HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-01_Additional Materials Received_LUEAAC_04-01-2014Additional Materials Received
April 1, 2014, LUEAAC Agenda Item 11.1 Comments
Comments on the Newport Beach Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee agenda from:
Jim Mosher ( limmosher(a)yahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660 (949- 548 -6229)
Item 11.1. Minutes of February 4, 2014
I would suggest correcting the following obvious errors, although in the absence of public
access to the recording, I have no confidence the remaining words accurately or completely
reflect what took place at the meeting:
Page 1, section 11, paragraph 1: "Watkins moved to approve the minutes from January
7th as augmented by the audio tapes and comments received from Walker Watkins and
Jim Mosher."
2. Page 2, line 2: "...additional resources for the committee members to review and
clarification of projects that would and would not be be subject to policies."
3. Page 2, paragraph 5: "LUX Land use development practices that contribute to a
sustained natural environment fpr for use by future generations, economy, and well-
being of Afrewpert Newport Beach's residents, while reducing greenhouse gas
emissions
4. Page 2, paragraph 6: the report of the action doesn't indicate who seconded the
substitute motion.
5. Page 2, paragraph 8: "Gardner moved, Watkins seconded' is helpful, but the resulting
vote, if one was taken, is not reported.
6. Page 2, Section IV, paragraph 2: "... Brine and Whiteman discuss discussed additional
detailed analysis with the committee.... Tucker; eGammeads recommended a reduced
project alternative."
7. Page 2, Section IV, paragraph 5: "Dorothy Krauss Kraus expressed concern ..."
8. Page 2, Section IV, paragraph 5: "Denys Oberman requests requested that changes
9. Page 2, paragraph 3: "The approval process was discussed in
further detail."
10. Page 2, Section V, paragraph 3: "Gary Pic.kat °Pr -oFn M°ndF ?d Pickett recommended
the following..."
To: Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee
Subject: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS RECEIVED -APRIL 1, 2014
From: Paul Watkins [mailto:oauMlawfriend.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 8:06 AM
To: Ramirez, Gregg
Cc: Wisneski, Brenda; Brandt, Kim
Subject: Agenda Packet for April 1, 2014 Meeting of Newport Beach Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee
Hi Gregg:
I had a chance to look at the Agenda, Minutes from February 4, 2014, Chapter 14 Glossary,
Environmental Review Findings, and Land Use Element Amendment Recommendations for our
meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 1 at 2:30 PM in the Friends Room.
If it's OK, I wanted to pass along the following thoughts:
(I) Agenda:
(1) Under II.1., was the word "test" inadvertently included?
(II) Minutes of the February 4, 2014 Meeting:
(1) Under II, I believe the comments to the January meeting came from
"Watkins and Jim Mosher ".
(2) Page 2, "Public Comment ", third paragraph, line 3: please change "fpr" to
"for ".
(3) Page 2, first "Action ": please change the language to read: "The substitute
motion was unanimously approved."
(4) Under IV, Page 3, last "Public Comment ": please correct the spelling of
"approval ".
(5) Under V, line 1: Please correct the first three words to read: "Gary Pickett
recommended ".
(III) Chapter 14 Glossary:
(1) Definition of "Climate Change ": please revise this definition to read as
follows: "Possible increased average temperatures over the past
several decades resulting in possible reduction in snowpack coverage,
possible reduction in water runoff and supply, possible drier
vegetative cover, and possible sea rise." In my view, the Glossary for
our City's General Plan should remain politically neutral. The term
"Climate Change" seems to polarize folks; maybe it's best to "qualify"
parts of the proposed definition until there is more universal acceptance
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of the components of "Climate Change ", e.g., increased temperatures, sea
rise, etc.
(2) Definition of "Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) ": please revise this
definition to read as follows: "Heat- trapping gases including water
vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and ozone (03). The
primary source of GHG emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels."
In my view, the Glossary for our City's General Plan should remain
politically neutral and should not include such statements as "5cientists
have concluded that human activities are contributing to global climate
change by adding large amounts of heat trapping gasses [sic] ...."
(3) Definition of "Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) Reduction ": please revise
this definition to read: "The California Air Resources Board (GARB)
established regional targets for the reduction of GHG emissions in
compliance with Senate Bill 375. These were incorporated in the
Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy ( OCSCS), developed
as a sub -area component of the Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG)SCS. While SB 375 and the OCSCS do not
regulate land in Newport Beach, Newport Beach is obligated to
comply with applicable laws including the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA)." In my view, the simple reference to Newport's
obligation to comply with applicable GHG laws (including CEQA) is
sufficient for our City's General Plan Glossary. GHG regulation is fast
moving on the statutory and case law fronts. It seems to me that rather
than trying to set forth in a definition the details of current evolving
regulations in a Glossary that may have a 20 -year life, we should simply
indicate that the City's policy makers will comply with applicable
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction laws (including CEQA) in effect at
the time they make a decision on a project.
(4) Definition of "Sustainability ": I think the definition can be simplified
without the reference to "the guiding principle for long term global
development ". How about simply borrowing from the World Commission
on Environment and Development as follows (and slightly adding to it):
"Sustainability -- Development that meets the needs of the present
without unreasonably compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs. Sustainable development seeks to achieve,
in a balanced manner, economic development, social development, and
environmental protection." As previously indicated, the Glossary for our
City's General Plan should remain politically neutral and I would refrain
from references to a guiding principle for global development.
(IV) Implementation Program Addendum:
PA
Do you know when the actual "Climate Action Plan" will be proposed for the City?
Can you please direct me to where I can review the City's already- adopted Energy
Action Plan?
(V) Land Use Changes:
Will the public be able to give input on the Draft Supplemental EIR including
Section 5.11 Transportation and Traffic?
(VI) Policy Amendments:
No comments.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Thanks, Gregg.
Best regards,
Pau I
Paul K. Watkins for
Watkins, Blakely & Torgerson, LLP
535 Anton Boulevard, Suite 810
Costa Mesa, California 92626 -7047
Telephone: (714) 556 -0800, ext. 2108
Facsimile: (714) 641 -4012
E -Mail: paulelawfriend.com
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