(VMT1)
Underutilized
commercial
buildings could be
repurposed to
reduce VMT and
support local
economy.
Add a policy tool under VMT1 (e.g., vacancy
tax, zoning incentives) to encourage
activation of vacant commercial sites with
local-serving uses near transit corridors.
Expand VMT1:
“Pursue land use policies such as zoning incentives or vacancy taxes to encourage redevelopment of underutilized commercial buildings into neighborhood-serving uses (e.g., groceries, health clinics, childcare) near transit corridors.”
Reinforces landuse/transportation
linkage and promotes
15-minute
neighborhood
principles.
Already
included.
Indigenous
Engagement
(Natural Habitat
Restoration)
No reference to
tribal consultation
or traditional
ecological
knowledge.
Add action item to coordinate a meeting
series with Indigenous groups (e.g., Amah
Mutsun Tribal Band) to guide and support
habitat restoration strategy design.
Add a new action under Natural Habitat Restoration:
“Coordinate with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and other
Indigenous communities to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into restoration practices. Host a consultation series to co-develop culturally informed habitat strategies.” Aligns with AB 52 and
California’s climate
adaptation framework
promoting TEK
integration.
Not
included;
implied
elsewhere
Packet Page 535
Responses to Comments of Final Public Draft
Innovation
Benchmarking General
Watsonville CAAP
includes
innovative
strategies that
could be adapted
for Seaside.
Consider integrating the following strategies
based on Watsonville's model: - Cool Roofs
program - Lawn-to-Food or Lawn-to-Natives
program - Pilot resilience hub with solar and
storage - Community-owned solar project -
Community-Based Travel Planning (CBTP) -
Bike share/rental program - Open streets
events
Add a sidebar or appendix referencing replicable
programs:“Seaside will explore strategies from other
communities..." ADD STRATEGY...." adaptation of proven
climate strategies from peer cities, including Watsonville, such as:• Cool Roof Program• Lawn-to-Food/Natives incentives• Resilience hub pilot (solar + storage)• Community-owned solar pilot• Community-Based Travel Planning (CBTP)• Low-income bike share/rental program• Open Streets events*
Positions Seaside as
an adopter of best
practices and aligns
with innovationoriented funding
streams (e.g.,
Transformative
Climate Communities).
Already
addressed
throughout
the plan.
Public Transit
Promotion of
Public Transit,
Biking, and
Walking
MST serves six
routes in Seaside
with high-quality
transit. The SURF!
Busway project is
a major initiative
supporting zeroemission transit
and connectivity.
Add a map of MST routes and stops to the
plan. Include reference to the SURF! Busway
and its contribution to VMT reduction and
transit equity.
Add MST route map (current system) to the appendix. In the main text:
“Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) provides six local bus routes in Seaside, offering robust access to regional destinations. The SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit project, expected to enhance transit speed and reliability, will be a key asset in reducing VMT and improving equitable transit access.”
Highlights existing
assets and aligns with
future high-capacity,
low-emissions transit
systems.
Language
added
Climate
Mitigation
Strategies
MST supports
VMT reduction
strategies and
offers existing
TDM programs.
Include MST’s Group Discount Program,
Commute with Enterprise Vanpool, and
Travel Training Program in the
implementation phase.
Add to the VMT mitigation section:
“The City will continue to coordinate with MST for initiatives to reduce emissions such as Travel Demand Management (TDM) programs such as the Group Discount Program, Commute with Enterprise Vanpool, and the Travel Training Program. These can be leveraged to reduce solo driving and enhance workforce mobility.”
Supports GHG
reduction from
commuting and
enhances
implementation
capacity via existing
tools.
Added
Implementation
Phases
Phase 2 (Pilot
Programs)
MST programs
could be
implemented
during early
phases of CAAP
rollout.
Add MST partnership opportunities and
programs under Phase 2 Pilot
Implementation.
Add to Phase 2:
“Partner with MST to pilot expanded vanpool and group discount programs during the second implementation phase. Evaluate their effectiveness in reaching low-income commuters and reducing regional VMT.”
Positions MST as a
key Phase 2 delivery
partner and sets up
short-term wins.
Willingness
to partner is
noted.
Packet Page 536
Responses to Comments of Final Public Draft
Transit
Compatibility
Promotion of
Transit, Biking,
Walking
Bike and
pedestrian
infrastructure must
be compatible with
transit access.
Draft a list of potential transit/bike/pedestrian
improvements during Phase 1: Research &
Evaluation. Reference MST’s Designing for
Transit Guidelines (2020). Prioritize
improvements in low-income communities
and high-ridership corridors.
Add to Research & Evaluation (Phase 1):“Conduct a
transit/bike/pedestrian compatibility assessment using MST’s Designing for Transit Guidelines (2020). Identify priority improvement corridors near high-ridership stops, with an emphasis on low-income neighborhoods and school zones.” Integrates active
transportation and
transit planning,
supporting equitable
mobility and safety.
Already
included
with
existing
initiatives
Transit
Electrification
EV
Infrastructure
Development
MST has adopted
a zero-emission
bus rollout plan,
targeting full ZEB
transition by 2040.
Reference MST’s ICT Rollout Plan and align
local EV infrastructure development with
regional transit fleet electrification efforts.
Add to EV Infrastructure and Public Transit Strategy:
“MST’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Rollout Plan outlines a path to achieve a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2040. The City will coordinate EV infrastructure development to ensure alignment with MST’s charging needs and site planning.” REPLACE WITH "The City will take this into account when considering locations of potential EV facilities such as charging stations".
Supports regional fleet
decarbonization and
electric transitreadiness in capital
investments.
Added
Land Use &
TOD
Smart Growth
Policies
MST completed a
TOD Planning
Study for the
SURF! BRT
project, identifying
sites for TOD in
Seaside.
Use MST’s TOD Planning Study as a
reference for promoting transit-oriented
development along SURF! corridors.
Emphasize opportunities in Del Monte Blvd,
West Broadway, and Auto Mall sites.
Update Smart Growth or VMT1 strategies to state:
“Leverage findings from MST’s 2023 Transit-Oriented
Development Planning Study for the SURF! Busway to identify and support priority TOD sites in Seaside. The City will prioritize development incentives and infrastructure improvements along Del Monte Boulevard, West Broadway, and the Auto Mall corridor to promote compact, walkable, transit-connected development.” Supports infill growth
near transit and
enhances GHG
reductions from
transportation and land
use integration.
Added
Urban Greening UGT4
Tree growth can
interfere with bus
stop access and
pedestrian rightsof-way.
For UGT4, specify that trees should be
pruned regularly to maintain clear access
near transit infrastructure.
Modify UGT4 to include:
“All tree planting under this strategy will include a maintenance and pruning plan to preserve pedestrian rights-of-way and ensure clear access to and visibility of bus stops, signage, and ADA pathways.”
Maintains multimodal
safety and accessibility
while promoting urban
canopy growth.
This is not
a climate
action or
adaptation
issue.
Partnerships PCO Strategies
MST would like to
be included as a
partner in climate
education and
outreach
strategies.
Add MST as a named partner under PCO
strategies to expand climate education and
transit promotion.
Add MST to the list of implementation partners in the PCO (Public and Community Outreach) strategies section:
“MST will serve as a key outreach partner to promote low-carbon mobility, educate the public on transit options, and support equitycentered transportation messaging in Seaside’s Climate Ambassadors and public education programs.”
Integrates transit into
public engagement
efforts, helping to
normalize sustainable
transportation choices
through trusted
regional partners.
Added to
RWL5
Packet Page 537
Responses to Comments of Final Public Draft
Implementation
– General
Implementation
– General
Implementation
structure omits
youth involvement
in decisionmaking.
Add: Merge Youth Climate Council and CAAP
Implementation Committee. Ensure youth
reps help guide strategy evaluation and
community outreach.
“Merge the CAAP Implementation Committee with the Youth Climate Council to ensure youth leadership in tracking and communicating plan progress.”
Builds
intergenerational
accountability and
engagement.
Already
included
Public
Education
Public
Education
The Climate
Ambassadors
Program lacks
coordination with
schools.
Add: Partner with local schools and Monterey
County Office of Education to recruit students
and integrate CAAP education into school
activities.
“The City will partner with local school districts and the Monterey County Office of Education to embed climate literacy in K–12 settings and recruit student Climate Ambassadors.”
Expands reach and
creates long-term
cultural change.
Added
Regional
Climate
Governance
Regional
Climate
Governance
Seaside’s regional
role in climate
governance not
emphasized.
Add language: “The City will participate in
regional initiatives on wildfire, coastal
resilience, and adaptation governance
through AMBAG and county-led working
groups.”
“Seaside will actively participate in AMBAG, county adaptation forums, and regional working groups focused on wildfire, coastal hazards, and climate resilience.”
Enhances grant
eligibility and
integrated planning.
Added
Economic
Development
Economic
Development
The CAAP does
not discuss
climate workforce
development.
Add: Partner with local colleges, unions, and
employers to develop training in
electrification, solar, HVAC, and resilience
infrastructure.
“As needed during implemention of strategies, the City will collaborate with local unions, colleges, and training programs to build workforce pipelines in electrification, renewable energy, and water infrastructure sectors.”
Creates jobs while
advancing
decarbonization.
Added
Climate
Hazards –
General
Climate
Hazards –
General
Wildfire planning
is
underdeveloped.
Add: Incorporate WUI wildfire risk into
adaptation and emergency planning.
Reference CAL FIRE WUI zones and
evacuation maps.
“Seaside will assess Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fire risk using CAL FIRE zones and incorporate defensible space and evacuation access into adaptation planning.”
Addresses missing
hazard and improves
FEMA alignment.
Green Jobs
Strategy
Green Jobs
Strategy
Missing policies to
support equitable
green job access.
Add: Develop local hire and workforce equity
policies for green infrastructure, prioritizing
disadvantaged workers.
“Adopt local hire and job access policies that prioritize lowincome, BIPOC, and underemployed workers for climate infrastructure projects.”
Supports inclusive
economic transition.
Already
included
elsewhere
Resilience
Metrics
Resilience
Metrics
CAAP lacks
resilience
performance
metrics.
Add: Develop resilience scorecard using
indicators like tree canopy in vulnerable
neighborhoods, % with backup power, or
flood protection.
“When implementing strategies, the city will establish performance metrics to measure success."
Enables performance
tracking and public
accountability.
Added to
"Implement
ation
Timeline"
Packet Page 538
Responses to Comments of Final Public Draft
Emergency
Preparedness
Emergency
Preparedness
Limited discussion
of multilingual
emergency
comms.
Add: Ensure all CAAP-related emergency
materials are available in Spanish and
Tagalog and distributed via trusted
messengers.
“All emergency preparedness materials related to the CAAP will be provided in Spanish and other languages as deemed
appropriate and distributed through trusted local messengers.” Increases life safety
and equity.
Added to
ERP2
Equity
Screening Tools
Equity
Screening Tools
No mention of
equity screening
in project
prioritization.
Add: Apply CalEnviroScreen or similar tool to
guide strategy phasing and investment
decisions.
“The City will apply CalEnviroScreen or a similar equity screening tool to help in evaluating strategy impacts.”
Ensures resources
flow to most impacted
populations.
Added to
"Implement
ation
Timeline"
EV Equity EV Equity
EV strategy lacks
detail on equity or
multifamily
access.
Add: Provide rebates and curbside EV
charging in frontline communities, including
multifamily buildings. Coordinate with 3CE
and PG&E.
“Equity will be considered in rollout strategy”
Closes equity gaps in
EV infrastructure
access.
Added to
EV
Infrastructu
re
Developme
nt
Packet Page 539