HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2010-193 N.C.S. 10/18/2010IZesolution No. 2010-193 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESO~,UTION OF ~'~-IE CI'TY COiJNCII.OF 'I`I~E CITY OF PE'~A~,iJMA
PROVII)ING CO1VIlVIEN'I'S UNDER ~'I-~E CALIFORNIA ENVIItONiVIEN`I'AL
~UAI,IT~' AC'I' ON 'TI~E F'INAL ENVIRONIVIEN'TAL IMPAC~' REPORT FOR 'T~IE
PROPOSED ROBLAR ROAI) QiJARRY PRO.~CT
W~-IEREAS, the City of Petaluma is located near the area of the proposed site for a new
rock quarry on Roblar Road; and,
WHEIZEAS, the proposed Roblar Road Quarry is adjacent to the site of the now closed
Roblar Road Landfill site which remains unlined and uncapped; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Petaluma is concerned about impacts of the
proposed quarry operation on this landfill that could affect the local water supply of Petaluma's
neighbors and also leave Petaluma exposed to liability due to historic use of the old landfill by
City of Petaluma residents; and,
WHEREAS, the project as proposed does not identify adequate measures to ensure that
project construction and operation will not lead to damage to the Roblar ~Road Landfill with a
resulting adverse impact on local water supply and/or adjacent properties; and,
WHEREAS, there is a lack of an identified baseline of existing conditions from the
Roblar Road landfill which would enable identification and appropriate assignment of
responsibility for any damage to the Roblar Landfill resulting from construction and operation of
the proposed project; and,
WI~EREAS, the County of Sonoma has presently proposed a form of indemnification
for the City of Petaluma and other involved cities which may not provide adequate liability
protection for the City and its ratepayers; and,
WHEREAS, in 2006, Petaluma voters joined Sonoma County voters to pass a'/4 cent
sales tax to preserve agricultural lands, clean water, and open space; and,
WHEREAS, the access to the Roblar Road Quarry studied as an alternative in the Final
EIR places a haul road which is proposed to direct 300 or more truck trips (150 roundtrips) daily
through agricultural land and open space protected through conservation easements and other
preservation measures funded in part by the voter-approved sales tax; and,
WHEREAS, location of a haul road over open space and agricultural land will adversely
impact adjacent agricultural uses; and,
WH~REAS, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District's
Advisory Committee met on October 7, 2010 and took a position opposing the release of the
Roblar Ranch Conservation Easement expressing that citizens expect that easements acquired by
the District will be permanent; that sale or release of easements for private purposes sets a
dangerous precedent; and that approval of a road through the easement will damage the
Resolution No. 2010-193 N.C.S. Page I
reputation of the District and erode public trust that the District permanently protects properties it
acquires; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council concurs with the position of the Advisory Committee
regarding removal or modification of existing conservation easements; and,
W~IEREAS, there has not been an appropriate evaluation under CEQA of the impact of
the m~dification of the conservation easement, which has been proposed as a mitigation measure
for otller adverse impacts of the project.
NOW, TI~ERE~ORE, B~ IT RESOLVED that based on the foregoing recitals, which
are incorporated herein, the City Council of the City of Petaluma objects to the certification of
the Final EIR for the current John E. Barella Trust and Andrea M. Barella Trust application for
County of Sonoma permits for the proposed Roblar Road Quarry Project ("the Project") because
of:
1. Inadequate evaluation of environmental impacts as identified herein which affect the
City of Petaluma and City residents.
2. Indemnification conditions proposed for the Project which are insufficient to protect
the City of Petaluma and City residents and ratepayers from the liability
consequences of potential damage to the Roblar Landfill from project construction
and operation.
3. Access and a haul road proposed for the Project which would violate the public trust
and require modification of conservation easements and open space/agricultural
protection which has been achieved partially or wholly through tax funds paid by City
residents and directed to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open
Space District.
BE I~' FiJRTI~ER IZESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma urges the
County of Sonoma to disapprove the Project unless the issues identified herein are fully
evaluated and resolved in a manner sufficient to protect the City of Petaluma and City residents
and ratepayers.
BE IT FUR'g'HER RESOLV~D that the City Council of the C~ity of Petaluma does
hereby direct the City Clerk to transmit this resolution to Valerie Brown, Chair of the Sonoma
County Board of Supervisors.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Ap ove as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the ] 8`h day of October, o .
2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Barrett, Vice Mayor Glass, Renee, Mayor Torliatt
NOES: Harris, Healy
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Rabbitt
ATTEST: ~
City Clerk
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