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PC Resolution 1985-009® 0 RESOLUTION NO. 85-009 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CERTIFICATION OF THE MASTER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR THE LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN AS ADEQUATE AND COMPLETE; RECOGNIZING THE OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS TO CERTAIN ADVERSE IMPACTS; AND, RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED, BUT WHICH CAN BE REASONABLY MITIGATED, IF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTED. WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65302, the La Quinta General Plan has been prepared; and WHEREAS, a Master Environmental Assessment (hereinafter "MEA") has been prepared and circulated, pursuant to the requirements of CEQA; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of California and the City of La Quinta, in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (hereinafter "CEQA"), as amended (Public Resources Code, Section 2100 et seq.), and the State Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA, as amended (California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq.), that the City shall not approve a project unless there is no feasible way to lessen or avoid significant effects; meaning all impacts have been avoided to the extent feasible or substantially lessened and any remaining unavoidable significant impacts are acceptable based on CEQA, Section 15093; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of California and the City of La Quinta, in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (hereinafter CEQA), as amended (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.), and the State Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA, as amended (California Administrative Code, Section 15000 et seq.), that the City shall balance the benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks prior to project approval; meaning that if the benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered acceptable; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta has read and considered all environmental documentation comprising the MEA, has found that the MEA considers all potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed project is complete and adequate, and fully complies with all requirements of CEQA; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered certain overriding considerations to adverse impacts, the CEQA Findings and Statement of Facts; and WHEREAS, prior to action on the project, the Planning Commission has considered all significant impacts, mitigation measures, and project alternatives identified in the MEA, and has found that all potentially significant impacts on the project have been lessened or avoided to the extent feasible; and 1J RESOLUTION NO. 85-009 WHEREAS, Section 15093(b) requires, where the recommendation of the Planning Commission allows the occurrences of significant effects which are identified in the MEA, but are not mitigated, the City must state in writing the reasons to support its action based on the MEA and/or other information in the record; and WHEREAS, the California Environmental Quality Act (hereinafter CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines provide that no public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which a MEA has been completed and which identifies one or more significant effects of the project unless the public agency makes written findings for each of the significant effects, accompanied by a statement of facts supporting each finding. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta does hereby recommend certification of the MEA as adequate and complete. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta makes the Statements of Overriding Considerations as shown on attached Exhibit A entitled "Statements of Overriding Considerations", which exhibit is incorporated herein as though set forth at length. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta adopts the CEQA Findings and Statement of Facts as shown on attached Exhibit B entitled "CEQA Findings and Statements of Facts", which exhibit is incorporated herein as though set forth at length. APPROVED and ADOPTED this 19th day of November , 1985, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Brandt, De Gasperin, Moran, Walling and Chairman Thornburgh NOES: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: �t. �il.� SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED AS TO FORM: - 2 - APPRR/O//V,ED AS T/Oy/WNTTE{NNTT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ® EXHIBIT "A" STATEMENTS OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS 1. General Plan approval is an essential means for providing a comprehensive and cohesive statement of policies which will serve as a basis for decisions relating to fulfilling current needs and anticipating future directions for the City. 2. Implementation of the General Plan will result in the elimination of negative impacts associated with blight and undirected development within the City. 3. Within the City, orderly expansion of public services and facilities will improve or provide for public health,, safety and welfare and avoid the undesirable impacts of noncontiguous development. 4. The proposed project is needed to enhance the quality of life sought as essential and beneficial in attracting new residents, business, and visitors to La Quinta and generally promoting increased investment and return on property value. 5. Impacts identified as significant are generally associated with normal growth, progress, and prosperity. 6. The project will be instrumental in causing new areawide public facilities to be constructed which will benefit both existing development and other future adjacent development. 7. The General Plan implementation will ultimately create new jobs for facilities construction, future development construc- tion, the provision of public services for a larger population base, and to staff new business. 8. The City's economic base will be enhanced through revenues derived from increased sales, business licenses, hotel occupancy, and other fees, taxes, and exactions from new development. CEQA FINDINGS AND STATF3= OF FACTS BACKGROUND The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines (Guidelines) promulgated pursuant thereto provide: "No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an environ- mental impact report has been completed and which identifies one or more significant effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more of the following written findings for each of the significant effects, accompanied by a statement of facts supporting each finding. The possible findings are: 1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effects as identified in the Final EIR/MEA. 2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. 3. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR/MEA (Section 15091 of the Guidelines) The City of La Quinta proposes to approve the La Quinta General Plan". Because the proposed action constitutes a project under CBDA and the Guidelines, the City of La Quinta has prepared a Master Environmental Assessment (MEA). This MEA has identified certain significant effects which may occur as a result of the project, or on a cumulative basis in conjunction with this project and other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Further, the City desires to approve this project and, after determining that the EIR is complete and has been prepared in accordance with CEQA and the Guidelines, the findings set forth herein are made: EFFECTS DETERMINED TO BE INSIGNIFICANT Through preparation of the Initial Study (Environmental Checklist Form), the City identified that implementation of the project would not have any significant adverse impacts on light and glare, human health, aesthetics, and risk of upset. These conclusions are based on the following: Light and Glare - Impacts associated with light and glare will be identified, as they occur, prior to approval or implementation of development or improvement projects within the City. Human Health - Project implementation will improve the existing human health conditions within the City, specifically by eliminating or significantly reducing hazards associated with flooding, fires, hazardous materials, noise and disasters. CEQA FINDINGS AND ®nNENT OF FACTS Page 2. Aesthetics - Project implementation will result in a positive :impact on existing and future urban design of the City by the develognent of image corridors along major streets, the incorporation of special design considerations into proposed development projects within the City, and the establishment of appropriate landscaping and design standards. Risk of Upset - Risk of upset of hazardous materials is not anticipated in the event of future accidents due to the types of land uses proposed to be developed within the project area. FINDINGS AND FACTS IN SUPPORT OF FINDINGS FOR SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMFMAL EFFECT'S OF THE PST EFFECTS DETERffNED TO BE MITIGABLE TO A LEVEL OF INSIGNIFICANCE Hydrology/Flood Control Impacts Project implementation will result in the construction of residential and commercial development in areas currently subject to flooding or drainage hazards. Developnent will permanently modify existing drainage patterns. The increase in urban development will increase the amount of impermeable surface area, increasing the amount of run-off and altering the areas of water percolation into the soil. Findings 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or :incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent environmental review which will mitigate this impact to a level of insignificance. a. Priority shall be given to the relief of flood problems affecting existing development rather than to facilitate :new development. b. A capital improvement program shall be established for future flood control facilities. c. All new development shall be consistent with the adopted Ia Quinta Redevelopment Project for flood control. d. A city-wide drainage plan shall be developed and implemented. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the plicies of the General Plan. Geology/Soils Impacts. Project implementation will ultimately result in more persons ana buildings being exposed to seismic hazards, including groundshaking, liquefaction, and land subsidence. In addition, certain soils in the project area present constraints to development. CEQA FINDINGS AND OTEMENT OF FACTS Page 3. Findings. 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate these impacts to a level of insignificance. a. New development shall conform with the latest Uniform Building Code or state-of-the-art reccamendations of the Structural Engineers Association of California for seismic considerations in the design of structures. b. The City's disaster preparedness plan shall include emergency procedures for earthquakes and similar situations. c. Buildings and other facilities which are seismically unsound shall be identified and programmed for rehabilitation or removal. Historic/Cultural Resources prpacts. Since there is a high potential for discovery of archaeological and paleontological materials in portions of the City, development in accordance with the General Plan could disrupt or destroy these resources. Existing historic buildings and features could also be affected by future growth. Findings. 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate this impact to the extent feasible. a. Development plans shall be reviewed to identify any project related impacts to archaelogical sites. Appropriate mitigation measures shall be required where necessary to protect known cultural resources. b. The City shall identify historic and cultural resources within the City by reviewing existing historic surveys or conducting additional surveys. Appropriate mitigation measures shall be required as necessary to protect these identified resources. Noise Impacts. Project implementation will result in both short-term construction noise and long-term increases in the ambient noise environment. Most long- term noise impacts will occur along major roadway corridors, although impacts from stationary sources will also increase. Residences planned near these roadways could be impacted by vehicle noise unless properly attenuated. Findings. 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for sub- sequent environmental review which will mitigate this impact to the extent feasible. CEQA FINDINGS AND STATED'= OF FACTS Page 4. a. Require subsequent focused environmental review, including noise assessments, for site -specific developments to determine the direct effect on area ambient noise levels, and the impact of existing and future noise sources on the development. b. Require all new development to cooply with all local and State noise standards for building design and land use conpatibility. c. provide appropriate noise barriers to mitigate impacts on existing development. Community services and Facilities cts. Growth inducement will create an increase in the demand for fire, police, park, hospital, school, library facilities and other community services and facilities. Findings. 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate this impact to a level of insignificance. a. The infrastructure fee program for new development shall include support for expansion of cannunity services and facilities. b. Require all new development to conply with the City's requirements for parkland dedication and acquisition- C . Coordinate with other agencies to provide adequate school, library and health care facilities. Public Utilities Impacts. Growth inducement will create an increase in the consumption and generation of water, wastewater, telephone, gas and electrical utilities. Existing systems are currently unable to manage the increases necessary to accanmodate ultimate growth. Growth inducement in the Cove area will canpound utility deficiencies. Findings. 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been node in o' incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate these impacts to a level of insignificance. a. Coordinate with the affected utility providers to ensure that adequate capacity exists to serve future develoFanent as the City develops. 0 CFQA FINDINGS AND STAMMNT OF FACTS Page 5. b. Require new development to provide appropriate improvements to domestic water distribution and sewage collection systems. C. Coordinate with the appropriate utility providers to upgrade substandard facilities within existing developed areas. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies of the General Plan. 3. Impacts identified from the proposed plan are considered significant only on a cimalative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and regional scale. Energy impacts. Energy will be consumed on the project site for lighting, air- conditioning, cooking, water and space heating, and transportation needs. Findings 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent environmental review, which will partially mitigate this impact to a level of insignificance. a. Promote development designs which have reduced energy consumption demands. b. Support the policies with the "Air Quality" section which promote the use of non -motorized transportation or public transportation. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measure in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies of the General Plan. 3. Impacts identified from the proposed plan are considered significant only on a cumulative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and regional scale. SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED IF THE PROTECT IS IMPLEMENTED Traffic/Circulation cts. Future development in the city will generate large quantities of vehicular trips, both in the project area and on adjacent roadways. Traffic congestion will occur without future roadway improvements, and deteriorated roadway surface conditions will be aggravated in the Cove area. CEQA FINDINGS AND STATII ENT OF FACTS Page 6. Findings 1. ,Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate this impact to the extent feasible. a. Require subsequent focused environmental review, including traffic analysis, for site -specific development projects to determine cumulative vehicular impacts on the local circulation system. b. Require, as conditions of development approval for future development, the improvement of local streets and highways to their master -planned designation as necessary to provide a satisfactory level of circulation service and to satisfactorily mitigate development -generated traffic impacts. c. Install road and bridge improvements on an "as warreted basis" as determined by a traffic monitoring program. d. Maximize the carrying capacity of City streets while minimizing safety conflicts by regulating access, providing adequate intersection improvements, installing appropriate traffic control devices and by providing special roadway design features where warranted. e. Incorporate the mitigation measures identified in the Climate/Air Quality section of this report to reduce vehicular trips, trip lengths, and automobile dependency. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies of the General Plan. 3. Impacts identified in the proposed plan are considered significant on a cumulative basis in association with other projects occurrin umg on a local or regional scale- Climate/Air Quality cts. Implementation of the project will result in both short-term and long-term impacts to the area's air quality. Short-term impacts will occur during construction as phased development of the community occurs. Long- term impacts are associated with development habitation, including both mobile and stationary source emissions. Findings 1. Changes and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent environmental review, which will partially mitigate to the extent feasible this significant impact, including the following: CEQA FINDINGS AND aTEM= OF FACTS Page 7. a. All future development shall comply with the resolutions outlined in Chapter 19 of the "Southeast Desert Air Basin Control Strategy," February 1980 (a revision to the State Implementation Plan). Specifically, all future development must comply with the requirements of the following plans: 1) Air Quality Management Plan, Southeast Desert Air Basin, Riverside County, 1979. 2) Air Resources Board Resolution 79-79, November 1979. 3) Air Resources Staff Report, October 1979. b. commxnitywide planning strategies should stress the reduction of vehicular trips and trip lengths through encouraging commercial services convenient to residences, and alternative transportation facilities such as bicycle lanes, increased public transit., and carpooling. c. More routine bus service should be encouraged as new growth occurs. Additional bus stop locations should be planned to invite bus ridership. d. All new development shall implement dust control programs during construction. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the plan as set forth in "l" above. 3. The remaining unavoidable significant effects are acceptable when balanced against the facts set forth in the Statement of Overriding considerations, giving greater weight to the remaining unavoidable significant effect, and in view of the following fact: a. impacts identified from the proposed plan are considered significant only on a circulative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and regional scale. Biological Resources Irrpacts. Wildlife and vegetative habitats will be temporarily subjected to short-term construction impacts (flood control construction and land development) and permanently impacted by the long-term habitation of formerly vacant land. The change from native vegetation and agricutural uses will eliminate or significantly alter habitat and foraging areas. The increase in human activity and urban growth will also have emulative adverse effects. Findings 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being implemented, which will mitigate these irrpacts to the extent feasible. CEQA FINDINGS AND STAnNERr OF FACTS Page 8. a. New development shall comply with the City's adopted policies and plans regarding the protection or mitigation of impacts on rare and endangered species. b. Focused environmental review for specific development projects shall be required as appropriate. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies of the General Plan. 3. The remaining unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when balanced against the facts set forth in the overriding Considerations, giving weight to the remaining unavoidable significant effect. !and Use Impacts. Prime agricultural lands will be converted to urban uses. Findings 1. specific economic, social, or other considerations make feasible mitigation measures or project alternatives not selected in that: a. Development of agricultural lands within the City limits area is essential to achieving the objectives of the General Plan. b. Relocation of open space and agricultural lands in other locations to offset their loss to urban development may not be feasible due to the absence of available sites. 2. The unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when balanced against facts set forth in the Statement of overriding Considerations, giving weight to the remaining unavoidable significant effect. acts. Development from growth inducement will result in increases in population and intensification of urban uses. The amount of open space will be reduced to accommodate urban development as envisioned in the City's General Plan. Findings 1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made or incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being implemented. a. Encourage existing agricultural land within the City to remain in production to the extent feasible. b. Promote development of land within the City limits prior to the expansion of the urbanized area into agricultural area within the sphere of influence. 0 CEQA FINDINGS AND STAnNE r OF FACPS Page 9. c. Future planning efforts within the project area should recognize the ultimate development potential afforded by plan implementation with particular regard to increases in population, traffic„ land use intensities, ambient noise and air quality environments, and provision of public services and utilities. 2. Most significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation measures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the plan as set forth in "l" above. The remaining unavoidable significant effects are acceptable wlien balanced against the facts set forth in the Statement of Overriding Considerations, giving greater weight to the remaining unavoidable significant effect, and in view of the following fact: a. Impacts identified from the proposed plan are considered significant only on a cimnilative basis in association with other projects occurring on a local and regional scale.