To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Public Hearing
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Public Hearing on the Draft Safety Element Update (Chapter 14 of the General Plan); Record # LRP-2023-18064
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Open the public hearing, receive and consider the staff report, and accept public comment; and
2. Deliberate and comment on the draft amendments and alternatives presented; and
3. Adopt the attached resolution to take the following actions:
a. Find the amendment to the Safety Element exempt from further CEQA analysis; and
b. Make all the required findings; and
c. Adopt the proposed amendments to the Safety Element of the General Plan.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The salary funding for preparing this item is from the General Fund contribution to the Long-Range Planning unit, 1100-282.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed updates to the Safety Element will bring it into compliance with new requirements of state law. Proposed additions include maps reflecting the new fire hazard severity zones approved by the state, the new airport land use safety compatibility criteria, and new discussion and policy responding to hazards from the effects of climate change.
The Safety Element is one of seven state-mandated elements included in the county's General Plan. The purpose of the Safety Element is to build into the planning and decision-making process policies ensuring future development will minimize the risk of personal injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage associated with natural and human-made disasters. The county's current Safety Element was adopted and updated in 2017. It covers the following topics: Geologic/Seismic Safety, Flooding and Drainage, Fire Hazards, Airport Safety, Industrial Hazards, and Emergency Management.
New state law requires the county to review, and update as needed, the Safety Element every 8 years,...
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