CC Resolution 2009-007RESOLUTION 2009-007
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT 2008-112, AN AMENDMENT TO THE LA
QUINTA GENERAL PLAN TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION
ELEMENT, AMENDING EXHIBIT 3.10, THE MULTI-
PURPOSE TRAILS MAP
CASE NO.: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2008-112
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California did on
the 201h day of January, 2009, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider a
City -initiated request for a General Plan Amendment to modify Exhibit 3.10, the
Multi -Purpose Trails Map, within the Circulation Element; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, following two continued public hearing dates on November 12" and 251"
2008, did make findings to support a recommendation of approval of General Plan
Amendment 2008-112 to the City Council during their public hearing on the 91" of
December, 2008; and
WHEREAS, said General Plan Amendment under consideration will
modify the locations of trails; and
WHEREAS, said General Plan Amendment has complied with the
requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act
of 1970" (CEQA) as amended (Resolution 83-63) in that the La Quinta Planning
Department has prepared an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact
Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR") that the City certified in 2002. The City
compared the impacts of the Amendment with those impacts analyzed in the EIR
and found 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; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered the
EIR and the Addendum; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Department published a city-wide public
hearing notice in The Desert Sun newspaper on January 1, 2009, as prescribed by
the Municipal Code. Public hearing notices were also posted on bulletin boards at
City Hall, on the City of La Quinta's website, at the Village Post Office, and at the
111 La Quinta Shopping Center; and
Resolution 2009-007
General Plan Amendment 2008.112
Amendment to the Circulation Element
Exhibit 3.10
Adopted: January 20, 2009
Page 2
WHEREAS, at said public hearing held on January 201h 2009, upon
hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested
persons wanting to be heard, the City Council of the City of La Quinta did make
the following mandatory findings recommending approval of said Amendment:
Finding A - The project is consistent with the General Plan.
The proposed General Plan Amendment to the Circulation Element is internally
consistent with those goals, objectives and policies of the general plan which are
not being amended. The modifications made to the Multi -Purpose Trail system are
consistent with the General Plan in that they constitute an expansion of non -
motorized access and trail availability among locations which currently do not have
trails and enhance the existing trail system by eliminating those trails which would
not have practical use if developed as previously indicated.
Finding B - Approval of the amendment will not create conditions materially
detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare.
Approval of the proposed General Plan Amendment will not create conditions
materially detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare in that the
proposed changes to the Multi -Purpose Trails system will not affect existing
recreational areas or access to those recreational areas, will not result in the loss of
or encroachment upon existing wildlife habitat, nor will they have an effect on the
conditions of the community, developed or undeveloped, due to the fact that the
modifications will enhance recreational access and are -located in areas that have
been determined suitable for trail locations.
The modifications to the Multi -Purpose Trail system constitute an enhancement of
the network by correcting changes to the trail system resulting from the City's
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 or would
encroach on areas not intended for such use. As a result, the proposed General
Plan Amendment to the Circulation Element has been determined to not result in
any changed conditions and will therefore have no effect on the health, safety, and
welfare of the community or surrounding natural environment.
Finding C - The new designations are compatible with the land use designations
on adjacent properties.
Resolution 2009-007
General Plan Amendment 2008-112
Amendment to the Circulation Element
Exhibit 3.10
Adopted: January 20, 2009
Page 3
The Multi -Purpose Trail system modifications will enhance access and connectivity
to existing residential land use areas including those which are identified for
equestrian uses. The modified trail locations have been determined to be suitable
because they provide access and connectivity between recreational and residential
land uses, do not encroach upon existing habitat or wilderness areas, and do not
extend across steep or rugged topography which may limit public accessibility. As
a result, the proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the land use
designations on adjacent properties.
Finding D - Approval of the amendment is warranted because the situation and
the general conditions have substantially changed since the existing designations
were imposed.
Approval of the modifications to the Multi -Purpose Trail system are warranted
because they will eliminate dead-end trails which no longer have practical use,
remove trails from areas identified for wildlife conservation in the Coachella Valley
Multi -Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and provide new locations for trails along
existing roadways which currently are not identified for Multi -Purpose Trails. These
amendments will meet the current demands and projected needs of the City, while
maintaining and protecting the City's character.
Finding E - The project is in conformance with the California Environmental
Quality Act.
The City has prepared an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact
Report SCH #2000091023 ("EIR") that the City certified in 2002. The City
compared the impacts of the Amendment with those impacts analyzed in the EIR
and found that the Amendment does not involve 1) substantial changes to the
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 31 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.
Resolution 2009-007
General Plan Amendment 2008-112
Amendment to the Circulation Element
Exhibit 3.10
Adopted: January 20, 2009
Page 4
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 approve of General Plan Amendment
2008-112, as identified in Exhibit A attached with this resolution, 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" 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
DON AD LPH, MC4or
City of La Quinta California
ATTEST:
VERONICA .V/MC'NTECINO, CIVIC, City Clerk
City of La Ninta, California
(CITY SEAL)
Resolution 2009-007
General Plan Amendment 2008-112
Amendment to the Circulation Element
Exhibit 3.10
Adopted: January 20, 2009
Page 5
irJ
M. K ER I E ANSON, City 4Kttaney
Cit a Quinta, California
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