City Council
MEETING DATE: 1/28/2015
TITLE:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration for Date Palm Drive Improvements North of Interstate 10
End
FROM:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Capital Improvement Project No. 8668, for Construction of Improvements to widen Date Palm Drive North of I-10 to Varner Road, subject to the findings outlined in the staff report.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The project proposes improvements within the Date Palm Right-of-Way, between Varner Road to the north and Interstate 10 to the south, a segment of approximately 0.68 miles. The proposed road improvements will ultimately result in six 12-foot travel lanes (three in each direction) and two 5-foot marked Class II bicycle lanes (one on each side of the road) separated by a 12-foot median. The first phase of the project will reconstruct two travel lanes and a painted median.
Once the environmental review process is completed, the City will complete the final design and engineering needed to construct the improvements. Upon completion of the design and engineering work, the widening improvements will be ready for construction. It is anticipated that construction will begin in late Spring of 2015.
DISCUSSION:
An Initial Study was completed in accordance with the City's Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act. The Initial Study was undertaken for the purpose of deciding whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment. On the basis of such Initial Study, City Staff has concluded that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment, and has therefore prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The Initial Study and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated to all Responsible Agencies. The review period was October 28, 2014 to November 17, 2014. Three comments were received during the review period. These issues will be addressed during the final design phase of the project.
To comply with CEQA, the Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project includes a Mitigation Monitoring Plan which is outlined in the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
All project-related impacts can be mitigated to a less than significant level through the implementation of the Mitigation Measures included in the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Capital Improvement Project No. 8668. No additional mitigation measures are required.
The Initial Study and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration were noticed per CEQA Guidelines. A public notice of the Initial Study and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration was published in a newspaper of local and regional circulation as required by State law. The CEQA analysis was also circulated through the County Clerk for the required 21-day period.
A copy of the Initial Study and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration is available for review at the City Planning Department.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration will be subject to the following findings:
1. The record as a whole, including the initial study and any comments received, demonstrates that no substantial evidence exists that the project will have a significant effect on the environment;
2. The Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the lead agency's independent judgment and analysis;
3. In accordance with Section 15074, Chapter 3, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations, the Mitigation Monitoring Program contained in the Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated October 2014 shall serve as the City's reporting program for monitoring the mitigation measures specified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration;
4. This project will not individually or cumulatively affect wildlife resources as defined in Section 711.2 of the California Fish and Game Code; and
5. The City of Cathedral City Planning Department is custodian of the documents or other material which constitute the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project is not a fiscal action. The project will be funded through CVAG (75%) and local funds (25%).
No General Funds are allocated to implement this project.
ATTACHMENTS:
None