HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-24 Planning & transportation commission Agenda Packet_______________________
1. Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at the
time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided
that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
2. The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
3. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Planning & Transportation Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda: June 24, 2020
Virtual Meeting
6:00 PM
https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 928 8651 2657 Phone number: 1 669 900 6833
****BY VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE ONLY***
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20,
issued on March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be
held by virtual teleconference only, with no physical location. The meeting will be
broadcast live on Cable TV Channel 26 and Midpen Media Center at
https://midpenmedia.org/local-tv/watch-now/.
Members of the public may comment by sending an email to
planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org or by attending the Zoom virtual
meeting to give live comments. Instructions for the Zoom meeting can be found
on the last page of this agenda.
Call to Order / Roll Call
Oral Communications
The public may speak on items not on the agenda. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up
to three (3) minutes per speaker.1,2,3
Agenda Changes, Additions, and Deletions
The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.
City Official Reports
1. Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments
_______________________
1. Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at the
time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided
that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
2. The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
3. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Study Session
Public Comment is permitted. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to five (5) minutes
per speaker.1,3
2. Discussion of Potential Goals and Key Actions Related to the 2020 Sustainability &
Climate Action Plan.
Action Items
Public Comment is permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal.
All others: Up to five (5) minutes per speaker.1,3
Approval of Minutes
Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,3
3. May 27, 2020 Draft PTC Meeting Minutes
Committee Items
Commissioner Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Agenda Items
Adjournment
_______________________
1. Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at the
time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided
that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
2.The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
3.The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission
Commissioner Biographies, Present and Archived Agendas and Reports are available online:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp. The PTC Commission members are:
Chair Carolyn Templeton
Vice Chair Giselle Roohparvar
Commissioner Michael Alcheck
Commissioner Bart Hechtman
Commissioner Ed Lauing
Commissioner William Riggs
Commissioner Doria Summa
Get Informed and Be Engaged!
View online: http://midpenmedia.org/category/government/city-of-palo-alto/ or on Channel
26.
Public comment is encouraged. Email the PTC at: Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org.
Material related to an item on this agenda submitted to the PTC after distribution of the
agenda packet is available for public inspection at the address above.
Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a
manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an
appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs,
or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing
ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least
24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 11462)
Report Type: City Official Reports Meeting Date: 6/24/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: City Official Report
Title: Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) review and
comment as appropriate.
Background
This document includes the following items:
•PTC Meeting Schedule
•PTC Representative to City Council (Rotational Assignments)
•Tentative Future Agenda
Commissioners are encouraged to contact Vinh Nguyen (Vinhloc.Nguyen@CityofPaloAlto.org)
of any planned absences one month in advance, if possible, to ensure availability of a PTC
quorum.
PTC Representative to City Council is a rotational assignment where the designated
commissioner represents the PTC’s affirmative and dissenting perspectives to Council for quasi-
judicial and legislative matters. Representatives are encouraged to review the City Council
agendas (http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/agendas/council.asp) for the months of their
respective assignments to verify if attendance is needed or contact staff. Prior PTC meetings are
available online at http://midpenmedia.org/category/government/city-of-palo-alto/boards-
and-commissions/planning-and-transportation-commission.
The Tentative Future Agenda provides a summary of upcoming projects or discussion items.
Attachments:
•Attachment A: June 24, 2020 PTC Meeting Schedule and Assignments (DOCX)
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Planning & Transportation Commission
2020 Meeting Schedule & Assignments
2020 Schedule
Meeting Dates Time Location Status Planned Absences
1/08/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled
1/29/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
2/12/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Riggs
2/26/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
3/11/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled
3/25/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled
4/8/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled
4/15/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled
4/29/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular Riggs
5/13/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular
5/27/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular
6/10/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular
6/24/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular
7/08/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular
7/29/2020 6:00 PM Virtual Meeting Regular Hechtman
8/12/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
8/26/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
9/9/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
9/30/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
10/14/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
10/28/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
11/11/2020 6:00 PM Cancelled Cancelled Veteran’s Day
11/25/2020 6:00 PM Cancelled Cancelled Day Before Thanksgiving
12/09/2020 6:00 PM To Be Determined Regular
12/30/2020 6:00 PM Cancelled Cancelled Day Before New Year’s Eve
2020 Assignments - Council Representation (primary/backup)
January February March April May June
Doria Summa Billy Riggs Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton
Michael Alcheck Cari Templeton Ed Lauing Bart Hechtman Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa
July August September October November December
Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa Bart Hechtman Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing
Bart Hechtman Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar
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Planning & Transportation Commission
2020 Tentative Future Agenda
The Following Items are Tentative and Subject to Change:
Meeting Dates Topics
July 8, 2020
• Plan Bay Area 2050 and 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation
Update
• Update to the City’s Transportation Analysis Methodology Under
CEQA to Comply with California Senate Bill 743
To Be Scheduled:
Topics
Co-Working Office Model
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Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 11417)
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 6/24/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Update
Title: Discussion of Potential Goals and Key Actions Related to the
2020 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan.
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) discuss and provide
feedback on the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Potential Major Goals and
Key Actions for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction.
Background
On April 13, 2020, City Council discussed the progress made on the seven Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) topic areas.1 Council also discussed the process for developing
goals and key actions for achieving a reduction in Palo Alto’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
by 80% by 2030 (Annual Earth Day Report, #11168; Sustainability Work Plan 2020-21 , #11201).
At the meeting, Council directed staff to return to Council in June 2020 before the City’s
consultants begin analysis and modeling the draft list of S/CAP Goals and Key Actions for
effectiveness in GHG emissions reduction, cost/benefits, and identification of sustainability co-
benefits.
Staff returned to Council on June 16, 2020, with the 2020 S/CAP Potential Major Goals and Key
Actions. The staff report was well received.2 The report provided additional emphasis on
potential levels of intervention necessary to achieve the target GHG emissions reductions and
other S/CAP goals. Council discussed the possibility that higher levels of intervention might be
needed to reach the City’s goals and directed staff to continue work on the S/CAP and analyze
the identified strategies for cost, effectiveness, and co-benefits. After this analysis, staff will
present Council with multiple scenarios to meet the 80 x 30 goal, giving Council choices
1 The seven S/CAP Implementation Plan (SIP) areas are: energy, mobility, electric vehicles, water, sea level rise,
natural environment, and zero waste.
2 Council June 16, 2020 City Manager Report link:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=59513.75&BlobID=77028
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amongst the scenarios. The video of the June 16, 2020 Council meeting is viewable at the link
below.3
Staff presented the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions to the Utility Advisory
Commission (UAC) on May 20, 2020.4 The UAC was generally supportive of the first draft of the
2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions. The UAC provided several recommendations for
improvement related to:
• electrification of appliances and buildings, including City buildings;
• financing tools such as on-bill financing;
• inclusion of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal electric vehicles in mobility
discussions; and
• electric vehicle group buy programs and infrastructure.
The UAC also posed questions regarding the financing of Key Actions, the degree to which
targets could be achieved through incentives alone, and if natural gas offsets should count
toward the emissions reduction goal. While the UAC took no action on the 2020 S/CAP
Potential Goals and Key Actions, the UAC voted 7-0 to recommend maintaining the Carbon
Neutral Gas Program supplied by carbon offsets as part of another agenda item, the FY 2021
Budget.
Discussion
Staff requests PTC consideration and comment on the 2020 S/CAP Potential Major Goals and
Key Actions (Attachment A). This document contains the June 16th S/CAP Staff Report, #11404,
and the 2020 S/CAP Potential Major Goals and Key Actions for Greenhouse Gas Reduction. For
the full list of potential S/CAP Goals and Key Actions that have been updated to incorporate
feedback from community members please refer to the Draft 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and
Key Actions with Feedback Incorporated. PTC has broad purview and would likely be most
interested in the Mobility and Electric Vehicles sections of the S/CAP.
The path to reducing transportation sector GHG emissions will differ from the path to reduce
emissions in the building sector. Broadly stated, converting building sector sources of GHG
emissions generally translates to increased conversion to electric appliances. The City could
implement building sector strategies that include incentives through mandates5, as described in
the Spectrum of Tools for Achieving Climate Goals on page 5 of the June 16th Council staff
report.
For the transportation sector, the strategies could focus on conversion to an all-electric
transportation fleet used by residents and non-residents. This would likely take more than ten
3 Council Item 1 on Midpenmedia video at this link: https://youtu.be/vXjbUZ6cRFY
4 UAC Item 2 on Midpenmedia video at this link: https://midpenmedia.org/utilities-advisory-commission-31-
5202020/
5 Some of these strategies, particularly mandates, will require review for legal viability.
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years6, missing the 2030 S/CAP target year, given that the current electric vehicle penetration
rate is 7% among vehicles registered to Palo Alto residents. Consequently, additional
transportation sector strategies are necessary. While these other transportation sector
strategies are included in the S/CAP (potentially conferring co-benefits such as more mobility,
less congestion, and safer streets), these strategies would likely require large up-front public
investment in transportation infrastructure concurrent with market incentives and policy
changes.
Land use strategies are effective toward reducing transportation sector emissions. Strategies
like locating housing near transit and services will be modeled by AECOM and Fehr & Peers to
determine their efficacy given Palo Alto’s unique context.
Staff welcomes PTC feedback on all Potential Goals and Key Actions but is particularly
interested in feedback on the Mobility and Electric Vehicle sections. This feedback would
further inform those strategies that will be modeled by the City’s consultants, AECOM and Fehr
& Peers. To frame the discussion, staff presents the following questions:
1. How can the Potential Major Key Actions for Mobility and Electric Vehicles be
improved? See pages 5 and 6 of the Major Key Actions document.
2. Can PTC suggest specific, additional high GHG reduction potential Mobility and EV Key
Actions not already included in the public input summary on pages 10 through 18 of
Attachment B of the Council staff report?
3. Are there any Key Actions that should be prioritized or de-emphasized for evaluation
and/or modeling by the City?
Policy Implications
The S/CAP Goals and Key Actions align with two of the top three Council Priorities for CY 2020:
“Sustainability, in the context of climate change” and “Improving mobility for all.” Many
community-suggested Mobility strategies mirror or align with already adopted Comprehensive
Plan 2030 policies to reduce Single-Occupancy Vehicle use and support cleaner transportation
alternatives. See pages 18-22 of the Draft 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions with
Feedback Incorporated for specific citations.
Resource Impact
Appropriate resources are already in place to develop the 2020 S/CAP Update. Contract
Number C20176783 With AECOM Technical Services, Inc., for Professional Services Related to
the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Update and SB743 Implementation was
approved on February 24, 2020 (CMR 11112). Funding is included in the operating budgets
from the Office of Sustainability and the Office of Transportation. Any additional appropriation
of necessary funding is subject to City Council approval.
6The fleet turnover rate was approximately 15 years in 2015, and this turnover rate has been growing. Source: Hart
Schwartz, America’s Aging Vehicles Delay Rate of Fleet Turnover, The Fuse, January 23, 2018 (accessed June 6,
2020)
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Environmental Review
Discussion of S/CAP Goals and Key Actions does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The scope of work does include environmental review under
the California Environmental Quality Act for the S/CAP, which would occur at a later stage after
AECOM and Fehr & Peers complete their modeling.
Stakeholder Engagement
Staff is actively implementing the 2020 S/CAP Update Engagement Plan. Key public engagement
efforts included a March 31 – April 14, 2020 Community Engagement Virtual Workshop, an
April 13, 2020 Council Study Session, a May 20, 2020 UAC meeting, a June 16, 2020 Council
meeting, and a virtual public forum to continue to review the S/CAP Goals and Key Actions.
Earlier, Council reviewed the opportunities for engagement in the 2020 S/CAP Update Proposed
Process and the Community Engagement section of the 2020 – 2021 Sustainability Work Plan. A
summary of the public comments received through April 30, 2020 is included as Attachment B
(PDF page 13) of the attached June 16, 2020 Council staff report.
Next Steps
Next steps in the S/CAP Update process include:
• Staff presentation and feedback at Parks and Recreation Commission on June 30, 2020.
• Staff dissemination of the S/CAP Goals and Key Actions to AECOM and Fehr & Peers for
modeling of potential GHG emissions reductions that could be achieved, cost/benefit
analysis, and sustainability co-benefits.
• Council review of the 2019 GHG inventory, Business as Usual Forecast, Impact Analysis,
and updated package of Proposed Goals and Key Actions.
Alternative Actions
None
Report Author & Contact Information PTC7 Liaison & Contact Information
Sylvia Star-Lack, Transportation Planning Mgr.,
Office of Transportation
Rachael Tanner, Assistant Director,
Planning & Development Services
(650) 329-2546 (650) 329-2679
Sylvia.Star-Lack@cityofpaloalto.org rachael.tanner@cityofpaloalto.org
Attachments:
• June 16, 2020 Council Staff Report and 2020 S/CAP Potential Major GHG Reduction
Goals and Key Actions (PDF)
7 Emails may be sent directly to the PTC using the following address: planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org
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City of Palo Alto (ID # 11404)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 6/16/2020
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Council Priority: Climate/Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,
Transportation and Traffic
Summary Title: 2020 SCAP Update Planning
Title: Direct Staff to Continue with the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action
Plan (S/CAP) Update and Evaluate the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key
Actions
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Public Works
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council direct staff to continue with its work on the 2020
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Update and the evaluation of 2020 S/CAP
Potential Major Goals and Key Actions related to greenhouse gas emissions reduction
(Attachment A).
Executive Summary
Consistent with the Council’s adoption of “Sustainability, in the context of climate change” as
one of the top three priorities for CY 2020, Staff is developing a 2020 Sustainability and Climate
Action Plan (S/CAP) Update to help the City meet its sustainability goals, including its goal of
reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Staff
presented the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Update Process1 to Council
at an April 13, 2020 Study Session. Council directed staff to return to Council before the City’s
consultant (AECOM) begins its analysis of Potential Key Actions. Attachment A shows the
Potential Major Goals and Key Actions with the highest potential for reducing GHG emissions.
The Major Goals and Key Actions are intended to ensure that enough emissions and cost data
are prepared to ultimately formulate multiple scenarios to meet the 80 x 30 goal, giving Council
choices among scenario packages. The full list of the Potential Goals and Key Actions, both
those that relate to GHGs and those that relate to other program areas are captured in the
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2020 S/CAP Updated Potential Goals and Key Actions DRAFT2. These Potential Goals and Key
Actions were modified based on 109 pages of comments on an earlier version presented to the
community on March 26, 2020.
City Council discussion and feedback will be sought on the Major Goals and Key Actions. In
particular, staff is requesting Council feedback on the level of intervention necessary to achieve
Palo Alto’s S/CAP goals. This will help staff refine the planned approach to community
awareness and engagement.
Background
In April 2016, City Council adopted the ambitious goal of reducing GHG emissions to 80 percent
below 1990 levels by 20303 - 20 years ahead of the State of California 80 x 50 target. In
November 2016 Council adopted the S/CAP Framework4, which has served as the road map for
achieving Palo Alto’s sustainability goals. In December 2017, Council accepted the 2018-2020
Sustainability Implementation Plan “Key Actions” as a summary of the City’s work program5.
In early 2020, the City launched a 2020 S/CAP Update to determine the goals and key actions
needed to meet its sustainability goals, including its goal of reducing GHG emissions 80 percent
below 1990 levels by 2030. Staff drafted 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions as a
starting point for discussion. Since then, the City has solicited feedback from the community
through a virtual on-demand 2020 S/CAP Community Engagement Workshop (March 31 – April
14, 2020), the City of Palo Alto Sustainability website, and at the April 13, 2020 City Council
Meeting. Staff reviewed all feedback received between January 22, 2020 and April 30, 2020 and
incorporated it into updated 2020 S/CAP Proposed Goals and Key Actions. Now staff is
proposing that Council direct staff to continue with the 2020 S/CAP Update and evaluate the
2020 S/CAP Potential Major Goals and Key Actions Related to GHG reduction (Attachment A)
before it goes to AECOM for impact analysis. The full list of the Potential Goals and Key Actions,
both those that relate to GHGs and those that relate to other program areas are captured in the
2020 S/CAP Updated Potential Goals and Key Actions DRAFT.
Discussion
For the City to continue progress towards its climate and sustainability goals and targets, a 2020
S/CAP Update is necessary to further study the highest impact actions to take. The 2016 S/CAP
Framework provided direction and overall goals through 2020. The intent was for staff to
update the S/CAP every five years and develop more granular five-year work plans and short-
term programs, rather than attempt to build a detailed 14-year work plan.
In preparation for the 2020 S/CAP Update, staff reviewed the goals and actions in the 2016
S/CAP Framework, the 2018-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan, the 2018 Zero Waste
2 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=58649.63&BlobID=76860
3 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=3534&TargetID=268
4 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/60858
5 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/63141
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Plan, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network Greenhouse
Gas Reduction High Impact Practices, and the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance Game Changers list
to draft 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions. These Potential Goals and Key Actions
were meant to be a starting point for discussion. Staff initiated a community engagement effort
and received feedback between January 22, 2020 and April 30, 2020 on the 2020 S/CAP
Potential Goals and Key Actions from 204 people who participated in the 2020 S/CAP
Community Engagement Virtual Workshop, 7 people who responded to the Virtual Workshop
invite, 3 people who reviewed the materials on the sustainability website, and 21 people who
submitted comments for the April 13 Council Study Session. Staff reviewed 109 pages of
feedback from the community, which included many helpful suggestions for improvement.
Several themes surfaced in the input received:
- The commenters are generally supportive of the 2020 S/CAP and do not want to delay
action on climate change, despite the uncertainties created by the current coronavirus
pandemic.
- The 2020 S/CAP needs to include more aggressive but achievable goals, measurable
targets, and accessible reporting, with more focus on electrifying buildings,
transportation, and equipment.
- The commenters are not supportive of counting natural gas offsets in our overall
greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Offsets are meant to be a bridging strategy and
should be phased out.
- The coronavirus pandemic has shown that it is possible to work from home regularly.
The City should explore remote work strategies as a way to reduce transportation-
related GHG emissions.
- Housing, land use, and education are areas of focus that are missing from the 2020
S/CAP.
A summary of all input received on the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions and the
2020 S/CAP Community Engagement Virtual Workshop can be found in Attachment B. The full
unedited text of all input received can be found in the Compilation of All Input Provided
between 1/22/2020 to 4/30/20206.
Staff presented the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions to the Utility Advisory
Commission (UAC) on May 20, 2020. The UAC was generally supportive of the first draft of the
2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions and provided several recommendations for
improvement related to electrification of appliances and buildings, including City buildings;
financing tools such as on-bill financing; inclusion of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal
electric vehicles in mobility discussions; and electric vehicle group buy programs and
infrastructure. The UAC also posed the questions of how the Key Actions will be financed,
whether we can achieve our targets through incentives alone, and whether natural gas offsets
should count towards our emissions reductions goal. While no action was taken by the UAC on
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the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions, the UAC voted 7-0 to recommend maintaining
the Carbon Neutral Gas Program supplied by carbon offsets as part of another agenda item, the
FY 2021 Budget.
Staff incorporated community input to update the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions,
which will be the foundation for the 2020 S/CAP. The 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key
Actions cover seven sustainability areas - Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Water, Climate
Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste. While all seven areas are
important, staff is highlighting Potential Major Key Actions in three areas for Council to
evaluate – Energy, Mobility, and Electric Vehicles. Staff is presenting more Key Actions than
needed to get to the 80 X 30 goal, so that Council will have choices in what Key Actions are
ultimately selected. Staff is including Key Actions that will be difficult, expensive, and/or
inconvenient to achieve. Some of these Potential Key Actions will require additional legal
analysis and coordination with other agencies, such as the California Energy Commission,
before being presented to Council for final selection. Others may require voter approval, and
could ultimately be included in a potential Ballot Measure.
Each of the 2020 S/CAP Update Potential Key Actions falls along a Spectrum of Tools for
Achieving Climate Goals (See Figure 1) below. The Spectrum ranges from market-driven
solutions that require low intervention but also low certainty of achievement, such as voluntary
programs, to government-driven solutions that require higher intervention but yield high
certainty of achievement, such as city-wide voter-approved mandates. Once Council directs
staff to proceed with the evaluation of the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions, our
consultant (AECOM) will estimate the GHG reduction potential, the costs, and the sustainability
co-benefits (such as improved local air quality or reduced cost of living) of the Potential Key
Actions. This impact analysis will provide a range of costs per GHG reductions that will have
various options along the Spectrum of Tools for Achieving Climate Goals. Staff envisions using
the impact analysis to come up with a set of potential Key Actions that allow multiple options to
get us to our 80 x 30 goal, as well as trigger points for when more interventions are needed to
achieve the targets for the Key Actions.
Figure 1. Spectrum of Tools for Achieving Climate Goals
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As an example, City of Palo Alto Utilities currently has several Electrification Programs, one of
which focuses on electric heat pump water heaters. The Heat Pump Water Heater Program
provides rebates for residents to voluntarily replace water heaters with electric heat pump
water heaters. These rebates are an example of a tool with low intervention – the rebates are
voluntary – and low certainty – the number of residents who have voluntarily replaced their
water heaters is far lower than the goal. In order to reach the targeted number of water
heaters that need to be replaced, the City may need to explore development of a Reach Code
Ordinance7 to provide more certainty to meet the target, or whether a mandate would be a
legally viable option to ensure that the target is reached.
It should be noted that should the Council believe that “high” level intervention is needed and
supportable to advance Palo Alto’s S/CAP goals, a different approach to community awareness
and engagement may be warranted. For example, should a 2022 voter measure to finance
electrification (or other purposes) be a possibility, staff could orient our workplan to begin
building community awareness of the value and options for electrification, developing cost
estimates and delivery options, and evaluating voter support for the various forms such a
measure could take. In fact, should a citywide measure for electrification be pursued,
coordination and potential economies of scale with electrical undergrounding and fiber-to-the-
home could also be concurrently evaluated. Staff requests Council discuss and provide feedback
on the potential for such long lead-time strategies.
7 Development of a “Reach Code” ordinance that would exceed California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (the
Energy Code) requires a showing that the measures would be cost effective, and findings by the California Energy
Commission that the proposed Reach Code requires buildings to be designed to use less energy than permitted by
the Energy Code.
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Staff will schedule a Council Study Session in early fall to present the results of the AECOM and
staff analysis.
Stakeholder Engagement
Staff developed, and is implementing, a 2020 S/CAP Update Engagement Plan which identified
relevant stakeholders, proposed materials, and desired meeting milestones and outcomes. Key
steps to date have been a March 31 – April 14, 2020 Community Engagement Virtual Workshop
and an April 13, 2020 Council Study Session. Further, Council reviewed the opportunities for
engagement in the 2020 S/CAP Update Proposed Process and the Community Engagement
section of the 2020 – 2021 Sustainability Work Plan.
Policy Implications
The 2020 S/CAP Update aligns with two of the top three Council Priorities for CY 2020:
“Sustainability, in the context of climate change” and “Improving mobility for all.”
Resource Impact
Appropriate resources are already in place to develop the 2020 S/CAP Update. Contract
Number C20176783 With AECOM Technical Services, Inc., for Professional Services Related to
the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Update and SB743 Implementation was
approved on February 24, 2020 (CMR 11112). Funding is included in the operating budgets
from City Manager’s Office – Office of Sustainability and the Office of Transportation. Any
additional appropriation of necessary funding is subject to City Council approval.
Environmental Review
Directing staff to continue with the 2020 S/CAP Update does not require California
Environmental Quality Act review, because this action is not a project under section 21065 of
Public Resources Code and section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines, as an administrative
governmental activity which will not cause a direct or indirect physical change in the
environment. A CEQA analysis of the Update itself will be presented with the final 2020 S/CAP
Update.
Attachments:
Attachment A - 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Potential Major Goals and
Key Actions
Attachment B - Summary of Input on 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions and
Community Engagement Workshop through April 30 2020
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Last Updated May 27, 2020
2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
Potential Major Goals and Key Actions
For Greenhouse Gas Reduction
DRAFT
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The 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Potential Major Goals and Key Actions for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction listed on the following pages are a subset of the full list of updated
2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions. Staff is highlighting the 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals
and Key Actions that have the highest potential Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction for Council to
evaluate. These Key Actions are from the Energy, Mobility, and Electric Vehicles (EVs) areas.
The 2020 S/CAP Potential Major Key Actions listed in the following pages do not represent all the
work that the City is doing or will be doing related to climate change and sustainability. These are
the actions we will potentially be prioritizing. They are numbered to make it easier to refer to
specific Key Actions and are numbered the same as the Key Actions in the full list of 2020 S/CAP
Potential Goals and Key Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.
Each of the 2020 S/CAP Update Potential Key Actions falls along a Spectrum of Tools for Achieving
Climate Goals (See Figure 1) below. The Spectrum ranges from market driven solutions that
require low intervention but also low certainty of achievement, such as voluntary programs, to
government driven solutions that require higher intervention but yield high certainty of
achievement, such as city-wide voter-approved mandates. Once Council provides input on the
updated 2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions, a consultant (AECOM) will estimate the GHG
reduction potential, costs, and sustainability co-benefits (such as improved local air quality or
reduced cost of living) of the Potential Key Actions. This impact analysis will provide a range of
costs per GHG reductions that will have various options along the Spectrum of Tools for Achieving
Climate Goals. Staff will use the impact analysis to come up with a set of potential Key Actions that
allow multiple options to get us to our 80 x 30 goal, as well as trigger points for when more
interventions are needed to achieve the targets for the Key Actions. Some of these measures will
require additional legal analysis and potential coordination with other agencies, such as the
California Energy Commission, before being presented to Council for final selection.
Figure 1. Spectrum of Tools for Achieving Climate Goals
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POTENTIAL MAJOR GOALS FOR GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION
Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from the direct use of natural
gas in Palo Alto’s building sector by1:
a. 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 (or 24% below 2018 level) OR
b. 60% below 1990 level by 2030 (or 50% below 2018 level) OR
c. 80% below 1990 level by 2030 (or 76% below 2018 level)
Reduce transportation related GHG emissions 80%, from 300,000 MT
CO2e/year to 60,000 MT CO2e /year by:
a. Increasing the mode share for active transportation modes
(walking, biking, and transit) from 19% to 40% of local work trips by 2030
b. Increasing the availability of transit and shared mobility services
from 61% to 100% by 2030 by increasing the proportion of residents within a
quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit corridors to 30% and by providing on-
demand transit options to the rest of the City
c. Utilizing development regulations and standards to continue creating a housing
density and land use mix that supports transit and non-SOV transportation modes
d. Utilizing pricing, fees, and other program and policy tools to encourage reductions
in GHGs and VMT
Reduce transportation related GHG emissions 80%, from 300,000 MT CO2e
/year to 60,000 MT CO2e /year by:
a. Increasing the EVs registered in Palo Alto from 4,500 (2019) to
42,000 (80% of vehicles)
b. Increasing the share of EV commute vehicles from single digits to
80% by 2030
c. Develop a public and private charging network to support these levels of EV
penetration.
1 Prior to the AECOM analysis, there are 3 alternative goals to choose from for the Energy Sector, based on 40%,
60% and 80% of GHG reduction from the direct use of natural gas in the building sector. The AECOM analysis will
determine the least cost bundle of GHG reduction measures across the different sectors to meet the 80x30 goal,
which in turn will establish the goal for the Energy sector.
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POTENTIAL MAJOR KEY ACTIONS FOR GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION2
Energy: Potential Major Key Actions for GHG Reduction
Residential
5. Retrofit all gas wall furnaces in multifamily buildings to electric heat pump systems for space
heating by 2030 (Estimated total reduction of 5,600 MT CO2e)
7. Electrify gas appliances in single family homes upon home sale beginning in 2025
a. Water heating only (Estimated total reduction of 7,800 MT CO2e)
b. Space heating only (Estimated total reduction of 10,800 MT CO2e)
c. Full electrification (Estimated total reduction of 19,600 MT CO2e)
8. Electrify water heating on replacement in all single family homes by 2030 (Estimated total
reduction of 20,000 MT CO2e)
9. Phase out fossil fuel use in existing buildings starting with areas that have older gas lines that
need to be repaired or replaced. Disconnect natural gas distribution service to residential areas
by 2030.
a. Target only single family homes with PVC gas line (Estimated total reduction of 1,400
MT CO2e)
b. Target 50% of single family homes (Estimated total reduction of 24,500 MT CO2e)
c. Target 50% of residential buildings (Estimated total reduction of 36,000 MT CO2e)
d. Target 100% of single family homes (Estimated total reduction of 49,000 MT CO2e)
e. Target 100% of residential buildings by 2030 (Estimated total reduction of 72,000 MT
CO2e)
Non-Residential
11. Electrify water heating and space heating in all K-12 facilities by 2030 (Estimated total
reduction of 3,300 MT CO2e)
12. Convert all rooftop gas packs on non-residential buildings to electric heat pump systems by
2030 (Estimated total reduction of 1,100 MT CO2e)
13. Require all-electric non-residential new construction projects starting in 20213 (Estimated total
reduction of 2,300 MT CO2e)
14. Electrify 80% of existing city-owned buildings by 2030
15. Require all commercial buildings above 25,000 sq ft to meet a carbon emissions intensity target
by occupancy class with a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40%4 (Estimated total reduction
of 16,200 MT CO2e)
2 A Consultant, AECOM, will determine the GHG reductions and associated costs for each of these Key Actions.
3 City Council adopted an all-electric mandate for residential new construction projects effective 4/1/2020. Expanding
this mandate to non-residential construction will require an additional cost effectiveness study and coordination with
the CEC. Estimated total reduction of 2,100 MT CO2e
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Mobility: Potential Major Key Actions for GHG Reduction
1. Reduce the current transportation mode split of 64%5 Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) use for
work trips to increase active transportation modes (walking, biking, and transit) by
implementing the Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan, the Complete Streets policy, Vision
Zero, and other programs to create safe streets for all road users, particularly vulnerable road
users
2. Reduce SOV use by eliminating free parking and adjusting parking requirements
3. Implement key transportation Capital Improvement Projects to significantly increase transit
use coverage, service quality, frequency, speed and/or access
4. Enhance traffic signals to improve traffic flow and reduce idling and associated GHG emissions.
5. Update and strengthen public and private Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
programs
g. Reduce Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMT) by mandating telework two days per week. (Includes
both new and existing development.)
6. Use land use strategies to reduce VMT
d. Accommodate new housing and employment growth in areas walkable to retail and
Caltrain or corridors that meet requirements for VTA-provided transit via zoning standards,
consistent with state law.
Electric Vehicles: Potential Major Key Actions for GHG Reduction
3. Continue to electrify municipal fleet as opportunities arise, and by 2021 develop a comprehensive
fleet electrification workplan and associated EV charging needs6. Replace City’s fleet vehicles with
EVs at end of life, whenever suitable EVs are available in the market.7 (Estimated total reduction
of 250 - 500 MT CO2e/yr)
10. Require at least 50% of all parking spaces at Palo Alto’s 800+ multi-family properties (~10,000
units) install EV chargers, with the City providing rebates and technical assistance.
11. Require an appropriate percentage of EV charger installations at all commercial parking spots.
(e.g. 25 to 50% of all parking spaces)
12. Consider a Palo Alto-specific Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle fee, tax and/or assessment
to provide a disincentive for the ownership or use of a fossil fuel vehicle. Consider application of
the fee, tax, or assessment to both residential households and workplaces8 and utilize the
revenue to incentivize VMT reduction and EV adoption.9
4 Buildings > 25,000 sqft represent 75% of total nonresidential square footage in Palo Alto, or around 19,000,000 total
sqft. This strategy is modeled after NYC’s Local Law 97 (Building Emissions Law) and may need a Green Building Code
amendment.
5 US Census, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, 2018
6 Study would assess what it would take to electrify 252 Light Duty Vehicles (LDV) in the City fleet - including needs of
Police and Fire LDV, age of vehicles and replacement timelines, budgets, location and # of necessary EVSE’s and
staffing availability to implement projects
7 This is the emission reduction potential if 90% of 252 Light Duty Vehicles could be electrified. Due to lower miles
traveled by city vehicles, each vehicle switched assumed to lower GHG by 1 to 2 MT/year.
8 For example, a residential assessment or tax might apply to each household unless they produce evidence of EV
ownership or attest to not owning a vehicle. A workplace fee might be imposed on gasoline vehicles parking at a
workplace under a transportation demand management program.
9 For example, a $50/month fee, on the estimated 50,000 vehicles driving into Palo Alto, could raise $30 million/year
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13. Require private bus fleets serving Palo Alto office campuses to electrify by 2030.
14. Evaluate programs to reduce the number of fossil fuel vehicles in Palo Alto. Ban the registration
of gasoline vehicles in Palo Alto by 2030. (Estimated total reduction of 150,000 MT CO2e/yr)
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Attachment B
Input on the 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Potential
Goals and Key Actions, and Community Engagement Workshop #1
- Summary of All Input Provided between 1/22/2020 to 4/30/2020
In early 2020, the City of Palo Alto launched a 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP)
Update to determine the Goals and Key Actions needed to meet its sustainability goals, including its goal
of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. City staff proposed
priorities in seven areas: Energy, Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level
Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste, which are summarized in the 2020 Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan Potential Areas and Priorities document (More details can be found in Staff Report
10941). After reviewing different City of Palo Alto Plans and external Climate Action Plans, Staff drafted
2020 S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions as a starting point for discussion. Since then, the City
solicited feedback from the community through a virtual on-demand 2020 S/CAP Community
Engagement Workshop (March 31 – April 14, 2020), the City of Palo Alto Sustainability website
(http://cityofpaloalto.org/sustainabilityplan), and at the April 13, 2020 City Council Study Session (More
details can be found in Staff Report 11201). Staff received feedback from 204 people who participated in
the Virtual Workshop, 7 people who responded to the Virtual Workshop invite, 3 people who reviewed
the materials on the website, and 21 people who submitted comments for the April 13 Council Meeting.
Staff received 109 pages of feedback from the community between January 22, 2020 and April 30, 2020,
including many helpful suggestions for improvement. Several themes surfaced in the input received:
- The commenters are generally supportive of the 2020 S/CAP and do not want to delay action on
climate change, despite the uncertainties created by the current coronavirus pandemic.
- The 2020 S/CAP needs to include more aggressive but achievable goals, measurable targets, and
accessible reporting, with more focus on electrifying buildings, transportation, and equipment.
- The commenters are not supportive of counting natural gas offsets in our overall greenhouse
gas emissions reductions. Offsets are meant to be a bridging strategy and should be phased out.
- The coronavirus pandemic has shown that it is possible to work from home regularly. The City
should explore remote work strategies as a way to reduce transportation-related GHG emissions.
- Housing, land use, and education are areas of focus that are missing from the 2020 S/CAP.
- The commenters appreciated the opportunity to provide input on the 2020 S/CAP Potential
Goals and Key Actions, but would have preferred a webinar with an option to pause, rewind,
and fast-forward with a link to a survey, over the ability to provide feedback during the webinar.
Staff are incorporating the feedback received to-date and will post an updated version of the 2020
S/CAP Potential Goals and Key Actions on our website for further input. In addition, Staff will bring the
updated list to City Council in early June, to review before it goes to AECOM for an impact analysis to
estimate the GHG reduction potential of the proposed actions, estimated costs, and additional
sustainability co-benefits (such as improved local air quality or reduced cost of living). We hope to host a
2020 S/CAP Summit in the early fall to prioritize which of the Key Actions are needed to get us to our 80
x 30 goal & other goals so that we can draft the 2020 S/CAP by the end of the year.
The following pages include a longer summary of the input provided between January 22, 2020 and April
30, 2020. The full unedited text of all input provided can be found here1.
1 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=68527.83&BlobID=76499
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Contents – Summary of Input provided between 1/22/2020 to 4/30/2020
(You can jump to any of the highlighted sections by hovering your mouse over the section and
holding down CTRL while clicking on your mouse)
- General Feedback
o Supportive Feedback
o Items that Need to Be Addressed
o Suggestions for Improvement
o 80 x 30 Goal
o Airport
o Education
o Housing
o Webinar Feedback
- Energy
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Mobility
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Electric Vehicles
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Water
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Natural Environment
o Feedback on Potential Goals
o Suggestions for New Goals
o Potential Key Actions to explore
further
o Feedback on Potential Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
- Zero Waste
o Feedback on Goals
o Key Actions to explore further
o Feedback on Key Actions
o Suggestions for New Key Actions
o General Feedback
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General Feedback
Supportive Feedback
Climate Change is urgent, and action is needed now. Addressing climate change must remain a top
priority for Palo Alto. (+ 16 similar comments)
I support the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (+ 12 similar comments)
There are similarities between the pandemic and the climate crisis (and listening to scientists).
Both are worldwide problems where local corrective measures are needed. In both cases early
actions are needed to get the problems under control. (+ 3 similar comments)
Thank you for your time and effort in working on this, especially in light of the difficult
circumstances that we are all in right now due to the pandemic. (+ 2 similar comments)
The impacts of city initiatives have ripple impacts that are orders of magnitude greater than the
direct GHG reductions within Palo Alto.
We are pleased that staff has adopted the philosophy of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound).
Sustainability means walkability, workability, rentability and SHARING. Sustainability means we
have to house, at least, seniors, local essential workers, homeless AND more.
The City municipal accomplishments seem robust.
Items that need to be addressed
Palo Alto's natural gas emissions and overall emissions have remained relatively unchanged from
2013 to 2018 (without offsets). Palo Alto should shift its emphasis towards real emissions
reductions within City boundaries, rather than bridging strategies such as offsets, with a timeline
for when offsets will be phased out. (+ 14 similar comments)
Present programs that can actually reach our GHG reduction goals. The City should measure all
fossil fuel reduction programs against meaningful annual targets. (+ 6 similar comments)
Follow the strategies of the 2016 S/CAP, specifically with respect to transportation and
electrification. (+ 1 similar comment)
There are many more important items to deal with. We should be addressing the REAL needs of
society and not elitist action to address hypothetical, computer modeled climate change. (+ 1
similar comment)
Palo Alto’s “sustainability” goals are not realistic. Doing away with natural gas for heating and
fireplaces is not practical, any more than expecting all cars to be EV by 2030.
Unless Palo Alto's actions can be repeated by other communities, we are too small to make a real
difference
Educate residents about the pollution they create and the magnitude of the consequences.
The finance committee has a general investment principle that encourages some amount of
divestment from fossil fuel content in the City's holdings, but more actionable goals around fossil
free finance are needed going forward.
Palo Alto's general planning/zoning process has led to a segregated community split between
"residential" and "industrial/commercial." There should be more mixed-use developments and
denser housing near transportation to minimize transit, encourage resilience, and reduce GHGs.
Cement is the source of about 8% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Why aren’t we
requiring the use of CO2 trapping cement?
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Suggestions for Improvement
Include big (but achievable) numbers for each goal, a range of key actions to support them, and
clear metrics and measurable targets, with transparent reporting. (+ 18 similar comments)
Make the use of all gasoline powered equipment, aside from automobiles, illegal with proper
enforcement. (+ 4 similar comments)
Greatly enhance community involvement and input in the planning process, with annual study
sessions with Council. (+ 3 similar comments)
Adopt a metric of dollars per carbon unit avoidance, including increasing energy efficiency
investments – the most cost-effective ways to reduce GHG emissions. (+ 2 similar comments)
Continue to grow resources such as Cool Block which foster neighborhood interaction and
behavior change while building community. Provide more online tools and data so households can
track their footprints and understand ways to reduce their impacts. (+ 2 similar comments)
Prohibit burning of firewood. (+ 1 similar comment)
Develop a holistic Plan that simultaneously addresses GHG reduction, increased resilience,
enhanced emergency response, and public health goals. (+ 1 similar comment)
Integrate sustainability in City operations. State how Capital Improvement Projects address 2020
S/CAP Goals and including a sustainability section in staff reports. (+ 1 similar comment)
Review other Climate Action Plans and coordinate regional efforts (+ 1 similar comment)
Include options that work for lower-income people, renters, and people in multi-unit housing.
Be careful about the reliability of our power (even a perception problem can hurt adoption of
electric water heaters and especially space heaters).
Contemplate whether a golf course and/or a city airport are compatible with our vision of a
sustainable city. It's not clear we are being good stewards of the space we have.
Build relationships with organizations engaged with the same issues.
Utilize City Commissions as a conduit for community feedback for each of the sustainability areas
during the community engagement cycle. Develop a communication strategy to ensure effective
coordination and cooperative effort between various commissions, staff, and City Council.
Implement programs that leverage resources beyond city staff with a focus on near term
implementation of the on-bill financing program for retrofit electrification of existing buildings.
Safer chemicals (and safer materials, more broadly) is an area of focus that should be added as a
standalone part of the plan on the same level as energy, mobility, water, etc.
Prohibit construction of basements.
80 x 30 Goal
The goal of 80% reduction of GHG’s by 2030 is reasonable. However, we need to be very
aggressive to get there. (+ 3 similar comments)
2050 seems like a more likely goal to achieve GHG emission limits without causing a serious
economic dislocation. (+ 3 similar comments)
Many of these climate goals require funding. Consider a municipal carbon tax to fund climate
mitigation and new programs. (+ 1 similar comment)
Consider a “reach goal” of 100 x 30 rather than 80 x 30.
Consider explaining how non-incremental policies (policies that reduce > 10%) will be required to
achieve 80 x 30. Non-incremental policies often require difficult-to-enact legal mandates.
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Consider dedicating staff for leadership among nearby cities, the county, and the region to
advocate for non-incremental policies. Some policies will be easier to enact regionally.
Consider polling residents on different baskets of policies (with different forecasted 2030 GHG
reductions), including Business As Usual.
Backcast from 80 x 30. Work backwards to identify policies and programs that will get us there.
Airport
Acknowledge the full environmental cost of running the airport, especially with regard to the
greatest local impact: training operations that involve circling planes practicing take-off/landing
for hours on end.
No effort or progress has been made to ban the sale of leaded aviation gas at Palo Alto Airport.
Add jet emissions as part of the climate priority and prioritize airplane noise in 2020.
Education
Prioritize education as part of the S/CAP and create a multi-faceted educational campaign (+ 3
similar comments)
Hang a big banner down from City Hall, using a tree outline to signify our progress towards 80 x
30. Every six months, color in more branches, until our "Palo Alto goal" is filled in completely.
Housing
The built environment and land use, including policies for increasing affordable housing and
supporting urban infill, should be included and integrated into the S/CAP (+ 9 similar comments)
While urban infill in general is important, ADU and JADU construction should be included in the
S/CAP. In addition to its climate benefits, this is a substantially less expensive and faster to market
approach than large projects for both more and more affordable housing. (+ 1 similar comment)
Webinar Feedback
Thank you for all the effort you put into the virtual Community Engagement Workshop and the
innovative approach you have taken to get community input, despite the challenges of our current
COVID-19 emergency. (+ 16 similar comments)
It would help a lot if you could pause and rewind the webinars. (+ 13 similar comments)
Indicate how much time is remaining in the webinar (+ 1 similar comment)
8-minute videos are great, very nice size and easy to do.
Energy
Potential Goals
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the direct use of natural gas in Palo Alto’s building sector
by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030
Increase Heat Pump Water Heater adoption to 25% by 2030
Increase all-Electric homes to 20% of all residential single-family homes by 2030
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Energy: Feedback on Potential Goals
The goals need to be more ambitious (+ 2 similar comments)
These are very ambitious goals, but are they realistic? (+ 1 similar comment)
We seem to be prioritizing the most expensive options, and options that do not apply to renters or
people in larger buildings. (+ 1 similar comment)
Residents are increasingly concerned with the reliability of our electricity, and that will make
conservation and efficiency more appealing than electrification. (+ 1 similar comment)
While ambitious, these goals are doable and essential.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the direct use of natural gas in Palo Alto’s building sector by
40% below 1990 levels by 2030
This goal should be more aggressive. 70% by 2030 or reaching 40% earlier (+ 1 similar comment)
Do not eliminate natural gas in homes for heating, cooking and hot water. The other options are
not cost effective. Natural gas is an important backup to electricity and is the preferred method to
cook for many. A better option is to replace natural gas with renewable natural gas. (+ 2 similar
comments)
Increase Heat Pump Water Heater adoption to 25% by 2030
Do you mean 25% of new water heaters are heat pump or ALL are by 2030? Is this residential only
or also commercial? Need clarification. (+ 1 similar comment)
The Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) adoption rate should be 70% not 25%. All water heaters, on
failure, must be required to be replaced with a HPWH when possible. (+ 1 similar comment)
An infrastructure of reliable and available plumbing and electrical contractors for this conversion
work needs to be developed. (+ 2 similar comments)
The HPWH goal is good, but not all homes can use HPWH and Heat Pump heaters.
Heat Pump Water Heater conversion is an important component of reducing natural gas usage,
but based on personal experience, it's not an easy sell and it's not so easy to get done.
Increase all-Electric homes to 20% of all residential single-family homes by 2030
This goal needs to be more aggressive to make a difference. (+ 1 similar comment)
Energy: Suggestions for New Goals
Increase use of Renewable Natural Gas (Biomethane) to replace conventional Natural Gas usage
(20% by 2030)
Goal around efficiency and/or conservation, except as implied by the 40% reduction goal.
Goal around retrofit electrification, not just new building electrification.
1 house in 10 (proportionately for other buildings) have the energy to power a refrigerator, water
pump, and emergency communications.
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Energy: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Actions
5 1. Meet or exceed City Council-adopted energy efficiency targets
7 2. Explore electrification of city-owned facilities with the goal of phasing out fossil fuel
use in existing municipal buildings
9 3. Phase out fossil fuel use in new and existing buildings through a combination of
programs & mandates (includes partnerships and collaborations to support market
transformation)
4 4. Increase awareness and adoption of efficient electric alternatives to gas appliances
and all-electric buildings through community engagement
3 5. Implement an all-electric utility rate
8 6. Explore opportunities to increase energy resilience (e.g. energy storage, microgrids)
3 7. Explore the impact of building decarbonization on City’s gas utility and develop
mitigation strategies
2 8. Continue to purchase carbon offsets to match natural gas emissions as a transitional
measure. Evaluate potential local offset purchases
Energy: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
Given that furnaces last 30 years, and an estimated 800 gas furnaces are replaced in Palo Alto
every year, what is Palo Alto's plan to convert 40% of furnaces to heat pumps by 2030?
Widespread adoption of heat pumps and all-electric homes requires ways to make it easier for
homes to increase their electrical capacity.
We need to mandate some of these measures in order to meet our goal.
Focus exclusively on space and water heating and ignore appliances, which have relatively little
impact. An easy action is detecting and repairing leaks (pipelines, gas meters).
I am very much opposed to the Action Items that are aimed to phase out natural gas appliances
and natural gas usage in homes.
1. Meet or exceed City Council-adopted energy efficiency targets
Increase energy efficiency wherever possible (+ 2 similar comments)
2. Explore electrification of city-owned facilities with the goal of phasing out fossil fuel use in existing
municipal buildings
Change "Explore electrification of city-owned facilities" to "Electrify City-owned facilities" (+ 3
similar comments)
Electrifying municipal buildings will give staff firsthand experience of the hurdles to do so.
Amend #2 to also explore use of renewable natural gas (Biomethane) in concert with
electrification efforts, with goal of phasing out fossil fuel use in existing municipal buildings
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3. Phase out fossil fuel use in new and existing buildings through a combination of programs &
mandates (includes partnerships and collaborations to support market transformation)
The most important Key Action is the phase out of fossil fuel use in residential and commercial
buildings, including new construction, remodels, and appliances. (+ 11 similar comments)
Well-intentioned electrification policies such as natural gas bans in new construction will leave
many seniors, lower income residents, and renters responsible for outstanding costs of
maintaining legacy natural gas delivery systems (+ 2 similar comments).
Incentivize retrofits from natural gas to electric by providing concrete steps and making it cost
effective. Consider raising natural gas utility fees to show the environmental cost of usage (based
on the Reach Code discussions). (+ 1 similar comment)
Add “Ensure that installation of rooftop solar panels does not result in loss of existing trees.”
Do not move away from natural gas for heating and cooking. It's too expensive for limited benefits.
Train CPAU staff to install retrofits and assist residents in planning their retrofits.
4. Increase awareness and adoption of efficient electric alternatives to gas appliances and all-electric
buildings through community engagement
Take advantage of existing community partners such as non-profits.
In addition to awareness, we should be working on funding support.
5. Implement an all-electric utility rate
We strongly support an all-electric utility rate (+ 1 similar comment)
The city should also consider changing the solar net meter rates to the old net meter program
(more favorable) for homes that go all electric as an incentive to do so.
This is redundant and regressive. It would disproportionately hurt those living in older dual fuel
homes and require seniors and lower income residents to pay more to keep the existing
infrastructure properly maintained. It is a misguided policy.
6. Explore opportunities to increase energy resilience (e.g. energy storage, microgrids)
Transition to more distributed energy systems (microgrids) and local storage that support the
integration of renewable energy technologies. This will result in reduction of GHG emissions and
improve the resiliency of our power system. (+ 5 similar comments)
Explore ways to make energy storage more affordable, including piloting approaches for using
electricity stored in EVs during supply disruptions or natural emergencies. (+ 1 similar comment)
Include local solar farms in these opportunities. Developing methods to allow for both solar panels
and trees can be achieved by batching solar panels in local solar farms.
7. Explore the impact of building decarbonization on City’s gas utility and develop mitigation strategies
Add: for the phasing out of the city gas system to the home.
Consider (during exploration of impact on City's gas utility) the benefits of replacing conventional
natural gas with renewable natural gas as a renewable source of baseload power.
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8. Continue to purchase carbon offsets to match natural gas emissions as a transitional measure.
Evaluate potential local offset purchases
Continue efforts to meet emission reduction goals without relying on natural gas offsets. (+ 7
similar comments)
Reword: “Shift the primary strategy to reduce natural gas emissions from carbon offsets to real-
world infrastructure emission reductions within the City.”
Put the funds used for purchasing offsets into an aggressive retrofit program to switch out gas-
burning water- and space heaters, stoves, clothes dryers, and industrial scale equipment.
Energy: Suggestions for New Key Actions
Add an action around conservation (e.g., lowering the thermostat), and other universal solutions
with low upfront cost.
Add an action about understanding the barriers to electrification to determine the best programs
and incentives to drive electrification.
Evaluate whether or not key actions are proving useful or impossible to meet. Maybe the need for
carbon offsets means there is a problem with the goal that carbon offsets are meant to meet.
New homes should be wired so that an EV can run the house, known as “home to grid”.
More effort on distributed PV
Energy: General Feedback
Undertake a plan to phase out all natural gas use and eliminate the old and likely leaking gas pipes
that are threaded under our streets. (+ 3 similar comments)
Streamline the permitting process and reduce fees for retrofit permits. Some contractors will not
work in Palo Alto due to the burdensome permitting process. (+ 2 similar comments)
On bill financing for HPWH and space heating of homes will be critical in getting electrification of
existing homes to happen. (+ 2 similar comments)
Local renewable energy production, including domestic solar, is an important priority for reducing
both building and transportation GHG emissions. (+ 2 similar comments)
Passionate advocates who believe climate change must be tackled quickly at any cost may be less
receptive to hearing that transitioning generation resources will take time or that innovations by
natural gas suppliers and equipment manufacturers may, in some cases, actually reduce GHG
emissions sooner. Enable consumer choice and avoid coercion. (+ 2 similar comments)
Electrify everything does not take into account that our electricity overnight comes from gas
generation. (+ 2 similar comments)
It is better to use all sorts of energy as opposed to just electric. If there is an issue with the electric
grid we have another source of energy. (+ 1 similar comment)
Promote the installation of solar water heating systems. (+ 1 similar comment)
Palo Alto should strive to reduce ALL Energy use, not only energy from fossil fuels.
Focus electrification incentives and mandates on high consumption facilities.
The #1 thing Palo Alto can do to mitigate building-related climate change is “negawatts” –
dramatically increasing building energy efficiency.
We would truly be innovative leaders if we support biogas, anaerobic digestion, or pyrolysis which
have other environmental benefits. Maintain the Measure E site as a possible location.
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Palo Alto is one of only a few cities in California to not have Advanced Meter Infrastructure.
Palo Alto needs to have true accounting for natural gas use. The global warming potential for
natural gas should be 86 times that of CO2 (not 20) and natural gas leakage must also be
accounted for including the entire natural gas supply chain and not just within city boundaries.
Standardize Palo Alto’s building codes to match those in PG&E’s area to reduce retrofit costs.
Set up a group buy discount for heat pump water heaters, space-heaters, stove tops, and dryers.
Enforce Palo Alto laws forbidding natural gas leaf blowers.
Mobility
Potential Goals
Increase active transportation mode share to 25% for local work trips by 2030
Increase availability of transit and shared mobility services by increasing to 75% the proportion of
residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit by 2030
Implement Complete Streets and build out the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Mobility: Feedback on Potential Goals
These are great goals (+ 5 similar comments)
The top goal here should be better supporting e-bikes, scooters, and bikes, which are relatively
quick, and are quite usable by many in our flat, temperate area (+ 1 similar comment).
This could be simplified to a single “Reducing the number of SOV mode use/VMT by X (eg 80%)”
with supportive sub goals as appropriate.
There are no specific targets that directly tie these goals and actions to measurable results.
Transit and "shared mobility services" should not be lumped together; they serve vastly different
audiences and the priority should be transit, resulting in a reduced percentage of people driving.
This doesn't take into account EVs if the goals are to reduce climate change.
We will never reduce our transportation emissions enough until we build more housing near
transit, and more housing in general. Climate goals and housing goals are completely linked.
Stop building more parking structures. That money should be used to implement these goals.
The city should not spend any more time and money on bicycle plans and implementations.
Increase active transportation mode share to 25% for local work trips by 2030
These are great goals (+ 5 similar comments)
Please explain what active transportation mode share means (+ 5 similar comments)
The 10% mode share goal for 2020 was not reached. What will be done differently to achieve the
25% mode share goal for 2030?
Active Transportation needs more of a carrot (vs stick) approach. We need a green network of
walkable and bikeable streets where cars are the LAST priority.
Goals should be directed towards commuters coming into Palo Alto from other cities. One
possibility is to tax local businesses based on the number of drivers commuting to Palo Alto.
Increase availability of transit and shared mobility services by increasing to 75% the proportion of
residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit by 2030
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This is a good goal, but public transportation has been poor for a long time in Palo Alto, and
service needs to be every 15 minutes (+ 1 similar comment).
What percentage of the population does this comes out to be (1/4 mile of transit)? Adjust if
necessary, with real GHG reduction numbers so this can be tracked.
Implement Complete Streets and build out the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan
Complete Streets is a good concept and very important to separate engine-powered modes from
human-powered modes, with streets categorized as 1. Pedestrian priority, 2. Auto priority, or 3.
Mixed traffic for all modes (+ 4 similar comments)
Council should modify its 'No closed streets" decision which has impacted negatively the options
for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. As a result, Transportation created a 'Bicycle Boulevard" along
Ross Road that has caused opposition to the Bicycle Plan. Instead, Bicycle Infrastructure should
have priority of creating Low Stress Bicycle Routes.
Mobility: Suggestions for New Goals
Please add the goal of incentivizing local companies to reduce car trips per day by asking
employees to work from home several days per week. (+ 2 similar comments)
Mobility: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Actions
2 1. Fund the Transportation Management Association (TMA) with the goal of reducing
Single-Occupancy Vehicle commute trips downtown by 30%
4 2. Make transit investments that significantly enhance coverage, service quality,
frequency, speed and/or access
7 3. Expand and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities, connectivity, convenience,
and/or safety in a manner that significantly increases the percentage of trips taken by
walking or biking
1 4. Adopt Transportation Demand Ordinance per Comprehensive Plan Policy
0 5. Increase the number of City Employees utilizing commute benefits
3 6. Encourage the use of bike and/or scooter sharing, and the provision of required
infrastructure throughout Palo Alto, especially at transit stations and stops, job
centers, community centers, and other destinations
2 7. Enhance traffic signals to improve traffic flow and reduce idling and associated
greenhouse gas emissions
6 8. Increase the number of bike facilities, including bike parking and signalized
intersections with bicycle accommodations (e.g. bicycle signal heads, bicycle detection,
colored bicycle lanes)
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Mobility: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
Include pricing of parking and congestion as major approaches to equitably reduce GHGs. Stop
subsidizing single-occupancy vehicles (+ 2 similar comments)
This is a good list, but needs to be expanded and then pared down based on impact/effectiveness
(+ 1 similar comment)
Consider lifecycle emissions of e-scooters due to manufacture, charging and daily pick-up and
delivery for charging.
Ride hailing vehicles emit nearly 70 percent more carbon dioxide on average than the other forms
of transportation they displace and increase vehicle travel and congestion. If ride hailing vehicles
are included as part of the mobility plan, please encourage use of electric vehicles, increased
pooled trips, and focus on complementing mass transit.
1. Fund the Transportation Management Association (TMA) with the goal of reducing Single-Occupancy
Vehicle commute trips downtown by 30%
The multiprong approach of the TMA should be a model for the city Transportation department
and should be expanded throughout the city. (+ 3 similar comments)
Edit: Fund the Transportation Management Association (TMA) with the goal of reducing Single-
Occupancy Vehicle commute trips to downtown and Cal Ave areas by 30%
Add: Make 25% of City Streets Pedestrian and bike friendly with maximum speed limit of 15mph.
TMA goal of reducing single-occupancy vehicle commute trips should be for gasoline only vehicles.
EV, Hybrid, Hydrogen cars should be excluded.
The Transportation Management Association should be funded through a business license tax.
2. Make transit investments that significantly enhance coverage, service quality, frequency, speed
and/or access
The availability of transit is only a portion of the issue. Transit needs to go to destinations that
people actually go to, be more efficient, and coordinate better between various routes and
providers (+ 5 similar comments)
Stay away from investing too much in transit because it won’t ever work well in our area given
peoples’ busy lifestyles. No one wants to ride on the current & planned equipment. We should
aim to get people on bikes or e-bikes or scooters, or in EVs. (+ 1 similar comment)
Add: Have secure bike parking at train stations.
Add: Public transit should be free. Pursue dense service walkable communities connected by
micro mobility to other walk zones.
Need regulatory measures. Perhaps a toll on Central or Embarcadero or phasing out free parking.
3. Expand and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities, connectivity, convenience, and/or safety in a
manner that significantly increases the percentage of trips taken by walking or biking
Prioritize completion of the Bike and Ped Transportation Plan. We need to thoughtfully plan new
infrastructure support for bicycles including increased facilities and accommodations, including
separated bicycle lanes and bicycle parking (+ 1 similar comment)
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Prioritize thoughtful integration of native plants and shade trees along pathways for both
enhanced community experience and increased carbon sequestration. (+ 1 similar comment)
Bicycle lanes should be extended beyond school routes. (+ 1 similar comment)
Add: Close Churchill and Alma grade crossings and have bike/ped tunnel. Install bike counters
around the city to monitor bike/ped use.
Add measurable goals such as, "Expand and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities, connectivity,
convenience, and safety in a manner that increases the percentage of trips taken by walking or
biking by 25% of 2019 levels by 2025 and 50% of 2019 levels by 2030.
Include making bicycle facilities "Low Stress" Routes so that more people will be willing and able
to use bicycles.
No more bicycle investments.
4. Adopt Transportation Demand Ordinance per Comprehensive Plan Policy
The Transportation Demand Ordinance must be adopted and enforced.
A Transportation Demand Ordinance should include taking an inventory of existing Transportation
Demand Management plans as part of project approvals and enforcing them, including penalties
for failure to perform.
5. Increase the number of City Employees utilizing commute benefits
Consider making all commute benefits available to all employees, regardless of what primary site
they work at. (+ 1 similar comment)
Provide free transit passes and/or very low rental rates, or 0% loans for the purchase of various
forms of micro-mobility. Micro-mobility should be available for rent for visitors to the City.
6. Encourage the use of bike and/or scooter sharing, and the provision of required infrastructure
throughout Palo Alto, especially at transit stations and stops, job centers, community centers, and
other destinations
Add: Increase bike parking and estimate the GHGs from sharing solutions. (+ 1 similar comment)
Add: Required renewal of business permits
More bike locking around commercial areas. Bike/ped only roads.
7. Enhance traffic signals to improve traffic flow and reduce idling and associated greenhouse gas
emissions
"Improving traffic flow" favors automobiles and should be deleted. Reducing idling is a fine goal
but increasing capacity for more cars isn't a sustainability goal. Improved traffic flow should favor
pedestrians, bicycles, and micro-mobility. (+ 2 similar comments)
Traffic signal improvement should be aimed at minimizing acceleration as well as idling. For
minimal emissions, we want smooth flow at modest speed. If possible, traffic signals should be
fitted with reliable bicycle detectors that are well-advertised. Too many cyclists press the
pedestrian button to request a green, which gives an unnecessarily long cycle, making stops
(acceleration, idling) on the cross street more likely. (+ 2 similar comments)
Add: Install cameras for light switching that also do bike and ped counts as well.
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8. Increase the number of bike facilities, including bike parking and signalized intersections with bicycle
accommodations (e.g. bicycle signal heads, bicycle detection, colored bicycle lanes)
Top priority as it addresses 25% Active Transportation goal. Blocking off some streets to motorized
through traffic would make a huge difference. (+ 2 similar comments)
Increase the number of low stress bicycle facilities to encourage more ridership.
Don't do this. Enough has been done already. It serves too few people at the expense of everyone else.
Mobility: Suggestions for New Key Actions
We have learned during this COVID-19 crisis that a lot of the work of companies can be done from
home. Encourage Expansion of Remote Work Options, such as: incentivize companies to allow
70% of their work force to work from home 2-3 days/week; when approving new office
developments, consider if the company is open to more work-from-home; make office space
smaller; and, create shared work centers for the community. (+ 9 similar comments)
Develop incentive and disincentive programs, including congestion pricing, to accelerate the
reduction in gasoline powered vehicle use by residents and commuters. (+ 4 similar comments)
Prioritize thoughtful integration of trees in the implementation of Complete Streets programs and
in the maintenance and retrofit of existing streets. (+ 1 similar comment)
Measure the environmental impact of ride share vehicles on the road which contribute to more
GHG emissions. (+ 1 similar comment)
Update Palo Alto’s street design guidelines to include shared micro mobility services and active
transportation to create protected and safe spaces for users and riders. Walkable development
should be prioritized within ¼ mile of transit with emphasis on service density. (+ 1 similar comment)
There is a big missing key action: urban infill. Land use reform, TOD, and housing near transit are
needed actions (+ 1 similar comment)
Recognize public street right-of-way as the largest public environmental asset and use more
effectively
Enact a moratorium on building in the 2050 inundation zone.
Mobility: General Feedback
Stop privileging autos over people and subsidizing single passenger vehicles at the expense of our
climate goals. Prioritize completion of the Bike and Ped Transportation Plan. Make improvements
to bike and pedestrian infrastructure, including bike parking, and consider vehicle-free streets.
Promote road changes that locally make riding/walking quicker than driving. Expand
bicycle/scooter/car-sharing. (+ 19 similar comments)
Electrify all transportation, including shuttles, public transit, Caltrain, and sanitation vehicles (+ 8
similar comments)
Ensure that bicycle parking is plentiful, including secure bicycle storage at workplaces, Caltrain
stations, and shopping centers. (+ 5 similar comments)
Increase parking cost in downtown and on California Ave to encourage people to take different
modes of transportation. Embrace a variable, dynamically-priced system for motor vehicle parking
on all streets in the City (+ 5 similar comments)
Provide and encourage the use of more and better public transit, including a connection between
SFO and SJC and expanded shuttle bus service. (+ 4 similar comments)
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Add more education and oversight provisions for people who ignore traffic rules and are overly
aggressive, including cyclists and scooter-sharing participants (+ 4 similar comments)
Make zoning easier for high density residences around public transit. (+ 3 similar comments)
Make it easier for everyone (including seniors) to get around without getting in their cars. Bicycles
don’t work for everyone (+ 2 similar comments)
End any future construction of parking garages as they encourage increased use of low occupancy
vehicles. (+ 1 similar comment)
Support planning and research for travel routes, parking, and policy guidelines for new and future
mobility modes, including “Mobility as a Service”. (+ 1 similar comment)
There should be both a methodology involving Vehicle Miles Traveled and Level of Service. Adopt
Menlo Park’s significance criteria for Level of Service.
Require companies to have charging points for electric bicycles, offer cash credit for riding a bike
and/or buying a bicycle instead of driving, and contribute to bicycling and walking infrastructure
and public transit when building/opening an office.
All occupants and businesses of new office buildings that are required to provide their own
parking should not be allowed to purchase RPP permits.
Use special taxes for people who live here but work elsewhere.
Work with PAUSD on these items to reduce car traffic and promote biking and walking to schools
Autonomous vehicles will go a long way to these goals, without government input, if affordable.
Electric Vehicles
Potential Goals
Increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Palo Alto, as a share of total vehicles
registered, from 7% in 2018 to 50% by 2030
Target to facilitate 50% of vehicles owned by low income households to be EVs by 2030
Ensure there are adequate numbers and types of EV chargers in Palo Alto to support the growing
number of EVs registered in and commuting to Palo Alto
Expand the number of EVs in the City’s fleet as the EV fleet market evolves
Electric Vehicles: Feedback on Potential Goals
Prioritize charging infrastructure and the focus on lower-income households.
Increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Palo Alto, as a share of total vehicles
registered, from 7% in 2018 to 50% by 2030
50% seems overly ambitious and difficult to achieve. Effort would be better spent electrifying
public transportation vehicles instead of a system that favors solo drivers (+ 2 similar comments)
Is the goal 50% EV market penetration for 2030 new car sales or 50% of the entire owned
residential fleet to be EVs in 2030?
Target to facilitate 50% of vehicles owned by low income households to be EVs by 2030
Prioritize local and free infrastructure to ensure that low-income households have sufficient
resources to own and maintain an EV.
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The City could negotiate a subsidized insurance program for qualifying low-income residents.
Adopt San Francisco’s goal of achieving 100% emission-free transportation by 2040.
Ensure there are adequate numbers and types of EV chargers in Palo Alto to support the growing
number of EVs registered in and commuting to Palo Alto
Expand the number of EVs in the City’s fleet as the EV fleet market evolves
To demonstrate its commitment to EVs, the City should lead with its fleet, at least with passenger
cars. Another possibility is garbage trucks. If the City can set specific goals (50% EV penetration)
for the public, it should do the same for itself. (+ 2 similar comments)
Electric Vehicles: Suggestions for New Goals
All multiple use dwellings (apartment and condo buildings) must install electric vehicle chargers.
Electric Vehicles: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Actions
1 1. Ensure that at least 75% of the community is aware of the environmental and
economic benefits of electric vehicles and the programs available to them
4 2. By 2022 quantify the public and private EV charger network needed within the
community to support 50% EV penetration in Palo Alto, and develop an
implementation plan to establish that charging network
3 3. Develop programs to assist and incentivize private EV charging installations in hard to
reach locations such as multifamily properties, non-profits, and small commercial sites
to ensure adequate and diverse EV charging infrastructure
0 4. By 2022, develop a strategic plan to encourage charging of inbound EVs within Palo
Alto
1 5. Continue to electrify municipal fleet as opportunities arise, and by 2021 develop a
comprehensive fleet electrification workplan and associated EV charging needs
Electric Vehicles: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
Move each target to be one year early (+ 1 similar comment)
Most of the community is aware of EV and its benefits. You need to make sure the chargers are
there. Is there any way to situate charging spots near existing gas stations? (+ 1 similar comment)
Incentivize e-bikes instead of or in addition to electric cars.
Share your EV leadership experience with other cities to magnify your savings
These are all too vague and unmeasurable. The City needs to do something here, not just plan.
1. Ensure that at least 75% of the community is aware of the environmental and economic benefits of
electric vehicles and the programs available to them
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We need a ‘total cost of ownership’ approach for EVs – the upfront cost is or could be higher, but
the cost to operate is much lower.
Make the target closer to 90%
2. By 2022 quantify the public and private EV charger network needed within the community to support
50% EV penetration in Palo Alto, and develop an implementation plan to establish that charging network
Prioritize daytime charging at workplaces, when electricity is generally cheaper and cleaner.
We should already know this. We need to start putting in more charging stations, especially at
multifamily residences and low-income residences.
Change to Goal Date from 2022 to 2020
3. Develop programs to assist and incentivize private EV charging installations in hard to reach locations
such as multifamily properties, non-profits, and small commercial sites to ensure adequate and
diverse EV charging infrastructure
I like the focus on multi-family chargers.
I would very much like to see support for chargers at low income residential facilities.
How will this be addressed for tenants? They make up about 40% of the city, so it depends on
their landlord to go along with it.
4. By 2022, develop a strategic plan to encourage charging of inbound EVs within Palo Alto
Change to Goal Date 2022 to 2021 (+ 1 similar comment)
5. Continue to electrify municipal fleet as opportunities arise, and by 2021 develop a comprehensive
fleet electrification workplan and associated EV charging needs
We are past discussion and should be more action focused. Add: “Palo Alto shall convert 50% of
their fleet to EVs by 2025”. (+ 3 similar comments)
Electric Vehicles: Suggestions for New Key Actions
Shift 80% of car charging within the City to daytime hours: 8am-3pm, in order to take advantage
of cheap, abundant solar energy.
Require electric construction equipment on municipal projects and large commercial projects.
Require commercial fleet operators to convert 50% of their fleet to EVs by 2025.
Educate and encourage CARB to set a ZEV mandate that supports Palo Alto's EV goals.
Electric Vehicles: General Feedback
Adopt policies to increase EV accessibility for all residents, include electric vehicle infrastructure in
all buildings (multi-family, non-profits, small commercial sites, rentals), EV charger networks, and
a comprehensive electrification plan (+ 4 similar comments)
The EV goals and key actions are a good starting point but don’t go far enough. (+ 1 similar comment)
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The City should subsidize installation costs, through a discount for a "group buy" of EV chargers,
paying for trenching or other electrical work, or a reduced permit price (+ 1 similar comment)
Numbers of EVs instead of EV-miles-traveled is a questionable metric. EVs don’t solve parking and
congestion problems. We need to focus on reducing VMT and SOV as well. (+ 1 similar comment)
We are going to need stronger incentives for moving to EVs; perhaps an added gas tax, cheaper
rates for utilities for supporting them, or a “climate tax” on fossil fuel powered cars, depending on
their carbon emissions/mile if they are driven within city limits. (+ 1 similar comment)
The City should encourage EV charging during the day when solar energy is most available. And
incentivize EV chargers at workplaces (+ 1 similar comment)
Incentivize the use of electric bicycles and electric buses.
Consider electric motorcycles for the Police Departments.
Expand to include Hydrogen vehicles.
In coordination with other cities with similar climate goals, encourage the California Air Resources
Board to adopt a more stringent Zero Emission Vehicle regulation in both increasing the EV
numbers and types
Require that all parking spaces have the requisite conduit for EV charging for new construction in
addition to the rules enacted by Palo Alto in 2014.
Reconvene the Electric Vehicle Task Force to develop a proposal for remodels of existing buildings.
This topic should also take autonomy into account. Low income households and older residents,
with the right incentives, might prefer to use shared vehicles.
The issue of the impact on the electrical grid needs to be front and center.
Water
Potential Goals
Reduce per capita water use compared to 2019
Increase the percentage of recycled water used (volume of recycled water/recycled water filter
capacity) by 10% in 2022 compared to 2019
Reduce the total dissolved solids by 50% compared to 2019 base year
Manage stormwater to slow the flow to receiving waters and improve water quality to protect
the SF Bay, while also treating it as a beneficial resource for alternative uses
Water: Feedback on Potential Goals
Reduce per capita water use compared to 2019
Add a measurable target such as “Reduce per capita water use by x% (or to xx gal/day) by 202x
compared to 2019” (+ 3 similar comments)
Conservation is always a good thing.
Increase the percentage of recycled water used (volume of recycled water/recycled water filter
capacity) by 10% in 2022 compared to 2019
Increase recycled water used by more than 10% in 2022. (+ 3 similar comments)
Reduce the total dissolved solids by 50% compared to 2019 base year
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What is the water that you are addressing? Incoming water, wastewater, recycled water? What
are dissolved solids and what are the consequences of this? (+ 2 similar comments)
Add a date for the phase out of ground water pumping for home building.
Remove Potential Goal #3. Does this goal affect greenhouse gas emissions? While worthy of work
in improving sustainable water infrastructure, perhaps it is lower priority than the climate goals.
Manage stormwater to slow the flow to receiving waters and improve water quality to protect the SF
Bay, while also treating it as a beneficial resource for alternative uses
Water: Suggestions for New Goals
Add water reuse capability as a long-term goal (gray and blackwater for example) and incentivize
graywater to landscaping for fruit trees and native plants. (+ 2 similar comments)
Use the concept of bioswales for storm water and measure this metric to see how much water can
be reduced in storm water drains and go instead to landscape and ground water storage.
Goals related to groundwater (continue ensuring emergency supply).
Purple pipes installed whenever possible when a utilities project requires digging.
Complete ban on basement construction and ground water waste.
Water: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Actions
3 1. Maximize cost-effective water conservation & efficiency
4 2. Expand the use of effluent from the Regional Water Quality Control Plant through
Non-Potable Reuse, Indirect Potable Reuse, or Direct Potable Reuse
5 3. Establish quantifiable baseline and targets for implementation of green stormwater
infrastructure on private property, municipal facilities and public rights-of-way by 2024
1 4. Design and build a salt removal facility for the Palo Alto Wastewater Treatment Plant
6 5. Develop a "One Water" Portfolio for Palo Alto
Water: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
We applaud the clear delineation of the water-related goals and key actions (+ 1 similar comment).
If no water is allocated to backyard habitat and fruit trees, these Key Actions can lead to
desertification of our beautiful city.
1. Maximize cost-effective water conservation & efficiency
Too general. Metrics? Who is going to do this, how will they do it and when will we know it’s been
achieved? (+ 1 similar comment)
Please include a basic educational component on water conservation for Palo Alto residents
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2. Expand the use of effluent from the Regional Water Quality Control Plant through Non-Potable
Reuse, Indirect Potable Reuse, or Direct Potable Reuse
I am most excited by #2. Recycled water in toilets is such a great idea.
3. Establish quantifiable baseline and targets for implementation of green stormwater infrastructure on
private property, municipal facilities and public rights-of-way by 2024
It is always helpful to have a quantifiable baseline in order to manage goals, but not sure what this
means in this context. (+ 2 similar comments)
This is very important (+ 1 similar comment)
Expand stormwater and wastewater outreach and education efforts, including on social and
earned media. (+ 1 similar comment)
Add: “By including incentives, it is more likely that private property owners will implement green
stormwater infrastructure such as rainwater catchment, permeable hardscape, and bioswales.”
Encourage creation of "rain garden" type runoff catchments
Needs to be done quicker. Atherton has had a plan since 2013.
4. Design and build a salt removal facility for the Palo Alto Wastewater Treatment Plant
What is this addressing - recycled water, wastewater, incoming water to the plant? Is this to be a
desal plant? How much energy will this take? Where does the salt go? How much will this cost?
More explanation is needed. (+ 2 similar comments)
Remove Potential Key Action #4: This action appears to support Goal #3. (+ 1 similar comment)
5. Develop a "One Water" Portfolio for Palo Alto
This is very important because its focus is systemic. It should drive all the other key actions. When
we embrace the belief that water in all its forms has value, the full water life cycle can be
optimized to build strong economies, vibrant communities, and healthy ecosystems. All other
aspects of water planning fall under the “One Water Portfolio”. (+ 2 similar comments)
What is a "One Water" Portfolio? How it is helpful? (+ 1 similar comment)
Value shallow groundwater as an important part of our water portfolio.
Water: Suggestions for New Key Actions
Allow for the wide-scale use of gray water on private property. All new homes should have two
pipes 1) for grey water and 2) for sewer water. (+ 2 similar comments)
Require climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant native species in public and private plantings.
Expand the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) to further the S/CAP
goals. (+ 2 similar comments)
Develop a model to distinguish home water use vs. irrigation vs. water to grow edibles. Develop a
program for properties to support backyard habitat and vegetable/fruit gardens (and reduce
transportation miles associated with the food we eat). (+ 1 similar comment)
Ensure that water conservation measures in the landscape during drought and at all times adhere
to California State “Save our Water and our Trees” principles to ensure existing trees are not lost.
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Create streamlined design guidelines and permitting process with minimal fees for onsite potable
and non-potable water reuse on private (residential and commercial) property.
Include actions related to groundwater, particularly resilient emergency supply.
Add rainwater collection as a key action for both residential and commercial.
Pair GSI projects with road diets and more protected (class IV) bike lanes.
Water: General Feedback
Focus efforts on educational programs on climate change and water-waste, water conservation,
and the safety of our tap water. (+ 2 similar comments)
Palo Alto has been doing a good job on water conservation and management, and the goals and
actions outlined are good ones. (+ 1 similar comment)
Prioritize and start development of green stormwater infrastructure (+ 1 similar comment).
Accelerate Direct Potable Reuse so it is available when it becomes absolutely needed. Cooperate
with San Jose and others in this effort.
Incentivize recycled water use, low-volume flush toilets, and greywater for outside watering.
Encourage the use of drought-resistant and native California plants in commercial and residential
plots to restore and improve the environment and reduce outdoor water usage.
The City should outlaw the pumping of groundwater for residential basement construction.
Use less water sprinkling in city parks. Many parks over watered.
Since there are no direct GHG reductions that will result from these goals and actions, I would put
other parts of the S/CAP at a greater priority.
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
Potential Goals
Develop a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan for Council Review by April 2021 to include a
sea level rise vulnerability assessment and a community engagement strategy for plan
development and implementation
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Feedback on Potential Goals
It would be good to see more specific goals.
Develop a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan for Council Review by April 2021 to include a sea
level rise vulnerability assessment and a community engagement strategy for plan development and
implementation
Expedite this goal - sooner than April 2021.
Groundwater levels rise with sea level rise and may double the extent of impact.
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Suggestions for New Goals
Preserve the wetlands. No more residential or commercial development in FEMA flood-prone
areas.
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Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Actions
2 1. Begin Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment in Spring 2020 (includes related
groundwater impacts)
1 2. Develop a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and community engagement
strategy.
2 3. Council consideration of regional levee alignment projects
2 4. Alignment with existing local and regional efforts that address sea level rise
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
There may be other climate adaptation actions beyond sea level rise that should be considered:
wildfire, risks to the urban forest, extreme heat, etc. (+ 2 similar comments)
Zero content in these actions. Sounds expensive with nothing really to do. (+ 1 similar comment)
Include flooding of homes from creeks as a climate risk caused by more intense rains
Our biggest risk as a City with sea level rise is that our only substation that handles all electricity
coming into the city is at a site next to the bay and below grade.
All are important and I would keep them in that order of importance.
1. Begin Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment in Spring 2020 (includes related groundwater
impacts)
The vulnerability assessment should already be completed.
2. Develop a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and community engagement strategy.
Needs a date associated with this action, ideally in the next 3 -6 months
Have a competition with the goal of participants providing ideas for what/how Palo Alto should
address sea level rise risks. Something like what was done for electricity.
3. Council consideration of regional levee alignment projects
4. Alignment with existing local and regional efforts that address sea level rise
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Suggestions for New Key Actions
Notify property owners, both existing and prospective, that their property is located in an
inundation zone and is expected to flood by years 20xx per data available.
Include specific vision language calling for the protection of wetlands from development, as they
are both a source of carbon sequestration and sea level rise protection.
Create a Managed Retreat plan using Transfer of Development Rights.
Build a second transmission connection and substation on the other side of town
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Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: General Feedback
Maintain high priority for the SLR project and all aspects of developing the SLR Adaptation
Plan. This is a long-term effort and any delays will likely be very costly in the long run. Protecting
ecosystems is critically important. We should not be spending millions on undergrounding utilities,
rebuilding Cubberley, roads, other structures and infrastructure, etc. unless we know that money
won’t literally be money down the drain. We need a Plan with data and modeling studies to guide
building decisions and to protect life and property. (+ 7 similar comments)
Work with adjacent cities and counties to develop a comprehensive regional plan and make sure
all sea level rise efforts do not privilege one area over another. (+ 2 similar comments)
Conduct targeted awareness campaigns that include what is projected to happen to any particular
property/parcel in Palo Alto from the different sea level rise projections. (+ 1 similar comment)
Collaborate with the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority and Valley Water in their work
with the Army Corps of Engineers and California State agencies in studying Sea Level Rise
adoptions for Palo Alto.
Engage the real estate businesses. It is in their financial interest to act on sea level rise resilience.
Enact a nature preservation plan (targeting areas such as sand dunes and wetlands) in preparation
for major action by 2040-2050.
Groundwater level rises as the sea level rises. Buildings and infrastructure are usually designed to
last decades but will have a much shorter lifespan than expected when infiltrated by water.
Palo Alto is a sea-level community that acts like it's on a mountain. Rising sea levels threaten our
golf course and airport.
Consider supporting a Golden Gate Dam to protect the entire bay and delta.
Develop a “3℃/4℃ Risk Assessment, Management, and Mitigation Plan.” These plans may be self-
standing or could be incorporated into ongoing climate/sustainability planning.
Natural Environment
Potential Goals
Renew, restore, and enhance resilience of our natural environment
Maximize biodiversity and stewardship of flora, fauna, and air, soil, and water resources
Reduce environmental impacts of our actions
Increase tree canopy to 40% city-wide coverage by 2030
Expand the designation of pesticide-free parks and city facilities
Natural Environment: Feedback on Potential Goals
While all of the goals in this section are laudable, no specific objectives are outlined, except in
regard to increasing city-wide tree canopy 40% by 2030. (+ 1 similar comment)
Prioritize ensuring that we have the right trees and other flora in the right places to (a) last 50-100
years; (b) absorb carbon; and (c) support wildlife. (+ 1 similar comment)
Make sure residents and/or their landscapers don't use pesticides and herbicides
For trees, suggest including native and/or drought tolerant trees.
Something must be done about the “standard” Mow blow and go “gardening” for homes in Palo
Alto. The leaf blower ban has done almost nothing.
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Renew, restore, and enhance resilience of our natural environment
We can continue to preserve existing undeveloped land by exercising infill, mixed-use
development to help abate the housing crisis and transportation emissions.
Maximize biodiversity and stewardship of flora, fauna, and air, soil, and water resources
Reduce environmental impacts of our actions
Increase beneficial environmental impact of our actions. (+ 1 similar comment)
This is not a S.M.A.R.T. goal --what impact are you looking at for reducing environmental impact of
our actions?
Increase tree canopy to 40% city-wide coverage by 2030
Prioritize native species for tree canopy, incentivize removal of invasive species, and increase
pollinator-friendly plants. (+ 8 similar comments)
This is an excellent goal that should be prioritized because of the multiple benefits that trees
provide: shade, carbon sequestration, habitat for birds and invertebrates, beauty, and higher
property values. (+ 3 similar comments)
The tree canopy could include fruit trees to add resiliency to the foodshed and can be harvested
for food banks, food insecure residents or neighbors, and schools for cooking and environmental
courses. (+ 1 similar comment)
If funding needs to be prioritized, increasing tree canopy should be the highest priority of
proposed actions within this area because trees have such a beneficial impact on GHG reduction.
This goal conflicts with Key Action #6 of ensuring no net tree canopy loss. It has to be clear that
tree canopy equity shall be achieved by increasing canopy cover in lesser canopied neighborhoods.
Consider a public/private/non-profit incentive for native plant and food growing gardens.
Make sure that tree planting and maintenance is part of the design for all new developments.
Focus on tree canopies that minimize damage to objects (e.g. vehicles) below them. And bear in
mind the impact on photovoltaic generation equipment.
Expand the designation of pesticide-free parks and city facilities
Move towards 100% pesticide-free Palo Alto.
Natural Environment: Suggestions for New Goals
Help support a market for sustainable wood (FSC certified) and thereby protect forests and reduce
reliance on concrete and steel.
Switch away from all fossil fuel-based gardening equipment by 2030.
Maintain and protect the health of existing trees in addition to increasing the number of trees.
Increase education programs for adults and children to teach the roles trees and other parts of the
natural environment play in climate-change mitigation and human health and how individual
decisions in plant selection and care, and water and chemical use, affect our natural environment.
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Natural Environment: Potential Key Actions to explore further
(These potential Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related
to climate change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to
make it easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Potential Key Action
4 1. Explore programs and policies that use Palo Alto’s public and private natural capital
(e.g., canopy, soils, watersheds) to provide local carbon offsets and other
environmental benefits
8 2. Evaluate and modify plant palette selection to maximize biodiversity and soil health to
adapt to the changing climate, and incorporate buffers for existing natural ecosystems
4 3. Coordinate implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan and Parks Master Plan to
create pathways to parks and encourage appreciation of natural ecosystems
3 4. Explore expanding the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(WELO) to further the S/CAP Goals
3 5. Implement the Green Stormwater Infrastructure plan
4 6. Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss
3 7. Develop methods to allow for both solar panels and trees
2 8. Reduce the toxicity and the total amount of pesticides used in the city
6 9. Ensure the protection of our ecosystem through the plan review and permitting
process
8 10. Restore degraded areas and channelized creeks and create wildlife corridors
Natural Environment: Feedback on Potential Key Actions
Need more specifics on canopy, which we want to maximize to increase CO2 absorption and
provide heat protection for people and habitat for animals. Simple things might include sizable
trees in all dog parks and school yards. Do away with “shade structures” and use trees instead.
Consider more trees in the Baylands and some of the meadow-like areas in Foothills Park,
consistent with those ecosystems.
Encourage development with FSC wood and without concrete/steel.
Is Palo Alto’s golf course consistent with the city’s sustainability goals? Can we turn it into a much
more usable, sustainable ecosystem that will also support wildlife?
Is a city airport consistent with our goals?
Add Key Performance Indicators: 1) Tree canopy cover should be assessed locally rather than city-
wide. The S/CAP should explain how canopy coverage will be assessed and how often; 2) Inclusion
of tree protection, planting, and maintenance plans in all property development plans approved
by the city; 3) Dedication of sufficient resources to ensure an effective Urban Forestry program
and developer compliance with tree protection, planting, and maintenance plans.
1. Explore programs and policies that use Palo Alto’s public and private natural capital (e.g., canopy,
soils, watersheds) to provide local carbon offsets and other environmental benefits
Focusing on tree canopy for health and environmental benefits is more important than carbon
offsets. (+ 1 similar comment)
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Do not specify local carbon offsets. The end goal is net gains in permanent carbon sequestration
and environmental benefits. In GHG trading markets, carbon sequestration policies need to ensure
that sequestration is additional to what would have occurred in the normal course of business.
Explain to the public what you mean by carbon offsets. That practice needs to be explained and
examples provided of how this is occurring already in practice.
2. Evaluate and modify plant palette selection to maximize biodiversity and soil health to adapt to the
changing climate, and incorporate buffers for existing natural ecosystems
Maximizing biodiversity is not clear, should focus on native plants, and eradication of invasive,
non-native species (+ 1 similar comment)
3. Coordinate implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan and Parks Master Plan to create
pathways to parks and encourage appreciation of natural ecosystems
Reword as “Ensure that all city-sponsored sustainability-related committees, guide documents,
and departments are synchronized. Coordinate boards, commissions, and subcommittees and
their functional review; the Comprehensive Plan, S/CAP, Urban Forest Master Plan, city tree
ordinances, zoning ordinances, municipal code, parks master plan, and fire management plan; and
all department projects and functions to increase synergies and decrease inconsistencies.”
Edit: Coordinate implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan, Parks Master Plan, and
Sustainable Green Streets Network to create pathways to parks, safe active transportation
connected network, Safe Routes to School, and to encourage appreciation of natural ecosystems.
4. Explore expanding the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) to further
the S/CAP Goals
Reword as “Require climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant species in public and private plantings.
Expand the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) to further the S/CAP
goals.” Add to the Water area as well, thereby linking the Water and Natural Environment areas.
Add: Explore expanding the requirements of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) to
further the S/CAP goals and to reduce wastewater going to sewage treatment by 30% (using
diversion of washing machine water and tub/shower water)
No - this is too much paperwork. You should simplify this approach and have examples in the City
of low water gardens. A low water garden should be a requirement for each new home build.
5. Implement the Green Stormwater Infrastructure plan
6. Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss
See Goal #4 above. Specific actions for each neighborhood should be developed such that no
neighborhoods lose tree canopy cover. Neighborhoods that have less than 40% canopy cover
should have annual tree-planting plans, with progress reported annually.
Ensuring no net tree canopy loss seems inconsistent with the previous goal of increasing canopy
by 40%. Also, how is canopy loss defined?"
7. Develop methods to allow for both solar panels and trees
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Develop smart policy for the placement of solar panels. Batch solar panels in local solar farms.
Don’t allow the needless loss of natural environment for solar panels. (+ 1 similar comment)
8. Reduce the toxicity and the total amount of pesticides used in the city
Add: “including by planting species that are well-suited for the local environment.”
All parks should be pesticide free. Pesticides damage our groundwater and other environments.
Should also be concerned with eliminating herbicides as well as pesticides
9. Ensure the protection of our ecosystem through the plan review and permitting process
Reword as “Ensure the comprehensive protection of our ecosystems through improved and clear
development review criteria, consistent with the Landscape and Tree Technical Manual. Ensure
tree planting and maintenance are an integral part of the approval process for all new residential
and business developments in the city. Monitor and enforce compliance with approved plans.”
10. Restore degraded areas and channelized creeks and create wildlife corridors
Reword as “Incentivize public and private landowners to restore degraded areas of land and
channelized creeks, and to create wildlife corridors.”
This is very important. Lose the concrete in channelized creeks. Restore natural environment. Add
many treelined, natural environment walk/bikeways in Palo Alto.
Natural Environment Suggestions for New Key Actions
Ensure access to open space or a park within a 10-minute walk for every resident.
Implement a Sustainable Green Streets network throughout the City that prioritizes implementing
green stormwater infrastructure as the backbone of an integrated network for a connected active
transportation master plan and green ecology network.
Protect the natural environment outside Palo Alto. When we fail to provide housing for the people
who work in our community, we promote sprawl and the destruction of natural resources
elsewhere. Urban infill needs to be part of Palo Alto's plan.
Expand urban gardening amenities and incentivize commercial/industrial clients (e.g, companies
big enough for cafeterias) to grow some of their food on site.
Create programs to incentivize eating lower on the food chain (less meat and dairy, emphasis on
local/organic produce).
Maintain buffer areas along creeks and restore natural floodplain where possible
Natural Environment: General Feedback
Properly protecting, managing, and increasing our urban tree canopy, as outlined in the Urban
Forestry Master Plan, offers very high bang-for-the-buck value in reducing our overall GHG
emissions. Ensure that the Urban Forestry Master Plan is properly evaluated and considered a
critical component of the S/CAP, rather than as a separate plan. (+ 2 similar comments)
Partner with leading organizations in conservation. (+ 1 similar comment)
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Increase the responsibility and visibility of the Palo Alto Youth Council, empowering youth to
contribute to the planning process and raising awareness for the teen community.
Support school and other public garden spaces.
Increase the usage of programs and policies that utilize public and private natural capital, offering
a sustainable alternative to the purchase of natural gas carbon offsets.
Ensure that our urban forest stays protected by strengthening protections for trees and expanding
the list of protected trees and tree sizes. Trees are often overlooked as a sustainability asset.
Educate about and incentivize a Homegrown National Park.
Expand designation of parks to make them ecology "patches" by introducing rich native high-value
habitat that supports multiple species. Include retaining leaf litter to improve soils.
Designate Zero Waste Parks
Create a full-time staff position dedicated to researching and writing grants for sustainability
projects. The Urban Forest and Parks Master Plans include a range of unfunded projects which will
significantly benefit sustainability goals if implemented.
Create a resource list for Integrated Pest Management in contrast to pesticides and proactively
market that material through CPAU bill inserts and by contacting condominium associations.
Include information on proper disposal of hazardous materials, including pesticides.
Increase the speed of under-grounding electric and communication lines. This is important such
that trees are not butchered to clear lines.
Soil provides many benefits including retaining and storing stormwater, yet we discard it when
building underground or cover it with pavement. No Net Soil Loss.
Zero Waste
Goals
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, and ultimately achieve zero waste
Implement short- and medium-term initiatives identified in the 2018 Zero Waste Plan
Zero Waste: Feedback on Goals
Palo Alto is on the cutting edge of Zero Waste goals. Great job! (+ 3 similar comments)
The City needs to education residents about the lifecycle of ALL goods that are consumed. Many
residents are happy because their recycling bins are full -- that's not success!
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, and ultimately achieve zero waste
Supporting waste-to-energy deployment locally would not only help with this goal, it would help
with energy reliability. (+ 1 similar comment)
We need city laws that require all packaging to come in either recyclable or compostable
packages. And the containers should be much easier to read. (+ 1 similar comment)
Since both food and material waste contributes significantly to the climate crisis, Council should
prioritize the 95% waste diversion goal for 2030.
In learning from the State's mistakes in passing and implementing SB 1383 (2016), we need to give
thought to 1) where organic waste is diverted to; 2) who is responsible for collection and
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management of diverted organics; and 3) what is ultimately done with diverted organic wastes
which will naturally produce methane.
Educate residents about the benefits of composting.
Zero is a low number. This feels like something that must be undertaken at the federal level, at the
least, in order to make much progress.
Implement short- and medium-term initiatives identified in the 2018 Zero Waste Plan
Zero Waste: Key Actions to explore further
(These Key Actions do not represent all the work that the City is doing or will be doing related to climate
change and sustainability. These are the actions we will be prioritizing. They are numbered to make it
easier to refer to specific Actions. They are NOT numbered based on priority.)
# of Votes Key Actions
7 1. Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance
5 2. Eliminate single-use disposable cups and containers by expanding the Disposable
Foodware Ordinance
9 3. Require food waste prevention and edible food recovery measures for commercial
food generators
4 4. Promote residential food waste reduction
4 5. Incentivize the use of reusable diapers
5 6. Champion waste prevention, reduction, reusables, and the sharing economy
Zero Waste: Feedback on Key Actions
Coordination with nearby cities will help prevent leakage.
1. Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance
Great Key Action that should be expanded as much as possible. It makes a huge difference in the
waste stream. (+ 1 similar comment)
Discourage demolition of beautiful old architecture to build monstrosities.
This Key Action should be taken after full consultation with construction professionals.
2. Eliminate single-use disposable cups and containers by expanding the Disposable Foodware Ordinance
Eliminate plastic as much as possible, starting with awareness about how much plastic each
household uses and tosses into the recycling bin.
Eliminate single-use water bottles. Implement San Francisco’s policy - No sports teams and
construction crews can bring non-reusable water bottles to parks or construction sites.
A lot of companies bring food from other cities that might not have such ZW goals. How should
the city provide incentives/punishments to guide these businesses?
3. Require food waste prevention and edible food recovery measures for commercial food generators
This has large GHG reductions, with many co-benefits for participants. (+ 1 similar comment)
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On food waste, it would be great to get as much as possible of the edible food to food banks or
other places where it can be used directly instead of composting. (+ 1 similar comment)
4. Promote residential food waste reduction
This has large GHG reduction potential.
Teach this at school so kids and then their families understand how much waste occurs in the city.
5. Incentivize the use of reusable diapers
This Key Action is really important. Publicize diaper services.
How much better are diapers that are washed with bleach over non-reusable diapers?
Will this Key Action include adult diapers? We may have more adults in diapers than babies.
This feels a bit big-brother-y. This can be done, but be careful to not force people to do this.
6. Champion waste prevention, reduction, reusables, and the sharing economy
Need to educate the public, including students, better about how much waste is produced and
how it should be properly sorted. (+ 1 similar comment)
Promote Sustainable supply chain management at city and businesses with examples and
educational support. (+ 1 similar comment)
Encourage keeping clothing for a long time, not so many fashion changes.
Zero Waste: Suggestions for New Key Actions
Manage street and other public trees throughout their entire lifecycle by creating or partnering
with an urban wood reuse program.
Zero Waste: General Feedback
Include educational initiatives in short-term plans, and broaden goals to reach businesses and
schools, including partnering with local non-profits and PAUSD, and integrating appropriate
messaging into City summer camp programming (+ 3 similar comments).
Influence packaging and work with nearby cities. (+ 2 similar comments)
Work on local food. Incentivize commercial clients to start food gardens on site. Expand urban
gardening amenities. Increase victory gardens and fruit trees. (+ 2 similar comments)
Work with restaurants, stores, and residents to minimize food waste. (+ 1 similar comment)
Promote composting by businesses and multifamily housing dwellers within Palo Alto.
Require all City catering to be vegetarian or vegan.
Measurable objectives need to be designed for the goals and proposed actions in this section.
There’s really good technology for anaerobic digestion of solid waste and it’s conversion to fuel.
Consider billing of residential waste pickup by actual pickups. This would be an incentive to reduce
waste.
Try a good neighbor policy where you put your containers next to your neighbors. This makes for
fewer stops and faster pickups for all.
Identify and publicize "cradle to grave" products and encourage citizens to buy these.
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Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 11463)
Report Type: Approval of Minutes Meeting Date: 6/24/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: May 27, 2020 Draft Meeting Minutes
Title: May 27, 2020 Draft PTC Meeting Minutes
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) adopt the meeting
minutes.
Background
Draft minutes from the May 27, 2020 Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) meetings
were made available to the Commissioners prior to the June 24, 2020 meeting date. The draft
PTC minutes can be viewed on line on the City’s website at
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp.
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