City Council
MEETING DATE: 2/24/2016
TITLE:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration and CUP 16-001 for City of Cathedral City Capital Improvement Project No. 7015, Construction of the Whitewater Bike Path.
End
FROM:
John A. Corella, P.E. City Engineer
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Whitewater River Bike Path Project and approve Conditional Use Permit 16-001.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The project proposes the construction of a 16±-foot wide concrete bike and pedestrian path along the top of the existing western levee of the Whitewater River between Vista Chino on the north and Ramon Road on the south for a total distance of 2.5± miles. At the Ramon Road terminus, the proposed bike path will continue west along the north side of Ramon Road for approximately 0.22 miles to Crossley Road, where it will end. The northern portion of the proposed bike path will be located within the Palm Springs city limits and the City of Palm Springs has agreed to act as a Responsible Agency under CEQA.
Once the environmental and CUP review process is completed, the City will complete the final design and engineering needed to construct the improvements. It is anticipated that construction will commence later this year.
DISCUSSION:
An Initial Study was completed in accordance with the City's Guidelines imple-menting 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. This Initial Study determined that development of the project would not have a significant impact on the environment, with the implementation of the mitigation measures proposed in Table 1. On the basis of the Initial Study, City Staff has concluded that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment, and has there-fore prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The Initial Study and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated to all Responsible Agencies. The review period was February 3, 2016 to February 23, 2016.
To comply with CEQA, the Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project includes a Mitigation Monitoring Plan, which is set forth 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 set forth in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Conditional Use Permit 16-001. No additional mitigation measures are required.
The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was noticed per CEQA Guidelines. A public notice was published in the Desert Sun newspaper as required by State law. The CEQA analysis and Notice of Intent to Adopt was also posted with the County Clerk for the required 20-day period.
CEQA FINDINGS
The following CEQA findings have been made regarding the Mitigated Negative Declaration:
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 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.
CUP FINDINGS
The following findings have been made in support of the approval of CUP 16-001:
1. The City proposes to construct a 16-foot± wide concrete bike and pedestrian path along the top of the existing western levee of the Whitewater River between Vista Chino on the north to Ramon Road on the south for a total distance of 2.5± miles. At the Ramon Road terminus, the proposed bike path will continue west along the north side of Ramon Road for approximately 0.22 miles to Crossley Road, where it will end. This recreational facility is authorized with a Conditional Use Permit in a Open Space (OS) zone and is authorized per the City of Cathedral City Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 9.72 Conditional Use Permits;
2. The use is necessary or desirable for the development of the community, is in harmony with the various elements or objectives of the general plan, and is not detrimental to existing uses or to uses specifically permitted in the OS zone in which the recreational facility is to be located;
3. The site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the 16-foot± wide concrete bike and pedestrian path;
4. The site for the proposed use relates properly to streets and highways which are designed and improved or will be improved to carry the type and quantity of traffic generated or to be generated by the proposed use.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project is not a fiscal action. The proposed bike path project will be funded through the Transportation Account Funds that have been allocated by Local Agency - State Agreements No. BTA 08/09-08-RIV-01 and No. BTA 09/10-08-RIV-05 to the City of Cathedral City for the Bicycle Transportation Account projects defined as Whitewater River Bike Trail Phase 1 and Phase 2.
No General Funds are allocated to implement this project.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
Notice of Intent to Adopt A Mitigated Negative Declaration
Resolution 2016-