HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 93-116 05/03/1993..
%~: 1~esolution No. 93-116 N,~,si,
1 of the City of Petaluma, California
2
3 AD®PTING UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW GUIDELINES
4 ESTABLISI-IING PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF TIDE CALIFORNIA
5 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AS AMENDED
6
7
8 WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma adopted Environmental Review Guidelines on
9 December 7th, 1987 establishing local procedures for implementation of the California
10 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and amended these Guidelines on December 17, 1990
11 to incorporate mitigation monitoring requirements; and,
12
13 WHEREAS, there have been several changes in State law and various court decisions that
14 require further revisions to local procedures; and,
15
16 WHEREAS, City staff updated the procedures in accordance with State law and redrafted
17 the Guidelines to further clarify the procedures and opportunities for public input and to
18 streamline the procedures to the extent feasible; and,
19
20 WHEREAS, the updated Guidelines provide a statement of the City's objectives, criteria
21 and procedures for conducting environmental review that encourages environmentally
22 sensitive design and opportunities for public input as early in the project development
23 process as practical; and,
24
25 WHEREAS, the adoption of the Guidelines is a legislative action establishing procedures
26 and is nat a project subject to environmental review; and,
27
28 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission originally reviewed the draft Guidelines at their
29 regular meeting on November 24th, 1992 and again reviewed the Guidelines, staff
30 recommendations and public comments and heard testimony at their regular meeting on
31 March 23rd, 1993 and recommended adoption of the Guidelines as revised by staff,
32 incorporating changes in language as recommended in the staff report and recommending
33 that public hearings be required on draft Environmental Impact Reports at ;both the
34 Planning Commission and City Council, prior to certification of the final EIR.
35
36 WHEREAS, the City Council considered the draft Guidelines, Planning Commission
37 recommendations and any comments received at their regular meetings on February 1st,
38 1993 and again on May 3rd, 1993, and agreed with the Planning Commission's
39 recommendation.
40
Res. No. ....9.3 .1.1.6........ N.C.S. 1
1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the updated City of Petaluma
2 Environmental Review Guidelines, as provided in Exhibit "A", are hereby adopted by the
3 City of Petaluma; and,
4
S BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Resolution Numbers 87-339 and 90-424 are hereby
6 superseded and repealed; and,
7
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Planning is authorized to review and
9 amend, as necessary, the appendices attached to the City of Petaluma Environmental
10 Review Guidelines to provide for a comprehensive, efficient and informative
11 environmental review process.
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17 cegareso/jb-13b
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) (~}~2~1~~~d) meeting fO~
on the ...3rd ................ day of ...-........._.....lY~r~.y......-.--..............-......-, 19.3.., by the
following vote: - -!=-{---------------------
City Attorney
AYES: Nelson, Barlas, Read,. Shea, Hamilton, Vice Mayor Sobel, 1Vlayor Hilligoss
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST : ............... .. ....... ...... ...._.......................... ....---=-
oe~ufY. City Clerk May
Council File.O...--•---°--..° .................
CA 10-85 ~ Res. No. ....~.J.-1.1.6......_. N.C.S.
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.Prepared by
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING DEPARTMENT
February 1993. '
~.E~O~ 9 3 ®1 ~. 6 N` C _
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Page
PRE~ACE 1
1.0.0 PURPOSE 1
2.0.0 DECLARATION OF CITY POLICY 1
2..1.0 Public Projects 1
3.0.0 INCORPORATION OF CEQA GUIDELINES 2
3.1.0 ~ National Environmental.Policy Act 2
4.0.0 DEFINITIONS ~1D ABI$REVIATIONS ~ 2
I$. PRELIMIN:~RY REVIEW AND EXEMPTIONS ~ 5
5.0.0 PRELIMINARY REVIEW PROCESS 5
5.1.0. Application for PreliminaryReview 5
5.2:0 ~ Preliminary Review and Conference 5
5.3.0 Application Submittal 5
5.4.0 Review for Completeness and Exemption 6
6.0.0 EXEMPTION PROCESS b
6.1.0 Request for Exemption 6
6.2.0 .Determination of Exemption 6
6.3.0 Appeals 6
6.4.0 Filing Notice of Exemption 7
7.0.0 E7~EMPTION CRITERIA 7
7.1.0 Not a Project 7
7.2.0 General Rule 7
7.3.0 Statutory Exemptions 7
7:4.0 Categorical Exemptions 7
7.5.0 Amendments to Exemption Criteria 8
.: .' ~
C. ENVIIt®I~T1VIEly'TAI, ItEVIEVV PItOCES.S 9
• x.0.0 :,IIVI'I'IAL STUDX `• '. ~ " ~ 9
8.1.0 Irutal:Study Waiver ~~
• . . ~, 9
• ~ ~ 8.2:0 Referral Piocess ~ ~ ~ 9 ~ '
8:3:0 ~ Agency Referral and Public Notice Lists 9
8.4:0 Initial Study Preparation ~ 10. `
8.5.0 Expanded'Irutal Studies ~ ~ lU .. ,
. 8.6.0 Intal.Study Determination ~ ~ . . Tl'-
. 8.7.0. . • r APPeals . ` 11
9.0.0 .NEGATIVE DECI:ARA'I'IOI~1 11 .
9:1.0 ~ Mitigated Negative Declaration. ~ ~ 11`
9:2.0 Notice of Intent. `~ . ~ 12
9:3.0 Circulation of°~Negative Declaration 12
9;4.0 ~ Notice of Completion 13 -
' .9.5.0 Public Review Period ~ ~ 13
9:6.0 Consideration of ~~Negative Declaration ~ . :. _ '14 . ,
9.7:0 ~ Approval of Negative 'Declaration - ~ ~ `14
98:0 Notice of Determination f ~ ~15
'9:9:0 Appeals -
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~ .; 15... ,. ~ . ,
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' ~ ~ ~ 10:0-0 MI~'IG~.'TTON MONITORING; PROGRAM ` 16 ,
10.1.0 ;Policy Statement ~ 16 ~ `
10:2.0 Mitigat'on~ Plans ~ ~ 16 , .
'1'0.3.0 ~ IVlorutorng Program ~ 17
~10:4.0~ Roles;and.Responsibhtes ` ~ ~ 18 ~'
1"O:S.U Reporting Procedures' ' .~ T~ '
,10:6.0. Fees ~ ~~ ~ 18
10:7:0. Enforcement - I ~ '19
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REST: 9 3 a. ~ ° 1
~ ~~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ s .
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11.0.0 ,EItONiVIE1~1'TAI. DESIGN PROCESS/
CONS'I'RAIN'I'S ANALYSIS
12.0:0 EI1~ PROCE SS
12.1.0 Notice of Preparation
12.2:U EIR. Scoping
12.3.0 Administrative Draft EIR
12.4.0 Draft EIR
12.5.0 Notice of Availability
12.6.0 Circulation of Draft EIR
12.7.0 Public Review Period
12.8.0 Consideration of Draft EIR
13.0.0 FINAL EIR
i F
13.1.0 Response to Comments
13.2.0 Final EIR Format
13.3.0 Certification of EIR
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13.4.0
,
~ Disposition of .Final EIR,
.
13.5.0 Changes. in Project Circumstances
14.0.0 DECISION~OhT T'HE PROJECT'
14.1.0 Statement `of Ovemdng ;Considerations
14:2.0 - Notice of Determination
15.0.0 USE OF A CONS~JLTANT " ' '
15.1.0. Consultant Selection
:15.2:0 Associated Costs
CHART'S.
Chart 1 Preliminary Review Procedure
;Chart 2 Environmental Review Process
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- - ~"
AI?PENDICES. ~ 30' '
' ~ -Appendix A,~ Submttal'Focros
:..
,
• APPhcation Form
EnvironmentalInformation Questionnaire
APPendix'B` Exemptions . `- ~. ~ ;
- Novice of Exemption -
A~phcant''Transuuttal Letter ' ~ ,.,
- ~ Last,of Exemptions
- -Appendix 'C " Referrals. - ~ ; :.
. Referral Form, .
List. of Referral. Agencies - ~ ~ -
Appendix. D Initial Study/Negative Declarations .
Initial Study -;
` ~ Envronmental,Dafa-Sheet
• ~ ~ Negative Declaration ~ - .. ,
. .Appendix E Notices/'IY~nsmittals , .
Public Notice/Notice of-Intent ~ ~ ;
" Notice of'Determmation -
Deminimis Exemption ~ 'R ~ ~ ~ -. ~ .
~
. ~ ° Notice of:Preparaton
~ ~ - ~ • .
,.
- - Appendix F
~ ..
St"ate Not"ices/Forms:
. Novice of~CornpTetion ~ ~ ~ . "
- Request"
for Shortened Review •
• • ~ ,
"~ State Criteria for Shortened Review. .
Appendix G
~ Miscellaneous
.
~ Monitoring Checklist ~ ~ ~ ~ . . ,
' N:EPA.Exclusion Form
Waiver of Time Limits ~ ' : ,
Appendix H Consul`tanB.Contracts - - _ ~.
~
' .~ -Request,for.Proposal
~ -
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Co
ntract's- e~cations ` -
. .. ,Insurance Requirements
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.. - _ ~
• _,~ g ~ -
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1 A. PIt'EFA:CE ~ .
2 - `
3
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5 1:0:0 PURPOSE
6
7 Section :15022 of the California Environmental Quality. Act ~ (CEQA) Guidelines
8 _~ ~ mandates that each J~ublic, agency shall adopt objectives, criteria, and specific
9 pprocedures for admmistenng ats responsibih -under the Act. These local
fY. ,
1Q Environmental Review Guideluies (Guidelines, are intended ~to;~ satis Section
11 15022 ;and to provide :a consistent and `orderly basis for City evaluation of'mdividual
12 projects. These Guidelines are alsointended to establish an administrative process
13 which :meets State and City environmental review' .requirements in a sensible,
14 expeditious, and cost-efficient manner. - -
15 ~ .. -
16 ~-
17 2:0.0 IDEChARATION OF CIS POIICX
1'8
19 CEQA obliges every public. agency and every citizen to ake all .action necessary to
20 protect, rehabilitate, -and. enhance the environment. of 'Cahfonia. ` In malting; .
21 decisions 'on both its own projects and ..in regulatingg the projects of private
22 "individuals, ~organizations;~ and corporations, the City of° Petaluma shall strive °to
'23 ~ -prevent adverse environmental`impacts.
24 -
25 To meet this goal, the City, shall provide an efficient, yet comprehensive
26 environmental review process. The process, shall accommodate and encourage
27 preplanning and preliirunary review so that environmental review :issues and
28 procedural implications can be clanfied at 'the outset, and project revisions and
29 .:.. •refinements to mitigate significant environmental im_ .. act potentials. can be made
30"~ ~ prior to project consideration by City decision-making tiodies. .
3.1 - -
32 2:1,0 Public. Projects -
33 ~ .
34 Projects .sponsored by .the Cityty or undertaken in part by the. City,._(e.~g. lease,
35 financing, point-venture or developwent agreements) shall .be reviewed in' the> same
3~6 - manner as pnvate ,projects described in, Section B. The lead .department or official .
37 responsible :for the- project; shall be considered the "pro~ectaponsor". The Planning;
38 Department shall- be responsible for coordinating environmental review of public
39 projects: - ~ `
40 -
41 As required by.~the Government Code, -the City's five-year Capital -lin rovement
42 Program: (which specifies most construction projects to' be undertaken "shall be
43 Department for a determination of consistency with the. -
44 General P1an.eDuring this review, the Planning,;-Department-should~ also conduct a
45 'preLminary ;review of thee.: proposed improvement projects to .determine -potential
46 , environmental concerns" and requirements and an, estimated :time-frame for. the
47 review process..
48 -
49 To the maximum .extent feasible, the City shall used the. environmental design process
50 - as, specified 'in Section 11.0:0: to integrate environmental concerns with. project
51 design and ~ development: Project sponsors should, consult. with. the Duector on
52 environmental., review re;~uirements as early ,as .possible ;in~ the project development
53 process and prior to any esign or commitment y the City to a project: The project
54 sponsor 'sfiall refer conceptual plans and/or 'a detailed project description to the
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Director.' of the Planning Department to initiate 'the environmental.,-review process:
Environmental determinations.:made, by the Director on public; projects shall; be ~.~
referred to the~decsionmaking:body.,'for a final determination.pri'or~~tg.;taking action ~ -
• to carry out the -project (e:g. approval of plans, award. of bid, etc )~.
- r. T
-- . ':f' -
30 0 ;INCORPORATION ®F'CEQE4 GUhDELINES~ ...~ ., ~ ~ .: ° -
The, regulations for ,implementation of CEQA as:prescribed by the' ..State-`Secretary ,
...for .R;esowces. in Chapter 3 of She Act. (Guidelines for Implementation) shall' be
followed by `the City of Petaluma and. are; :hereby, incorporated by .reference into: ;_ ~~ -
these yloeal Guidelines. This~~incorporation shall include ,any amendments to State
law or r.
evisions
for Resources, to. ,the State',s CEQA Guidelines made,'in the future .b~ the Secretary
local`GuidelinesWliere .a conflict 'between ;the .State- CEQA. Guidelines. and. these ,
_ - . ~ appear to,exist the State CEQA Guidelines,shall,:prevail:. , ~~ - - ~ '
. ~ ~ ~: .
3.1.0 lvational Environmental.Policy~Act (1~PA) -
In addition to State: sand ;local guidelines for- environmental review;, certain projects ..
involving. a federal :permit, or action- o_ r which are. funded in~;part or m whole by a,.
federal .:agency may also be subject .to the Naonal , Enviroonmental .Policy: Act.. -~ ~ _ _'
Guidelines and pprocedures for implementation of ,NEPA, are issued. by"each federal _
Ci of Petaluma shall consult with. the lead federal, a en
agency:. The ty : _g cy' .,and`
incorporate the applicable procedures and guidelines into.: the local' and State..- -
envirQnmental•.review processewheneverprictcable:.. ~ ~ - '~ `~ ~ '
_,. . _
.3.2.0,. .Amendments to local Guidelines `:: - ~ ' ~ ~ .
The body of these.. -local: Guidehnes• shall, •:be adopted ~as localpolicy by the :City;
_ ~ ~, ~ _
Counci ;and; as such shall be amended when necessary by ~l'egislative action. Thee:
attached appendices and. forms are .not adopted ;policy and' changes may be~ made by ~~
the Director`without legislativeaapproval: ' - • ..: _ _ : .
...a.o.o ; ~~E~I~1vaTlorrs A1vD~AB~IZEVIA'1'IONS ~ ` <. , .• ; ~ . ;~ . ` ,.
. ,.
4,10 ~: -Action, terms..used in these Guidelines include~~~ . - ~ ~ ~ " .'=~• - -
. 4.:1 1Shall 'or Will: used herein ~to:indicate a mandatory action.- . < -
-:. .4;12.: Should:, used herein to=ndicate a :recominendedwaction., -
X4:13, "May:°usedherein~to indcate:~a discretionary.action., ~ ~ ~. ~ _ ,
_4.2:0. CEQAi ~ -.the <California, Environmental Quality -Act .Public :Resources Code ~ - - "
. ~Sectons,2,1;000-21177 ` • < , - >.
43:U :CEQA .Gold"clines: ~ the- State's Guidelines ~~ for implementation ~of the .
Cahforiua Environment h '
al Quality Act as.°prescnbed ay the`,State: Secretary -. • •~
for Resources and described in C a ~ ter 3~'of the .
. ' p , .Act - , ..
.. . ,
. _. _
.4.4 0 ~. City~,'the City of.Petaluma or the ;decision-making body, or officer acting for",,
ahe City.,, ~ -
_ R~ESO.9 3 m
/.~,
-~ . .,i ,:
1 4.5.0 Decision-lViald'ng Body: ;any,person or group of: people :granted authority by
Z the Ci . to approve, a pprove with conditions,. or disapprove the project at
3 issue... Depending oa t he nature of the pro~ect~.'and its level` .of succession in
4 - the City's development review process, the decision-making- body ;can be
5 ~ ' either the .Planning Director, City Council,, Planning; Commission, Site Plan
mmission ~or°
(SPARC) or other Cit
iew C
tte
d Archi
r
l
R
6. omnu
ev
e
y co
.
tectu
a
an
7 committee. that -has been granted autlority tq .approve a project. Where
8 more than. one body' makes a. decision on ~a given project, the body with-the
`9 - highest authority shall be considered.the decision-making body..
10
11 4:6.0 Director. Director .of the Planning Department or a designated.
12 ~ .~ . representative of~the Director
13
14 4.7.0 EII~: Environmental ;Impact .Report
15
16 4.8.0 Environmental Review Process: the required local.p~rocedure as set forth in.
17 Section C Hof these Guidelines,. which must b_ a followed in' processing all
18 ~ '~ project applications in the City:
19 .
`20 4.9.0' Exemption: a release :from the environmental review req uirements set forth,. .
21 in Section. C' herein, based on the State's CEQA Guidel ines. and the Cit}~s
22 • ~ exemption criteria;.. authority,. and procedures °as set :forth. in Secfion-6.0.0,>of
23 ~~ ~ these Guidelines.
24' ~ -
25 -~•- 4,..10.0 Finding: an explanation of the reasons foran action or decision on a project..
26 .
27 _ ~ 4.::11.0 Guidelines:.used -herein, in reference to ahis document, the "City of..Pefalu»ia
28 Environmental .Review Guidelines" which 'provides a-statement .of the City's
29 :~~ • objectives, criteria and procedures for implementation of CEQA.,
30 ~iW
G~:
31 ~ '~°~~ 4.12.0 Planning Division: City of Petaluma:Planning Department.
32
- 33 4:.13:0 Ministerial. Actions:. a governmental; decision: on a project involving. little or
34 no personal jud~nent-in deciding whether or how to carry out or approve the
35 - project. A nunisterial..decision involves only the application of fixed
36 standards or objective measurements, .such as the issuance; of ~a business.
37 license. The decision is considered. "non-discretionary" and is exempt from
38 locale and State environmental review requirements.
-
39 - -
4'0 4.14:0` . IVlitigation~ A recommended action,, measure;. alternative or. program flat
. 41 ~ would avoid;. reduce, elinunate, rectify, :restore nor otherwise compensate for
42 ' ~ potential~significant environmental impact. .
43
44
4.15.0 .
1Vlontoring .Program: A method of deporting, checking;. or observing
45 com pliance and impplementation of .mitigation. measures adopted ~ as a
f
l
46 ~.: - cond ition o
; approva
..
47
48
49 4..16.0 Pro'ect:.An action which has otential for :resulting in a physical- Changge to
ect as 'defined
ro
A
ltimatel
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Pi
tl
d
m
di
e
y.
p
j
y or u
y
n
irec
reet
ent, either
nviron
the
X5.0 ~. herein is ,any activity directly undertaken or approved by a public agency,
51~ - activities f nanced in whole or in part by a public agency,. or activities
52 ~ requiring .a permit or other approya_1 from. a pub lic agency, including but not
53 ~ limited'to
54
~ - r ES~o~ 9 3 m ~ ~ '6 N C
A~ ~
3
c-
~ 1 ~. (a) activities, involving. --public- works construction„ .improvements to ~.
2 ~'~. ..'existing facilities or structures; enactment of.~zomng' ordinances„ and '
3 - ~ ~ - the adoption of a~.general plan: or elements thereof; .,
4
. 5 (b)~ ~ activities. supported~~ by contracts;-,:grants, subsidies or other' forms of
6 ~ ~ ~~ assistance from a.pubhc:agency,; ~ '
7-
8 (:c) -~ .,activities requiring theissuance of `a lease, perrrut,~ license; certificate, ~, - -
- 9 - ~ '~ ~ variance, .rezoning, gener_al:. plan. amendment,. annexation, or. other '
10 - ~"entitlement .for use.: ~ - .
11. _, -
12 ~ ~ A "project" means the .whole of an action. or the ~activity:bemg approved ~ ~ .
13 which ma y,, be subject to; several` discretionary approvals A. project oes~ not> .
14 mean each separate government approval:, - .~ -
15°
- .... ,.
16 4:17:0 Project .Sponsor.::. ~m the :case ;of a~ non-municipal project, the' private ~ _.
.. .17 individual, group or corporation, or the independent public agency.: proposing - .
18 the pro~e_ct and, applymg~ for City approval {i e:,-the applicant), or, m the case ~,
19 ..of a City-sponsored or `;munrc~pal ;project, ,the department,-or publics officer + ~ -
20 ~ - :_ ~responsible`:for the project..-
22- ° ~, ~ 4:18.0' Responsible4Agency, a: ppublic; agency that proposes to :carry out, or: a~prgve a; ~- •
23 , ro'ect ancludin all ublrc a enc~esi other than° the ;lead a en which- have
P, J ~ g~. ~ P g - g cy `~ -.
24 ;discretionary approval. power Dyer the ,project:: , , , . ~ ~ ~ ..~
25 ..
- 26 4'.19:0: Significant or'"Significant EflPect: as defined in Section 153:82 of'the CEQA- ~ .
27 Guidelines; including a potentially sutistantial~-adverse change in:~any,of `the. °~
28 _ ~ .:physical. conditions~~within the area., affected bpi, the~-~roject,. (i.e., land use, - ~ ~ .
29traffic;.-:air :quality, drainage; vegetation, '.wildlife; -soils; geology;~~liistorieal
30 values,, or aesthetres) ~ ~ ~ ,
31 - ~ - - __ ~ - .
32 ~ 4;20U SPARC: the: City's Siie .Planning.,and2ArehtecturalReview' Cominit'tee..
- 34 4`:21:0 `State Clearinghouse: .-a departmentk of the State~,,Office of Planning and'
- 3S Research: (OPIt) responsible for distribution of ;environmental documents toy ..
36 ~ various agencies, boards, and..cornrriissions fors review andcomment (140Q-
37 ~ Tenth Street;:Sacramento; CA 95814). ~- -
- 38 - - ~ ~.
- 39 ' 422 0.. Substanta9,,Evidence: ~°releyant information- and reasonable inferences, from.
40~. ; ~ this- information, that a, fair argument scan °be made .to support' a:.conclusion. ~ ,
_ 41 ~~ ~ -~ . that ~tfiere may be ~a siguficant,.effe'ct,; even °tliough other~.conclusions `might -
- ~ 42 ~ also; be reached.. , Urcorroborated .opinion or: rumor ~ does not constitute
43 substantial. evidence. -
44 - :_ _ .
- 45. ' 4:23 0 'IYustee Agency ' a State agen .having jurisdiction byy ~_law :over natural.
46 esources affected by .a. project ~e;g: State -Dept ~of.'Fish and Game; S"tate•
47 y Iands' Commission, etc:) _
- ~49 ..
50 • section:4 /;jb13-b ~ -
~~~
4
1 1$.. PRELa:MI1vAR'~ REdIE.vv AND Ex.E~A!IPTI®l'~'S
i ..
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4 ~ ~ ~. .
. 5 5.0.0 PRELIMINARY itEVIEVi~ PROCESS
6
7 The City of Petaluma ~ shall dace particular .emphasis on providing for :and
'8 encouraging City review .of .protect proposals as early as possible m the process: of.
9 conceptualization, plannm~, 'and design,, in order to .clarify environmental review
' es and procedural im lications at the outset, and if possible,. to identify specific.
10 issu
11 project revisrons and refinements which can be .made. to minimize environmental
12 impacts and ~ expedite the environmental. review process prior to project
13 consideration~by the City's decision-making body.
14
15 Prior to submittal' of the. required formal project application, it is recommended that
16 the project _sponsor initiate a,Pre-Application Review .Process as described in these
17 sections; and as: diagrammed on Chart. 1. This~pre-application: review step will allow
18 Planning Department staff to, review conceptual plans anal .give preliminary
19 indications ~to the project sponsor regarding submttal, requirements, procedural
20 needs and environmental concerns. associated v~nth the proposal .and. possible project
21 revisions. to meet..City policies and/9r reduce or elirunate, environmental review
22 requirements. Tfiis pre-application step can take: approximately two to three weeks,
23 v but can significantly reduce the time for later processing.
24 _~`
25 '" Once a formal application has been submitted, City staff. will conduct a preliminary
26' ..review within, 30-days of .the: submittal to determine ~if; the .application -ts. complete.
27 ~ and whether the project may be .exempt :from further environmental review. After
28 :. the determination that the application is complete, the environmental review
29 ~, process shall officially begin.
30
31 '' .5.1.0 Application. for°Pre-Application Review
32
33 If the projectsponsor wishes to .initiate a 'Pre-Application Review Process, a
34 completed Application form together. with. a ~reliinmary project descri tion and
35 applrcable fees must be submitted. In completing the application form, the project
36 sponsor shall indicate: that ahe application is a ;request for Pre-Application Review
37 and whether aPre-Application Review..Conference is requested. (see below).
38
39 ~ 5Z.0 ;Pre-Application Review and Conference -
40
41 ~ In response to .a .request for Pre-Ap~lieaton Review, the. Director shall be= -
42 responsible for reviev~nng the :Application to. determine:. (1) its relationship. to
43 = applicable .City policies, standards, and codes; (2) associated a lication,
44 environmental review;,;and other submittal reqyuirements, and fees;. and 3~ specific
45 impact :concerns ~ which may, warrant special attention... As part o the Pre-
46, Apphcation Review, the project sponsor „may. iequest aPre=Application -Review
4.7 Conference with appropriate. City tall for discussion of the areas of concern..
48
49' 5.3.0 ,Application- Submittal
50
p,
51 ~ Project sponsors dare responsible for submitting a coin lete Application form,
52 .Environmental Information Questionnaire and payment of the apppropriate fees at
53 the time of application. Application forms are included. n.Appendix A.
54
-,~~a~, h, ~E~Oo ~ ~ m 11 6 ~ C ~
~; ~~1 ~. .. .. 5
1 Additional submittalrequirements, may ~be- required .for specific. aypes of ~ projects ,
2 ncludin~;preliminary site plans; architecturalelevations ~and~ other materials:".(Refer
3. , to application brochures for aubmittal ~ requirements) •~ }?roject sponsors are
4 encouraged to provide ' Buffdent , ;information, including detailed ~ ,;plans and
5 . , descriptions` of ,their propgsals in' order~to~'ensure~ timely review •and processing. `
6 ~ - •
7 In the case of aCty-sponsored, project, a, proposal statement, project d'escription,~ _
- 8 conceptual'llan'and~or draft of-the :proposed agreement (e.g: lease) sli'all constitute
` 9 the application submittal. ~ ~ - y
10 ~ . - ... ~. ~ -
- .. .
X11 ~ 5,4.0 Iteview~for Completeness and Exemption
• ~ 12 ~ •`
13 Within 30-.days after subrruttal of a. completed Application; Environmental.
. .
14 Information Questionnaire and the required. fees; the proposal shall .be .reviewed for ` ,; .
15 ~com leteness;;and to detennme°_if~the~°project.is~~exempt:from environmental re,.view
16 and~or if additional information is re_qqu~ fired.. -Exemption criteria and, pr"ocedures are
I7 described in Section 6.0.0 below: The ,City's :environmental review `process ,shall:
. 18 officially begin~when the apphcaton is deemed complete. - -
19 ~ ~ .
. _ ,...
_ 21 . 6,0.0- EXE11!IP~'IONS`'O1~1 ENVII~ONMENTAd: ~tEVIEW' ~ ~ ~ .
- 23 , ... -
`6.1.0 Request Eor Exemption - ~ ~ ;
24 ~ ~ . ,
25. A-formal request may be submitted `by the Project ;Sponsor ao `the Director to: find°
26 that a_ pro ect pis exempt from environmental` review; based .on'~he .criteria set~forth'in; ~ ..
27 Sections ~.0:0 of these Guidelines. ~ ~ • ~• " . •.
-, .
28 ~ ~ ,. - .
- - .. - 1 '
29 6.2;0 ~.:IDeterminafion of Exemption ~ ~ -~
30 .. _ -, -
:~ ` ~ ~ ~ .
~31 In response to an, application submittal; or a formal -request .:for. air exemption; -the- ~ .
32 .Director shall make a finding that a project is or>~is not exempt,from envronrnenfal
33 ~ ~ review, in aceordance'with local Environmental• Review Gudehnes'set forth. herein,:.., ..
34 .and :State CEQA Guideelines. The project ;sponsor shall be~~ ,notif ed . of the .
,:
35 , ~ preliminary determination: ~ • • ~ ~ ~:: _ ~ ,
3'6 .. - .
37 Prior to ,making •the, exemption. ~detennination, .;the e~ty shallconsult the hazardous.
38 •waste .list compiled ,by the State. Department of Health" Services pursuant, to Section ,
39 65962:5:- of the Govenunent' Code.... •Projects located onr a site,~included on, the
40 hazardous waste list shall not lie exempt from.environniental review.
41 ~ ~~
42 ~ ~If~ the project is~ :determined. fo be exempt, a: Notice of `Fxerription with the `finding(s)
43 by the _Director shall be completed:and retained in the`~project file. until tfie acton~is . :. ~~
,Y g Y
45 noted 'on the o ect osi and o ted aodhe P ~em~ tion deienYiinations shoulld, also be~." `
n De"• artment available`for ublic
P J- . g . P.. ... g., , .P _ _ P
46 review: T1ie ,;City's. Notice of Fxem tion, €onn is included: in Appendix. B. Any
47' subsequent,-notices. ;circulated;, poste or, "ubhshed "in connection. with the- protect -•~
' 48 should ~ reference the ..exemption. findings) The exemption finding should be
49 included'. in„the record' of the action "toapprove the project. • ~ ~ ,
50 .. _ ~~
5..1. 63 0.., -APPeals ~ .. ~. "` ~. • .
52 ... .. _ • , ,
53 ~ ~Tlie. Director's .preliminary; _ deterrriinati'on - nay be appealed to the Planning:.
54 ~.Conunission.• The ~Plaiiiing, Commission's determination may be appealed to the -
,_ .: ,
/ '
6
1 ~ ~ City. Council. An appeal must be submitted. in:writing within fourteen (14} calendar
2 days of the notification: Appeal procedures are contained in the City's Zoning
3 .Ordinance.
4.
5 6.4.0 Filing Notice~~of Exempt--ion
6
7 If and when the. project is approved, the Notice of Exemption maybe filed with the
8 .Sonoma County .Clerk, which initiates a 35=day statute of limitations for challenges
9 on. environmental review. Exemption notices shall be .kept on file at the Planning
lU Department.
11
12
13 7.0.0 EXEMPTION CItITE1ZIA
14
15 -There are-four basic categories of possible exemptions from CEQA and the City's
16 environmental review process: -
17
18 7.1.0 Not a Project
19
20 If the proposed.. action has .no potential for causing a physical ,change in the
21 environment, directly;. indirectly, or ultimately,.. the action is not a "project", as
22 defined by State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, and `is wherefore exempt from
23 environriiental review (refer to definition of a Project Section 4.16:0 herein): -
24
25 ~.~~ 7.2.0 General Rule
26 x..
27 ~ T'he "General Rule" is based upon the principal "that CEQA. applies only to actions.
28 ~ ~ which have potential for causing, a significant effect on the environment: Where it
29 -can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the . roject in question
30 ~~' may have a sign~'ficant adverse effect on the environment, either individually or
31 ~k cumulatively, the project may. be considered exempt from-CEQA and the City's
32 environmental review process.
33 - .
34 '7.3.0 Statutory Exemptions
35
36 Several .types of specific. actions have been :granted an exemption by the State
37 . legislature and are .listed under Article 18 of tfie State's CEQA Guidelines. These
" 38 include, but are riot limited to, projects which are disapproved, ministerial actions,
39 emergency projects,. establishment; of fees and charges, and feasibility and planning
4Q studies. ,Statutory exemptions which are. particularly a~ppplicable to projects within
4'1 the. City of Petaluma are further described in Appendix B.
42 .
43 7.4.0 Categorical Exemptions
44
45 'There are° numerous ~ classifications 'of projects that have been determined not to
46 have a'sgnifieant effect on the environment ui most instances°: These classifications.
47 are defined. in, Article 19 of ahe State's CEQA, Guidelines:.Descriptions of these
48 classes and specifie° actions. or types of ,projects which may fall within these
49 categories are listed in Appendix B.
50 -
51 7.4.1 Exceptions: Categorical exemptions described above and listed in Appendix B
52 shall. not apply under~the following circumstances:
53
~^ q.~' i
7
~~~~. y~ -1 ~ s N C
. ,~ ,
- . 1 -
.1 - (a) : Locatgn. Where a project whose im act on the:.environment~ mays ordinarily
_r ; _ .
2 . be_ considered ,insigmfcant is :cons` ered potentially significant sdue to its
3 ~ - particularly`sensitive environment; ~ .. ..
4 ~ ~ ,
5 (b) 'Successive Po~ects. Where the cumulative impact. of`~successive ,projects of
6 _ ~ ~ .the same ,type,:-m the~same place; over time, is considered 'to beypotentially
7 • significant; and; ~ ~ " . ,
,.. .
9. ('c) ~ ~ General Exception.. Rul'e.; A categorical. exemption shall, not; be used where .
10 ,.there, is a~reasonable possibility~that the°project vv~ll;;;have ~a~significant-effect°
...
11 due to:unusual circumstances:... ~ - ~~ .
14 '7:3.0 `Amendments to Exemption Provisions ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e ,
15 .. _ . .,. ~ ~.
16 The Directoi may periodically review and may. ~amend~ the hst=, of , exemptigns -
17 included in Appendix B to reflect local criteria and~State~CEQA Guidelines' ~ ~ ,
19 ~ ~ . .
20 .. .. `
21 ~ - .
23 ~~ . , .. .. ~ ,_
24 .,
25 ~ .. :-. ~ ~_
26 ~ ~.
` 27 ~. sectionB / j1i~136 - ..
~_
. ,.
x ~ , , t ~:
~,~ ~ ` ~~ ~~ .~: ". ~ .. t „~~:~^:;. ~~' ~:~. a ,.
9 3 ~ ~ 1 1 .6 ~ G' ~'. .
8. -
1 C. E~NVI~RONIVLENTAL- REVIEi~V PROCESS '
2
3
4"
5 8.0.0 INITIAL' STUDY
6 _.
7 The purpose of an initial-`study is. to evaluateahe .potential-effects of a project and
8 provide; a basis:~:for the. determination that a protect. could or, .could not have a
gnifi ~ on the ,environment.. initial studies .may id'ent'ify :mitigation
9 si 'cant effect
10 measures. to avoid, reduce or. otherwise compensate, .for potential adverse effects:
11 Mitigation. measures 'identified in an Initial Study may be recommended ~ as
12 conditions. of approval :.for the project instead of requiring an Environmental Impact
13 Report: _ ~ , ~ , -
14
15 In certain~aases, focused studies ("e.g. noise studies; .field ,.reconnaissance,: etc:) by
16 qualified persons may, be required.. to support the determination that no potential
17 impact would result. An I_rutialStudy may also be..used~to i'dentii'ffyy areas that are not,
18 sign cant in order to focus an Environmental Impact Report (EiR).~on those areas- .
19 of particular concern. .. ,
20
21 8.1.0 Initial Study Waiver
22 ~ ,
23 An Initial Stud~+ need not be .conducted if the~'project' ,has been' declared exempt
24 under the provisions of Section 6.0.0. herein or,;.if the:-Director, determines that, the
25 project clearly_ may have ~a significant impact.on the ~environrnent and, thus, warrants
26 preparation of an Environiriental Impact Report (EIR).
27 ~ ,~
.: -
28 In the absence of ;an Initial Study, -the Director shall reqquire_ihat the,E1R 6e focused
29 on the .significant effects of the project and the EIR~shall briefly indicate the reasons .
30 for determining that othei effects would not be significant or potentially' significant
31 (CEQA Section 15060c).
32
33 8.2.0 Referral Process
34 ..
36 ~ Prior to com letion of an .Initial Study the Planning Department shall refer the
35
ro'ect lans and ro oral, statements to other, a ro nafe City departments. and
P J.. ~ P P PP, p
37 ~ responsible or trustee 'ag encies for review and comment. 'The City's referral; form is'-
38 :included in Appendix C. Comments from responding parties.. v~n'Il be incorporated
39 into the. initial study, staff report and/or iecommended IIUtigation measures.
4,0 _ ~ '
41 8.2.1 ..S ~oin~ Meetings'. At the discretion of, he Director, additional consultation
42 may .also include. ,scopmg .meeting(s) with: other. departments or agencies` aria/or.
43. public information meeting(s) to assist in. identifying significant :issues, .potential
44 ~unpacts, alternatives and iiiitigation measures. If a public scopmg'meeting is to tie
'45: , .scheduled, ;public notice of , such, a .meeting should be provided in the same manner
46' ~ ~ as described under Section 9.2.0.
47 ~ .
48 8.3.0 Agency Referral and Public Notice Lists
-49
SU The Director shall establish and maintain , a master referral ~ list :identifying the
51 names and mailing addresses of those local, state, .and federal agencies, and private
52 individuals and organizations which may have urisdiction, claim special expertise,
53 ;or otlier' interests vv~th respect tovarious spp~ eci~c `types of projects and resources in
54 Petaluma. The master referral list shall be updated' periodically by the Director
., _.
T .~(without.~ legislative ,'approval):; Th'e master referral list; is 'incl'uded in Appendix C.. ,
2 The ~Di~ector, shall. develop ~ari agency referral. list for direct- :consultation with
3 agencies and a mailirig~~list for.:notree to other interested parties; tailored for .each
4 prq~ect: -_, -
5
6 8:4.0 Initial' Study Preparation
7 ~ ~~ - ~ - ,
8 ~An Inutal Study. of the potential impacts of the project •shall be completed, by thee.
9 Planrun Dep~artrnent, using the City's Initial 'Stud`y form and Environmental Data,
., w~
gg ,. .. .- _
10 ..: Sheet. These .forms are.ncluded in,Appendiz D: "
11 ~ - ~ ~ _
12 The Director .shall determine . `within 30 ~ days after ;accepting an application _ as " .
13 ~ com lete~ whether an EIR or focused study will be required or whe"they a ,Negative
14 Dec aration would be :a ro Hate'..
~. ~ - ., , ~ PP, •.P _:. On private pro'ects, ~an Initial ;Study.and=:,~
be com~pplete~d °v~it. in 10
15 ._ aropication g determin 1 d anon must.: '~ 5 days' of the date the.
16 , pp r. , , , , _ ,R e. ,, to 'be, complete. :For a pnvate prglect,~ an EIIt,.shall ~be
17 completed and certified withm° one year after.tlie date an .application ~s complete:
18 - ~ r ~. ;
,~
19 If~additional-'information to make the environmental .determination 's•:not :made.". ~ '
20 available within "these time limits, a •waiver 'of the time,: limits may: be agreed to by
21 the Director and the applicant. '.In the 'absence of a waiver of 'time limits,; the ,prq~ect ...
22 may be~.denied (witfiout prejudice):. '
23 ,. _
24 ,.8.5.0 ,:.Expanded Initial Studi'e's. ~ " ~ ~ ,
- ~ -
26 . In~ certain ;situations, focused studies by .qualified persons ;may be 'necessary .to
27 - evaluate the potential;impact of a roje'ct and recommend specific ; nutigation;
28 x ., .measures For ezainple,, an acoustical .anahysis'. may, be necessary ao evaluate ,noises
`29 . `Tor a,biotic=survey. maybe needed. toy evaluate vegetation. and wildlife inipacts':~ ~ -
..
At.the discretion,
31 Y , of the fDirector, where potential,;impacts have ,been' identified;, but ' ;
32 -may, in he opimon~of the Director,: be mitgatable,.;an expanded or~focused: stud}' ~.
33 ~ may be, authorized; if the project s onso a ees ~to modify' the project to ,avoid,
34 s ~ecific
p - ~ : problems,:or otherwise , iiii mize,,.-rec~tify,, •or compensate for ;all related"•~
35 ~ impacts:'.- With mitiganon. _rneasures;~attached as:~ conditions of approval,.: the pro~Jject '
36' ma uali .
` y q f~i for a Mitigated Negative Declaration, and` the time <and cost, of an. ElR
_.. ~ '
37 can be avoided. ~ "
38 . ,
„.
39° The expanded or' focused study shall; be ~rep.~ared: by the City or- a-.qualified
40 consultant approved and contracted b .the City at~ the; project, sponsor's expense (in
41 accordance with'Section 15 O:O:herein~._ ~; ,. ~ ~ '
42 • .
43 ° ~ 'This provision.. is intended to provide • effici p ' ~ . p `allowing ~rolect ,
~• ~ envies in the process by
44: sponsors to modify aheir pro~egts o~: avoid oten#ial im acts so that he City. can
4'S makes a finding that the .project would, -not, :have .a si'gnific""ant effect on the' ` . ~.
46 environment and thus would not'-require any-EIR. ~ ~ .
47 ~ _ ~ .
48' ~ - 8:5 1 .: Use of Data Prepared by "the. Project Snorisor.. At the. discretion of ~ the :~ „
49 ~ Director; data or studies ~suhmitted by the. project' sponsor can:: be °consideied .in. ~ ;
50' ~ ~ :prepai`ation of tfie Expanded Initial Study; :' ~ ~ ~ .
51
52 8.5.2 Use ,of Previous EIR. Initial Studv ~or Revorts. At .the. ,discretion .of the
__
53. ~ D.reator, previqus studies or 'data can be~ used, as they basiss~for, a;:determinaton on: ~ , -.
54 the project: In the case ..of using`a~°previous study;- an Initial Studyshall be coriducted
~ :.,.
tom: G 37 F.. ;~: ~t ~ ~,.•.~ M~, -
~~~
` ' ~-.
1 - to determine. the adequacy, of '.the document(s) - in addressing ~ -the proposal or to
2 include additional information or mitigation measures that may:be:necessary.
3 .. .
4 ` 8.6.0 Initial Study'Determmation
5 _
6 On the basis of the Initial Study or Expanded Initial Study, the .Director shall
7 determine that ether:< ~ • .
8 -
9 (a) no substantial evidence exists that .• the proposed project •may .have- a
' lU significant .effect on the environment and,, fherefore, a Negative Declaration
11 is recommended; or _ - '
12
13' (b) 'potential environmental impacts are -anticipated that. could be feasibl~yy
14 rriti ated or avoided b measures identified ,in the Initial Study and;
g ~` Y
15' therefore; a NLtigated Negative Declaration is recommended with: the
16~ attached mitigation measures ~as conditions'of approval; oT -
17 ~ -
18 ~ . -. - -
(c) substantial evidence exists which allows a fair argument ;that a project .may
19 have significant. environmental imppacts sand, therefore, preparation of an
20 Environmental Impact :Report (EIR), ~focused~ on the impacts identified in
21 the Initial'Study as potentially signiifieant, is required. .
22 ~ - -
23 8.7.0 Appeals
24 ....
'25 The determination `by theDirector on the. `level , of environmental. review may be
26 :~~appealed to the Planning Commission. The. decision of the ,Planning Commission
27 ~tnayy also be. appealed to the City Council. The appeal must be submitted in writing
28 I.~ within 14 calendar days of the decision in, accordance with the appeal procedures as
29 ~_;~specified in the Zoning Ordinance. Appeals will_be~ considered at .the next available.
30 meeting agenda of ~ the body hearing tfie 'appeal: ,Other comments on the
31 ~~;~.environrnental determination are addressed. in Section 9:6:1.
32
33 • ~ On~ an~appeal of an Iiutial Study determination, if:,the body shearing the appeal: finds
34 there is substantial.. evidence, to support a fair' argument that.. a potential .for
35 significant impact; exists, the decision-making body shall. r"equire that either; (1) an~
36 ~ Expanded Initial Study `or' an- EIR be prepared toaddress potential impacts which
37 -. were the, rsubject of tfie:. appeal or are otherwise:- deemed appropriate; of ~(2).
38 ,mitigation measures ,are ;attached. as conditions of approval that would support a -
39 Mitigated Negative :.Declaration as described in Section 9.1.0.
40 ~ - _
41 ~ .
42 9.0:0' ~NEGA'rTVE DECL.ARATI®N - '
4'3
44 Where there is sno substantial evidence: •of a :potential for impact or where potential
45 environmental im"p-acts are identified that .could be .feasibly avoided or•minimized to
46 a' -level; of insignificance, the -Director..may recommend tfiat' a~ Negative .Declaration
47 be approved:.The ..completed Initial ,Study with the- Director's: determination shall
48 constitute the proposed .Negative Declaration.
49
.5.0 9.1.0. I/Iitigated Negative Declaration
51 ~ 4 .
52 If potential-impacts are identified and mitigation.measures are recommended, t ese
53, recoinmendatio"ns shall be referred to the project sponsor to determine if the project
54 sponsor agrees, ao modify the project to rriitigate the potential impacts. If the
11
~2<
3
_4
6
8`
10
11
12
13
14_
15 =
16
17
18
19
~20
21
`:22.
23'
24
' 25~.
26
27 ,
28 ~ '
29'
30-
3:1
32
- 33 .
' 34
35~
36
37
' 38,.
39
4Q-.
. 41
42
43.
44'
:45
46 ..
~47
48
49
~'S0
~~ .51
52
53
54
1
recommended measures .are -acceptable, a Mitigated, Negative Declaration shall be .~ . ~ ~ -
:-
~proposed with mitigation measures. attached' as conditions ofapproval ;for- ahe .~
ro~ect. If mitigation measures are not .accepted, then an EIR shall be required.:. .
pp.
'I'h
ese provision`s 'are intended to allow a , ro~eet sponsor. to ,avoid. the, time and: ,
xp ~ e~ of an. EIR and reduce the arrount of staff{ time :required: for- project• reviews:.
e ens ~ ~ ~ ,
If' ~ itigation, t measures •,are recommended to minimize potential ;imppwets, a ~ ..
morutonng method, program~.or pplan to ensure. compliance shall be; •included in.
accordance with, Section ~10 0.0;:of ,these° G.uid'elines: ~ .
. ,
t ~ ~ ` - >c
92:0 ~Noti'ce~of I~ntent~ _~ ~~. ~ ~ ~ , ~ ..
_ If ~ the= :..Directordetermines, on ;the ~ basis; of ~ the Initial ~ Study :that' a~ Negative", •
Declaration (or Mitigated Negative Declaration) is~, appropriate, the Director. shall
provide public~notce of the City's intent tq approve. a. Negative Declaration for the.
project. The cost ,of noticing shall-be paid by the~~ pproject sponsor, `S'ampple formats,
fora .Notice of Intent are. included in: Appendix 'E.. blic notice shall be given to, ,
t_he fohowing~ , ~ .
. ..- ~ ,
(a) the Sonoma'County•Clerk for~:posting : ~ ~ -
..
. ~ ...
(ti) all ~orgamzations Nand individuals .known to have an interest :in the project or ~ ~ '
who have previously requested' such :notice;, .' ~ • ~ ~ ~ ~ .,
(c) .~ individuals,...:agences "-or organizations ,,having commented during tlie: `
' 'consul';tation and -referral process; sand, ,, , .. . ~ : ~ ~~" ~ . ,, ~ . ~ .:~ ..
(d) . through at least one of the folloWnng methods: ~ ~ ~ ~ -
_- _, r
. 1: ~ ,publishing,the+.public: notice at leasf one :time, in ~a aocab newspaper'of:
;general~cireulation; or
- ~ <:2: ~ if the ;project has: ~an.~identifiable-site, posting :a public notice, on and':
off: site Mahe vicinity of; the gro~ect' and/or;...
3. .. , ::dire,et mailing of ~_a notice to' owners; and residents. of all'- properties
v~nthin~ 300. feet? -:of .the ~projectsgsite .as' ;such owners: are. hsted~ m 'the
. ~, .`latest,equalized~ assessment role - • ~ ~ _ ~ .. - - ~ .
Where .appropriate; additional, means of notification, may also- ~be .used by the:.
Director The notice, of intent. -may be' published. m conjunction.. with, `other notZCe
required for:tlie~project:oras aaeparate;hsting:.., ' • : ~ .
93.0 Circulatio®. of a, Aiegatave Declaration : ~ ~ ~, ~ '
_. ~. ,
The Director shall make copies. of theInitial :Study and, proposed determination (r e:, ~ ~ .
aNegative Declaration ror:~Mrtigated. Negative :Declaraton) available for •review upon , ~•- ~` . .
request. A: copy, of the notice and theInitial :Study/Negative Declaration ~sha1I be~.
.sent. to the 'fohowing. _ . -
,.
..
°(a) ~ • project sponsor, landowner.and/or authorized :agent: ~ .'
..~
(b). ~ other :responsible. and trustee agencres~ and :any -other`., public; agency- or.
- _.._ _
;~ department with~urisdiction, with, respect... to~the project;
_ _ ,.
' ~ :.12
. , ~ .
..
... ~ ~1
1 ..
2 °, (c) ~Stafe Clearinghouse (in accordance wi"th Section 9:4:0 ,herein) in instances
3 ~ where a State agency has jurisdiction over resources affected by, the project
4 or some aspect of; the. roject (i.e, a ,permit). Transmittal. "to the State
5 Clearinghouse is ,.also siif~cient to satisfy (:b) above for any State :agency.
6
7 9.4:0 Notice of Completion
8
9 A Notice of Completion is a transmittal form; used to forward the various. notices-
10 anddocuments required: under CEQA ,to the State Office of Planning,'and Research
11 (State Clearinghouse) for postingg and distribution tovarious State. aggencies: A
12 sample of the standard Notice of Completion.form is included in Appendix.F.
13 ., .
14 Transmittal to the State.Clearin~liouse is required for each. stepp of the ELR process.
15 ~ and is also required when a'proJect for which a Neggative Declaration or IVlitgated
`16 ~ Negative Declaration ~is proposed which involves' a .State' agency (:e a State` agency
17 has Jurisdiction over some aspect of the pprotect, such as a permit, or otherwise '
18 exercises authority, over :resources potentially affected, by the project): A Notice. of
1:9 Completion shall be filed with the 'State Clearinghouse with 10 copies of the
20 following: - . .
21 -
22 (a) Notice: of',Preparaton for an EIR or early consultation/referral. on. an Initial
23 ~~. Study/Negative Declaration for a~project°involving a'State agency;
24 ..
25 ~K (b) Notice of Availability of a draft EIR orNotice of Intent of a proposed
26 ~ - Negative Declaration for a project involving a State agency;.
27 ~.
28 "-' (c) Notice; of Determination for. an EIR of a Negative Declaration for a project
29 involving a State +agency. _
30 ~x°..
31 .:: The purpose bf filing `these: notices .and documents, with the State is to initiate a
32 posting. and review ~penod so that the various resource agencies can be notified of a
33 -pending action and may subnut:cominents Ito the lead agency.
34
35 . The City may also forward copies of an EIR or. Negative Declaration: directly to .any
36 State agency m order to expedite the' review process: Those .State .agencies who .
37 have been .sent copies "by .the City shall 'be indicated on .the Notice of Completion
38 form sent to the State Clearinghouse.
39
40 9.5.0 Public Reviedv Period ~ -
,41 -
42 ;A ;public review period of at least twenty-one (21}calendar days, :following the date.
43' that the Notice 'of Intent is published by the City, shall be allowed for public review
44 pnor torfinalacton'b an Ci decision Makin bod ' on the ro'ect. If a Ne ative
45 Declaration • or.: ~ lVliti~ated Negative. Declaration ~is ,submitted. to' the State
46 Clearinghouse, .a public review -period of at least thirty. (30) ~ calendar days shall be .
47 allowed,: unless .,a . hotter review period is requested and approved by the State
48 Clearinghouse in advance of the notice. .
49
50 tA. shortened review period may be requested at the discretion of the `Director in
51 accordance with -State criteria and must be approved by the State Office of Planning
52 and Research OP.R ~ riot to notice and circulation ofythe Negative Declaration: A
( ) Px_
53 Request. for Shortened Review form is included. in Appendix F along. with the
54 State's criteria.
~p t •
- - i 13
~1 ~ .~ ~ .
2 ~~ 96 0 Consideration of Proposed -Negatave Declaration ~~or 1Vltagated 1V,egatve . -
3 ° :Declaration ..
4 ~ ~ ~• ~~
5 The reviewing;bodyshall consider the. Inihal Study and any comments received and '
6 shall make the final detercrunaton At the conclusion ~of the publipc, review period,. if _ ~ ~ ,
7 no comments have-.:been received; a;'Negafive'De~laration. may be appioved.by the
8 decision-making body. ~ . .
i0 9:61 -_~~Comments:on the'Negative~Declaration or Mitigated Negative~De~claraton.
-11 ~ ~ :...,~
~: ,
12 Any .comments challen 'ng tte~ deteraunahon, raising potential environmental ,. _
13 concerns,, or _.appealing t e recommended nurigaton~ :measures shall be. ~foTVVarded '
14 to ahe "rD'irector whoa shall. either change the recommendarion to adopt a Negative
15 Declaration; .r"ecoiiimend ,additional or alternative mitigation measures to, address .. • ~,
16 ~~ :~ he concerns, or. foiward` they °comments° " to th'e:: decision=making.; body: fors a. final ~ ~ .
17 determination:"The decision-making, body ~sfiall consider any ..and= all" sucl' comments:
18 and shall determine if: ` ' ~ : ~ ~ ; - :. , ~:
19 ~ ~ .,
20 (a) . the comment(s) present.substantial'" evidence .of a potential significant'effect:~'"
21 (as defined:in Section 4..19 and•4 22 `herein);--and, . ' ~ -
23 (b) ~~if add'tional or ~alternat_ive mitigation measures.. are warranted. that would:..'
24 avoid or i n'imi~e~ the impact :'toy a level of insignificance; or ~ '
25~ ~ -
26 (c) if; further "study (Expanded Initial Study,) or an EIR.should be: required:
27 ~ ~ ~ ~ .:
28 ~ 9.7 0 Approval.of a lYegative;Declaration ~ ~ ~ ~ "
. ,.
..
29 ~ ..
30 A ,Negative Declaration; or Mti` g ~ , ~ , . ~ ' .L y tpp \~ y y ~ ~, "
ggated. Ne ative Declaration ma ,be °a roved~b the...
31 decision-making body with. the following findings. .. ,
32 ., ~ •
•,...
33 (a) ~An Initial Study has been,pre~tired:and proper~notice:°provided in accordance •
34 with CEQA~and local G'uidehnes.
,. ..
35 s
36 (b) ~ Based upon; the . Initial_,. Study and. any comments ~ ..received there: is na:. ~ ••
37 _ ~~substantial, evidence that., the pro~ect~> would have a significant effect .on thee..
.38 ,envi'ronment: • . - .. - .
39 °~
.. ~., . -
40 .OR
41
42`
' ' "" inments received, potential unpacts~ could •
' ~ ~ Based upon the Initial Study and co
4`3 : ~° ~ " ._~~' be avoided nor reduced to. a aevel. of insignificance,"by mitigation measures. ; ~ •
44: ~ attached as conditgns. of ~ap ,royal. ~YThere :is no~aubstantial evidence'~that'-the:
p
4~5 ~ ~ ' ,,project,, as .conditioned, would have; asignificant effectvon the environment. '
' ~ 47 ~ (c) ~ A ~ monitoring program has been ~ nclud'ed ~to~ ensure..cortiplrance with the . ~ ~- ~-. '
48 ~ adopted mitigation'measures,.if'any.. ~ ~ _" ~ "
-49
~~( j' =The project (does or does not)'.ha~e~.potential #o affect wildlife resources as ~.~
50 d.
51 defined in the Fish. and-Game~ code, either individually_or~~cumulatively, and ~ .
52 (is. or is~ not) ,exempt •from Fish and G:arne filing, fees: - ~ ' ': ~ . ~ .
53 Y: -
h, _
~ ~>a. rig ., ~ s.Y
. - 14, ~ .
~1 (e) ~ The project. (is or is not) located' on asite listed on any Hazardous Waste Site
2 List compiled by the State pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government
3 Code.
4
5 The Director shall be responsible for fowarding~ the adopted conditions of approval
6 to other City departments and decision-making bodies for., implementation on any
7 subsequent perinits fore the: project.
8 .
9 9.8.0 Notice of Determination
10' _ .
11 Within five. (5) working days after decision to approve (or deny) a project, the
12 Director shall ffile a Notice` of Determination ~Ap~endix E) v~nth the Sonoma County
13 Clerk. Filing of the 'Notice of Determination initiates a 30-day statute of limitations.
14 for legal challenges on the approval- of the project' under CEQA.
15 ..
16 1 ' a Filin F Pursuant to State law, De arfinent of "Fish -and. Game fees
p
17 are required for fling of a Notice of Determination. A project approval~sliall not°be~
1'8 considered 'bested, ;operative or final" until the 'fees are. paid. The City -shall require
19 the payment of all required' filing fees at -the time of application and shall remit the
20 required fees to the :County Clerk with the Notice of Determination.
21 _
22 9.8.2 ~ . Deminmis Exemption. ,If the Director and/or.' the decision-making° .body
23 ~~ makes a findingg.based upon the Initial Study that,the project does not have potential
24 ,;:.: to affect wildlife resources, ' individuahy or :cumulatively, then a "Deminimis
25. Exemption" may be filed by the Director on behalf of the project sponsor and the
26 s~. Fish and Game Fees shall „be waived. A sample Demimmis. Exemption form is
27 included in Appendix E. A copy of "the Deminimis Exemption, ;if applicable, shall
28 ~ e~: be filed by thee. City,-with the Notice of Determination for- the project.
29 ..
30 ;; 9.9.0. Appeals
31 ~,•
32 Determinations, .made., by the Director may be appealed to the Planning
33 Commission: Determinations made byy the Planning Commission or SPARC may be
34 apppealed to the City Councl:.Appeals must be filed in venting within fourteen (14,).
35 calendar~days of the decsion~in accordance. with appeal procedures as specified in
36 ,the. Zoning Ordinance.. If the determination is, appealed within this period, the
37 body hearing the' appeal shall consider :the Initial Study, Negative Declaration. and
38 any comments received'todetermine if the findings are supported by the evidence in
39 the °record:
4:0, ~ ~_
41~ Notice of appeal hall be provided. in accordance: with appeal;procedures set forth in
42 the Z.gning Ordinance. All persons; individuals; a envies and organizations who
43 ~ demonstrated':an inferest ~in the rimatter shall be notif~ed of the~~time and place of the
44 ;meeting on the: appeal at least ten (10)a calendar days prior to the meeting.
45
46 ~ ~ If the body heanng ahe, ap - eal finds there is substantial evidence~~ to support a fair
..
47 argumentthat a potential or significant impact exists, ~they~ _may require that either
48 additional :mitigation measures be added.` as. conditions of~ approval or than ~an
49 Expanded ~Irutial Study or an EIR be prepared. to address potential impacts which
50 were the subject of the appeal and/or- are otherwise deemed appropriate by the
51 body .bearing the appeal.
52' ~ ~ .
53 The .decision to requre.;certain mitigations measures. may also be .appealed and the
54 body hearing the' appeal. may modify or eliminate mitigation measures if
v a ~ ~r +~,
• 1 determinations are "made pursuant'to Section 9,:6..1 regarding: the significance of a '
2 ' ~ potentiahimpact. ,
3
4 ~ ` '. ~ -
5' ~ '10.0:0 M~I'd'IGATION ~I~ONITORI'NG`PROGRJ,~1~I
-. _ .- - ,
6 .10.1.0' Policy-Statement ~ , ~ _
. 8 ~ . I~t °i's the'polcy of the City- ofPetaluma to provide an adequate monitoring process
. 9 ~ . for all -measures required to~• miti ate potential. ai cant adverse impacts, from . .
1'0 developm'ent," rojects 'as required by Section Zi6,~• of the .California Public
11 Resources Gg~e.: .
12 .. :~
13 .. Whenever a project is. proposed for which changes °are...,required or-_~conditions
14 imposed. m order to mitigate srgnificant adverse identified :impacts; a: monitonn •• .
15 method„ ,program, or plan. shall, ;be adopted by, ,,the City `prior ao or .concurrent; with
16 the appoval of the project. ~ -
17 :-~ .. ~ -..
18 ' ' 10.2.0 •NYatigation'Plans ~ -
• ~ 20~ ;. All feasible, IIiiti ation :measures needed to eliminate or reduce ;potentially
. 21 significant ~ad~erse~~ impacts to', a level of .insignificance, shall be=`.incor~oated: as- -
22 ,conditions of a nproval at the 'timer'theapproving bod makes pan environmental _ _
' _ - ,. ' ~ ~ :ye ative Declaration or the
.. 23 ~ -determination: or the ~ ,ro ect.` (.e, the adoption;, of a. N g . _
24 certification. of~_ an ~ EIR~ ~n certain cases,, a . specific aiutigatron plan (such. as° a ;re-
25~ :veget-ation or.restoration plan) maybe"required as':a,•condrtion,of'approval. -
26 ,,
R
..
27 Mitigation iri~easures.and._monitonng:rnethods fall primanly.:into tlree categories:~or..,, ..
28' phases of development: design; constriction and operation: Mitigation. monitonng _
29' 'shall be iinpletnented in rthe: following; manner: - .
30 - ~ ~,
~31 1U.21 Design: Actions-'or reduirements .that must be,~ .incorporated mto; the. design
32. .. of a p"rojecf shall tie included in the project development, liiilding :or grading,..plans:° .~
33 ~ ..and verified prior to: issuance of a permit, certificate, of .occupancy, :release of t5ond
.: < .
34 approval ofplans and•specifications; or acceptance of inprovements,:etc,:
35 .Y
36 1.0:2 2 .Construction.' Actions or regiremerts that,rnust be completed, or monitored'
37 dunng ~cgnstruction.of the project can be monitored by situ inspection during, the:
' 38; construction -penod:; .Mitigation. measures, re.quied dunng construction sh, '_ be .
- 3.9 clearly indicated on the •design; 'construction, and f or .improvement :plans `pri'or to:.
40 ~` issuance:of,perirut(s) or approval of.plans:and specifications.. ~ -
42 10.2 3 '' eration.. ~ Actonsr or requirements that: ~ must , ,be ,monitored during;
43 operation or, after completion ,of the;pro~ect are the most. difficult ~to monitor and
~44 enforce and generall require. a 'contrac`tual, agreement, landscape assessment .
,.
45, . -, district,, and/or cash, eposit as`, a condition of approval. Monitoring of Mtigation
. 46 ' . measures (such as' landscape . restoration):., sho~'ld - be::verified : thi ougb periodic:
4.7, inspection and regartng,, generally over aspecified period.. '
48 - ~ ~. - .
49 • ~ ~~ .The Director niay require the project sponsor ~-to provide a•~cash deposit; (or other-~ ,
50 , form -of guarantee acce~table~ to "the Director) to :coven:. anticipated costs. of . ~ .
51 implementatign `and monitoring of ,any mitigation: measures that require monitoring - .
52 ~ beyond, -the final, iiispection~:.and approvals (i.e.. release. of bonds. 'or certificate' of ~ '
C
16
1 ~ .occupancy). A contractual agreement- recorded against- the property, may also be
2 required. "
3
4 103.0 Rgonitocing ~'rogram ~ ~ .
5 ,
6 For each mitigation measure recommended as a eonditori of approval, a monitoring
7 method, or program shall .lie developed sand incorporated into the condition of
PP P
9 or "concurrenwith thete o~ectna ntro a1~~The moryiitorirence and adopted-prior to
p ~ pp ng. program at a rrummu'm
10 shall specify:
11
12 (a) a brief description: or ;.reference to the,. impact and mitigation .measure or
13 action to be monitored (reference to condition number in action to approve a
14 project). _
15
16 (b) .:monitoring; method and phase of development (i.e. design, construction or
17 operation) including. the timing and number of site visits, inspections or other
18 provisions for enforcement of the condition,as appropriate.
19 ~ - ~ .
20 (c} identify.,party responsible for .implementation ofytfie mitigation measures and
`- 21 timeframe for completion. .
22
23' ~- (d) designation of the p" , agency or department ~res onsible for verification of
_~ aarrttyy p
24 . . ~~: comphance ands identification of any. special qualifcations needed for outside
25 ~ consultant. -
26 ~- ~ .
27 (e) .reporting :requirement(s) and/or identify specific permit, certificate, or.
28 1. agreement'for verification of compliance (e.g .annual reports from consultant
29 ~a. re"quired to ;inspect riparian restoration :.5-years ..beyond construction or
30 ~~ venfication prior ao certificate of occupancy etc.).
31 ~ ~.
32 (f) .criteria and/or the • manner in which; comppliance will be achieved if
33 .applicable (e.g., "requiring 20% of ~ the total landscape costs to be retained on
34 deposit for replacement over a 5-year~perod.)
35 ~ "
36 10.3.1 Pre-.construction ~Meeting~ The Director may require pre-construction .
37 meetn~s', betweenCity staff, the developer and the contractor to review the
39:.. mpgementatio oures; . monitormg~ program :and. procedures to ensure proper
1 f`the, required mitigation measures.
4U . .. "
4'1 10.3:2 `ITse of Consultant. In certain .cases, mitigation monitoring, may require
42 specialized expertise beyond the capabilities of city staff which will .require `the use
43 ;of a .consultant. T'heneed fora consultant to monitor shall "be; specified, in the
44; condition of ;approval. Monitoring- ,consultants shall be, hired under contract with
45 . the.city_ in accordance with Section 15.O.Q. The~proj'ect sponsor shall be required to
46 ~ ,provide :a~ cash .deposit. to cover the cost:. of the momtoruig program and
47- administrative;fees in accordance with, Section 10.6:0:
48
49 10.3.3 R°ecorded', Agreement.. It is recognized that certain. measures or conditions
50 may need to be monitored after the project is completed and operating or may be
51 intended to be implemented at some future date or threshold. The :Director may
52 require the poject`s~onsor/property owner to~enter into a contract, to perform these
moutoring requirements and may .require. a cash de osit or
53 _ conditions or p
54 performance bond.. to ~ ensure .compliance. Said. contract shal'1 be recorded against
1
1 :_ the roject site so as to be identified m title :,as a ~responsibhty of the, project site . ~ ~ ~ '
2 `landowner which, arises on commencement. of•.ahe project. The, contract s~all rung '
3 with ttie, land .until. such~time as a ,release of'said contract is.~recorded by the City of .
..
4 :Petaluma. •- ' ~ ~ .. .
6 ~= ~ 10.4.0 Roles<and'Responsibilities "
8. It.-shall be the~.responsibility of 'the Planting, Department to ensure preparation and,
9 ' adoption of the mitigation. monitoring program and 'the follow up, gas needed, ~ to
g .. g _
10 ensure montonn occurs and _rniti anon measures. are undertaken and completed.
11
12 ;10.41 Pr'o~eet' S~ onsors .~ Prod"eet sponsors shall be responsible for im lementation. of -
13 all, required Mtigation. measures and' associated ~ costs,F .including. he. Cit}!'s
14 administrative costs in carrying' out he monitoring.program: .
15 _ ~ ,:
-. _ . ~.:
.:
16 10:4 2 `.Building Inspection and' Public •WoTks~ Departments.,. Compliance with allw
17 mi~tegganon measures required as ppart~~of the design or construction phase shall be ,~
18 ver•ified.by .the :En "neenng; Building, .and/or Pub"lic'Wotks -Inspectors. as:partof,its
19 plan check, buil mg permit nspec"bons: 'or certificate of'. occupancy review, in~. ,~
20 ~ ~ consultation, wnth~:other ~Ctty departments. or drvisons;;:as specified ~m "the ;rnonitonng ; .
21 program., The'project will not'receive a certificate of occupancy- if these.;conditoris
22 .. ; .
are not comple"ted to the satisfaetion.of the responsible official. " .
23° ~ ~ - ..
24 " 1U.4.3~~Planning_De~rfinen~Mitigation measures that reguue monitoring ~afier -~
`25 project completion - (i a „certificate of occupancy, or release of: °bonds) ;shall be: • '
26 monitored by Planning `Department .staff:` in consultation ~•v~nth other'designated
. 27persons or_ departme_ nts: ~ ~ "~, . ~ - ~, .
29 10:4 4 'Monitoring_by Other A~e~. ~ The, ~D~irector may request other agencies toy
. Director :ma re nest that ,cures recommended or required by that agencY.. Thee .: •
30 rnorutor. thosy mi~ anon: measn- agency submit... a momtoring proggrram with the:
32 recommended. mitigation measure,. or: may requrre':co~rmation by hatagency that;
33 , ~, "the impact. has been mitigated'to the. requesting agency's satisfaction: ~ . ' - - ~ ~ ,
35 , : 10.5 O'..Itepo`rting Procedures ~. -
36 ~ ~ ..- .fir
37 In'most'instances, -iritiganon ;measures can~~,be venfied for'complance through the
38 ",city's design review `and buildig permit piocessusmg`~the adopted list of~ conditions:
39 . A.,morutonngE program. checkLst may be required by the Director: for pro~ectsvvith~ ' ..
40 extensive _ or on-going- monitoring rrequirements. ` "A. sample monitong checklist is
41 .included in Appendix'C:• ,~ . ~ . • ~ : - .
42
43 ~ As ea¢t condition/mitigation"~ireasure is yenfied' m• compliance, it._ s)iall, be signed-:
~'44 off on ahe list of conditions or monitonng'checklst as; completed.~b~+ the reviewing '-..
45 official. The monitoring ~ checklist or .list of ~ conditions shall` provide'', a: summary ~ .
• 46 ~~ report of"the mitigation 'monitoring;,program:. For on-gomgmonitonng~programs,, .•
_ 47 . ~ the Director may :require periodic reports prepared by the monitonn consultant;-~' -
48 person,,,agency or department -The rnonitonng report(s), clieeklist and or the list of~ '' ,
- - ~.~
49 conditions'shall be~'available in~the Planning.Department forspublic'review.
50 - - ~ -
51 ~10.6:0~` Fees. ~ ~ -
53 `' . "~ All costs associated; with- mitigation monitoring shall~.be' paid', byil the; project sponsor
X54 ~ .as a condition .of:~pro~ect°~approval: `The. ainount,.and timing of ~payrnent s all..be :.
. ~ 18 .. 1.-1 g .
. , , -- ,.
. .,, ,. ..
1, ~ determined ~by City staff.. Project. sponsors shall be required to post or .deposit
2 sufficient funds or other form of guarantee; acceptable to the Director (e.g. through
3 . cash. deposit„ recordation of payment agreement, incorporation of monitonn~ costs
4 into a land''scape assessment district, etc.).., to cover- tfle cost of the mitigation .
5 monitoring ;program and enforcement prior ~to 'issuance •of .any subsequent permits
6 for, the project.
7 ~- .
8 10.6.1 .Consultant :Fees: ,The. cost associated with tli~e use of outside: consultants for
9 preparation and/or implementation of the rnonitonng grogram shall'be; paid by the
lU protect sponsor on deposit to the City prior°toentenn`g into a contract foi ,consultant
11 sernces or ..issuing ~a` 'notice to proceed.. ;In accordance vv~th City policy, 'twenty-
12 percent (20%) of the contract amount shall'be added for Cit}~s administrative costs.
13
~= 14 10.7.0 Enforcement -
15
16 The Director mad .requiie ,specific enforcement. procedures and/or .the timing .of
17 -enforcement be included m the monitoring program. since situations vary from
18 project to project. .It is recognized tha"t, generally, implementation- of most
19 rrutigation measures and: -monitoring is anticipated; to be completed prior -to final.
20 approval. of a. project _ (eg., certificate of ~occuparicy, acceptarice of public .
21 'improvements;. release of bonds, etc:). -
22
23 Failure to ~ comply with the: adopted conditions of approval, or,,. the, lack of timely
24 completion on the part of the protect sponsor shall result in the: use of the following= .
25 :,~-procedure:
26 ~~. .
27 :~ (a) ~ At~ the discretion of the Director, astop=work ,order- may be; issued ao ,the
28 - pro~eet sponsor for ~ the portion of the' project 'involved in thepossible
29 ;~, -rrutigation measure violation. -
30 x:, - ~ .
31 ~. (b) ~ At the. request .of the Planning .Department, the staff person, agency or
32 consultant re"sponsble for monitoring: shall .~ro~ide 'a written report to the
33 Director the~facts surrounding the non=compLance:- ~ -
34
35 (c) Upon receipt of the -monitoring$ re~?,ort, the Director hall request that the .
36 Ci Clerk° lace the re ort,on.the C;i Council a ends and not .. the ro'ect
ty_ p. g ~' p J,
37 sponsor of this action. 'The Plainnuig~~epartment shall also notify .any aagency
38 ~ who 'may have jurisdiction over 'the.resources affected and any persons' who'
39 ~ ~have:requested sucfi~notfication. -
40 - .
41 (d) - 'Tlie City. Council` shall consider the report. and ,any information ;presented by
42 ~ ~ staff'and the project ponsor` and shall determine whether: or'..not, there is a
43. - violation of'the.conditions of project, approval:
44 .. . --. ...
45' (e) "If ;no violation is found, the; project sponsor° shall be so notified in writing.
47 (f) ~ If a violation ,is -found ~-than can be~: corrected, the protect sponsor shall- be
48 ~ =notified gfrthe needed correction in writing and shall be liven ,a reasonable
49 ~ period''of tiine~ (normally 10 days) in which to correct the violation.
50 ~-
51 (g) ~If a violation~is, found that the Director determines cannot be corrected, or if
52 the Director .determines that the project spbrisor has failed to correct a
53 violation with `in a reasonable time period (as specified in Section .10.7.0 (f)
1 atiove)i thezDuector.may request that'the City~Attorney pursue all reasonable .-'
2 . available- legal' remedies. -, ~ .
3 •. :. _ _ .
4' - . - -
5 ~- 1'1:0:0' Er1VIROi+I1~IE1~1'I'AI. DESIG'N~PROCESS/COP1STItAINTS.AIVAIYSIS
7 V~Ihere site constraints will clearly.-.re:quire mitigation measures, the Director and :..
. 8 -:. protect; sponsor ;may agree to undertake an ~emnronmental.;desrgn processwhich • .
Q _ , incorporates, environmental considerations into; the project development 'and design.',
,10 , ~ process. This:process is'iintended to provide,;for greater admius`traive~and planning,: - ,
~;11 .efficiency to:resolve envirgninental issues ~ealy in the .design.. of a project. : -
12 - ~ • ' f.
:,
13 (a) ~a conceptual ;project desenption is submitted_.,by. the~~pro~ect' sponsor with a
14 . :. formal application and„'applicable ' ;fees `ta. the Director., as ,a • basis for -
15 - ~ completion .of a Constraints Analysis; ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ,
17 (b) . ~a qualified :consultant 'is retained 'by the<~-City = at project .sponsor expense - , '
1$ ~ ~ - (pursuant 'to ~'Section~. 15.0.0), ~to,, prepare 'a prehrtunary~ environmental::.
19 ~ : ,:constraints analysis. of the project .site: which; focuses. ~.on~ •assessment of the. ;
_ 20 - ste's•:environmenta~l sensitivities and. potential .design-measures ;to avoid or
'21 ~ .minimize.. potential impacts .(e g , `traffic,:- vegetation ,and ~ wildlife ~walues,•f
22 - ...aesthetic `concerns, muiucipal semce factors, drainage,, ground stability; etc ), _ :,
24 •(.c) the pro~ect~, sponsor •then submits, amore. detailed;, project desgn:.which -
2;5incorporates or addresses the constraints analysis findings;: and - -
26 ~ ~ ~ .. .
27 , (d) ~ an Initial Study or :an•,EIR is `prepared .which, evaluates the resulting- ~pro~ect
28 ~ . ~ 'impacts, if :any and documents the . findings. Appropnate; ~p~ortions~ of the - .' .
29 preliminary .constraints analysis may: be. 'incorporated by reference, orwith -.
30. appropriate'revisions..
31 ..
32 , ,~ - -
_ _.
. .. ., ..
33 12.0.0` ENVIRONMENTAL IIi~iPACT REPORT ;Pit®CESS
35 If it is determined that .an EIR is'reqquired for:,: a+"prolect,~;;a draft EIR, shall be
36-. ,.prepared by~ithe City or by a qualified EIR consultant under..contract to the City."in -
37 ;accordance with Section 15 00 herein. Fora ;pnyate project, the_ EIR shall: be Y -
38 : ~ completed ;and certified v~nthin. one, year .after the: date the `application.,.:is complete ,. .:
39 The time period may tie extended for an---additional ~90~ d'ays upon., agreeriient of the ,
4b Director=and the applicant. _' . ~ ~ ~ ., -
42 ~ All projects requiring an ;EIR, shall -be referred to; the .city Councth for certification; :..
' 43 - of •t a adequacy •of't a ,EIR and :afinal ~deternunation., .The, :Planning. Commission. ,
44 -shall first consider •the draft° EIR and, any comrnents° received` ,and may make- .
~.4~5 ,. repcpommendatons to the City, Courcil, on~ the adequacy ;of they EIR and` ,th`e
4:7. , liifOr estate 'findrngs - Tfie, -Planning;: Commission ~ may requesti ~: additional - .
• ion ,or clan_fication nor to., or .concurrent •with their •recommendations.;
48 ~ Prior ao a decision. on the project; the City-.:Council -shall certify the.adequacy of the:. -
49 • Final ELR' .by Resolutivon>:and:~ shall make a final:;: deternunaton of ,the, 'appropriate ~ .
.~ _.
-50 findings as specified-in;Section•13.3.0 and. 13:3.1'., . ' ~ ~ -~
53. '.., ..- . ,. ~ ..
54 - ~ .- -
1 12.1.® Notice~of Preparation
2 ~ .. .. ~.
Y g.
4 shallere tare. and forty d Notice o Prelaration buired for a project, the Director
p p p y_ certified ma or other manner
5 that provides proof of receipt to'
6
7 (a) each "Responsible; and Trustee Agency and any involved ,federal agency (i.e.,
8 all public agencies other than the City which have discretionary ,approval.
"9 over some aspect of the.project; are involved in the funding of the'pro~ect, or
10' ~ have jurisdiction. over;resources potentially affected by the project);
11 - .~~
12 • (b): other 1oca1, federal and~State agencies which may have an.interest or special;
13 expertise with respect to the project (e.g: City Departments; Caltrans, etc.).
14
15'' (c) the `Sonoma. County Clerk for 30-day posting; and;
16~~
17 (d) other affected departments of the adjacent jurisdiction (i.e. County of
18 Sonoma).
19 .
20;. (e) State Cle'aringfiouse~.along°'with a Notice of Completion pursuant to Section
21~ 9.4.0 'herein:
22 . _ .
23 ,,} (f) - ANotice of ° Preparation describing where., the ~~ additional
24 ~" information/attachments are available may also be sent` to interested parties'
25 . ~ which' have requested such notice 'for a"spe~fic project.
26
27 w "The purpose- of the Notice of Preparation shall; be to~ solicit guidance from hese
28 .~ ~~-- agencies -with. respect to the -scope and content of an EIR. A sample `Notice. of
29 N'~~ Preparation form is included herein in Appendix E. A list of referral agencies is'. ~.
30 ~= included. in.Appendix C. .
31
32 ~ Tlie notice ,shall state that.the City plans to ppre~are~ an EIR on the project,-..and shall.
33 'include a brief description.. of; the, project including =its location,: plus. an outline of they
34 environmental issues . identif ed, by staff -(a copy of the .completed Initial. Study may
35 be attached), in order to ahow`the recipients to provide a meaningful response.
36
37 Similar notice shall ~be forwarded b the Director to other :.interested ,City' _
38 department heads and administrators ublic works; parks and recreation, police;
39 fire; transit,;finanee redevelopment; etc:..
40 ~ ~ - _ .
41 ~~ ~ A11 notices should, include the- statement that respp- onses shall be :received .v~nthin 30 - f
42 days., The Ci may begin working on the~.draft EIR immedatel , "without awaiting
" ,,
43: responses to t e Notice of Preparation. The scope of the draft EIR in-preparation
44 may have 'to be revised or expanded to address responses to the Notice of
45 Preparation.
46
47 12:2.0. EIIt Scoping
48
49 -Consul`taton'or "scoping" with other agencies, interested parfies::or organizations
50 may be helpful to the City ~in~ identifying the range of impacts; alternatives, and
51 mitigation- measures to be analyzed in the -EIR, and in eliminating from detailed.
52 stud - issues ~fqund :not to be important. Prior to completing the draft EIR, the City
53 and/or the ~EIR•consultant may confer directly with any person, organizaton or
54 agency it believes will be concerned with the environmental effects of the project.
"~ ~ ~
' ~ l ~ . ~
1 ~ J ,. .. ,
2`
3 Atahe discretion of :the Director, consultation may,°also include an•;informal scopin~g
s with
'or meetin
the
ublic
ther
meetin
ences
and/or
oth
G
d
a
me
l
g
:
p
, o
.ag
g
,
.
er
ty
ep
rt
ata
4 representatives to,explain,and.~diseuss the scope and_ content of the~EIR,, :If a public
. ,
6 ,
sco , ui meetin i
provided.by~th~e is to,~'be scheduled,, public notice ;of sucli ,a meeting shall be~'. ,
:.
'rector in the. same manner as .for a public`hearing.;
7
_
.:.. ..
$ .
12.3.0 ,Administrative Dratt EIIt ~ -
_
_9
10 •
The :City or.. its cgnsultant .shnalT prepare• an _~aduunistrative draft E_IR, The ~. ` ' •~
11~ nistrative dra n shall.be the author's, version. of;a: complete EIR, 'including: a) .
ad~
12 ad' g
e uate discussio
of ahe otential envir
p onmental .copse
quences• of the protect-for
13' '
_
all im act•ca~e ones identified as s ~ flicantyin the. Initial Stu „ ,b! recommended .
14 mitigation measures; (c) ;adequa#e discussion of: alternatives. to. ,the proposed ,action;
.15 and (d), all other informational ;requirements outlined in .article 9~ of,:CEQA.: City.
16 staff sliall review the administrative draft :EIR for accuracy and to ~,deteniine if'' the.. __ . .
17. document ~meets• local.and ;State requirements .and: the: intended scope of'work. Thee .; `
18 ~ Director may ;refer the. administrative draft. EIR ao the project ~s~onsor :to review .
19- ~ ~matters~~:of fact relating tq~.the project description, prior to approyui~ the draft .E1R :. ~ ~ .
2U for circulation andreview:,. Staff rnay,ralso refer sections of~ the administrative draft ..
21
22 .EIR to responsible agencies fog comment on matters relating to .Lheii permitting, ~ '
authority T,h, a purpose of this ,administrative review is to "ensure: thaf the project`
23 .
and responsible agency,. policies and authonties, are;. accurately represented and ~.
'24 :adequately-addressed prior to circulating they document for°publicreview: ~
, ,
"26 `12.4.0 D,raflt EI°I~ ~ ~- ~ - .
28 City' stuff comments,:on': the admunistrative ;draft. HEIR shall be mcorpora"fed :into, the .
29 draft EIR, prepared'for publication.. The Director shall authorize publication, of ttie
30 draft EIR 'for . circulation when. the. Director is .satisfied that,. the. `,document _
3.1 adequately reflects -the independent judgment., of the City, contains.:. adequate , ~~
32 , ~
~ : information .for the decision-Makingg body to act. on, the project, and. complies with ~ ~ -
~
~
33 ; . local
and State_requirements:for EIR content , , •~
.
~
a3'4. ._ : .. .
.~ .~~
3S ~ 12.5 0. Notace,of~Availability ~ ' _ ~ • ~ ~ •
°36 ~ ~. ~ ~ ... -
37 :.
Public review' of the draft;EIR: shall be initiated by issuing. a: rNotiee of Availabili
- tY ~ ; ,_
~38 The notices shall include a brief description of the~
and! the;pio~ect's location.. ~~
project
39, ,
_
~ ~ and must. state that, the draft EIR.is available and,~the ~address~where copies may `be ,
40 obtained for' review, that°:romments::on the draft. EIR are :`invited and"specify. the
• 41~ •- m the responses: shou d be~~ _
comment period The, notice shall also, include, ao who
42. _
'submitted, the date;;'time and place of a. public hearing;' (if'~any). A sample format.
43. ~~ 'for• Pulilic Notices isincluded in Appendix E: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
-
.. 44~ , - v ~ • ..
_ • , - 45 .. ~ 1'ublic~~notice shall be given to the. following;: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . = -
.. ~
~
4:6 .
" ,~
' 47 .. {a) ,the Sonoma County Clerk forepostng; _ .:
.
= - 49 •, •- .
• (b) . all orgaiuzatons and individuals known to have an;~inferest. in the project or;
.
..
50 ,
~ who have previously-requestedsuch'.,notice; ~ . ,, . ~ -
52~ c individuals, a ences or or anzations havn 'commented on the: ,Notice of .
53 PTe aration• .and" ~ '
F 3•r'. ,.
i
-1 (d) through 'at leash one of the'following methods;
2:
3 1: .: ~ -"publishing the public notice at~ leash one time; in a aocal newspaper of
4 ,general circulation; and/or
S
6 2. if the project °has an identifiable site, posting. a public notices on and,
Z~ off site. in the vicinity of the project; and/or
8
9 3. direct mailing.. of a notice to: owners .and residents of all properties
10 ~ within 300 feet. of the project ;site as~ such owners. are listed, m the
11 - latest equalized~assessment role.
12
13 12.5.1 Waste Facilities: If the project involves. the .construction or expansion of: a
14 facility that burns munici al waste, hazardous waste,.;iefuse-derived- fuel (including-
15 tine incineration facilities~~all three of the above: notification methods are required.
16 ,Furthermore, a rnailing~ of the ,notice is required to all ~pproperties within:. one- uarter.
17 mile of the ro ect site. Pursuant to State. law,. an EIR "shall .be required for' any
18 projects whch involve burning of municipal waste, hazardous waste, or refuse-
19 denved fuels.
20 ~ '
21 12.6.0 Circulation and Review of the l3raft EII~
22 - -
23 :~, The. Director shall:make copies of the draft EIR available for review, loan and/or
24 :;=,Y _purchase-upon request at .the offices of the Planning :Department, and shall forward.
25 copies of .the drat.-EIR to:
26 - .
27 (a) projectaponsor, landowner and/or authorized agent; .
28 s
29 ~; (b) each .member of the .appropriate decision-making bodies (i.e., the bodies with
30 .~ City :authority to' make recommendations qr decisions regarding the project
3°1 ;~;. at issue);
32 , ' - -
33 (c) the City of Petaluma Public .Library;
34
35 (d) ..all Responsible and Trustee Agencies:.. (i:e: all local, ,state, and ,federal,
36 agencies which' -exercise authority over resources which. may be affected by
37 .the project).
38 . _
39 (e) Office of Planning.. and Research (State Clearinghouse) along .with a.Notice
40. ~ _ of `Completion as described in Secfion 9:4.0..
41
42 12:7:0 Public' Review Period..
43
44 A period of no less -than, 30 calendar days following issuance of the Notice of
45 ~ Availability and: circulation of the draft EIR by, the City shall. be allowed for public
46 review of an~ EIR. document no.t requiring, review by a. State. agency: If °ahe draft E1R
47 is .submitted to ,the State ,Clearinghouse: for. review by 'State agencies, thee review
48 period hall'be..at~ least 45 .calendar days from the date received by the estate, unless a
49 shorter time period is requested' by °the `D,ireetor :andapproved by the .State
50 Clearinghouse °in advance ~of the public notice, .
51
52 A Request for Shortened Review form. is :included'. in Appendix F along with the
53 State's`cnteria. Shortened review periods shall be no.less than 30 calendar days and
54 'must be reflected in the public notice.
23
. `r .
2 12.7.1 Public Hearing.,. E1n o -ortunity for public° hearing. on -the .draft EIR shall ~be - .
3 ~ • provided, by the ~ Planningg Copssion and.. City Council ,m .conjunction-'with. other
4 roceedings related ~ fo the ro~ect. 'They following `provisions shall apply ~a)' the
- pp
5 Baring .should be °scheduled; to provide' the' decision. rnalang :body and 'public' •v~nth
6 ~ade~uate time toreview he~ :draft EIR; .(b) , .all applicable City-mandated public `
7 note ~icaton ,procedures for a public hearing for ~ the"~ type of .project studied m :the :.
8 EIR shall,.be carved` out by~ the Director pnortq: the scheduled session;.;and, (c) all{.
9 ~• relevant; comments received during -.thepublic review period, on environmental
10 issues shah be addressed ~ in the ,fi_nal, EIR
~, certified in accordance. with Section
11 13'3.O,;prior to taking~acton bri.the-project: .~ ~ ~ z
12, . ~ ,. -
13 12.8:0 Consideration of"the IDrat~ EIIt :. ' ~ ~ '
15~ -..Based on a review'of .the draft EIlZ, consideration of, related:;:City staff.reports,, and
16 any.~comments'. received .during ~.the~ publicreview' period, the ;decision-making body
17• -°shall: -
lg _ ~ ~ ...
- , 19. (a) ~ ~ .consider- the:adequacy of the draft EIR in,<dselosing~ the: potential ?impacts of
20 a project and identifying; mitigation measures;
,.
21
22 ~(b) i'dentify any changes; clarifications; -or additional nfonnafon which hould• ..
23~' . ~ ~ ' 'be~incorporated=n'the:final EIR~for certifi'cation;~and . '~ , ° ~ ~ ' ~ •
.., r
25 .(c) authorize: the Director ~to .initiate and supervise preparation of;~a~;5na1 ELR
26 ~ which. incorporates these revisions, and' • responds to `:all. significant'
2T ~ ~ environmental points raised ~dunng the public review~period. - ~ •
28 •~,
.. ~ .
29'" - ., ,
30 ~ - , . .
.:.13:0.0:. ~FINAL-aEI.R - j ~ ~ .
31 ~ .
,~. .. ~.-
32 A fina1,~EIR shall be' prepared to °thesatisfaction ~of the Director to be in co_ mpliance ,
~•~ 33' with local and State requirements and. the following provisions:..
34 ..
35 ' 13.1,0 Itesponse:to Coariprients • ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ .
36 ~ _ .
37 The ,Director or` 'its consultan"t_ shall evaluate all written comrents and ~ oral -
38 testimony received dunng~` the draft ~ EIR ublic review period and' shall prepare a ~ - ,
39' written .response ao' these- comments. -~ The written ~ response,shall describe. ,, sthe
. 40 deposition of any ;significant: environmental issues raised 'by the: cornment._ `, Thee _
. 41. written-.response should address;n detail".any EIR;findng or~recomrnendation which
42 remains at 'variance -in tfie ;final: EIR with the objectives or recomrnendatons of the • ~~ •
.43 particular comment: Thee response,;to: comments must reflect. a. good faith,~reasoned
. •44 ~ analysis supported by~factiial°data.. ~ ~ •
46 ~ Tle Planning ~ Commission may •request to review ,the final EIR or ..addi_tional
47 •informaton before making a recommendation~to'the. City Council , , •
. 48 _ ..
49 ~ At~aeast 1'0 days prior to 1certifying, a Final EIR, theDirector ,shall ~provide=.to .public.
50- agencies a proposed .response: fo. comments made by .that.agency ~ -
51 .
5.4, ~ - -
rp
~1 13.2.0 Final'EI1t Format
2 ~ ~.
3 The -form of ~the~ final EIR shall `be determined by the- Director: The final EIR may
4 take he form of an attachment, text amendment, or addendum to the draft EIR and
s shall include:
6
7 (a) the draft EIR as amended (can be incorporated by .reference),along with any
8 errata deemed .necessary by °the City in response td .comments received on
9 the draft EIR; .
10
11 (b) a list of persons; organizations; and public agencies commenting on the draft
12 EIR;
13
14 (c) comments, recommendations and other responses received on the draft EIR,
.15 in verbatim and/or summary form;
16 ~ ~'
17 ; (d) .response to comments; i.e., the responses of: "the City: or its consultant to
18 sigufican` environmental points raised in 'the draft EIR -.review and
19 consultation process; and
20 _.
21 (e) a monitoring program for the recommended mitigation measures in
22 accordance with Section 15.0.0.
23 .__ ~ .
24 (f) any other additional information deemed necessary by the City. ~•
2s. ~:
26 ~ If extensive. revisions to the.:draft EIR are necessary to adequately respond. to review
27 :-. period comments, the final EIR may also take the form of a' revised draft. EIR, plus
28 components (b) through (e) listed above, under one final EIR cover.
29 '
30 ~ 13.3'.0 Certification of EIR
31
32 ~ An `EIR for an action or. project in ahe City of Petaluma.. shall be reviewed and
33 "ultimately certit~ed by -the City Council. • The Planning .Commission shall review the
34 draft EIR and may make recommendations to the City Council 'on the ade. uacy of
35 the draft EIR and thee-merits of the ppr~oJJ'e~~ct. The':Plannin~ Commission and/or City
36 Council 'may request that certain ckuifications, information, or other revisions. be
37 added to the draft' E°IR. These changes may be subject to review and appproval by
38 the Director. or may be brought back before the decision-making bod~+ prior to
39 making, a determination on the adequacy of the final EIR and Jor a decision qn the.
~40 .project. ~ ~~ .
41
42 ~ Based u~ on"a review of the draft and. final-EIR, consideration, of recommendations
43. by the .Planning Commission and/or City staff, and any comments received: during
44. the review°process;'the City Council shall certify"that:
4s
46 (a) The ~ final EIR• has" beeir completed` . in compliance with CEQA and local"
47 guidelines .and was presented, reviewed and' considered before taking, action
48 on the project;
49 '
50 (b) . The final EIR reflects the independent judgement of " the ` agency and
s 1 represents an adequate documentation of the ,environmental implications
s2 and ~ossilile mitigation measures of the proposed. project for use in decision-
s3 making;.
s4
_ 2s
• ..
'- ~ - .
13.3.1 Required Findings. In certifying an EIR for which•~one or ;more' significant ~.
2 effects;'have-been i _ ~.~..
• r 'dentified, the decision-making body shall make wntten findings; _
3 for each of those:~~signifcant: effects accompanied by. a brief explanation 'of thee' ,
4, ,~ rationale. The findings ,shall be supported'' liy substantial evidence m~:;the record,
5 The. possible findings are:, ~ ~ -
6 ~ - ~.
7 ~(a) ~.Changes; alterations or conditions of approval incorporated into the project
8 would avoid pr substantially lessen the ~significant:ennronmentah effect:.
9 ~ ,;
10 ~~(b)~ -Such changes, alterations or conditions are- outside the City's'jurisdiction and ~ ;
11 ~ • within.,. the -responsibility and jurisdiction of another. publics :agency: ~ `Such
12 changes • have been adopted by such other agency .or can sand should ~be
13 adopted' by such other agency. ~ ~ ' .. .
14 '
15 (c) ~~Specfic economic, social, or .other. considerations` make. ufeasible _~the
16 nutigation4measutes or p""rolect alternatives identified in~the final EhR.,~
17 ,. ._
~.
.18 Thefindings ;m subsection (ti) shall not.°be~._:made if the City has concurrent
19 ~unsdicton with another agency to impose feasible mitigation measures ~or .
20 alternatives. ~ ~. -
21 - .~
22 1'3.4.0 Disposition of the Fina1,EIR ~ ~ .
24 i7pon,.ee~rtification, of'the final EIR, ~the~ Director shall:,. _
25 - _ _
26 (a) , , file at least..one, permanent library copy Hof the draft and 'final EIRwith the`: ~ ° = ~`
27 ~ City Planning Department°
28 ~ .
29 (b) ' .refer ,t'o the final EIR in the Ci`t}~'s:~subsequent project ieview pocedures and' . , ~~ . •
30 ~ monitoring-compliance; - ~ ,
31 _
~~: -
-32 : (c) retain .one. or more copies :of =the final EIR ;in the: public. record -fora ~ .
33 :reasonable considering ; the •
eriod, ~as determined b " the: Director _
P
34 applicability-and~vahdity.of,the~data`over-time;. ..
35 _ ~ ' _ -
,_. :. ~.
36 (d) require the applicant to .provide the certified 'final EIR to each',Responsible:.
37 Agency for, permitting. Responsible agencies are"re~quired ~o:use ahef~indings
38 .. ~ included m=.-the ~EIR,as the .basis for their. decision.
39
40 ~ 13.5.0 °Changes in Project Circumstances . ~ ~ .
41 ~ _
42 If = im~ottant •, new :information becomes: available ~ ~: dunng preparation- of the
43., . admiustrative; ~: draft EIR regarding ~ the .~ project's circumstances which ' ,could .
44 substantiall , chan a its~~environmental ~impacts, ahe Director, may requite that .the
45~' sco a of ~t _e .E ~ be .revised :accordm '
p h IR _glyy. This charge 4in• rsco~e ,may require
46 additional time .arid. budget t'o prepate ;the EIR to, be'paid' by the protect sponsor ,
47` .
48 Ifauch a °change in:nforrriation .occuzs after ~publication,of the Draft `EIR, one of ahe
49 following measures shall be initiated by .the 'Director;pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
50 . $ections~ 15'162, 151.63,~~and 15164;:: -. ~ ~ ~ .
51 , ' ~. .
52 (a) ,_An Addendum to the draft EIR,maybe preppared;for minor:technical,changes,
. ~ ~53~ ~ or additions; need. not be circulated for public review;
54 _ ~ .
S
1 . < (b) A supplement to the EIR (appropriate; where substantial changes in the
2 pro ect or project circumstances have occurred;. need contain only the
3 ad~tional' uiformation necessary to make, the previous EIR adequate;
4 ~ requires the same notice and public .review as the original draft EIR); or
5
6 (c) A subse_gwent EIR, perhaps: incorporating by reference those portions. of the
7 original E•IR which stilh apply; (appropriate "where substantial changes in t)ie
8 projector projc.ct,cirCUmstances have occured, which warrant major revision
9 to a certified EIR; requires the .same notice. and public .review as the original
10 draft EIR). •~
11
12
13 14.0.0 DECISION'ON"THE PROJEC°1'
14
15 14.1.0 Statement of Overriding Considerations
16 - ..
I7 Where -the City and/, or project sponsor has incorporated all feasible mitigation.
18 measures and significant. effects remain as unavoidable,-the City. may determine that
19 such impacts are, acceptable due to overridingg considerations, in_ order o realize the
20 desired benefits of a project. The Director shall prepare a Statement of Ovemding•
21 Considerations which, states in writing thee. specific reasons or overriding concerns to
22 support 'the City's decision for inclusion in the record of projecE approval (i.e. by
23 motion or_ resolution).
24 ~:.
25 14.2.0. Notice of Determination
26 :A
27 ~; Within five (5). working; days after decision to approve (or deny) a project, the
28 Director shall ffile ,a ;Notice of'Determination (Appendix E) y~nth the Sonoma County
29 ~:: Clerk which. initiates a 30-day statute of limitations for legal challenges on the
30 _: approval of the project under CEQA.
31
32 -- If the project. requires dscretionar)+ approval from any`State agency, the Notice of
33 'Determination shall also be filed vvtth the State Clearinghouse.
34
35 14.:2.1 State Filing.Fees. ..Pursuant to State law, Dep"artment of Fish and Game .:
36 • filing. fees are required,.for ~ling.of a Notice 'of Determination.. A,project ,a proval
37 shall not .be considered "vested, operative. or final" until the fees are paid.. The City
38 shall iequire the payment of all required filing fees: at the time. of application and
39 ~- shall remit the required fees to the County Clerk with the Notice of Determination. '
.40
41
42 15.0:0 USE :®F A CONSULTANT
43 ~ .
44 -The City~may employ a qualified independent consultant whoa is otherwise unrelated.
45 to the project to prepare an Initial Study, Expanded Study, an EIR, or components
46 ~ thereof: •
47
48 1'5.1.0 Consultant Selection
49 ~ .
50 If the :Director determines that the use of a consultant is necessary,, -the Director
51 shall select .one or more qualified consultants for consideration. The Director shall
52 ~ request that .the. firti(s) submit an appropriate work proposal, related cost estimate,
53 time schedule and any other materials which the City requires to enable it to select
54 a consultant to complete the work. The scope of work shall be acceptable to the
t~~ ~~' -
27 ~~~~e 9 3 ®1 ~. 6.~ C ~
' ~ ~
::.1 Director and'the contract for professional services.shall be administered by the ,City.
2 • ~ - in' accordarce~~ with- :established policies.; A. sample -: format :and ".contract
3 sgecifi¢ations for a~~re.quest for groposal~are included in,Appendix~H:." - . .
4 ,; ~ _. _ .. .,.
S 15:1 1 ~IJse ofd"Data- Prepared by Another Perso~n.ncludng the! Project Sponsor. '
6 - _ _ ~ -
-7 Data or' studies prepared :by another ~er'son; includuig :the pro ect .sponsor may be . . -
. 8 .considered in preparation of pan. Initial Study, or an' EIR, ~asu~~ect. to ~are~iew. and
9 analysis by the City^ The City_ahall be responsible for the adequacy and„objectivity
10 of environmental, .documents, At the discretion. of the .Director;, independent: review'
11 ~ b~y ciualified .persons of such -data or 'studies submitted by~others. may be .required: ,
12 Envirgnrnental do¢uments~ released for ,public .review shall reflect,~the independent .
13 judgement .of''thc City. ~ ..
14
15 ~ 15.2.O..Assocated'Costs: ~ ~~
,.
16
17 .All costs related fo. the _use of a consultant, including ,related adnunistrative' costs
18: ,incurred. by. ~tbe .City (20% of;~the~~contract ainount~), ~ shall Abe paid ~by he project
19 sponsor'to the Citypnor to initiating, any contract.for consulting services:-. '
20 =
21 ... .,
22 - . - ,.
23 ~ _ .
24 ~ ~ ~ ~ . ,
:.. _. .. ,
~., ,. ,
25' sectionC %"jbl~ti .
• J
. - ~ ., ,
. ~. ;:
. .,~
' .. ~ ~ ~
_ - ~ to ,~a' °^~ •~, ~. -. p, ~ ~ ..
' ~ 2H ,
appendix ~~
Eye ~ t~,~s , ~ .
The following lists the various aypes of actions. undertaken or approved by the City of
Petaluma which are considered exempt from,the requirements of'CEQA.
I. GENEItAI. RULE '(Sec: =15061) CEQA applies only - to projects which have the
potential for causing a_signficant effect on the environment. Where it~ can be seen
with certainty that there `is nopossibilittyy that the activity in question may have a
significant :effect on the ,environment, the activity.: is not subject to ,CEQA: The
follovv~ng fists actions whichhave been deterrruned not to have a significant effect-
on the environment:.. ~ _ -
1. Adopting,. annual residential development ~ objectiv..es establishing
criteria for making allocations under the residential growth
management system.
2. Grantng• allotments for growth management.
II. NOT A PItOJEC"T (Sec. 15061.) CEQA applies only- to. actions, which involve a
physical change in the environment either directly,.indirectly,or. ultimately.
1. Establshment~;modification or approval of payback agreements.
III. STA'I•tJ'TORY EXEI~IP!1'IONS (Article 18s Section'15260; 21080) -
A. Feasibility and `Planning Studies ,(Sec: X15262) l?ojects involving only
feasibility .and planning, studies for possible future- actions which the city has
not et approved.,. adopted or funded are--not subject .to-the requirements of
CE~A, but does .require the consideration of environmental factors:
~: Ministerial Actions (Sec; 15268) The following actions are .typically .exempt
from.the requirements of CEQA, except when a project involves elements of
both a mrustenal action and ;a discretionary, . acrion, the project will be
deemed discretionary and subject to the requirements of CEQA.
1 Issuance of building ,permits for. sine-family :residential construction,.
additions, accessory structures an structures -exempt from SPARC
review.
2:Issuance of business licenses .
3.~ ~ Epproval of final subdivision :maps
4, , Approval of individual~utility~service connections and-disconnections..
5. Approval of .outside service connections consistent. with. city policies.
. 6. ~Issuance~of certificates of compliance.
- 7. Granting of permits by police and. fire departments
< "
~.
.' S,. Establishment, ;modification, 4or . approval of airport tae-down -`~
:agreements, operating agreements, and: hangar ,leases;. ~ consistent
. ~ v~ith the"Airport PCD zone and not'involving•a,conditi'onal use permit.
,. ~ , .
„_
C: 'Emergency Project (Sec. 15269) The =following; emergency projects are
. ~. exempt from requirements of CEQA ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .
,, .. .,
" 1. Projects to `maintain, ,repair,, restore, demolish, or replace_•property or
facilitesd`amaged or destroyed as a .result of .a disaster ~in ra. dtsaster
• ~ stricken area m which ~a state. of emer=gency .has '~been~ `procl'aimed by
. 'the Governor. ~ .
_, .
2: "Emergency repairs to public service facillties~ ~necessary~~ o maintain
sernces':
" 3.. ;` Specific actons:necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency: ;
D. .. IDisapprpoved Projects (Sec ~ 15270) . CEQA does. not. apply ao projects which. ~ ~ `
are,"dsa proved" This .is ~intended"~'"to allow an'irutial screening of projects.
. ~pnor~ to, initiation of environmental ievi~ew where rt can~be detenuned'.that
. they ~ro)ect cannotrbe approved (e g mconsistent'with, general ;plan).:. This "
" " section does not.. relieve a project sponsor from ;paying .the> costs of ~ "`
environniental'review under normal evaluaton~'and processing
motes Tolls
" ~~ ^ establshme', Fares` &~Ckarges (Sec: 15273) ; GEQA-~does n`of apply to the_,
~` nt, modification, restructuring or approval. of rates; toll's, fares, or.
' ~ other. charges for~the purposes: of _ .
4 ~ - ~ : ~~
. ~ ~, :. -
~1: _ Meeting operating expenses, including employee, wage rates ;- and--~ .
. •fn7nge~benef ts, ° ~ . _ .. y
., ~ ~ 2: Purctasing~or leasing supplies; equipment; or materials,
. :.. _
.,,
3: ~ Meeting financial r-eserve~ needs'and requirements: ~ "
~4. ~Obtainuig funds, for caprtal~,..projects, .;;necessary to~, maintain' service , •~ ~ -
' within~exi"stng~service areas, or
. ~ ~ .;,
5. :Obtaining:funds necessary to"•maintain such infra-city,transfers'as,•are
~~~,. au'thonzed, tiY, city~ch_arter: ~ ~ ~ : '
S. _ i
....
IV. CATEGORICAL. EXEIVIP'1'IONS.. '(:~~ticle 19:~'Section 1'5300,) `Tfie~:followng classes.:
"of piojects~have been determined not~'to have asgnificant effect on:;the environment- ~ ~.
. and 'are exempt from there uiements of CEQA; unless an exception;for. location,
. `
cumulative impact; or unusu . TM eircums"tances~ apply:. ".
.:: ~ ..A Existing Facilities "(Sec: `1"5301), ~Class~ 1 consists of ;the. o~eration;.:,repau;.. '
. maintenance;" or minor, alteration of existing.. public 'or private structures; ~ `
;. pp -.
facilities, me_ ehanical "~.equipment,.= or to ographical. features; . involving, "
negligible or ~no exp , y p y - __ g.
ansgn.~of use be. oriel that ~ reviousl ,existm " Refer to
' .State CEQA Guid'ehnes Section '153:0:1 for ~cntenae"andexamples, under this° ' •
classification. , T'he `following --actions ale .:determined.. to be exempt' under- this ~~
" ~ ~ classification: ~ .
~.
.~.~ ~ F r ~
~2 11 6~ G:~~: "
.~
..
L
,Operation,- repair, maintenance of~existing water "and sewer lines and
- ~ ~facilities,,streets,sidewalk, gutters, vehicles, storm. drain system,. traffic
• sig"nals and street lights.
2. ' Operation, ~ repair, maintenance, leasing of and minor alterations to
-the; following public €acilities: (1)~ Petaluma. Marina; (2) Petaluma
Municipal,Airport; (3) ''D" Street bridge: (4) downtown parkin
" structure; (5) ~ Community- Center; ~(6)) Human. Services Center;, (7
City Ha1T; and (8) other municipal. offices or facilities (e.g. police and
fire stations).
3. Route changes. involving no new bus. stops.
4. Construction of bus shelters, benches, ullouts, and bus "stop .signs at
pp
-.
existing ,tops, .not involving the removal, of mature trees. ,
5. ~ Contracts with fixed route. and paratransit operators-:involving no
change or minor changes,in: routing- (na new bus stops).
6: Installation.. of underground utilities- yin existing .streets involving • no
.expansion of capacity. a
. 7. Installation of landscaped, or concrete raised medians within existing
treets.
`? 8: Replacement of sewer and. water mains, slipliriing and installation ~of
corrosion control facilities within existing mains.
9.
~~ Installaton.oftraffic signals gat existing intersections or modifications
_
or' coordination of existing signals m~ohnng~ negligible expansion of
"use:
10: Traffic striping; signing, modification or channelization not involving
road widening.. .
11. .Street-rehablitation.and resurfacing..-
12. ~ ` Repair,. maintenance, minor expansion ~ and/or : reconstruction ~ of
existing public buildings..
. 13: Expansions of existing pump station for wastewater` irrigation ' o
accommodate reclamation program. _ .
. " 14. :Abandonment/demolition of dam and water treatment ,plant.
15. Additions to existing structures provided that. the addition will not
result in anincrease of more than:
. (a) 50 .percent of the floor area of the structure ~ before the
. ~ ~ ~ ~~ addition, or-2,500 square feet, whichever•is less; or,
(b) 10,000 square feet if the project is in .an area where all. public
services and facilities :are available to allow for maximum
.. - '• ~-
~. _-
` ~ development permissible rn" the, General -Plan and, the; are in
°, .which the'proiect ~s,located :is not environmentally sensitive, .. - '
B. Replacement or Reconstruction (See~y.15302) Class 2=consists; of replacement ~'
or, reconstruction of existing. structures .and;.`facilties where, the new structure _
~~ :will be~ located: ~on~ the same site :as.~ the 's"tructure ;replaced and;._wll. have
=substantially t)le~ same purpose -and. capacity as the structure replaced.
.....
.. ,. - _ .:
. '1. - ~ Replacerrient of existing sewage pump station :involving no additional -
. ~ capacity.
2. ~°Replacement,, modifications or minor ;improvements`: to storm drain
inlets
_~ 3: ~ .. Forrriation of underground'utility district' myolving ne'gligibl'e or ono=
- - - ~ ~ ~. expansion of service area. ~ '
~-
_ . ~ : C: ~ • News "Construction- or Conyersaon of :Srriall.'Structures: (Sec:: `15303) "Class• 3~
consists of construction and ,location of ~ limited: numbers .of new,, small,:.. ~ -
"facilities or structures,° installation of ~smah new .e uipment; and facilities ~in:
small stwructilT,es, and the :conversion ,of e~ci tmg 'small structures from gone use, `
to ~ another: where only..minor rnodi_f cations° are: made; in. the exterior of the .
structure:" :`The numbers of structures described " in this;- section are• the
-= ~ maximum °allowable qn any legal parcel or Ito beassociatedwith a project', " , -
. . , withn,a two year`period..
-.
,. y
' - 1. ~ ~ Construction of'.handicap ram s.., : :' -
-p .;
2'. Expansion of ~nurriber :of'~floatng docks; n~ turning basin., - ~ ~.
- 3. Use : ,permits involving existing facilrties; minor e-xpansion + or ~ .new -
construction of small 'facilities where all: services and access to; meet - ~ -
~locah~-standards: are availalal'e .toy, the``site;: and .ahe. ,area: is not
-
' ;environmentally sensitive: "' -
.. .
D' 11%~mor Alterations:. to Iand (15304).: Class 4 consists of minor public or .:
- private alterations in the condition .of land;r~water, .and/.or vegetation which . ....
` no not- involve removal of mature,, scenic trees .except for, .forestry and`°' `;
"agricultural ,purposes. :. ~ ~ • , . ~ .
1. Disposal of dredging ,materials in'~ the City owned`• ;dredging ..ponds .
.. approved by State and Federahagencies..
,,
2. Installarion::of minor storm drains m urbanized' areas involving ~no -
..
. ~;~ ., significant .vegetation or' wetlands° for-road, .crossings, pathways, sand ,
mmor.:street "improvements,. -
.... -
` ~ ~ 3. Construction or-:place"merit of bicycle lanes .and pedestrian pathways ,. ;
within~exisfng right of-ways:,. ~ , -
4. ~Perinit for. operation of.temporary'uses~such as Farmer's Market, the
Petaluma River Festival, "cariuvals,. Christmas :tree ..Pots, and fairs using, ~ - ~'
' _' existing public and ,private facilities. - ~ ~ '
. 5. Minor trenching and backfilling where they surface is, restored:
"~...
6. Improvement of habitat for fish:and wildlife.
E. -1Vlanor Alterations ~in: Land Use, Limitations (15305j. Class 5 consists of
minor alterations in land use limitafigns in .areas with an average slope of
less `th"an 20%; which do .not result in any changes in land use or density
including but not limited to: -
1. Minor lot. lne• adjustments; aide yard and set back variances not
resulting in creation of new parcels.
2. Issuance of minor encroachment permits. .
F. Inforanation ,Collection. (1°530 Class 6 consists. of..basic data collection,
research, experimental. management, and resource evaluation activities which
do .not result in. a serious or mayor d~sturbanee'to .an environmental resource.
These may 6e stri~ly for 'information gathering p : oses, or as part of a
study leading to an action which. a public agency has not yet approved,
adopted; :or funded. -
G. Actions by Regulatory Agencies. for Protectio® of 1\laturafl' Resources (15307)
Class.7 consists of'actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized .by state
law or local ordinance to assure the maintenance, restoration, or
: -~ enhancement of a_ natural resource. where ,the regulatory process involves
. procedures for. protection of the environment. Construction activities are, not
included in thin exemption:
-. l: Adoption or amendment of ~,~re-treatment; requirements for discharge
'into the sewer system; involving no relaxation;of standards.
I-I. Actions by Regulatory Agencies for 1'rotecton~ of.the~, Environment (15308)
Class 8 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies as.authorized by state
or local. ordinance, to assure.the -maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or
protection of the .environment where the regulatory :process involves
procedures-.:for protection of the environment. Construction :activities and
- relaxation of standards allowing. ervironmental degradation are not included ,
. in this exemption. ~~
1. Installation, andoperation> of°wastewater monitoring wells.
2 ~ olicpies or r laps to assure enhancmementto n of ordinances; •~rograms,
- . p p r protection of `environment.
3 .Leaking underground storage -tank- ite investigation .and mitigation of
-site contamination of soilsand water.
. .
4. ~ Installation and operation. of monitoring wells at a .leaking
underground storage tank site.
I. Inspections (15309) Class 9 consists of activities limited entirely to
,ins ections; to' check for ;performance _ of an operation, or quality; health, or
. safety of a _project, including related activities such as ,inspection for possible
mislabeling, :misrepresentation, or adulteration of products.
V ~, s~. w P, . , i; ,~,~ t 3, F 'g 3 11 6 N 'C
- s ~~~~' m
..
' - ~ j .'~
~." _ J. ~~ Accessory-Structures (15311)•:Class 1;1 consists'of construction, or:placement
,, of ~ minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to); `existing . ,commerc~ah
industrial, .or nstitutional~facilites, -including but no, limited fo: '
. `l._ On-premise signs: ,.. ~ . , .
2': Small parkinglots. .
a
' ~ 3: 'Placement of seasonal ~ or. temporary ":use items, such as; lifeguard
• towers; 'mobile" food.. units; portable restrooms, or ~ similar .items in
generally the same locations from., time to time in, publicly. owned:. ,
parks, stadiums; or< other facilities designed, for public'use.
4. _ Construction ~or placement of public `restroom facilities in public:
' ~ ~ .places;, -
:5. Ado ,tion, on mlanatlemeand'`.administraton of~ trip reductton~ .and .
P
' ~ ~~ transportati " g _ programs: - . ~ .
*" ~6. Resurfacingg: and, minor expansion.. ~.of existing parking lots.. 'for _ ~ '
. , comnnercial~, mdustnal. or-institutional use.
K; . ,Surplus Government Property Sales: (15312) Class .1T2, consists of sales of .
' surplus ~governrnent~property except. for parcels of land located, in.:an area. of
statewide, regional„ or °areawide coneem~identified• m Section 15206 (b) (4'): ~ A .
~_ ~ .
L:, ~ Acquisition of ~I.ands forWildlife Conservation- ;Purposes (15313) -Class 13:
,consists of..the acquisition. of~iands'for fish sand wildlife conservation.purposes ~ .-
' .., . ~ ,.
including preservation of fish :and wildlife ~~habitat establishing ecological
reserves under Fish and Game Code Section 1580, ~ and preserving access to -
public wands°'andwaters: where the" purpose: ~of the acquisition ,is toy preserve
' the, land,in its~natural condition.
Nd = Minor I;and' Divisions. (15315) Class 15 consists of the~:division of:property m _.
- • urbanized areas .zoned for resi`dential;,commercial, or :industrial use mto4 _fP-our
' or .fewer parcels when, the 'division :i's'~"in. conformance; with the .General' -flan _ ~ .:
.: . - • and zgring ~no variances or ezeepions,are;regtired, all' services .andaccess ~to `' -
t~he r9- osed: arcels to ~local,.~standards :areavailable, the .parcel was note=
,,
;..,. invo ved it a iyison,of a larger parcel within the previous' 2 years; sand the °;
:..
parcel does not have 'an, average slope greater than 20 percent.. ~ ~ -
N `:` nsfer of'`Ownerstiip of:;Land `in' Order to Create. `1?arks .~(;1531~:Class :16
consists of,' the acquisition or sale of land' in older to' -establish a ; p,ark where
ttie land .15 in a .natural Condit-ion or contains ~hstonc sites or a_rchaeolo cal.
. 8?
~~ sites and ether;`(a) a manage. went ;plan for`the~ park has not been prepared,-~
or (b) ~The~ ~ management plan proposes :'fo keep the ,area - in a natural _
- ~ , .condition or'pre"serve they historic orarchaeologcal site:, . .~ ' .
. ..
O: .O:pen Space' Contracts or .Easements.(15317) Class, 1.7 consists of the
. establishment of ag~ cultural. reserves, the malting :and renewing of :open ' .
." 's ,'ace contracts under the Williamson:Act; or theacce ~,lance~of easements or
P. -P
fee interests in order to~ mainitain the,open ~space~.character' of the area; ~The~
cancellation of such .preserves, contracts, ~mterests or easements is. not -
~nclude:d~ and will normally b'e an action subject:~to the CEQA process: ~ ~ .
~., ,:,. , :. ~ ~ ~~ ~~. ~ ~:E~O.9 ~~•- 1'1.,6. ~, •
'• ~. 6 -
;~,
i -
,~~
.~
R. ~ Enforcement Actions by Regulatory Agencies (sec. 15321) Class 21 consists
of:
(a) Actions by the city to enforce or revoke a lease, permit, license,
certificate,, or other entitlement for uses issued, adopted or prescribed
by the city or enforcement of a law; general rule, standard, or
objective, administered or adop"ted by the city.
(b) Law enforcement activities by peace .officers acting under any law that
provides a criminal sanction. ,
(c)~ Construction activities .undertaken by the public agency taking the
enforcement or revocation action are not. included in this exemption.
S. Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings (15323) Class. 23
consists of the normal operations of existing facilities for public gatherings
for which the facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the
facility being-used for the same or similar kind of purpose.
T. Regulations of Working Conditions .(15324): Class 24 consists of actions
taken by regulatory agencies, including the Industrial Welfare Commission as
authorized by statute,. to re late~any,of the following: (a) employee wages,
(b) hours 'of work, or (c~.working conditions where there will be no
`~, demonstrable physical changes in outside the place of work.
Z, U. ~ansfers of Ownership of Interest.,in Land to Preserve Open Space (15325)
Class 25 .consists°.of the transfers` oflownership of interests m land in order to _
J, preserve open space. Examples include~but are not limited to:
;` (a) Acquisition of areas to preserve the existing natural conditions.
~~ (b) Acquisition of areas to allow continued agricultural use of the areas.
(c) Acquisition to allow restoration of natural conditions.
(d) Acquisition to pevent encroachment of developmentinto flood
plains.
appdxb / jb-13b
b~~S®e 9 3 ~ $ ~ l~ V AY
7 ... _ .