HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2010-095 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goals, Policies, and PracticesA RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-95
by the Yakima City Council to confirm goals, policies, and practices by
the City of Yakima that are identified in the Yakima Urban Area
Comprehensive Plan 2025, and supporting documents which foster
sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for consistency with
the requirements of RCW 70.235.070, the distribution of funds for
infrastructure and capital development projects — prerequisites, as
directed by the Washington State Department of Transportation in City
applications for state grant funding of projects.
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima has initiated the following, practices which support
sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction:
City Wide:
1. Completion of an energy audit in 2009 to identify ways to conserve energy;
2. Retrofitting of all light fixtures to energy saving lights;
3. Implementation of a City wide recycling program; and
4. Wherever feasible replacement of conventional city vehicles with hybrid vehicles.
Wastewater/Water:
1. Land application of biosolids for beneficial use;
2. Maximization of efficiency of wastewater treatment and pumping equipment;
3. Establishment of methane recovery at all wastewater treatment plant facilities;
4. Establishment of a waste -to -energy program at the City's wastewater plant;
5. Establishment of best management practices at all waste handling facilities;
6. Development of "Struvite Farming" to remove phosphorus from wastewater and
convert it to fertilizer for land application;
7. Development of Bio -phosphorous (Bio -P) processes at the wastewater treatment
plant to remove phosphorous from wastewater effluent prior to entering the
Yakima River;
8. Planning and sampling with watershed partners to create a "Riparian Discharge
Mixing Zone" to improve floodplain and habitat; and
9. Participation with other jurisdictions on levee set back projects to increase
floodplain and fish habitat.
Transportation:
1 Implementation of a signal timing and synchronization program;
2. Implementation of a commute trip reduction program which offers a guaranteed
ride home for employees who use alternative mode of transportation to
commute; and
3. Installation of energy efficient exit signs, street lighting, and traffic lighting
whenever feasible.
Transit:
1. Implementation and utilization of a vanpool program since 1999;
2. Purchased of new energy efficient buses which meet the 2011 emission
standards;
3. Implementation of a demonstration project in 2011 that will decrease single -
occupancy vehicle use;
4. Shuttle service to the State Fair;
5. Planning of park & ride locations through out Yakima to decrease single -
occupancy vehicle use; and
6. Implementation of "Smart Bus" technology, using GPS and electronic displays to
provide customers with "real-time" arrival and departure time information; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima has adopted the following goals and policies within its
Yakima Area Comprehensive Plan 2025 which support the reduction of greenhouse gases and
foster sustainability:
Land Use:
1. 3.1: Provide for a broad distribution of housing in Yakima that meets the
affordability and neighborhood design needs of the public.
2. 3.1.1.1: Development shall be at an overall density of 12 dwelling units per acre
or more. Recommended zones: Two -Family Residential (R-2), and Multi -Family
Residential (R-3), Professional Business District (B-1), and Central Business
District).
3. 3.1.1.3 Provide high-density residential as a transitional uses between
commercial/office and medium density residential areas.
4. Residential Planned Development allows new development to provide a mixture
of housing sizes and prices and to provide incentives for developers to include
affordable units in higher cost developments.
5. 3.7 Maintain the Central Business District (CBD) as a vital and primary business
area.
6. 3.7.3 Encourage a diversity of uses and activities and cluster complementary
activities and business together in specific areas of the downtown
7. 3.7.4 Promote multi-level development that combines multiple uses, such as
office, retail and housing in single buildings.
8. 3.15.1 Encourage the location of new elementary and middle schools within the
residential neighborhoods the schools will serve.
9. 3.15.2 Encourage the location of new high schools on the periphery of residential
neighborhoods, where access to major roads are available.
10. 3.15 Work with school districts and private school officials to properly locate
school facilities as necessary to maintain high quality education for Yakima
residents.
Waste Water/Water:
1. 8.2 Provide public health and environmental quality through appropriate and
efficient design, installation and maintenance of sanitary sewer facilities.
2. 8.2.7 Provide the City of Yakima a co -terminus sewer service boundary with the
Urban Growth Boundary and any increase to the Urban Growth Boundary.
3. 8.1 Provide adequate water services within the Urban Area in a manner that is
environmentally sensitive, safe and aesthetically compatible with surrounding
land uses.
Transportation:
1. 6.6 Revise street standards and guidelines to improve the pedestrian use and
safety.
2. 6.7 Create a street network that encourages safe bicycle connections and
routes.
3. 6.7.1 Develop and maintain a map of planned bicycle route improvements
including selected Arterial Street Bicycle Lanes, Arterial Street Shared Bike
Lanes, and Local Access Streets designated as Bicycle Routes.
4. 6.7.2 Assign high priority to bicycle improvements that address safety or
hazardous conditions, provide access to activity centers, and provide linkages to
transit and school facilities, and complete planned facilities/trails.
5. 6.7.4 Improve connections between City streets and the Yakima Greenway and
other pathway systems.
6. 6.7.6 Encourage conversion of 4 -lane streets to 3 -lane streets with bicycle
facilities on Minor Arterial or Collector Arterial streets, where appropriate, with
consideration of safety and future street volumes.
7. 6.13 Identify street intersection capacity and operation deficiencies.
8. 6.13.1 Reduce unnecessary vehicle delay at signalized street intersections to
improve' traffic flow, air quality, and reduce congestion.
9. 6.25 Provide for broad public participation in the development and
implementation of the tasks identified in the Transportation Plan.
10. 6.24 Provide for a Multi -modal transportation system that includes transit,
bicycles, pedestrians and individuals with special needs.
11. 3.1.1.5 Sidewalks shall be provided in the development site with connections to
existing and proposed pedestrian sidewalk systems.
12. 3.1.1.6 Connect schools, parks and meeting places with neighborhoods though a
system of pedestrian network such as sidewalks greenways and pathways.
Transit:
1. 6.18 Promote Transit Ridership to help reduce future street capacity constraints.
2. 6.18.1 Evaluate alternative solutions to future street capacity constraints such as
increased transit use to minimize negative impacts and expense of street
expansion.
3. 6.18.2 Identify areas of future route expansion based on residential growth and
destinations generators.
4. 6.18.3 Maximize existing infrastructure investment through strategies to reduce
demand on system, such as increased use of the Transit system, and other
Commute Reduction strategies.
5. 6.18.4 Coordinate with new development in order to plan for the inclusion of new
transit stops in their design plans.
6. 3.1.1.4 High Density Residential Development shall be located along arterials or
collector streets and should have good access to public transit.
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima will continue to implement the above mentioned
sustainability/greenhouse gas policies and practices; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
That in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance sustainability for consistency
with the requirements of RCW 70.235.070, the City confirms the above goals, policies, and
practices within the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive and supporting documents.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 20th da of July, 201
ATTEST:
Micah Cawley, Mayor
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting Of July 20, 2010
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of a resolution to affirm existing goals, policies, and practices,
which provide for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and foster the sustainability of the
City of Yakima in response to the state grant funding requirements.
SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Peters, Associate Planner
Joan Davenport, Planning Manager
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Jeff Peters, Associate Planner (575-6163)
Joan Davenport, Planning Manager (575-6417)
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In response to changes in state law regarding state grant funding, greenhouse gas reduction,
and thesustainability of communities, legislation was adopted to require state agencies to
consider whether entities receiving state funds have adopted policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions (RCW 70.235.070). Therefore, as directed by the Washington State Department of
Transportation the City of Yakima Planning, Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Transit, Water,
and Wastewater departments have reviewed the City of Yakima's Comprehensive Plan 2025
and associated . plans, and have prepared the attached resolution embodying all the City's
existing goals, policies, and practices regarding sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction.
Adoption of the attached resolution will satisfying the requirements of RCW 70.235.070, and will
allow the City of Yakima to apply for state grant funding.
Resolution X Ordinance Contract Other (Specify)
Funding Source
APPROVAL FOR SUBMITTAL: r
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution
BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: