PURPOSE

At the City Council meeting on October 14, 2003, the staff was directed to prepare a first step report that described what the City can do in conjunction with the Air Resources Board, the Air Quality Management District, and other State Agencies to improve air quality within the City.   In response to this directive staff was to look at the sources of air pollution, the police powers the City has within the various elements of the General Plan and the Municipal Code, and the police powers various State and Federal agencies use to regulate air quality, and to identify some proactive recommendations the City could employee to improve air quality.

At the City Council meeting on October 21, 2003, the Mayor asked that this item be brought back for further discussion by the City Council on November 4, 2003, to clarify the issues initially raised, and provide clear direction to staff if any additional research is necessary.   Therefore, a first step only memo will be presented to the City Council on November 4, 2003, to facilitate discussion.

There are many Federal, State, Regional, and City requirements that regulate air quality. The Federal Government enacted the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1995 and has amended the CAA numerous times since then.  The California Clean Air Act (CCAA) was signed into law in 1988, and requires all areas of the State to achieve and maintain the California Ambient Air Quality Standards.  The CCAA standards also tend to be more restrictive than Federal standards and are based on even greater health and welfare concerns.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) was established as the local air pollution control agency for the Basin.  The SCAQMD has jurisdiction over a four-county area that includes Orange County, the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  The SCAQMD has also adopted a series of Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) to meet the California Ambient Air Quality Standards and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 

The City of Burbank directs future development through the General Plan, and specifically through the Land Use Element.  The City also has an Official Zone Map that indicates the zoning classification of each property within the City, and the Burbank Municipal Code establishes the requirements for development in each zone.   The Municipal Code establishes criteria for Transportation Demand Management, and requires employers to participate in a Transportation Management Organization

CONSLUSION:

Should the City Council wish to place this item on a future agenda for further discussion, staff will provide a detailed report that will examine all policies and Municipal Code requirements that address issues related to air quality improvements.

RECOMMENTATION:

If the City Council wishes to agendize this matter for further discussion, staff recommends that the Council direct staff to prepare a detailed report outlining the issues related to air quality and allow staff to schedule this item for the earliest possible date given the time required to compile the necessary data and prepare a comprehensive report.

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