The term “Environmental Justice” refers to the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 

Community planning can directly enhance the wellness of a community and the built environment may have a direct effect on the physical and mental well-being of where they reside. General Plans are required to address community health under Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000), the Planning for Healthy Communities Act. The Planning for Healthy Communities Act requires local governments to screen for “disadvantaged communities,” which the law as defines low-income areas that are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution or contamination that can result in negative health outcomes.

The General Plan uses the term "impacted communities” rather than disadvantaged, in order to focus on impacts from outside the community that can be addressed and changed. By comparison, underserved areas are areas or neighborhoods within the City where level, quality, or amount of services or amenities are lower than in other parts of the City. This could include less access to parks and recreational facilities, healthy food outlets, or health services.

Underserved areas can include impacted communities but may or may not necessarily face the same pollution or contamination burdens that trigger the requirements to be identified as an impacted community under the Planning for Healthy Communities Act.

Within impacted communities, the General Plan identifies environmental justice goals, policies, and actions to address specific community health topics, including:

• Reducing the unique or compounded health risks by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.
• Promoting community engagement in the public decision-making process.
• Prioritizing improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

At the regular meeting of the Vacaville Planning Commission on October 18, 2022, the City facilitated a workshop to discuss and receive input on the draft Environmental Justice goals, policies and actions, and the draft Safety Element.

• Planning Commission Staff Report
• Planning Commission Meeting Video

On June 30, 2022 at 6:00 PM the City facilitated a virtual Community Health Stakeholder Workshop to explain community health in Vacaville and solicit feedback the community.

• Presentation
• English Recording
• Spanish Recording