CC Resolution 1984-028) RESOLUTION NO.84-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING
THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PREPARED
FOR THE PGA WEST PROJECT IS RECOGNIZED AS
ADEQUATE AND COMPLETE; RECOGNIZING THE OVER-
RIDING CONSIDERATIONS TO CERTAIN ADVERSE
IMPACTS: AND, RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED,
BUT WHICH CAN BE REASONABLY MITIGATED, IF THE
PROPOSED PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTED.
WHEREAS, as part of the implementation of the City's General
Plan and Redevelopment Plan, the PGA West project has been prepared;
and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report hereinafter EIR'?)
has been prepared and circulated, pursuant to the requirements of
CEQA; and
WHER?AS, 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 R?sources Cod?, 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 EIR,
has found that the EIR considers all potentially significant
environmental impacts of the proposed project, is complete and
adequate, and fully complies with all requirements of CEQA, the
State guidelines for implementation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered certain
overriding considerations to adverse impacts? the CEQA Findings and
Statements of Facts; and
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WHEREAS, prior to action on the project, the City Council has
considered all significant impacts, mitigation measures, and project
alternatives identified in the EIR, has found that all potentially
significant impacts on the project have been lessened or avoided to
the extent feasible; and
WHEREAS, Section 15093(b) requires, where the decision of the
City Council allows the occurrences of significant effects which
are identified in the FEIR but are not mitigated, the City must
state in writing the reasons to support its action based on the
FEIR and/or other information 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 an EIR 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 EIR as adequate and complete.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
La Quinta, in addition to findings made in the body of the Final EIR,
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 1st day of May 1984.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CI?? CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT
P T<??ER
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STATEMENTS OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
1. Project approval is an important component to successful imple-
mentation of the City's Redevelopment Plan and Flood Control
Improvement Program.
2. Implementation of the project will indirectly result in the
elimination of the negative impacts associated with blight in
the redevelopment project area.
3. Public flood control improvements will be constructed, thereby
resolving the future major flood hazard potential which has
historically resulted in considerable property damage, incon-
venience, and insecurity for the community.
4. The proposed project is needed to enhance the quality of life
in the project area 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 from project implementation
are generally associated with normal growth, progress, and
prosperity.
6. The project will be instrumental in causing new areawide public
facilities to be constructed, including a sewage treatment
plant, schools, and fire stations, which will benefit both
existing development and other future adjacent development.
7. Specific Plan project 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. Certain improvements to Lake Cahuilla Regional Park will occur,
without cost to the County Parks Department, as a gesture of
goodwill and in the spirit of retaining a good neighbor policy.
9. Improvements to local roadways will occur that will increase
vehicular efficiency and access and promote a sense of communi-
ty aesthetics and design continuity.
10. The city's economic base will be. enhanced through revenues
derived from increased sales, business licenses, hotel occupan-
cy, and other fees, taxes, and exactions from new develoment.
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CEQA FINDINGS AND STATEMENTS OF FACTS
BACK?GROUND
The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines
Guidelines) prmulgated pursuant thereto provide: No public agency shall
approve or carry out a project for which an environmental inpact report has
been crrpleted and which identifies one or more significant effects of the
project unless the public agency makes one or more of the following written
findings for each of the significant effects, by a stat?nent 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 envi-
ronmental effects as identified in the Final FIR.
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 FIR Section 15091 of the Guidelines).
The City of La Quinta proposes to approve the PGA West Specific Plan Project".
Because the proposed action constitutes a project under CEQA and the Guidelines,
the City Council of La Quinta has prepared an Environmental Impact Report FIR).
This FIR has identified certain significant effects which nay 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 Page 124 of
Draft FIR). Further, the City Council desires to approve this project and,
after determining that the FIR is c?lete and has been prepared in accordance
with CE? and the Guidelines, the findings set forth herein are made:
EFFECTS DETERMINED TO BE INSIGNIFICANT?
Through preparation of the Initial Study Environmental Checklist Form), the
City identified that inpleeentation of the project would not have any signi-
ficant adverse inpacts 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 site plan approval.
Human Health Project mpleeentation will inprove the xisting
human health conditions in the city, specifically the flood hazard
potential. Other health hazards are not anticipated fr?n the uses
proposed in the project.
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Page 2.
Aesthetics iMPACTS associated with aesthetics will be identified,
as they occur, prior to site plan approval.
Risk of Upset Risk hazards are not anticipated in the event of
future accidents due to the types of uses proposed in the project.
FINDING?S AND FACTS IN SUPPORT? OF FINDINGS FOR
SIGNIFICANT? ENVI?NMENTAL EFFECTS OF ThE PR??T
EE??TS DE?IERMIND TO BE MITIGABIJ? TO A L?VEL OF INSIGNIFICANCE
Hydrology/Flood Control
Impacts. Groundshaking may occur on the site due to the proximity of faults,
especially the San Andreas fault, and other factors. Liquefaction and subse-
quent ground failure may also occur, particularly in areas with high groundwater
and unconsolidated alluvium. Subsidence inay present certain building problems,
but severity is unknown without additional study. Crrrent soil conditions InList
be inproved during site preparation by r?r?val and reconpaction. A 25-30%
reduction in earth volume is expected. The high moisture content of surface
soils may hanper earth mov?nent operations unless adequately dried. Also, the
potential erosion hazard is considered severe due to wind conditions and soil
characteristics.
Hydrology/Flood Control
Ippacts. The flooding hazard of the site is high without future protective
mitigation. Pedevelopeent activity has recently been enacted in La Quinta to
assist in resolving flooding hazards. Without upstream protection fran flooding,
other site-specific measures would have to be ipleiiented to reduce this hazard.
Site development will result in increased runoff and decreased percolation.
RLinoff routes will be altered and rerouted into streets and drainage systems.
Site development will result in less groundwater recharge, resulting in a
lowering of the groundwater table and a consequent Impact on the biological
habitat. Project site runoff characteristics will be transformed fran agricul-
tural pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to autonobile-related pollutants.
Cultural Pesources
Inpacts. Site developeent will not ippact archaeological or historical resources.
An adverse Impact to paleontological resources could occur during site preparation.
Findings.
1. anges, alterations, and other measures have been incorporated
into the plan, or are otherwise being Thpl?nented, which will
mitigate this inpact to the extent feasible.
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SIGNIFIC?NT EVVIRONMENTAL EFFE?S WHICH CZ?NNOT BE AVOIDED IF ThE P?T
IS IMPT?MENThD.
Vegetation and Wildlife
Irrpacts. Site developeent would result in a loss of isting vegetation,
including agriculture and ir?squite/taaarisk thickets. e subsequent intro-
duction of non-native ornanental landscaping and golf course turf nay consurn?
greater quantities of irrigation water than the existing agriculture. The
desert wildlife currently inhabiting the site would either relocate or adapt
to the new environment. The project could also indirectly affect the prairie
falcon and bighorn sheep habitat located offsite due to the cumulative effects
associated with increased human activity and urban grctth. Use of onsite water
features e.g., lakes on the golf cOurses) could support certain wildlife species
and establish a prey base for the prairie falcons. Use of desert vegetation for
landscaping could have a beneficial effect on wildlife.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being inpl?nented,
which will mitigate these impacts to the extent feasible.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been eliminated or substantially lessened by
virtue of mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR
and incorporated into the conditions of approval of the
Specific Plan.
Traffic/Circulation
Ippacts. Project inpl?nentation will result in the generation of approximately
40,885 vehicle trips per day. Also, Jefferson Street, a master-planned arterial,
would be restricted south of 54th Avenue and would became a private roadway mid-
way into the site. Vehicles traveling to Lake Cahuilla Pegional Park would be
diverted to the east, ciraunwenting st of the site. Poadway inpacts on
Jefferson Street assL]ming four-lane inprovement) would exceed an acceptable
level for locations north of 52nd and 54th Avenues as the proposed project and
areawide projects are cempleted. SImilarly, intersection capacities exceed
acceptable levels for Jefferson Street/Highway 111, Jefferson Street/SOth Avenue,
and Washington Street/50th Avenue.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being inpl?nented,
which will mitigate this impact to a level of insignificance.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue
of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated
into the conditions of approval of the Specific Plan.
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3. Thpacts identified fr?n the proposed plan are considered significant
oflly On a cumulative basis in association with other projects occurring
On a local and regional scale.
Air Quality
pacts. Primary ippacts to air quality associated with project inplementation
will occur from vehicle-related emissions. Indirect irr? acts will be derived
from stationary sources including increased electrical deaand requiring oom-
bustion in power plants. In total, project-related air quality Th?acts are
considered insignificant when ccopared to basinwide emissions. Construction-
related inpacts to air quality, including dust generation and equipment emissions,
may be sar?what significant to the vicinity, with particular regard to the nuisance
associated with dust settlement.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or otherwise required for subsequent
environmental review, which will partially mitigate to the extent
feasible this significant Th!Pact.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been elmiinated or substantially reduced by virtue
of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated
into the conditions of approval for the Specific Plan.
3. Irrpacts 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.
Noise
Thpacts. Project ixnpl?ntat ion will result in both short-term cons truction
noise and long-term increases in the anbient noise environment. st long-
term noise ippacts will occur along major roadway corridors. Pesidences
planned near these road?ays 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 su?
sequent environmental review which will mitigate this ippact to
a level of insignificance.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue
of mitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated
into the conditions of approval of the Specific Plan.
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Page 5.
flFner
Impacts. Energy will be consuned on the project site for lighting, air-conditioning,
cooking, water and space heating, and transpor?ation needs.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made in or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise required for
sequent environeental review, which will partially mitigate this
irrp act to a level of insignificance.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by virtue
of nitigation measures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated
into the conditions of approval of the Specific Plan.
3. Thpacts identified from the proposed plan are considered significant
only on a cUrrUlative basis in association with other projects occrrring
On a local and regional scale.
Land Use
Impacts. Developeent of the project will change the open space/agricultural
character of the project site to resort-typ? urban development. Owners of
other adjacent parcels having prime agricultural soils may be encouraged to
convert their properties to urban uses due to the presence of a resort ecomunity
and the proximity of infrastructure systems. Perouting of Jefferson Street as
proposed represents an ippact to the travel time and convenience of regional
park users. Finally, a major portion of the site is proposed to be annexed to
the City of La Quinta.
Findings.
1. Changes, alterations, and other measures have been made or
incorporated into the plan, or are otherwise being inplenented,
which will mitigate these inpacts to a level of insignificance,
in that developeent of PGA st will be in the public interest
since the project will help fund overall flood control imp rov?
ments for the existing coounity of La Quinta. Construction of
the proposed project will provide significant new revenue sources
to the La Quinta Pedevelopeent Agency. Tax increeent revenues
from the project will accure to the Pedevelopeent Agency. The
Agency, in turn, will Th?leeent an overall flood control program
for the La Qilinta area. This flood control program will protect
existing developeent and residents in La Quinta as well as
encouraging upgrading and inprovements to existing developed
areas of La Quinta.
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Page 6.
Irrpacts. nevelopeent of the project site will penn?uiently change the land
use fran agricultural production to urban developeent. This represents an
overall reduction in the ajr?unt of land utilized for agricultural purposes
and is considered a Significant inpact to local, state, and national agricultural
land holdings.
Findings.
1. ific econonic, social, or other considerations make infeasible
mitigation neasures or project alternatives not selected in that:
a. Developeent of agricultural lands in the project area is
essential to achieving the objectives of the City?s redevelo?
ment project.
2. The unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when balanced
against facts set forth in the Statenent of Overriding Considera-
tions, giving weight to the r?naining unavoidable significant
effect.
Agricultural Soils
mipacts. Th?l?nentation of the project would inpact the region s agricultural
production due to the irretrievable conversion of prime agricultural soils to
urban uses.
Findings.
1. specific econanic, social, or other considerations make infeasible
mitigation measures or project alternatives not selected in that:
a. Developeent of agricultural lands in the project area is
essential to achieving the objectives. of the redevelopeent
project.
2. The unavoidable significant effect is acceptable when balanced
against facts set forth in the Stat?nent of Overriding Considera-
tions, giving weight to the renaining unavoidable significant
effect.
public Services and Utilities
pacts. Site developeent will require an increase in facility and manpocer
resources necessary to serve the project. Fire, police, water, wastewater,
solid waste, parks, transit, hospital, library, schools, telephone, gas, and
electricity are the affected utilities and services. Capacity and service
inpacts could occur for all services and utilities without syst?n and agency
eppans ion.
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Page 7.
Findings.
1. changes, alterations, and other rn?a$ures have been made in or
incorporated into the project, or are otherwise being imp1?riented,
which will mitigate this inpact to a level of insignificance.
2. st significant environmental effects that can be feasibly
avoided have been eliminated or substantially reduced by vi?ue
of mitigation TReasures in the Final EIR or otherwise incorporated
into the conditions of approval of the Specific plan.
3. Thpacts identified frorri the proposed plan are considered significant
only on a a]rrulative basis in association with other projects occurring
on a local and regional scale.
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