Commission Recommends Incorporating Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into Safety Element

The Planning Commission recommended by unanimous vote that the City Council incorporate the city's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) into the General Plan Safety Element (MA26229).

Senior Planner Tiffany Chan told the commission the change is administrative and policy-based and does not involve physical development. Chan said integrating the LHMP into the Safety Element aligns the General Plan with state law and could improve the city's cost-sharing position under Assembly Bill 2140. Chan summarized the possible fiscal effect: "If the LHMP is integrated into the long range planning framework, as allowed by AB 2,140, the city's 6.25% share can go down to 0, potentially."

The city's emergency services coordinator, Bryce Bartlett, clarified the scope of potential reimbursement and cautioned that state reimbursement is not guaranteed. Bartlett said recoverable costs depend on the disaster declaration and eligible cost determinations; he noted the city's recent documented recovery cost for the Bayne fire (about $2,500) and told commissioners staff would refine processes and thresholds for pursuing reimbursement in the future.

A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution PC0021 recommending the City Council approve MA26229 and to find the item exempt under the CEQA common-sense exemption (Guidelines §15061(b)(3)). The motion was seconded and approved 5-0.

The action is advisory to the City Council; staff said the Council initiated the general-plan amendment earlier in the year and FEMA/state cost-share rules will govern future reimbursement.