DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer AICP CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Anti-idling ordinance
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance limiting the idling of heavy duty vehicles to five minutes within specific areas of San Antonio's city limits, allowing for exemptions of certain vehicles with an effective date of January 1, 2017.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a more stringent "health-based" air pollution standard of 70 parts per billion on October 1, 2015. Air quality is a significant priority for City Council, as it has an impact on our community's public and economic health. Additionally, on October 9, 2013, Councilman Ray Lopez, District 6, issued a Council Consideration Request (CCR) for a comprehensive review of the City's air quality efforts to ultimately develop a City of San Antonio air quality strategic plan.
The City of San Antonio in collaboration with Bexar County and the Alamo Area Council of Governments requested public input on the proposed vehicle idling limitation policy from March 4, 2016 to May 31, 2016. City staff has reached out to a variety of stakeholders including fleet owners and operators, Chambers of Commerce, environmental organizations, school districts and the San Antonio Manufacturer's Association. Office of Sustainability staff has analyzed over 190 public comments - ninety-four percent of comments provided their support, three percent are indifferent and three percent are opposed. In May 2016, the proposed ordinance was reviewed by the Comprehensive Planning Committee and the Transportation Technology and Utilities Committee and was recommended for full Council consideration.
As of today, forty-four communities in Texas have adopted a policy limiting the idling of heavy duty vehicles, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, City of Leon Valley and Bexar County. This pol...
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