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CONSIDERATION OF THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES CONCEPTS FOR THE CITY’S GENERAL PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-237 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S GENERAL PLAN TO INCLUDE HEALTH AND WELL BEING POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council conduct the public hearing and adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On March 5, 2015 City Council held a workshop on the Healthy Chula Vista Initiative, including a presentation on the incorporation of Healthy Community concepts into the City’s General Plan. At this time, staff is bringing forward the proposed General Plan amendments as an important step in building a better and healthier Chula Vista.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed activity was adequately covered in the previously adopted General Plan Update Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR 05-01) because the proposed objectives and policies are consistent with the previously adopted General Plan Update.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Development Services Director has also determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment because the proposed General Plan policies will result in Healthy Communities policies and programs and no physical change to the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0-2) of the amendments at their September 9, 2015 meeting, with one addition (#23 in matrix) to Section 7.9 to add language regarding the encouragement of roundabouts, as applicable.
DISCUSSION
Background
The importance of planning for public health became evident during the industrialization period of the 1900’s, with the incompatibility of land uses (factories near housing) and the improper handling of waste resulting in rampant disease in cities. With the growth of urban sprawl and the rise of suburbia, the direct link between planning and public health had become less evident. In light of modern day health issues, we are once again recognizing the important relationship between the built environment and overall health of a community and its residents.
According to the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency Public Health Services, diabetes, cancer, heart, and respiratory diseases account for over 50% of deaths in the County and create a substantial economic burden (over $4 billion dollars in direct treatment expenditures). Proper nutrition, increased physical activity, and creating a healthy place to live, work and play, are proven to have a significant impact on reducing these diseases. Best practices that directly and indirectly address community health improvement not only increase overall health, but improve quality of life.
Healthy Chula Vista Initiative
Jurisdictions are becoming increasingly aware that cities play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of their communities. There are various factors that contribute to a community’s health. Recognizing the importance of health to a community, the Chula Vista City Council adopted Section 3.1.1 of the City’s Strategic Plan, which supports the implementation of policies and programs that support the goal of creating a Healthy Community.
Over the last year, City staff has been working through a multi-departmental team to create the Healthy Chula Vista (HCV) initiative. The HCV initiative focuses on integrating public health considerations and inserting the components of a Healthy Community across City capital projects, programs, plans, and services.
SANDAG Grant
In January 2014, the City of Chula Vista received a $100,000.00 TRANSNET Smart Growth Incentive Grant from SANDAG to further develop the City’s goal of creating the HCV Initiative. The scope of work for the grant included the development of a city-wide Healthy Community planning effort that would, amend the General Plan to include additional health and well-being related goals, policies and objectives, develop a Complete Streets Policy (which was adopted by Council August 18, 2015) and a minimum of two Complete Street design illustrations demonstrating how Complete Street principles could be applied in Chula Vista.
General Plan
It is understood that a General Plan serves as the “constitution” or blueprint for future growth and development of a City by establishing related goals, objectives and policies across a broad range of subjects. While best known for setting the policy for acceptable land uses and densities, the scope of Chula Vista’s General Plan is far broader, and its foundations can and should include a road map for a healthier City as well.
While the topic of Healthy Communities was introduced in the City’s General Plan in 2005 and additional policies added in 2012, the proposed General Plan amendments offer a wider breadth and stronger foundation to address many of the public health concerns that exist today. The proposed amendments will expand upon the existing policies that are included in both the Land Use and Transportation Element and the Environmental Element and will expand the vision for health and well-being by weaving Healthy Communities language, objectives and policies throughout the General Plan.
Proposed Amendments
In an effort to support healthy living and healthy behaviors in Chula Vista, staff is proposing amendments that range from the inclusion of Healthy Community concepts throughout the General Plan, as well as revisions to existing policies and objectives and newly created ones in the areas of land use, transportation, economic development, recreation, and environmental quality and justice.
The proposed amendments are listed by General Plan Element, Section, and revised text in the attached matrix (Attachment 1) with a brief summary of the proposed changes by chapter listed below.
Vision and Themes
The Vision and Themes of the City’s General Plan promote the community’s core values that serve to guide the General Plan Objectives and Policies. It is proposed to revise the title of Theme 5, and to add a discussion of Healthy Community components to the subtext of Themes 2, 4, 5, and 8.
Land Use and Transportation
The Land use and Transportation Element of the General Plan is the comprehensive plan for the City’s future growth. It is proposed to include a discussion on Complete Streets (the provision of a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users) and the addition of policies and objectives for building a healthy and sustainable community.
Economic Development
The Economic Development Element of the General Plan focuses on enhancing a high quality of life for all Chula Vista residents. In this Chapter, language is proposed that supports a healthy and sustainable community for everyone, with policies and objectives that support environmentally friendly business development and a healthier workforce.
Public Facilities and Services
This Element includes public facilities and services that support and enrich the community, such as: parks and recreation centers and art and cultural facilities and programs. This Element also discusses the City’s supporting role in health and human service programs. Language is proposed that encourages City partnerships with health advocates, support of health and well-being education programs, and the policies and objectives that support the development of safe and accessible recreational uses citywide.
Environmental
This Element establishes the policy framework for sustainability and responsible stewardship. Healthy Community language and policies and objectives that cover a wider breadth of public health issues are proposed throughout this Chapter. The focus of the amendments is to expand upon existing environmental quality policies and objectives, while strengthening the focus of environmental justice and developing new policies and objectives that emphasize healthy living and healthy behaviors and equally high levels of environmental protection, for everyone.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18705.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100,et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This item supports Goal 3 by providing the backbone for all policy and programming through the amendments of healthy concepts in the General Plan.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fiscal impact related to this action as City Council is being asked to consider the incorporation of Healthy Community concepts into the City’s General Plan.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The ongoing fiscal impact is unknown; the fiscal impacts of incorporating Healthy Community concepts into future development projects will be evaluated when such projects are defined and brought forward for approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Healthy Communities General Plan Amendments Matrix
Staff Contact: Stacey Kurz, Development Services Department
Lynnette Tessitore-Lopez, Economic Development Department