Novato 2035 General Plan Update Draft EIR

The City of Novato is updating its Safety Element as part of the General Plan 2035 to comply with Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code, requiring a comprehensive analysis of natural and human-caused hazards, climate change vulnerability, adaptation strategies, and evacuation constraints in residential areas. This programmatic update addresses environmental and human-induced risks including drought, extreme heat, wildfire, flooding, sea level rise, seismic activity, geologic hazards, emergency response, and public safety services, while explicitly stating that it will not increase development capacity. The project requires an Addendum to the existing Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the General Plan 2035, filed under State Clearinghouse number 2016122043, to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City, acting as the Lead Agency and Project Applicant, has certified that the project will have significant environmental effects and that an EIR has been prepared, mitigation measures have been adopted, and a monitoring plan is in place, with a Statement of Overriding Considerations formally adopted to justify approval despite unmitigated impacts. Key deliverables include updated hazard policies, climate resilience strategies, evacuation analyses, and implementation measures, all subject to CEQA’s procedural and substantive requirements. The project’s administrative and compliance framework is managed through the City’s Community Development Department, with official filings and approvals coordinated at 922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945, and records also maintained by the Marin County Clerk’s Office. Administrative fees totaling $3,393.25 were paid for EIR processing, but no formal contract pricing structure, line items, or federal acquisition regulations are applicable, as this is a municipal planning initiative under state environmental law, not a federal procurement. The scope does not involve contractors or defined performance periods, delivery schedules, or packaging requirements; instead, the project is governed by CEQA’s public review process, with documentation submitted through the CEQAnet portal and local filings. Key contacts include Senior Planner Brett Walker and Planning Manager Steve Marshall, who oversee implementation and compliance. No federal clauses, evaluation factors, contracting officer roles, or socioeconomic certifications apply, as the City of Novato is a public agency operating under California statutes, not federal acquisition regulations. The final approval milestone is referenced as December 9, 2025, though the core project documentation was approved in October 2020.