HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 - General Plan Amendment Initiation - Safety ElementCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. s
July 22, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Planning Department
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner, 949 -644 -3221,
mwhelan @city. newport- bea ch. ca. us
SUBJECT: General Plan Amendment Initiation —Safety Element (PA2008 -131)
ISSUE:
Should the City initiate a General Plan amendment to incorporate the Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan (LHMP) into the Safety Element of the General Plan to comply with the
requirements of Assembly Bill 2140?
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council initiate a General Plan amendment to the Safety
Element to incorporate the LHMP by adopting the attached resolution.
DISCUSSION:
The California Disaster Act provides local governments financial assistance to cover
costs resulting from a disaster. Assembly Bill 2140, passed in August 2006, limits the
amount the City may receive from the Act to 75% of post- disaster reimbursement costs
unless the City incorporates the LHMP into the Safety Element. When incorporated,
local jurisdictions may receive up to 100% of post- disaster reimbursement costs.
The Fire Department is currently preparing the LHMP, which is a comprehensive
assessment of hazards that could affect the City including flood, earthquake, tsunami,
manmade and fire disasters. When completed, the plan requires approval by the City
Council, State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and FEMA. Upon initiation,
Planning and Fire staff will determine the proper language to incorporate the LHMP into
the Safety Element.
Safety Element GPA Initiation
July 22, 2008
Page 2
Environmental Review:
A General Plan amendment initiation is considered feasibility or planning study by staff,
which is statutorily exempt pursuant to Section 15262 of the Implementing Guidelines
for the California Environmental Equality Act.
Public Notice:
Notice is not required to initiate a General Plan amendment. Should the request be
approved, there will be noticed Planning Commission and City Council public hearings.
This item was included on the agenda for this meeting which was posted at City Hall
and on the City's website.
Prepared by:
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner
Submitted by:
1 . 6 - .. • . I,Uf . 1 -
Attachments: 1. Draft City Council Resolution
�L
Attachment 1
Draft City Council Resolution
3
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH INITIATING A GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT TO THE SAFETY ELEMENT (G12008 -002).
WHEREAS, City Council Policy K -1 requires that City - sponsored amendments
to the General Plan be initiated by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this proposed General Plan amendment is to
incorporate the City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Safety Element of the
General Plan in compliance with the provisions of Assembly Bill 2140; and
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2008, the City Council considered initiating and
amendment to Safety Element of the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, initiating the General Plan amendment qualifies for a Statutory
Exemption pursuant to 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies of the Implementing
Guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach hereby initiates a General Plan amendment to incorporate the City's
LHMP into the Safety Element to comply with the requirements of Assembly Bill 2140
(G12008 -002).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 22nd DAY OF July.
AYES, COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES, COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT COUNCIL MEMEBERS
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK