Climate Action Plan strategies presented to Redlands Planning Commission

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Planning Commission reviewed a series of proposed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the city's Climate Action Plan update, with several commissioners expressing concerns about potential requirements for residential remodels.

Why it matters: The Climate Action Plan update, presented during a study session at the April 22 Planning Commission meeting, outlined strategies to help Redlands meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 and 2050.

Details: Jazmin Serrato, the city’s assistant planner, explained that the Climate Action Plan was adopted in December 2017 and is now being updated to monitor progress toward reduction targets and align with the most recent state goals.

"The purpose of today's discussion is to provide an overview of the proposed strategies that will help us reduce the future greenhouse gas emissions and also to seek any suggestions," Serrato said.

The plan aims to reduce per capita emissions from the current 7.7 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 1 metric tonne by 2050, in line with the state's carbon neutrality goal.

Clare Kucera, a consultant with Dyett & Bhatia, presented the preferred strategies focusing on transportation, built environment, solid waste, water/wastewater and carbon sequestration sectors.

Transportation measures include achieving citywide electric vehicle charger targets, limiting idling of construction equipment and improving pedestrian and bicycle networks. Built environment strategies focus on reducing natural gas usage through community solar generation systems and building performance standards.

Council concerns: Several commissioners expressed significant concerns about one particular measure – BE2C – which would require existing residential buildings undergoing substantial remodels to meet minimum energy savings standards.

Brian Desatnik, the development services director, explained that "substantial remodel" is defined in the municipal code as modifications requiring permits that would force tenants to vacate for at least 30 days, but acknowledges this definition might not be appropriate for the climate action measure.

"I do have some major concerns with this,” Chair Karah Shaw said. “First of all, like you said, that's probably not an updated definition and there are current laws in place that prevent landlords from doing that anymore. To me, this kind of goes really against the last project that we did in trying to increase housing."

 "I have a major concern with it also. I think it adds a burden to ownership," Commissioner Mark Stanson said. "It's cost prohibitive."

Commissioner Maryn Mineo-Wells noted potential conflicts with other city goals: "If a substantial renovation includes an electrical grid update upgrade in the house, it could be in conflict with people that are trying to switch to EV vehicles or go all electric."

Vice Chair Matt Endsley offered a different perspective, suggesting that sometimes energy improvements can be made through simple material choices without increasing costs: "There's a lot of situations where just simply a material choice, same cost, same use, might actually have a different energy score."

What residents are saying: During the public comment section, several speakers expressed support for the Climate Action Plan while offering suggestions for improvements.

Bobby Garrity, a resident, emphasized that "the single biggest thing we can do" to reduce emissions is to "increase the amount of allowable infill development, both housing and commercial."

Richard Corneille, president of the Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) Board of Directors, urged immediate implementation of all strategies: "The increased heating of our planet and result in climate change is a crisis that needs immediate action."

Ron Running, a Redlands resident and ANCA member, suggested the city consider a community choice aggregation program for energy, similar to what Riverside has implemented.

Moving forward: The Planning Commission provided feedback without making a formal recommendation, as the item was presented as a study session. The Climate Action Plan update is scheduled to go before the City Council on June 17.