Title
REF220021 - COUNTY OF MONTEREY GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Receive a presentation to consider options regarding the membership, organization and scope of the proposed Environmental Justice Community Advisory Committee (EJCAC) and provide direction to staff.
Project Location: Countywide
Proposed CEQA action: Find that the establishment of the EJCAC constitutes an early planning activity that is not a project under CEQA. Consideration of the Environmental Justice Element will be subject to a CEQA determination in the future.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission:
a. Find that the establishment of the EJCAC constitutes an early planning activity that is not a project under CEQA;
b. Receive a presentation regarding options for the membership, organization and scope of the proposed Environmental Justice Community Advisory Committee; and
c. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On March 29, 2023, the Planning Commission received a proposal for establishing an Environmental Justice Community Advisory Committee (EJCAC) to support the development of the new Environmental Justice Element for the unincorporated areas of Monterey County pursuant to state law (SB 1000). The proposal included a maximum of 20 participants to support manageability of the group while capturing a comprehensive cross-section of perspectives throughout the community, both geographically and distributed across populations. Therefore, an original list of 90 community-based organizations was narrowed to 20 groups, each with a connection to separate underserved groups within each identified disadvantaged community throughout the County.
During the March 29th meeting, the Planning Commission expressed concern that the process for inviting EJCAC members by limiting them to one appointed person from each of the 20 community-based organizations could potentially exclude individuals within in the community experiencing environmental justice issues. The Commission requested clarification of the EJCAC’s role and the importance of ensuring that participation in the EJCAC would result in meaningful outcomes for developing the Environmental Justice Element. The Commission also expressed interest in identifying a path forward for the EJCAC to inform and remain active with the County regarding implementation of the Environmental Justice Element, once adopted as part of the General Plan. The Planning Commission continued this matter for consideration to the date certain April 12, 2023.
Staff is working with the County’s consultant team to address the questions and concerns raised by the Planning Commission, and has included preliminary clarification and options in the attached memo (Exhibit A). Staff will provide a presentation to the Planning Commission at its April 12, 2023, for the Commission’s consideration of options and recommendations regarding EJCAC membership, scope, and engagement through the development and future implementation of the new Environmental Justice Element.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Multiple County departments are involved in the development of the Environmental Justice Element including the: Health Department’s Environmental Health Bureau and its Planning, Evaluation and Policy Unit; Civil Rights Office; County Administrative Office’s Sustainability Program, Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Advocacy, and Office of Emergency Services; and the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department.
Staff provided the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee (HHHSC) an overview presentation of the status of the General Plan Elements Updates on December 5, 2022. Staff also provide the Board of Supervisors an overview presentation of the General Plan Elements Updates on January 24, 2023.
Prepared by: Edgar Sanchez, HCD Assistant Planner
Reviewed by: Jaime Scott Guthrie, AICP, HCD Senior Planner
Melanie Beretti, AICP, HCD Principal Planner
Approved by: Craig Spencer, HCD Chief of Planning/Acting Director
The following attachments are on file with the HCD:
Exhibit A - Memo regarding EJCAC and Public Outreach process dated April 5, 2023