3B Public Hearing 2011 0321 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EXPLANATION: a) Adopting the proposed consistency amendments to the General Plan will not result in the conversion of farmland to non - agricultural use. The potential for impacts to farmland was previously evaluated in the TOD Strategy EIR and was determined to be less than significant. 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 "b" above. The consistency amendments would not cause active farmland to be converted to non - agricultural use. POTENTIALLY POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT LESS THAN NO ISSUES SIGNIFICANT UNLESS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT SOURCES ISSUES MITIGATION IMPACT INCORPORATED 17"! G RE ENHOUSEGAS ENIISSI Ts; S',W,buldthie'prolect a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or X 1.2.7.10 indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? b. Conflict with any applicable plan, policy or regulation X 1,2.7,10 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 Bill 375 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 proposed amendments to the General Plan are fully consistent with the intent of AB 32 and SB 375 and are intended to reduce the vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions associated with new development. By focusing future development near the BART station, and improving provisions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users, the amendments will enable the city to accommodate growth in a way that produces lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions per capita. The impacts of increased density, mixed use development, and a more multi - modal circulation network was previously analyzed and quantified in the TOD Strategy EIR. This included an evaluation of traffic and air quality impacts. Mitigation measures have already been prescribed. No additional impacts beyond those already evaluated in the TOD EIR would result from the consistency amendments. TOD and Housing Element Genera! Plan Consistency Amendments January 2011 • Page 25