Attachment G - Appendix C - CAP Checklist — San Marcos City Council, December 9, 2025

ATTACHMENT G
UDSP EIR 2025 ADDENDUM - APPENDIX C -

CAP CHECKLIST

APPENDIX C
CAP Checklist
Clima te Action Plan Consistency Review Checklist
Project #________
Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN CONSISTENCY REVIEW CHECKLIST

INTRODUCTION
The City of San Marcos (City) adopted an updated Climate Action Plan (CAP) in December, 2020. The CAP outlines strategies and measures that the City will undertake to achieve its proportional share of State greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. The purpose of the CAP Consistency Checklist (Checklist), in conjunction with the CAP, is to provide a streamlined review process for all proposed development projects that are subject to discretionary review and/or trigger environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Analysis of GHG emissions and potential climate change impacts from new development is required under CEQA. The City’s CAP is a qualified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction plan in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(h)(3), 15130(d), and 15183(b), a project’s incremental contribution to a cumulative GHG emissions effect may be determined not to be cumulatively considerable if it complies with the requirements of a CAP.

The purpose of this Checklist is to implement GHG reduction measures from the CAP that apply to new discretionary development projects. New development would demonstrate consistency with relevant CAP strategies and would not conflict with the City’s ability to achieve the identified GHG reduction targets through implementation of applicable measures. Projects that are consistent with the CAP, as determined through the use of this Checklist, may rely on the CAP for the cumulative impact analysis of GHG emissions.

Projects that are not consistent with the CAP must prepare a comprehensive project-specific analysis of GHG emissions, including quantification of existing and projected GHG emissions and incorporation of the measures in this Checklist to the extent feasible. Cumulative GHG impacts would be significant for any project that is not consistent with the CAP.

This Checklist may be updated periodically to incorporate new GHG reduction techniques or to comply with later amendments to the CAP or local, State, or federal law. Comprehensive updates to this Checklist will be coordinated with each CAP update. Administrative updates to the Checklist may occur regularly, as necessary for the purpose of keeping the Checklist up-to-date and implementable. Updates to the CAP Checklist associated with an update to the City’s CAP would also require City Council approval and shall comply with CEQA.

Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net

APPLICABILITY AND PROCEDURES
This Checklist is required only for discretionary projects1 that are subject to and not exempt from CEQA.

Projects that are exempt from CEQA are deemed to be consistent with the City’s CAP, and no further review is necessary, with the exception of a Class 32 “In-Fill Development Projects” categorical exemption (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332), for which projects are required to demonstrate consistency with the CAP through this Checklist.

General procedures for Checklist compliance and review are described below. Specific guidance is also provided under each of the questions under Steps 1 and 2 of the Checklist.  The City’s Development Services - Planning Division reviews development applications and makes determinations regarding environmental review requirements under CEQA.  The specific applicable requirements outlined in the Checklist shall be required as condition s of project approval.
 The project must provide written documentation and supporting evidence that demonstrate how the proposed project would implement each applicable Checklist requiremen t d
escribed herein to the satisfaction of the Planning Division.  If a question in the Checklist is deemed not applicable (N/A) to a project, written documentation and evidence supporting that conclusion shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Planning Division. Each Checklist question provides the scenario(s) where checking N/A may be acceptable. If a measure is deemed not applicable for reasons other than those outlined in each question, supporting evidence will need to be provided and would be subject to Plann ing Division approval. A project may be determined to b e inconsistent with the CAP if the N/A response is deemed to be not supported by credible evidence.  Development projects requiring discretionary review that cannot demonstrate consistency with the CAP using this Checklist shall prepare a separate, project -level GHG analysis as part of the CEQA document prepared for the project.
1 I n this context, a project is any action that meets the definition of a “Project” in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelin es.

Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net Application Information
Contact Information
Project No. and Name:

Property Address and APN:

Applicant Name and Co.:

Contact Phone: Contact Email:

Was a consultant retained to complete this checklist? ☐ Yes ☐ No If Yes, complete the following:

Consultant Name: Contact Phone:

Company Name: Contact Email:

Project Information

1. What is the size of the project site (acres)?

2. Identify all applicable proposed land uses:
☐ Residential (indicate # of single-family dwelling units):
☐ Residential (indicate # of multi-family dwelling units):
☐ Commercial (indicate total square footage):
☐ Industrial (indicate total square footage):
☐ Other (describe):

3. Provide a description of the project proposed. This description should match the basic project description us
ed for the CEQA document. The description may be attached to the Checklist if there are space constraints.

SP24-0003, TA24-0004, CUP24-0005 (CubeSmart)
337 E. Carmel St., 220-201-90
Gary Levitt (Carmel Enterprise, LLC)
(858) 361-8555
[email protected]
Camille D'Ambrosio
(619) 992-3217
[email protected]

2.7 acres
111,200 sf self-storage facility
Street would relocate to this new facility, opening up a site closer to the heart of North City that can accommodate building to the rear of the first building. The existing CubeSmart self-storage facility located at 235 E. Carmel 104,600 square foot building adjacent to E. Carmel Street and a one-story, approximately 6,600 square foot for a self-storage facility. The self-storage facility would consist of two buildings, a three-story, approximately more mixed-use/pedestrian-oriented development. The new self-storage facility would be regulated by the Specific Plan, including building and site design, landscape, and screening requirements to maximize compatibility with the surrounding community.

Amendments to the Municipal Code and University District Specific Plan (UDSP), and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net STEP 1: LAND USE CONSISTENCY
The first step in this section evaluates a project’s GHG emissions consistent with the City’s Guidance to Demonstrating Consistency with the City of San Marcos Climate Action Plan: For Discretionary Projects Subject to CEQA (Guidance Document). New discretionary development projects subject to CEQA review that emit fewer than 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) annually would not contribute considerably to cumulative climate change impacts as stated in the City’s Guidance Document, and therefore, would be considered consistent with the CAP and associated emissions projections.

For projects that are subject to CAP consistency review, the next step in determining consistency is to assess the project’s consistency with the growth projections used in the development of the CAP. This section allows the city to determine a project’s consistency with the land use assumptions used in the CAP.

Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net Step 1: Land Use Consistency
Checklist Item
(Check the appropriate box and provide an explanation and supporting documentation for your answer) Yes No

1. The size and type of projects listed below would emit fewer than 500 MTCO2e per year.

Based on this threshold, does the proposed project exceed these characteristics?  Single Family Housing: 36 dwelling units
 Multi-Family Housing: 55 dwelling units
 Office: 43,000 square feet
 Commercial Space: 20,000 square feet
 Regional Shopping Center: 18,000 square feet
 Hotel: 37 rooms
 Restaurant (Sit-Down): 6,500 square feet
 Restaurant (Drive-Thru, High Turnover): 2,400 square feet  General Light Industrial: 58,000 square feet
 University: 263 students
 Mixed-Use: See Guidance to Demonstrating Consistency memorandum for methods to estimate mixed-use development thresholds
 Other: For project types not listed in this section the need for GHG analysis and mitigation will be made on a project-specific basis, considering the 500 MTCO2e per year screening threshold.

If
“Yes”, pro
ceed to Question 2 of Step 1.

If “No”, in accordance with the City’s CAP screening criteria, the project’s GHG impact is less than significant and is not subject to the measures of the CAP. ☐ ☐

2. Is the proposed project consistent with the City’s existing General Plan land use designation?
If
“Yes”, proceed to Step 2.

If “No”, proceed to Question 3 of Step 1
☐ ☐

3. For projects not consistent with the existing General Plan land use designation, does the project include a General Plan Amendment that would generate GHG emissions equal to or less than estimated emissions generated under the existing designation? If
“Yes”, proceed to Step 2 and provide estimated project emissions under both existing and proposed designation(s) for comparison.

If “No”, the project’s GHG impact is potentially significant, and a GHG analysis must be prepared in accordance with the City’s Guidance Document and applicable CEQA guidelines. The project must incorporate each of the measures identified in Step 2 to mitigate cumulative GHG emissions impacts, along with other mitigation measures as necessary based on a project specific GHG analysis.. Proceed and complete a project specific GHG analysis, and Step 2 of the Checklist.
☐ ☐
X
X
Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net STEP 2: CAP MEASURES CONSISTENCY
The second step of CAP consistency review is to evaluate a project’s consistency with the applicable strategies and measures of the CAP. Each Checklist item is associated with a specific GHG reduction measure in the City’s CAP. “N/A” should only be checked based on the direction provided in each Checklist Item question. All projects for which the measure is applicable must demonstrate that they would implement measures consistent with the Checklist Item, or fully substantiate how the item would be infeasible for project implementation. “N/A” responses are subject to Planning Division review and approval. If “No” is provided as a response to a question, the project would be determined to be inconsistent with the CAP and result in a significant GHG impact.

Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net Step 2: CAP Measures Consistency
Checklist Item
(Check the appropriate box and provide an explanation for your answer. Please use additional sheets if necessary)
Yes No N/A
Project Design

1. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Measure T-2)
Mu
lti-Family Residential and Non-Resident ial: Will the project install electric vehicle charging stations (Level 2 or better) in at least five percent of the total parking spaces provided on-site? Che
ck “N/A”
if the project is a single-family residential project or would not provide any parking.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 1:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

2. Bicycle Infrastructure (Measure T-8)
Res
idential and Non-Residential Projects: If the following conditions are met, would the project pay its fair-share contribution to bicycle infrastructure improvements?
☐ Intersection or roadway segment improvements are
proposed a
s part of the project and,
☐ The City’s General Plan Mobility Element identifies
bicycle infrastructure improvements at any
intersection(s) or roadway segment(s) that would be
improved as part of the project.

Che
ck “N/A” if the conditions above would not be met.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 2:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ X
E. Carmel Street will be improved with buffered bike lanes and enhanced parkway and widened sidewalk.

These improvements will either be implemented by this project or the adjacent Carmel Enterprise Affordable Housing project depending on the timing of construction.

The project emits fewer than 500 MT CO2e/year and not subject to the measures of the CAP. The project is not Typically customers of storage facilities are not parked there for long periods of time so an EV charging station would go unutilized at this location. EV charging stations are provided in other areas of the UDSP.

X
required to provide an electrical vehicle charging station and will not be doing so because of the nature of the use.

3. Transportation Demand Management (Measure T-9)
Residential and Non-Residential: Will the project comply with the City’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Ordinance (Chapter 20.350 of the Municipal Code) and the TDM Policy?2
Che
ck “N/A
” if the project is a single-family residential project or is not subject to the City’s TDM Ordinance.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please submit a project specific TDM Plan for staff review and evaluation based on guidance included in the TDM Policy.
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

4. Reduce Parking Near Transit (Measure T-12)
Mu
lti-Family Residential: If loc ated within a half-mile of a major transit stop2, would the project provide at least 27 percent fewer parking spaces than required for the same use based on the City’s municipal code parking requirements?
Che
ck “N/A” if the project is a single-family residential or non- residential project.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 4:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 2 City of San Marcos TDM Ordinance and Policy : https://www.san -marcos.net/departments/development -services/planning/ceqa- resources -for-applicants -consultants
X
X
The project is not required to provide a project-specific TDM because it emits fewer than 500MTCO2e/year and reduces GHG emissions by 80% compared to what otherwise could be considered allowed under the UDSP mixed-use development, park-once strategies, enhancing bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, etc.

Specific Plan which does comply with the City's TDM ordinance and policy through transit-oriented and (refer to the GHG Analysis dated January 2025 by Ldn Consulting). However, the project is part of the larger This is not a residential project.

5. Water Heaters (Measure E-1)
Residential: Will the project install one of, or a combination of, the following water heater types in place of natural gas water heaters?
☐ Electric heat pump water heater
☐ Instantaneous electric water heater
☐ Electric tank
☐ Solar water heater with heat pump water heater
backup
☐ Solar water heater with electric tank backup
Check “N/A” if the project is a non-residential project. ☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 5:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

6. Photovoltaic Installation (Measure E-2)
Non-Residential: Will the project install photovoltaic systems with a minimum capacity of two watts per square foot of gross floor area?
Check “N/A” if the project is a residential project or if installation of on- site photovoltaic would be infeasible.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 6:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ X
This is not a residential project.

X
Solar panels would be installed over 21,778 s.f. of the rooftop area and are anticipated to generate approximately 326,670 watts or an equivalent of 2.9 watts/sf. _________________________________________________________________________________ Development Services | 1 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069 | (760) 744-1050 | www.san-marcos.net Step 2: CAP Measures Consistency
Checklist Item
(Check the appropriate box and provide an explanation for your answer. Please use additional sheets if necessary)
Yes No N/A

7. Landscaping Water Use (Measure W-1)
Re
sidential and Non-Residen tial: Will the project comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance?3
C
heck “N/A” if the project is not proposing any landscaping or is not subject to the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. ☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 7:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

8. Urban Tree Canopy (Measure C-2)
S
ingle-Family Residential: Will the project plant a minimum of one tree per single-family residential unit?
-or-
Mult
i-Family Residential and Non-Resid ential: If the project is providing more than 10 parking spaces, will the project plant at least one tree per five parking spaces provided?
C
hec
k “N/A” if planting the required number of trees on-site would be infeasible.
☐ ☐ ☐
Please substantiate how the project satisfies question 8:
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

3 City of San Marcos Landscape Manual: https://www.san -marcos.net/home/showdocument?id=13984 X

WELO REQUIREMENT PLAN COMPLIANCE Compost : 4 cubic yards/1000 sf 4 c.y./1000 s.f. provided Plant Water Use : Plant Factor 0.3, average 0.2 average provided Mulch ; 4" layer 4" mulch provided Irrigation System: ET Controller with battery All provided backup; use drip <10' width; use submeter
X
12 parking spaces are provided and 3 trees are proposed.

San Marcos City CouncilDecember 9, 2025

San Marcos City Council
December 9, 2025