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November 9, 2009 Section 4: Transportation and Land Use 4.6 Goal: Increase and enhance urban green space The City of San Leandro is proud to have been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as "Tree City USA" for the past eleven years. Increasing the urban canopy with a sustained tree planting program reduces heat island effect and therefore lowers heating loads in San Leandro homes and businesses. Trees also sequester carbon dioxide and might be an opportunity for greenhouse gas reduction credits under the Climate Action Reserve's urban forestry protocol. Additional co-benefits include better quality of life for residents and increased property values. The 2002 San Leandro General Plan includes an Open Space, Parks and Conservation Element to management the City's park and open space areas, as well as conserve natural resources such as soil, water and natural habitat. A number of programs are aimed to reduce or avoid the degradation of diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, riparian woodlands, grassland and the "urban forest" consisting of trees and shrubs which provide habitat for birds and small mammals. The preservation of natural ecosystems is an important component to avoid the emissions of carbon dioxide from clear-cutting and land clearing practices. Furthermore, the globalization of trade overseas has significantly increased the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production. Highway and local transportation emissions are also related to the movement of food into and within the community. Urban agriculture has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community and contribute to food security and food safety. Measures and actions for consideration: ^ Increase urban forest canopy. Maximize tree planting as part of public open space and street improvements. Calculate GHG emissions reduction from urban forest sequestration utilizing the Climate Action Reserve Forest Protocol. ^ Adopt an Urban Agriculture Ordinance. The ordinance would amend the Zoning Code to allow beekeeping, and expand limited animal husbandry (including the keeping of chickens) and limited commercial horticulture (to facilitate the development of urban Community Supported Agriculture) in certain residential districts. Currently these uses are not permitted ~~,~ s~t~9y~ Page 36 ~, 1<L `98 ~ l4 Pin Marina Park