Item 22 - Resolution Adopting Local CEQA Guidelines Resolution

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Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (2023) INITIAL STUDY 2023 City of Santa Ana Local Guidelines 5-15 ©Best Best & Krieger LLP (2) Under certain circumstances, the City Council, Board of Supervisors or the advisory agency makes a specified finding that sufficient water supplies are, or will be, available prior to completion of the project. For complete information on these requirements, consult Government Code section 66473.7. (Reference: Pub. Resources Code, § 21083.4.) 5.18 IMPACTS TO OAK WOODLANDS. When a county prepares an Initial Study to determine what type of environmental document will be prepared for a project within its jurisdiction, the county must determine whether the project may result in a conversion of oak woodlands that will have a significant effect on the environment. Normally, this rule will not apply to projects undertaken by the City. However, if the City is a Responsible Agency on such a project, the City should endeavor to ensure that the county, as Lead Agency, analyzes these impacts in accordance with CEQA. (Reference: State CEQA Guidelines, § 21083.4.) 5.19 CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. A. Estimating or Calculating the Magnitude of the Project’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The City shall analyze the greenhouse gas emissions of its projects as required by State CEQA Guidelines section 15064.4. For projects subject to CEQA, the City shall make a good- faith effort, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data, to describe, calculate or estimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from a project. In performing analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, the City, as Lead Agency, shall have discretion to determine, in the context of a particular project, whether to: (1) Quantify greenhouse gas emissions resulting from a project; and/ or (2) Rely on a qualitative analysis or performance-based standards. B. Factors in Determining Significance. In determining the significance of a project's greenhouse gas emissions, the City, when acting as Lead Agency, should focus its analysis on the reasonably foreseeable incremental contribution of the project's emissions to the effects of climate change. A project's incremental contribution may be cumulatively considerable even if it appears relatively small compared to statewide, national, or global emissions. The City’s analysis should consider a timeframe that is appropriate for the project. The City’s analysis also must reasonably reflect evolving scientific knowledge and state regulatory schemes.