Community Development

As described in the Long Beach Climate Action Plan (LB CAP), identified greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions will occur through a combination of City initiatives in various plans and policies and through implementation of the LB CAP Checklist for development projects to provide reductions from both existing and new developments.

• LB CAP Checklist

The LB CAP Checklist specifically applies to proposed discretionary projects that require environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Therefore, the LB CAP Checklist is a critical implementation tool in the City’s overall strategy to reduce GHG emissions. Implementation of applicable LB CAP Actions in new development projects will help the City achieve incremental reductions toward its target.

Projects that are consistent with the demographic forecasts and land use assumptions used in the LB CAP (i.e., consistent with the City’s General Plan) can utilize the LB CAP Checklist to demonstrate consistency with the CAAP, and if consistent, can tier from the existing programmatic environmental review contained in the adopted Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the LB CAP. In doing so; pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(h)(3), 15130(d), and 15183(d); a project’s incremental contribution to a cumulative GHG emissions effect may be determined not to be cumulatively considerable.

Projects that are not consistent with the LB CAP must prepare a comprehensive project-specific analysis of GHG emissions, including quantification of existing and projected GHG emissions and incorporation of the measures in this LB CAP Checklist to the extent feasible, as defined by CEQA and subject to the City’s discretion. Cumulative GHG impacts would be significant for any project that is not consistent with the LB CAP.

The LB CAP Checklist is required to accompany the City’s Environmental Determination Application Checklist for all projects and plans subject to CEQA review, whether supported by private or government (local of State) funding, proposed within the City limits. The LB CAP Checklist is designed to assist the project applicant in identifying the minimum GHG emission reduction actions and other applicable sustainability-focused requirements specific to a proposed project or plan. However, it may be necessary to supplement the completed LB CAP Checklist with supporting materials, calculations, or certifications to demonstrate compliance with the LB CAP Actions and other applicable sustainability-focused requirements. The LB CAP Checklist will be included in the respective project or plan conditions of approval.

The LB CAP Checklist is only required for discretionary projects7 that are subject to and not exempt from CEQA. Projects that are exempt from CEQA are deemed to be consistent with the LB CAP, and no further review is necessary, with the exception of the Class 32 “In-Fill Development Projects” categorical exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15332), for which Projects are required to demonstrate consistency with the LB CAP through this Consistency Review Checklist.