2022-01-13 Wong - EIR Process Questions_RedactedRe: EIR Process questions
Nicole Criste <ncriste@terranovaplanning.com>
Thu 1/13/2022 3:43 PM
To:Derek Wong
Cc:Danny Castro <dcastro@laquintaca.gov>;Consulting Planner <ConsultingPlanner@laquintaca.gov>
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Mr. Wong,
Please see responses below in blue.
Nicole Sauviat Criste
Principal
TERRA NOVA PLANNING & RESEARCH, INC.®
42635 Melanie Place, Ste 101
PALM DESERT, CA. 92211
(760) 341-4800
FAX#: 760-341-4455
E-Mail: ncriste@terranovaplanning.com
From: Derek Wong
Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 1:47 PM
To: Nicole Criste <ncriste@terranovaplanning.com>
Cc: Danny Castro <dcastro@laquintaca.gov>
Subject: EIR Process ques;ons
Dear Ms. Criste:
Thank you for confirming that the response to comments/Final EIR is currently
being reviewed and letting us know that you expect that document to be completed
by month's end. Mr Baez forwarded your recent email to me but I have some
additional process and timing questions please.
1. Will this Final EIR be made available for public review at the time of its
release? If so, how will the public be notified that it is available? The FEIR will be
available for public review. Everyone who commented on the DEIR will receive the
document/link to the document. It will also be posted on the City’s website.
2. Will this final EIR when released at end of the month go immediately to the
Planning Commission for review? When the Final EIR is completed, the City will
schedule the Planning Commission hearing.
3. Will this be the first time that the Planning Commission will have seen this
document or have they been receiving information throughout the process for the
Final EIR and they have been providing input? The Planning Commission has not
seen the Final EIR, or any of its components, and will not until it is complete and
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released to commenters.
4. How long will the Planning Commission have to review the Final EIR prior to
the first public hearing? That has not been determined, but I would expect it to be
a minimum of 2 weeks.
5. At that initial public hearing, is this just an informational meeting for the
Planning Commission or can a Planning Commission vote take place to approve,
deny or ask for clarifications and a continuance? The Planning Commission can
approve, deny, continue with direction to staff or the applicant, or table the
application at the public hearing. Will the developer be required to address issues
from the Planning Commission and the public at that meeting or shortly thereafter?
If the Planning Commission directs the applicant or staff to do so, issues could be
addressed both at or after the public hearing.
6. During the Public Hearing, is this the only opportunity for responses and
comments by agencies and persons who initially responded to the DEIR or is there
also another period of time for responding to the new EIR? Public comment on the
project will be taken at all public hearings. If you are asking whether there is a
public comment period on the Final EIR, there is not. Will the developer be required
to address public comments? The applicant will have an opportunity to address
public comments at the end of the public hearing, if they wish. In addition, the
Commission and Council can also ask the applicant for information based on
public comments.
7. Can and will additional comments by the agencies and persons who initially
responded to DEIR be allowed in the Final EIR? Additional comments can be made
by any party at the public hearings. Those comments, however, will not be added to
the Final EIR, although responses could be provided to the Commission or Council
based on their direction in staff reports and supplemental information.
8. Will a public hearing/comments period be held prior to the Final EIR going to
City Council ? The public hearing prior to the Council public hearing is the
Planning Commission. No other body will hold a hearing on the application. If so
when ? Not applicable. See previous response. Might there be multiple public
hearings? The Commission and Council will each hold a public hearing. That public
hearing may be continued, or extended, from one meeting to another, at the
discretion of the Commission and Council. So there could be multiple meetings of
the Planning Commission and Council, if they opt to continue the hearing. Will
public comments be further incorporated into the Final EIR? No.
9.Once the Final EIR is in front of them, what is the usual set period of time that
City Council takes before making a final decision to approve or deny the Project?
There is no set period. Once the Planning Commission makes its recommendation,
the application will be scheduled for City Council, usually 3 to 4 weeks later. Will
public comments be possible during that Council Meeting when the final approval
or denial is done? Yes. Can a continuance also happen at that meeting? Yes
10.What does “certification” of the EIR mean - and how is this done? Certification
is approval. If the City Council determines that it wishes to approve the project, it
must approve the EIR. It will vote on a Resolution, Findings and a Statement of
Overriding Considerations. If the Council determines that it wishes to deny the
project, no approval of the EIR is required.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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Sincerely,
Derek Wong
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