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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2011-172 N.C.S. 12/19/2011 Resolution No. 2011 -172 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE CAULFIELD LANE RAILROAD CROSSING PROJECT LOCATED AT CAULFIELD LANE WHEREAS, on June 21, 2004,the City of Petaluma filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requesting authority, under Public Utility Code 1201-1205, to relocate an at-grade mainline railroad crossing from Hopper Street,just south of Lakeville Highway, to Caulfield Lane,just north of Hopper Street; and, WHEREAS, the intent of the relocated railroad crossing was to improve vehicular access, pedestrian and traffic safety, and traffic circulation for the area in accordance with the approved 2003 Central Petaluma Specific Plan; and, WHEREAS, on February 16, 2006, the CPUC issued Decision 06-02-036, conditionally authorizing the relocation as requested, and the City proceeded to implement the relocation to Caulfield Lane and closure at Hopper Street in 2011; and, WHEREAS, CPUC Decision 06-02-036 included two conditions of approval: 1)the Caulfield Lane crossing would need to be re-authorized at the time that passenger rail service was initiated; and 2) that the City of Petaluma would make changes to the design or signalization of the intersection of Flopper Street and Caulfield Lane as required by the CPUC's regulations prior to extending Caulfield Lane past Hopper Street. The conditions required that any such application include compliance with appropriate environmental review under CEQA; and, WHEREAS, construction commenced on July 6, 2010 for the new Caulfield Lane crossing and the new crossing was opened to traffic on February 8, 2011. The old crossing at Jefferson Street was closed to traffic on February 11, 2011; and, WHEREAS, the project results in the continued operation of an existing at-grade rail road crossing and does not involve any physical change in the environment; and, WHEREAS, in evaluating certain potential environmental effects of the Project in the Initial Study, including but not limited to effects of climate change, water supply, and traffic, the City relied on the program HR for the city of Petaluma General Plan 2025, certified on April 7, 2008 (General Plan E1R) by the adoption of Resolution No. 2008-058 N.C.S., which is incorporated herein by reference; and, WHEREAS, the City prepared an Initial Study for the proposed Project consistent with Sections 15162 and 15163 of Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3 ("CEQA Guidelines"), and determined that the Project would contribute to one potentially significant effect related to traffic safety hazards at the crossing in the cumulative condition, which were not analyzed in the General Plan EIR; and, Resolution No.2011-172 N.C.S. Page 1 WHEREAS, the Initial Study described mitigation measures sufficient to mitigate said impact to less than significant; and, WHEREAS, the City prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project based on the analysis and conclusions of the Initial Study which are incorporated herein by reference; and, WHEREAS, a Notice of Intent to Adopt a.Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project and providing for thirty day public comment period was published on November 17, 2011, posted in compliance with CEQA and mailed to all residents and property owners within 500 feet of the Project, to the CPUC, and to TRANSDEF, which was a party to the initial proceeding before the CPUC; and, WHEREAS, on December 19, 2011, the City Council held a public hearing during which the City Council considered the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration and all supporting documentation referenced in the Initial Study, and received and considered all written and oral public comments on environmental effects of the project which were submitted up to and at the time of the public hearing; and, WHEREAS, the Project is not located on a site listed on any Hazardous Waste Site List compiled by the State pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code; and, WHEREAS, the Initial Study and Negative Declaration and the record of proceedings on the Project, and all material referenced and/or incorporated herein are available for public review during normal business hours. The custodian of documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceedings for the Project is the City of Petaluma Community 11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 95452, attention: Geoff Bradley. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council finds and determines as follows: 1. The City Council has reviewed the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and all supporting evidence and documentation, and has considered public comments provided at or before the hearing of this matter. 2. The Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration reflect the City Council's independent judgment and analysis as to the effects of the Project on the environment. 3. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the Mitigated Negative Declaration, the Initial Study, all supporting, referenced and incorporated documents and all comments received, the City Council finds that there is no substantial evidence that the Project as mitigated will have a significant effect on the environment, and that the Mitigated Negative Declaration, Initial Study and supporting documents provide an adequate description of the impacts of the Project and comply with the CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. 4. The City Council adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program set forth in Exhibit A hereto and incorporated herein by reference. All mitigation measures contained therein shall be conditions of approval of the Project. Resolution No.2011-172 N.C.S. Page 2 5. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to file an application with the California Public Utilities Commission to allow for the reauthorization of the existing Caulfield Lane crossing. Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Ap v as to Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 196 day of December, 2011,by the following vote: City Attorney AYES: Albertson,Barrett, Mayor Glass, Vice Mayor Healy,Kearney. Renee NOES: None ABSENT: Harris ABSTAIN: None // ATTEST: �C / �, .1' City Clerk Mayor Resolution No.2011-172 N.C.S. Page 3 APPENDIX A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (MMRP) PROJECT: RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE CAULFIELD LANE RAILROAD CROSSING PROJECT SIMECPTAIOfl CN Tz- ` Z MONORING;MITIGATION MEASURE, TIMING a „ PARTY = RESPONSIBILIT+.Y Hazards & HAZ-1. Reduce Queuing on City of Petaluma Planning Division At such time Hazardous Eastbound Caulfield Lane at Lakeville as the Materials Highway Caulfield Lane At such time that the southern extension/so crossing across the Petaluma River is uthern constructed, the City shall ensure that crossing of mitigation is required sufficient to the reduce the 95th percentile queue. Petaluma length on eastbound Caulfield Lane River is at Lakeville Highway to 500 feet or constructed. less and/or ensure that vehicle queuing does not extend onto the Caulfield Lane rail crossing by the following measures or by equally effective alternative measures adopted in the course of project- level CEQA review for the Caulfield Lane extension/southern crossing project: (i) add a 100-foot long eastbound right turn pocket from Caulfield Lane onto Lakeville Highway; (ii) convert the current left- left/through-right lanes on the westbound approach of Caulfield Lane to single left-through-right lanes; (iii) convert the phasing on Caulfield Lane to protected phasing; and (iv) add right turn overlap phases on southbound Lakeville Highway and eastbound Caulfield Lane. Resolution No. 2011-172 N.C.S. Page 4 IMPACT RESPONSIBLE' "MONITORING eMITIGATION MEASUREI ° - TIMING SECTION g PARTY RESP,ONSIBILItnt HAZ-2. Install Additional Safety City of Petaluma Planning Division At such time Measures at Hopper Street and as the Caulfield Lane Caulfield Lane At such time as the Caulfield Lane extension/ extension/southern crossing of the southern Petaluma River is constructed, the crossing of City shall require installation of a the traffic signal at Hopper Street and Petaluma Caulfield Lane or an equally effective River is alternative measure adopted in the constructed. course of project-level CEQA review for the Caulfield Lane Extension/southern crossing project. If the existing median on Caulfield Lane is removed to accommodate additional turn lanes or travel lanes, the City shall install an exit gate on eastbound Caulfield Lane to prevent cars from navigating around the entry gates. Traffic TR-1. Reduce Congestion at the City of Petaluma Planning Division Prior to Intersection of East Washington Street issuance of and the Southbound 101 On-Ramps certificates (previously numbered as Mitigation of Measure 6.3 in the Central Petaluma occupancy Specific Plan and CPUC Decision 06- for the East 02-036) Washington Place Prior to issuance of certificates of project occupancy for the East Washington Place project, the City shall ensure that dual left-turn lanes on westbound East Washington Street are installed at the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp. Resolution No.201 1-172 N.C.S. Page 5