HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 97-315 11/17/1997Resolution No. 97-31s N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
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7 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ON
8 THE PROPOSED SUBSTATION AND AERIAL TRANSMISSION LINE AT THE 210
9 CORONA ROAD SITE
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t I WHEREAS, the Aacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has found that their existing
12 facilities can no longer provide sufficient reliable electric service to the northern part of the City
13 of Petalwna: and
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15 WHEREAS, PG&E has requested approval by the California Public Utilities Commission
16 (CPUC) to construct a new substation at the existing PG&E corporation and service facility at
I7 210 Corona Road in the City of Petaluma and [he extension to the Corona Road site of a new
IS aerial transmission line from theexisting aerial transmission line on McDowell Blvd. N.; and
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20 WHEREAS, the development proposal is considered to be a "project" pursuant to the California
27 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
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23 WI-IEREAS, the proposal by PG&E is not within the regulatory purview of the City of Petaluma;
24 and
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z6 WHEREAS; the CPUC has requested public comment on PG&E's development proposal; and
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28 WHEREAS, the Petaluma Planning Commission has conducted a public hearing on the proposal
29 on October 21, 1997, reviewed the Environmental Assessment prepared by PG&E for -the
30 proposal, and has forwarded a recommendation to the City Comici] for consideration; and
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32 WHEREAS, the City Council considered the Plaiming Commission's recommendation and
33 received testimony during a public hearing at their November 17, 1997 meeting.
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35 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council concurs with the Planning
36 Commission that the development project proposed by PG&B will create an unmitigated
37 significant adverse enviromnental impact to the visual environment by introducing substantial
38 visual clutter to the immediate viewshed and will substantially detractfrom the scenic view of
39 the Sonoma Mountains.
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4i BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council recommends that the CPUC recognize this
42 local concern and find that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared as required
43 by the provisions of CEQA to more fully evaluate the potential environmental effects of the
44 development project and to identify appropriate alternatives to project or adequate measures to
45 reduce. the significant impacts to a level of insignificance.
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Resolution xo. 97-315 x.cs. Page 1 of 3
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3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council recommends Chat the alternatives evaluated
4 in the EIR include, but not be limited to, the following: 1) the placement of the 11SkV
5 transmission line proposed to be extended along the North McDowell Boulevard right-of--way be
6 placed underground; 2) an evaluation of an alternate alignment for the 1 lSkV transmission line -
7 extending the transmission line from the North McDowell Boulevard to the proposed substation
8 site over Assessor's Parcel Number 048-080-036 both in an aerial and an underground
9 alignment; 3) undergrounding of the existing 12kV distribution lines on the poles presently on
]o North McDowell Boulevard with the replacement of the 115kV transmission lines on the wooden
tl poles; and 4) relocation of the proposed steel pole structure from the northeast corner of the
t2 North McDowell Boulevard/Corona Road intersection to the northwest corner of the same
13 mtersecllon.
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t5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should the CPUC not concur with the City Council's
I6 finding of unmitigated significant adverse environmental impact, and the requirement for the
t7 preparation of an EIR, the City council requests that the CPUC adopt the following mitigation
]8 measures in addition to those contained in the Environmental Assessment preparedby PG&E:
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21 1. PG&E shall construct a substantial perimeter fence six to eight feet tall along the
22 conunon boundary between the PG&E site and the Youngstown Mobile Home Park.
23 Perimeter landscaping consisting of tall dense shrubs and trees shall be installed at the
24 base of the fence on PG&E property.
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26 2. PG&E shall obtain an easement from the City of Petaluma to authorize the placement of
27 the utility poles within City property.
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29 3. PG&E shall fully revegetate the Corona Road ditch corridor with appropriate riparian
30 vegetation (from McDowell Blvd. to Highway 101).
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32 4. PG&E shall replace trees removed (eucalyptus from the Corona Road drainage ditch
33 corridor and redwoods from the site itself) with box sized fast growing evergreentrees.
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35 5. PG&E shall landscape. the southerly frontage of Corona Koad from approximately
36 Highway 101 to the easterly side of the PG&E entry. This landscaping should consist of
37 tall tree varieties primarily in an effort to reduce the visual impact of the new power lines
38 and substation and to offset the loss of the existing redwood trees.
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40 6. PG&E shall provide landscaping within the existing and relocated on-site employee and
41 visitor parking lots. This landscaping should consist primarily of tall canopy trees to filter
a2 views of the substation and yard and to provide screening and shading of the parking
43 areas.
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Reso. 97-315 NCS Page 2 of 3
• 1 7. Landscape plans for the above improvements should be prepared by PG&F_ and submitted
2 for review and approval by the City's Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee
3 (SPARC) and appropriate agencies and improvements installed prior to energizing. the
4 sub-station. Maintenance of the mitigation landscaping shall be the burden of PG&E.
6 pgereso2/jcmll
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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 Approved as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a (Regular) t~Xpe~sASfi~ meeting fOrD'
on the ...17th ............. day of ...._November.................. ......... Is.33.... by the
following vote: __ _
i ttorney
AYES: Read, Keller, Torliatt, Maguire, Vice D4ayor Hamilton, Mayor Hilligoss
NOES: Stompe
AIISENT:
ATTEST:
CA lo-x5
None
City Cierk
~ i
Mayor
Council Fila .:................_...............
a~~s. ~.._,y7.-,31.,5.___. n'-cs.
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