HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2024-042 N.C.S. 04/15/2024 DocuSign Envelope ID:40065EAB-2F68-4B56-BDDO-975E4DB7AEC5
Resolution No. 2024-042 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA APPROVING
ALLOCATION OF OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION FUNDS TO THE EARTH ISLAND
INSTITUTE/KELLY CREEK PROTECTION PROJECT FOR THE HELEN PUTNAM PARK
EXPANSION PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN DOCUMENTS FOR
THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT
WHEREAS,in 2004 Davidon Homes submitted an application to the City of Petaluma for a 93-lot residential
project located on two parcels(APN 019-120-040 and-041)and consisting of 58.66 acres at the corner of D Street
and Windsor Drive and adjacent to the Helen Putnam Regional Park("Prior Project"); and
WHEREAS, after initial review, it was determined that an Environmental Impact Report(EIR)was required
based on significant biological impacts associated with the habitat for the red-legged frog; and
WHEREAS, after public circulation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) consistent with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Petaluma's Local CEQA Guidelines, on
April 15, 2013, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the preparation of a Final EIR (FEIR) and to
provide additional information and clarification addressing comments on the DEIR and further analysis on the
reduced project alternative; and
WHEREAS, in response to comments received on the 2013 DEIR, the applicant elected to submit a revised
project with a reduced development proposal including 66-single family residential lots with associated private
and public open spaces, a public park with a multi-use trail, a Class I trail along D Street, trailhead parking lots,
and other infrastructure such as sidewalks, a roundabout, and sewer,water,and storm drainage infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City initiated the preparation of a revised DEIR (2017 RDEIR) for the 66-lot project scope
and circulated it for public comment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the 2017 RDEIR on June 19, 2017, and determined that the 2017
RDEIR was inadequate and that additional analysis was needed prior to the preparation of a Final EIR, and the
Council by motion directed staff to revise the 2017 RDEIR to include a more robust evaluation of the 28-lot
"Environmentally Preferred" alternative that was included in the 2017 RDEIR; and
WHEREAS, in June 2018, the Kelly Creek Protection Project (KCPP) of Earth Island Institute announced
that it had entered into an agreement with Davidon Homes in response to comments received on the 2017 RDEIR,
and Davidon Homes and KCPP ("Applicants") submitted a revised application to the City of Petaluma for a 28-
lot residential project on approximately 15 acres, along with proposed dedication of approximately 44 acres of
the overall project site to Sonoma County Regional Parks as an extension to the Helen Putnam Regional Park;
and
WHEREAS, entitlements submitted by the Applicants included (1) a General Plan Amendment to modify
General Plan Policy 2-P-68 and Figure 5-2, (2) a Zoning Map Amendment to rezone the project site from
Residential 1 (R1) to a Planned Unit District (PUD), (3) a Zoning Text Amendment to adopt the Scott Ranch
Planned Unit Development Plan and Guidelines, and (5) a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map (VTSM) to
subdivide the project parcels into residential, open space,public access, and parking lot; and
Resolution No. 2024-042 N.C.S. Page 1
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WHEREAS, subsequent entitlements for the development of the Scott Ranch project include Site Plan and
Architectural Review (SPAR)required for development of the single-family homes, associated landscaping, and
lighting in the residential component, and for initial park improvements proposed as part of the Helen Putnam
Park Extension Project component, a Tentative Parcel Map to divide Parcel B as shown in the VTSM for
dedication to the Sonoma County Regional Parks, and a Zoning Amendment to designate the Red Barn Complex
a local landmark; and
WHEREAS,the City prepared and distributed copies of a 2020 RDEIR that analyzed the revised reduced 28-
lot project, including the proposed General Plan Amendments; and
WHEREAS, at a duly noticed public hearing on March 15, 2021 the City Council directed that a Final EIR
be prepared addressing comments and concerns raised during public comment on the 2020 RDEIR; and
WHEREAS, additional modifications to the project were made by the applicant to the proposed project in
response to comments received during the discussion of the 2020 RDEIR, most specifically to further reduce the
footprint of the residential component of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Revised Project proposed a 28-lot single-family residential subdivision and approximately
47 acres of open space/parkland, including multi-use trails north and south of Kelly creek connecting the existing
barn complex on the east of the site to the existing Helen Putnam Regional Park to the west; and
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2021, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) considered and
provided feedback on the pedestrian and bicycle facilities proposed by the project including sidewalks and
pedestrian crossings, bicycle rack location, access and connectivity to Helen Putnam Regional Park, trail
alignments and features, and the proposed amendment to General Plan Figure 5-2, Bicycle Facilities; and
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2021, the Recreation Music and Park Commission (RMPC) considered and
provided feedback on the Helen Putnam Regional Park expansion, Barn Center improvements, playground,
amphitheater, picnic areas, multi-use trails, and other amenities proposed as part of the Putnam Park Extension
component of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Revised Project continued to provide for a planned future offsite trail segment connecting
the Scott Ranch property with the existing trail within Helen Putnam Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the environmental effects of the Revised Project was analyzed and compared to the
environmental effects presented in the 2020 RDEIR, and that analysis was included in the Final EIR; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on February 27, 2023, at which time it
considered the Final EIR and project entitlements and accepted public testimony; and
WHEREAS, at the February 27, 2023, public hearing the City Council approved Resolution No. 2023- 023
N.C.S. certifying the EIR,making findings of fact to adopt a statement of overriding considerations, and adopting
a mitigation monitoring and reporting program for the Scott Ranch Project; and
WHEREAS, also at the February 27, 2023,public hearing the City Council approved Resolution Nos. 2023-
024 N.C.S. and 2023-025 N.C.S. and introduced Ordinance Nos. 2839 N.C.S. and 2840 N.C.S. approving
entitlements for the Scott Ranch Project; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2024 the City Council approved Ordinance Nos. 2839 N.C.S. and 2840 N.C.S.;
and
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WHEREAS,on November 6,2023 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2867 N.C.S. approving a Zoning
Amendment to designate the Red Barn Complex a local landmark; and
WHEREAS, on April 4, 2024 Earth Island Institute/Kelly Creek Protection Project submitted an application
for Administrative Site Plan and Architectural Review for Phase 1 park improvements consistent with the scope
outlined in the Letter of Intent between EIUKCPP and Sonoma County Regional Parks; and
WHEREAS, EIUKCPP has prepared an overall funding strategy to supplement successful fundraising of the
overall $9.5 project costs for acquisition and Phase I improvements; and
WHEREAS, the requested allocation of $250,000 in local funding for the project will demonstrate local
partnership and support for the project; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the City's Open Space Acquisition Fund is to increase publicly accessible open
space consistent with the General Plan standard of 10 acres of open space for each 1,000 Petaluma residents; and
WHEREAS, the Helen Putnam Park expansion will increase the existing inventory of open space by
approximately 47 acres to be held by Sonoma County Regional Parks; and
WHEREAS, based on the letter of intent between EIUKCPP and Sonoma County Regional Parks, the
approximately 47 acre Parcel B will be dedicated to Sonoma County Regional Parks after agreed upon Phase I
improvements are completed by EIUKCPP; and
WHEREAS, all Phase 1 improvements will be completed in compliance with applicable mitigation measures
and conditions of approval of the overall Scott Ranch project; and
WHEREAS,based on available fund balances and to meet the requested local funding commitment,the City
is to allocate and reserve $250,000 from the Open Space Acquisition fund to provide financial support for
acquisition and applicable improvements for the Helen Putnam Park Expansion project; and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report for the Scott Ranch project, inclusive of the park component,
was certified by the City Council on February 27, 2023 (SCH#2004072137); and
WHEREAS, the current action before the City Council is allocation of funds for the acquisition and
implementation of the park component of the project and therefore consistent with the environmental analysis
presented in the certified EIR for the larger project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
I. Declares the above recitals to be true and correct and are incorporated herein as findings of this Resolution.
2. Finds that an Environmental Impact Report for the Scott Ranch project, inclusive of the park component,was
certified by the City Council on February 27, 2023 (SCH #2004072137) and that the allocation of funds for
the acquisition and implementation of the park component of the project is consistent with the environmental
analysis presented in the certified EIR for the larger project.
3. Approves the allocation and reservation of$250,000 of the City Open Space Acquisition Funds for the Helen
Putnam Park Expansion Project.
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4. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents necessary to affect the
purposes of this resolution.
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 meeting on the 151 day of April 2024, DocuSigned
by the following vote:
5EFF•85161MVW%rney
AYES: McDonnell,Barnacle,Cader Thompson,Shribbs YY
NOES: Healy,Nau
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Pocekay
DocuSigned by: DocuSigne�d�byy:n
ATTEST: C Fj",,
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