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active recreation: recreational opportunities including sports and other activities that
typically require playing fields, facilities or equipment.
affordable housing: any housing that is deed restricted for, and occupied by, households
earning less than 120% of the Los Angeles County median family income.
alternative fuel vehicles: vehicles that operate on fuels other than gasoline or
traditional diesel.
Alternative fuel vehicles include those that operate using compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid
natural gas (LNG), propane, electricity, hybrid of gasoline and electricity,
biodiesel and hydrogen.
alternative (and/or sustainable) modes of transportation: for the purpose of this
document alternative (and/or sustainable) modes of transportation include transportation
by public transit (bus or rail), bicycle, walking, or alternative fuel vehicles.
average vehicle ridership (AVR): a measurement of vehicle occupancy indicating the average
number of persons traveling in a measured number of vehicles. AVR is an indicator of the
effectiveness of and participation in ridesharing programs.
bike lane/path/route: As defined in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan, a bike lane
is a signed and striped lane along a roadway for use by bicycles. Other types of bicycle ways in
the city are bike paths and bike routes. A bike path is a dedicated bicycle way that
completely separates bicycles from motor vehicles. Bike routes are signed routes which bicyclists
share with motor vehicles. Bike routes differ from bike lanes in that routes do not include any
striping on the roadway - they are only designated by signage.
community: for the purpose of this document, whenever the term community is used
it is meant to include the following groups: individuals of all ages, races and abilities;
organizations; government agencies; businesses; employers; employees; residents; property owners;
renters; visitors; schools; students; public and private service agencies; faith communities; and
local media.
companion animals: animals kept by residents in their homes, yards, or other properties,
for purposes of providing mutual companionship.
clean distributed generation: distributed generation refers to generation of electricity
at or near the location where that electricity will be used. This differs from traditional
electricity generation, which occurs at centralized power plants and is distributed over hundreds
of miles to millions of customers through the electricity “grid”. For the purpose of this
document, clean distributed generation (in order of preferred technology type) refers to
1) renewable distributed generation, including electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems,
fuel cells (powered by hydrogen generated from solar, wind, or other non-fossil fuel, renewable
energy technologies), and small wind generators; 2) electricity generated by high efficiency
(i.e., meeting or exceeding efficiency of large natural gas power plants) natural gas generators
and fuel cells using hydrogen generated through a natural gas catalyst; and 3) medium scale,
high-efficiency co-generation systems (powered by natural gas) serving many properties located
within close proximity of each other. Clean distributed generation does not include electricity
generated by gasoline or diesel powered generators.
diversion: in reference to solid waste, diversion refers to all waste that is
kept out of a landfill through recycling, beneficial reuse, composting, or other means.
ecological footprint: The ecological footprint is a tool to help measure human impacts
on local and global ecosystems. The ecological footprint of a given population (household,
community, country) is the total area of ecologically productive land and water used exclusively
to produce all the resources (including food, fuel, and fiber) consumed and to assimilate all
the wastes generated by that population. Since we use resources from all over the world and
affect far away places with our wastes, the footprint is a sum of these ecological areas —
wherever that land and water may be on the planet. Thus the ecological footprint of Santa Monica
is that area of productive land inside and outside its borders that is appropriated for its
resource consumption or waste assimilation. There is a finite area of ecologically productive
land and water on the Earth, which must be shared among 6 billion people as well as all of the
planet’s other species. The amount of ecologically productive land available globally at today’s
current population is approximately 5 acres per person. The ecological footprint of the average
American is approximately 25 acres, far exceeding the “fair earthshare”. The ecological footprint
is an excellent tool for illustrating the magnitude of the change necessary for our world to become
sustainable. It is also useful for evaluating and comparing the total environmental impact of
specific activities and in this way, helpful for decision-making.
environmentally preferable: a product, service, activity or process that has a lesser or
reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products, services,
activities or processes that serve the same purpose.
extended producer responsibility: responsibility of producers or manufacturers across
the entire life cycle of their products, particularly to the post-consumer stage (after products
are discarded and become waste). Typically once a product is sold to a consumer the responsibility
of disposing of that product becomes the responsibility of the consumer. Extended producer
responsibility requires that the producer of the product maintain responsibility for recycling or
proper disposal of the product once it has surpassed its useful life.
green: for the purpose of this document, green is used as shorthand to refer to
any environmentally preferable product, activity, service or process.
green housing: housing that meets or exceeds the requirements of the City's Green
Building Design and Construction Guidelines.
greenhouse gas (GHG): greenhouse gases are natural and manmade gases in the earth’s
atmosphere that allow incoming solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere and warm the earth
but trap radiant heat given off by the earth. The radiant heat absorbed by these gases heats the
atmosphere. This is a natural process known as the “greenhouse effect” that keeps the earth
habitable. The four primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Since the
onset of the industrial period, human activities have lead to sharp increases in the levels of
GHGs in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to rising global
temperatures.
hazardous material: a material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or
physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human
health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment.
hazardous waste: a waste or combination of wastes which, because of its quantity,
concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may cause or significantly
contribute to an increase in serious, irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness or pose
a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, welfare or to the environment
when improperly treated, stored, transported, used or disposed of, or otherwise managed.
household hazardous waste (HHW): hazardous waste that is generated by residents through
the use of hazardous or potentially hazardous products in the home. Typical household hazardous
wastes include spent batteries, cleaning products, pesticides, paints and solvents.
HHW collection facility: a permanent facility maintained by the City for the collection
and proper recycling or disposal of hazardous waste generated by Santa Monica residents and small
quantities of hazardous waste generated by Santa Monica businesses. This is provided as a free
service to Santa Monica residents. The facility is located at 2500 Michigan Avenue. Call (310)
458-8255 for more information.
Income levels: With respect to the indicators of housing affordability the following are
definitions of the income levels mentioned in this document:
Very low income: annual earnings between 0 and 50% of the Los Angeles County Median
Family income (MFI)
Low income: annual earnings between 51 and 80% MFI
Moderate income: annual earnings between 81 and 120% MFI
Upper income: annual earnings above 120% MFI
LEEDTM certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design): A
rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) that sets definitive
standards for what constitutes a green or environmentally preferable building. The
certification system is self-assessing and is designed for rating new and existing commercial,
institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. It evaluates environmental performance of
the entire building over the building's life cycle. LEED certifications are awarded at various
levels (certified, silver, gold, and platinum) according to a point-based scoring system.
level of service (LOS): a concept used to describe street intersection operating
conditions. It is based on average vehicle delay measurements and/or the volume/capacity ratio
of the intersection in question. LOS grades range from A to F with A representing excellent
(free-flow) conditions and F representing extreme traffic congestion. For the purpose of this
document, LOS grade D represents marginally acceptable levels of traffic and grades E and F
represent unacceptable levels. A definition of level of service for sustainable modes of
transportation will be developed as part of the update of the Circulation Element of the City’s
General Plan scheduled for adoption in 2003.
livable housing: housing that is within close proximity to neighborhood serving
commercial areas, transit stops and community resources such as parks and open space.
local: the term local has different definitions depending upon the context in
which it is used in this document. These are described below:
- Where local is used in reference to the economy (“local economy” or “local
businesses”) it refers to Santa Monica’s economy or businesses located within Santa Monica.
- Local government agencies refer to any agencies or departments of the Santa Monica
city government.
- Where local refers to food production (“locally produced”) it refers to food grown
in the southern half of the state of California
- Where local refers to resources, it refers to resources obtained or impacted within
a 500-mile radius of Santa Monica.
mixed-use projects: developments which incorporate both residential and commercial uses.
modal split: the split in use of various transportation modes including: single passenger
vehicles; carpools of more than one passenger; bus; rail; bicycle; and pedestrian modes.
multi-modal transportation system: a transportation system that includes affordable,
alternative modes of transportation such as public transit, and infrastructure and access for
alternative fueled vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, in addition to standard vehicular
transportation.
native species: plant or animal species native to the southern California bioregion.
natural function/wildlife habitat: geographic areas that provide life-supportive
functions associated with atmospheric, biological, biochemical and hydrological processes that
keep our air and water clean, process waste and support survival and reproduction of plant and
animal life.
non-renewable resources: natural resources that have a finite availability worldwide.
Examples include coal, oil and other petroleum products.
open space: for the purpose of this document open space refers to all land uses
defined as open space in the Open Space Element of the City of Santa Monica’s General Plan. These
include beaches, parks, public gathering places, usable green open space in street medians, scenic
highway corridors, gardens, and other publicly accessible land.
passive recreation: recreational opportunities that occur in a natural setting which
require minimal development or facilities, and the importance of the environment or setting for
the activities is greater than in developed or active recreation settings.
PBTs (persistent bioaccumulative toxics): chemicals that are toxic, persist in the
environment and bioaccumulate in food chains and, thus, pose risks to human health and the
environment. The term PBT is used primarily by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as
part of its preparation of a list of such chemicals that will receive special regulatory emphasis
in the United States.
POPs (persistent organic pollutants): Organic chemical substances that persist in the
environment and bioaccumulate in food chains and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human
health and the environment. The term POPs is commonly used in the context of the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP) and are subject to international negotiations aiming toward their
global elimination.
Note: The primary difference between the PBTs and POPs is that the list of PBTs
includes non-organic toxins that are not included on the list of POPs.
potable: suitable for drinking
qualified low emission / alternative fuel vehicles: Vehicles recognized by the State of
California as being low emission and/or alternative fuel vehicles. These vehicles exceed the
basic standards all new vehicles must meet to be sold in California and include low emission
vehicles (LEVs), ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs), super ultra low emission vehicles (SULEVs)
and zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Additional information about these vehicle designations can
be found on the internet at
California Air Resources Board - Cleaner Car Buyers'
Guide
rainy day: for the purpose of this document, a rainy day is any day with
recorded precipitation greater than .1” in 24 hours.
recognized neighborhood organization: Tax-exempt, non-profit organization
representing a commonly recognized neighborhood in Santa Monica.
regionally appropriate vegetation: plant and tree species that are environmentally
appropriate for the Southern California region and that do not negatively impact native plants or
animals. A specific list of regionally appropriate vegetation for Santa Monica will be developed
in 2003.
rehabilitated housing: rehabilitation that increases by 25% or more the after-rehab value
of the property; or a rehabilitation in which at least fifty percent of exterior walls have been
removed or relocated for any duration of time.
renewable limits: harvesting resources within renewable limits refers to harvesting
a renewable resource at a rate that is lower than the rate the resource can replace itself (e.g.
catching fish at a rate that will allow the fish population to be maintained over time. If too many
fish are caught, exceeding renewable limits, the fish population will decline). The terms
renewable limits and sustainable limits are synonymous.
renewable resources: natural resources that have an unlimited supply (such as solar
radiation) or that can be renewed indefinitely if ecosystem health is maintained (e.g. fisheries
or forests).
routine: for the purpose of this document, routine, when describing generation of
hazardous waste by City government operations, refers to regular and consistent operational
practices such as vehicle maintenance, regular cleaning procedures, etc. Non-routine refers to
hazardous waste generated during unanticipated events such as chemical spills or leaks.
Santa Monica cost of living index (SMCOLI): Los Angeles County cost of living for a
two-person household adjusted for the cost of housing in Santa Monica. SMCOLI for 2000 is $21,800
(LA County cost of living) x 1.46 = $31,828. The 1.46 multiplication factor refers to the relative
cost of housing in Santa Monica as compared to the average for Los Angeles County, based on the
Housing Authority Survey of Rents.
significant emissions source: sources of toxic air contaminants and other air emissions
that pose a threat to human health and the environment. A specific list of significant emission
sources within Santa Monica will be developed in the course of tracking this indicator.
SMMUSD: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
special needs groups: with respect to affordable housing, special needs groups refers to
the elderly, disabled persons, large families, female-headed families, and the homeless.
sustainable: sustainable can mean slightly different things depending on the
context in which it is used. For the purpose of this document, the following definitions are
used:
sustainable (in reference to resource use): a method of harvesting or using a resource so
that resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
sustainable business: for the purpose of this document, sustainable business refers
to a business that provides goods and services, and/or has incorporated into its daily operations
practices that result in cleaner air and water, less waste and pollution, conservation of energy
and natural resources, less traffic, improved quality of life for residents and workers, and
contribute to a strong and viable local economy.
sustainable community/city: a community or city that meets its present needs without
sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. More specifically, a
sustainable community is one that improves and enhances its natural, social and economic
resources in ways that allow current and future members of the community to lead healthy,
productive and satisfying lives.
sustainable modes of transportation/travel: same as alternative modes of
transportation above
sustainable procurement: procurement of environmentally preferable goods and services
in a way that also takes into consideration social responsibility and sustainable economic
development issues in the manufacture, transportation, sale and use of those goods and
services.
toxic material: a substance that causes illness, injury or death by chemical means.
A poison.
toxic air contaminants (TACs): air pollutants which may cause or contribute to an
increase in mortality or serious illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to
human health.
transit node: a station for public transportation along a regional transit corridor
(usually rail or rapid bus) with access routes for buses, taxis, automobiles, bicycles and
pedestrians.
urban villages: mixed-use developments in walkable, livable and transit-oriented
districts that balance the need for sufficient density to support convenient, high-frequency
transit service within the scale of the adjacent community.
vehicle miles traveled (VMT): one vehicle traveling one mile constitutes a vehicle
mile. VMT is primarily an indicator of automobile use. Increasing VMT typically corresponds
with increases in traffic and vehicle-related pollution.
zero emissions vehicle (ZEV): motor vehicle that produces neither tailpipe nor
evaporative pollutant emissions.
zero waste: recycling or reuse of all natural and man made materials back into
nature or the marketplace rather than sending those materials landfills or similar disposal
options.
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