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CC Resolution 2009-006RESOLUTION 2009-006 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING OF AN ADDENDUM TO THE 2002 LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH# 2000091023) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 08-602 CASE: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2008-602 APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California did on the 20" day of January, 2009, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider a City - initiated request to consider an Addendum (Exhibit A) to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR") that the City certified in 2002, and General Plan Amendment 2008-112, an Amendment to the Circulation Element of the City of La Quinta General Plan, referred to as the "Project," and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, held a duly noticed Public Hearing on the 12t' of November 2008, and continued the hearing to the 25`" day of November and 9t' day of December 2008, and, on the 9t' day of December, 2008, the Planning Commission did recommend approval to the City Council of said Addendum (Exhibit A) to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR"), and General Plan Amendment 2008-112; and WHEREAS, the General Plan Amendment 2008-1 12 under consideration will provide four additional roadway sections, identify their locations, and modify the locations of Multi -Purpose Trails; and WHEREAS, the Addendum complies with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" (as amended, Resolution 83-68 adopted by the City Council); and WHEREAS, an Addendum to the EIR (SCH #2000091023) for Environmental Assessment 08-602 has been prepared and determined that the General Plan Amendment does not trigger the need for the preparation of an additional Environmental Assessment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15162 or Public Resources Code Section 21166, in that the Project does not involve: 1. Substantial changes to the project analyzed in the Environmental Addendum which would involve new significant effects on the environment or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts; Resolution 2009-006 Environmental Assessment 2008-602 General Plan Circulation Element Adopted: January 20, 2009 Page 2 2. Substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the Environmental Addendum; or 3. New information of substantial importance which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the Environmental Addendum to substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts. WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council did make the following findings to justify approval of an Addendum to the EIR (SCH #2000091023) for Environmental Assessment 08-602: Finding A - The Addendum to the EIR does not identify substantial changes to the roadways or multi -use trails analyzed in the EIR which would involve new significant effects on the environment or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts. Finding B - No substantial changes have been identified with respect to the circumstances under which the Amendment is being undertaken which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the EIR, or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts. Finding C - No new information of substantial importance which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the EIR or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts has been identified. Finding D - There is no evidence before the City that the Project will have the potential for an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which the wildlife depends in that no significant effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Environmental Assessment. Finding E - The Project does not have the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals, to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals, as no significant effects on environmental factors have been identified by the Environmental Assessment. Finding F - The Project will not result in impacts which are individually limited or cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed developments, as Resolution 2009-006 Environmental Assessment 2008-602 General Plan Circulation Element Adopted: January 20, 2009 Page 3 development patterns in the City will not be significantly affected by the General Plan Amendment. Finding G - The City Council has carefully read and considered the EIR certified for the 2002 General Plan Update Environmental Assessment 08-602 and said Assessment reflects the independent judgment of the City. Finding H - The City has, on the basis of substantial evidence, rebutted the presumption of adverse effect set forth in 14 CAL Code Regulations 753.5(d). Finding I - The location and custodian of the City's records relating to this project is the Planning Department located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the findings of the City Council in this case; 2. That the City Council does hereby grant approval of Environmental Assessment 2008-602, an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR"►, as identified in attached Exhibit A, for the reasons set forth in this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council, held on this 20`h day of January, 2009, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Franklin, Henderson, Sniff, Mayor Adolph NOES: None ABSENT: Council Member Kirk ABSTAIN: None Resolution 2009-006 Environmental Assessment 2008-602 General Plan Circulation Element Adopted: January 20, 2009 Page 4 (Ll� DON AD LPH, or City of La Quinta California ATTEST: VERONICA #WONTECINO, CIVIC, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California (CITY SEAL) APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1114 M. KATHERINE JEN , City Att rney City of La Quinta, California Environmental Assessment 2008-602 Resolution EXHIBIT A ADDENDUM TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (CEQA GUIDELINE 15164) FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO.2008-112 The City of La Quinta, as lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, ("CEQA") has prepared this Addendum pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15164. This is an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR") that the City certified in 2002. The purpose of this Addendum is to document certain changes to the General Plan which will be implemented through General Plan Amendment 2008-112. The City proposes to amend the General Plan Circulation Element as follows: I . Amend Exhibit 3.3, Street Cross Sections — City Streets 2. Amend Exhibit 3.5, City Roadway Classifications, and 3. Amend Exhibit 3.10, Multi -Purpose Trails Map The amendments are proposed to make the following changes to the General Plan's Circulation Element: 1. Exhibit 3.3: Identify four additional street cross sections for Modified Secondary Arterial — A (a 96 foot right of way, with a 12 foot raised median, one 20 foot wide lane in each direction, and a 22 foot parkway on each side); Modified Secondary Arterial — B (an 88 foot right of way, with a 12 foot raised median, one 20 foot wide lane in each direction, and an 18 foot parkway on each side); Modified Secondary Arterial — C (an 88 foot right of way, with a 12 foot raised median, two 13 foot wide lanes in each direction, and a 12 foot parkway on each side); and Modified Collector Street (a 74 foot right of way, with a 12 foot median, one 20 foot wide lane in each direction, and an 11 foot parkway on each side); on Exhibit 3.3. The cross sections are shown in Exhibit A. 2. Exhibit 3.5: Re-classify Madison Street, between Avenue 60 and Avenue 62, from its current Secondary Arterial to a Modified Secondary Arterial — A; Re-classify Monroe Street, between Avenue 60 and Avenue 62, from its current Secondary Arterial to a Modified Secondary Arterial — C; Re-classify Jefferson Street, between Avenue 58 and Avenue 62, from its current Secondary Arterial to a Modified Secondary Arterial — B; Re-classify Avenue 62, between Madison and Monroe Streets, from its current Secondary Arterial to a Modified Collector Street. The changes in roadway classifications are shown in Exhibit B. 3. Exhibit 3.10: Extend the multi -purpose trail designation on Madison Street from Avenue 58 to Avenue 64; extend the multi -purpose trail on Jefferson Street from Avenue 60 to Avenue 62; remove the multi -purpose trail occurring west of Jefferson Street, in an east -west direction, in the southern -most portion of the City; straighten the location of the multi -purpose trail extending south from Jefferson, and remove the multi -purpose trail on Avenue 60 west of Madison Street to the levee. The changes to the multi -use trail system are shown in Exhibit C. The modifications to the street cross sections and roadway classifications in all cases result in a downgrading of these roadways, as development limitations and anticipated future traffic will not require four travel lanes for the roadways being reclassified. The modifications will result in less land disturbance than originally analyzed in the General Plan EIR, insofar as the modified roadways, when built out, will be of narrower width than originally planned. 2 The modifications to the multi -purpose trail system correct changes to the trail system resulting from the City' desire to expand the multi -use trail system in the southwestern portion of the City, and eliminate dead-end trails which would not have practical use. The trails will all occur within the parkways of General Plan roadways, and would have no more physical impact on the environment than the build out of the General Plan roadways, which was previously analyzed in the General Plan EIR. The City has compared the impacts of the Amendment with those impacts analyzed in the EIR and finds as follows: than those previously analyzed. The downgraded roadways will result in less paved areas, and less visual impacts on the environment. The anticipated lower traffic levels will also result in less light and glare than originally anticipated. Agriculture Resources - Not applicable Hazards and Hazardous Materials - Impacts no greater than those previously analyzed. The hazards associated with roadway spills and accidents will be reduced somewhat by the lower number of vehicle trips on the downgraded roadways. The multi -use trails will continue to have no impacts associated with hazards or hazardous materials. Hydrology and Water Quality - Impacts lower than those previously analyzed. The reduction in the amount of paved area for each of the downgraded streets will result in less land covered by impervious surfaces, and will facilitate percolation of surface water. The design of the streets, including storm water control, will still be required to meet City and NPDES requirements, as would have been required in the original analysis. Public Services Impacts equivalent to those previously analyzed. The downgrading of the streets is resulting from lower numbers of trips. The roadways will still be constructed, and will still provide access for police and fire vehicles. The changes in the multi -use trail system will have no impact on public services. Recreation - Impacts no greater than those previously analyzed. The roadway downgrades will have no impact on recreational facilities. The additions being made to the multi -purpose trail system will increase recreational opportunities for residents in the southwestern part of the City, and represents a beneficial impact. 4 Air Quality - Impacts less than those previously analyzed. The downgrading of the roadways is a result of anticipated lower numbers of vehicle trips in this area of the City. Therefore, there will be lower emissions from vehicles in this area of the City. The reduction in impacts will apply to vehicle emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions. The modifications to the multi- use trails increases opportunities for the use of non -motorized transportation in this area of the City, and could also aid in reducing air emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions. Land Use & Planning - Impacts no greater than those previously analyzed. The Amendment is the result of project approvals in this area of the City which have generated fewer trips than were originally anticipated for this area. The downgrading of the streets will still accommodate any and all future projects in this area, as they have been considered in the downgrading process. In addition, this area of the City abuts the Santa Rosa Mountains, and limited development is possible to the south, in unincorporated Riverside County. The addition of multi -use trails in this area of the City is consistent with the General Plan's goals for a City-wide trail system, and the lowering of the dependence on the automobile. The addition of the trails will therefore have no impact on Land Use and Planning. Transportation/I'raffic- Impacts less than those previously analyzed. The General Plan EIR and its associated traffic impact analysis made assumptions for development in this portion of the City which have proven to be greater than the development which has or will occur in this area. As a result, trips generated by existing and proposed development will be reduced from that originally analyzed in the General Plan EIR. The roadway re -classifications correspond to these reduced trips, and are sufficient to meet General Plan Level of Service requirements of LOS D. The multi -use trail amendments will increase circulation opportunities for non -motorized vehicles in the City, thereby providing a beneficial impact by providing an added opportunity to lower motorized vehicle trips. 5 Biological Resources Impacts equivalent to those previously analyzed. The roadway classifications will require land disturbance for built out of the streets. However, the area to be built out will be reduced by the proposed Amendment. Landscaped parkways will still provide habitat for adapted species, and the City will still require the preparation of biological resource studies as needed as individual projects are proposed for development, and as the streets are widened to their ultimate right of way. Geology and Soils - Impacts equivalent to those previously analyzed. The City will still require the preparation of site -specific soil analysis for the build out of the street system, as it would have under the General Plan EIR. These studies will provide recommendations, if necessary, for the structural construction of the streets to assure the minimum amount of damage in an earthquake. These analyses will assure that impacts associated with seismic conditions or soil conditions are reduced to less than significant levels. Impacts no greater than those previously analyzed. The area to be disturbed for the construction of the downgraded roadways, or for the multi -use trails, will be equivalent to or less than that originally analyzed. The City will continue to require the preparation of cultural resource surveys for project as they are proposed, and for the ultimate widening of the roadways. These studies will determined whether construction will impact cultural resources, and what mitigation measures are required, if any, to assure that impacts to these resources are less Noise - Impacts less than those previously analyzed. The downgrading of the roadways is the result of anticipated lower numbers of vehicle trips. Vehicle trips are the primary generators of noise in the City. Therefore, fewer trips will result in lower noise levels. As this area of the City was anticipated to have noise levels below the City's General Plan standard of 65 dBA CNEL, impacts in this area of the City will continue to be less than significant. Mineral Resources - Not Utilities and Service Systems - Impacts equivalent to those previously analyzed. The downgraded roadways will still require lighting, and will still be the location of area water and sewer lines. The downgraded roadways will all have adequate rights -of -way to accommodate utility lines, and will continue to serve as a path for these lines, as originally analyzed. Population and Housing - Impacts less than those previously analyzed. The downgraded roadways are the result of lower than expected residential unit counts in this area of the City. Therefore, the area of the Amendment, the southwestern portion of the City, will have less population than was considered in the General Plan FIR. Further, the rights -of -way are all proposed to occur in the same location as was previously analyzed, and will therefore not impact an existing population or existing housing units. 0 The City finds that consideration of the Amendment does not call for the preparation of a subsequent EIR pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15162 or Public Resources Code Section 21166, in that the Amendment does not involve: 1) substantial changes to the roadways or multi -use trails analyzed in the EIR which would involve new significant effects on the environment or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts; 2) substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which the Amendment is being undertaken which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the EIR, or substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts; or 3) new information of substantial importance which would involve new significant effects on the environment not analyzed in the EIR which would substantially increase the severity of previously identified impacts.