City Council Agenda
Memo to: Manteca City Council
From: Chris Erias, Development Services Director
Date: September 21, 2021
Subject: Environmental Commission.
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Provide direction to staff on the creation of an environmental commission.
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Background:
At a previous City Council meeting, staff was directed by council to explore the possibility of creating an environmental commission. Staff believes the intent of the request was to better protect Manteca citizens and the environment on the negative impact of development as well as providing an awareness of the impacts to citizens. After review of existing environmental planning processes, staff does not recommend the creation of an environmental commission.
Additional committees/commissions can be costly, and provide delays in the development process. In addition, existing planning policies and procedures are in place to help ensure that development minimizes impacts to Manteca residents and the natural environment.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires all development to mitigate any project impacts to a less than significant threshold. This ensures that development, with few exceptions, fixes or pays fees for impacts it creates. Moreover, on October 15, 2013 the City adopted the Manteca Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP is a State requirement and regulatory document requiring a host of measures that new projects must adhere to help better protect the environment. Going forward, staff will identify how projects are meeting CAP requirements so that the Council and public can be more aware of measures taken to protect the environment.
The State requires the CAP to be updated every five years. An updated CAP, with current development requirements, will promote the stewardship and preservation of the City's environment and natural resources, by seeking out emerging issues which will provide us the opportunity to develop sound long-term policies and also give us the o...
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