DATE: January 26, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Adopt a Resolution Regarding New Service Stations Selling Fossil Fuels
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) providing staff with guidance for the review of any new proposed service stations selling fossil fuels.
SUMMARY
Hayward’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals and policies seek to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which will require significant reductions in the use of fossil fuels. Over time, the use of electric vehicles EVs will increase, the efficiency of internal combustion engine vehicles will improve, and the demand for fossil fuels for vehicles is expected to decline. This report presents a resolution that would establish a new procedure for the review of proposals for new service stations that would sell fossil fuels. The purpose for the resolution and procedure would be to include Council earlier in the review process and to limit the unnecessary and potentially harmful proliferation of new service stations in recognition of Hayward’s CAP goals.
Review by Council Sustainability Committee - The Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) discussed service stations on November 9, 2020, and recognized that the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure is contrary to the goals of the CAP and potentially harmful to the community. The CSC agreed that new service stations should not be approved at the staff level and unanimously recommended that Council adopt a resolution that:
• Indicates Council’s preference not to permit new service stations that sell fossil fuels; and
• Directs staff to bring all proposals for new service stations selling fossil fuels to the Council Economic Development Committee (CEDC) and to the full Council.
The CSC noted that developers and business owners should be aware of Council’s desire to limit investment in new fossil fuel-related infrastructure. The CSC also suggested that such a policy could be incorporated into a Zoning Ordinance amendment in the next two to three years.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution