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CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA February 23, 2009
AGENDA BILL
Aeenda Title: Resolution Endorsing The Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Meetine Date: February 23, 2009
Change.
Meeting Time: ® 7:00 PM
Category: ❑ Presentation ® Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ Unfinished Business ❑ New Business
Department: Director: Contact Person: Phone Number:
City Manag, I John C. Brown John Brown 778-4345
Cost of Proposal: n/a Name of Fund:
Amount Budeeted: Account Number:
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action: Approve resolution
endorsing The Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change.
Summary Statement: Each city in Sonoma County and the County of Sonoma have established aggressive
greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets that will require changes in technology, personal behavior, community
activities and municipal operations. The target is to reduce GHG emissions in Sonoma County to 25% below
1990 levels by the year 2015. Over the past year, the Local Government Commission has worked on The
Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change in response to the impacts of climate change and local agencies' efforts
in reducing GHG emissions. California's Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by the Governor in 2006, sets
specific goals for reducing GHG emissions, and has identified transportation, electricity, and commercial /
residential uses as the largest single sources of GHG emissions. These sources are influenced by local land use
decisions, giving local government officials the opportunity of playing a key role in reducing GHG emissions by
integrating the Principles into General Plans and Zoning Codes.
Communitv Principles include preparing Climate Action Plans through an open process that includes the
community and public health professionals; addressing auto emissions; energy conservation, efficiency, and
alternate sources; green building ordinances; water efficiency standards, conservation, and recycling; planning
measures to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change; and local government leading by example
by reducing carbon footprints from municipal operations.
Regional Princinles include strategies for adopting blueprints for growth, regional transportation plans, supporting
infill development, reducing single occupant vehicle trips, and regional housing need assessments that recognize
differences between regions and communities and plan accordingly.
Implementation strategies include integrating Climate Action Plans with all General Plans, zoning codes, and
Regional Transportation Plans; flexible policies; and coordinating with nearby jurisdictions to pool resources,
among other efforts.
Attachments to Aeenda Packet Item:
1. The Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change
2. Resolution
Re iewed by Admin. Svcs. Dir:
ate:
Rev. # l.i nl Dhie Last -Revised
Reviewed by CiA Attornev:
(y
Date:
2/11/09 File:
Annroved by City Manaeer:
Date: Z
California is particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate
change. Projected increases in temperature and precipitation changes, increased trans-
mission of infectious diseases, and higher air pollution levels could significantly impact
public health and mortality rates in our large and aging population. California's coastline
communities and wetlands could suffer extensive and irreversible damage as sea levels rise
over the next century. Our $30 billion agriculture industry could be impacted by changes
in temperature and rainfall patterns and the increased pests and diseases that may accom-
pany those changes. California's water supply is already facing challenges, in part from
the shrinking Sierra snow pack. This,the state's largest reservoir, is predicted to lessen
by one third over the next 50 years, and to half its historic size by the end of the century.
California's Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by the Governor in 2006, sets a goal
of reducing the state's carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (a 25% reduction) and
80% below 1990 levels by 2050.State officials have identified transportation as the
largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, with 38% emitted by all modes of
transportation (passenger cars, light and heavy duty trucks, rail and water). The electricity
and commercial/residential energy sector is the second-largest source of emissions.
Both sources are significantly influenced by local government land use decisions. This fact
gives local government officials both the opportunity and the enormous responsibility of
playing a key role in achieving the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets.
In 1991,the Local Government Commission unveiled the Ahwahnee Principles for
Resource -Efficient Communities, providing a blueprintfor the multiple city and county
smart growth policies that followed and setting the path for a national movement.
The subsequent Ahwahnee Principles for Economic Development and Ahwahnee Water
Principles further support the implementation of the original Ahwahnee Principles.
In the face of climate change, all these principles have increased importance, and a
growing number of communities continue to adopt them as policy.
Local governments are on the front line, both in dealing with the impacts
of climate change and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These new
Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change Principles build on previous principles authored
by the Local Government Commission and provide specific guidance for local governments
to fallow in addressing this urgent and often overwhelming challenge.
Local
Government www.lgc®
org
Commission
P
Community Principles
7 Climate Action Plans for mitigat-
ing GHG emissions should be put in
place by local governments; these will
include inventories, targets for reduction,
implementing strategies,timelines and
a system for reporting annual progress.
Plans should be incorporated into general
plans either as a separate element that
has influence over a broad range of
activities or by incorporation into each
of the traditional general plan elements.
2 Emissions related to personal
auto use are often the largest
single source of greenhouse gas
pollution, therefore, addressing
this source should be central to a
Climate Action Plan and a priority
for early implementation. Infill
development should be recognized as
the primary location of new construction,
however all new development, wherever
it may occur, should be guided by the
Ahwahnee Principles for Resource Efficient
Communities. Development built according
to these principles will display a compact
mixed-use pattern that supports walking,
biking and transit, and protects open
space and agricultural land. Development
plans should be coordinated with a
regional plan, where one exists.This kind
of development can reduce vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) and CO2 emissions by
20% to 40% per capita (Growing Cooler,
Urban Land Institute, 2008).
3 The Electricity and Commercial/
Residential sector is likely the second-
largest source of community GHG
emissions and an important target
for reduction. Thus, energy conservation
programs, energy efficiency and the use of
a diverse array of clean alternative energy
sources should also be central to the com-
munity Climate Action Plan and a priority
for timely adoption. Applied to new and
existing development, green building
ordinances, energy conservation retrofit
measures, energy efficiency standards for
new buildings, and incentives/disincentives
to reduce average square footage of new
houses are among the measures that can
be adopted (www.energy.ca.gov/energy—
aware—guide).
4 Climate Action Plans should also
include strong water efficiency
standards, increased water conser-
vation and water recycling strategies
guided by the Ahwahnee Water Principles.
5 A Climate Action Plan should
include measures that will help the
community to adapt to the unavoid-
able impacts of climate change.
This will involve planning for rising sea
levels, shrinking water supplies, rising
temperatures, food shortages and other
challenges predicted to occur in the region.
6 Local governments should lead
by example in reducing their own carbon
footprint by enacting and implementing
policies to reduce GHG emissions from
their municipal operations while preparing
for unavoidable climate change impacts.
7 Climate Action Plans should be
developed through an open process
that includes diverse members of
the community and public health
professionals. The process should
include public outreach strategies and
assure that the positive and negative
impacts of reducing emissions are borne
equally by all.
M The authors of theAhwohneePrinciplesforClimareChangeincludeLarryAllen,SunLuisObispoCountyAirPollutionControl
District, GeoNAnderson, Smart Growth America; Gary Cook ACLEI, CouncilmemberJennifer Hosrermon, City of Pleasanton,
Dr. Richard l Jackson, MD, MPH, Mayor Jake Mackenzie, City of Rohnert Park; Jim Money,, Joint Center for Environmental
and Urban Problems, Florida Atlantic University,Councilmembef Pam O'Connor, City of Santa Monica, Geof Syphers,
Codding Enterprises; Dr. Robert Wilkinson, Water Policy Program, UC Santa Barbara, Steve Winkelman, Transportation
Program Center for Clean Air Policy, wish editors Gregg Albright, California State Department of Transportation;
CouncilmemberJon Harrison, City of Redlands; and Judy Corbettand Kare Wright, Local Government Commission.
I
Implementation Strategy
1 All General Plans and Climate Action Plans should be made consistent with the
principles contained in Regional Blueprint Plans and Regional Transportation Plans.
2 General Plans and environmental review processes should be integrated with
city and county Climate Action Plans to include climate change mitigation and
adaptation measures and adoption procedures.
3 Zoning codes should be modified to be consistent with the General Plan to ensure
implementation of the integrated General Plan/Climate Action Plan. Performance
and form -based codes should be used to achieve the specified outcome.
zG City and county policies should be made consistent with the goals of the
community Climate Action Plan (such as flexible work schedules, car -sharing
i, and bike -sharing programs,etc.)
5 Monitoring and measurement of progress made in meeting both goals and
targets set forth in the Climate Action Plan should be conducted regularly with
results reported to the community.
it When appropriate, communities should form joint powers authorities to jointly
implement their climate action plans through developing sustainability corridors
between two or more jurisdictions.
7 Cities and counties should coordinate with nearby jurisdictions and the regional
government to share computer tools and other resources, and avoid duplicative
i
efforts.
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growth that achieves regional GHG emis-
streamlined implementation process,
signs reduction targets, Blueprints should
form the basis forcity-centered growth,
'Efforts should bemade by regions 10
infill development, open space protection,
vocallysppportsuchprgjects and defend ,
vhealm.ly5u portsahtjro
trarisitoriented development and multi
-
jurisdictional corridor development. They _
5 Regional Housing Needs Assess-ments'
should reflect differences among their
thatrecognizethe d,fferencesbetween
communities. -
reg!ons and between communities should -
2 Regional Transportation Plans and ..
be coordinated with and reflect Climate
major regionaftransportation projects
Action Plans and other mechanisms for
should be consistent with the regional
GHG emission reductions. Regional trans-
blueprint,
portation, land use, and GHG reduction .
plans must recognize differences between
3 Projects consistent with the blueprint
regions and between communities.
that support infill development and
A
RESOLUTION ENDORSING THEAHWAHNEEPRINCIPLES
FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
WHEREAS, the Local Government Commission, with the assistance of local elected
officials, has prepared The 4hu,ahnee Principles for Climate Change in response to the impacts of
climate change and local agencies' efforts in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma, each other city in Sonoma County and the County of
Sonoma have established an aggressive GHG community -wide emissions reduction target of 25%
below 1990 levels by the year 2015, which will require changes in technology, personal behavior,
community activities and municipal operations; and
WHEREAS, local government officials have the opportunity and the responsibility to reach
specific goals as established by California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006; and
WHEREAS, transportation, electrical, and commercial/residential uses have been identified
as the largest sources of GHG emissions; and
WHEREAS, the principles set forth in The Ahii,ahnee Principles for Climate Change
incorporate both local and regional solutions to address preparation of Climate Action Plans; auto
emissions; energy conservation; green building; water efficiency standards; and various planning
measures to help communities adapt to the ever-changing impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, local governments can lead by example by adopting practices and
incorporating strategies to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma General Plan 2025, adopted on May 19, 2008,
incorporates the substance of the Ahwalmee Principles for Climate Change in its goals, policies and
programs; and
WHEREAS, the City is participating in the development of a Regional Climate Action Plan for
adoption to further incorporate strategies to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Petalmna does hereby endorse
The Ahu,ahnee Principles for Climate Change and supports their use in concert with the City's land
f
use and planning documents, such as the General Plan 2025, the Central Petaluma Specific Plan, the
River Plan, zoning codes, and other policies that may exist or be formulated, to help reduce the city's
carbon footprint in its own municipal operations and to help meet the community -wide GHG emissions
reduction target by 2015.
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