75D - PH - VMT AND CEQA GUIDELINES

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Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (2019) INITIAL STUDY C. Consistency with Applicable Plans. When an EIR is prepared, it must discuss any inconsistencies between the proposed project and any applicable general plan, specific plans, and regional plans. This includes, but is not limited to, any applicable air quality attainment plans, regional blueprint plans, or plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. D. Mitigation Measures Related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Lead Agencies must consider feasible means of mitigating the significant effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Any such mitigation measure must be supported by substantial evidence and be subject to monitoring or reporting. Potential mitigation will depend on the particular circumstances of the project, but may include the following, among others: (1) Measures in an existing plan or mitigation program for the reduction of emissions that are required as part of the Lead Agency's decision; (2) Reductions in emissions resulting from a project through implementation of project features, project design, or other measures, such as those described in State CEQA Guidelines Appendix F; (3) Off -site measures, including offsets that are not otherwise required, to mitigate a project's emissions; (4) Measures that sequester greenhouse gases; and (5) In the case of the adoption of a plan, such as a general plan, long range development plan, or plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation may include the identification of specific measures that may be implemented on a project -by -project basis. Mitigation may also include the incorporation of specific measures or policies found in an adopted ordinance or regulation that reduces the cumulative effect of emissions. E. Streamlined Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Under certain limited circumstances, the legislature has specifically declared that the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions or climate change impacts may be limited. Public Resources Code Sections 21155, 21155.2, and 21159.28 provide that if certain residential, mixed use and transit priority projects meet specified ratios and densities, then the lead agencies for those projects may conduct a limited review of greenhouse gas emissions or may be exempted from analyzing global warming impacts that result from cars and light duty trucks, if a detailed list of requirements is met. However, unless the project is exempt from CEQA, the Lead Agency must consider whether such projects will result in greenhouse gas emissions from other sources, including, but not limited to, energy use, water use, and solid waste disposal. 2019 City of Santa Ana Local Guidelines 5-19 CBest Best & Krieger LLP 75D-80