HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2015-131 N.C.S. 08/03/2015Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
MAKING FINDINGS OF FACT AND ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING
AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RAINIER CROSS -TOWN CONNECTOR
PROJECT, PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, The City of Petaluma Public Works and Utilities Department ( "Applicant ")
proposes a 0.65 mile, four lane arterial roadway featuring bridge, median, pedestrian, bicycle
facilities and new signalized intersection. The Rainier Cross -Town Connector will connect North
McDowell Boulevard on the eastern side of Highway 101 to Petaluma Boulevard North on the
western side of the City ( "Project "); and
WHEREAS, the Project boundaries constitute roadway and appurtenant improvements
that would extend at grade from the signalized North McDowell Boulevard intersection, cross
beneath Highway 101 under an elevated portion of the Freeway that will be constructed as part
of the Marin- Sonoma Narrows HOV Project, would cross over the Sonoma Marin Area Rail
Transit (SMART) Corridor and Petaluma River via a bridge, and return to grade proximate to
Petaluma Boulevard North where it terminates at a signalized T- intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the
Project was mailed to all responsible and affected agencies on August 11, 2011, pursuant to
Public Resources Code Section 21080.4 and California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ")
Guidelines Section 15082; and
WHEREAS, a Draft Environmental Impact Report ( "Draft EIR ") was prepared for the
Plan in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq. and CEQA Guidelines
Section 15000 et seq., and circulated for public review between July 24, 2014 and Sept. 8, 2014,
with a notice inviting comments on the Draft EIR given in compliance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15087; and
WHEREAS, Draft EIR relies on the EIR for the City of Petaluma General Plan 2025,
certified by City Council Resolution No. 2008 -058 N.C.S on April 7, 2008, for information
relating to certain cumulative impacts, as identified in the Draft EIR; and
WHEREAS, the City has committed to implementing the mitigation measures contained
in the Implementation Plan and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program adopted by the
City as Exhibit B to Resolution No. 2008 -084 N.C.S., Resolution of the City Council of the City
of Petaluma Making Findings of Fact, Adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and
Adopting an Implementation and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program in support of the
General Plan 2025, pursuant to CEQA; and
WHEREAS, the City distributed copies of the Draft EIR in conformance with CEQA to
the public agencies which have jurisdiction by law with respect to the project and to other
interested persons and agencies and sought the comments of such persons and agencies; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public meeting and hearing on August 12,
2014 to consider the Draft EIR; and
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page I
WHEREAS, the City Council held a public meeting and hearing on September 8, 2014 to
consider the Draft EIR; and
WHEREAS, written and oral comments to the Draft EIR have been received and
responses to those comments have been prepared in the form of a Final Environmental Impact
Report for the Project ( "Final EIR "); and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2015, the Planning Commission considered the Final EIR and
accepted public testimony; and
WHEREAS, a motion to recommend that the City Council certify the EIR and approve
the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program failed with a tie vote of Commissioners (3 -3)
present at the June 23, 2015 meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Project does not have the potential to have a significant adverse impact
on wildlife resources as defined in the State Fish and Game Code, either individually or
cumulatively, though it is not exempt from Fish and Game filing fees; and
WHEREAS, the Project is not located on a site listed on any Hazardous Waste Site List
compiled by the State pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the EIR identified several potentially significant impacts that will be
reduced to a less than significant level with specified mitigation measures, and pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(d), a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been
prepared and set forth with the Final EIR to ensure that all mitigation measures which serve to
reduce environmental impacts of the Project are fully implemented; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the project will contribute to significant and
unavoidable cumulative impacts identified in the City's General Plan EIR including a) City -wide
traffic -noise impact; b) greenhouse gas emissions; and c) deficient level of service (LOS) at the
Rainier Avenue/North McDowell Boulevard intersection; and
WHEREAS, Public Resources Code Section 21081(b) requires that the City Council find
that specific economic, legal, social, technological or other consideration outweigh any
significant environmental effects of the Project which cannot be fully mitigated; and
WHEREAS, a Statement of Overriding Considerations consisting of the City's finding
and determination regarding the Project's significant and unavoidable effects is contained in
Exhibit C, which is incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA, a mitigation monitoring and Reporting Program has
been prepared, as set forth in the FEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, to ensure that
all mitigation measures relied on in the findings are fully implemented; and
WHEREAS, some mitigation measures identified in Exhibit A may require action by, or
cooperation from, other agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The above recitals are true and correct, incorporated herein by reference and adopted
as findings of the City Council.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 2
2. The City Council certifies the Environmental Impact Report as an adequate
description of the impacts of the Project in compliance with CEQA, the State CEQA
Guidelines, and the City of Petaluma Environmental Guidelines.
3. Based on substantial evidence in the record, the City Council adopts the findings
regarding potential significant impacts of the Project and mitigations, as set forth in
Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
4. The City Council adopts the Mitigation Monitoring Program set forth within the Final
EIR.
5. Based on substantial evidence in the record, the City Council adopts the findings
regarding alternatives to the Project, as set forth in Exhibit B, attached hereto and
incorporated by reference.
6. Based on substantial evidence in the record, the City Council adopts the findings set
forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations regarding significant unavoidable
impacts in considering the cumulative impact of the Project, attached hereto as
Exhibit C, and incorporated by reference.
7. The custodian of the documents and other materials which constitute the record of
proceedings to date for the Project is the City of Petaluma, Planning Division,
Petaluma City Hall, 11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952.
8. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S.
Page 3
EXHIBIT A
FINDINGS CONCERNING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081 and CEQA Guidelines section 15091, the City
Council hereby makes the following findings with respect to the potential for significant
environmental impacts of the Rainier Crosstown Connector Project ( "Project ") and methods for
mitigating those impacts. For the purpose of these findings, the term EIR means the Draft and
Final EIR documents collectively, unless specified otherwise.
These findings do not attempt to describe the full analysis of each environment impact contained
in the EIR. Instead the findings provide a summary description of each impact and identify the
applicable mitigation measures set forth in the EIR and adopted by the City, and state findings on
the significance of each impact after imposition of the adopted mitigation measures. A full
explanation of these environmental findings and conclusions is in the EIR, and these findings
hereby incorporate by reference the discussion and analysis in those documents supporting the
EIR's determinations regarding mitigation measures and the Project's impacts and mitigation
measures designed to address those impacts. The facts supporting these findings are found in the
record as a whole for the project.
In making these findings, the City ratifies, adopts, and incorporates into these findings the
analysis and explanation in the EIR, and ratifies, adopts, and incorporates into these findings the
determination and conclusions of the EIR relating to environmental impacts and mitigation
measures, except to the extent that any such determinations and conclusions are specifically and
expressly modified by these findings.
Many of the impacts and mitigation measures in the following findings are summarized rather
then set forth in full. The text of the EIR should be consulted for a complete description of the
impacts and mitigations.
AIR OUALITY
Impact AQ -8 Project construction would expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations resulting in cancer and noncancer risks. This is considered a potentially
significant impact.
AQ /GHG -8: Reduce emissions produced by all diesel fueled off -road construction
equipment by at least 8 percent relative to Tier 2 engines.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: With mitigation, the impact on the residents can be reduced to
9.8 in one million, which is less than the BAAQMD's significance threshold of 10 in one
million. Therefore, the impact on sensitive receptors would be less than significant after
mitigation.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 4
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Impact 11I0-3: The project would have substantial adverse effect on riparian habitat or other
sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S.
FWS).
13I0-1: Reduce construction related impacts by minimizing the area of disturbance,
limiting construction activities to the dry season when proximate to the river, locating
equipment in designated staging areas, protecting topsoil, covering stockpiled materials,
restoring disturbed areas, revegetating to achieve pre - construction coverage, and
removing all construction equipment from the site.
11I0-2: Minimize potential discharge of sediment by use of silt fences, erosion control
blankets, sediment - control devices, diverting runoff, covering materials stored onsite,
preventing discharge of construction materials, implementing BMPs, providing pallets
for containment areas, and training onsite personnel in spill prevention and spill
containments.
BIO -3: Mitigate impacts to riparian habitat at a 1:1 ratio or as deemed appropriate by
regulatory agencies.
11I0-7: Prepare an arborist report prior to construction activities and adhere to the
recommendations therein and in accordance with the Petaluma Tree Preservation
Ordinance.
13I0-8: The City of Petaluma shall develop a replanting plan such that at the end of a
five -year monitoring period the plan shall be considered successful if 75 percent of the
tree plantings survive.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Mitigation measures will limit areas of disturbance and timing of
disturbance to avoid or reduce potential impacts that could adversely affect a sensitive
natural community. In the event that minor and temporary disturbance occurs, any
disturbed areas will be restored to preconstruction conditions. Where on -site mitigation is
deemed infeasible, impacts to riparian habitat will be remediated by offsite measures
proximate to the project site as practicable. The mitigation to be imposed also outlines
best practices for handling and containing materials to prevent accidental environmental
degradation. With the introduction of mitigation measures listed above, sensitive habitat
will be left undisturbed or restored as necessary such that the long term health and vitality
of on -site and surrounding sensitive habitat will be substantially retained.
Impact 13I0-4: The project would adversely affect federally protected wetlands through direct
removal, filling, hydrological interruption or other means.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 5
BIO -1(see above)
BIO -2 (see above)
BIO -3 (see above)
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Implementation of mitigation measures will protect wetland
habitat or offset any losses to wetland habitat through onsite creation of wetland and /or
the procurement of mitigation bank credits that benefit the Petaluma River watershed.
Therefore, after applying these measures, the impact would be less than significant.
Impact BIO -5: The project would have a direct or indirect adverse effect on species identified
as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations by the CDFW or the U.S. FWS.
Amphibians
BIO -1 (see above)
BIO -2 (see above)
BIO -3 (see above)
BIO -4: A qualified U.S. FWS - approved biologist shall conduct preconstruction surveys
of all ground disturbance areas within suitable habitat to determine the presence of
California Red Legged Frogs and Western Pond Turtle. Construction activities adjacent
to the Petaluma River shall be conducted during the dry season and shall be supervised
by an approved biologist as appropriate. Prior to initiating work, all construction
personnel shall undergo training (conducted by a qualified biologist) for Endangered
Species Act provisions, best practices, and species /habitat recognition. During
construction, the area of activity shall be delineated and limited to the area within a
temporary high visibility orange fence, flagging, or other barriers. All trash shall be kept
in closed containers and removed at the close of each day and any holes or trenches
deeper than one foot shall be covered to prevent entrapment.
Fish
BIO -1(see above)
BIO -2 (see above)
BIO -5: To avoid and minimize impact and potential disturbance to Central California
Coast Steelhead, Green Sturgeon, and Sacramento Splittail, all construction activities
shall be conducted during the dry season. Prior to construction activities, a qualified
biologist shall train construction personnel in salmonid and habitat identification, best
practices, and review of project site boundaries. Should construction of cofferdams or
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 6
dewatering occur during construction activities, a fish rescue effort shall be conducted, as
necessary.
Birds
13I0-6: If construction is scheduled during the nesting season of migratory birds then
pre - construction survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist to identify the
presence of any nesting birds. In the event that an active nest is identified, a qualified
biologist, in consultation with the CDFW, shall determine a buffer zone and clearly
delineate the buffer area. If an active nest is found after the pre - construction survey and
once construction has begun, all construction activities will cease until the nest has been
evaluated by the qualified biologist and appropriately protected.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Mitigation measures would limit areas and times of disturbance,
require pre - construction surveys and nesting bird surveys. Further, mitigation requires a
training component that will ensure construction workers are well aware of sensitive
species and habitats. Through minimizing the area of disturbance and limiting
construction activities to a period least likely to impact sensitive species (dry season and
non - nesting season) and educating construction workers, potential impacts will be less
than significant.
Impact BIO -6 The project would conflict with local policies or ordinances intended to protect
biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy.
BIO -7 Prior to construction, a qualified arborist shall determine which trees need to be
removed and whether they are protected. For protected trees to be removed, they shall be
replaced at a trunk diameter ratio of 1:1 forhealthy trees, 2 :1 for marginal trees, and
those in poor health do not require replacement. Trees shall be replaced onsite, as
feasible, otherwise suitable off -site location shall be identified.
13I0-8 The City shall prepare a replanting plan that identifies where, how many and what
type of trees shall be replanted. The replanting site shall be monitored yearly and an
annual report sent to CDFW and USACE. At the end of the five -year monitoring period,
the site shall be considered successful if at least 75 percent of the tree plantings survive.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Mitigation measures limit disturbance and require replacement
for protected trees with potential to be affected by project activities. Further, the health of
all trees that need to be removed as a result of the project will be identified and replaced
on an appropriate ratio, which will avoid a net reduction to Petaluma's tree coverage.
Mitigation measures are consistent with the requirements of Chapter 17 Tree Preservation
Resolution No, 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 7
of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance and promote the health and longevity of
Petaluma's trees. Therefore, with mitigation, impacts to protected trees will be less than
significant.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Impact CULT -2: The project would result in substantial adverse changes to a historic resource.
CULT -1: The City shall implement an archeological data recovery plan (ADRP) prior to
commencement of construction. The ADRP shall identify the scientific /historical
research questions that are applicable to the expected resource, the data classes the
resource is expected to possess, and how the expected data classes would address the
applicable research questions, amongst other things. Further, no destructive data recovery
methods shall be applied where non - destructive methods are practicable.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The Mitigation measure requiring an ADRP would ensure that
interpretable information regarding subsistence patterns, trade, and responses to
environmental change that have yet to be extensively investigated in the Sonoma Region
and potentially existing at SON -225/H is recovered and interpreted to the extent
practicable by a professionally qualified archeologist. Proper recovery and treatment of
previously undisturbed historic /archeological resources would ensure impacts to historic
resources are less than significant.
Impact CULT -3: The project could adversely affect expected prehistoric site deposits.
CULT -2: The City of Petaluma shall retain the services of a qualified archeologist who
has expertise in California Prehistory to monitor ground disturbing activity within 200
feet of the top of the bank on either side of the Petaluma River.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Implementation of mitigation ensures that currently unknown
archeological resources will not be inadvertently disturbed or destroyed as a result of
construction activities. The qualified archeologist will be given the authority to stop work
or redirect crews if an intact archeological deposit is encountered and until such time that
it has been thoroughly evaluated and recommendations on how to proceed have been
made. If it is determined by the archeologist and the City that identified deposits may
have significance, then an ADRP shall be implemented. The monitoring, evaluation, and
treatment measures prescribed by CULT -2 ensure that potential impacts to prehistoric
site deposits are less than significant.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 8
Impact CULT -4: The project could result in potentially significant impacts to unknown
archeological resources, including human remains.
CULT -3: In the event of accidental discovery of cultural resources, work would be
suspended at that location and City of Petaluma staff would be contacted. A qualified
cultural resource specialist would be retained and would perform any necessary
investigations to determine the significance of the find and provide recommendations on
how to proceed.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Implementation of mitigation ensures that if unknown
archeological resources (including human remains) are encountered, all work would
suspend until such a time that a qualified cultural resource specialist could perform
investigation and recordation or protection measures as deemed appropriate by the City
of Petaluma. Should human remains be encountered, mitigation measures require that
they be identified, treated, and managed in accordance with Sections 5097.97 and
5097.98 of the California Public Resources Code and Section 7050.5 of the California
Health and Safety Code. The mitigation measures imposed on the project limit the
potential to harm or otherwise mishandle potentially significant archeological resources
such that impacts will be less than significant.
Impact CULT -5: The project could adversely affect unidentified paleontological resources.
CULT -4: In the event of paleontological discoveries, the City of Petaluma shall notify a
qualified paleontologist who shall document the discovery as needed, evaluate the
potential resource, and assess the significance of the find under the criteria set forth in the
guidelines adopted by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.5. In the event of an unanticipated discovery of a breas, true, and /or trace fossil
during construction, excavations within 100 feet of the find shall be temporarily halted or
diverted until the discovery is examined by a qualified paleontologist and a determination
of proper procedures is made.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Mitigation measures would require that a qualified paleontologist
document, evaluate, and assess any potential paleontological resources encountered
during construction. The measure further requires that appropriate procedures are
determined in consultation with appropriate agencies prior to re- commencement of
earthmoving activities and that an excavation plan is developed as necessary. With proper
evaluation and treatment overseen by a professional paleontologist, impacts will be less
than significant.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 9
GEOLOGY
Impact GEO -5: The project could expose people or structures to substantial adverse effects
related to seismic hazards.
GEO -1: The City of Petaluma, or its technical consultant, shall prepare a geotechnical
investigation and report prior to completing project design. The report shall be prepared
in accordance with Section 17.31.180 of the City's Grading and Erosion Control
Ordinance and shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site, and
conclusions and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions on the
proposed project. The City shall implement all site - specific mitigation measures
recommended in the geotechnical investigation prior to or during construction, as
appropriate.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Implementation of mitigation measures require that the project
be designed to minimize exposure of the structure to seismic related hazards by ensuring
that the project limits public and structural exposure to potential substantial adverse
effects resulting from ground shaking, ground failure, and /or liquefaction. Site - specific
construction recommendations such as the use of quality fill, proper compaction, over
excavation, and grading requirements will be implemented to ensure impacts are less than
significant.
Impact GEO -6: The project would be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable or that
may become unstable as a result of the project.
GEO -1: (See above)
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The geotechnical report will characterize the on -site geotechnical
conditions in order to make appropriate recommendations related to grading procedures
and design criteria. Proposed recommendations may include providing fill material,
location and compaction design requirements, over excavating the existing soils, and /or
providing specific grading requirements. The report will be prepared in accordance with
the California Building Code and City of Petaluma General Plan policy. As such, impacts
will be less than significant.
Impact GEO -7: The project would be located on expansive soil that could pose substantial risks
to life or property.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 10
GEO -1: (See above)
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The geotechnical report will characterize the on -site geotechnical
conditions in order to make appropriate recommendations related to grading procedures
and design criteria. Proposed recommendations may include providing fill material,
location and compaction design requirements, over excavating the existing soils, and/or
providing specific grading requirements. The report will be prepared in accordance with
the California Building Code and City of Petaluma General Plan policy and will
specifically prescribe measures to address expansive soils. With mitigation, impacts will
be less than significant.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Impact HYD -9: The project would place structures within a I00 -year flood hazard area which
would impede or redirect flows.
HYD -1: The City shall prepare a hydraulic design study at later stages of project design
that determine the project's potential to alter the river's flood flows at the bridge location
and upstream and downstream of the bridge. The hydraulic analysis would be conducted
to quantify the rise in base flood elevation in the floodway after compliance with the
City's no net fill policy. If this design level evaluation determines that the project would
still result in a base flood elevation increase in the regulatory floodway (even if the
increase is minimal), the City would obtain a CLOMR for the project from FEMA, and
request a NFIP map revision.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The City's no net fill policy would ensure reasonable hydraulic
equivalence to existing conditions. Mitigation includes measures such as benching or
widening the channel near the bridge crossing to accommodate surface flows, which
would likely result in no net increase in base flood elevations within the FEMA-
designated floodway. Therefore, upon implementation of the mitigation measure, the
project bridge features would not significantly impede or redirect flood flows, nor would
they significantly alter the I00 -year flood plain area. Thus, impacts would be less than
significant.
Impact HYD -10: The project would substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or
area.
HYD -1: (See above)
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 11
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Mitigation would reduce potential impacts related to the
placement of the bridge bents, abutment, and outfalls or their associated erosion
protection by limiting the area of disturbance, providing slope protection and stabilization
and preventing upstream and downstream erosion. This will be accomplished by adhering
to the City's no net fill policy and /or design components that would accommodate
marginal increase in surface flow elevations. Therefore, with mitigation, impacts will be
less than significant.
TRANSPORTATION
Impact TRANS -7: The project could increase hazards due to a design feature or incompatible
uses.
TRANS -1: To ensure that safe access for transit vehicles is provided into the Operations
Facility, the City shall relocate the access driveway farther away from the Rainier
Avenue/North McDowell Blvd. intersection. Reconfiguration of the access driveway
shall also provide a break in the median and extend the left turn pocket so that transit
vehicles can turn left from eastbound Rainier Avenue into the Operations Facility. This
break in the median shall be marked with a "No Left Turn Except for Buses" sign to
dissuade use by non - transit vehicles.
Impact after Mitigation: Less than Significant
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The mitigation measure will result in modifications to the Transit
Operations Facility access driveway thereby maintaining functionality and avoiding a
potential design hazard. The median break and signage will discourage use by non - transit
vehicles and ensure that functionality is preserved for the Operations facility. Therefore,
impacts related to design hazards would be less than significant.
Impact TRANS -8: The project could cause substantial temporary construction related traffic
impacts.
Trans -2: The City of Petaluma Public Works and Utility Department or its contractor
shall prepare a construction management plan.
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: Temporary construction impacts would be reduced by informing
the public of construction schedules, possible detours, and timing, which would allow the
public to select alternate routes in advance of construction activities. By providing
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 12
adequate advance notice of closures and construction, and alternate pedestrian/ bicycle
routes as necessary to support possible closures and construction, this temporary
construction impact would be minimized. Further, development of a construction
management plan will establish a delivery and export schedule that considers the least
impactful time of day to minimize conflict with commuters and peak travel times.
Therefore, with implementation of mitigation measures, temporary traffic- related
construction impacts will be reduced to less than significant levels.
Impact TRANS -9: The project could conflict with an applicable congestion management
program including intersection Level of Service Standards.
TRANS -3: The City of Petaluma shall include in its project design an additional
westbound left turn lane and a northbound right overlap phase at the intersection of
Petaluma Boulevard North/Rainier Avenue. The City shall also provide a median refuge
(at least 5 feet wide) for pedestrians crossing Rainier Avenue.
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: With an additional westbound left turn lane and a northbound
right overlap phase, the project's impacts on study intersections under Opening Year
conditions would be reduced to less than significant because this intersection would
operate at LOS D in the PM peak hour. Further, the installation of a median refuge would
provide the necessary pedestrian improvements to accommodate the additional crossing
distance. With implementation of mitigation, impacts would be less than significant.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Impact CUMULATIVE TRANS -1: Intersection level of service would operate at unacceptable
LOS E and F under cumulative conditions. All intersections would operate at acceptable levels
of service under cumulative conditions with the project except: East Washington Street/Highway
101 Southbound Ramps; Rainier Avenue /Petaluma Boulevard North (without Shasta Avenue
Extension); and Petaluma Boulevard North/Sycamore Lane (Shasta Avenue).
CUMULATIVE TRANS -l: The exact location of the impact would depend on the
construction timing of Shasta Avenue extension.
If Shasta Avenue extension is not constructed during the buildout of the General Plan, the
project would need to provide the intersection configuration at the Petaluma Boulevard
North/Rainier Avenue intersection described in Mitigation Measure TRANS -3.
If the Shasta Avenue extension is constructed, then the project could potentially have an
impact at the Petaluma Boulevard North/Sycamore Lane (Shasta Avenue) extension.
Restriping the existing westbound approach to Petaluma Boulevard North/Sycamore
Lane (Shasta Avenue) to provide an exclusive left -turn lane and a shared
left /through/right -turn lane plus an exclusive northbound right -turn lane would improve
the intersection to LOS C in the PM peak hour. In order to reduce impacts to pedestrians
resulting from increased crossing distances, a median refuge (at least five feet wide) shall
be installed for pedestrians crossing the south leg of Petaluma Boulevard.
Resolution No, 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 13
Finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into the Project,
which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect identified in the
EIR.
Rationale for Finding: The project would improve the LOS condition at the E.
Washington/Hwy 101 SB ramps relative to the no project condition (it would reduce
traffic volumes by —17 %). The other two deficient intersections are dependent on the
future Shasta Avenue extension. The new intersection at Petaluma Blvd. North/Rainier
Ave. could be modified to achieve acceptable LOS under a pre- Shasta scenario by
implementation of TRANS -3, which would introduce an additional westbound left turn
lane and a northbound right overlap phase and thereby achieve an acceptable LOS D.
Under a Shasta Ave. scenario, the intersection of Petaluma Blvd, North/Rainier Ave.
would operate acceptably at LOS B and C during the a.m. and p.m. peak hour,
respectively. However, with Shasta Ave, the intersection of Petaluma Boulevard
North/Sycamore Lane (Shasta Avenue) would degrade to unacceptable LOS F.
Mitigation would correct this deficit by introducing an exclusive left -turn lane and a
shared left /through/right -turn lane plus an exclusive northbound right -turn lane, thereby
improving the intersection to LOS C in the p.m. peak hour. It should be noted that the
Shasta Avenue extension project would be required to go through the City approval and
CEQA documentation process to identify its impacts and mitigations prior to its
construction. Presumably, it would identify the need to improve the Petaluma Boulevard
North, Sycamore Lane (Shasta Avenue) intersection. Therefore, with mitigation, the
project's cumulative impacts to level of service would be less than significant.
Resolution No. 2015 -131 N.C.S. Page 14