Title
REF220017 - GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
a. Receive a status update on the draft Environmental Justice Element to the County of Monterey General Plan and an overview of the draft Environmental Justice Element available for public review; and
b. Provide direction to staff.
Project Location: Unincorporated County of Monterey
Proposed CEQA Action: Find the presentation statutorily exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines section 15262 as an early discussion of possible future actions not involving commitment to a project.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission:
a. Receive a status update on the draft Environmental Justice Element to the County of Monterey General Plan and an overview of the draft Environmental Justice Element available for public review; and
b. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY
The County of Monterey has developed a draft Environmental Justice Element (EJE), pursuant to California Senate Bill (SB) 1000, in which the County seeks to recognize the communities in unincorporated Monterey County disproportionately affected by degraded environmental conditions that may lead to disparate impacts and adverse health outcomes, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a more just and improved quality of life for all residents.
The draft Environmental Justice Element is available for public review and comment starting March 11, 2026 through May 11, 2026 and can be accessed at the County’s website at
The EJE provides descriptions of key baseline conditions in unincorporated Monterey County related to:
Ø Civic Engagement.
Ø Pollution Exposure.
Ø Access to Public Facilities and Services.
Ø Access to Healthy Food.
Ø Access to Physical Activity and Recreation.
Ø Access to Safe, Sanitary, and Affordable Homes.
Ø Exposure to Unique or Compounded Health Risks.
In preparation of this draft Environmental Justice Element, the County prepared an Environmental Justice Exi...
Click here for full text