1. An Introduction to General Plans and CEQA
Seth Litchney, Planner
Governor’s Office of Planning & Research

2. Overview of OPR Part of the Governor’s Office
Statewide Planning and Land Use Agency
CEQA Implementation & Technical Assistance
Environmental Justice
Policy research for Governor and Cabinet
Advisor of Military Affairs, Tribal Consultation Training
Permit Streamlining for Renewable Energy projects

3. Overview of Presentation
General Plans and Zoning
What is CEQA?
Objectives of CEQA
When Does CEQA Apply?
CEQA Process
NEW: SB 375 and SB 226
OPR’s Role

4. General Plans and Zoning

5. General Plan Basic Requirements
Each county and city must adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city.
The general plan acts as a “constitution for future development.”
Lesher Communications v. City of Walnut Creek

6. Elements of the General Plan
The seven mandatory elements
Land Use
Circulation
Housing
Conservation
Open Space
Noise
Safety
Optional elements may be included, but must be consistent with other elements.

7. Basic Requirements General Plan Consistency
Equal status among elements
CONSISTENCY
Data, analysis, goals and policies within each element must be consistent with and compliment one another.

8. Content
Typically the general plan consists of diagrams and text describing goals, objectives, policies and programs.
The level of detail in each element shall reflect the needs of the community.
The city or county may adopt any format appropriate, including combining elements.

9. Content of General Plans
Goals, objectives, policies and programs.
The level of detail in each element shall reflect the needs of the community.

10. Preparing a General Plan
Adoption deadlines
30 months after incorporation
Housing element
Other elements updated as needed
General Plan Guidelines (OPR, 2003)
OPR to provide guidance for mandatory elements (§ )
OPR’s General Plan Guidelines is an advisory document utilized by planners, decision- making bodies, and the public for help preparing a general plan.

11. Adopting a General Plan
Adoption by the local agency
Recommendation made by planning commission (§ 65354)
Adoption made by legislative body
Notice and hearing (§ and 65355)
Adopting or amending a General Plan is an action subject to CEQA

12. Implementation

13. Zoning
City or county ordinance which divides a community into districts or zones and determines what can and cannot be built on land within those districts

14. Zoning Zoning districts usually include: Residential Agricultural
Open Space
Commercial
Industrial
Mixed Use

15. Zoning Zoning addresses: Restrictions on the use of land
The use of a building in a zone
The bulk, size and design of buildings
Performance standards (parking, landscaping, energy use, etc.)

16. Zoning Example (City of Sacramento Zoning Map Book):
R-1 Standard Single Family Zone: This is a low density residential zone composed of single family detached residences on lots a minimum of 52 feet by 100 feet in size. This zone may also include recreational, religious and educational facilities as the basic elements of a balanced neighborhood. Minimum lot dimensions are 52 feet by 100 feet interior, 62 feet by 100 feet corner, 7-8 units per acre. Maximum height is 35 feet; maximum lot coverage is 40%.
C-3 Central Business District Zone-Special Planning District: The Central Business District applies to a 67-block portion of the Central City. The C-3 zone is the only classification which has no height limit and is intended for the most intense retail, commercial and office developments in the City. Residential uses are permitted by special permit.
M-2 Heavy Industrial Zone: This zone permits the manufacture or treatment of goods from raw materials. Maximum height is 75 feet. There is no maximum lot coverage. The parking ratio for warehousing uses is no less than 1 space per square feet gross floor area and no more than 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area.

17. Zoning Zones can be amended through a legislative action.
Zoning changes are subject to CEQA.
The Planning Commission must hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the legislative body.
The legislative body must hold one public hearing before approving the zone change.

18. CEQA

19. What is CEQA?
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is California’s most important environmental law. It requires state, local, and other agencies subject to the jurisdiction of California to evaluate the environmental implications of their actions.
CEQA was enacted in 1970, one year after NEPA.

20. CEQA Foundations CEQA Statute CEQA Guidelines Caselaw
Public Resources Code
CEQA Guidelines
CCR Title 14, § et seq.
Caselaw
Court decisions interpreting and applying statute and guidelines to specific cases
Public Agency Implementation

21. Objectives of CEQA To inform decision makers and the public
To identify ways to avoid or reduce environmental damage.
To prevent environmental damage by requiring implementation of feasible alternatives or mitigation measures.
CEQA Guidelines Section

22. Objectives (Continued)
To disclose to the public reasons for agency approval of projects with significant environmental effects.
To foster interagency coordination in the review of projects.
To enhance public participation in the planning process.

23. When does CEQA Apply?
Discretionary activities proposed to be carried out or approved by California public agencies, including state, regional, county, and local agencies CEQA applies to private activities that require discretionary government approvals. P.R.C. § , 21002, 21080; Guidelines § 15002(i)

24. DEFINITIONS “Project”
CEQA applies to activities that are considered “Projects”
Guidelines § 15378: “Project” means the whole of an action, which has the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and that is any of the following:

25. DEFINITIONS “Project” (continued)
(A) An activity directly undertaken by a public agency.
Examples include:
Public works construction activities:
Clearing or Grading
Improvements to public facilities
Planning Activities
Enactment and amendment of zoning ordinances
Adoption and amendment of local general plans

26. DEFINITIONS “Project” (continued)
(B) An activity undertaken by a person which is supported, in whole or in part, through contracts, grants, subsidies, loans or other forms of assistance from one or more public agencies. (C) An activity that involves the issuance to a person of a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use by one or more public agencies.

27. DEFINITIONS “Discretionary”
“Discretionary project” means a project which requires the exercise of judgement or deliberation when the public agency or body decides to approve or disapprove a particular activity, as distinguished from situations where the public agency or body merely has to determine whether there has been conformity with applicable statutes, ordinances, or regulations. Guidelines § 15375
Definition of discretionary - Johnson v. State of California (1968) 69 cal. 2d 782
Building permit may be a discretionary action - Friends of Westwood v. City of Los Angeles (1987) 191 Cal. App. 3d 259

28. Examples of Discretionary Actions
Zoning Variance
Use permits
Tentative Subdivision Map
Combinations
Non-Discretionary
Building Permit*
Business License
Final Subdivision Map
* Building permit may be subject to CEQA if the building approval process includes discretionary review, such as site plan or design review.
A particular type of project or approval may be discretionary for one agency but ministerial for another.
Example: New vineyard allowed by right under county ordinance. But WDR required - Board is lead. IF Discharge is covered under a general permit or waiver, CEQA is not triggered by either action.

29. Examples of “Non-Projects”
Activities for which “it can be seen with certainty” that no environmental effect will occur.
Proposals for legislation to be enacted by the State Legislature.
Certain continuing administrative or maintenance activities.

30. DEFINITIONS “Lead Agency”
“Lead Agency” means the public agency which has the principal responsibility of carrying out or approving a project. The Lead Agency will decide whether an EIR or a Negative Declaration will be required for the project and will cause the document to be prepared. Guidelines § 15367

31. DEFINITIONS “Responsible Agency”
Public agency which proposes to carry out or approve a project for which a Lead Agency is preparing an EIR or Negative Declaration.
Includes all state and local agencies other than the lead agency with discretionary approval power over the project.

32. DEFINITIONS “Trustee Agency”
State agency with jurisdiction over resources held in trust for the people of California.
Fish and Game
State Lands Commission
Parks and Recreation
University of California
Trustee agency may not necessarily have discretionary approval power over a project.

33. The Process under CEQA

34. Preliminary Review Submit application to lead agency.
Determine whether project is subject to CEQA.
Review for exemptions.

35. Statutory Exemptions Established through legislative action.
A Project that falls within a statutory exemption is not subject to CEQA even if it has the potential to significantly affect the environment.
A project that is statutorily exempt is entitled to a blanket exemption from all of CEQA’s procedures and policies.
PRC § 21080; Guidelines §

36. Categorical Exemptions
A Categorical Exemption is an exemption from CEQA for a class of projects that the Secretary for Resources determines generally will not have a significant effect on the environment
There are 33 Categorical Exemptions
Guidelines §
Notice of Exemption: When a lead agency determines a project is exempt they may file a Notice of Exemption (NOE).

37. Initial Study
An Initial Study is a preliminary analysis to determine whether an EIR, negative declaration, or mitigated negative declaration is required.
Checklist of Potential Environmental Impacts

38. Conclusions of Initial Study
Lead agency prepares one of the following :
Negative Declaration (ND)
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

39. Negative Declaration
Negative Declaration:
A Negative Declaration is a written statement by the lead agency briefly explaining why a project will not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore does not require the preparation of an EIR.

40. Mitigated Negative Declaration
A Mitigated Negative Declaration may be prepared when there are potentially significant effects on the environment, but revisions to the project (mitigation) will avoid or clearly reduce the effects to a less than significant level.

41. Environmental Impact Report
An EIR is a detailed informational document that analyzes a project’s potential significant effects on the environment and identifies mitigation measures and reasonable alternatives to avoid significant effects.
Notice Of Preparation: Helps determine the Scope of the EIR.

42. Contents of EIR Project Description Environmental Setting
Environmental Impacts
Direct Physical Effects
Reasonably Foreseeable Indirect Effects
Cumulative Effects
Growth Inducing Effects
Mitigation Measures
Alternatives

43. Public Review of the EIR/ND
-NOP: 30 days
-EIR: 30 days, when submitted to SCH 45 days (state review)
-Response to comments: 10 days to Public Agency
ND or MND
20 days
30 days if submitted to SCH (state review)

44. Caltrans and CEQA
A proposed project that may affect highways or other facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation if the meeting is requested by the department.
The lead agency shall call the scoping meeting as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days after receiving the request from the Department of Transportation.

45. Adopting a ND/MND
Prior to approving a project, the lead agency shall consider the proposed ND/MND together with any comments received during the public review process and find:
On the basis of the whole record there is no substantial evidence the project will have a significant effect on the environment, and
The ND/MND reflects the independent judgement and analysis of the lead agency

46. Certifying an EIR/ND
Prior to approving a project, the lead agency shall certify that:
The Final EIR/ND has been completed in compliance with CEQA
The Final EIR/ND was reviewed and considered by the decision making body
The Final EIR/ND represents the Lead Agency’s independent judgement and analysis

47. Findings
The lead agency must make one of these findings for each identified significant effect:
Changes or alterations have been required or incorporated which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect.
Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been, or can and should be, adopted by such agency.
Specific economic, legal, social, technological or other considerations make the proposed mitigation infeasible.

48. Statement of Overriding Considerations
Final EIR identifies significant effects, the lead agency shall state in writing the specific reasons supporting its actions.
Guidelines Section 15093
PRC Section (b)

49. Mitigation Monitoring
A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program is required whenever the lead agency approves a project which requires mitigation (EIR or MND).
Transportation information generated by the MMRP for a project of areawide importance shall be submitted to the transportation planning agency and Caltrans.
Agencies may adopt standard MMRP policies.

50. Project Approval
Lead Agency must approve or disapprove project after certification/adoption of the CEQA document.
After project approval, Lead Agency shall file a Notice of Determination (NOD) with the county clerk, and in some cases with OPR, within 5 days of project approval.

51. SB 375 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cars & Light Trucks
ARB Targets for 2020 and 2035
Metropolitan Transportation Organizations:
Prepare a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) as part of its Regional Transportation Plan
ARB certifies whether or not the SCS meets the targets

52. Sustainable Communities Strategy
Coordinates the regional housing needs allocation process with the regional transportation process.
Housing element law synchronizes schedule to develop common land use assumptions for regional housing and transportation planning.
Requires transportation funding be consistent with the Sustainable Communities Strategy.
Federal and State funding

53. Sustainable Communities Strategy
Identify the general location of uses, residential densities, and building intensities within the region;
Identify areas within the region sufficient to house all the population of the region, including all economic segments of the population;
Identify areas within the region sufficient to house an eight-year projection of the regional housing need for the region;
Identify a transportation network to service the transportation needs of the region;
Gather and consider the best practically available scientific information regarding resource areas and farmland in the region;
Forecast development pattern for the region which will reduce GHG from automobiles and light trucks to achieve the GHG reductions target
If the SCS does not achieve the targeted reductions in GHGs, set forth the difference between the amount that the SCS would reduce GHGs and the target for the region.

54. SB 375 Local Governments CEQA
Not required to adopt SCS, but receive benefits for compliance
CEQA
Exemption for “Transit Priority Projects”
Transit Priority Project Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment/Limited EIR
Limited Analysis for Mixed-Used Residential Projects

55. SB 375
MPO’s are adopting SCSs

56. SB 226 Adopted in 2011, required OPR to make CEQA Guidelines Revisions
Additional streamlining tool for an even broader range of infill development
Residential, Office, Commercial, Schools, Mixed-Use

57. SB 226
Development must be consistent with an SCS and occur in “Infill” parcels
Unlike SB 375, project do not need to be located near transit
Projects may be eligible for streamlining if they are located in areas with low VMT.

58. SB 226
Areas in green and yellow have less than average regional VMT

59. SB 226 Projects must also meet Performance Standards Project Type
All Projects
Consistent with SCS, and infill parcel, and (generally) in a city, plus clean up
Residential
½ mile to transit, OR low VMT area, OR all affordable housing
Commercial
½ mile to 1800 du, OR low VMT area, and <
50,000sf floor plate
Office
½ mile to rail OR ½ mile to bus, OR low VMT
area
Schools
Close to students OR ½ mile to transit
Mixed Use
Comply with predominant use

60. SB 375 and SB 226 Streamlining

61. OPR and CEQA Coordinates state review of environmental documents
Receive CEQA documents from lead agencies
Distribute to state reviewing agencies
Establish state review periods
Consolidate state agency comments
Distribution of CEQA documents through OPR
Draft EIR or ND where state agency is Lead, Responsible, Trustee, or has jurisdiction by law for a project.
Projects identified as being of areawide, regionwide, or statewide significance.
All Notices of Preparation

62. OPR and CEQA Provide CEQA/Planning Technical Assistance
Prepares CEQA Guidelines for adoption by the Secretary of Resources (every 2 years)
Assists in identification of state responsible and trustee agencies
Resolve lead agency disputes
Maintains a database of environmental documents
Available online at

63. OPR Technical Assistance
Publications available on OPR Website
Technical assistance series on planning
Technical assistance series on CEQA
State Clearinghouse Newsletter
State Clearinghouse Handbook
Planners’ Book of Lists (CALPIN)

64. Questions??
OPR Website (916)