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POTENTIALLY POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT LESS THAN NO ISSUES SIGNIFICANT UNLESS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT SOURCES ISSUES MITIGATION IMPAC"C INCORPORATED 16. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES. Would the project: a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or X 1 Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a X 1 Williamson Act contract? c. Involve other changes in the existing environment X 1 which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-a icultural use? EXPLANATION: a) Adopting the Housing Element will not result in the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use. Although some of the housing sites identified in the Element were once used for agriculture or contain remnant orchards, none are in commercial agricultural use today. As an urbanized community, San Leandro does not have formally designated Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance within the City limits. b) There is no agricultural zoning within the project area, and no sites in San Leandro are covered by Williamson Act contracts. c) See responses to "a" and "c" above. Some of the housing sites may contain remnant fruit trees or field crops dating from their 20"' century use for agriculture. However, there are no changes proposed by the Housing Element that would cause active farmland to be converted to non-agricultural use. 17. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would the project: a: Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or X 13, 14 indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b. Conflict with any applicable plan, policy or regulation X 13, 14 of an agency adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? EXPLANATION: (a-b)The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 32 in 2006, requiring that the state reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. An enforceable statewide cap on GHG emissions will be phased in starting in 2012. In addition, Senate Bi11375 seeks to curb GHGs by reducing urban sprawl and vehicle miles traveled. In response to these legislative actions, the City of San Leandro adopted a Climate Action Plan in December 2009 which incorporates strategies to reduce emissions. These strategies include green building, car sharing, transit-oriented development, greater use of renewable energy sources, more efficient water use, energy and water conservation, urban forestry, expanded use of hybrid vehicles, additional recycling and waste diversion programs, and improvements to pedestrian and bicycle networks, among others. The Housing Element was prepared concurrently with the Climate Action Plan and reinforces its overall mission. Goal 57 has been added to the Housing Element explicitly to address global climate change issues (see Goa157). Although the Housing Element would accommodate additional residents, who would in turn generate GHGs through driving and energy use, the margin of increase is lower than it might otherwise be because of the Element's emphasis on higher density transit-oriented development. More than 85 percent of the City's housing capacity is on multi-family development sites, most within one-half mile of a BART station. Similarly, the City's Climate Action Plan strongly su orts hi er density housin ,transit-oriented develo ment, and affordable housin ,recognizing the relationshi Housing Element Initial Study and Negative Declaration 27 February 2010