HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2025-111 N.C.S. 07/21/2025
Resolution No. 2025-111 N.C.S Page 1 of 2
Resolution No. 2025-111 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION TO NOMINATE PETALUMA RIVER PARK, PETALUMA RIVER PARK II, AND
CLIMATE ADAPTIVE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AS PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS AND
AUTHORIZE SUBMISSION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS
WHEREAS, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has updated the Priority Conservation
Area (PCA) planning framework which creates a regionally consistent approach to designate key areas for
conservation and nature-based improvements; and
WHEREAS, PCAs include diverse landscapes such as nature preserves, farms, ranches, trails, urban
parks, and areas that benefit from urban greening or nature-based climate adaptation solutions; and
WHEREAS, the PCA planning framework includes locally nominated PCAs as locations to coordinate
local and regional planning for the conservation of regionally significant areas which are adopted by the ABAG;
and
WHEREAS, the PCA designation provides opportunities for grant funding to support conservation,
restoration, and recreational projects, helping to achieve both local and regional conservation goals; and
WHEREAS, the updated PCA criteria adopted by ABAG in 2024 aim to ensure alignment with regional
sustainability and conservation priorities; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma River Park contains 32 acres of riverfront property along the east bank of the
Petaluma River and features public trails, tidal wetlands, and restored riparian habitats that contribute to the
ecological, recreational, and climate resilience needs of the City of Petaluma and the greater Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma River Park II contains 12 acres of McNear Peninsula that extends the vision for
shoreline conservation, trail access, and resilience to flooding and seal level rise; and
WHEREAS, Climate-Adaptative Safe Routes to School spans 661 acres around Miwok Valley Charter
School and supports a nature-based approach to urban mobility, stormwater management, and pedestrian safety;
and
WHEREAS, the designation of Petaluma River Park, Petaluma River Park II, and Climate-Adaptive Safe
Routes to School as a Priority Conservation Areas does not alter existing land use designations, zoning, or the
local jurisdiction’s land use authority; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma, Petaluma River Park Foundation and Sonoma County Transportation
and Climate Authority (SCTCA) has received generous contributions from U.S. Department of Transportation
and other donors, and additional funding is required for construction; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma recognizes the importance of nominating Petaluma River Park, Petaluma
River Park II, and Climate-Adaptive Safe Routes to School to ensure eligibility for future funding and support for
projects that enhance those areas; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
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Resolution No. 2025-111 N.C.S Page 2 of 2
1. Declares that the above recitals are true and are incorporated into this Resolution as findings.
2. Endorses the nomination of Petaluma River Park, Petaluma River Park II, and Climate-Adaptive Safe Routes
to School as a Priority Conservation Areas to be adopted by the Association of Bay Area Governments,
recognizing its regional and local significance.
3. Authorizes staff to complete and submit the required PCA nomination form and any supporting materials to
MTC/ABAG.
4. The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, in that applying for a designation to be a PCA does not
meet CEQA's definition of a “project,” because the action does not have the potential for resulting in either a
direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment, and because the action does not commit the City to a definite course of action (See City of Irvine
v. County of Orange (2013) 221 Cal 4th 846, 865 (County’s decision to apply for state funding for potential
jail expansion was not project approval). Rather this is an administrative action that does not have any direct
physical impacts. Furthermore, should the parks ultimately be designated as PCAs and the City be awarded
grant funds, any proposed rehabilitation activities will undergo appropriate CEQA review at that time; such
activities are anticipated to qualify for a categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
(Existing Facilities).
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
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 21 day of July 2025, by
the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: McDonnell, Barnacle, Cader Thompson, DeCarli, Quint, Shribbs
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Nau
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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