Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2012-008RESOLUTION NO. 2012-008 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE CHULA VISTA GENERAL PLAN RELATED TO HEALTHY COMMUNITIES WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) executed an agreement Apri129, 2011, approving $75,000 in grant funds to the City of Chula Vista from the Healthy Community Planning Grant to develop healthy communities policies and to develop and implement the "Cilantro-to-Stores' program to incorporate fresh local produce in convenience and liquor stores; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the grant is to promote public health principles at the local and regional level in ways that integrate and institutionalize public health considerations in the local and regional policies, programs, projects and decision-making; and WHEREAS, a Healthy Community can be defined as a community that is continuously creating and improving its physical and social environments and expanding the community resources to enable people to mutually support each other in developing and maintaining a high quality of life and productivity; and WHEREAS, in order to promote healthy choices and create a Healthy Community, programs and General Plan policies need to be amended to cover a wider breadth of public health issues; and WHEREAS, including General Plan policies that cover a greater scope of public health issues will help to begin to address some of the public health concerns that exist in our community; and WHEREAS, many adults in the South County are overweight or obese; and WHEREAS, the rate of obesity in adults in the South County is at a higher rate than almost every other region in the County which may be the result of poor nutrition; and WHEREAS, South County adults aze less likely to have consumed 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily than adults in almost every other region in the County; and WHEREAS, in 2010, the Chula Vista Elementary School District conducted a Body Mass Index (BMI) test of fifth graders; the results indicated that the majority of students tested had an unhealthy BMI; and Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 2 WHEREAS, Healthy Community language integrates public health considerations through the establishment of goals and recommendations for supporting and promoting access to healthy food and promoting opportunities for physical activity; and WHEREAS, The City of Chula Vista's General Plan serves as the "constitution" for future growth and development and is the foundation for establishing goals, purposes, zoning and activities allowed on each land parcel to provide compatibility and continuity to the entire City as well as each individual neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the concept of Healthy Communities was included in the 2005 General Plan Update; and WHEREAS, the definition of Healthy Communities has evolved since the 2005 General Plan Update; and WHEREAS, the amendments as proposed reflect sound planning principles and are internally consistent with the General Plan; and WHEREAS, the General Plan amendment encompasses amendments to the Land Use and Transportation Element to add new policies: LUT 16.5, LUT 18.9, LUT 23.1.a, LUT 23.1.b; LUT 23.8.a-23.8.c; LUT 34.4 and LUT 34.5 and add new objectives LUT 34a through LUT34.c with accompanying policies, and to amend the Environmental Element to add new Objective E6.a; and WHEREAS, the Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed activity was adequately covered in the previously adopted General Plan Update Final Enviromnental Impact Report (FEIR OS-O1) because the proposed objectives and policies aze consistent with the previously adopted General Plan Update. Thus, no further environmental review or documentation is required; and WHEREAS, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Development Services Director has also determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment because the proposed General Plan policies will result in Healthy Communities policies and programs and no physical change to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a resolution amending portions of the Land Use and Transportation and Environmental Elements of the Chula Vista General Plan to include up to date references to Healthy Communities and objectives and policies to enhance the vision for the Healthy Communities that was incorporated into the 2005 General Plan Update. Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Counci] of the City of Chula Vista does hereby find and determine as follows: Section I. Environmental Determination These amendments to the General Plan are adequately covered in the previously adopted Genera] Plan Update Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR OS-O1) because the proposed objectives and policies are consistent with the previously adopted General Plan Update; and there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment because the proposed General Plan policies will result in Healthy Communities policies and programs and no physical change to the environment. The City Council further finds that no further environmental review is required. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Council further finds that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment because the proposed General Plan policies will result in Healthy Communities policies and programs and no physical change to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required. Section II. Consistency with General Plan That the approval of the proposed amendments to the Chula Vista General Plan aze consistent with and follow the goals, objectives, and policies of the Chula Vista General Plan because the proposed amendments, in accordance with the General Plan Update, expands the vision for a healthy community, enhances other concepts already included in the General Plan such as walkability and expands the discussion of Healthy Communities to include the development and support of community gazdens, access to healthy food and access to recreational opportunities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby approve and adopt the amendments to the Land Use and Transportation Element LUT 16.5, LUT 18.9, LUT 23.1.a, LUT 23.1.b; LUT 23.8.a-23.8.c; LUT 34.4 and LUT 34.5; and the addition of new objectives LUT 34a through LUT34.c with accompanying policies; the amendment of Objective 8 and the addition of a new objective E6a to the Environmental Element, as follows: Section III. Land Use and Transportation Element 1. Add the following policies and objective to the Land Use and Transportation Element regazding Healthy Communities: Obiective-LUT8 Strengthen and sustain Chula Vista's image as a unique plane by maintaining, enhancing and creating physical features that distinguish Chula Vista's neighborhoods, communities, and public and recreational spaces, and enhance its image as apedestrian-oriented and livable community. Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 4 LUT 16.5 Work with local transit agencies to determine if there are gays in bus routes that provide service from underserved neighborhoods to healthy food opportunities. LUT 18.9 Adopt roadwa~gn euidelines that enhance street connectivity for pedestrians. LUT 23.1a Set a walkability distance goal of .25 to .5 miles (maximum distance a person needs to walk) for residents' access to daily retail needs or nearest transit stomas. LUT23.lb Support walkability audits to identify inconvenient routes or route with potential hazards; and prioritize infrastructure improvements in communities with the most need. LUT 23.8a Use traffic calming techniques to improve inteeration between pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicles. LUT23.8b Ensure that pedestrian routes and sidewalks are integrated into continuous networks. LUT 23.8c Establish street/sidewalk/trail desien euidelines that accommodate a range of users, including access for disabled and bicyclists where feasible. 2. Amend Section 7.16 to include addition information about Healthy Communities. 7.16 Planning For Healthy Communities Land use and transportation have a strong influence on people's lifestyles and in promoting healthy communities. Land use arrangements and mixes that provide access to daily needs, conveniences, and employment in a safe inviting and walkable environment create the underpinnings for increased physical activity. Easy and convenient access to transit and other non-auto modes of travel, especially between residential and employment centers, reduces auto usage, congestion, and the attendant impacts to air quality. Auto emissions are the single largest source of air pollution, and air quality is a major environmental health factor. In addition, the availability of safe, convenient and connected walking paths, trails and bikeways, and neighborhood-based park and recreational options also promote physical activity and exercise. Highlighting the rQ owing awareness of the need for Healthy Communities the national "Healthy Community" Initiative stresses healthy choices at all levels from appropriate placement of land uses to ensure that citizens are not adversely affected by uses that may present health risks, to opportunities for exercise and to have healthy diets in part through better access to recreation facilities and healthy food choices. Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 5 Another important facet of Healthy Communities is increasing availability and access to healthy food choices in underserved neighborhoods. This is particularly relevant in lower income areas that ma~have limited food choices. Those areas are likely to be prone to concentrations of fast-food restaurants and anover-concentration of small grocery stores that do not carry a full ranee of products including fresh produce. Increased focus towazd ensuring that neighborhood-serving commercial areas provide access to a full ranee of healthy food is fundamental to the success of the Healthy Communities Initiative This section includes policies designed to ensure that sources of healthy foods aze accessible in all neighborhoods. Other parts of the General Plan also relate to the notion of healthy and safe communities and address topics such as police, fire and emergency medical facilities and services; pazk and recreation facilities and services; sustainable development; protection of the environment and people from air and water pollution and hazardous materials; and the close relationship between land use and transportation. For instance, Section 3.2 of the Public Facilities and Services Element (Chapter 8) addresses Police, Fire Protection, and Emergency Services; Section 3.5 of the Public Facilities and Services Element deals with Parks and Recreation, and includes an objective and policies on Joint Use of Park and School Facilities; the Environmental Element (Chapter 9) contains sections on Sustainable Development; Promoting Clean Air including indoor air quality=Protecting Water Quality; and Hazardous Materials and Waste; and other sections of this Land Use and Transportation Element address Land Use and Transportation Integration, Improving Vehicular and Transit Mobility, and Increasing Mobility Through Use of Bicycles and Walking. Amend Objective LUT 34 and add policies LUT 34.4 and LUT 34.5 to address opportunities for healthy food choices. Obiective-LUT34 Support healthy lifestyles among residents through increasing opportunities for regular physical activity and healthy food choices. LUT 34 4 Encourage the provision of full service grocery access, including fresh, healthy foods in all neighborhoods. LUT 34 5 Utilize existing incentive programs and create ne~rograms to encourage neighborhood grocery stores to sell fresh, healthy foods, such as produce, in underserved areas. Add Objective LUT 34a and Policies 34a.1 through 34a.3 to discourage concentrations of unhealthy food providers. Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 6 Obiective-LUT 34a Avoid concentrations of unhealthy food providers within underserved neighborhoods. LUT 34a.1 Encourage the development of incentives to attract businesses that provide healthy food options particulazly in underserved areas and neighborhoods with a prevalence of convenience, fast food, and liquor stores. LUT 34a.2 Evaluate limiting the number or concentration of fast food restaurants in underserved neighborhoods and in close proximity to schools through amendments to the zoning ordinance. LUT 34a.3 Consider developing a policy or a program that limits the number or concentration of liauor stores or other retailers that sell alcohol for off=site consumption. 5. Add Objective LUT 34b and Policies 34b.1 through 34b.4 to encourage community gardens. Objective-LUT34b Provide opportunities for community gardens LUT 34b.1 Support Community Gardens as a means to enhance the availability and appreciation for fresh fruits and vegetables and to provide an opportunity for exercise additional Breen space and a place for community gatherings. LUT 34b.2 Modif~pdate the Community Gazden Policy to encourage the use of underutilized parcels, both public and private, for communit~gazdens• and other modifications as necessary. LUT 34b.3 Through implementation of the adopted Community Gazden Policy identify and inventory potential community Barden sites on underutilized parcels schoolyards and public spaces and pursue appro riate agreements to facilitate development of community gazdens at these sites. LUT 34b.4 Encourage community-based organizations to take an active role in sponsoring community azdens. 6. Add Objective LUT 34c and Policies 34c.1 through 34c.4 to encourage healthy eating habits, Obiective-LUT 34c Encourage healthy eating habits and healthy eating messages. LUT 34c.1 Through the City's various means of communication disseminate information about health~g habits. Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 7 LUT 34c 2 Consider requirine restaurants to post nutrition information for menu items. LUT 34c 3 Create programs to encourage restaurants to adopt menus consistent with dietar~uidelines. LUT 34c 4 Create incentives to encouta e restaurants to use locally grown produce. Section IV Environmental Element Amend Policy E6.15 to include stationary emitters. E 6.15 Site industries; and other stationary emitters in a way that minimizes the potential impacts of poor air quality on homes, schools, hospitals, and other land uses where people congregate. 2. Add Objective E6.a to encourage improving indoor air quality. Obiective-E6.a Explore opportunities for improving indoor air quality E6 a 1 Continue to limit exposure to secondhand smoke by encouraging the creation of smoke free spaces and facilities at all workplaces and multi unit housing. E6 a 2 Work with outside~artners such as the local school districts and other community stakeholders to educate the public about the dangers of mold growth and establish programs to assist in its reductions. E6 a 3 Encourage programs to prevent insect and rodent infestation. E6 a 4 Support lead abatement programs Presented by Approved as to form by --- (-~- Gary al rt P. ., AICP Glen R. oogins '~~ Assistant i Manager/Development Services otney Director Resolution No. 2012-008 Page 8 PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California, this 24th day of January 2012 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers: Aguilar, Bensoussan, Ramirez and Cox NAYS: Councilmembers: None ABSENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda J Cheryl Cox a or ATTEST: ~.~ ~~~ Donna R. Norris,' CMC, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CITY OF CHULA VISTA I, Donna R. Norris, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2012-008 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 24th day of Januazy 2012. Executed this 24th day of January 2012. Donna R. Norris, CMC, City Clerk