HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2021-01 01/26/2021 DocuSign Envelope ID:CCC46D75-90E9-4104-9E9F-21 FC1 E5CB651
RESOLUTION 2021 -01
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE
A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO POLICY 4-P-10
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has initiated a General Plan Amendment in response to the
Moratorium on Approval of Applications for New Gas Station Uses enacted under Ordinance Nos. 2681,
2688 and 2724; and
WHEREAS, with regard to Government Code Section 65858(d), this resolution describes a measure
to alleviate the condition which led to the adoption of the moratorium.
WHEREAS, transportation remains the largest contributor of greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant
emissions in California. Combating this to improve environmental and human health requires a massive
transition from internal combustion engines to Zero Emission Vehicles.
WEHREAS, an inventory of current and approved Gas Stations shows they are adequate to serve
existing and planned residents dependent upon internal combustion engines.
WHEREAS, the General Plan Amendment would revise Policy 4-P-10, as follows (strikethre gh =
deletion; underline = addition),
tGtionT Prohibit new fossil fuel gas stations and transition existing stations to serve Zero Emission
Vehicles."
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2021, public notice of the January 26, 2021 Planning Commission
meeting to consider the amendment was published in the Argus Courier and mailed to all property
owners of existing and approved gas stations in compliance with state and local law, and routed to
appropriate agencies listed under Government Code Section 65352; and
WHEREAS, on January 26, 2021 the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the General Plan Amendment and reviewed the environmental analysis prepared for the
project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into the
resolution as findings of the Petaluma Planning Commission.
2. The General Plan Amendment is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section
15378, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, directly or
ultimately; it prevents changes in the environment related to new gas station use applications.
Moreover, the amendment is, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15061 (b)(3), not subject to CEQA
under the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment. As the amendment will prohibit new Gas Stations and, in
turn, prevent physical changes to the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the amendments on this topic will have a significant effect on the environment.
3. Government Code Section 65358 allows General Plan amendments when it is deemed in the
public interest to do so.
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-01 Page 1
DocuSign Envelope ID:CCC46D75-90E9-4104-9E9F-21 FC1 E5CB651
4. Transportation remains the largest contributor of greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions
in California. Combating this to improve environmental and human health requires a massive
transition from internal combustion engines to Zero Emission Vehicles. An inventory of current and
approved Gas Stations shows they are adequate to serve existing and planned residents
dependent upon internal combustion engines. Prohibiting new Gas Stations serves the public
interest by preventing new sources of pollution that adversely impact environmental and human
health.
5. State law limits the number of times a local agency can amend its general plan to more than four
times per year. The proposed amendment represents the first amendment request for 2021.
6. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve a General Plan
Amendment to revise Policy 4-P-10 (strikethrough = deletion; underline = addition) as follows:
+Gl+ems: Prohibit new fossil fuel gas stations and transition existing stations to serve Zero Emission
Vehicles."
ADOPTED this 26th day of January 2021, by the following vote:
Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain
Councilmember Fischer X
Chair Bauer X
Vice Chair Alonso X
Hooper X
Marzo X
Potter X
Vacant
DocuSigned by:
�IPt8W17469tIl D...
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
���
Sir fl �g emission Secretary 4DagF4 E�4I�3c# rney
Planning Commission Resolution No.2021-01 Page 2