Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 12-020 in Opposition of AB 1627RESOLUTION NO. 12-020 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA OPPOSING ASSEMBLY BILL 1627 — BUILDING STANDARDS; VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED. WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1627, otherwise known as the Healthy Neighborhoods Act, would prohibit local governments from issuing local building permits until the building plan has satisfied standards being developed by California Energy Commission (CEC) designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by occupants of residential and nonresidential buildings; and WHEREAS, the Healthy Neighborhoods Act creates a broad mandate to regulate individual choice and specifically seeks to reduce VMT by the occupants of residential and nonresidential buildings, which consequently empowers a state agency to regulate the choice of individuals; and WHEREAS, local building departments will be prohibited from issuing a building permit until the building plan complies with the minimum VMT standards set by the CEC; and WHEREAS, the bill has overly restrictive and intrusive requirements imposed on new units and their occupants, which will further exacerbate California's economy by making new construction in the state less marketable and desirable; and WHEREAS, the California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state, but the Healthy Neighborhood Act would not require state reimbursement because local governments have the ability to levy fees sufficient to pay for the state -mandated program; and WHEREAS, Saratoga is predominantly a built -out residential community with few commercial and office buildings and less public transit access as compared to other cities within Santa Clara County and because of its infrastructure, residents have limited transportation choices and rely heavily on their personal vehicles to commute to work; and WHEREAS, significant strides are currently being made to reduce vehicle miles traveled through more coordinated regional planning efforts such as general plan legislation, specifically stated in Senate Bill 375, Chapter 728, and the adoption of this bill may compromise the efforts of SB 375; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Saratoga opposes Assembly Bill 1627 introduced by State Assembly Member Roger Dickinson. The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City Council held on the 4th day of April 2012 by the following vote: AYES: Council Member Manny Cappello, Emily Lo, Howard Miller, Vice Mayor Jill Hunter, Mayor Chuck Page NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: ((1( DATE: ql SP -o 1-2— CrysMorrow, City Clerk huck Page, Mayor