CC Resolution 1985-096B
^"0 II
RESOLUTION NO. 85-96
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THAT THE MASTER
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR THE LA QUINTA
GENERAL PLAN IS ADEQUATE AND COMPLETE; RECOGNIZING
THE OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS TO CERTAIN ADVERSE
IMPACTS; AND, RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRON-
MENTAL 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 21000 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 City Council 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 City Council has reviewed and considered certain over-
riding considerations to adverse impacts, the CEQA Findings and Statement
of Facts; and
WHEREAS, prior to action on the project, the City Council 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
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^"0RESOLUTION NO. 85-96
WHEREAS, Section 15093(b) requires, where the decision of the City
Council allows the occurrences of significant effects which are identi-
fied 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 informa-
tion 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 City Council of the City of
La Quinta does hereby certify the MEA as adequate and complete.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council 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 City Council 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: Council Members Allen, Bohnenberger, Cox, Wolff and Mayor Pena.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ATTEST:
* *
**CIT'**ERX
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Mj$**
***ITYMAi4GE*
2-
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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.
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EXHIBIT B"
CE*A FINDINGS AND STA** OF FACTS
*GROUND
The California Environmental Quality Act CE*) and the State CE*A
Guidelines Guidelines) pranulgated pursuant thereto provide:
public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an environ-
mental impact report has been co*leted and which identifies one or n*re
significant effects of the project unless the public agency makes one
or ir*re of the following written findings for each of the significant
effects, ac*enied 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 CEQA 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:
*CTS * TO BE INSIGNIFICANT
Through preparation of the Initial Study Environmental Checklist Form),
the City identified that implementation of the project *,*ould 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 hunan
health conditions within the City, specifically by eliminating or
significantly reducing hazards associated with flooding, ffres,
hazardous materials, noise and disasters.
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^"0CEQA FINDINGS J*ND STATE**T OF FA*S
Page 2.
Aesthetics Project jnpl*rentation will result in a positive ilT!pact
on existing and future urban design of the City by the development
of Thiage corridors along major streets, the incorporation of special
design considerations into proposed develop(nent projects within the
City, and the establishment of appropriate landscaping and design
standards.
Risk of *set 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 FA*S IN SUPPO* OF FINDINGS FOR
SIGNlFICZ*T ENVIRONMENTAL E*ECTS OF ThE P*ECT
EF**S DE*TE**N* TO BE MITIG*BLE
To A LEVEL OF INSIGNIFICANCE*NCE
*drology/Flood Control
Impacts Project jirplementation will result in the construction of residential
and ca*ercial development in areas currently subject to flooding or drainage
hazards. Development will permanently modify existing drainage patterns.
The increase in urban development will increase the air*unt of ippe***eable
surface area, increasing the an*unt 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 in*rovenent program shall be established for future
flood control facilities.
c. All new development shall be consistent with the adopted
La Quinta Redevelopment Project for flood control.
d. A city-wide drainage plan shall be developed and jit*lemented.
2. *st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided have
been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
measures in the Final * or otherwise incorporated into the policies
of the General Plan.
Geology/Soils
I*tpacts. Project implementation will ultimately result in n*re persons
and buildings being exposed to seismic hazards, including groundshaking,
liquefaction, and land subsidence. In addition, certain soils in the project
area present constraints to development.
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*A FINDINGS AND STAT**** OF F*S
Page 3.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated into
the project, or are otherwise being ixtpl*nted, 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 rec*ndations 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 progrartir*d for rehabilitation or r*val.
Historic/Cultural Pesources
*pacts. 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. E)cisting
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 in pact to the extent feasible.
a. DEVELOPMENT plans shall be reviewed to identify any project
related impacts to archaeological 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
Ir*pacts. Project Implementation will result in both short-term construction
noise and long-term increases in the anibient noise environment. *st long-
term noise impacts will occur along major roadway corridors, although
impacts from stationary sources will also increase. Pesidences 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 sun-
sequent environmental review which will mitigate this impact to
the extent feasible.
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*A FINDINGS l* STAT*ME*** OF F*S
Page 4.
a. Require subsequent focused environmental review, including
noise assessnents, for site-specific developeents to
determine the direct effect on area ai*ibient noise levels,
and the inpact of existing and future noise sources on the
developeent.
b. Require all new developeent to ca*ply with all local and
State noise standards for building design and land use
car*tibility.
a. Provide appropriate noise barriers to mitigate Th*acts on
existing developeent.
*oonity Services and Facilities
Impacts. Growth induc*t*nt will create an increase in the d*nand for fire,
police, park, hospital, school, library facilities and other c*ttm*ity
services and facilities.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being inpl*t*ted,
which will mitigate this inpact to a level of insignificance.
a. The infrastructure fee program for new developeent shall include
support for expansion of carr*tti:*ity services and facilities.
b. Require all new developeent to ccoply with the Cityts requirements
for parkiand dedication and acquisition.
a. Coordinate with other agencies to provide adequate school,
library and health care facilities.
public utilities
Impacts. GrowLh inducement will create an increase in the consurt*tion and
generation of water, wastewater, telephone, gas and electrical utilities.
Existing systems are currently unable to manage the increases necessary
to acc**te ultimate growth. Growth inducement in the Cove area will
c*tpound utility deficiencies.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being i'r*leeented,
which will mitigate these inpacts to a level of insignificance.
a. Coordinate with the affected utility providers to ensure
that adequate capacity exists to serve future developeent as
the City develops.
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*A FINDINGS *ND STATh** OF FACTS
Page 5.
b. *quire new develo*nt to provide appropriate *rovenents to
dar*stic water distribution and sewage collection syst*ns.
C. Coordinate with the appropriate utility providers to upgrade
substandard facilities within existing developed areas.
2. *st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided
have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
ir*asures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies
of the General Plan.
3. Thpacts identified fr* the proposed plan are considered significant
only on a cixrtulative basis in association with other projects occurring
on a local and regional scale.
Energy
Inpacts. Energy will be consuued on the project site for lighting, air-
conditioning, cooking, water and space heating1 and transportation needs.
Findings
* 1. *anges, alterations, and other neasures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for subsequent
environmental review, which will partially mitigate this jitpact to a
level of insignificance.
a. Pr*te developnent designs which have reduced energy consu[tption
d*ands.
b. support the policies with the Air Quality" section which prcmote
the use of non-*torized transportation or public transportation.
2. *st significant environeental effects that can be feasibly avoided
have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
neasure in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies
of the General Plan.
3. Thpacts identified fr* the proposed plan are considered significant
only on a cuuulative basis in association with other projects occurring
on a local and regional scale.
SI*IFICANT ENVIPONMENTAL IMPACTS WHI*
CANNOT BE AVOIDED IF ThE
P*EC'T IS IMPL*E**IED
Traffic/Circulation
Irrpacts. Future developeent in the city will generate large guantities of
vehicular trips, both in the project area and on adjacent roadways. Traffic
congestion will occur without future roadway Thprovenents, and deteriorated
roadway surface conditions will be aggravated in the Cove area.
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^"0 FINDINGS *ND *AT*ENT OF FA*S
Page 6.
Findings
1. A*ianges, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being imalemented,
which will mitigate this impact to the extent feasible.
a. Pequire subsequent focused enviror**ntal review, including
traf fic analysis, for site-specific develo*xt*nt projects
to determine cumulative vehicular impacts on the local
circulation system.
b. Pequire, as conditions of develo*ent approval for future
developeent, the btprovement of local streets and highways to
their master-planned designation as necessary to provide a
satisfactory level of circulation service and to satisfactorily
mitigate develo*nt*enerated traffic impacts.
c. Install road and bridge inprovements on an 11as warrented has is'1
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 jn*rovements, installing appropriate traffic
control devices and by providing special road*ay 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. *st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly avoided
have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
measures in the Final * or otherwise incorporated into the policies
of the General Plan.
3. Inpacts identified in the proposed plan are considered significant
on a cuuulative basis in association with other projects occurrinq
on a local or regional scale.
Climate/Air Ouality
Impacts. **lementation of the project will result in both short-term and
long-term impacts to the area' 5 air quality. Short-term impacts will occur
during construction as phased development of the c*tttu:*ity 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:
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^"0CE** FINDINGS *ND STZ*I*XE**T OF FACTS
Page 7.
a. All future developeent shall co*ly with the resolutions outlined
in *apter 19 of The **Southeast Desert Air Basin Control Strategy,"
February 1980 a revision to The State Th*lementation Plan).
Specifically, all future developeent must c*tply with The
requireeents of The following plans:
1) Air Ouality Managenent Plan, Southeast Desert Air Basin,
Riverside County, 1979.
2) Air Besources Board Resolution 79-79, *venber 1979.
3) Air Resources Staff Report, October 1979.
b. *munitywide planning strategies should stress the reduction of
vehicular trips and trip lengths through encouraging c***rcial
services convenient to residences, and alternative transportation
facilities such as bicycle lanes, increased public transit, and
capocoling.
c. *re routine bus service should be encouraged as new grctth occurs.
Additional bus stop locations should be planned to invite bus
ridership.
d. All new development shall litpleeent dust control programs during
construction.
2. Nost significant enviro*ental 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. Irt*acts 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.
Biological Resources
Inpacts. Wildlife and vegetative habitats will be t*porarily subjected to
short-term construction ir*p acts flood control construction and land
developeent) and permanently jir*acted by the long-term habitation of forn*rly
vacant land. The chanqe 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 cumulative adverse effects.
Findings
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into The plan, or are otherwise being Th*lemented, which
will mitigate these i*pacts to The extent feasible.
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^"0*A FINDIN*S ANU STATE** OF F*S
Page 8.
a. New developeent shall c*ly with the City's adopted policies
and plans regarding the protection or mitigation of inpacts on
rare and endangered species.
b. Focused environeental review for specific develo**r*nt projects
shall be required as appropriate.
2. *st significant environeental effects that can be feasibly avoided
have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
*asures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the policies
of the General Plan.
3. The r*naining unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when
balanced against the facts set forth in the Overriding Considerations,
giving weight to the r*naining unavoidable significant effect.
Land Use
i*pacts. * agricultural lands will be converted to urban uses.
Findings
1. Specific econ*c, social, or other considerations make feasible
mitigation *asures or project alternatives not selected in that:
a. Developeent of agricultural lands within the City limits area
is essential to achieving the objectives of the General Plan.
b. pelocation of open space and agricultural lands in other
locations to offset their loss to urban developeent 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 Stat*nt of Overriding Considerations, giving
weight to the r*naining unavoidable significant effect.
I*tpacts. Develo*lr*nt fr*n growth induce*t*nt will result in increases in
population and intensification of urban uses. The anount of open space
will be reduced to accart*rdate urban developeent 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 jir*lemented.
a. Encourage existing agricultural land within the City to r*nain
in production to the extent feasible.
b. Procote development of land within the City limits prior to
the expansion of the urbanized area into agricultural area
within the sphere of influence.
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^"0CE*A FINDINGS IND STATEME*** OF FA*S
Page 9.
C. Future planning efforts within the project area should recognize
the ult*jnate developeent potential afforded by plan ilr*l*ntation
with particular regard to increases in population, traffic, land
use intensities, a***ient noise and air quality enviroim*nts, and
provision of public services and utilities.
2. *st significant environrt*ntal effects that can be feasibly avoided
have been elimited or substantially reduced by virtue of mitigation
ir*asures in the Final MEA or otherwise incorporated into the plan as
set forth in lv' above.
3. The r*naining unavoidable significant effects are acceptable when
balanced against the facts set forth in the Stat*nt of Overriding
Considerations, giving greater weight to the r*naining unavoidable
significant effect, and in view of the following fact:
a. Irtpacts identified fran the proposed plan are considered significant
only on a cuuulative basis in association with other projects
occurring on a local and regional scale.
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