PC Resolution 2012-003PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012 -003
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 36421, CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT 2011 -135, AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
2011 -920, THE WASHINGTON STREET APARTMENTS
CASE: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2011 -613
APPLICANT: LA QUINTA HOUSING AUTHORITY AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California did, on the 14 "' day of February, 2012, hold a duly noticed public
hearing, as continued from the regularly - scheduled Public Hearing on January 10,
2012, to consider a request by the La Quinta Housing Authority and
Redevelopment Agency to adopt Environmental Assessment 2011-613, prepared
for Tentative Parcel Map 36421, Conditional Use Permit 2011 -135, and Site
Development Permit 2011 -920, known as the Washington Street Apartments, a
72 -unit apartment complex, generally located on the southeast corner of
Washington Street and Hidden River Road, more particularly described as:
APN: 609 - 040 -028, 609 - 040 -023, 609- 040 -007
WHEREAS, said Environmental Assessment complies with the
requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act
of 1970" as amended (Resolution 83 -63), in that the Planning Director has
conducted an Initial Study (Environmental Assessment 2011 -613) and has
determined that the project will not have a significant impact on the environment,
and that a Negative Declaration of environmental should be adopted; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Department mailed and published a Notice of
Intent to adopt the Negative Declaration in compliance with Public Resources Code
Section 21092 on the 9" day of December, 2011 to the Riverside County Clerk;
and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Department published a public hearing notice
in The Desert Sun newspaper on December 30, 2011 as prescribed by the
Municipal Code. Public hearing notices were also mailed to all property owners
within 500 feet of the site; and,
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission, at their meeting
held on the 15 `" day of December, 2011, reviewed the cultural resource survey,
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -003
Environmental Assessment 2011 -613
La Quinta Housing Authority & Redevelopment Agency
Page 2
and adopted Minute Motion 2011-003, recommending approval of the cultural
resource survey to the Planning Commission, subject to staff - recommended
conditions; and,
WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments,
if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said Planning Commission did
find the following facts, findings, and reasons to justify adoption of said
Environmental Assessment:
1. That the Negative Declaration has been prepared and processed in
compliance with the State CEQA Guidelines and the City's
implementation procedures. The Planning Commission has independently
reviewed and considered the information contained in the Environmental
Assessment, and finds that it adequately describes and addresses the
environmental effects of the project. Based upon the Initial Study, the
comments received thereon, and the entire record of proceeding for this
project, the Planning Commission finds that there are no significant
environmental effects resulting from this project.
2. The project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or general
welfare of the community, either indirectly, or directly, in that no
significant impacts were identified by Environmental Assessment 2011 -
613.
3. The project will not have the potential to degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a
plant or animal community, reduce the number, or restrict the range of,
rare or endangered plants or animals or eliminate important examples of
the major periods of California history, or prehistory.
4. 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.
5. 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 under Environmental Assessment 2011 -613.
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -003
Environmental Assessment 2011 -613
La Quinta Housing Authority & Redevelopment Agency
Page 3
6. The project will not result in impacts which are individually limited or
cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed
development in the immediate vicinity, as development patterns in the
City will not be significantly affected by the project.
7. The project will not create environmental effects that will adversely affect
the human population, either directly or indirectly, as no significant
impacts have been identified which would affect human health, risk
potential or public services.
8. The Planning Commission has fully considered the proposed Negative
Declaration and any comments received thereon, and there is no
substantial evidence in light of the entire record that the project may have
a significant effect on the environment.
9. The Planning Commission has considered Environmental Assessment
2011-613 and said assessment reflects the independent judgment of the
City.
10. 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).
11. Based upon the Initial Study and the entire record of proceedings, the
Project has no potential for adverse effects on wildlife as that term is
defined in Fish and Game Code §711.2.
12. The location of the documents which constitute the record of proceedings
upon which the Planning Commission decision is based upon, are located
in the La Quinta City Hall, Planning Department, 78495 Calle Tampico, La
Quinta, California, 92253.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of
the City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings
of the Planning Commission for this Environmental Assessment.
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -003
Environmental Assessment 2011 -613
La Quinta Housing Authority & Redevelopment Agency
Page 4
2. That it does hereby adopt Environmental Assessment 2011-613, which
include a negative declaration for the reasons set forth in this Resolution
and as stated in the Environmental Assessment Checklist, attached and
on file in the Planning Department.
3. That Environmental Assessment 2011 -613 reflects the independent
judgment of the City.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission held on this 14' day of February, 2012, by the
following vote to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wright, and Chairman Alderson
NOES: Commissioner Wilkinson
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ED ALDERSON, Chairman
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
LES JO SON, Planning Director
City of Afa Quinta, California