Waterfront Specific Plan Environmental Review

At a glance

What: Councilmember Taplin asked Council to start environmental review of the Waterfront Specific Plan, using the highest buildout scenario as the maximum alternative.
Where it stands: Moved to the Consent Calendar and approved July 7, 2026.
Next: $310,000 referred to the November 2026 budget process (AAO1) to pay for the EIR; staff to return with a certified EIR, final plan and code amendments.

Item 9. Recommendations: (1) authorize the City Manager to begin CEQA review and a Program Environmental Impact Report using Scenario 1 (about 1,215,000 gross square feet) as the maximum development alternative, which keeps flexibility to adopt Scenario 2 or 3 later at no added cost or delay; (2) hold in abeyance the November 18, 2024 direction to prepare a standalone nature-and-recreation conceptual plan for Cesar E. Chavez Park, consistent with the administrative hold pending environmental compliance at the former landfill, and fold the park's long-term priorities into the Waterfront Park zone provisions during EIR scoping; (3) refer $310,000 to the November 2026 AAO1 process; (4) ask the City Manager to return with the certified EIR, Final Waterfront Specific Plan and companion Municipal Code and General Plan amendments.
Action: moved to consent and approved; no vote split is recorded (the Consent Calendar was adopted with all ayes).
Public letters on the item came from residents, including one in the first supplemental packet.

Approved on consent: environmental review authorized, $310,000 referred to AAO1.