HomeMy Public PortalAbout7.1 Public Comment - Kathy EcholsPublic Comment Form
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First Name
Kathy
E-mail
Agency*
Town Council
Planning Commission
Other
Last Name
Echols
Phone
Date of Meeting*
2023-03-21
To find the date for an upcoming meeting or to view the agenda click Agenda Item Number (9)
here. Agendas are posted at least 72 hours before the meeting time.
Public Comment (9) *
March 17, 2023
RE:
Truckee 2040 General Plan Update I Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
Dear Planning Commission and Town Council,
7.1
This letter serves as an update to my letter dated one month
ago, Feb 17, 2023. Again, I want to acknowledge all the time and effort you all
have put into the Truckee 2040 General Plan and the changes that have been
made. It is still my opinion that the
plan, as it is, will not protect our sensitive natural environment nor the
quality of life and the character of our town.
Please do not accept the plan as is, please analyze the
effects of the plan to assure that it can be followed to make Truckee is the
best it can be in the future.
The fact that there are 300+ action items, speaks to the
fact that changes need to be made in the General Plan itself, besides just a
list of mitigation items that will be difficult to implement. But, if this is
the path that is being taken, I have also included my priorities from the
Action Item List.
CEQA Requirements:
The Self -Mitigating EIR is not adequate, it is a short-cut
that will cause many problems. It defeats the purpose of an EIR. Truckee is a
sensitive environmental area that needs our protection. Many of these action
items are not well-defined or complete. Policies need to be clear and
enforceable. There are not enough resources to implement the 300+ action items.
Also, without a Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Plan there is no accountability.
-Please include some type of accountability in the General
Plan
Conservation and Open Space Element
The Plan does not do enough to protect open space areas,
groundwater concerns, wildlife protections, or other sensitive environmental
areas. Natural resources and wildlife
habitats need to be categorized and mapped. Once
the maps are developed, Truckee 2040 needs a definitive strategy outlining how
the Town is going to protect these areas.
Please
prioritize:
1. Mapping of Open Space & Natural Resources (COS -1.C)
2.
Management Plans for Truckee River and Donner Lake (COS -2.A)
3.
Management and Protection of Sensitive Biological Resources (COS -3.A)
4.
Monitoring of Sensitive Resources (COS -3.B)
Land Use Element
Housing for the workforce, seniors and disadvantaged community
members needs to be prioritized. More second -home and vacation housing, even if
it is condo/apartment style, will just exacerbate the local workforce
problem -more visitors with no workforce to serve them. Similar to the new mixed -use and business
innovation zones, the Town also needs to develop an overlay zone that
identifies areas where these kinds of housing projects can be accommodated and
provide real incentives to get these projects built. Truckee 2040 needs to be
updated to prioritize the social fabric of our community.
Please
prioritize:
1. Transfer of
Development Rights Program (LU-1.D)
2. Town of Truckee
Density Bonus (LU-2.B)
3. Vacancy Tax Ballot
measure (LU-12.E)
Safety and Noise
Please consider wildfire risk and evacuation in all aspects of the
plan. Any decision needs to take in consideration of how it affects wildfire
risk and evacuation.
Please prioritize:
1. Emergency Planning (SN-6.D)
2. Community Wildfire Protection Plan (SN-6.C)
3.
Funding to Support Wildfire Risk Reduction 9. SN-2.D)
Climate Action Plan Element
-The Climate Action Plan is very important, and it does not seem
to be reflected in the General Plan. There are not enough enforceable
policies to meet the greenhouse gas emission goal.
Please prioritize:
1. Climate Action Plan Program Cost Benefit Analysis (CAP 11.G)
2.
CAP Implementation and Progress Reports ( CAP -11.E)
3.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (CAP -11.F)
Mobility Element
The past months have demonstrated that traffic is a major issue
facing the Town.
Please prioritize:
1.
VMT Mitigation (M -1.B)
2.
Town -wide VMT Monitoring and Adaptive Management Program (. M -1.G)
3.
Short Range Transit Plan (M -3.A)
4.
Transit Prioritization along SR 89 and SR 267 (M -8.D)
Community
Character Element
Community
Character is more than just the architectural style, it is planning a for a
community that is authentic and local. Community Character needs to be
considered in every aspect of the General Plan. The action items do not address
all aspects of Community Character.
Please
prioritize:
1.
Development Code Regulations for Scenic Resources (CC -1.A)
2. Scenic Corridor Standards (CC -1.B)
3.
Modern Library Support (CC 6.E)
-Truckee
is a home to many of us, with a caring and cohesive community. Truckee 2040 needs
to plan for a community that is authentic and local. Please continue to work to
protect our environment and our way of life.
Truckee is at a tipping point, and the community depends on you, our
elected officials, to make Truckee a community for all of us.
Thank you!
Kathy Echols
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.