CC Resolution 2003-076 RESOLUTION NO. 2003-076
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA CERTIFYING AN ADDENDUM TO INITIAL
STUDY/NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE JEFFERSON
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, on May 18, 1999, the City Council of the City of La
Quinta certified Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration State Clearinghouse
Number 99031046 ("1999 IS/MND") for the Jefferson Street Improvements (the
"Project"); and
WHEREAS, the 1999 IS/MND was prepared, pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in order to address roadway improvements
along approximately 6.2 miles of Jefferson Street, from Avenue 54 to Indio
Boulevard, within the corporate limits of the Cities of La Quinta, Indio and a portion
of unincorporated Riverside County; and
WHEREAS, the portion of the Project south of Highway 111 has now
been completed;
WHEREAS, overall improvements addressed that were addressed in
the 1999 IS/MND included the addition of 2 to 4 through travel lanes in each
direction of travel and the construction of raised medians; and
WHEREAS, between Highway 111 and Westward Ho Drive, the 1999
IS/MND considered a four-lane facility, noise attenuation for the existing residents
and expansion of the existing Iow-water crossing of the Whitewater River; and
WHEREAS, since the certification of the 1999 IS/MND, the Project has
gone through a series of design review sessions, and the City is proposing a
modification to the Project that would include a high-water bridge crossing of the
Whitewater River to replace the previously approved box-culvert, which would
allow Jefferson Street, between Highway 111 and Westward Ho Drive, to be
widened to its ultimate planned cross-section (120'), to accommodate six travel
lanes (three lanes in each direction); and
WHEREAS, this modification to the Project would require the
acquisition of 17 residential properties and 6 vacant lots along this portion of
Jefferson Street; and
WHEREAS, RBF Consulting has prepared an Addendum to the 1999
IS/MND to assess the proposed modifications to the Project and to determine
whether, pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15162, a further environmental study was
necessary; and
Resolution No. 2003-076
Addendum to Initial Study/Negative Declaration
Jefferson Street Improvements
Adopted: August 19, 2003
Page 2
WHEREAS, the Addendum was made available for public review and
comment and notification regarding the Addendum was sent to all affected
property owners and residences on August 8, 2003, and the notice regarding the
Addendum was further published in the Desert Sun on August 11, 2003;
WHEREAS, since the time that the 1999 IS/MND was certified, there
have been no changes with respect to the circumstances under which the Project is
to be undertaken, and no new information of substantial importance regarding
significant effects or mitigation measures or alternatives has become available
which would require important revisions to the previous mitigated negative
declaration; and
WHEREAS, based upon its analysis of the concept design plans, the
Project's relationship to the current surrounding environment, the approved final
environmental document and impacts identified therein, the Addendum concludes
that the proposed project modifications do not result in any significant impacts, and
there are no new circumstances, or new information relevant to the Project that
would result in substantial environmental impacts not identified in the previously
approved 1999 IS/MND; and
WHEREAS, no further environmental review for the acquisition and
construction of the roadway improvements is necessary; and
WHEREAS, there is no evidence before the City that the proposed
modifications to the Project will have the potential for and adverse effect on
wildlife resources or the habitat on which the wildlife depends; and
WHEREAS, the Project, as modified, will not have the potential to
degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, to cause 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, endangered or threatened species.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of La Quinta, California, as follows:
Section 1. The above recitals are incorporated as true and correct and are
hereby adopted as the findings by the City Council.
Section 2. The City Council hereby finds that the circumstances which
would require additional environmental review outlined in CEQA Guideline 15162
are not present.
Resolution No. 2003-076
Addendum to Initial Study/Negative Declaration
Jefferson Street Improvements
Adopted: August 19, 2003
Page 3
Section 3. The City Council has read and considered the 1999 IS/MND and
the Addendum and has concluded that the documents reflect the independent
judgment of the City.
Section 4. The City Council hereby finds that the Addendum to the Initial
Study/Negative Declaration for the Jefferson Street Improvements, a copy of which
is attached hereto and incorporated by this reference, was prepared pursuant to
CEQA Guideline 15164 and is approved and certified.
Section 5. The City has, on the basis of substantial evidence, rebutted the
presumption of adverse effect set forth in 14 Cal. Code of Regs., § 753.5(d).
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
City Council, held this 19th day of August, 2003 by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Henderson, Osborne, Perkins, Mayor Pro Tem Sniff
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Adolph
ABSTAIN: None
STANLEY SNIFF, May~e,~ Pro Ter~ ~
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
City of La Quinta, California
(CITY SEAL)
Resolution No. 2003-076
Addendum to Initial Study/NegaUve Declaration
Jefferson Street Improvements
Adopted: August 19, 2003
Page 4
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
M~KA~HE~RIN~JEN N CIt
· ' ~ney
City of La Quinta, California