2021 Safety Element Update


Board of Supervisors Public Hearing

On November 16th, 2021, the Board of Supervisors will conduct a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s October 7, 2021 recommendation to approve the 2021 Health and Safety Element Update by 1) adopting a resolution to amend the Placer County General Plan to update the Health and Safety Element and 2) adopting an ordinance to amend the Placer County Zoning Ordinance. The 2021 Health and Safety Element Update includes refinements to the goals, policies, and implementation programs which address potential and existing hazards in the County, as outlined in the following categories: Seismic and Geological Hazards; Flood Hazards; Fire Hazards; Airport Hazards; Public Safety and Emergency Management Facilities; Hazardous Materials; Avalanche Hazards; Public Health; and a new category -Climate Adaptation.  In accordance with California Government Code Section 65302(g), the amendments to the Health and Safety Element address Senate Bills 1241, 379, and 1035 by incorporating policies from the County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, as well as the recently-adopted Placer County Sustainability Plan (PCSP).  

Comments and questions on the Health and Safety Element can be sent to Angel Green at [email protected].

Planning Commission Pubic Hearing

On October 7, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider adoption of the Draft Health and Safety Element Update (August 2021) and to make recommendations to the Board to adopt a resolution to amend the Placer County General Plan and an ordinance to amend Placer County Zoning Ordinance.  The Planning Commission took action (7:0:0:0) to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Draft Health and Safety Element as presented.


Next Steps

Board of Supervisors Adoption HearingNovember 16, 2021
Planning Commission Public HearingOctober 7, 2021
Board of Supervisors Workshop
April 13
Planning Commission WorkshopMarch 11
Public Draft Review (30-day review)
Feb 25 – Mar 27
Submit Draft Health and Safety Element to PCTPA (21-day review)February 25 - March 18
Submit Draft Health and Safety Element to Cal FIRE (90-day review)February 25 – May 26
Virtual Public Workshop
July 2020

Overview

Placer County is currently in the process of updating its Health and Safety Element. This effort is being developed concurrently with the Housing Element Update. Updates to the Health and Safety Element will meet the requirements of California Government Code Section 65302(g) (Section 65302) as updated by Senate Bills 1241, 379, and 1035 and will incorporate policies from the County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (pursuant to SB 379), as well as the recent work done on the Placer County Sustainability Plan (PCSP). The Safety Element addresses potential and existing hazards in the County, which are outlined in the following categories: Seismic and Geological Hazards; Flood Hazards; Fire Hazards; Airport Hazards; Public Safety and Emergency Management Facilities; Hazardous Materials; Avalanche Hazards; and Public Health. Among other updates, two additional categories for Climate Change Resiliency and Adaptation Mitigation, and Severe Weather are being considered for the Safety Element.

This website provides up-to-date information on the Safety Element Update process. It will provide you with information on upcoming community workshops, meetings, documents prepared for the Safety Element Update, and opportunities to be involved in the process and provide feedback.

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FAQ


Background – Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning

The Health and Safety Element is one of seven elements of Placer County’s General Plan which establishes policies to protect the community from natural and human-made hazards. It is intended to guide land use planning by providing pertinent data regarding geologic, soil, seismic, fire and flood hazards.

The Health and Safety Element was first adopted in 1994 and was last updated in 2013. However, it has not been updated to address recent disaster events and state legislation requiring local jurisdictions to analyze effects of climate-change hazards pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 379.

Recent legislative changes (Government Code 65302(g)(4)) require that the County’s General Plan’s Safety Element, "be reviewed and updated as necessary to address climate adaptation and resiliency strategies." Placer County has experienced a number of severe wildfire and extreme heat events over the last decade. In response to these changing climate conditions, the County prepared a climate change vulnerability assessment as part of the Placer County Sustainability Plan (PCSP). Key findings of the vulnerability assessment can be found here. 

The PCSP contains goals, policies, and adaptation strategies to increase climate change resiliency. The Health and Safety Element will be updated to reflect these goals and policies.

Schedule/ Timeline

  • PC and Board Deliberations (Fall, 2021)
  • Public Outreach & Workshops (Summer 2020)
  • Prepare Draft Element (Fall, 2020)
  • Planning Commission & Board of Supervisors Workshops (Spring, 2021)
  • CalFire Certification (May 5, 2021)
  • Planning Commission Public Hearing (July 22, 2021)
  • Board of Supervisors Adoption Hearing (Late-Summer, 2021)

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

If you were unable to join the meeting or want to review the presentation again, you may view the presentation here. 

Get Involved!

Get involved and stay informed throughout the Safety Element process! Sign up to receive FlashVote Surveys and Safety Element Updates via email and check back here often for updates, meeting announcements, workshop materials, and packets for Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission workshop sessions.

Join our mailing list to receive information about upcoming activities regarding Safety Element Update activities. Get involved and stay informed throughout the Safety Element process! For any additional questions or comments, e-mail Shawna Purvines at [email protected] .

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