CITY OF SAN MARCOS
Climate Action Plan
Monitoring Report
Second Biennial Report
Reporting Period: January 1, 2021 – August 31, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING IN
SAN MARCOS
TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
LOOKING AHEAD
APPENDICES
3 7
21 10
22 CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2020 Climate Action Plan (CAP) is focused on reducing community- wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change in the City of San Marcos (City). This Second Biennial Climate Action Plan Monitoring Report (Report) provides information on CAP implementation progress and performance status for the reporting period of January 1, 2021, through August 31, 2024.
GHG emissions from
17,668 gasoline-powered
passenger vehicles driven
for one year
OR
GHG emissions from 15,955
homes’ electricity use for
one year
Source: EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Reduction Targets
The CAP sets the following emission reduction targets:
4 percent below 2012 levels by 2020
42 percent below 2012 levels by 2030
The City already achieved its 2020 target. To meet the 2030 target, the City will need to reduce emissions by 82,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) in 2030.
How much is 82,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas?
GHG Emissions Categories
Transportation
Energy
Water
Solid Waste
Carbon
Sequestration
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 4 The CAP includes eight strategies and 22 measures to
achieve GHG reductions. The City has completed
implementation of three measures, while
implementation is ongoing for 12 measures and in
progress for the remaining seven.1 The “Tracking Our
Progress” section of this report provides a detailed
update on the status and performance progress of
each measure.
Ongoing:
12 measures
Completed:
3 measures
In progress:
7 measures
Not started:
0 measures
1 “Ongoing” and “In progress” are defined in the “Tracking Our Progress” section of this report.
The City has made considerable progress
implementing the three CAP measures with the
greatest GHG reduction potential:
E-3: Increase Grid-Supply Renewable and Zero-
Carbon Electricity: The City joined Clean Energy
Alliance (CEA), in April 2023, to meet the target of
renewable electricity. The city chose Clean Impact
Plus as the default product choice for San Marcos
customers. Clean Impact Plus sources 75% of its
power from carbon-free sources, 50% of which are
renewable.
S-1: Increase Citywide Waste Diversion: The
Public Works Department is working with EDCO
Disposal Corporation (EDCO) to implement organics
waste recycling throughout the city. Additionally
the City is working with its consultant, the Solana
Center on edible food recovery programs. These
efforts have resulted in a 5% reduction in solid
waste disposal level from 2021 to 2022.
T-13: Implement Transportation Demand
Management Plans at Existing Employers:
The City adopted a comprehensive TDM Ordinance
and Implementing Policy in March 2024. The TDM
Policy includes 29 trip-reduction strategies that a
business can choose from to develop a customized
TDM Plan tailored to its operations and needs.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 5 The following table provides icons summarizing the status of each measure. More detailed information on each measure is provided in the “Tracking Our Progress” section of this report.
Transportation
STRATEGY 1: Increase Use of Zero -Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles
T-1: Transition to a More Fuel-Efficient Municipal Fleet
T-2: Require Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in New Development
T-3: Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Public Facilities
T-4: Provide Grants for Residents and Businesses to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations STRATEGY 2: Reduce Fossil Fuel Use
T-5: Synchronize Traffic Signals
T-6: Install Roundabouts
STRATEGY 3: Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
T-7: Participate in the San Diego Association of Government’s iCommute Vanpool Program
T-8: Develop Bicycle Infrastructure Identified in the City’s General Plan Mobility Element
T-9: Adopt Citywide Transportation Demand Management Ordinance
T-10: Implement the Intra-City Shuttle System
T-11: Increase Transit Ridership
T-12: Reduce Parking Requirements for New Residential Developments Near Transit
T-13: Implement Transportation Demand Management Plans at Existing Employers
T-14: Transition to an Online Building and Engineering Permit Submittal System
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 6 Energy
STRATEGY 4: Increase Building Energy Efficiency
E-1: Require New Residential Developments to Install Alternatively-Fueled Water Heaters STRATEGY 5: Increase Renewable and Zero Carbon Energy
E-2: Require Installation of PV systems at New Non-Residential Developments
E-3: Increase Grid-Supply Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity Water
STRATEGY 6: Reduce Water Use
W-1: Reduce Outdoor Water Use for Landscaping
W-2: Reduce Water Use in City Managed Landscape Areas
Solid Waste
STRATEGY 7: Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste
S-1: Increase Citywide Waste Diversion
Carbon Sequestration
STRATEGY 8: Increase Urban Tree Cover
C-1: Increase Tree Planting at City Parks and Public Rights-of-Way
C-2: Increase Tree Planting in New Developments
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 7
CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING IN
SAN MARCOS
The CAP establishes strategies, measures, and actions to reduce GHG emissions in the city. This report provides information on the implementation progress and status of CAP measure performance.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The CAP uses a 2012 baseline inventory to
forecast emissions and set targets for
emissions reductions based on State
targets. The inventory estimated annual
community-wide emissions to be 599,000
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(MTCO
2e) in 2012. With State and federal
adjustments applied, the City’s 2030
emissions were estimated to be 429,000
MTCO2e. The CAP sets the following
targets to reduce community- wide
emissions in alignment with State targets:
• 4 percent below 2012 levels
by 2020
• 42 percent below 2012
levels by 2030
How much is 82,000 metric
tons of greenhouse gas?
GHG emissions
from 17,668
gasoline -powered
passenger
vehicles driven for
one year
OR
GHG emissions
from 15,955
homes’ electricity
use for one year
OR
Carbon
sequestered by
1,355,877 tree
seedlings grown
for 10 years
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 8 Figure 1. Comparison of Forecast Annual GHG Emissions without Local Action to the CAP’s 2020 and 2030 GHG Reduction Targets
As Figure 1 shows, the City has already achieved its
2020 target (without any additional climate action). To meet the 2030 target, the City will need to reduce
emissions by 82,000 MTCO2e in 2030.
To close the gap between the forecast future
emissions and the 2030 CAP target, the CAP proposes
eight strategies and 22 GHG reduction measures
organized under five GHG emissions categories:
Transportation
Water
Energy
Solid Waste
Carbon Sequestration
Community Engagement
All community members have opportunities to
take actions that help implement CAP goals.
Changes in everyday habits such as consuming less
energy, producing less waste through recycling,
conserving water, composting, and driving less by
choosing to carpool, take transit, or walk and bike
more frequently, leads to better outcomes for the
environment and the City.
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0 Future Emissions
No action
(BAU emissions)
Future emissions –
State and federal
actions only
(Legislatively-Adjusted
Target Emissions
2012 2020 2030
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 9
Monitoring and Reporting
City staff presents a summary of CAP implementation progress to the CAP Working Group, Planning Commission and City
Council on biennial basis. Each GHG emissions reduction measure’s environmental or economic co-benefits are also discussed in the report, if available. The periodic reporting on CAP implementation is intended to provide information to the public on City’s on-going efforts on CAP implementation.
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING SCHEDULE
2020 CAP adopted
2022 & 2024 Biennial Monitoring Report
Co-benefits
Improved
Air Quality
Improved
Water Quality
Improved
Public Health
Improved Access
to Low-Cost
Transportation Options
Reduced Traffic
Congestion
Reduced
Energy Use
Enhanced
Safety
Enhanced
Community
Character
Increased
Local Green
Jobs
Reduced Heat
Island Effect
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 10
TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
This section provides the City’s progress on each measure with updates on the status of implementation, key indicators, progress made, and milestones achieved.
The following icons depict the implementation status of each measure:
Ongoing – The City will continue to implement this measure on an on-going basis either by requiring projects subject to the CAP checklist to comply with specific requirements or
implementing it through City’s own Capital projects.
Complete – This measure has been completed as stipulated in the CAP.
In Progress – Work on this measure has started and is expected to be complete at a future date.
Not Started – Work on this measure has not yet started.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 11 Transportation
Transportation strategies include increasing zero-emission or alternative fuel vehicle use, increasing transportation system efficiency for existing and future travel patterns, and increasing the use of alternative travel modes.
STRATEGY 1:
Increase Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles
T-1: Transition to a More Fuel-Efficient Municipal Fleet Status Summary: In Progress. The City will continue to reduce gasoline and diesel usage in the City vehicle fleet by converting to new hybrid technology, which is expected to function with advanced fuel efficiency design. The City is expected to convert five passenger vehicles to new models of hybrid technology by June 2025.
CAP Goal: Reduce City fleet gasoline use by 4,000
gallons in 2030.
Performance Status: City fleet gasoline usage
decreased by 1,609 gallons (4%), from 38,106 gallons in 2022 to 36,497 gallons in 2024. Diesel usage decreased by 2,691 gallons (30%), from 9,082 gallons in 2022 to 6,391 gallons in 2024. Data from 2021 are not included because fuel usage related to City operations was affected by COVID lockdown conditions.
T-2: Require Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in New Developments Status Summary: Ongoing. Since 2021, the City has required multi-family and commercial development to provide EV charging for at least 5% of parking spaces. The City is also implementing 2022 California Building and Green Code requirements through Title 17 of the Municipal Code which includes more extensive EV charger requirements than Measure T-2. For new multi-family projects, Title 17 requires that projects with up to 20 units provide low power Level 2 receptacles at 25% of spaces, and projects with more than 20 units are required to provide low power Level 2 receptacles 25% of spaces and Level 2 charger at 5% of spaces. Specified additions/alterations also require 10% of parking spaces to be EV capable. For new non-residential projects, the requirements range from 5% to 20% EV capable spaces and up to 25% Level 2 chargers.
CAP Goals: Install 220 EV charging stations in new multi- family developments by 2030.
Install 230 EV charging stations in new commercial
developments by 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved 14 new
development projects that are collectively required to
install 124 EV charging stations:
- 94 EV charging stations in new multi-family
developments, and
- 30 EV charging stations in new commercial
developments
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 12 STRATEGY 1 (CONT’D):
Increase Use of Zero-Emission/Alternative Fuel Vehicles
T-3: Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Public Facilities Status Summary: In Progress. Two projects are complete and operational. The City is in negotiations with a consultant for the installation of 14 chargers at the City Hall parking lot.
CAP Goal: Install 45 EV charging stations by 2030. Performance Status: 27 EV charging stations installed: 7 at Sunset Park and 20 at Creekside
Marketplace.
T-4: Provide Grants for Residents and Businesses to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Status Summary: In Progress. The City launched the Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Grant Rebate Program in October 2022 and continues to fund the installation of EV charging stations. From 2021 to 2030, the City will provide a total of $240,000 annually to residents and businesses as rebates to incentivize installation of EV Chargers.
CAP Goals: Fund the installation of 900 EV charging
stations at residences by 2030.
Fund the installation of 900 EV charging stations at
businesses by 2030.
Performance Status: As of July 31, 2024 the City has
issued rebates for 211 residential properties that equates to 211 Level 2 EV chargers installed in various homes in the City. The process and application to request the funds are available on the City’s website.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 13 STRATEGY 2:
Reduce Fossil Fuel Use
T-5: Synchronize Traffic Signals
Status Summary: Complete. In 2020-2021, City’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) and Control System project connected 137 intersections by fiber optic communications to the TMC. As part of this project, 65 intersections along six corridors were synchronized, far exceeding the CAP goals to synchronize a total of 22 intersections by 2030. The City also conducted before and after travel time delay studies for five of the corridors which evaluated the optimized signal timings for AM and PM peak periods and the integrated traffic signals controlled by the City and Caltrans. Measurements collected in Spring 2024 showed significant improvements to travel times, delays, and stops. The benefit analysis estimated an annual travel time savings of $3.3 million and fuel savings of about 346,764 gallons, translating to $1.35 million.
2 CAP Goals: Synchronize traffic signals at 13
intersections by 2020.
Synchronize traffic signals at an additional nine
intersections by 2030.
Performance Status: 137 intersections connected by
fiber optic and 65 intersections synchronized.
T-6: Install Roundabouts
Status Summary: Complete. The two roundabouts installed in the North City East project area achieve the CAP goal for 2020.
The City continues to look for opportunities to install additional roundabouts with new development projects.
CAP Goal: Install two additional roundabouts by 2020. Performance Status: In addition to the two roundabouts installed in the North City East project
area, two roundabouts are under construction or in
design stage in the North City West project area.
STRATEGY 3
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
T-7: Participate in the San Diego Association of Government’s iCommute Vanpool Program Status Summary: In Progress. Based on data from SANDAG, there were up to four vanpools commuting out of San Marcos during the period of January 2021 to June 2024, with an average of 4-7 passengers in each vanpool. The City will continue to monitor vanpool activity in San Marcos.
CAP Goal: Maintain 12 SANDAG vanpools that start or
end in the City in 2030.
Performance Status: 4 vanpools commuted out of San
Marcos between January 2021 and June 2024.
2 Dollar value of benefits analysis is based on US Dept of Energy: Travel time value: $11.84/hour; Price of Fuel: $3.90/gallon
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 14 STRATEGY 3 (CONT’D):
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
T-8: Develop Bicycle Infrastructure Identified in the City’s General Plan Mobility Element Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on -going basis by requiring projects subject to the CAP checklist to develop bicycle infrastructure as the City implements the bicycle network identified in the General Plan Mobility Element. The City has adopted its first Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which encourages non-motorized forms of transportation, primarily walking and cycling, and will be used to prioritize active transportation projects for the City’s Capital Improvement Program and for construction as req uired by the City for private development projects. Additionally, it will offer educational programs and policies to support the mode shift. The ATP proposes to create an interim network of corridors where more comfortable facilities can be implemented within existing rights-of -way and an ultimate network that would allow for the future construction of enhanced pedestrian facilities and bike facilities that require more right- of-way such as Class IV protected bikeways and Class I pedestrian-cyclist shared-use paths. The ultimate network provides for over 100 additional miles of Class I and Class IV bike lanes.
CAP Goal: Install an additional 18 miles of two-way
bicycle lanes (Class II or better) by 2030.
Performance Status: Between January 2021 and
August 2024, the City installed 0.93 miles of new Class II bike lanes, 1.6 miles of new trails, and 6.5 miles of new sidewalks.
T-9: Adopt Citywide Transportation Demand Management Ordinance Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis by requiring projects subject to the CAP checklist to implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures.
The City adopted a comprehensive TDM Ordinance and implementing Policy in March 2024. The TDM Ordinance is incorporated in the Municipal Code as Chapter 20.360 and includes requirements for project specific TDM plans, monitoring, reporting, and enforcement provisions and incorporates the TDM Policy by reference. The TDM Policy implements the TDM Ordinance and includes 29 strategies that a developer can choose from to develop their project specific TDM Plan. Six of the strategies are mandatory for all projects and an additional 23 strategies are optional, each optional strategy has an assigned point value. Projects must implement the mandatory strategies and then can choose any combination of optional strategies to achieve the minimum required 10-point score.
CAP Goal: Increase the alternative transportation mode
share for new development projects by seven percent
annually through 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved 11
development projects with a total of 1,740 residential
units and 155,268 square feet of non-residential
development that are implementing project-specific
TDM measures from the CAP Checklist.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 15 STRATEGY 3 (CONT’D):
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
T-10: Implement the Intra-City Shuttle System
Status Summary: In Progress. In June 2024, the North County Transit District (NCTD) launched the new NCTD+ transit service in the City. NCTD+ is an on-demand transit service that offers affordable rides to the community within a 10 square mile zone in the heart of San Marcos. It provides connections to four SPRINTER rail stations, 72 BREEZE bus stops, Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos as well as local restaurants, retail stores and other key locations in the City. The new on-demand service is available daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and residents can schedule rides by phone call or with the free NCTD+ app.
CAP Goal: Fully implement the intra-city shuttle system with electric shuttles running at 10-minute headways by 2030.
Performance Status: An intra-city shuttle system,
called NCTD+, has been established as part of a 12-
month pilot program.
T-11: Increase Transit Ridership
Status Summary: In Progress. The City continues to allow for and incentivize medium to high density residential and mixed-use projects along its transportation corridors of Mission Road, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Marcos Boulevard. Among other considerations, availability of transit along these corridors guide s the City’s vision of growth. It is anticipated that increase in transit ridership may occur with additional population along these corridors in the future. During this reporting period, the City approved 212,888 square feet of non-residential development and 583 residential units within a half-mile of transit stations.
CAP Goal: Increase the number of commuters taking
transit to or from the City to 7,000 in 2030.
Performance Status: Based on NCTD data, stop level
ridership at the three Sprinter stations in the City
declined from 7,100 riders weekly in 2020 to 5,162 riders weekly in 2024. Boardings at the NCTD bus stop in the
city in Fiscal Year 2024 were 6,201 riders weekly.
T-12: Reduce Parking Requirements for New Residential Developments Near Transit Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis by requiring projects subject to the CAP checklist to add new residential units near transit with at least 27 percent fewer parking spaces than required by the Municipal Code.
CAP Goal: Approve at least 3,700 new residential units
near transit that provide at least 27 percent fewer
parking spaces than required by City Code.
Performance Status: Since 2020, the City has
approved 463 units with 50 percent fewer parking
spaces than required by the Municipal Code.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 16 STRATEGY 3 (CONT’D):
Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
T-13: Implement Transportation Demand Management Plans at Existing Employers Status Summary: Ongoing. The City adopted a comprehensive TDM Ordinance and implementing Policy in March 2024. The TDM Ordinance is incorporated in the Municipal Code as Chapter 20.360 and incorporates the TDM Policy by reference. The TDM Policy includes 29 strategies that a business can choose from to develop a TDM Plan to reduce vehicular trips from its operations.
CAP Goal: Reduce commute VMT to 3.7 percent below
projected VMT in 2030, or approximately 30.6 million
VMT by 2030.
Performance Status: The TDM Policy is published on
the City’s website for any business to use as a resource to develop a TDM Plan that matches specific needs and
operations of a business.
T-14: Transition to an Online Building and Engineering Permit Submittal System Status Summary: Complete. The City has completed this goal. Engineering permits, building permits, planning applications and pre-applications are processed electronically. The City will continue to improve its public-facing forms, applications, and written procedures to assist the public with online submittals.
CAP Goal: Completely transition to an online permitting submittal system by 2021.
Performance Status: An Online Building and
Engineering Permit Submittal System has been
established.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 17
Energy
The strategies include improving energy efficiency of new development projects, both increasing the amount of renewable energy generated locally, and reducing the amount of non-renewable energy consumed locally.
STRATEGY 4:
Increase Building Energy Efficiency
E-1: Require New Residential Developments to Install Alternatively-Fueled Water Heaters Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis by requiring new residential development projects subject to the CAP checklist to install alternatively-fueled water heaters.
CAP Goal: Install 1,800 new alternatively-fueled water
heaters by 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved 7 new
residential development projects with a total of 1,277
units; 1,181 units will have electric water heaters, and 96 units will have solar hot water with electric heaters.
STRATEGY 5:
Increase Renewable and Zero Carbon Energy
E-2: Require Installation of PV systems at New Non-Residential Developments Status Summary: Ongoing. Since January 1, 2023, newly constructed buildings or mixed occupancy buildings with more than three habitable stories have been required to install a photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage per the California Building Energy Code. The PV systems requirements are replicated in the City’s Title 17/Building Code that implements the State’s Title 24 Building and Energy Code. Title 17 PV requirements for multi-family, and specified non-residential projects, are based on the number of units or size of the project.
CAP Goal: Install 2.1 Megawatt (MW) PV at new
commercial developments by 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved nine
development projects with non-residential components,
including PV systems totaling 2.3 MW. This total includes the University District Specific Plan, which includes PV systems for residential and non-residential development.
E-3: Increase Grid-Supply Renewable and Zero-Carbon Electricity Status Summary: Ongoing. The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) was launched in the City in April 2023. The CEA supplies renewable and zero-carbon electricity for its residents and businesses in compliance with this CAP measure.
CAP Goal: Achieve 95% renewables and zero-carbon in
electricity supply in 2030 with up to 3% customer opt-
out rate.
Performance Status: The City Council established
“Clean Impact Plus” as the default power supply product for all customer accounts in the city. The power mix is 75% carbon-free electricity, of which 50% is renewable.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 18
Water
Strategies include implementing policies and plans for more efficient water usage.
STRATEGY 6:
Reduce Water Use
W-1: Reduce Outdoor Water Use for Landscaping
Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis by requiring projects subject to the CAP checklist to comply with the Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (WELO). Landscape plans for projects are reviewed for compliance, and after installation, City staff conducts inspections to confirm landscaping is installed in compliance with WELO and approves plans.
CAP Goal: Reduce outdoor water use for landscaping
by 165 acre-feet in 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved 14
development projects totaling approximately 26 acres
of outdoor landscape area subject to the WELO
ordinance.
W-2: Reduce Water Use in City Managed Landscape Areas
Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis through irrigation system retrofit projects, non-functional turf removal and upgrades to smart irrigation controllers. An example of one such effort is the City’s current project with VWD and San Diego County Water Authority to replace non-functional turf with native plants and dry streambed along Bradley Park frontage to conserve water. In 2021/22 the City upgraded 214 controllers in right of way landscapes and in 2023, the City replaced 24 irrigation controllers throughout community park sites.
CAP Goal: Reduce water use in existing City managed
landscaped areas by 120 acre-feet in 2030.
Performance Status: Water use in City parks has
decreased from a baseline average of 165 acre-feet per
year in 2020-2022, to an average of 71 acre-feet per year in 2023-2024, which is a reduction of 94-acre feet or
57%.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 19
Solid Waste
Strategies include diverting waste away from landfills and into other waste streams such as recycling or composting.
STRATEGY 7:
Reduce and Recycle Solid Waste
S-1: Increase Citywide Waste Diversion
Status Summary: In Progress. The City is working with its solid waste hauler, EDCO, on various efforts to reduce waste going into landfills. Through its Organics Recycling Program, EDCO collects food scraps and landscape waste in its Green Organics Container and at its Anaerobic facility converts this waste into renewable natural gas and fertilizer. To reduce edible food into waste stream and to implement SB 1383, the City is working with its consultant, Solana Center, on edible food recovery programs.
CAP Goal: Achieve 85% Citywide waste diversion by
2030. The 85% waste diversion rate would result in 2.7 pounds/person/day of waste disposed in landfills.
Performance Status: Solid waste disposal data for 2020
through 2022 are provided below:
2020: 87,531 tons/year; 4.9 pounds/person/day
2021: 95,793 tons/year; 5.6 pounds/person/day
2022: 90,840 tons/year; 5.3 pounds/person/day
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 20
Carbon Sequestration
Increasing carbon sequestration strategies include expanding the urban forest canopy and protecting natural systems, which help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
STRATEGY 8:
Increase Urban Tree Cover
C-1: Increase Tree Planting at City Parks and in Public Rights-of-Way Status Summary: Ongoing. The City planted 1,266 new public trees since CAP’s adoption, including 275 trees reported in last Implementation Report, 155 trees in The Highlands right-of-way (ROW), 83 trees at Las Abejas Park and Trail, 497 trees at Discovery Street and Craven Road, 256 trees in Creek District, and more. This measure is “On-Going” as the City will continue to look for opportunities to plant trees at parks and other City managed landscape areas.
CAP Goal: Plant and maintain 1,500 new trees in public
spaces by 2030.
Performance Status: The City planted 1,266 new public
trees. It is expected that the CAP Goal of 1,500 trees will be met with trees installed in upcoming Knoll Park and
public park approved at the Restaurant Row site.
C-2: Increase Tree Planting in New Developments
Status Summary: Ongoing. The City is implementing this measure on an on-going basis by requiring new private development projects to plant one tree for every five parking spaces and a minimum of one tree in the front yard of new single-family homes. If any projects propose to remove trees, the City requires replacement of trees at a 1:1 ratio.
CAP Goal: Plant and monitor 1,200 new trees on private
properties by 2030.
Performance Status: The City has approved 14 new
projects including approximately 2,263 new trees.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 21
LOOKING AHEAD
The City has made considerable progress implementing the CAP . Three measures have already been completed, and an additional twelve are being implemented on an on- going basis. Going forward, the City will continue working on the seven measures that are in progress. In addition, the City is looking ahead to the following plans and programs:
1. San Marcos Creek Specific Plan (SMC_SP) Update
The City is currently working on updating the SMC-S P. It is expected that the SP update will result in allowance of additional residential units within the City’s core area. The adoption of this Specific Plan along with its Environmental Impact Report is anticipated in 2026.
2. Potential CAP update as a follow-up to the SMC-SP
Following the approval and adoption of the comprehensive SMC-SP Update and the Environmental Impact Report, which is anticipated in 2026, the City will evaluate updating the CAP . The CAP update is anticipated to account for updated densities and intensities of uses in the SMC-SP Update and its projected build-out date. Any future update to the CAP will be based on latest available data of a recent GHG emissions baseline year. The future GHG emissions projections will take into account City, State and Federal regulations and programs that are in place to reduce the GHG emissions.
CITY OF SAN MARCOS | CLIMATE ACTION PLAN MONITORING REPORT 22
APPENDICES
Appendix A. CAP Measure Performance Data for Approved Development Projects Appendix B. Performance Data for CAP Measure T-8: Bike Lanes, Sidewalks, Trails Appendix C. Performance Data for CAP Measure W-2: Water Use in City Parks