Board members described the city's recently published 10-year strategic plan as a tool for identifying EAB projects and urged colleagues to participate in the upcoming kickoff and public-input process for the city's land-development code rewrite.

Don, a staff member, reminded the board that Inspired Communities, the consultant overseeing the LDC rewrite, will hold a kickoff workshop on January 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the same room; staff invited the board to attend and to submit comments. Board members said they want environmental goals to be visible during the rewrite and suggested concrete changes such as relaxing certain tree-protection size thresholds, removing unnecessary parking minimums, supporting naturalistic-yard allowances, and prioritizing canopy in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.

Board members proposed short, practical pilot projects to build momentum: a temporary bike lane on Ramona between Coyle and Bailin to connect new housing with downtown, and establishing a naturalistic-yard certification process so residents who replace lawns with native plantings are protected from code enforcement for "intentional" habitat planting. Members also suggested mapping priority planting locations and invited staff to return with lists of initial Arbor Day grant plantings and proposed canopy-deficit sites.

The board debated whether to meet monthly or bimonthly. Several members said monthly meetings would keep the board current with ongoing planning efforts, while others preferred to remain bimonthly until more agenda items required staff resources. Staff noted that scheduling more frequent meetings raises administrative work and that canceling noticed meetings can inconvenience residents who follow the calendar.

Public commenters urged stronger attention to stormwater, soil and water quality, and walkability. Lauren Hamilton, a researcher working with EPA projects, asked whether stormwater-planning work is coordinated with city boards; staff said the city partners with county and university labs and that some stormwater projects are already underway. Dr. Victoria Descartes, who said she works for EPA, encouraged permanent car-free zones within historic downtown and referenced successful urban retrofit examples elsewhere.

Board members asked staff to circulate the relevant LDC draft materials before the next meeting and to bring Planning staff and transportation staff to a future session so the board can provide informed comments. The board set a homework request: members were asked to review the phase-1 LDC materials and return with suggestions at the next meeting.