HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Comment - Dan Cockrum (4)Public Comment Form
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First Name
Dan
E-mail
Agency*
Town Council
Planning Commission
Other
Last Name
Cockrum
Phone
Date of Meeting*
2022-09-27
To find the date for an upcoming meeting or to view the agenda, click Agenda Item Number (2)
here. Agendas are posted at least 72 hours before the meeting time.
Public Comment (?) *
Draft Climate Action Plan
7.1
Modifications to Policy CAP -7.1 and CAP -7.B appear to contradict
the modification of CAP -8.A by calling for promotion of "renewable" natural
gas with a target of 2030, while possible Reach Codes destined to ban natural
gas are targeted for a 2023 adoption date. To be effective a renewable natural gas
program still must connect to new construction and service gas burning
appliances in existing homes.
Added Action CAP 7.K b. calls for the addition of a "town
staff navigator position" to assist building permit applicants with technical
aspects of building decarbonization. Considering the many publicly available resources
and professionals, this represents a clear cut example of unnecessary staff
building and a waste of town financial resources. This item should be removed from the action.
Modify CAP -8.A set a new target date of 2023 rather than the
original 2026. The rush to implement
Reach Codes is a major controversy among Truckee residents and there is a
general feeling that a majority of those who oppose this move are being ignored
by the town decision makers and staff.
Of the 57 written public comments on the move to initiate Reach Codes at
the January 25 council meeting only 14 supported this action. Discussions between the Reach Code Advisory Committee
and town consultant appear to be moving toward an immediate ban on natural gas
connection to new construction and forcing electric heat pump technology as a
replacement for gas space and water heating for exiting home appliances. Such action would be
contrary to a majority of Truckee public opinion.
The adoption of California's new building codes in 2023 provides
for a more realistic transition in our energy portfolio. The State of California Air Resources Board
recently voted to impose new emission standards for space and water heating in
2030. These actions alone indicate there
is no need for Truckee to plunge ahead with a 2023 implementation program that
goes beyond these proposals.
The jury is still out on the impacts of Reach Codes, both
technical and financial and certainly the subject needs more time to study the
results. There is no need to adopt a
2023 target.
Draft Economic Development Element
Action ED -4.E: Proposes to require the addition of a
business license program in Truckee with associated fees. Historically Truckee has not required a
business license and ED -1.6 specifically addresses the desire to mitigate the
cost of doing business. Most other jurisdictions once they adopt a business
license strategy in addition to license fees they also require quarterly
payments of "Mill Tax" or payment of a percentage of gross receipts.
Does the Town of Truckee envision a similar revenue measure, and if so is this
just one more burden on local business?
September 19, 2022 Staff Response: Although the staff is not
envisioning a revenue measure such as additional "Mill Tax" on business receipts,
only to implement a concept similar to short-term rental permits, where the
permit cost is based on cost to the Town to manage and operate the program. In spite of what staff promises, once the door is opened with a business
license program it is a great opportunity for the town to tack on more cost to
business and justify more staff.. If this item has been unnecessary since town incorporation, it should be
deleted.
Upon clicking submit, your comment will be emailed to the relevant Council, Commission, or Committee Members and Town Department Heads
and uploaded to the Town website for public view.