• Establishing clear expectations on the roles and responsibilities for planners, reviewers in other City departments, and environmental consultants 

• Publish guidelines for the City’s CEQA requirements and process to help consultants prepare documents that meet City standards 

• Publish a consolidated list of the City’s threshold of significance 

purpose 

This Council Policy would formally adopt the Environmental Review Handbook (Handbook) as a guidance document for City staff and consultants when preparing environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA. The Handbook includes guidance on roles and expectations of consultants, City staff, and applicants; thresholds of significance and guidance for analysis; and expected deliverables for each type of CEQA and NEPA document. The Handbook reduces uncertainty in the environmental review process, sets expectations for performance, and provides a consistent approach to environmental analysis for consultants and City staff.  Finally, the Handbook implements several recommendations to reduce review timelines in the March 2022 Audit of the City’s environmental review process. 

This Policy would also adopt Environmental Standard Permit Conditions to reduce the environmental impacts of most development projects in developed areas of San José. These conditions will reduce the need for project-specific mitigation measures and will ensure project conformance with General Plan Policies for the purpose of protecting City residents and the environment. 

draft documents

Draft Environmental Review Handbook
Draft Environmental Standard Permit Conditions