HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - LOCAL CEQA GUIDELINES (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
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SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: 4_
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
Wendy Deats
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
April 26, 2005
LOCAL CEQA GUIDELINES
Planning and Economic Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt the resolution updating the City's Local CEQA Guidelines.
BACKGROUND
On April 9, 1991, the City Council adopted a resolution outlining the City's Local Guidelines for
the enforcement of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Section 21082 of the
Public Resources Code and section 15022 of the California Code of Regulations, require the City
to adopt guidelines and procedures for the environmental review and evaluation of projects, and
further requires that these guidelines and procedures be consistent with CEQA and with the State
CEQA Guidelines ("State Guidelines") as adopted and amended by the Secretary of the
Resources Agency. Therefore, these guidelines are instrumental in identifying the parameters for
reviewing projects in accordance with CEQA requirements. The City's Local Guidelines,
including the thresholds of significance have not been updated since the original adoption of the
resolution. Staff has coordinated with the City Attorney's office to update and improve the Local
Guidelines used by City staff to determine the level of environmental review appropriate for
projects.
The majority of the changes include updates based on the amended Public Resources Code and
CEQA Guidelines. Other changes to improve the language of the existing thresholds and add
significance thresholds in accordance with General Plan goals and policies were included in this
update. None of the original thresholds were removed. All changes are incorporated to
strengthen the City's Local Guidelines and improve the usability of the guidelines. These
guidelines, in addition to the State CEQA Statutes and Guidelines, will be utilized when
processing projects requiring CEQA compliance.
Ad-"
p#ed:
On March 15, 2005, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed updated CEQA Guidelines
and made two modifications with regard to circulation of initial studies and Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Programs. With these two changes, the Planning Commission is
recommending to the City Council adoption of the updated CEQA Guidelines.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Council not adopt updated CEQA Guidelines.
2. Council propose changes to the CEQA Guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact will result from the project.
ATTACHMENTS
City Council Resolution
Draft Local Guidelines
Planning Commission Staff Report available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Planning Commission Resolution available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Exhibit A - Strikethrough Version of CEQA Guidelines available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Exhibit B - Current CEQA Guidelines available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Exhibit C - Draft CEQA Guidelines available in the City Clerk's Reading File