Title
HEARING - To consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission on amending the General Plan Economic Development Element with the removal of Policy 10.1.6.4; and the Planning Commission recommending the Board take the following actions:
1) Determine that pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), there is no evidence that the proposed amendment to remove language specific to how Transient Occupancy Tax is spent qualifies this action as a "project” and therefore is exempt from CEQA review;
2) Approve General Plan Amendment to remove Economic Development Policy 10.1.6.4 which states, "The majority of transient occupancy tax generated revenue shall be directed toward the promotion of tourism, entertainment, business and leisure travel in El Dorado County."; and
3) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 216-2019 for said General Plan Amendment.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Request to consider amending the Economic Development Element of the General Plan to remove Policy 10.1.6.4 which states, “The majority of transient occupancy tax generated revenue shall be directed toward the promotion of tourism, entertainment, business and leisure travel in El Dorado County.”
At the Board on September 10, 2019 (Item 22, Legistar 19-1337), Supervisors Novasel and Hidahl, as the Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Budget Adhoc Committee, recommended the Board direct staff to:
1) Proceed with a General Plan amendment to remove Policy 10.1.6.4 which states, "The majority of transient occupancy tax generated revenue shall be directed toward the promotion of tourism, entertainment, business and leisure travel in El Dorado County; and
2) Direct staff to return to the Board with an additional budget policy that states, "transient occupancy tax revenue shall be directed toward the impact of tourism and economic development."
As a result of this request, the Board voted 5-0 to move the item forward. The proposed revisions to the Economic Development Element would eliminate Policy 10.1.6.4 and would result in a new Board Policy, for the Chief Administrative Office regarding how Transient Occupancy Tax dollars can be allocated. It has been determined that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review as the action is not deemed a project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).
Staff presented the item to the Planning Commission on November 14, 2019 (Item 3, Legistar 19-1518). The Planning Commission requested clarification on the Board direction from September 10, 2019, meeting and on the history of the creation of Policy 10.1.6.4. One member of the public, the CEO of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, spoke expressing her desire that promotion and tourism language would be included in the new budget policy. Following the closure of deliberation and public comment, Commissioner Williams made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Hansen, to recommend approval to the Board of staff’s recommended actions. The motion passed 4-0.
Pursuant to the above referenced Board direction, the recommended budget policy is agendized immediately following this hearing, as Legistar Item #19-1818.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may elect to not approve the General Plan Amendment to remove Economic Development Policy 10.1.6.4.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Refer to Discussion/Background section.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
Clerk to send one (1) fully executed copy of the Resolution to the Planning and Building Department, attention of Char Tim, Clerk of the Planning Commission.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development - Invest in infrastructure needs to improve and maintain competitiveness.
Good Governance - Promote the development of resources to identify and pursue additional revenue including local, state, federal and private funding for new and existing projects.
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid, Director
Planning and Building Department