Coronado City Council to Discuss Community Choice Aggregation

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Coronado City Council engaged in discussions on energy sustainability and community regulations.

News Summary

The Coronado City Council is scheduled to meet to discuss critical agenda items, including the feasibility of joining a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) energy program, which could decrease carbon emissions significantly. Also on the agenda is a new ordinance regarding the disposal of fats, oils, and greases from restaurants, along with a public hearing on a request for an elevator installation in a home. Community members are encouraged to attend or tune in to the live broadcast.

Coronado – The Coronado City Council is set to convene on June 3 at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, located at 1825 Strand Way, to discuss several significant agenda items. The meeting will be broadcasted live, and a recording will subsequently be made available online for public viewing.

One of the primary agenda items will center around the feasibility of Coronado joining a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) energy program. CCAs are designed to enable groups of municipalities to form a non-profit entity dedicated to procuring energy, with a strong emphasis on sustainable sources. Currently, all municipalities within San Diego County have joined a CCA, with the exceptions of Coronado, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Santee.

According to a staff report, if Coronado decides to join a CCA, it could potentially see a reduction of nearly 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. This reduction aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan, which was enacted in 2022 and emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. However, the council should consider that membership in a CCA may afford the city limited voting power—only one vote maximum on a CCA board—and will require ongoing oversight of energy markets.

The City Council has engaged the University of San Diego’s Energy Policy Initiative Center (EPIC) to evaluate two potential regional CCAs: San Diego Community Power (SDCP) and Clean Energy Alliance (CEA). This evaluation aims to provide a detailed analysis of the advantages and challenges associated with joining such programs.

In addition to energy discussions, the council will address a new ordinance focused on the disposal of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from restaurants. This is in accordance with requirements established by the California State Water Resources Control Board. The new regulations aim to strengthen guidelines around grease management, which are vital for mitigating risks of sewer blockages and ensuring public health and safety.

The proposed ordinance mandates that restaurant staff undergo annual grease management training and adhere to state plumbing standards for grease removal equipment. Furthermore, certified haulers must be used for FOG systems. The compliance deadline for restaurants to adapt to these new regulations is set for August 2 of this year.

Another important item on the agenda is a public hearing concerning a reasonable accommodation request for the installation of an elevator in a single-family home. The request is aimed at improving mobility for residents within the home, but it comes with complications as it would displace one of the two required garage parking spaces and encroach 11 feet into the required setback area for the backyard. Additionally, the proposed elevator would increase the dwelling’s floor area beyond the allowed maximum ratio as established by city regulations.

City staff is recommending approval for the zoning waivers associated with the requested elevator installation, highlighting the need to balance residential accessibility with adherence to existing zoning laws.

This City Council meeting promises to address critical issues regarding energy sustainability, environmental regulation compliance, and the need for greater accessibility in homes. Community members are encouraged to participate in the meeting either in person or by tuning in to the broadcast.