The City of Walnut Creek is in the process of updating the Safety Element of its General Plan. California State law requires local governments to have a General Plan, a blueprint for meeting the community’s long-term vision for the future. The General Plan contains several chapters or “elements,” covering different topics. The City's Safety Element contained in Chapter 6 (Safety and Noise) of the General Plan incorporates safety considerations in the planning and decision-making process. It includes policies related to future development that will minimize the risk of personal injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage associated with natural and human-made hazards. The Safety Element addresses the City’s natural hazards and human activities that may pose a threat to public safety within the following topic areas:

• Geologic and Seismic Hazards
• Flood Hazards
• Fire Hazards
• Hazardous Materials
• Climate Change

Why is the City Updating the Safety Element?

State law requires cities and counties to regularly update their Safety Elements to address climate vulnerability, adaptation and resiliency strategies; to ensure that flood and fire conditions are up to date; and to identify residential developments in any hazard area that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes. These requirements were added in recent years in response to changing climate conditions and to promote fire safety.  We are updating the Safety Element to address these requirements as well as other safety concerns within our community.

In total, state law requires the following to be performed, updated, and included in the Safety Element: 

• Identify and update information related to
  • Seismic and geologic hazards
  • Evacuation routes
  • Military installations
  • Peak-load water supply requirements
  • Minimum road widths and clearances around structures
  • Flood hazards
  • Fire hazards  
• Prepare a climate change vulnerability assessment and develop climate adaptation and resilience strategies. (See link to the vulnerability assessment below.)
• Identify residential developments in any hazard area that do not have at least two evacuation routes.
• Assess evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios.

How is the Safety Element implemented?

The Safety Element sets goals, objectives, policies, and programs that direct decision-making around hazard mitigation planning, disaster preparedness, and emergency response, in addition to climate change adaptation and resilience. The Safety Element provides policy direction that supports laws and regulations related to safety hazards, mitigation efforts, and resilience strategies in alignment with the guiding principles established by General Plan 2025, which serves as a guide for long-term development in the City. 

Get Involved and make Your Voice Heard

We want to hear from you to help ensure that the updated Safety Element reflects the priorities of our community

• The City held two community workshops.  The first workshop (watch a recording of the workshop here or click here to view the presentation) was held on March 21, 2022, and the second was held on April 20, 2022 (watch a recording of the workshop here or click here to view the presentation).   Both workshops covered the Safety Element update as well as the Housing Element Update which is also underway.   At the first workshop we introduced the elements, presented a community profile, and conducted live polling on housing and safety needs, challenges, and issues.  The second workshop shared the initial results of the community survey and conducted live polling to seek input on potential policies and programs.

• Sign up for our email list to get notified of all involvement opportunities.

• After the draft Safety Element is prepared, there will be opportunities to comment on the draft document and attend public hearings for adoption

Resources

• City of Walnut Creek Vulnerability Assessment
• City of Walnut Creek Sustainability Action Plan
• Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
• City of Walnut Creek Emergency Management Plan
• Alameda and Contra Costa County Regional Priority Plan

Contact

Aaron Sage
Principal Planner –Community Development Department
Call: (925) 943-5834 x2232
Email: Sage@walnut-creek.org