, and a walkable main street with retail and entertainment opportunities.
Today, Pleasant Hill is much like it has been for the past several decades. The city is defined by its quiet, residential character with most neighborhoods consisting of single-family homes. However, change is happening as a result of regional growth pressure and the demand for housing. Multifamily developments are becoming more common in the city, especially close to downtown, along major corridors, and close to the BART station on the edge of the city limits.
Regional Context
Pleasant Hill is in Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area (Figure 1-1). The city is bound by the communities of Walnut Creek to the south, Concord to the east, Lafayette to the southwest, and Pacheco and Martinez to the north. The Briones Hills are to the east of the city, forming a natural barrier to development between the San Francisco Bay and inland East Bay valleys.
I-680 runs primarily to the east of Pleasant Hill, roughly following the eastern edge of the city. The freeway crosses city limits for a little over a mile near downtown Pleasant Hill, separating a few neighborhoods from the rest of the city. BART’s Antioch-Millbrae (yellow) line runs further to the east and south of Pleasant Hill, with the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station located just outside of the city limits to the southeast. I-680 and BART connect Pleasant Hill to the broader Bay Area.
Pleasant Hill is inextricably connected to the San Francisco Bay Area; the city largely remains a bedroom community for the larger cities in the region. The city is situated 15 miles northeast from the City of Oakland and 20 miles northeast of San Francisco. San Jose and the Silicon Valley are approximately 40 miles south of Pleasant Hill.
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Pleasant Hill Planning Boundaries
The existing General Plan uses several terms to describe the city and associated planning boundaries (Figure 1-2):
▪ 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, which spans over 4,500 acres.
▪ Sphere of Influence. The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) establishes the sphere of influence (SOI), which defines the probable physical boundary and service area of a local agency. An SOI typically includes both incorporated and unincorporated areas within which the City will have primary responsibility for the provision of public facilities and services. The Pleasant Hill SOI is over 5,700 acres. The City is not responsible for providing public services and facilities (e.g., water, sewer, libraries, parks, fire, etc.) to those areas within the SOI that are located outside of city limits.
▪ Planning Area. A general plan, pursuant to State law, must address all areas within the jurisdiction’s 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.
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Regional Context
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General Plan Organization
The Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan addresses the seven mandatory elements and includes one optional element. Table 1-1 lists the elements of the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan and shows how the elements are organized to meet the mandatory requirements of State law.
Elements of the Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan
Pleasant Hill Elements
State-Mandated Elements
Land UseCirculationHousingConservationNoiseOpen SpaceSafetyAir QualityEnvironmental JusticeOptional Economic and
Economy ◼
Land Use ◼ ◼ ◼
Housing ◼ ◼
Transportation and
Circulation ◼
Public Facilities,
Services, and
Infrastructure
◼ ◼ ◼
Open Space, Parks,
and Recreation ◼ ◼ ◼
Environment ◼ ◼ ◼
Hazards and Safety ◼ ◼
The 2040 General Plan is organized into ten chapters (an introductory chapter and eight elements, and a glossary), allowing users to find topics or sections that interest them. The policies throughout all elements work together and decision makers must consider them comprehensively when making planning decisions. The chapters of the General Plan are as follows.
1. Introduction
The Introduction chapter provides an overview of the General Plan and the process used to develop the 2040 General Plan. This chapter also includes a Reader’s Guide (Section 1.6) that provides useful information on how to read and use the goals, policies, and programs presented in each element.
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2. Economics and Economy (E)
The Economic Development Element focuses on supporting traditional employment sectors, including retail and service industries, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and warehousing, while ensuring the city is responsive to cost pressures, shifting consumer demands, and competition.
3. Land Use Element (LU)
The Land Use Element establishes the pattern and intensity of land use in the city and sets forth policies and standards to guide future development. This Element serves as the primary vehicle for ensuring that new land uses are logically organized and developed in a way that preserves Pleasant Hill’s small-town charm.
4. Housing Element (H)
The Housing Element ensures that there is adequate land in place to accommodate Pleasant Hill’s fair share of new residents. The City adopted the 2015-2023 Housing Element in 2015 to identify and address housing needs in the city in compliance with State housing law. The 2015-2023 Housing Element is formatted under separate cover and is available from the City’s website.
5. Transportation and Circulation Element (TC)
The Transportation and Circulation Element focuses on providing a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel.
6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element (PFS) The Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element guides decision-making concerning public and private infrastructure, utilities, and services.
7. Open Space, Parks, and Recreation (OSP)
The Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element focuses on conserving the city’s park and open space environments for present and future residents, as well as enhancing important attributes to Pleasant Hill that provide recreation for residents and visitors.
8. Environment (ENV)
The Environment Element aims to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and historical resources that make Pleasant Hill a unique place.
9. Hazards and Safety Element (HS)
The Hazards and Safety Element establishes a policy framework for protecting people and property from unreasonable risks from natural disasters, noise, and other events. It also focuses on disaster and emergency response.
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10. Glossary and Acronyms
This chapter provides a definition of the key terms and acronyms used in the General Plan.
Readers’ Guide
Goals and Policies
Each element contains the goals and policies that the City will use to guide future land use, development, resource management, and environmental protection decisions. Figure 1-3 explains the standard format for goals and policies, using a sample goal and policy.
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How to Read Goals and Policies
Goal
A goal is a statement that describes in general terms a desired future condition or “end” state. Goals describe ideal future conditions for a topic and tend to be very general and broad.
Policy
A policy is a clear and unambiguous statement that guides a specific course of action for decisionmakers to achieve a desired goal.
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“Shall” vs. “Should”
Policies and implementation measures throughout the General Plan use terms such as “shall” and “should” to define the intentions of the City relative to these components. These modifiers are used as follows in the General Plan:
▪ “Must” or “shall” or “required” are used to signify a mandatory requirement that the City will follow. For example, Policy E-5.1 says: “The City shall continue to encourage organizations that promote Pleasant Hill as a visitor destination and work with the local business community to ensure that a full range of visitor services, events and attractions is available to maximize the economic benefit from this market.”
▪ Words such as “should” or “may” are used to signify a less rigid directive that will be honored in the absence of compelling or contravening considerations. For example, Policy ENV-2.6 says:
“Creek setbacks, where feasible, should exceed minimum regulatory setback guidelines to protect native vegetation and enhance creek environments.” This provides flexibility in addressing the policy in the context of the project or proposal.
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Overarching Topic Icons
The Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan contains a number of goals, policies, and implementation programs that address cross-cutting topics that weave throughout the General Plan. To highlight these goals, policies, and implementation programs, this General Plan uses one or more icons to highlight if a goal, policy, or implementation program is directly related to one or more of these topics. The icons are described below:
Sustainability
Sustainability includes the physical development and operating practices that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly regarding use and waste of natural resources. Sustainability recognizes that certain resources are finite, and therefore should be used conservatively and wisely with a view to the longterm priorities and consequences. Items marked with this icon are designed to enhance the City’s sustainability relative to a wide range of resources.
Environmental Justice
Pursuant Government Code Section 65302(h), general plans “must include an environmental justice element or include goals and policies in other element(s) of the general plan to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by reducing pollution exposure, improving air quality, and promoting public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity; promote civil engagement in the public decision-making process; and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.” State law defines “disadvantaged communities” as areas that are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation. Items marked with this icon are designed to identify which goals, policies, and implementation programs that address issues related to disadvantaged communities.
Healthy Communities
The 2040 General Plan focuses on promoting healthy communities and the connection between the built environment and public health. Healthy communities focus on providing for a quality and sustainable environment, supporting economic and social development, ensuring social equity, and encouraging social relationships that are supportive and respectful to meet all residents’ basic needs across a lifespan. To improve population health outcomes, the City needs to focus on policies, systems, and implementation programs that address the social and environmental determinants of health. Items marked with this icon are designed to identify goal, policies, and programs that affect and promote overall community health.
Environmental Impact Report Mitigation
To evaluate the environmental implications of the 2040 General Plan, the City prepared a Program EIR pursuant to the CEQA. As part of this process, some policies will be developed specifically to reduce the potential for significant environmental impacts. These policies constitute mitigation measures and ensure that implementation of the 2040 General Plan will include the reduction of associated environmental impacts in accordance with CEQA. Items marked with this icon are also included in the EIR as mitigation measures.
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The fiscal health of a community is essential to providing a high level of public services and community amenities, while contributing significantly to the quality of life. Economic conditions in the private sector gauge existing trends and opportunities and point towards shifts and transitions in the local economy. All of this affects the prosperity of Pleasant Hill residents and the tax base that supports the delivery of municipal services. The Economics and Economy Element includes goals, policies, and programs related to retention and expansion of existing business sectors, attracting new businesses, and as well as diversifying the economy to develop new kinds of businesses in the city.
Goals, policies, and implementation programs in this element are organized under the following headings:
Contents
Section Title Page
Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Commercial Business Retention and Expansion......................................................... 2 Economic Diversification and Expansion..................................................................... 3 Economic Infrastructure................................................................................................ 5 Implementation Programs ............................................................................................ 6
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Key Terms
Adaptive Reuse (Reuse). The practice of converting underutilized buildings from their original or most recent use to a new use.
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.
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.
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. (See Figure 1-2, in Chapter 1, Introduction)
Commercial Business Retention and Expansion
Pleasant Hill’s largest industries (by employment) include retail trade (20%), health care (23%), government (17%), and leisure and hospitality (13%). The City has an opportunity to cultivate a business mix that serves the evolving range of residents’ needs and desires, while also attracting visitors. Dining and retail establishments are particularly important, not only for generating revenue, but also as centers for community gathering and recreation. It is also important to support the growth of entertainment and other businesses that contribute to an exciting customer experience. Promoting an attractive shopping environment is critical to commercial success as brick-and-mortar retail evolves with the expansion of online sales platforms.
Promote the economic health of the downtown and the city as a whole, particularly through the growth of businesses that generate sales taxes and other revenues for the City. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Goal 1] E-1.1 Mixed-use
Encourage mixed-use development downtown and at other sites where appropriate. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 1A, modified] E-1.2 Annexations
Consider annexation of land in the Sphere of Influence when likely to generate positive net fiscal benefits to the City and provide open space, housing, or employment opportunities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 1B]
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Facilitate additional retail and commercial opportunities that meet local needs. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Goal 3] E-2.1 Uses Along Contra Costa Boulevard
Facilitate the improvement and upgrading of older and outmoded uses along Contra Costa Boulevard, including mixed- use development where feasible. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 3B] E-2.2 Mix of Retailers
Support the attraction and development of more local businesses and firms with creative and innovative business concepts in terms of the product sold, shopping experience, and/or the way that the tenant space is used. A mix of local, regional, and national retailers will offer a diversity of product and pricing choices to local residents.
Encourage the integration of entertainment and high demand service uses (such as creative studios, consumer-oriented class spaces, and youth attractions) with retail to create attractive shopper environments.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 3C, modified] E-2.3 Retail and Restaurant Uses
Encourage quality retail and restaurant uses in strategic locations to support the success of mixed-use developments.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 3D, modified] E-2.4 Cultural and Business Activity at Diablo Valley College (DVC) Support DVC’s desire to create a hub of entertainment, commerce and education that benefits students, residents and the business community alike. [Source: New Policy] Economic Diversification and Expansion
The cornerstone for ensuring economic longevity is continued investment in successful local industries. While government and health care will continue to play a central role in the city’s economic base, it is important that the City also invests energy into diversifying industries and employment opportunities, particularly jobs suitable for residents who commute out of Pleasant Hill to work. In 2018, more than 80 percent of the City’s workforce commuted out of town, mainly to jobs in information technology, finance, and professional and technical services. A more diversified economy provides the potential for successful collaboration, as well as options to ensure that the city is resilient and able to maintain its economic competitiveness in the event of changing climate or economic conditions. The City can leverage strong partnerships with local education and workforce training institutions such as DVC to support business attraction and expansion. City policy should also recognize that economic growth in Contra Costa County and the surrounding region also benefits Pleasant Hill workers by reducing longer commutes.
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Create and maintain a dynamic and diverse economic base. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Development Strategy Goal 2]
E-3.1 City Serving Retail and Commercial Growth
Allow for 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. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Program 2.5, modified] E-3.2 Existing Business Support
Support existing businesses and encourage them to expand when appropriate. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 2B] E-3.3 New Businesses
Prioritize attraction of new businesses that:
• are independent and not affiliated with national chains; • are innovative and creative in concept in terms of the product being sold and/or the building or space that the business is located within; • fill unique niches and/or unmet demand;
• augment needed services and/or popular existing amenities (including recreation, retail and restaurant uses);
• generate net fiscal benefits to the City, such as tax revenues; • create higher-paying, higher-skill, and/or higher-quality jobs for local residents; • match the skill levels of the local labor pool;
• have potential to stimulate other private investment in the city; • are compatible with existing infrastructure and the environment; • support, participate in, and promote civic activities; • create minimal negative impact on the surrounding community; and • require minimal public investment.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 2C] E-3.4 Light Manufacturing
Encourage the location of artisanal consumer goods manufacturing in commercial districts through design standards that permit flexible building design, with onsite retail sales as well as offsite distribution. Also encourage incubator light industrial uses in industrial districts. [Source: New Policy]
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E-3.5 Underutilized Parcels
Facilitate appropriate reuse of underutilized parcels.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 2D, modified] E-3.6 Technology Companies
Encourage the location of firms in growing technology sectors, such as bio-tech, in existing commercial and industrial zones through design standards that achieve appropriate building scale and environmental standards. [Source: New Policy]
Enlarge the City’s revenue base as necessary to sustain and support the community. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Goal 4] E-4.1 Revenue Base Impacts
Evaluate and support proposed development to determine whether it would have a positive impact on the City’s revenue base. [Source: Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy Policy 4A]
Help local businesses and the City of Pleasant Hill capture visitor dollars that are otherwise lost to the larger regional area, thereby increasing revenue to local businesses and the City. [Source: Resolution 55-19]
E-5.1 Tourism Industry Development
The City shall continue to encourage organizations that promote Pleasant Hill as a visitor destination and work with the local business community to ensure that a full range of visitor services, events and attractions is available to maximize the economic benefit from this market. [Source: Resolution 55-19 and new language] Economic Infrastructure
Modern business activity depends on key communications infrastructure such as broadband capacity and access. As workplace and educational environments adapt to changing conditions, the availability of high-capacity internet in residential neighborhoods in addition to business districts is increasingly critical. Also, changes in personal transportation systems to include electric vehicles, ride sharing services, car/scooter/bike sharing services, and increasing consumer interest in active transportation opportunities will dramatically change the need for transportation infrastructure. The City can improve its economic competitiveness by supporting the installation of future-oriented infrastructure and promoting the high level of services available to both businesses and workers in Pleasant Hill.
Encourage the development and expansion of critical communications and transportation infrastructure. [Source: New Goal]
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E-6.1 Broadband Network
Encourage the expansion of a high-capacity broadband network in Pleasant Hill and other high-capacity internet technologies as they evolve. [Source: New Policy] E-6.2 Transportation Systems
Encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, ride sharing hubs, and bike/scooter rental services to support consumer interest in alternative transportation modes. Evaluate the changing needs for parking in commercial and mixed-use districts. Promote expansion of transit services. [Source: New Policy] E-6.3 Active Transportation
Promote the use of the City’s trail systems to increase pedestrian and bike travel, particularly for local work trips. Develop circulation designs in mixed- use districts, including Downtown, to promote pedestrian access and bike/scooter travel. [Source: New Policy]
Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
A Allowable Office and Hotel Density
Encourage the use of allowable
development density for office and
hotel development, while preserving
areas designated for retail uses.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic
Strategy Program 1.1]
E-3.1, E-3.5 Planning
Division
◼
B Density Incentives
Create incentives to encourage higher
density and/or mixed-use development
in the downtown and at other
appropriate sites along transit corridors.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Economic
Strategy Program 1.2]
E-1.1, E-2.1 Planning
Division
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
C Downtown Plan Update
Review and update the Downtown
Specific Plan as necessary. [Source:
Existing General Plan, Economic Strategy
Program 1.3, modified]
E-1.1 Planning
Division
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
D Cultural & Business Hub at DVC
Support DVC’s efforts to create shared
use opportunities for the performing
arts center and other event venues at
DVC. Promote close connections
between the business community and
the educational resources at DVC.
[Source: New Implementation Program]
E-2.4 Economic
Development
Planning
Division
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
E Plan for a Mix of Uses at Key
Opportunity Sites
Identify the specific types of mixed- use
development that would be appropriate
at key opportunity sites. Develop zoning
standards that reflect the locational
attributes of the sites. In particular,
plans should allow for a compatible mix
of office, hotel, retail, entertainment
and/or residential uses at the
Crossroads and DVC Plaza sShopping
cCenters, and should include fiscal
implications of any proposed net
reduction in the square footage of retail
floor space that existed at DVC Plaza
and at the Crossroads Shopping Center
in December 2020 so that the new
development will provide equivalent or
superior fiscal or economic benefits to
the City. [Source: Existing General Plan,
Economic Strategy Program 3.2]
E-2.1, E-2.3 Planning
Division
Economic
Development
◼
F Additional Non-Residential Uses
Ensure that the City maintains a wellbalanced and modern regulatory system that permits additional retail,
commercial, entertainment, technology
and light industrial uses while
mitigating impacts to residential areas,
traffic, schools, City services and other
environmental conditions. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
E-2.2, E-3.4,
E-3.5
Planning
Division
◼
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2. Economics and Economy Element
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
G Reuse Opportunity Identification
Identify the reuse potential and
feasibility of commercial and light
industrial properties that respond to the
emerging needs of specific business
uses. [Source: Existing General Plan,
Economic Strategy Program 2.2]
E-3.6 Planning
Division
Economic
Development
◼
H Work with Key Employers
Work with the Pleasant Hill Chamber of
Commerce and the Downtown Pleasant
Hill Shopping Center owner and/or
property manager on issues that may
impact businesses’ decisions to remain
in the city. [Source: Existing General
Plan, Economic Strategy Program 2.3]
E-3.2 Economic
Development
Planning
Division
◼
I Identify Opportunities to Attract New
Employers
Work with real estate and development
professionals, as well as workforce
development agencies such as DVC, to
identify opportunities to bring
employers into the city that will diversify
the job base. Collaborate with regional
economic development entities to
support economic growth throughout
Contra Costa County. [Source: Existing
General Plan, Economic Strategy
Program 2.4, modified]
E-3.3 Economic
Development
Planning
Division
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
J Promote City Assets and Visitor
Attractions
Encourage the efforts of the Pleasant
Hill Chamber of Commerce, Stay
Pleasant Hill Tourism Improvement
District, DVC, and any future programs
or organizations that market and
promote the city’s businesses, city
amenities, visitor attractions, ease of
access, affordability, and quality of life.
Create and maintain an Opportunity Site
Map to illustrate key development
opportunities. [Source: Economic
Strategy Program 2.6, Resolution 55-19]
E-2.4, E-3.3 Economic
Development
Planning
Division
◼
K Support Job-training Programs
Support the efforts of DVC, Cal State
East Bay, and other regional educational
institutions to tailor job-training
programs to local businesses (including
technology, service, retail, finance,
insurance, real estate, local government,
education, and transportation). [Source:
Economic Strategy Program 2.7]
E-3.2, E-3.3 Economic
Development
City Manager
◼
L Periodic Sales Analysis
Analyze periodically city per capita
sales by market category (as compared
to statewide averages) to identify
trends and sectors that should be
targeted for growth. [Source: Economic
Strategy Program 4.3]
E-2.2, E-3.1 Finance
Division
Economic
Development
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
M Broadband Network
Consider support of local internet
service providers, educational and
health care agencies, and business
groups seeking to address network
gaps as they are identified. Seek
available state and federal grants where
appropriate to close any broadband
service gaps. [Source: New]
E-6.1 Economic
Development
Planning
Division
◼
N Electric Vehicle and Micromobility
Charging Stations
Develop a plan for the location and
development of publicly available
charging stations for autos and other
types of personal electric
transportation. [Source: New]
E-6.2 Engineering
Division
Planning
Division
◼
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Land use policies ultimately guide development and shape the urban fabric. The Land Use Element includes goals, policies, and programs that guide land development in the city. The Element addresses the type and intensity of development allowed on a site, the mix of uses permitted within the city, and the character of the community.
Of all the elements of the General Plan, the Land Use Element has the most significant impact on existing and future residents because it determines the general location of residential, commercial, industrial, public, and open space uses. This Element balances land use issues, opportunities, and constraints with the community’s other needs and desires. Goals, policies, and implementation programs in this element are organized under the following headings:
Contents
Section Title Page
Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... 2
3.1 Land Use Diagram and Designations ........................................................................... 5
3.2 Community Character.................................................................................................. 13
3.3 Residential Development............................................................................................. 14
3.4 Commercial and Mixed-Use Development................................................................. 16
3.5 Growth Management................................................................................................... 17
3.6 Focus Areas.................................................................................................................. 19
3.7 Healthy Community ..................................................................................................... 46
3.8 Environmental Justice ................................................................................................. 46
3.9 Civic Engagement ........................................................................................................ 48
3.10 General Plan Consistency and Maintenance ............................................................. 49
3.11 Implementation Programs .......................................................................................... 50
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Key Terms
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. (Source: New) Acres, Gross. A measure of total land area of any lot or parcel, including future streets, parks, and other land dedications. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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. (Source:
Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
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. (Source: Existing General Plan) 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. (Source: Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook)
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. (Source:
Existing General Plan)
Commercial. A land use classification that permits facilities for the buying and selling of commodities and services. (Source: Existing General Plan)
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. (Source: Existing General Plan)
Compatible. Capable of existing together without conflict or ill effects. (Source: Existing General Plan) 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).) (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
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Density. The number of permanent residential dwelling units per acre of land. Densities specified in the General Plan may beare expressed in residential dwelling units (not including Accessory Dwelling Units) per gross acre or per net developable acre. Pleasant Hill calculates density by net acre. (Source:
New)
Duplex/Triplex/Fourplex. Two, three, or four attached dwelling units on a single parcel. (Source: New) Dwelling Unit. One or more habitable rooms designed for occupancy by only one family for living and sleeping purposes and having a kitchen. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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. (Source: Existing General Plan)
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. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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. (Source: Existing General Plan) 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. (Source:
Existing General Plan)
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. (Source: Existing General Plan) 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. (Source:
New)
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. (Source: New)
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Lot. See “Parcel”
Mixed-use. Developments that allow residential, retail, commercial, office and/or public uses with flexible parking and setback requirements. Individual Mixed-use projects are not expected to contain any specific combination of these uses, and 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. (Source:
Amended definition per Resolution No. 21-16)
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. (Source: New) Mixed-use, Vertical. Mixed-use developments that allow residential, retail, commercial, office and/or public uses combined within the same structure. (Source: New) 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. (Source:
Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
Office. Firms or organizations providing professional, executive, management, medical, or administrative services. (Source: New)
Parcel. A site or lot of land. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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. (Source: Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook)
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. (Source: Existing General Plan) Public and Quasi-public Facilities. Institutional, academic, governmental and community service uses, either publicly owned or operated by non-profit organizations. (Source: Existing General Plan) 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. (Source: Existing General Plan) Setback. The distance between a building and the property line or other buildings. (Source: New) 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. (Source:
Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
Single-Family. A building or structure designed exclusively for occupancy by one family. (Source:
Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
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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. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
Single-Family, Detached. A dwelling unit on an individual parcel. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18)
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. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) Sphere of Influence (SOI). An area that includes the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, as determined by the LAFCO of the county. The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) establishes the sphere of influence (SOI). An SOI typically includes both incorporated and unincorporated areas within which the City will have primary responsibility for the provision of public facilities and services. The City is not responsible for providing public services and facilities (e.g., water, sewer, libraries, parks, fire, etc.) to areas outside of city limits but within the SOI. (Source: Existing Conditions and Trends Workbook)
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. (Source: Amended definition per Resolution No. 66-18) 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 homeowners association on behalf of all townhouse members of the association. (Source: Existing General Plan)
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. (Source: New) Zoning. The division of a city or county into districts, and the designation of different uses and regulations in each district. (Source: New)
Zoning District. An area delineated on a zoning map for which uniform land use regulations and development standards are specified. (Source: New)
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. (Source: New)
3.1 Land Use Diagram and Designations
The most familiar part of any general plan is the map, or land use diagram, showing the types and locations of future development that the general plan envisions. The following sections provide an overview of the 22 land use designations. The following sub-sections first describe how the standards
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are expressed generally, then outline the standards for each of the designations shown on Pleasant Hill’s General Plan Land Use Diagram.
Land Use Development Standards
State planning law requires general plans to establish “standards of population density and building intensity” for the various land use designations in the plan (Government Code Section 65302(a)). To satisfy this requirement, the General Plan includes standards for each land use designation appearing on the Land Use Diagram. These standards are stated differently for residential and nonresidential development. The following are explanations of how these standards are applied to development proposals.
Density
Residential development is categorized by an allowed density range (minimum and maximum) measured in dwelling units per acre
(du/ac). Residential density is
calculated by dividing the number of
dwelling units on the site (excluding
accessory dwelling units) by the net
acreage (e.g., removing roadways and
easements) of the site. The image to
the right shows prototypical examples
of different residential densities for
one-acre properties.
State planning law requires general
plans to include standards for measuring population density. Population density is determined by multiplying the maximum number of dwelling units allowed in a given land use designation by the average number of persons per household (as determined by the California Department of Finance).
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Floor Area Ratio
The intensity of non-residential
development, which can be regulated by
total building size and lot coverage, is
measured by Floor Area Ratio (FAR). FAR
means the gross floor area of a building or
buildings on a parcel divided by the area of
the parcel. The maximum FAR standard
limits the overall size of development on a
parcel. As an example, a maximum FAR of
0.75 would allow 75,000 square feet of
building floor area on a 100,000-square foot
lot. The 75,000 square feet could be
developed in one building, or more
buildings, and include one or more stories.
(Source: New Text)
Land Use Diagram
Figure LU-1 shows the Pleasant Hill General Plan Land Use Diagram. The Land Use Diagram designates land uses for the entire Planning Area. State planning law requires that a general plan cover all territory within the boundaries of the adopting city or county as well as “any land outside its boundary which in the planning agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning” (Government Code Section 65300).
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Land Use Designations
The new General Plan carries forward the 17 land use designations established in the 2003 General Plan as well as an additional four designations ( ). The General Plan designations accommodate a variety of specific land uses (which may be permitted as of right or conditionally by the Zoning Ordinance), as follows:
General Plan Land Use Designations
SINGLE-FAMILY LOW-DENSITY | SFLD
The Single-Family Low-Density designation is intended for the development of dwelling units on larger parcels ranging from 15,000-20,000 sq. ft. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
1.3 – 3.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
SINGLE-FAMILY MEDIUM-DENSITY | SFMD
The Single-Family Medium-Density designation is intended for the development dwelling units on parcels ranging from 7,000-10,000 sq. ft.
This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
3.1 – 4.5 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
SINGLE-FAMILY HIGH-DENSITY | SFHD
The Single-Family High-Density designation is intended for the development of dwelling units on parcels as small as 6,000 sq. ft. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
4.6 – 6.9 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
MANGINI-DELU-WINSLOW RESIDENTIAL | MDWR
The Mangini-Delu-Winslow Residential designation identifies the ManginiDelu-Winslow parcels located at Taylor Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road, which are suitable for a variety of housing types. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
4.6 – 13.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
MULTI-FAMILY VERY LOW-DENSITY |MFVLD
The Multi-family Very Low-Density designation identifies areas suitable for the development of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and verysmall-lot single-family dwelling units. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
7.0 – 12.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
MULTI-FAMILY LOW-DENSITY | MFLD
The Multi-family Low-Density designation identifies areas suitable for the development of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, detached and attached single-family dwelling units, and mobile homes. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
12.1 – 20.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
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MULTI-FAMILY MEDIUM-DENSITY | MFMD
The Multi-family Medium-Density designation identifies areas suitable for the development of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, mobile homes, and condominiums. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
20.1 – 30.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
MULTI-FAMILY HIGH-DENSITY | MFHD
The Multi-family High-Density designation identifies areas suitable for the development of townhouses, studio flats, condominiums, and apartments.
This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
30.1 – 40.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
MULTI-FAMILY VERY HIGH-DENSITY | MFVHD
The Multi-family Very High-Density designation identifies areas suitable for the development of studio flats, condominiums, and apartments. This designation also permits the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
DENSITY
40.1 – 73.0 DU/AC
FAR
N/A
CLEAVELAND MULTIFAMILY VERY HIGH-DENSITY | CMVHD
The Cleveland Multifamily Very High-Density designation allows multi-family residential uses (i.e., apartments and condominiums) and applies only to the approximately 2.3-acre area covered by the Downtown Cleaveland Specific Plan.”
DENSITY
40.1 – 93.0 DU/AC
FAR
0.4 – 0.85
MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD | MUD
The Mixed-Use Neighborhood designation identifies areas suitable for the development of small-scale neighborhood centers where area residents can gather to socialize or shop. This designation allows for diverse uses, including residential, commercial, office, employment, and personal services, located within the same building (vertical mixed-use) or on the same site (horizontal mixed-use). The intensity of development in the MixedUse Neighborhood designation is lower than that in the other mixed-use designations to maintain compatibility with adjacent lower-density singlefamily neighborhoods.
DENSITY
1.3 – 20.0 DU/AC
FAR
0.0 – 0.75
MIXED-USE | MU
The Mixed-Use designation combines residential with retail, commercial, office and/or public uses with flexible parking and setback requirements.
This designation allows for diverse uses, including residential, commercial, office, entertainment, and personal services, located within the same building (vertical mixed-use) or on the same site (horizontal mixed-use).
Residential types allowed in this designation include live work units, townhouses, apartments, studio flats, and condominiums.
DENSITY
12.0 – 40.0 DU/AC
FAR
0.4 – 0.75
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MIXED-USE HIGH-DENSITY | MUHD
The Mixed-Use High-Density designation combines more intense residential types with retail, commercial, office and/or public uses with flexible parking and setback requirements. This designation allows for diverse uses, including residential, commercial, office, entertainment, and personal services, located within the same building (vertical mixed--use) or on the same site (horizontal mixed-use). Residential types allowed in this designation include live-work units, townhouses, apartments, studio flats, and condominiums.
DENSITY
40.1 – 70.0 DU/AC
FAR
0.4 – 0.75
MIXED-USE VERY HIGH-DENSITY | MUHD
The Mixed-Use Very High-Density designation combines residential with retail, commercial, office and/or public uses with flexible parking and setback requirements. This designation allows for the most intensive uses, including high-density residential, commercial, hotels, office, entertainment, and personal services, located within the same building (vertical mixed-use) or on the same site (horizontal mixed-use). The intent is to shape active street frontages within this designation that create unique social activity community spaces. Residential types allowed in this designation include live-work units, townhouses, apartments, studio flats, and condominiums.
DENSITY
70.1 – 100.0 DU/AC
FAR
0.4 – 0.85
COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL | CR
The Commercial and Retail designation includes shopping centers, banks, hotels, personal services (such as barber shops and dry cleaners), entertainment and cultural venues, restaurants, auto sales and service, and ancillary offices.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.4
TOURSIT COMMERCIAL OVERLAY | TRO
The 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.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 1.0
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS | NB
The Neighborhood Business designation includes small format retail focusing on neighborhood-serving uses services including, but not limited to, banks, personal services (such as barbershops and dry cleaners), restaurants, and ancillary offices.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.35
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LIGHT INDUSTRIAL | I
The Light Industrial designation includes areas suitable for light manufacturing, assembly uses, research and development, and flex industrial space with limited or very low nuisance characteristics. This designation allows for office, retail, and other service uses that serve the employees in the area. Uses that are ancillary to the primary use of a property, such as product display and/or sampling areas, facility tours, and promotional events, are also permissible.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.35
SEMI-PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL | SPI
The Semi-Public and Institutional designation includes utility facilities and easements, libraries, City offices, fire stations, churches, and hospitals.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.4
OFFICE | O
The Office designation includes business, medical and professional uses, office buildings and office parks with ancillary commercial and retail uses.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.4
SCHOOL | S
The School designation includes properties dedicated to educational facilities including public and private schools, as well as higher education facilities.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
0.0 – 0.75
PARK | P
The Park designation designates existing and proposed parkland, both developed and undeveloped. Typically, these areas are characterized by a high degree of open area, and a limited number of structures.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
N/A
OPEN SPACE | OS
The Open Space designation is essentially unimproved land devoted to preservation of natural resources and outdoor recreation.
DENSITY
N/A
FAR
N/A
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3.2 Community Character
Community character and design influence the way residents and visitors perceive, experience, and remember a city. They play an important role in creating a distinctive identity of the community and influence the quality of life of the residents. They can also have a considerable impact on economic development and vitality, community health and safety, public services, and circulation.
While Pleasant Hill has a sizeable employment base, its built form largely comprises single-family residential development. The majority of commercial development, including the Downtown, are along or adjacent to Contra Costa Boulevard, which is the primary north-south thoroughfare. Other commercial development is scattered along east-west arterial streets, including Gregory Lane and Oak Park Boulevard.
LU-1
Promote a city image that reflects the community’s diversity, inclusivity, forwardthinking, and high quality of life. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 4, modified]
LU-1.1 City Atmosphere
Enhance the quality of life and civic pride through a diverse range of development types that create a memorable place to live, play, and work. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 4B, modified]
LU-1.2 City Image
Continue efforts to define and enhance the City’s image by emphasizing the high quality, intergenerational park facilities and recreational opportunities in the city; dedication to education, including the presence of Diablo Valley College and its potential to provide cultural and lifelong learning opportunities; and the vital, progressive nature of the city as a diverse residential community and a supportive environment for business. [Source: Existing Community Development Program 4.1, modified]
LU-1.3 Well-Defined Street Fronts
Require new buildings to maintain a street front that creates or maintains a welldefined streetscape. [Source: New Policy] LU-1.4 Gateway Features
Enhance key intersections and entries to the city with signs, landscaping, and streetscape features. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 7A, modified]
LU-1.5 Public Amenities/Art
Require installation of public art, landscaping, and/or other public amenities in conjunction with all new public and private development and major rehabilitation or major expansion of existing development. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Program 8.1]
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LU-1.6 Transition in Scale
Require that new development transition appropriately in building scale, height and massing in relation to the physical and visual character of adjoining neighborhoods. [Source: New Policy]
LU-1.7 Multi-Story Development
Require multi-story buildings to incorporate step backs on upper floors to create a more human-scale and comfortable pedestrian environment. [Source: New Policy] LU-1.8 Citywide Beautification
Promote a clean and attractive city through periodic clean-up and beautification of commercial areas and neighborhoods. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 4C, modified]
LU-1.9 Connectivity Between Existing and New Development Encourage linking new development to existing development, parks, and trails through the creation of internal circulation systems that allow travel by foot, bicycles, vehicles, and other alternative modes of travel. [Source: New Policy] LU-2
Promote scenic routes and corridors in the city that add to the overall character of the City. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Goal 9, modified] LU-2.1 Scenic Route Setbacks
Enforce setbacks from the right-of-way for scenic routes, in which only landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle routes may be allowed. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Policy 9A, modified]
LU-2.2 Scenic Route Improvements
Coordinate with the County in planning for scenic route improvements. [Source: Existing General Plan, Community Development Program 9.4]
3.3 Residential Development
Pleasant Hill’s diverse neighborhoods are vital to the long-term stability of the city. The magnitude of change anticipated for these areas is substantially less than what is anticipated for other areas of the city. Changes in residential neighborhoods are more subtle, focusing on how to enhance the quality of these areas by improving characteristics such as connectivity, pedestrian safety, neighborhood character, and housing choice. Policies in this section guide the evolution of established neighborhoods and ensure new residential neighborhoods reflect Pleasant Hill’s unique character.
LU-3
To provide a variety of housing types that offer choices for Pleasant Hill residents and create complete, livable neighborhoods. [Source: New Goal]
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LU-3.1 Neighborhood Character
Maintain and enhance the character and quality of existing residential neighborhoods, ensuring adequate public services and facilities maintained by the City such as streets and drainage are provided. [Source: New Policy]
LU-3.2 Connectivity
Encourage new residential and mixed-use development to incorporate design features that promote walking within neighborhoods and citywide. [Source: New Policy] LU-3.3 Neighborhood Access
Ensure that new residential development includes safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access to existing residential neighborhoods. [Source: New Policy] LU-3.4 Clustering Development
Encourage new residential development to be clustered to support increased densities, open space, and efficiencies of public facilities and services. [Source: New Policy]
LU-3.5 Varying Housing Typologies
Support the development of a broad range of housing types, to increase housing choice, neighborhood diversity, and innovative design. [Source: New Policy] LU-3.6 Aesthetic Enhancement
Encourage aesthetic enhancement of residential areas, while retaining the quality of individual neighborhoods. [Source: Existing Community Development Policy 1A] LU-3.7 Residential Intensification Criteria
When considering development proposals that include the following characteristics:
(1) intensify residential zoning or land use designations; (2) change land use designations from commercial to residential; (3) granting a residential density above the maximum density range established by the General Plan;
(4) change land use designations from residential to commercial; or (5) an intensification of commercial,
The City shall only permit such changes (1-5 above) when the following criteria have been met subject to City Council approval:
(a) effective mitigation of environmental constraints, noise, traffic, and other hazards; (b) excellence of design;
(c) compatibility with adjacent development; and
(d) at least one of the following: provision of affordable housing pursuant to the policies in the City’s Housing Element or the provision of parkland or recreation
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facilities. [Source: Existing Community Development Programs 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, modified]
3.4 Commercial and Mixed-Use Development
Commercial and office uses are intended to provide areas for retail outlets and services that serve residents and visitors. They are places for commerce, employment, entertainment, culture, and, in some cases, residing in proximity to these uses. Mixed-use development blends residential and nonresidential uses vertically within a single building or horizontally within a larger development.
Commercial and office sites can accommodate development of property exclusively for commercial and employment uses (without housing) and/or mixed-use projects that integrate housing with retail, office, community facilities, and other uses within the same structure or on the same site. Mixed-use projects can also integrate community-serving uses, such as public meeting rooms and daycare facilities in key activity areas. Commercial and mixed-uses should be designed to operate in harmony with adjacent neighborhoods and uses through the siting of buildings, transitions in scale, and the overall mix of land use.
LU-4
To ensure that commercial and mixed-use development in the city is consistent with the overall community character and serves the existing and future needs of residents and visitors. [Source: New Goal]
LU-4.1 Retail Center Enhancement
Encourage new commercial uses to group into clustered areas or centers containing professional offices, retail sales and services. Clustered development shall be located at the intersections of major thoroughfares. [Source: New Policy] LU-4.2 Reimagining Strip Commercial Conversion
Encourage existing strip commercial uses to be redeveloped into pedestrian- friendly, contemporary shopping environments. [Source: New Policy] LU-4.3 Neighborhood Connectivity
Encourage commercial and mixed-use development to link to adjoining residential neighborhoods by incorporating well-designed and attractive streetscapes with sidewalks, bicycle paths, and street amenities. [Source: New Policy] LU-4.4 Capture Local Spending
Encourage the development of a broad range of commercial uses that capture a greater share of local spending and reduce residents’ reliance upon travel to nearby communities. [Source: New Policy]
LU-4.5 Vertical and Horizontal Mixed-use
Encourage vertical and horizontal mixed-use development at key intersections and within neighborhoods that result in distinct and cohesive pedestrian-oriented places destinations that provide additional neighborhood-serving amenities and intensified economic vitality. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-4.6 Commercial and Mixed-Use Project Impacts
Consider the impact of new commercial and mixed-use projects and substantial enlargements or additions on schools and public agencies. [Source: Economic Strategy Policy 4C, modified]
LU-4.7 Commercial Intensification Criteria
When making decisions regarding intensification of commercial land uses, the City shall only permit such changes when the change in land use is reasonably expected by the City Council to result in:
(a) effective mitigation of environmental constraints, noise, traffic, and other hazards; (b) excellence of design;
(c) compatibility with adjacent development; and
(d) at least one of the following: provision of affordable housing pursuant to the policies in the City’s Housing Element or the provision of parkland or recreation facilities or equivalent funding for development of such facilities. [Source: Existing Community Development Program 2.5, modified]
3.5 Growth Management
Pleasant Hill’s growth management program is intended to manage and mitigate the impacts for future growth and development within the city while strengthening the local economy and increasing job and housing opportunities. Balancing growth while supporting housing to meet the diverse needs of city residents is a high priority for the future. Growth management policies in this section and other elements give the City the tools to grow and change through 2040.
LU-5
Protect and enhance Pleasant Hill’s quality of life and unique identity while continuing to grow and change. [Source: New Goal]
LU-5.1 Measure J Compliance
Implement and ensure compliance and consistency with the Measure J Growth Management Program Implementation Documents. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 2A and Growth Management Program 2.6, modified] LU-5.2 Costs of Growth
Require that new development pays its fair share of costs associated with the overall growth in the region. [Source: Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 2B]
LU-5.3 Compliance with Performance Standards
Require that all new development comply with the City's performance standards for fire, police, parks, water, flood control, sanitary sewer, and transportation facilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 2C]
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LU-5.4 Evaluate Project Approval
Approve new development only after finding that performance standards will be maintained following project occupancy. If necessary, require project-specific actions to ensure compliance. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program
2.18]
LU-5.5 Development Contribution Requirement
Require all new development to contribute to or participate in the improvement of park, school, police, sanitary, water, and flood control services in proportion to the demand generated by the development's occupants and users. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.17]
LU-5.6 Fiscal and Economic Impact
Consider fiscal impact analyses for major development proposals to identify any burden or unintended negative economic impacts on the City, the school district, or other public agencies and to ensure the burdens are sufficiently mitigated. [Source: Economic Strategy Program 4.1]
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3.6 Focus Areas
This section contains policies for 10 focus areas within Pleasant Hill. Each focus area has unique characteristics that require specific policies to address. The policies in this section supplement those described in previous sections of the Land Use Element.
LU-6
Create distinct and identifiable places for future development within Pleasant Hill that enhance community character, prosperity, and civic pride. [Source: New Goal]
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Focus Area 1 | Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College (“DVC”) is a highly successful regional community college located west of Contra Costa Boulevard along Golf Club Road. DVC is located on the northern portion of Pleasant Hill near the City of Concord and is surrounded by varying types of residential homes as well as regional commercial centers. DVC has long been a catalyst for future growth and development and during the 2040 General Plan process was recognized as a potential focal point for future residential and commercial development.
In an effort to further integrate DVC as an integral part of Pleasant Hill, the General Plan highlights several areas in and around the college for potential land use changes. One area of interest and potential is the 11-acre surface overflow parking lot across Golf Club Road from the main college campus. The large surface parking lot provides parking for students and faculty during the daytime hours but is largely vacant during the evening and weekends. The 2040 General Plan envisions a portion of the parking lot being transformed into a thriving mixed-use development providing additional retail and commercial opportunities for the residents of Pleasant Hill, as well as DVC students.
Expanded multi-family housing onsite can provide additional housing opportunities not only for students and faculty, but for the community at large. The mixed-use area can further connect to nearby regional retail centers such as Diablo Valley Plaza. In an effort to expand overall connectivity citywide, this area has the potential for creek restoration and expanded access to the natural waterway through multi-use trails. In order for this vision to become reality, the City would need to coordinate and collaborate further with DVC to realize any potential changes to campus properties. All new development within the Diablo Valley College focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.1 DVC Coordination
Coordinate with DVC on future development efforts to ensure consistency between the City’s and DVC’s goals and actions. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.2 Encourage the creation of a DVC District
Encourage development of a vibrant, walkable district centered around DVC and Golf Club Road that includes student and faculty housing, retail, and daily service uses for students, faculty, and staff. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.3 Creek Access from Businesses
Encourage businesses to provide secondary access to the creekGrayson Creek and future multi-use trails. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.4 Enhanced Connectivity
Support the expansion of alternative transportation options including enhancements to the multi-use trail, expanded bike lanes along Golf Club Road, and additional connections between new and existing development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.5 Structured 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. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-6.6 Access to Contra Costa Canal Trail
Require new development to provide secondary access to the Contra Costa Canal Trail. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 2 | Mangini-Delu
Mangini-Delu is one of the largest underutilized sites left within Pleasant Hill. The Mangini-Delu property is located in the far western portion of the city at the intersection of Taylor Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. Located adjacent to the property and directly at the intersection is the Winslow Center, which is owned by the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District. The Mangini-Delu property has a rich history within the city. The property is currently open space, and used to be an active farm. The property is presently designated for Single-Family Medium Density residential development, with a corresponding R-10 zoning designation. Over the years there have been several proposals for future development of the site. Those proposals have been met with community concerns about converting the farm to residential development. The 2040 General Plan assumes the Mangini-Delu property will be developed and includes land use changes that meet the needs of the property owners and community.
The 2040 General Plan envisions the Mangini—Delu property being developed into a vibrant neighborhood driven by a Master Plan process that allows the community to weigh in on important factors for the site’s development. The master planned development at a minimum will address open space preservation, recognize creek restoration, and focus on the transition between new and existing development. Development is envisioned to include a range of housing types, expanding the opportunity for home ownership within Pleasant Hill. New development proposed within the ManginiDelu focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.7 Comprehensive Planning Process
Prior to any dDevelopment of the Mangini-Delu site shall be subject to a comprehensive planning process that assures the site is planned and developed 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. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.8 Housing Diversity
Require future development of the Mangini-Delu site to include a variety to of housing types. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.9 Transition between Surrounding Development
Require development of the Mangini-Delu site to incorporate design and development techniques meant to implement a seamless transition between existing residential neighborhoods and proposed development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.10 Cluster Development
Promote clustered development on the Mangini-Delu site to allow for enhanced opportunities to preserve and/or create open space and resident amenities. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-6.11 Limited Access
Limit access points into for the Mangini-Delu site onto from Taylor Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road, if appropriate, to ease congestion and mitigate traffic impacts. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.12 Creek Access
Require new development of the Mangini-Delu site to provide publicly accessible walking trails that provide access to the creek. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.13 Creek Preservation and Incorporation
Coordinate with Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation District (CCFCD) to support creek preservation on the Mangini-Delu site and the incorporation of environmentally friendly flood control measures. [Source: New Policy]
NOTE: For additional goals and policies pertaining to creek preservation, restoration, and biological resources, please see Section 8.2 (Biological Resources) in the Environment and Sustainability Element.
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Focus Area 3 | Downtown Pleasant Hill
Downtown Pleasant Hill is the heart of the community. Located off Contra Costa Boulevard along Crescent Drive, Downtown is a thriving mixed-use environment, which is home to bustling restaurants, entertainment venues, commercial spaces, and retail shops. Downtown is surrounded by successful retail centers, as well as the City Hall complex and Pleasant Hill Park located directly west of Crescent Drive. Downtown is designated Mixed-Use, but is primarily retail, commercial, and office uses.
The 2040 General Plan envisions building upon the successes of Downtown Pleasant Hill and elevating the area further by incentivizing and promoting vertical mixed-use development, specifically along Crescent Drive. An increase of residential uses Downtown will further energize the area, bringing additional foot traffic and bolstering the nightlife and success of existing businesses. In an effort to enhance connectivity between mixed-use and commercial centers, the area is envisioned to expand upon pedestrian connections with additional paseos and wider sidewalks creating a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly environment. In an effort to build upon the civic pride within Pleasant Hill, the General Plan envisions an expansion of civic uses in addition to City Hall which could include public art, community gathering spaces, and a city arts/performing arts venue. Policies for Downtown encourage the expansion of amenities, entertainment options, and retail and commercial establishments for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. All new development in the Downtown Pleasant Hill focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.14 Downtown Identity
Continue to reinforce and enhance the identity of Downtown as the commercial, civic, and cultural center of Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.15 Downtown Expansion
Support the expansion of the Downtown commercial core to include the intersection of Contra Costa Boulevard and Gregory Lane, by further accommodating a broader array of uses and activities. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.16 Walkable Environment
Enhance the pedestrian connections between Downtown, Crescent Drive, City Hall, and adjacent commercial centers along Contra Costa Boulevard. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.17 Entertainment Hub
Enhance Downtown Pleasant Hill as the entrainment hub of the city by attracting new restaurants, entertainment venues, and retail establishments. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.18 Vertical Mixed-Use
Encourage the addition and conversion of underutilized upper floor spaces to incentivize additional residential uses. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.19 Civic-Oriented Uses
Encourage the establishment of civic-oriented uses Downtown such as a city arts/performing arts venue, further promoting Downtown as the civic center of the community. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-6.20 Community Gathering Spaces
Support enhancements to community gathering spaces through additional amenities such as seating areas and public Wi-Fi. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 4 | Hookston Industrial Area
The Hookston Industrial Area is located on the far southeastern edge of Pleasant Hill. This area includes the only industrial land in the city and is currently surrounded by residential development. It has been recognized throughout the General Plan process as an important area that should be preserved for non-retail, service, and manufacturing jobs.
The 2040 General Plan envisions expanding on the diversity of uses, allowing the area to flourish and cater to workers in the vicinity. Preserving industrial development opportunities is key to the success of this area while recognizing the shift in urban industrial development. Allowing research and development, incubator businesses, start-up tech, and bio-tech will attract new and innovative employers to Pleasant Hill. In addition, this area will provide a greater emphasis on local workers by expanding flexible uses that are accessory to the primary industrial use. To further bolster the success of the Hookston Industrial area, the General Plan envisions an expansion of existing infrastructure, such as fiber optic cable, to provide ample opportunities for future businesses to thrive. All new development proposed within the Hookston Industrial focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.21 Enhancement of Industrial Sites
Support the incorporation of flexible accessory uses that benefit existing industrial businesses and employees. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.22 Diversity of Uses
Support the development of expanded light industrial, research and development, and collaborative workspaces within the Hookston Industrial Area. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.23 Low Employment Uses
Discourage the establishment of low employment uses such a warehousing and distribution centers in the Hookston Industrial Area. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.24 Flexible Development
Ensure that zoning regulations in the Municipal Code pertaining to industrial development are flexible enough to facilitate the conversion of underperforming industrial sites, into higher intensive uses. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 5 | Contra Costa Boulevard
The Contra Costa Boulevard area is located in central Pleasant Hill, serving as one of the primary roadway arterials in the City running parallel to Interstate 680. This area includes a mix of single-family residential, office, space, mixed-use development, and both strip and regional commercial. This area like other focus areas in the city faces challenges from compatibility of uses, specifically the existing single-family residential uses that are adjacent to the boulevard.
The 2040 General Plan envisions transforming Contra Costa Boulevard into a contemporary transitoriented corridor focused on multi-modal opportunities and denser development. In an effort to reduce incompatibility between development types, all single-family residential areas in this focus area will be re-designated to Mixed-Use to create consistency of development patterns. This shift in the fabric of Pleasant Hill from single-family to mixed-use will take decades to come to fruition and will require significant parcel consolidation.
The goal of transforming Contra Costa Boulevard is to create a lively, active environment, that is uniquely Pleasant Hill. The intent is to ensure high-quality projects and urban design characteristics as well as the integration of expanded pedestrian and bicycle facilities. To further create an energized corridor, the General Plan envisions the expanded allowance of creative outdoor spaces for the public as part of private developments. Additional opportunities for streetscape enhancements, outdoor dining, paseos connecting developments, and community gathering spaces will create a new and innovative neighborhood for the City. All new development proposed within the Contra Costa Boulevard focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.25 Transit-Oriented Development
Encourage the design and development of transit-oriented developments along Contra Costa Boulevard to support future transportation system enhancements. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.26 Strip Commercial
Support compact commercial development by discouraging new “strip” center development patterns along Contra Costa Boulevard. Strip centers are characterized by low-density commercial frontage with parking in front of the building and multiple access driveways. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.27 Pedestrian Oriented Development
Support the transformation of existing auto-oriented and strip commercial uses into attractive pedestrian-oriented developments that enhance the visual character and interest of the boulevard. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.28 Parcel Consolidation
Support parcel consolidation in the East Vivian Neighborhood to stimulate future mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-6.29 Limit Driveways and Curb Cuts
Support limiting new driveways and curb cuts and encourage consolidating existing driveways and curb cuts as Contra Costa Boulevard redevelops. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.30 Street Activation
Encourage active street fronts to create vibrant spaces for the community to congregate, including paseos, courtyards, expanded outdoor dining, expanded sidewalks, and enhanced landscaping. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.31 Increased Residential Development
Support increased residential development along Contra Costa Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.32 Commercial Use Design
Support the design of commercial uses on Contra Costa Boulevard that relate to, and reflect uses adjacent to and behind, those uses, with careful attention to design themes common to specific blocks along the boulevard. [Source: Community Development Policy 5A, modified]
LU-6.33 Mixed-Use Compatibility
Ensure that development of the mixed-use parcels on the west side of Contra Costa Boulevard considers the interface with the lower-density parcels to the west of Shirley Drive. The mixed-use area shall be connected to- not walled off from -, the lowerdensity residential area, but designed in a way that reduces conflict and promotes compatibility between uses. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 6 | Gregory Lane
The Gregory Lane area is located in central Pleasant Hill, connecting Contra Costa Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. This area includes a diverse mix of uses from institutional, office, neighborhood business, multi-family, and single-family residential. Gregory Lane is heavily traveled connecting Downtown and Interstate 680, to City Hall, and the more traditional single-family residential areas of the City. Accordingly, in 2020, the City made upgrades to the roadway to slow traffic and implement additional safety measures to ensure a safer environment for all types of travelers. Similar to Contra Costa Boulevard, single-family residential uses abut and take access directly from Gregory Lane leading to incompatibility pressures and conflicts along the heavily travelled roadway.
The 2040 General Plan envisions transforming Gregory Lane into a neighborhood mixed-use corridor anchored by higher intensity development at the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road to the west and Downtown/Contra Costa Boulevard to the east. In an effort to reduce incompatibility between development types, all single-family residential areas in this focus area will be reassigned with the lower intensity Neighborhood Mixed-Use land use designation to create consistency between development patterns. This shift in the fabric of Pleasant Hill from single-family to mixed-use will take decades to come to fruition and will require significant parcel consolidation. All new development proposed within the Gregory Lane focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.34 Transform Gregory Lane
Support the 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. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.35 Parcel Consolidation
Support parcel consolidation along Gregory Lane, between Pleasant Hill Road and Contra Costa Boulevard to stimulate future neighborhood-serving mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.36 Parking Management Considerations
Support alternative parking management techniques and development standards for new development on Gregory Lane. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.37 Pedestrian Friendly Design
Encourage the expansion of Gregory Lane pedestrian and bicycleist infrastructure to create a more friendlier multi-modal friendly environment that increases overall safety. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.38 Neighborhood-Serving Mixed-Use
Encourage the redevelopment of Gregory Lane to attract low-intensity neighborhoodserving mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-6.39 Development Compatibility
Require Gregory Lane mixed-use projects to apply design and development techniques to ensure a seamless transition between to adjacent low-density residential. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 7 | Taylor Boulevard
The Taylor Boulevard area is solely focused on the arterial roadway that connects the city of Concord at intersection of Contra Costa Boulevard and Sun Valley Boulevard to the city of Lafayette. Taylor Boulevard is a heavily used corridor that parallels the far western city limits of Pleasant Hill. Taylor Boulevard experiences cut-through traffic by commuters avoiding Contra Costa Boulevard and Interstate 680 during peak AM/PM travel periods. Over the years this has led to safety concerns not only for motorists but also pedestrians and bicyclists.
The 2040 General Plan does not envision any land use changes for this area. The intent for this focus area is to evaluate increased safety measures and traffic calming approaches to create a safer roadway for all users, while maintaining the existing roadway lane capacity. This can include the addition of separated bicycle lanes, reduction in speed limits, and limited enhanced pedestrian crossings at existing intersections. All future development or infrastructure upgrades proposed within the Taylor Boulevard focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.40 Safety Enhancements
Promote Taylor Boulevard safety enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists to lessen and mitigate potential vehicular collisions. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.41 Taylor Boulevard Access
Support limiting access points from development fronting Taylor Boulevard to enhance pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular safety. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 8 | Oak Park Boulevard
The Oak Park Boulevard area is located in southern Pleasant Hill adjacent to the city of Walnut Creek.
This area is primarily single-family density residential and commercial businesses. This area is currently anchored with several shopping centers and developments at the intersection of Oak Park Boulevard and Patterson Boulevard and by the Pleasant Hill Library. Similar to Gregory Lane, Oak Park Boulevard is heavily traveled and tends to funnel traffic further into residential areas of the City.
The 2040 General Plan envisions Oak Park Boulevard becoming a purely neighborhood mixed-use focused neighborhood. This shift will allow for an expansion of allowable uses, including multi-family residential throughout the focus area. The intent of these land use changes is to also further the success of the existing retail and commercial centers by incentivizing future development that will better serve the residents of the city. In an effort to reduce incompatibility between development types, all single-family residential areas in this focus area will be reassigned the lower intensity Neighborhood Mixed-Use land use designation to create consistency between development patterns. This shift in the fabric of Pleasant Hill from single-family to mixed-use will take decades to come to fruition and will require significant parcel consolidation. All new development proposed within the Oak Park Boulevard focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.42 Neighborhood-Serving Mixed-Use
Encourage the redevelopment of Oak Park Boulevard to attract low-intensity neighborhood-serving mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.43 Development Compatibility
Require Oak Park Boulevard mixed-use projects to apply design and development techniques to ensure a seamless transition between adjacent low-density residential. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.44 Commercial Nodes
Promote the investment and enhancement of the existing retail centers at Oak Park and Patterson Boulevard to create a vibrant commercial node. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.45 EBMUD Trail Connections
Promote and Eencourage the connectivity of new Oak Park Boulevard development to the EBMUD Trail. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.46 Parcel Consolidation
Support parcel consolidation along Oak Park Boulevard, east of Patterson Boulevard to stimulate future neighborhood-serving mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.47 Parking Management Considerations
Support alternative parking management techniques and development standards for new development on Oak Park Boulevard. [Source: New Policy]
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Focus Area 9 | Monument Boulevard
The Monument Boulevard area is located in eastern Pleasant Hill, adjacent to the city of Concord. This area is exclusively designated commercial and retail but is also home to the city’s only mobile home park. This focus area has one of the most congested intersections in the city that over the years has had several incidents that have raised safety concerns amongst community members. The focus area is surrounded by predominately single-family residential uses as well as Fair Oaks Elementary School to the south.
The 2040 General Plan envisions a revitalized Monument Boulevard focused on higher density development and an improved circulation and traffic network. This area will provide expanded retail and housing opportunities for the community while preserving the mobile home park on the northeast segment of the focus area. The expansion of mixed-use development in this area will create a unique village node for local residents to socialize and shop. All new development proposed within the Monument Boulevard focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.48 Pedestrian Connectivity
Require Monument Boulevard pedestrian upgrades including signalized crossings, bulb outs, and expanded sidewalks. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.49 Mobile Home Park Preservation
Encourage private-sector investments to maintain the existing mobile home park and discourage the conversion of the mobile home park to alternative uses. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.50 Circulation Enhancements
Require upgrades to the Monument Boulevard street network to improve overall traffic flow pending approval of new development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.51 Gateway Entry
Support the implementation of city gateway signage or monument at the entrance to Pleasant Hill from Concord southwest of Mohr Lane. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.52 Iron Horse Trail Connections
Support and encourage new Monument Boulevard developments to provide secondary access and additional connections to the Iron Horse Trail. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.53 Increased Residential Development
Support increased residential development along Monument Boulevard in the form of either vertical or horizontal mixed-use projects. [Source: New Policy] NOTE: For additional policies pertaining to circulation around Monument Boulevard, please see Section 5.1 (Roadway Network) in the Transportation and Circulation Element.
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Focus Area 10 | Ellinwood Way
The Ellinwood Way area is located in eastern Pleasant Hill, adjacent to Interstate 680. This area is exclusively office-oriented development, adjacent to multi-family residential and a number of hotels catering to business travelers. Compared to other areas in the city, the Ellinwood Way area is quite dense and currently has the infrastructure in place to support additional development.
The 2040 General Plan envisions transforming the underutilized office properties along Ellinwood Way to Mixed-Use Very-High Density. This conversion of land use would greatly expand the overall housing capacity in the city and allow for large-scale developments. The intent is to provide expanded housing opportunities for all Pleasant Hill residents while creating unique developments that further define Pleasant Hill as a standout community in the Bay Area. All new development proposed within the Ellinwood Way focus area is subject to the policies in this section, as well as other relevant sections of the General Plan.
LU-6.54 Office Conversion
Support the conversion of designated Ellinwood Way office sites to multi-family and mixed-use to provide additional housing and retail opportunities for Pleasant Hill residents. [Source: New Policy]
LU-6.55 Freeway Buffering
Encourage additional Ellinwood Way buffering techniques to mitigate potential noise impacts from Interstate 680 on future mixed-use development. [Source: New Policy] LU-6.56 Standalone Residential
Support the inclusion of standalone multi-family residential developments on Ellinwood Way. [Source: New Policy]
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3.7 Healthy Community
The City is committed to improving quality of life and increasing opportunities for residents to make healthy lifestyle choices. Improving access to healthy living requires making health a City priority. The City is committed to improving health and becoming a leader of and role model for healthy living.
Policies in this section express the City’s overarching commitment to healthy living and support its commitment to being a health leader in the community.
LU-7 Improve the health and well-being of all Pleasant Hill residents. [Source: New Goal] LU-7.1 Health in All Policies
Prioritize the overall health of residents in city strategies, programs, daily operations, and practices. [Source: New Policy]
LU-7.2 Alternative Transportation Improvements
Support 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. [Source: New Policy]
LU-7.3 Remove Physical Barriers
Remove or plan for ways to address physical barriers that bisect neighborhoods and discourage walking or biking. [Source: New Policy]
LU-7.4 Outdoor Spaces
Encourage all new development to include designated areas or other shared spaces for outdoor uses. [Source: New Policy]
LU-7.5 Aging in Place
Promote community health, safety, and neighborhood cohesiveness by supporting a range of housing types, such as affordable, multi-generational, independent and assisted living, and neighborhood amenities that allow residents to age in place. [Source: New Policy]
3.8 Environmental Justice
Effective environmental justice policies reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by reducing disproportionate exposure to pollutants or other hazards, encouraging healthy habits, prioritizing necessary infrastructure improvements and programs, and promoting civic engagement in the public decision-making process. Pleasant Hill is committed to fostering a healthy environment for all city residents The following goals and policies are intended to guide the advancement of environmental justice in Pleasant Hill.
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LU-8
Ensure that all land use decisions benefit all residents and do not create a disproportionate burden to any resident based on age, identity, income, race, color, educational status, or national origin. [Source: New Goal] LU-8.1 Health and Safety Impacts
Consider potential adverse health and safety impacts associated with land use decisions and reduce negative impacts associated with hazardous materials, industrial activities, facility locations, and design features on City residents. [Source: New Policy]
LU-8.2 Incompatible Land Uses
Prohibit the introduction of new incompatible land uses and environmental hazards into existing residential areas. [Source: New Policy]
LU-8.3 Public Service and Infrastructure Equity
Provide public services and infrastructure, including parks, recreational facilities, community gardens, and public safety facilities, equitably to all city residents. [Source: New Policy]
LU-8.4 Safe and Sanitary Housing
Provide standards for development that promote safe and sanitary housing through implementation of the Housing Element. [Source: New Policy] Redlining and Single-Family Zoning
Although recognized as one of the most diverse regions in the United States, the Bay Area’s demographics often reflect the legacy of redlining and restrictive covenants that shaped many U.S. cities’ development in the 20th century. Redlining, defined as the practice of singling out neighborhoods often inhabited by BIPOC individuals and families and preventing access to home mortgages, has influenced the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition of the region’s communities.
To further enforce the prohibition of non-white individuals, developers turned to racial covenants, which prohibited “no person of any race other than the Caucasian or white race” from using or occupying residential properties in the titles of properties. Although no longer enforceable, the language used in these racial covenants remains today, with residents across the Bay Area surprised to find these provisions in titles for their homes. In July 2022, Contra Costa County released an implementation plan to respond to AB 1466, which calls for the removal of “unlawfully restrictive language” that was put into titles and other official documents.
City of Oakland. “2023-2031 Housing Element Draft-Public Review.” City of Oakland. May 2022.
Kendall, Marisa. “For whites only: Shocking language found in property docs throughout Bay Area.” The Mercury News. 27 February 2019.
Katsuda, Sharon. “New State Law Purges Racial Bans in Property Records.” NBC Bay Area. 5 July 2022.
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LU-9
Ensure all residents have equal access to healthy foods, education, green spaces, and medical services. [Source: New Goal]
LU-9.1 Access to Community Assets
Identify and address gaps in access to residential, commercial, recreation facilities, natural open spaces areas, and physical and mental health resources, to help ensure that these resources are equally available to all residents. [Source: New Policy] LU-9.2 Equity in Capital Projects
Equitably invest in capital improvements citywide. [Source: New Policy] LU-9.3 Healthy Food Providers
Encourage farmers’ markets and healthier food options, including grocery and other stores that sell fresh food products, particularly near child-oriented uses. (e.g., schools, day care, parks). [Source: New Policy]
LU-9.4 Government-issued Vouchers
Coordinate with farmer’s market vendors and local food retailers to accept payment through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), which allows residents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to purchase food with their program benefits. [Source: New Policy]
3.9 Civic Engagement
Racial, social, and environmental justice efforts must be rooted in a strong culture of civic engagement in the City’s decision-making processes. Studies have shown that well-rounded public engagement processes increase social capital in projects and promote equitable community development. The City is committed to goals and policies that build social capital through engagement and empowerment of the public, while emphasizing public participation, transparency, and inclusion. The purpose of this section is to ensure residents are informed and empowered related to City decisions that may impact their health and well-being. The following goals and policies relate to civic engagement in the public decision-making process.
LU-10 Fully engage the public in City decision-making and facilitate public involvement in civic life. [Source: New Goal]
LU-10.1 Transparent Public Decision-Making
Ensure transparent public decision-making processes through effective public outreach, engagement, and participation that is inclusive of socially disadvantaged individuals and groups. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-10.2 Scheduling City Events
Schedule City events using different days, times, and formats (i.e., virtual and digital accessibility) to encourage and facilitate participation among community members with work, school, and other obligations that conflict with more traditional scheduling. [Source: New Policy]
LU-10.3 Community Budgeting
Engage the community through multiple participation opportunities in the City’s budget process. [Source: New Policy]
LU-10.4 Collaboration
Continue to collaborate with other organizations and groups to provide services and programs for all city residents. [Source: New Policy]
LU-10.5 Youth Engagement
Encourage students from all grades, including their families to attend and participate in City events, activities, and public meetings such as the City Council, Planning Commission, and Architectural Review Commission. [Source: New Policy]
3.10 General Plan Consistency and Maintenance
The Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan is designed to be a living document that reflects the City’s needs and desires, which will evolve over time. The effectiveness of the General Plan ultimately depends on how the City implements and maintains the General Plan over its lifetime. This section is designed to ensure that the City provides for regular review and updating of this General Plan to ensure that it reflects the community’s needs and aspirations, as well as consistency with changes in State law.
LU-11 Promote the effective use and implementation of the General Plan Land Use Diagram. [Source: New Goal]
LU-11.1 Land Use Diagram
Maintain and implement a Land Use Diagram describing the types of allowed land uses by geographic location and the density of allowed uses within each designation. [Source: New Policy]
LU-11.2 Land Use Designations
Apply land use designation to all parcels of land as depicted on the General Land Use Diagram. [Source: New Policy]
LU-11.3 Zoning Designations
Ensure that zoning designations are consistent with the General Land Use Diagram. [Source: New Policy]
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LU-11.4 General Plan Amendments
Ensure that amendments to the General Plan land use designations, General Plan Land Use Diagram or General Plan text are consistent with the General Plan vision, guiding principles, and relevant goals and policies. [Source: New Policy] LU-12 Provide a clear framework for the ongoing administration, maintenance, and implementation of this General Plan consistent with State law. [Source: New Goal] LU-12.1 General Plan Review
Conduct a technical review of the General Plan as necessary to assure compliance with State law and responsiveness to current City needs. [Source: New Policy] LU-12.2 Implementation Program Monitoring
Maintain and annually review the General Plan Implementation Programs. As part of this process, the City shall update the prioritization of programs based on applicability, relevance, timing of initiation, and availability of funding. [Source: New Policy]
3.11 Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
A Citywide Objective Design Standards
Prepare a comprehensive set of
citywide objective design standards for
all types of development (e.g.,
residential, mixed-use, commercial,
industrial) consistent with the policies
in the 2040 General Plan. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
LU-1.3
LU-1.6
LU-1.7
LU-5.28
LU-5-29
LU-5.31
Planning
Division
City Council
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
B Five- Year Review of Design 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. [Source:
Existing Community Development
Program 5.2, modified]
LU-1.3
LU-1.6
LU-1.7
LU-5.28
LU-5-29
LU-5.31
Planning
Division
City Council
◼ ◼ ◼
C Streetscape Improvements
Install streetscape improvements,
pedestrian access elements, and public
spaces to areas outside of downtown,
and require new development in those
areas to incorporate complementary
features. [Source: Existing Community
Development Program 6.1]
LU-1.4 Maintenance
Division
◼
D Public Space Funding
Promote funding for public space
improvements in the City’s biannual
Capital Improvements Plan. [Source:
Existing Community Development
Program 8.3]
LU-1.4
LU-1.5
LU-1.8
Planning
Division
Maintenance
Division
◼
E In-lieu Options for Public Art, Benefits,
and Amenities Requirements
Prepare a study to explore in-lieu
options for public art requirements,
such as paying funds or setting aside
space for future installation for projects
below a certain size. [Source: Existing
Community Development Program 8.2]
LU-1.5 Planning
Division
City Manager
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
F Utility Undergrounding Study
Conduct a study evaluating the
feasibility of requiring undergrounding
of utilities in conjunction with
installation or modification of public
and private improvements. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
LU-1.8 Building
Division
Planning
Division
◼
G Visual Impacts Minimization
Requirement
Amend the Zoning Ordinance to require
minimization of visual impacts from
structures adjacent to scenic routes.
[Source: Existing Community
Development Program 9.2]
LU-2.1
LU-2.2
Planning
Division
City Council
◼
H Scenic Route Landscaping Plans
Prepare provisions for scenic routes
and corridors landscaping plans,
including reviewing the scenic setback.
[Source: Community Development
Program 9.3, modified]
LU-2.1
LU-2.2
Planning
Division
Maintenance
Division
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
I Mangini-Delu Master Plan
Prepare a Master Plan for the ManginiDelu site. The Master Plan at a minimum shall include:
▪ a robust community outreach
and engagement process;
▪ traffic study and parking analysis;
▪ review of site orientation and
clustering of development;
▪ incorporation of objective design
standards;
▪ preservation of natural habitat;
▪ inclusion of open space and
onsite amenities;
▪ outreach and collaboration with
the Recreation and Park District;
and
▪ review of compatibility and
consistency with surrounding
development. [Source: New
Implementation Program]
LU-6.7 Planning
Division
City Council
City Manager
Engineering
Division
◼
J Taylor Boulevard Evaluation
Prepare an evaluation of potential
safety measures and traffic calming
options to address commute traffic
problems on Taylor Boulevard resulting
from cut-through traffic. [Source: New
Program]
LU-6.40
LU-6.41
Engineering
Division
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
K Monument Boulevard Upgrades
Prepare an analysis of necessary
Monument Boulevard upgrades,
including signalized crossings, bulb
outs, expanded sidewalks, roadway
improvements, and gateway signage.
The analysis should include
improvement prioritization, cost
estimates, funding sources, and a
timeline for improvements. [Source:
New Program]
LU-6.48
LU-6.51
LU-6.51
Engineering
Division
◼
L Pedestrian and Bicycle Barrier Removal
Prepare an analysis of the physical
barriers to walking and bicycling
throughout the city. Identify options for
and prepare a program for barrier
removal. The analysis should include
improvement prioritization, cost
estimates, funding sources, and a
timeline for improvements. [Source:
New Program]
LU-7.3 Engineering
Division
◼
M Five-year General Plan Review
Conduct a technical review of the
General Plan every five years and revise
and update as necessary to assure
compliance with State law and
responsiveness to current City needs.
[Source: New Program]
LU-12.1 Planning
Division
◼ ◼
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Pleasant Hill’s transportation network and services provide mobility for residents, employees, and visitors, and serve goods movement throughout the city. It is easy to think of transportation as primarily the roadway network, serving automobiles; but this network also serves other modes of transportation including walking, bicycling, and transit to and from the Pleasant Hill and surrounding BART stations, as well as relatively travel modes offered by Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). Pleasant Hill is also fortunate to encompass the Contra Costa Canal Trail, with connections to the Iron Horse Trail, allowing walking and biking trips to be made off-road with fewer vehicle interactions.
The five main tenets of the City’s transportation and circulation policy framework are listed below. All policy statements and programs support this framework.
1. Safety
2. Accessibility
3. Mobility
4. Connectivity
5. Community
Table of Contents
Section Title Page
Roadway Network .......................................................................................................... 3 Multimodal Transportation System............................................................................ 11 Complete Streets ......................................................................................................... 14 Pedestrian Facilities..................................................................................................... 16 Bicycle Facilities........................................................................................................... 18 Transit Services............................................................................................................ 22 Goods Movement......................................................................................................... 27 Travel Demand Management and VMT Reduction ................................................... 29 Implementation Programs .......................................................................................... 30
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Key Terms
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.
Collector. A roadway for traffic moving between arterial and local streets, generally providing direct access to properties.
Freeway. A highway serving high-speed traffic with no crossings interrupting the flow of traffic (i.e., no crossings at grade).
Local Street. A roadway providing direct access to properties and designed to discourage through traffic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Roadway Network
Network Description
Figure TC-1 shows the existing roadway network in Pleasant Hill. The network includes freeways, arterials, collectors, and local streets, as described below.
Regional Freeways include the following:
▪ Interstate 680 (I-680), a north-south freeway which generally runs along the eastern edge of the city and connects I-80 in Fairfield to US 101 and I-280 in Santa Clara County; ▪ State Route 4 (SR 4), an east-west four-to-six-lane freeway which connects I-80 in Pinole to eastern Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County; and ▪ State Route 24 (SR 24), a four10-to-12six-lane freeway connecting I-680 in Walnut Creek to Oakland and the Bay Bridge.
Arterials are intended to carry traffic between areas of the city, direct service to major traffic generators, and connect to the freeway system. Arterials also often provide direct access to parcels, although medians commonly restrict left turn options. Arterials in Pleasant Hill include the following:
▪ Buskirk Avenue –A north-south arterial street with traffic signals at Monument Blvd, along the Crossroads Shopping Center, Claire Drive, Mayhew Way, and Coggins Drive. Buskirk serves a variety commercial retail and residential land uses and is often utilized by through traffic traveling south from Monument Boulevard to the Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Centre BART station and destinations in Walnut Creek and Concord.
▪ Chilpancingo Parkway –An east-west arterial street that connects to Concord Avenue from the east to Morello Avenue to the west in the City of Martinez, CA. Existing traffic signal connections in Pleasant Hill include Contra Costa Boulevard and Old Quarry Road. I-680 access is provided via the interchange at Contra Costa Boulevard. Chilpancingo Parkway attracts regional traffic due to/from Diablo Valley College and adjacent shopping districts. Chilpancingo Parkway also serves adjacent commercial and medium-density multifamily residential development. The eastern extension of this parkway is Concord Avenue, a major access route to downtown Concord.
▪ Contra Costa Boulevard –A north-south arterial street traversing the city parallel to Interstate 680 with freeway access at several locations. Contra Costa Boulevard continues as Pacheco Boulevard north of the North City Limit and connects to North Main Street and a southbound I680 on-ramp to the south. The boulevard serves much of the city’s commercial and business development, as well as Diablo Valley College (via Viking Drive and Golf Club Road). Contra Costa Boulevard is designated a Route of Regional Significance. ▪ Geary Road –An east-west arterial street connecting the Lafayette/Hwy 24 area via Pleasant Hill Road to the east to Walnut Creek/I-680 along the south edge of the city. Geary Road serves regional traffic and provides a direction connection to the Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Centre
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BART. Geary Road serves as the southern border of the City to Walnut Creek and provides direct access to various residential and commercial retail districts. Geary Road is designated a Route of Regional Significance.
▪ Gregory Lane – An east-west arterial street connecting Pleasant Hill Road to Contra Costa Boulevard, with a direct connection serving exiting traffic from southbound I-680. West of Pleasant Hill Road, Gregory Lane becomes Grayson Road, a two-lane collector street west to Reliez Valley Road. This corridor serves east-west through-traffic, as well as residential, church, retail, and office uses.
▪ Golf Club Road – An east-west four-lane divided arterial street connecting Contra Costa Boulevard to Paso Nogal Road, narrowing to a two-lane road west to its terminus at Contra Costa Country Club. Golf Club Road provides access to residential uses, Diablo Valley College, and several retail centers.
▪ Monument Boulevard – An east-west arterial street connecting Contra Costa Boulevard to Cowell Road and Galindo Street in downtown Concord (the city limits is located just west of Mohr Lane). Monument Boulevard provides regional access to downtown Pleasant Hill and the Crossroads Shopping Center via a single-point urban interchange on I-680. See Figure TC-2. ▪ Oak Park Boulevard – An east-west arterial street connecting Pleasant Hill Road to Interstate 680, where it becomes Coggins Drive, a collector serving the Pleasant Hill BART Station area.
The boulevard serves through-travel and local residential and commercial access. ▪ Pleasant Hill Road and Alhambra Avenue – An north-south arterial street except as a collector street between Taylor Boulevard to Paso Nogal Road.– via collector sections between Taylor Boulevard and Geary Road and between Oak Park Boulevard and Gregory Lane – that connects Geary Road with Martinez to the north. Pleasant Hill Road/Alhambra Avenue serves intra-city and regional travel, and provides local access to adjacent residential areas and a school. North of Taylor Boulevard, Pleasant Hill Road/Alhambra Avenue is designated a Route of Regional Significance north of the Taylor Boulevard intersection. ▪ Taylor Boulevard – An arterial street connecting Pleasant Hill Road to Contra Costa Boulevard, continuing as Sun Valley Drive 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 accesss, and controlled intersections. Taylor Boulevard, as well as its extension to I-680 via Sun Valley Drive Boulevard and its extension to SR 24 via Pleasant Hill Road, is designated a Route of Regional Significance.
Collectors provide access between arterials and local roadways. They connect adjacent neighborhoods, link neighborhoods to arterial streets, and carry through-traffic in residential, industrial, and commercial areas. Primary collectors in Pleasant Hill include:
▪ Boyd Road – An east-west collector street linking Contra Costa Boulevard with Pleasant Hill Road and serving Sequoia Elementary and Middle Schools.
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▪ Coggins Drive – An east-west collector street connecting Buskirk Avenue at Oak Park Boulevard to the city limits, where it turns south and continues as a county roadway. ▪ Cleaveland Road – A short north-south street connecting Downtown Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa BlvdBoulevard, and North Main Street.
▪ Ellinwood Drive – A short east-west collector street connecting Contra Costa Boulevard to residential and commercial development between Contra Costa Boulevard and I-680. ▪ Grayson Road – An east-west collector street extending west from Gregory Lane at Pleasant Hill Road to Reliez Valley Road at the entrance to Oakmont Memorial Park. ▪ Hookston Road – A short two-lane east-west collector street connecting Buskirk Avenue south of the Crossroads Shopping Center to Bancroft Avenue. Hookston Road extends further east as a local roadway serving a residential area.
▪ Morello Avenue – A north-south collector street connecting Chilpancingo Parkway to Taylor Boulevard. Morello Avenue provides access to Diablo Valley College via Viking Drive and Paso Nogal Road, and extends north to Martinez from the intersection at Chilpancingo Parkway. ▪ Norse Drive – A north-south collector street connecting Paso Nogal Road with Taylor Boulevard. ▪ Old Quarry Road – A short north-south collector street connecting Chilpancingo Parkway and Golf Club Road, providing access to Diablo Valley College at Golf Club Road. ▪ Paso Nogal Road – A curving collector street connecting Alhambra Avenue/Pleasant Hill Road just north of the city limits to Morello Avenue and extending from Morello at a separate intersection to Golf Club Road. Paso Nogal provides access to Diablo Valley College via its connection to Golf Club Road and serves direct residential access between Alhambra Avenue/Pleasant Hill Road and Morello Avenue.
▪ Patterson Boulevard – A north-south collector street connecting Boyd Road to Oak Park Boulevard. Patterson Boulevard serves direct residential access as well as through tripstraffic, and extends to the south into Walnut Creek as Putnam Boulevard. ▪ Viking Drive – An east-west collector street connecting Morello Avenue to Contra Costa Boulevard, providing access to Diablo Valley College, College Park High School, Valley View Middle School, and providing direct residential access.
The remaining roadways in Pleasant Hill are considered local roadways, whose primary function is to provide direct access to residential and commercial sites.
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Circulation Issues
Peak commute congestion is not unique to Pleasant Hill and has become a regular occurrence throughout the Bay Area. Sections of arterials like Contra Costa Boulevard and Taylor Boulevard, and I680 interchange areas, operate near capacity during the AM and PM peak commute periods. In most cases adding lanes is not feasible and would most likely not resolve congestion over the long term. A potential solution to peak commute congestion is to look at operational efficiency improvements and other innovations to manage congestion and match travel demand to available capacity. Some of Pleasant Hill’s arterials serve traffic cutting through the city. Many of these trips are appropriately using the city’s roadways, which connect to neighboring communities including Martinez, Lafayette, Concord, and Walnut Creek, while others cut through to avoid congestion on I-680. The challenge for Pleasant Hill is to maintain an efficiently-operating roadway network and discourage diverted regional traffic from the freeway.
Most school areas experience congestion around AM/PM drop-off and pick-up. Congestion is worsened when access routes and driveways onto school properties are limited. Schools with attendance areas extending beyond the Pleasant Hill city limits draw students from these areas, and results in long trip lengths, higher traffic volumes, and impacting many City streets. Steps that can reduce congestion include establishing school bus service, improving access to public transit for secondary and higher-education students, encouraging walking and bicycling through the establishment of safe routes to school (SR2S) programs and initiatives, better drop-off/pick-up circulation, and other tailored school site measures that target individual site opportunities for reducing vehicular traffic. In addition, private schools operating within the City can exacerbate traffic congestion as their student populations reside outside of the City limits. Requiring robust Transportation Demand Management (TDM) on private school operators can help to reduce congestion on City streets through programs such as private shuttle bus operations and carpool programs.
Many residential and collector streets have discontinuous sidewalks, making it difficult to safely walk from point A to point B. As adjacent parcels develop or redevelop, the City typically requires sidewalk improvements. However, where redevelopment is unlikely in the near-term, a prioritized plan for addressing these gaps in the network is needed.
Trends and shifts in lifestyle and other factors have affected travel demand, mode choices, peak periods of use, and circulation patterns. These factors include:
▪ Remote work schedule
▪ Widespread use of virtual meeting platforms
▪ Online shopping
▪ Online food ordering
▪ Travel restrictions
▪ Migration to suburban areas (lower population density)
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Figure TC-7 is intended to illustrate possible access and connectivity on the transportation network, and is not intended to be used as a design or a construction document.
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Establish and maintain a safe and efficient circulation system that emphasizes the use of existing arterial and collector roadways, paths, and bike lanes. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goal 1]
TC-1.1 Rights-of-Way
Maintain existing circulation system rights-of-way, except as necessary to address localized congestion areas. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 1A] TC-1.2 Multimodal Travel Options
Develop a connected network of vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities that provide continuous, safe, and comfortable travel for users of all ages, abilities, and transportation modes. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 2A] TC-1.3 Community Input on Complete Streets
When planning and designing for complete streets, receive input from groups and individuals representing the various types of users of City streets. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 2B]
TC-1.4 Community Input on Roadway Improvements
Support the sponsoring of forums to obtain citizen input to develop roadway improvements aimed at improving traffic circulation, reduce traffic speeding, and maximizing person throughput. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 3.1, modified]
Improve traffic circulation along the city roadway network. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goal 3]
TC-2.1 Traffic Plan Requirement
Require new development to establish comprehensive construction traffic plans, for approval by City staff, which denote haul routes, detours, and other factors that may impact public safety. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 1.5] TC-2.2 Level of Service
Maintain a Level of 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 school plans, or transit access. Provide bi-annualennial (every two years) data collection, monitoring, and reporting. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program
2.5, modified]
TC-2.3 LOS Standards and Conditions of Approval
Approve new development which at least meets or is mitigated to meet adopted LOS standards, as documented in the City Findings of Consistency. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.8, modified]
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TC-2.4 Traffic Impact Study
Require traffic impact studies (including VMT and LOS analysis) as part of the application review process for development projects. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.7, modified]
TC-2.5 Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Require robust transportation demand management with all new private development that requires establishment of incentives and programs to reduce traffic congestion including annual reporting to ensure transportation demand management goals for a project are being met and to correct transportation demand management practices. [New Policy]
TC-2.6 Safe Routes to School (SR2S)
Establish a Safe Routes to School program in collaboration with the school districts and private schools that identifies and promotes suggested routes to school and incentivizes students and parents to use alternative transportation modes for school commutes. [New Policy]
TC-2.7 Retail, Commercial, and Industrial Areas
Develop a plan to improve site access, circulation, and safety to support potential future development and re-development of certain retail, commercial and industrial areas where warranted.
Encourage slower vehicle speeds and discourage cut-through traffic along City roadways, especially within residential neighborhoods and along freeway bypass routes. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goal 4] TC-3.1 Residential Streets
Prioritize traffic calming improvements and enforcement efforts along residential roadways that have recurring cut-through traffic or excessive speeding. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 4A, edited.] TC-3.2 Arterial and Collector Streets
Minimize opportunities for regionally generated cut-through vehicle travel in the city as part of new roadway projects or projects within public roadways. [Source: New Policy] TC-3.3 Vehicle Traffic Calming Devices
Consider traffic calming devices such as lane narrowing, widening medians, neighborhood traffic circles, roundabouts, and landscaping to discourage cut-through vehicle traffic. [Source: New Policy]
TC-3.4 Alternative Methods to Prevent Cut-Through Vehicle Traffic Consider the use of alternative street surfacing materials, traffic diverters, special designs, and stop signs to prevent cut-through traffic on residential streets. [Source:
New Policy]
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TC-3.5 Monument Boulevard Triangle Congestion
Support the reconfiguration of the Monument Boulevard Triangle circulation network and to improve vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety while reducing congestion anticipated from future development. [Source: New Policy] TC-3.6 School Area Congestion
Work with the Mount Diablo Unified School District, private schools, and Diablo Valley College to address traffic speeds and congestion near schools and on key access routes. [Source: New Policy]
Reduce congestion and vehicle trips through land use planning. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goal 5]
TC-4.1 Transportation Mode Mix
Plan for appropriate mix of transportation modes and the infrastructure to support these modes to meet community needs.
[Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 5A]
TC-4.2 Develop Thoroughfares
Develop and improve thoroughfares based on existing and proposed land use patterns and projected demand. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 5B] TC-4.3 Urban Limit Line
Promote orderly and efficient growth in existing urban areas and protect open space by adhering to the County’s Urban Limit Line, which the City has adopted. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 1A, modified] TC-4.4 Infill Development
Support infill and redevelopment in existing urban areas and around key transit facilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 1B] TC-4.5 Correlation Between Land Use and Transportation
Support land use patterns that make more efficient use of the transportation system, such as locating development near transit routes and high quality bicycle/pedestrian facilities, minimizing new driveways, consolidating parking, and other best practice urban design measures. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Goal 1, Edited]
Multimodal Transportation System
A true multimodal transportation system accommodates all modes of travel, including alternatives to driving. A holistic approach provides a system of local streets that meet the needs of all transportation system users (e.g., cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, transit riders). Driving alone increases congestion on the roadway system and increases the generation of vehicle-miles traveled per capita. It is important
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to provide Pleasant Hill residents, workers, and visitors with the full range of travel mode options so that those who want to travel by alternative modes can do so.
Mobility options are expanding due to technological innovations and increasing interest in alternatives to private auto ownership, the health benefits of active transportation modes, and combatting climate change. Transportation network companies (TNCs) are providing mobility as a service, and while the TNC business model will likely change over time, these services have become part of the transportation decision-making process for travelers. New self-owned and shared forms of “micro-mobility” like electric scooters (e-scooters) and electric bikes (e-bikes) have expanded rapidly in major cities across the United States and may act as a catalyst for encouraging more active transportation use and divert some short distance trips from low occupancy automobile use.
The prospect of autonomous vehicles (AVs) may result in a transportation future where many citizens might not own a vehicle, but still ride in an automobile.
The following goals and policies are intended to improve multimodal transportation in Pleasant Hill.
Support a vibrant, walkable environment that encourages alternative (non-driving) modes of transportation. [Source: New Goal]
TC-5.1 Evaluate Multimodal Facility Needs
Evaluate the needs of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities and/or access for new development as part of the review process, and require new development to incorporate transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access where feasible and appropriate, consistent with the Circulation Element and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (when adopted). [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 3.3] TC-5.2 Impact Mitigation Costs
Require new development to pay costs necessary to mitigate project impacts on the local and regional transportation system, including establishment of trails and other alternatives to vehicle use as specified in the Capital Improvement Plan and Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.15]
TC-5.3 Mobility Technology Support
Identify and implement technology that supports walking, biking, commuting, and other alternative transportation modes within the City including infrastructure that supports micro mobility use within the City. [New Policy] Reduce reliance on the automobile by promoting alternative modes of transportation. [Source: New Goal]
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TC-6.1 Encourage Non-Driving Forms of Personal Mobility Encourage bicycling, walking, and other forms of personal mobility, like e-scooters, ebikes, and neighborhood electric vehicles, as energy conserving, non-polluting modes of travel. [Source: New Policy]
TC-6.2 Private Development of Transportation Facilities Encourage private entities to develop and maintain publicly accessible transportation facilities, including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities. [Source: New Policy] TC-6.3 Non-Vehicular Transportation Requirement
Require new developments that would result in significant increases in air pollution, VMT, or noise to incorporate non-vehicular facilities or programs that would reduce the overall project impacts on these resources including e-Bike charging stations and free use e-Bike pod stations for residential and commercial development. [Source: New Policy]
TC-6.4 Amenities for Non-Driving Modes of Transportation Require new development with more than 10 housing units or over 5,000 square feet of non-residential uses to include amenities that encourage active modes of transportation that reduce pollution or VMT as a benefit to the community (e.g., bicycle lockers/racks, showers, dedicated vanpool or carpool parking areas, dedicated shuttle services, e-bike charging stations innovative bus shelter designs). [Source: New Policy]
TC-6.5 Encourage Development of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Encourage development of infrastructure (public and private) to support the use of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 6.12]
TC-6.6 Leverage Regional Trail Facilities
Encourage the exploration of regional approaches to the use of inter-jurisdictional trails such as the Contra Costa Canal Trail and the Iron Horse Trail for all trip purposes. [Source: New Policy]
Focus on integrated regional transportation planning to better serve the residents of Pleasant Hill. [Source: New Goal]
TC-7.1 Multi-Jurisdictional Transportation Planning
Participate in multi-jurisdictional transportation planning through TRANSPAC and CCTA activities to ensure all City planning efforts, projects, and developments comply with regional requirements and standards. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 1.9, modified]
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TC-7.2 Transportation Conflict Resolution
Participate in the Contra Costa Transportation Authority's conflict resolution process as needed to resolve disputes related to preparation and implementation of Action Plans and other programs described in this Element. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 1.10]
TC-7.3 Routes of Regional Significance Designations
Work with TRANSPAC and CCTA in the designation of Routes of Regional Significance. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.2] TC-7.4 Central County Action Plans for Routes of Regional Significance Work with TRANSPAC to update and implement the Central County Action Plans for Routes of Regional Significance. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Program 2.3]
Complete Streets
Complete streets are streets designed to enable convenient, safe access for everyone, accommodating a broad range of transportation modes. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
The California Complete Streets Act of 2008 (Assembly Bill 1358), as well as recent changes in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and congestion management law, highlight a need for mobility elements to have a broader focus that emphasize other travel modes beyond driving. It requires jurisdictions to provide local streets with facilities that meet the needs of all transportation system users (e.g., cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, transit riders) when updating their general plans.
Complete streets should be part of a comprehensive, integrated, and connected transportation network. Complete streets should include a balanced design that accommodates all modes of transportation, varied uses and activities, and diverse, context-sensitive streetscape elements.
Pedestrian and bicycle facilities should be safe, efficient, and well-maintained.
The following goals and policies address complete streets in Pleasant Hill.
Encourage the development of a comprehensive and integrated transportation network with infrastructure and design features that allow safe and convenient travel along and across streets for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, users and operators of public transportation, seniors, youth, and families. [Source: New Goal] TC-8.1 Complete Streets Principles
Apply complete streets principles when building new, or rehabilitating existing, roadways, consider the following design elements:
▪ Sidewalks and curbs as a standard design principle.
▪ Bicycle lanes and/or shared lanes as a standard design principle.
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▪ Transit accessibility as a standard design principle. ▪ Shade trees and planting strips as a standard design principle along roadways [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 2.3, modified] TC-8.2 Review for Complete Streets
Review street reconstruction, new development, and utility projects to incorporate complete street elements when feasible, including trails, bus stop enhancements, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 2.4, modified]
TC-8.3 Regional Complete Streets Planning
Coordinate internally and with other agencies to plan for the provision of complete streets regionally. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 2.7] TC-8.4 Multi-Modal Roadways
Consider the needs of vehicles, bicycle, and pedestrians on all city roadways and facilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Growth Management Policy 3A] TC-8.5 Reduce Vehicle Speeds
Support the reduction of vehicle speeds using engineering and design techniques, community education, and evaluation and planning strategies rather than relying solely on enforcement. [Source: New Policy]
TC-8.6 Wide Sidewalks for Shared Use
Provide wide sidewalks to allow shared use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and nonmotorized modes of transportation, as directed by the City Engineer. [Source: New Policy]
TC-8.7 Limit Roadway Widening
Limit roadway widening and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements within the right of way to increase roadway capacity that does not conflict with emergency access requirements. [Source: New Policy]
TC-8.8 New Development Neighborhood Traffic Impacts
Require developer participation in the cost of installation of traffic calming measures to reduce neighborhood traffic impacts through fee payments or direct contribution as a condition of approval, if applicable. [Source: New Policy] TC-8.9 Coordinate with Pavement Improvement Projects
Coordinate pedestrian facility improvements with pavement improvement projects (e.g., repaving and restriping). [Source: New Policy]
TC-8.10 Visually Appealing Medians and Street Edges
Provide enhanced landscape medians and street edges that are visually appealing and provide shade and buffers for pedestrians and cyclists. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Program 2.6]
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TC-8.11 Traffic Safety Corridors
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. [ [Source: New Policy]
Pedestrian Facilities
The City’s pedestrian facilities consist of sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, curb ramps and pedestrian-scale street lighting, as well as the Contra Costa Canal Trail which runs north-south through the city and connects to the Iron Horse Trail, and several other shorter off-road pathways. The Contra Costa Canal Trail and Iron Horse Regional Trail help provide access to commercial and residential areas, schools, public transportation, and other community facilities throughout Pleasant Hill and its surrounding communities.
While sidewalks are provided on many city streets, some streets have gaps in the sidewalk network. In addition, walking can be uncomfortable on higher-traffic, higher-speed streets such as Contra Costa Boulevard, Taylor Boulevard, Gregory Lane, and others. Such streets form an effective obstacle for pedestrians needing to cross the street, as does Interstate 680. These barriers can discourage walking as a means to get to work, school, shopping, and recreational destinations.
The following goals and policies address pedestrian facilities and needs in Pleasant Hill. See also goals TC-11 and 12 and their supporting policies, which address pedestrian concerns along with bicyclist’s concerns.
Prioritize a safe and connected pedestrian network for users of all ages and abilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Goals 8 and 9, modified] TC-9.1 Pedestrian Safety
Maintain and upgrade the City’s pedestrian system by installing or upgrading sidewalks, warning devices, crosswalks, and other pedestrian aids where appropriate, including particular consideration for the needs of users of all ages and abilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 8A, modified] TC-9.2 Pedestrian Connections
Require new development to use best practices in providing pedestrian connections between sites and existing and planned pedestrian facilities, including those identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and other relevant plans and documents. [Source: New Policy]
TC-9.3 Enhance Pedestrian Crossings
Enhance pedestrian crossings on all arterial and collector roadways. [Source: New Policy]
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TC-9.4 Sidewalk Maintenance
Maintain existing sidewalks to meet ADA requirements, including removal or relocation of objects obstructing pedestrian path and installation of wider or detached sidewalks with a buffer separation from vehicular traffic, where feasible. [Source: New Policy]
TC-9.5 Sidewalk Guidelines and Standards
Establish sidewalk standards and guidelines for enhancing existing sidewalk and installation of new sidewalks. [Source: New Policy]
TC-9.6 Planning for Pedestrian Improvements
Ensure all planning processes, such as PUD Concept Plans, Mmaster Pplans and Sspecific Pplans, identify areas where pedestrian improvements can be made, such as new connections, increased sidewalk width, improved crosswalks, improved lighting, and new street furniture. [Source: New Policy]
TC-9.7 Enhance Street Lighting
Enhance street lighting to provide for better pedestrian safety. [Source: New Policy] TC-9.8 Sidewalk Improvements
Improve sidewalks to facilitate access by users of all ages and abilities. [Source: Existing General Plan, Circulation Policy 9A]
TC-9.9 Sidewalk Plan
Create a sidewalk plan that identifies key routes and high-priority sidewalk throughout the city and establishes an implementation plan for eliminating the sidewalk gaps and enhancement. [Source: New Policy]
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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 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.
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The City adoptedDraft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan anticipated for adoption in 2023,2 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 highdemand 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]
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TC-12.4 Safe Routes to School (SR2S)
Support Safe Routes to 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. [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 among 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]
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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-54). 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-65), the Martinez Amtrak Station, and other key destinations (refer to Figure TC-43).
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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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]
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TC-4 is intended to illustrate transportation network, connectivity, and mobility for all users at the BART Station area.
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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.
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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-76. 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 between Taylor Boulevard and Devon Avenue 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]
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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 Transportation Demand Management 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]
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Implementation Programs
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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 Vvision Zzero
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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼ ◼
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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
I Complete Streets Best Practices
Develop and apply a 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.) [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
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
K Explore Independent Alignments
Prepare an analysis of potential for the
dedication and preservation of
independent alignments, including
utility, abandoned waterways, and
railroad rights- of- ways, for the
development of bicycle paths. [Source:
Circulation Program 7.6]
TC-11.1
TC-12.4
TC-12.5
Engineering
Division
◼
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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
ManagerEngin
eering Division
Engineering
DivisionCity
Manager
◼
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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
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 among 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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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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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
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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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6. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element May 2023 Revised 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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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 the Pleasant Hill 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 (CPTED) 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 CCCFPD 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 CCCFPD 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 new development 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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PFS-9.6 Collection of School Impact Fees
Ensure that new development pays school impact fees to 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
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021 – 20252026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
Engineering
Division
Engineering
Planning
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
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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 among 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
DivisionCity
Manager
Engineering
Division
Building
Division
Planning
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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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 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 Salfinger Park is a park adjacent to the Pleasant Hill Community Center large park with vast with 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 Oak 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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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 populationresidents. [Source: Community Development Program
17.2, modified]
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
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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...................................................................................................................... 12 Sustainability ................................................................................................................ 13 Implementation Programs .......................................................................................... 19
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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.
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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.
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.
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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] 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 Diablo Vista Water System (DVWS) to expand the use of recycled and other non-potable 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
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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.
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]
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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.
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
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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 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]
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ENV-3.5 Reclamation with New Development
Require new development adjacent to creek protection zones to encourage include 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 scouring of drainageways, consistent with biological and aesthetic values. [Source: New Policy]
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]
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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 inwithin 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] 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 alsoPleasant Hill 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 former 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
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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.
▪ 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.
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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.
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]
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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.
Meet or exceed State and Federal Air quality standards. [Source: New Goal]
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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
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8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-15
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 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]
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8-16 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
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] 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]
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8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-17
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 of 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] 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]
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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] 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]
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8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-19
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
◼
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
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
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8-20 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
ManagerEngin
eering Division
◼
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
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
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Packet Pg. 476 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element)
8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-21
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
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
◼
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8-22 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
K Tribal Construction Monitors
Require tribal monitor(s) during all
activities in areas with cultural
resources of interest to local Native
American tribes. Both Mmonitors shall
observe grading, ground-disturbing, and
other earth-moving activities. [Source:
New Implementation Program]
ENV-5.1 Planning
Division
◼
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
◼
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Packet Pg. 478 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element)
8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-23
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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 or more years old and
older. [Source: Existing General Plan,
Community Development Program 25.2,
updated, modified]
ENV-6
ENV-6.1
Planning
Division
◼
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
◼
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8-24 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
OrdinanceMunicipal Code 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
◼
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
◼
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8. Environment Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 8-25
Programs
Policy
Implemented
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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. 481 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element) 9 9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised 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 ........................................................................................................................ 13 Airport-Related Hazards .............................................................................................. 16 Noise ............................................................................................................................. 18
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9-2 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Hazardous Materials................................................................................................2221 Public Health Emergencies .....................................................................................2322 Implementation Programs ......................................................................................2524 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.
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9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 9-3
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.
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.
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9-4 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
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]
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:
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9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 9-5
• 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 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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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
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slope instability and/or on slopes steeper than 15 percent. [Source: Safety and Noise Program 3.3]
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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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 Inter-jurisdictional 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]
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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]
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]
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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.
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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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 Department, and the, Maintenance and Engineering departments Divisions to respond to flood emergencies. [Source: Safety and Noise Policy 1C, modified]
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, underlying 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. [Source: New Policy]
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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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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 (2040 Noise Contours) .
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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
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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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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]
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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] 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.
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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] 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]
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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
◼ ◼
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
◼
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Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
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
◼
4.1.d
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9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 9-27
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
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
◼
4.1.d
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9-28 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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 personnel in the
Maintenance and Engineering Divisions
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
◼
4.1.d
Packet Pg. 509 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element)
9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 9-29
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
Engineering
Division
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
◼
4.1.d
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9-30 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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
◼
R Noise in Residential Areas
Amend the city noise 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,
and the use of all landscape
equipmentduring late night and early
morning hours. [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
◼
4.1.d
Packet Pg. 511 Attachment: Attachment D - Revised 2040 General Plan (Strikeout and Underline) (General Plan and Housing Element)
9. Hazards and Safety Element
May 2023 Revised Public Review Draft 9-31
Programs
Implements
Which
Policy(ies)
Responsible
Supporting
Department(s)
2021
– 2025
2026
– 2030
2031
– 2040
AnnualOngoing
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 ◼
4.1.d
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4.1.d
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May 2023 Revised 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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10-2 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
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.
4.1.d
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10. Glossary
May 2023 Revised 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.
4.1.d
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10-4 Revised Public Review Draft May 2023
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.