RESOLUTION NO. 26-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-399; TO INCORPORATE POLICY LANGUAGE CONSISTENT WITH SENATE BILL 1425, SENATE BILL 1035, AND ASSEMBLY BILL 747; AN UPDATE TO THE GENERAL PLAN IN COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 65565.5, 65302, AND 65302.15, AND FINDING THE ACTION CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT WHEREAS, on February 9, 2014, the City Council of the City of San Clemente (“City”) adopted the Centennial General Plan, which, among other provisions, included changes to land use designations, particular types of uses, and development criteria for certain designations; and WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California signed into law various bills requiring updates to the Safety and Open Space Elements, including Senate Bill (SB) 1035, SB 1425, and Assembly Bill (AB) 747; and WHEREAS, the City staff initiated this General Plan Amendment (GPA) 25-399 (“Amendment”) to:
Update the Safety Element to reference the 2024 City of San Clemente Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) in an effort to reduce future loss of life and property damage, resulting from natural or human-caused hazards; Add language, evacuation maps, and make minor adjustments to the Safety Element related to fire hazard severity and mitigating community risk; Update the General Plan Coastal Element to add a policy related to access to beaches, parks and recreation areas; and Update the General Plan Natural Resources Element to implement two policies related to access and climate resilience.
WHEREAS, a General Plan Amendment is necessary to comply with the January 1, 2026 deadline prescribed in SB 1425, as well as revision deadlines for SB 1035 and AB 747; and WHEREAS, upon City approval of the GPA, the City will have updated related elements, to include plans and an action program that addresses specified issues, including climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, correlated with the safety element; and WHEREAS, the GPA is consistent with the City’s efforts to improve wildfire safety measures and vegetation management, which is part of the 2024 City of San Clemente Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), as well as further resilience, access, and rewilding efforts in open space zones; and WHEREAS, on October 8, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on the Amendment considered evidence presented by City staff including a draft City Council Resolution and exhibits attached thereto; heard other interested parties, and recommended the City Council approve the GPA; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred, including Tribal consultation and consultation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE).
NOW, therefore, the City Council of the City of San Clemente does hereby find, determine and resolve as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby finds that all of the facts in the Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated and adopted as findings of the City Council as fully set forth in this resolution.
Section 2. California Environmental Quality Act Findings. Based upon its review of the record as a whole, the City Council finds and determines that the Amendment is consistent with the intent of the State enabling legislation which requires local agencies to update the Safety Element of its General Plan (SB 1035, AB 747) as well as elements related to open space (SB 1425). GPA 25-399 is hereby determined to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (14 CCR §15307, Class 7: Actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources), and Section 15308 (14 CCR §15308 Class 8: Actions by regulatory agencies for protection of the environment) because amendments focused on rewilding, resilience, and equitable open space, as well as those related to local hazard mitigation, are designed to protect the environment, and natural resources, and can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. This GPA is therefore categorically exempt from CEQA, and no exceptions to this exemption apply.
Section 3: Findings. The following findings are hereby made regarding the changes to the Centennial General Plan:
The GPA is internally consistent with those portions of the General Plan that are not being amended because:
The GPA improves the intent of the Centennial General Plan by:
Supporting existing policies related to rewilding opportunities and public access in the city’s open spaces.
Updating the Safety Element to best protect property and citizens of this City with the latest flood, fire hazard, and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies.
The GPA improves and ensures the consistency of the General Plan with CA State SB 1425, SB 1035, and AB 747 by adding new language and references that meet the additional requirements mandated by the State in these bills.
The GPA updates the Coastal and Natural Resources Elements consistent with the goals and policies of the Centennial General Plan:
Coastal Element Primary Goal, “Create and maintain outstanding public access and recreational and visitor-serving opportunities in the Coastal Zone, consistent with effective resource conservation practices…” Natural Resources Element Primary Goal: “Restore and protect natural resources so that they continue to enhance our community identity and provide environmental, aesthetic, economic, and health benefits.” Natural Resources Policy 1.05, “We encourage activities which improve the natural biological value, integrity and corridor function of the coastal canyons though vegetation restoration, control of non-native species, and landscape buffering of urban uses and development.” Coastal Policy 1.01, “We establish, maintain, and, where feasible, expand public coastal access to the shoreline, beaches, tidelands, and recreational facilities in a manner that… maximizes public access…” The GPA updates the Safety Element consistent with the goals and policies of the Centennial General Plan:
Safety Element Primary Goal, “Continue to be a well-prepared community that understands and limits exposure to potential natural and human-made hazards and effectively responds to and recovers from public safety emergencies.” Fire Section Goal, “Minimize risk to life, property, economic and social dislocation and disruption of vital services due to uncontrolled fire.” The GPA will not adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare, in that:
The GPA furthers objectives of the General Plan, including:
The Safety Element’s Primary Goal: “Continue to be a well-prepared community that understands and limits exposure to potential natural and human-made hazards and effectively responds to and recovers from public safety emergencies.” Meeting community values, needs and conditions;
Guiding long-term open space planning and other public policy actions; Reflecting the City Council’s review, direction and independent judgment regarding policies for open space and safety; and The GPA benefits the public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring public access to recreation resources and emergency planning for local hazards.
The GPA does not cause new significant environmental effects or substantially increase environmental effects previously studied and mitigated in the previous General Plan Adoption.
Section 4. As part of this GPA, Figures S-5 and S-6 are updated, and Figures S-9 and S-10 added, as shown in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference (additions are underlined, deletions are strike-through); and portions of the Safety Element are added to read as follows:
S-1: The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for the City of San Clemente was developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and followed FEMA’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan guidance. The LHMP incorporates a process where hazards are identified and profiled, the people and facilities at risk are analyzed, and mitigation actions are developed to reduce or eliminate hazard risk. The implementation of these mitigation actions, which include both short and long-term strategies, involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities.
The City of San Clemente (City) strives to reduce hazards and improve resilience through capital improvement projects, innovative planning, and emergency management practices. The 2024 City of San Clemente Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) update is an effort to reduce future loss of life and property damage resulting from natural or human-caused hazards.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
San Clemente Multi-Hazard Emergency Plan [http://san-clemente.org/sc/standard.aspx?pageid=319] Local Hazard Mitigation Plan [https://www.san-clemente.org/home/showpublisheddocument/88821/638761663741731626] Marine Safety Division website [http://san-clemente.org/sc/standard.aspx?pageid=264] Orange County Fire Authority website [http://ocfa.org/] Orange County Sheriff’s Department website [http://ocsd.org/] Nuclear Regulatory Commission website [http://www.nrc.gov/] United States Geologic Survey California Earthquakes website [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/index.php?regionID=5] S-6: Wildfire poses a significant risk to residential and commercial development within City boundaries. Effective April 1, 2024, CAL FIRE identified areas of San Clemente varying levels of wildfire hazard within their Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs). Designated Very High, High, and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA).
California Senate Bill 1241 (SB 1241) was passed by the California legislature in 2012, which required jurisdictions to update their Safety Elements upon the next revision of the Housing Element, on or after January 1, 2014. Subsequently, Gov. Code § 65302, subd. (g)(3.2) was changed to address fire hazard planning. Within the city, there are neighborhoods with substantial open space that lie within the fire hazard severity zones. The City mitigates community risks identified by the fire hazard severity zones with vegetation management and evacuation planning. This Safety Element update incorporates policies to address those recommendations and adds Figure S-5 to show the Land Use Plan and critical facilities within the fire hazard severity zones (FHSZs). Inclusion within the FHSZs is based on five factors: density of vegetation; slope severity; five-minute fire department response time; road class proximity and proximity to fire hydrants; and CAL FIRE’s vegetation cover and fire behavior and fuel spread model. The City adopted ordinance 1791 on June 3, 2025, amending Exhibit “A” of chapter 8.22 of the San Clemente Municipal Code to include updates to the fire hazard severity zones, reflected in the FHSZs Map (Figure S-6). Figures S-9 and S-10 outline the City’s evacuation planning initiative, mitigating community risks posed by wildfire hazard, but requires further collaboration with community partners and Public Safety entities.
GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION:
Emergency Services Section
Urban Design Element
Figure S-5, Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) and Critical Facilities on General Plan Land Use Map Figure S-6, FHSZs Map
Figure S-8, Critical Facilities Map
Figure S-9, Evacuation Map
Figure S-10, Parcels With One Evacuation Route
Section 5. As part of this GPA, Policy C-1.01 of the Coastal Element is amended to modify the introduction to Policy C-1.01 as well as add a new subpoint “n.” (additions are underlined), as shown in Exhibit B (additions are underlined), attached hereto and incorporated by reference:
C-1.01. Coastal Access. We establish, maintain, and, where feasible, expand public coastal access to the shoreline, beaches, tidelands, and recreational facilities in a manner that is inclusive and accessible for all residents:
n. Considers equitable access to opportunities and resources across different community populations and circumstances; Section 6. As part of this GPA, policies NR-1.07 and NR-1.08 of the Natural Resources Element are added as described below, and included in Exhibit C (additions are underlined), attached hereto and incorporated by reference:
NR-1.07. Open Space Access. The City maintains and promotes equitable access to open spaces. Natural resources should be inclusive and accessible for all residents.
NR-1.08. Climate Resilience and Co-Benefits. We incorporate strategies that enhance climate resilience through natural resources planning. This involves identifying how San Clemente’s open spaces can contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation, and correlating these strategies with the Safety Element to ensure a cohesive approach to climate-related hazards. a. We prioritize vegetation management programs and utilize grant funding for invasive species removals and native landscape restoration on City owned property to improve climate resilience and enhance natural ecosystems. b. We connect private landowners with California Sustainability Group, to access grant funding for vegetation management, invasive species removals and native landscape restoration on HOA owned or privately owned property, to improve climate resilience and enhance natural ecosystems.
Section 7: City Council Action. Based on the entire record, including all written and oral evidence presented to the City Council, and the findings made and evidence discussed in the staff report and this Resolution, the City Council approves and adopts GPA 25-399 set forth by this City Council Resolution and adopts the sections attached as Exhibits A, B, and C hereto, which are fully incorporated herein.
Section 8. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution or the application thereof to any entity, person or circumstance is held for any reason to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Resolution that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Resolution are severable. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Resolution and each section, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 9. Custodian of Records. The documents and materials associated with this Resolution that constitute the record of proceedings on which the City Council’s findings and determinations are based are located at San Clemente City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City of San Clemente City Council on _____________, 2026.
ATTEST:
___________________________ __________________________
City Clerk of the City of Rick Loeffler, Mayor of the City of San Clemente, California San Clemente, California
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) §
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE )
I, LAURA CAMPAGNOLO, City Clerk of the City of San Clemente, California, do hereby certify that Resolution No. 26-04 was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Clemente held on the _______ day of _______________________, _________, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Clemente, California, this _____ day of _________________, ________. ________________________ CITY CLERK of the City of
San Clemente, California
Approved as to form:
____________________________
Elizabeth A. Mitchell, City Attorney
Resolution No. 26-04 Page 2
Attachment 1