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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-28_EQAC_Minutes_Approved City of Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee Minutes Date: August 28, 2014 Location : Newport Beach Civic Center — 100 Civic Center Drive Civic Center Community Room Members Nancy Gardner (Chair), Tyler Gentry, Kimberly Jameson , Scott Present: Kohan , Debbie Stevens, Josh Yocam Members Absent: Council Member Tony Petros and Charles McKenna Staff: Patrick Alford , Planning Program Manager Public: Jim Mosher 1 . CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 6 :30 p. m. 2. ROLL CALL Council Member Petros and Mr. McKenna were absent. After introductions, Chair Gardner announced the resignation of Joshua Olazabal and requested that interested persons apply. Mr. Alford added that the City Clerk had already begun the application process. Ms. Jameson arrived at approximately 6:43 p. m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the June 26, 2014, meeting were approved as amended . 4. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Environmental Quality Objectives Chair Gardner stated that the goal was to develop a set of objectives to improve the environmental quality of the City. She added that the objectives could be short-term (for the upcoming year) or long-term. She suggested moving forward with the Land Use Element Amendment sustainability provisions, should the ballot measure fail . Ms. Stevens spoke of the continuing need for environmental oversight. She mentioned environmental impact reports (EIRs) for large-scale projects, such as Newport Banning Ranch and the Land Use Element. EQAC August 28, 2014 Minutes Page 2 The Committee then proceeded to "brainstorm" objective proposals. Chair Gardner brought up the subject of green alleys. The Committee discussed free parking for electric cars, solar carports, and coordinating with non-governmental agencies to encourage sustainability practices. Ms. Jameson spoke on the need of citizen oversight of the EIR/DEIR process and suggested that the Committee needed to analyze proposed projects in order to carry out that role. A discussion ensued on the history of the Committee's role in reviewing EIRs. There was a discussion of the Committee was that their role was less technical and more of providing a voice for ordinary citizens. Chair Gardner acknowledged the Committee's desire to have the City Council reconsider EQAC's role in the review of EIRs. Chair Gardner brought up the popularity of the Laguna Beach trolley and suggested investigating something similar for the Peninsula. A discussion ensued on coordinating with UCI and/or private bus charter companies to provide alternative transportation. The Committee turned to energy issues, beginning with Mr. McKenna's email commenting on excessive commercial lighting . Mr. Gentry brought up preserving and repurposing remaining open space areas. Mr. Kohan brought up the subject of water quality. He stated that the City's infrastructure was lacking and inefficient (e.g. , meter reading and leak detection). Mr. Yocam brought up the issue of construction noise, suggesting that the threshold be tightened . Ms. Jameson spoke about party noise and suggested facilitating cooperation between rental residents, rental agencies, and the police. Ms. Stevens suggested addressing noise issues by establishing the City's own CEQA thresholds. Chair Gardner brought up the plastic bag ban. Ms. Stevens suggested that the issue may be resolved at the state level. Chair Gardner informed the Committee that she would work with staff to draft a set of proposals based on these discussions and bring them back to the Committee at the next meeting. Mr. Mosher pointed out that the Council never said that EQAC cannot review EIRs. On lighting , he also suggested using the International Dark Skies Society as a resource. On noise, he suggested addressing traffic noise through the use of rubberized roads. Ms. Stevens commented that the Committee should have commented on the John Wayne Airport Settlement Agreement Extension EIR and outside agency EIRs in general. EQAC August 28 , 2014 Minutes Page 3 Mr. Kohan suggested that alternative transportation, such as the Bike Park N Ride and shuttle, would help reduce traffic noise. Ms. Jameson reiterated that the Committee should not only recommend good ideas, but should provide a public forum for the community. Ms. Stevens suggested exploring funding opportunities for initiatives like the shuttle. Mr. Yocam suggested the development of "Newport-specific" CEQA thresholds. Ms. Stevens suggested that the Committee look to other cities that have already done this to assist with standardizing CEQA analyses. 5. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON- DISCUSSION ITEM) None. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 7. NEXT MEETING Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at 6:30 p. m . 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:48 p. m. Nancyrard , Chair The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on August 22, 2014 at 12:30 p.m . in the Chambers binder located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on August 22, 2014, at 12:40 p. m .