DATE: November 13, 2023
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed General Plan Amendments: Climate Action Plan, Hazards Element, and Environmental Justice Element - Discussion and Recommendation to Council
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) reviews and comments on this report and provides a recommendation to Council to approve proposed amendments to the General Plan including an updated Climate Action Plan, an updated Hazards Element, and a new Environmental Justice Element.
End
SUMMARY
This report presents the draft amendments to the Hayward 2040 General Plan, which was adopted by Council in 2014. The amendments include an updated Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address the climate crisis and establish the policies and programs needed to meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets adopted by Council. The updated Hazards Element incorporates new policies and programs as well as edits to existing policies to adequately address climate crisis hazards and improve community resilience in compliance with recent state legislation. The new Environmental Justice Element addresses the negative environmental impacts that have been shown to disproportionately affect marginalized populations, including racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic minorities.
This project was initiated in the fall of 2021 along with the recently adopted Housing Element. Community engagement for all four elements was coordinated to maximize the number of community contacts and ensure comprehensive messaging. Staff is seeking the Committee’s review and recommendation to Council for approval of the CAP, Hazards Element, and Environmental Justice Element to amend the Hayward 2040 General Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Draft General Plan Implementation Programs