HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 1982-11086 RESOLUTION NO. 11086
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA ADOPTING REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW PROCEDURE
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby
resolve as follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of
the City of Chula Vista that those certain Environmental Review
Procedures and Guidelines for the preparation of biological sur-
veys, acoustical reports and traffic studies attached hereto as
Exhibit "A' and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth
in full, be, and the same arehereby adopted.
Presented by Approved as to form by
B ~ y, Director o~ George D. Lindberg, City
Planning Attorney
ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this 23rd day of November
19 82 , by the following vote, to-wit:
AYES: Councilmen McCandliss, Scott, Cox, Malcolm, Moore
NAYES: Councilmen None
ABSTAIN: Councilmen None
ABSENT: Councilmen None
~of the City of Chulo Vista
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) ss.
CITY OF CHULA VISTA )
I, JENNIE M. FULASZ, CMC, CITY CLERK of the City of Chulo Vista, California,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is o full, true and correct copy of
RESOLUTTON N0. ]1086 ,ond that the some has not been omendad or repealed.
DATED
(seal) City Clerk
cc-sso/ -
DRAFT REVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCEDURES
of the
City of Chula Vista
Adopted by the
Chula Vista City Council
Resolution No.
Environmental Review Section
Planning Department
(714) 575-5101
CONTENTS
Page
Section 1 Introduction 1
Section 2 General Provisions 3
Section 3 Environmental Review Coordinator 6
Section 4 Projects Exempt from Environmental Review 8
Section 5 Initial Study of Projects to Determine if an
EIR is Required 19
Section 6 Preparation and Processing of EIR's 24
Section 7 EIR Content 29
Section 8 Conflicts with Requirements of the
State of California 29
Section 9 Severability 29
Section 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose and Intent
It is the intent of the Chula Vista City Council to establish
procedures in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act/~f
X~/~X¢/~/¢~I~f~F~ to regulate the activities of the City of
Chula Vista and private individuals and corporations
which may ~/~/X~ have a significant effect upon the quality of the
envi torment.
Projects subject to the provisions of CEQA shall not be considered by
an advisory, decision making or appeal authority of the City of Chula Vista
unless said authority reviews and considers the ND or final EIR, if required
of said project.
In order that the environmental review process achieve its maximum
useful potential, it is essential that the process begin during the conceptual
development phase of the project. The first order of work should be an
assessment of sensitive environmental features of the project or project
locale, and olicy and regulatory constraints. Based on this, the project
should then ~
e ~ormu)ate~ in recognition o~ t~e environmental sensitivities,
mitigating measures should be included in the project to lessen adverse
impacts, ~ and alternatives to the project considered, including the
possibility o"f'no project.
These environmental review procedures have been formulated to assure
submission of adequate information, consistency in review and the systematic
preparation of Negative Declarations (ND) and Environmental Impact Reports
(EIR).
1.2 Policy Statements
1.2.1 It is the policy of the City of Chula Vista that every
project that it carries out or approves shall avoid or mitigate
all significant effects if it is feasible to do so.
1.2.2 In implementing the purpose and intent of the California
Environmental Quality Act, the long-term protection of the
environment, consistent with the provision of a decent home and
suitable living environment for every Californian, shall be the
guiding criterion in decision making by the city.
1.2.3 Information developed in individual environmental impact
reports shall be incorporated into a data base which can be used
to reduce delay and duplication in subsequent environmental
review.
1.3 Acronyms and Abbreviations
The various laws, codes, documents and committees used in these
procedures are designated by the following initials:
California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA
Title 14 California Administrative Code - CEQA Guidelines
Environmental Constraints Inventory - ECX
Environmental Impact Report (Draft or Final) ~
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft or Final) - EIS
Environmental Review Coordinator ¢~l~lJ~ - ERC
Initial Study - IS
Mitigated Negative Declaration - MND
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 - NEPA
Negative Declaration - ND
Request for Proposal - RFP
Section 2 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Provisions Requiring Environmental Review
2.1 General Rule. The requirements set forth in these procedures
apply to projects which may have any possible significant effect on
the environment and which involve discretionary action by the City of
Chula Vista. Where it can be determined with certainty that the
activity in question will not have any ossible significant effect on
the environment, the activity is not subject to the requirements set
forth in CEQA, the ¢~7~/~1/¢~¢/~ State CEQA Guidelines or
these procedures.
These procedures also do not apply to projects which the city rejects
or disapproves.
2.2 Incorporation of the State EX~ CEQA Guidelines
The State EX~ CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Admin. Code, title 12,
division 6, chapter 3, et seq.) are hereby adopted and incorporated
by reference as part of these environmental review procedures. The
procedures herein provided are those necessary to tailor the State
EX~ CEQA Guidelines to the specific operations of the City of
Chul~sta, ~ are necessary to provide general background or
incorporate specific guideline requirements pursuant to X~/~X~X~
EX~ CEQA Guideline Section 15050 (c).
2.3 Projects Requiring Preparation of an ND or EIR
2.3.1 Public Projects
When a department of the City of Chula Vista plans to carry out a
project which is not categorically exempt from review, the department
shall apply for anIS which may result in the 7~/X~/~
preparation of an ND, or file a draft EIR with the Environmental
Review Coordinator {ERC). All actions shall be in conformance with
these procedures
2.3.2 Private Projects
When a project is to be carried out by a non-governmental person, and
it is subject to the approval, financial support or some other
involvement by the City of Chula Vista, environmental documents shall
be prepared directly by the City of Chula Vista or by contract with
an approved consul tant. All costs incurred by the City or any
environmental consultant hired by the
¢~IyXX~ ERC to perform environmental analysis or prepare an EIR,
shall be pa~'T~by the project proponent.
2.3.3 Mul ti-Agency Projects
When a project is to be considered by the City of Chula Vista and
other public agencies, only one environmental document shall be
prepared, and that document shall be prepared by the Lead Agency.
2.4 Statutory Exemptions
2.4.1 Emergency Projects
The following emergency projects are exempt from the requirement for
environmental review:
(a) Projects undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency
to maintain, repair, restore, demolish or replace property or
facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in an area
which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor
pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Sec. 8550) of Division l,
Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b) Emergency repairs to public service facilities necessary to
prevent or mitigate an emergency.
(c} Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
2.4.2 Ministerial Activities
Ministerial activities are not subject to the requirements of these
procedures and do not require environmental review. The following
actions will generally be considered ministerial in nature. However,
this list is not considered to be all inclusive and decisions as to
whether an action is ministerial are reserved and delegated to the
ERC.
(a) Issuance of building permits.
(b) Issuance of business licenses.
(c) Approval of final subdivision maps.
(d) Approval of adjustment plat.
(e) Approval of individual utility service connections or
disconnections.
(f) Issuance of zoning permits.
(g) Issuance of Home Occupation Permits.
(h) Issuance of mechanical permits.'
(i) Issuance of electrical permits.
(j) Issuance of curb and sidewalk permits.
(k) Issuance of temporary encroachment permits.
(1) Issuance of driveway painting permits.
(m) Permits issued for moving extra wide loads or for overloaded
vehicles.
(n) Grading permits for grading plans approved through tentative
subdivision maps, precise plans or planned unit developments '-
which have been subjected to previous environmental review.
(o) Utility permits other than for utilities transmission lines.
(p) The issuance of demolition permits, except for structures within
the boundaries of a redevelopment project or involving a
designated historic site.
2o4.3 Non-Significant Actions
Pursuant to Section 15060 of the $X~X~/EI~ CEQA Guidelines, the
following actions will clearly have no sign~'~FF6ant environmental
impact:
2.4.3.1 Reports and findings of conformance to the General Plan.
2.4.3.2 Amendments to the administration and procedural
sections of the Municipal Code.
2.4.3.3 Budgeting of funds for projects on which there is
insufficient information to conduct an environmental analysis
when subsequent discretionary approval including the option of
project denial, is required.
Section 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ¢~MMII~ COORDINATOR
~¢~/¢f/~¢/~R¢/~/~1/~¢~/~/1~Y/~¢~J~¢f/~¢/~/~R¢I
Creation, Powers and Duties. The Environmental Review Coordinator (ERC)
is created who shall be the Planning Director or his authorized deputy who
shall have the following powers and duties:
3.2/1 ~l~/~J~/~l~/~Conduct IS's and recommend to decision
making bodies that an Nff be adopted unless the subject pro~ect
may have a possible significant environmental effect, in
accordance with the findings in Section 5.~ of these procedures.
3.2/2 Adopt environmental assessments/finding of no significant
impact, Environmental Review Records and make recommendations to
t'3~'~Ffty of Chula Vista and the Redevelopmerit Agency regarding
the significance of environmental impacts as provided in NEPA
and other Federal regulations.
3.2/3 Adopt and maintain a list of consultants qualified to prepare
EIR's and EIS's.
3.2/4 Select and contract with consultants which are on the list of
qualified consultants for the preparation of EIR's for the City.
3.2/5 Issue draft EIR's following independent analysis and review of
preliminary drafts supplied by a consultant or city staff.
3.2/6 M¢t~/~¢~l~/~/~¢/t~eview revised projects for which
EIR's or ND's have been prepared and determine if a supplemental
environmental document must be prepared, or if there clearly
will be no new adverse effects.
3.2/7 Adopt all forms, reporting formats, ~l~, factors and
standards for reports, studies, surveys and technical documents
necessary to implement CEQA, the State ~IR CEQA Guidelines
and these procedures.
3.2/8 Adopt and maintain a map of the urbanized area of Chula Vista.
- 6 -
3.2L9 Recommend to the appropriate decision making authorities the
mitigation measures which are necessary to avoid significant
environmental impacts.
3.2L10 Periodically review the adequacy of fees to cover the costs to
the city for environmental review of projects subject to
approval or support and make recommendations to the City Council
for adjustments in the master fee schedule.
3.2Lll Periodically review the environmental review procedures and make
recommendations to the City Council regarding any necessary or
desirable revisions.
~l~Ll I~I~I~MI~I~I~R¢I~llI~¢~I~I~I~I~
Section 4 PROjECTS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
4.1 Introduction
The proponents of any project, shall establish contact with the
ERC at an early stage in the development process. The ¢~f~X~f ERC
~l advise the applicant on the procedures, requirements, time sc~ules
and phasing, and other matters necessary for the implementation of these
procedures.
Public agencies other than departments of the City of Chula Vista shall
likewise establish early communication with the ¢~X~X~ ERC in
order to determine applicable requirements and arrange mutual,
satisfactory procedures for the interchange of information.
Departments of the City of Chula Vista shall work with the
ERC in generating and assembling information necessary for the
~J'~q~X~¢~I~YI~¢~I~¢~IEX~I~I~¢X~I~IX~I~ evalua~n of any
City sponsored projects.
4.2 Review of Exempt Projects
A proponent of a project, whether public or private, shall present the
proposed project to the Counter Review Staff of the appropriate department
depending on the nature of the project. The Planning Department, Building
Department, or the Engineering ~/~/X~/~71~/H~f~ Department
have qualified personnel available to screen projects. The
ERC shall have final counter review authority on the applicability of the
~lowing actions which are exempt from review requirements:
Actions not defined as projects
Emergency projects
Ministerial projects
Categorical exemptions
When a project is determined to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA,
as provided in Section 4.1 through 4.3, the ¢~f~X~f ~RC may prepare
a Notice of Exemption for filing with the County Clerk.
4.3 Categorical Exemptions
In response to the mandate of the State of California, the City of
Chula Vista, does hereby find that the following classes of projects
listed in this section ~ will not have any possible significant effect
on the environment, and they are declared to be categorically exempt from
the requirements for the preparation of environmental documents.
4.3.1 Exceptions - General
A categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a
reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on
the environment due to unusual circumstances.
4.3.2 Exceptions - Location
Class 3, 4, 5, 6, and ll are qualified by consideration of where the
project is to be located-- a project that is ordinarily insignificant in
its impact on the environment may, in a particularly sensitive
environment, be significant. Therefore, these classes are considered to
apply in all instances, except where the project may impact on an
environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern as may be
hereafter designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to
~ Federal, State or local agencies.
The following areas are considered to involve environmental resources
hazards or areas of critical concern: ~/~J~/~ a special
flood hazard area on the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (H-Ol-ll), ~ a
conservation area in the Conservation Element of the General Plan,
open space in the Open Space Element, near a scenic route~/~ or gateway
~ identified in the Scenic Route Element, near a major geolog'fc hazard
on the Seismic Safety and Safety Element plan diagrams of the General
Plan, ~ a designated historical site, ~)~ an area of potential
archaeological or paleontological importance.
4.3.3 Exceptions - Cumulative Impact
All exemptions for these classes are inapplicable when the cumulative
impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place, over
time is significant -- for example, annual additions to an existing
h
building under Class 1. T is provision does not apply to individual
projects at different locations or individual projects undertaken at
substantially different times.
Class 1:
The operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing public
dr private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical
features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that
previously existing, including but not limited to:
(a) Interior or exterior alterations involving such things as
interior partitions, plumbing and electrical conveyances;
(b) Existing facilities of both investor, and publicly owned
utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewage, or
other public utility services;
-9-
(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutter, bicycle and
pedestrian trails, and similar facilities, except where the activity
will involve the removal of scenic resources including, but not
limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings;
(d) Restoration, or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged
structures, facilities or mechanical equipment to meet current
standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that
the damage was substantial and resul ted from an envi ronment~l hazard
such as earthquake, landslide or flood;
(e) Additions to existing structures provided that addition will not
result in an increase of more than:
I1) 50% of the floor area of the structure before the addition
or 2500 sq. ft., whichever is less, or
12) lO,O00 sq. ft. if:
a) the project is in an area where all public services and
facilities are available to allow for maximum development
permissible in the General Plan and,
b) the area in which the project is located is not
environmentally sensitive.
If) Addition of safety or health protection devices for use during
construction of or in Conjunction with existing structures,
facilities or mechanical equipment or topographical features
(including navigational devices);
(g) New copy on existing on and off-premise signs;
(h) Maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth and water
supply reservoirs (excluding the use of economic poisons, as defined
in Division 7, Chapter 2, California Agricultural Code);
(i&j) Department of Fish & Game exemptions - do~ not apply to the
City of Chula Vista;
(k) Division of existing multiple family rental units into
condominiums;
(1) Demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in
this section except where the structures are of historical,
archeological or architectural significance;
(1) Single family residences not in conjunction with the
demolition of two or more units,
- 10 -
(2) Motel, apartments, and duplexes' designed for not more than
four dwelling units, if not in conjunction with the demolition
of two or more such structures,
(3) Stores, offices, and restaurants, if designed for an
occupant load of 20 persons or less, if not in conjunction with
the demolition of two or more such structures;
(4) Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages,
carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences.
(m) Department of Water Resources Exemptions ~ does not apply to the
City of Chula Vista;
(n) Conversion of a single family residence to office use;
{o) The conversion of existing commercial units in one structure
from single to condomimium type ownership;
(p) Interior or internal modifications to established and discrete
areas v~ich are fully developed within the larger environment of
parks or recreation centers where such internal or external
modification is essentially a rearrangement rather than an additive
function;
(q) Installation of traffic signals, traffic signs, safety street
lighting, pavement markings or raised medians for improving the flow
characteristics or safety of existing streets;
(r) Installation of parking meters along existing streets.
Class 2: Replacement or reconstrucUon of existing structures and
~ies where the new structure will be located on the same site as the
structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and
capacity as the structure replaced, including but not limited to:
(a) Replacement or reconstruction of existing schools and hospitals
to provide earthquake resistant structures which do not increase
capacity more than 501;
(b) Replacement of a commercial structure with a new structure of
substantially the same size, purpose and ~apacity.
(c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or
facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
(d) Conversion of overhead utility distribution system facilities to
underground including connection to existing overhead utility
distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition
existing prior to the undergrounding.
Class 3: New construction or conversion of small structures or the
~n of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures;
installation of small equipment and facilities in small structures; and
the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where
only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The
numbers of structures described in this
~l~J~/X~X section are the maximum allowable on any legal parcel or
to be associated with a project within a two year period. Example of this
exemption include but are not limited to:
(a) Single family residences not in conjunction with the building of
two or more such units. In urbanized areas, up to three single
family residences may be constructed under this exemption.
(b) Apartments, duplexes and similar structures designed for not
more than four dwelling units if not in conjunction with the building
of two or more such structures. In urbanized areas, the exemption
applies to single apartments, duplexes and similar small structures
designed for not more than six dwelling units if not constructed in
conjunction with the building of two or more such structures.
(c) Stores, motels, offices, restaurants and similar structures,
small commercial structures not involving the use of significant
amounts of hazardous substances if designed for an occupancy load of
30 persons or less if not constructed in conjunction with the
building of two or more such structures. In urbanized areas, the
exemption also applies to commercial buildings on sites zoned for
such use, if designed for an occupancy load of 30 persons or less, if
not constructed in conjunction with the building of four or more such
structures and if not involving the use of significant amounts of
hazardous substances.
(d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas and other utility extensions
of reasonable length to serve such construction.
(e) Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports,
patios, swimming pools and fences.
Class 4: Minor alterations to land. Minor public or private alterations
~n~'~"(h'~'condition of land, water and/or vegetation, which do not involve
removal of mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural
purposes. Examples include but are not limited to:
(a) Grading on land with a slope of less than lO~ except that
grading shall not be exempt ~¢~/~/~/~/~/~ in a
waterway, in any wetland, in any officially designated (by Federal,
State, or local governmental action) scenic area, or in officially
mapped areas of severe geologic hazard,
(b) New gardening and landscaping,
(c) Filling of earth into previously excavated land with material
compatible with the natural features of the site,
(d) Minor alterations in land, water and vegetation in existing
officially designated wildlife management areas of fish production
facilities which result in improvement of habitat for fish and
wildlife resources or greater fish productions,
{e) Minor temporary uses of land having negligible or no permanent
effects on the environment, including carnivals, sales of Christmas
trees, etc.
(f) Minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored,
(g) Maintenance dredging where the spoil is deposited in a spoil
area authorized by all applicable State and Federal regulatory
agencies,
(h) The creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way,
(i) Removal of dead, damaged or diseased trees or limbs,
(j) The renewal of any lease, license or permit to use land where
the use involves negligible or no permanent effects on the
environment.
Class 5: Minor alterations in land use limitations in areas with less
t~h'~'fi'lD% slope which do not result in any changes in land use or density,
including but not limited to:
(a) Minor lot line adjustment, side yard and setback variances not
resulting in the creation of any new parcel,
(b) The issuance of minor encroachment permits,
(c) Revision to acreage in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act,
(d) Conveyance of minor miscellaneous easements, excluding street,
alley or walkway easements,
(e) Minor modifications to the conditions of previously approved
tentative subdivision maps involving approved design features when no
increase in the number of lots or parcels is proposed,
(f) Minor conditional use permits which do not result in any
significant change in land use or intensity.
Class 6: Information collection, data collections, research experimental
management and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a
serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be
for strictly information gathering purposes, or as part of a study 1 eading
to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted or funded.
{a) Permits for test holes which will be used for engineering
evaluations for street, sewer storm drain, buildings, utility
installations or other purposes.
(b) Basic data collection, field testing, research, experimental
management and resource activities of city departments, offices or
their representatives, which do not result in serious or major
disturbances to environmental resource.
Class 7: Regulatory actions for protection of natural resources.
Class 8: Actions by regulatory agencies for the protection of the
environment.
These classes (7&8) do not apply to the City of Chula Vista.
Class 9: Inspection. Activities limited entirely to inspection, to check
or~performance of an operation, or quality, health or safety of a
project, including related activities such as inspection for possible
mislabeling, misrepresentation or adulteration of products.
Class 10: Loans. This class is not applicable to the City of Chula Vista.
Class 11: Accessory structures. Construction or placement of minor
~es accessory to {appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial,
or institutional facilities, including but not limited to:
{a) On premise signs,
(b) Small parking lots,
(c) Game courts, play equipment, drinking fountains, restrooms,
barbecues,
(d) Placement of seasonal or temporary use items such as life-guard
towers, mobile food units, portable restrooms, and similar items in
generally the same locations from time to time in publicly owned
parks.
(e) Subdivision directional signs and tract signs as approved by the
Zoning Administrator (CVMC 19.60.470 & 480)
Class 12: Surplus government property. Sales of surplus government'
propS except for parcels of land located in an area of statewide
interest or potential area of concern as identified in the Governor's
Environmental Goals and Policy Report prepared pursuant to Government Code
Section 65041 et. ceq. However if the surplus property to be sold is
located in those areas identified in the Governor's Environmental Goals &
Policy Report, its sale is exempt if:
(a) The property does not have significant values for the wildlife
habitat or other environmental purposes, and,
(b) Any of the following conditions exist:
l) The property is of such size or shape that it is incapable
of independent development or use, or,
2) The property to be sold would qualify for an exemption under
any other class of categorical exemption in Article 8 of the
Cal. Admin. Code, or,
3) The use of the property and adjacent property has not
changed s~nce the time of purchase by the public agency.
Class 13: Acquisition of lands for wildlife conservation purposes. The
acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation purposes,
including, preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, establishing
ecological reserves under Fish and Game Code, Section 1580, and preserving
access to public lands and waters where the purpose of the acquisition is
to preserve the land in its natural condition.
Class 14: Minor additions to existing schools within existing school
grou"6~'d~'where the addition does not increase original student capacity by
more than 25% or ten ~XV¢ classrooms, whichever is less. The addition
to portable classrooms is included in this exemption.
Class 15: The division of property in urbanized areas zoned for
~ial, commercial or industrial use into four or fewer parcels when
the division is in conformance with the General Plan and zoning, no
variances or exceptions are required, all services and access to the
proposed parcels to local standards are available, the parcel was not
involved in a division of a larger parcel within the previous two years,
and the parcel does not have a slope greater than 20%.
Class 16: Transfer of ownership of land in order to create parks. The
acqu~"i~T{ion of parkland where the land is in a natural condition or
contains historic sites or archaeological sites and either:
(a) The management plan for the park has not been prepared, or
(b) The management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural
condition or preserve the historic or archaeological site. CEQA will
apply when a management plan is proposed that will change the area
from its natural condition or significantly change the historic or
archaeological sites.
Class 17: Open space contracts or easements. The establishment of
~ural preserves, the making and reviewing of open space contracts
under the Williamson Act, or the acceptance of open space easements. The
cancellation of such preserves, contracts or easements is not included.
Class 18: Designation of wilderness areas. The designation of wilderness
areas under the California Wilderness System.
Class 19: Annexations of existing facilities and lots for exempt
(a) Annexations to a city or special district of areas containing
existing public or private structures developed to the density
allowed by the current zoning or pre-zoning of either the gaining or
losing governmental agency whichever is more restrictive, provided,
however, that the extension of utility services to the existing
facilities would have a capacity to serve only the existing
facilities.
(b) Annexations of individual small parcels of the minimum size for
facilities exempted by Class 3, New Construction of small structures.
Class 20: Changes in organization of local agencies. Changes in the
organization or reorganization of local governmental agencies where the
changes do not change the geographical area in which previously existing
powers are exercised. Examples include but are not limited to:
(a) Establishment of a subsidiary district,
(b) Consolidation of two or more districts having identical powers,
(c) Merger with a city of a district lying entirely within the
boundaries of the city.
Class 21: Enforcement actions by regulatory agencies
(a) Actions by regulatory agencies to enforce or revoke a lease,
permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use issued,
adopted or prescribed by the regulatory agency or law, general rule,
standard, or objective, administered or adopted by the regulatory
agency. Such actions include, but are not limited to the following:
l) The direct referral of a violation of lease, permit,
license, certificate, or entitlement for use or of a general
rule, standard, or objective to the Attorney General, District
Attorney, or City Attorney as appropriate for judicial
enforcement.
2) The adoption of an administrative decision or order
enforcing or revoking the lease, permit, license, certificate or
entitlement for use or enforcing the general rule, standard, or
objective.
{b) Construction activities undertaken by the public agency taking
the enforcement or revocation action are not included in this
exemption.
Class 22: Educational or training programs involving no physical
c'h'~'~'ges. Adoption, alteration, or termination of educational or training
programs which involve no physical alteration in the area affected or
which involve physical changes only in the interior of existing schools or
training structures. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(a) Development Df .or changes in curriculum or training methods.
{b) Changes in the grade structure in a school which does not result
in changes in student transportation.
Class 23: Normal operations of facilities for public gatherings. Normal
opens of existing facilities for public gatherings for which the
facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the facility
being used for the same kind of purpose. Facilities included within this
exemption include, but are not limited to racetracks, stadiums, convention
centers, auditoriums, amphi theatres, 31anetariums, swin~ning pools, and
amusement parks.
Class 24: Regulation of work conditions. Actions taken by regulatory
agencies, including the Industrial Welfare Commission as authorized by
statute, to regulate any of the following:
(a) Employee wages,
(b) Hours of work, or
(c) Working conditions where there will be no demonstrable physical
changes outside the place of work.
Class 25: Transfers of ownership of interests in land to preserve open
space. Examples include but are not limited to:
(a) Acquisition of areas to preserve the existing natural conditions,
(b) Acquisition of areas to allow continued agricultural use of the
areas,
(c) Acquisition to allow restoration of natural conditions,
(d) Acquisition to prevent encroachment of development into flood
plains.
Class 26: Acquisition of housing for housing assitance programs. Actions
~ a levelopment agency, housing authority, or other public agency to
implement an adopted Housing Assistance Plan by acquiring an interest in
housing units. The housing units may be either in existence or possessing
all required permits for construction when the agency makes its final
decision to acquire the units.
Class 27: Leasing new facilities.
(a) Leasing of a newly constructed or previously unoccupied
privately-owned facility by a local or State agency where the local
governing authority determined that the buil di ng was exempt from
CEQA. To be exempt under this section, the proposed use of the
facility:
l) Shall be in conformance with the existing State plans and
policies and with general, community, and specific plans for
which an EIR or Negative Declaration has been prepared.
2) Shall be substantially the same as that originally proposed
at the time the building permit was issued.
3) Shall not result in a traffic increase of greater than 10%
of front access road capacity, and
4) Shall include the provision of adequate employee and visitor
parking facilities.
(b) Examples of Class 27 include but are not limited to:
l) Leasing of administrative offices in newly constructed
office space,
2) Leasing of client service offices in newly constructed
retail space,
3) Leasing of administrative and/or client service offices in
newly constructed industrial parks.
-18-
Section 5 INITIAL STUDY OF PROJECT TO DETERMINE IF AN EIR IS REQUIRED
5.1 Initial Review of Non-Exempt Projects
When a project is found by the project applicant, the ERC ¢~J~X~ or
a decision making authority, to be subject to the requirements of CEQA and
not exempt from the provision of these procedures, the project applicant
shall submit or cause to be submitted, an application for an IS.
This application shall be on a form as prescribed ~y~ by the ERC,
it may include other technical reports, documents or depictions necessary
for a determination of-significance to be made and shall be submitted in a
quantity as specified by the ERC. The applications shall be accompanied
by the filing fee specified in the Master Fee Schedule.
The ERC ~J~X~ shall review the documents to assure that the
appl~tion is complete and adequate to evaluate the project.
When the application is found to be complete and adequate, the ERC
¢~J~ shall mail a Notice of ~lJ¢/W~ the Initial Sl~D'~y to
contiguous property owners, or if the project is no=E'site specific,
publish the notice in a paper of general circulation.
J~IX~¢I~t~IXY~I~I~I~I~I~I~X~. The owners of
continguous property shall be those shown on the latest equalized
assessment roll~
If the ERC ¢~X~ finds that the proposed project is of such _
magnitueF, potential controversy or if a particular property owner's
interests may be affected, the geographical areas to be given notice may
be expanded to include other property owners, individuals or groups.
This notice shall be mailed or published at least lO days prior to
~ll¢/~/any action by the ERC. A copy of the Notice of IS
P~XX~/M~J~/)/X~XXX~//~y shall al so be mailed to any respo~ible
agency or agency having jurisdication by law. All comments on the IS must
be made to the ERC in writing.
Upon completion of the ~W~I~/~X~/~/X~ evaluation of the project,
the ERC will determine that one of the following situations exist:
5.1.1 There is no possibility that any aspect of the project in
question could cause a substantial adverse change in the environment,
and the ERC may recommend an I~W~/~/~X ND ~/~/~X to the
decision making authority on the project for its consideration and
final determination.
5.1.2 All potential impacts have been mitigated to a level of
insignificance because the necessary mitigation measures have been
added to the project or an alternate project substituted, the ERC may
recommend a mitigated ND to the decision making authority on the
project for its consideration and final determination. The project
app)icant must revise the project plans to implement the mitigation
measure or provide an entorceable commitment implementing the
mitigation measures prior to a finding of insignificant.
5.1.3 Based on the findings in Section 5.2, one or more aspects of
the project, either individually or cumulatively, may cause a
substantial adverse change in the environment and require that an EIR
~X be prepared to evaluate the project and its consequences, or;
5.1.4 More information is necessary and the ~7I¢/~¢~/~ IS
shall be continued for submission of this additional information
which may be in the form of a technical support document or other
information.
5.2 Mandatory Findings of Significance
A project shall be found to have a potential significant effect on the
environment if:
5.2.1 The project has the potential to degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife
species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self
sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate important examples of the
major periods of California history or pre-history.
5.2.2 The project has the potential to achieve short-term
environmental goals to the disadvantage of long-term environmental
goals.
5.2.3 The project has possible environmental effects which are
individually limited but cumulatively considerable. As used in this
subsection, "cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental
effects of an individual project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other
current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.
5.2.4 The environmental effects of a project will cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.
If there is any question whether any actions could arguably have
significant impact in regard to the factual issues as exemplified in
the above examples or findings, then the testimony showing dispute
regarding factual environmental issues shall constitute significant
cause to require the preparation of an EIR.
- 20 -
An EIR should be prepared when there is serious public Controversy
concerning the environmental effect of a project. Controversy not
related to an environmental issue does not require the preparation of
an EIR.
5.3 EIR Required - Appeal Procedure. If the ERC requires that an EIR be
prepared based on findings specified in Section 5.2, the applicant may,
within ten (lO) days of the date of the mailing of the notification of the
finding, appea~ to the P~anning Commission by written notice of appea~
filed with the Planning Department in triplicate along with the fee
specified in the master fee schedule. The appeal shall specify the
argument against the finding of the ERC and specify the reasons why there
is no possibility that any aspect of the project in question could cause a
substantial adverse change in the environment.
Upon hearing of the appeal the Planning Commission may, by resolution,
affirm, reverse, or modify, in whole or in part, the determination of the
ERC. A majority of the total membership of the Commission shall be
necessary to change or modify the decision of the ~RC.
The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City
Council in the same manner as set forth in this section for appeals to the
Planning Department.
5.4 ND Contents. An ND shall include a brief description of the project
as proposed, including a commonly used name for the project, if any,
project location and name of proponent, a finding that the project will
not have a significant effect on the environment; where a copy of the IS
documenting reasons supporting the findings may be reviewed, and
mitigation measures, if any, included in the project to avoid potentially
significant effects.
5.5 Public Review. When the ERC issues an ND, it shall be made available
for public and agency review at the Planning Department office. Every
person who made comments on the application for an IS, all responsible
agencies or agencies with jurisdiction by law and the project applicant,
shall receive a written copy of the ND.
5.6 Notice of Proposed Findings~ If the decision making authority is to
hold a public hearing on the proposed project, the notice of said hearing
shall include a statement of the proposed finding of no significant
environmental impact and shall state that the HD and IS are available for
public review at the Planning Department.
If the decision making authority is not required to hold a public hearing
on the proposed project, notice of the proposed findings of no significant
environmental impact and the availability of the ND and IS shall be given
by one of the following methods:
5.6.1 If the project involves a discretionary act on a specified
parcel of land, notice shall be given by posting of a notice on
and/or adjacent to the project site or by mailing a notice to
adjacent property owners as specified in Section 5.1.
5.6.2 If the project does not involve any specific property, notice
shall be given by at least one publication of the notice of the
proposed findings of no significant environmental impact in a
newspaper of general circulation in the city as provided in the
Charter of the City of Chula Vista.
5.7 Adoption of ND. The ND shall be presented to the decision making
authority on t~e project, a minimum of ten (lO) days after it is
recommended by the ERC and notice is given.
If no public hearing is to be held, the decision making authority must
consider all written comments on the proposed finding of no significant
environmental impact. All written comments relative to said proposed
findings must be received by the decision making authority within ten
days after the notice is given of the ND.
If no written comments are received, the decision making authority may
consider the ND after the comment period. If written comments are
received, a minimum of four (4) addi riohal days may be allowed prior to
consideration of the ND for evaluation of any input.
If the decision making authority finds on the basis of the facts relative
to the required findings, that the project will not have any significant
impact on the environment, it shall adopt the ND and it shall become
final. No further environmental review shall be required, except as
otherwise provided in these procedures.
IF ~1~ public hearing is to be held on the pr<~posed project, the decision
making authority shall advise all persons who have commented, of any
decision which has been made relative to the ND and the project.
5.8 Filing. After an ND or EIR has become final and a determination has
been ma"~'d~'{o approve or conditionally approve the project, the ERC
¢~X~ shall file a Notice of Determination with the County'Clerk
or Secretary for Resources. If the project has been denied, CEQA does not
apply and no Notice of Determination shall be filed.
5.9 Changes in Project/Subsequent Environmental Review
Once the environmental review process has been completed, no further
review is required unless one of the following conditions exists:
5.9.1 Subsequent changes are proposed in the project which will
require important revisions of the EIR or ND/IS due to the
involvement of new significant environmental impacts not considered
in the previous EIR or ND/IS on the project, or
- 22 -
5.9.2 Substantial changes have occured with respect to the
circumstances under which the project is undertaken which will
require important revisions in the EIR or ND/IS due to the
involvement of new significant environmental impacts not covered in a
previous EIR or adopted ND, or
5.9.3 New information of substantial importance to the project
becomes available, and
(a) The information was not known and could not have been known
at the time the EIR was certified as complete or the ND was
adopted, and.
(b) The new information shows that the project will have one or
more significant effects not discussed previously in the EIR or
ND/IS, significant'effects previously examined will be
substantially more severe than shown in the EIR or ND/IS,
mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be
feasible would, in fact, be feasible and would substantially
reduce one or more significant effects of the project, or
mitigation measures or alternatives which were not previously
considered in the EIR or ND/IS would substantially lessen one or
more significant effects on the environment.
5.10 The ERC shall review ~/~/~7J~/~¢~/~ any ~f~X
project revisions to assure that there will be no potential for new
significant environmental impacts or the ERC shall require that a
supplement to the EIR or a modification to the ND ~M~I be prepared.
The project proponent shall submit to the ERC ~JX/~/¢¢~¢~/~ a
description of the revisions or changes, any necessary technical reports,
plans, graphics or any other material necessary to evaluate the project
along with the fee established in the Master Fee Schedule. The ERC shall
determine the necessary number of copies.
If the ERC finds that a proposed project is essentially the same, in terms
of impact or circumstances under which the project is to be undertaken,
the ERC may recon~nend that the previously prepared EIR be certified as the
final EIR on the subject project. ~/E~¢/~/~/~/~7~/~¢~/~
~X~IX~I~I~XTI~I~I~~I~I~X~¢I~I~Y
Section 6 PREPARATION AND PROCESSING OF EIR's
6.1 General Requirements. If it has been determined that a project may
have a significant environmental impact, the project applicant shall
request the city to initiate the preparation of the EIR as provided in
these procedures and pay the fee as provided in the Master Fee Schedule.
The project ap licant shall also deposit with the city an amount necessary
to reimburse a~l city consultants providing environmental analysis of the
project.
The ERC ¢~f~J~ shall be responsible for providing independent
evalu'~ion and analysis of the environmental document f~/~H~/ER~ and
for consulting with any person or organization which may be concerned with
the environmental effects of the project and any responsible agency,
trustee agency or any agency with jurisdiction by law.
6.2 List of Qualified Consul tants. The ERC E~~I/R~J~
~t~t~X~ shall prepare a list of consuites who are qualified to
prepare EIR's on private projects. The list shall include firms which
have established that they have met the standards formulated by the ERC
E~X~/~/~m~V~- The ERC may also prepare a list of
sub-consultants qualified to prepare specific sections or elements of an
EIR or other technical reports.
All consultants who wish to be considered for placement on the list of
qualified consultants shall present sufficient information to the ERC so
that it may determine if they meet the standards for a qualified
consul tant. Finns currently on the list need only provide information on
standards which they previously have not ~X~X~/X~¢Y met.
6.3 Types of EIR's
6.3.1 Focused EIR
After conducting an IS, the ERC shall identify those areas of concern
which could involve significant environmental impacts, either
individually or cumulatively. These issues shall be discussed in the
EIR. Any other issues which clearly would not result in a
significant impact need not be discussed unless there is a
possibility of public controversy on that issue.
6.3.2 EIR's Involving Large Scale Projects or Project in
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
When the ERC finds that a project is of such a magnitude or is in an
area of environmental sensitivities, a constraints inventory of
environmental resources and hazards shall be prepared prior to the
submission of any application for ~/~ the project. This
inventory shall be prepared by the environmental consultant selected
by the ERC to prepare the EIR on the project and shall serve as the
- 24 -
data base for the preparation of the EIR and the design of the
project. Technical reports submitted by the project applicant may be
utilized by the City's consultant after an independent evaluation and
verification of facts. The ERC shall prepare the necessary
guidelines, outlines and procedures necessary to implement the
preparation of these inventories.
6.3.3 Other Types of EIR's
The provisions for master/supplemental, (tiering) and program EIR's
in the State EXR CEQA Guidelines (Section 15069), have been
previously incorporated into these procedures.
6.4 Notice of Preparation. Upon the decision to prepare an EIR, and when
the necessary fees have been paid, a Notice of Preparation shall be
distributed to all responsible agencies and agencies with jurisdiction by
law.
6.5 Preparation of the EIR. If a project with potential significant
impacts is to be undertaken by a private party, the city shall prepare or
cause to be prepared, an EIR and candidate CEQA findings by one of the
following methods:
6.5.1 If the ERC finds that the information available in the IS
application, technical support documents or other sources, is
adequate, the ERC ¢¢~l~tiiX~l may prepare the EIR and candidate
CEQA findings w~'i't'h the assistance of other city departments. The ERC
¢¢~I~X~ shall inform the project proponent of the estimated
time and information required for the EIR. If this procedure and the
estimated time required for the preparation of the EIR is acceptable
to the project proponent, the ERC ¢~X~X~ may ~X} prepare
the EIR and candidate CEQA fin~i)'f~gs.
6.5.2 If the proponent does not desire the ERC ¢~l~)~$~/t~Xl~)~ to
prepare the EIR, or if the ERC ¢~)'14i~ cannot prepare the EIR
because of a required expertise, or the number of EIR/IS's in
process, the EIR and candidate CEQA findings shall be prepared by an
environmental consultant selected by the ERC and agreed to by the
project applicant/in accordance with the following procedures:
The project applicant shall review the list of qualified consultants as
provided in Section 6.2 and provide the ERC with a list of any consultants
which may have a conflict with the applicant or are otherwise not acceptable.
The applicant shall also provide a written statement of reasons supporting the
position.
The ERC ¢~l~l~Xti~(~l shall within lO days of the request to initiate the
preparation of the EIR and candidate CEQA findings and the payment of the
filing fee, distribute requests for Proposal s (RFP) to at least
three of the consultants on the list of consultants/who are acce~able
to the project proponent. All proposals from the consultants mus~ be
received by the ERC ¢¢~I~X~ within 15 days of the date of the RFP.
- 25 -
If only one proposal is received by the ERC ¢~d~ and the proposal
is acceptable to the project proponent an"d'the ERC ¢~fd~, the ERC
¢~dX~X~ shall prepare an agreement for the p~eparation of the EIR
and CEQA findings ~/~f¢~d/~Y/~/gg~. Once the agreement has been
signed by the proponent and the consultant {contractor) and the agreed to
reimbursement for the consultants has been deposited with the city, the
agreement shall be
~d~f~X~/~d/~$d~W~ signed by the ERC.
If more than one proposal is submitted, they shall be graded by the ERC in
accordance with a rating sheet developed by the ERC. The proposal with
the highest rating shall be invited by the ERC ¢~X~X~ to enter into
an agreement with the ERC and the project proponent to prepare the draft
and final EIR and candidate CEQA findings.
Once the agreement is signed by the project proponent and the consultant
(contractor) and agreed to reimbursement for the consultant has been
deposited with the city, the agreement shall be signed by the
X~/XM~/¢~$~/~ the ERC.
6.6 Public Projects. When a department or agency of the City of
Chuta Vista is proposing to carry out a project which may significantly
effect the environment, it shall prepare a preliminary of the draft EIR
either directly or by contract. When complete, the preliminary draft EIR
shall be submitted to the ERC ¢~I~X~ v/no shall carry out the
analysis and consultation~ctions as noted below.
6.7 Processing the EIR. The ERC ¢~d~X~, upon receipt of the
preliminary draft EIR from the consultant or City department, shall
perform an independent evaluation and analysis of the document. The ERC
shall consult with any responsible agency, having an interest in, special
expertise in or is otherwise concerned with the environmental effects of
the proposed project.
As soon as the draft EIR is completed it shall be issued
l/.~/Eg¢/f~/~XX~/~d/$~ as the City~ft EIR on the
project. Once issued by the ERC, a Notice of Completion shall be filed
with the Secretary for Resources of the State of California
~X~ and notice given as provided in Section lg.12.070 of the
Chula Vista Municipal Code.
6.8 Public Review of the Draft EIR. After issuance by the ERC, copies of
the draft EIR shall be distributed to the Resources Conservation
Commission, affected agencies and department heads, others with
jurisdiction by law, and all responsible agencies when the City of
Chula Vista is functioning as the Lead Agency, and copies shall be
deposited with the Chula Vista Public Library for check out. A minimum
30 day period for agency and public review shall commence with the
issuance of the draft EIR by the ERC. The review period shall terminate
- 26 -
with the closing of a public hearing held by the Planning Commission to
provide input on the draft EIR. The ERC may specify a longer review
period for full public participation, input and evaluation. During the
review period, the ERC ¢~ shall consult with any agency having
jurisdiction by la~d persons or groups having special interest. With
the exception of testimony at the Planning Commission public hearing, all
input on the draft EIR shall be in written form. The Resources
Conservation Commission may review the draft EIR and may prepare a
recommendation for the Planning Commission and forward it to the ERC
6.9 Final EIR. The Planning CommissiOn shall hold a public hearing to
take testimony on the adequacy of the draft EIR. If no revisions to the
draft EIR are necessary and no significant input to the EIR is made, the
Planning Commission may certify ~ the draft EIR as the final EIR
along with the CEQA find~ng~'~ter closing the public hearing. If
significant environmental issues are raised during the consulting process
or during the public hearing, a response by the City of Chula Vista or a
revision to the draft EIR text shall be prepared by the consultant or the
ERC ¢~X~ prior to the Planning Commission consideration of the
~al EIR. The Planning Commission shall review the recommendation of the
consultant and the ERC ¢~X~, the final EIR, all public input and
review any comments'l'~om other agencies or city departments on the EIR.
If the Planning Commission finds the report has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of these procedures and Cal. Admin. Code,
CEQA of 1970, and all applicable state laws, it shall by resolution, so
certify and the EIR shall become final.
The Planning Commission may also certify ~X the EIR subject to
revisions. If the final EIR is ~have major inadequacies in light
of the above requirements, the Planning Commission may require that more
information be included in the final EIR. A request for more information
in an EIR may be appealed to the City Council within lO days of Planning
Commission action. Said appeals shall be made on forms approved by the
ERC and subject to the fee in the Master Fee Schedule. Said appeal must
be based upon the grounds that the Planning Commission erred, acted in
abuse of discretion, or requested inappropriate or unnecessary submission
of information. All appeals shall state specific objections to the action
by the Planning Commission and provide such information as necessary to
substantiate the appeal. The City Council may certify that the final EIR
was prepared in accordance with CEQA, the ¢~l//~)~t~//¢~ State CEQA
guidelines and these procedures, or uphold a Planning Commission request
for more information.
6.10 Presentation to Decision Makers. After certification of the EIR by
the Planning Commission, or by another Lead Agency, if the City of
Chula Vista is a responsible agency, the EIR shall be presented to the
recommending and/or decision making authority. The authority shall
certify that the EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA and the
Cal. Admin. Code and that the authority has reviewed and considered the
information contained in the EIR prior to consideration of the project.
No decision making authority shall approve or carry out a project for
which an EIR has been completed which identifies one or more significant
effects of the project unless the authority makes one or more of the
following written findings for each of those significant effects,
accompanied by a statement of the facts supporting each finding.
6.10.1 Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated
into the project which mitigate or avoid the significant
environmental effects thereof as identified in the final EIR.
6.10.2 Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and
jurisdiction of another public agency and not the authority making
the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or
can and should be adopted by such other agency.
6.10.3 Specific economic, social, or other considerations make
infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified
in the final EIR.
The findings required by this subsection shall be supported by substantial
evidence in the record.
The findings in Subsection 6.10.2, shall not be made if the city has
concurrent jurisdiction with another agency to deal with identified
feasible mitigation measures or alternatives.
6.11 Statement of Overriding Considerations. If the decision making
authority decides to approve a project for which significant environmental
consequences have been identified in the EIR, the authority shall issue a
statement identifyi ng the other interests on which approval i s based.
Adverse consequences which have been mitigated need not be addressed in
this statement.. The statement shall be attached to the Notice of
Determination and the final EIR.
6.12 Supplemental EIR's. In accordance with Section 5.8 of these
procedures, a revised project, a change i n circumstances or new
information shall be reviewed by the' ERC who W~I¢~ shall determine if a
supplemental EIR or ND is to be prepared."l~rocessing of the supplement
shall be in accordance with these procedures.
- 28 -
Section 7 EIR CONTENT
EIR's shall contain the elements specified in Article 9 of the CEQA ~X~X~
EI~ Guidelines. The ERC shall prepare any guidelines, outlines, ~ocedures
and/or other necessary requirements to implement the CEQA ~X~X~/EI~
Guidelines and these procedures.
Section 8 CONFLICTS WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Any conflicts arising in the interpretation of the Environmental Review
Procedures, shall be interpreted in the manner which most fully satisfies the
requirements of CEQA {Div. 13 of the Public Resources Code) and Cal. Admin.
Code (Title 14, Division 6).
Section 9 SEVEP. ABILITY
The provisions of the Environmental Review Procedures, or any of its
provisions, are to be liberally construed to the end that all adverse
environmental consequences of a proposed project are fully disclosed to public
decision makers and the general public. If any provision of these procedures
or its application to any project or circumstance is held invalid for any
reason, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of
this ordinance, or any of its provisions, which can be affected without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provision of this act
are severable.
WPC Ol13P --
DL
BIOLOGICAL SURVEY GUIDELINES
I. GOALS
Goals of the biological survey and report and, indirectly, these
guidelines are as follows:
A. To promote an efficient presentation of information for adequate
and effective environmental review in meeting the requirements of CEQA.
B. To increase the efficiency of the environmental review process, to
prevent unnecessary time delays, to standardize surveys and reports, and to
define the minimum information necessary.
C. To provide the project applicant sufficient information in a timely
manner to permit appropriate planning decisions prior to finalizing project
designs.
D. To identify rare, endangered, or sensitive species and habitats.
E. To ensure that information collected in past reports can have some
utility in evaluating future projects in similar circumstances.
These guidelines are meant to guide the content of biology technical
reports and will be used to determine their acceptability.
II. TYPES OF SURVEYS
No two project sites are identical in terms of the biological resources
present, the degree of disturbance, the proximity to other developed areas,
and the type of project proposed. For these reasons, two types of biological
surveys are suggested. This allows the field investigator and reviewing
agency sufficient flexibility while still meeting the requirements of CEQA.
A. BASIC SURVEY
Projects involving or permitting modification of land in a natural
or near natural state, and all areas containing sensitive habitats or
sensitive species, shall be investigated as follows:
1. Time in the field shall be proportional to the size of the
project and biological heterogeneity and the significance of sensitive
habitats present.
2. Completeness of the biological inventory will be based on a
"diminishing returns" criterion.
3. Data collected should be quantified where possible.
- 2 -
4. Small mammal trapping should be conducted where appropriate
and will be required in situations where the presence of Stephens' kangaroo
rat (Dipodomys stephensi, a rare species) is suspected.
5. It is highly recommended that field surveys be performed when
the most critical resources can be best evaluated.
6. The most. recent generally acceptable nomenclature shall be
used to indicate plant and animal names to avoid confusion (see Attachment III
or more recent literature).
7. Other procedures, as listed below in Specialized Surveys.
B. SPECIALIZED SURVEYS
Projects involving minimal habitat alteration, or agricultural
areas presently or recently under cultivation, or areas essentially devoid of
native vegetation, in so far as they involve no critical habitats,' shall be
investigated as follows:
l. The emphasis of the survey shall be towards a directed search
for rare, endangered, or otherwtse sensitive species.
2. A statement explaining the physical/biological basis for the
lack of expected resources shall be included.
III. REPORT FORM AND CONTENT
The biological survey report shall be presented in the following
format. This format applies to both basic and specialized surveys. For
specialized surveys, the format can be presented in a correspondence form, but
each point shall be addressed.
A. COVER PAGE
Include a signature block of the principal investigators and the
name of the project.
B. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Briefly state the results of the survey, sensitive species present,
and the impacts anticipated with any feastble measures to reduce or eliminate
ltkely tmpacts.
C. INTRODUCTION
Briefly descrtbe the proposed project, its size and location
(including a vicinity map of appropriate scale to show nearby roads or other
features).
-3-
D. METHODS AND SURVEY LIMITATIONS
Briefly discuss the survey techniques used; the rationale for the
use of the given survey method; dates, times, and conditions during the
survey; limitations of the survey {e.g. that proportion of the property
directly surveyed or seasonal variability or results); and a map showing
locations of transects, sample points and the areas actually listed.
E. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Describe the physical characteristics of the property from a
biological perspective, including slope, and aspect (exposure), topographic
characteristics, water resources, soil and rock types, rock out-crops,
existing land uses, and adjacent land uses.
F. RESULTS
1. Mapping of Information. All maps submitted with the biology
report must be of a scale sufficient to show the location of the resources
identified and their relationship to aspects of the .project likely to
adversely affect the resources. Elevations and north direction must be
indicated on all maps. In addition, at least one copy of a full scale project
map (Tentative Map, Tentative Parce, .ap. Specie, .se Petit, va .ce
must be submitted, showing the resources identified ~r
characteristics including lot lines, roadst grading, open space easements,
etc. For projects which have simple schematic project maps, the resource maps
s'~F6~ld be of sufficient size to demonstrate the resources present and indicate
topographic relationships.
2. Botany. Describe the existing plant communities, as well as
disturbed areas, an"X~'~')ist the dominant (indicator) species of each vegetation
community type. Include a vegetatiDn map (at least one copy submitted must be
on a project plan map) showing relationship to development proposa.)~"The
amount of each plant community or habitat type present on the property should
be indicated in acres {or hectares); include quantitative and transect data
when appropriate. Include in the report (in an appendix, if appropriate) a
complete listing of all plant species observed, including scientific and,
where available, common names. Indicate in which community or habitat each
species was found and which species are not native to the area.
3. Zoo]. Provide a list of all vertebrate species observed or
detected, either in the text of the report or in an appendix. Both common and
scientific names should be utilized. "Regional Lists" are not acceptable;
listing of particular ~xpected species may be appropriate but should be
justified (migratory, estivating, nocturnal species, etc.).
Include in the list or text the method used to identify the
species (i.e., direct sighting, scats, calls).. Indicate the numbers of
individuals detected or estimated. Note indications of breeding activity
{i.e., nests, dens) on the property. [Occurrence of the species should be
-4-
related to the vegetative community or wildlife habitat types on the property
when possible.] Relative amounts of each wildlife habitat type should be
indicated (may be same as plant communities).
Discuss invertebrates in special situations (i.e., rare,
threatened or endangered butterfly species, unusual species concentrations,
pest species, and marine habitats).
If a species is reported on the property which is considered
rare or unusual in occurrence in the region, verify its identification with a
species diagnostic description in the appendix.
Indicate locations of (on at least one copy of a project map)
and d~scuss areas exhibiting concentrations or a higher diversity of wildlife
or wildlife signs, and discuss possible reasons for these activities
(including amphibian breeding areas,. deer feeding and raptor hunting areas,
etc.). Such areas may reflect physical attributes of the property such as
dunes, rock out-crops, streams, ponds, stands of trees, etc. which should be
mapped.
4. Rare and/or Endanigred or Sensitive Species. The report shall
contain a separate discussion o any species occurring on or using areas
directly or indirectly affected by the project, which are recognized by a
government agency or 'conservation or scientific group or the investigator as -
being depleted, potentially depleted, declining, rare, locally endemic,
endangered, or threatened, and/or any species nominated or on a' state or
federal rare, endangered, or threatened species list (see Attachment IV). For
each such species indicate the number of individuals Observed, on or
immediately off-site (the total population thought to be present) and their
exact locations(s) on at least.one copy of a project plan map.
The survey report shall contain a discussion of those rare,
endangered, and threatened plant species known to occur within an approximate
five-mile radius of the project. The choice of species discussed shall be
based on the California Native Plant Society list (Powell 1974) or more recent
data. Discuss the suitability of the habitat on the property for each such
species and the probability of the property being utilized yl~"them,
particularly if the survey was done when said plants would not be
identifiable, Discuss here the known growth requirements of said species,
including required soil types, exposure, elevation, availability of water,
etc., as well as when the species is identifiable. Confirm the identification
of rare, endangered, or threatened plant species, by a species-diagnostic
photograph or by a written description. For each such species identified, a
Plant Verification Form must be completed and included in the final Technical
Report (Attachment 1).
If the survey was performed when rare, endangered, or
threatened wildlife were not present but are known to or are likely to use the
project site, discuss the probable population levels and uses of such species _
on the property.
-5-
Identification of rare, threatened, or endangered animal
species shall be confirmed by a written species-diagnostic description, or a
species-diagnostic photograph.
5. Sensitive Habitats. Describe and map (on at least one copy of
the project map) any habitat recognized by a government agency or conservation
or scientific group, or the investigator, as being depleted, rare and/or
endangered or otherwise sensitive (Attachment II). For each such habitat,
present data indicating its size, exact location, and the degree of its
disturbance. A1 so indicate the relative value of the habitat on site and its
regional significance.
Discuss any stream beds on the project site which would be
modified and subject to the State Fish and Game code, section 1600 - 1603.
Describe the existing conditions, the project impacts and any measures to
reduce the impacts. Discuss impacts to any formally identified Critical
Habitats of Endangered or Threatened species.
G. EVALUATION OF RESOURCES
Discuss the biologic and conservation value of the important
resources on the project site, compared to the perceived or known status of
the resources adjacent to the project, in the region or within the range of
distribution of the resource. Species abundance, composition, diversity,
reproduction, and other indicators of "biologic quality" on the property
should be compared to similar habitats elsewhere. Evaluate the physical or
biological features used by wildlife on the property and their relative
importance.
Indicate the physical and biological relationship of the property
to surrounding or contiguous habitats. If the proposed project will disrupt
the integrity or continuity of an important habitat, this should be discussed
(i.e., disruption of an extensive riparian woodland, etc.).
Evaluate the effects that detected pests or nuisance species may
have on future project users or adjacent residents.
If the survey was made when many organisms were dormant or were
seasonally absent, because of migration or for 'other reasons, evaluate the
likely value of the site during the period of optimum use.
All conclusions in this and the following sections should be
supported by data or reference to other publications.
H. ANTICIPATED PROJECT I~ACTS
As a minimum evaluation, the following considerations 'shall be
presented or discussed:
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1. Indicate the percentage (or acreage) of plant communities and
habitats to be removed or modified by the proposed development or reasonably
anticipated to be removed. Discuss likely subsequent impacts for phased and
staged devel opmont, even though not a part of the project under consideration.
2. Indicate quantitatively the anticipated loss of sensitive
plant and animal populations or individualS. Also define, if possible, the
local and regional $ignifiqance of this loss.
3. Identify other direct impacts that would result from project
implementation.
4. Discuss and evaluate indirect impacts anticipated on- and
off-site as a result of project implementation.
5. Discuss cumulative biological impacts including known or
perceived losses for the region.
I. ALTERNATIVES OR HETHODS TO REDUCE BIOLOGICAL I~4PACTS
Discuss in detail any feasible mitigation measures which would
reduce anticipated significant impacts to an insignificant level including, as
necessary, design alternatives.
Indicate which mitigating measures are being proposed by the
applicant and which are not. If a formal project plan has not been
established, then recommendations and planning considerations should be
provided in this section. Specific design of reco~mnended mitigations should
be indicated on at least one copy of the project map. Feasibility of the
mitigating actions should be discussed.
O. CERTIFICATION
Provide the names and qualifications of those participating in the
field work and in the report preparation.
K. QUALIFICATIONS
Persons preparing or responsible for biological technical reports
should have the following qualifications:
1. Shou1 d have sufficient formal educational background in
appropriate areas of study to understand local floral and faunal relationship.
2. Should have sufficient local field experience in
identification of floral or fauna, particularly rare, endangered, and
threatened species with some knowledge of their local and range-wide
population status and trends.
3. Should have sufficient experience in habitat evaluation and
predicting and quantifying environmental impacts.
4. Other qualifications as may be promulgated.
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ATTACHMENT 1
RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT VERIFICATION FORM
1. Scientific name of plant
2. Date ohs. Listing authority and status
3. Data collector Determined by
4. County State USGS Map*
5. Elev. (ft or m.) Lat. Long.
6. Township/range to nearest 1'/4 Sect.
7. Descrioe location from existing roads, structures, etc.
8. Slope (deg. or %), direction exposed
9. Soil type Geologic formation
10. Soil conoition
11. Estimated number and area covered by rare plants
12. Condition of plants: Flowering Fruiting Other
13. List dominant associated plants in decreasing order
14. If specimen collecteO, number and where deposited
15. Additional conm,ents
16. Project name and number (if any) and jurisdiction
17. show location on portion of USGMS Map and attach.
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ATTACHMENT II
BILOGICALLY SENSITIVE HABITATS
IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
) A. Fresh, brackish, and salt water marshes
B. Estuary, lagoon, lake, or other body of standing water
C. Riparian woodlands
D. Oak and/or conifer woodlands (including juniper and cypress and Torrey
Pines)
E. Mountain meadows
F. Known nesting, breeding, feeding and/or resting areas of rare,
endangered, and threatened species
G. Native grasslands
H. Vernal pools
I. Coastal strand -
J. Grabbo-derived soil types and coastal marine sandstone derived oil types
(which are known to support numerous 'rare plant species)
K. Mountain peaks
L. Coastal mixed chaparral occurring between Carlsbad and La Jolla
M. Recognized Critical Habitats of endangered or threatened species as
defined by the Endangered Species Act of 1973
N. Environmental resources of state-wide critical concern
O. Other associates and types which, in the opinion of the field
investigator, constitute a sensitive habitat
-9-
ATTACHMENT III
ACCEPTABLE NAMING AUTHORITIES
Vegetation Communities
Barbour, M.G. and O. Mayor (eds.) 1977 Terrestial vegetation of California.
Wiley Interscience, New York. lO02pp.
Holland, V.L. 1977 Major plant communities of California.
In: Native Plants, a viable option. S3n~p. Proc., Edited by R. Walters,
[McLeod, A.G. Myer, D. Rible, R.O. Baker, and L. Farwell. Calif.
Native Plant Soc., Spec. Publ. No. 3.
Kuchler, A.W. 1977. The map of natural vegetation of California., pp.909-938,
In: Terrestrial vegetation of California. Edited by M.G. Barbour and
~Mayor. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck 1959 A. California flora. Univ. Calif. Press,
Berkeley. 1681 pp.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck lg4g California plant communities. E1Aliso 2(1):
87-105
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck 1949 California plant communities. A suppliment.
E1Aliso 2: 199-202.
Thorne, R.F. 1976 The vascular plant communities of California., pp.l-31.
In: Plant communities of Souther California. Symp. Proc. held May 4,
1~J74 at Fullerton, Calif. Edited by J. Latting~ Calif. Native Plant
Soc., Spec. Publ. No. 2
Plants
Munz, P.A. 1974 A flora of Southern California. Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley,
1086 pp.
Fishes
American Fisheries Society 1960 A list of common and scientific names of fishes
from the United States and Canada. Amer. Fish Soc., Spec. Publ. No. 2,
102 pp.
Miller, D.j. and R.N. Lea 1972 Guide to the coastal marine fishes of
California. Calif. Dept. Fish and Game Fish Bull. 157: 1-235.
Moyle, P.B. 1977 Inl and fishes of Call fornia. Unlv. Call f. Press, Berkeley.
-lO-
Herptiles
Stebbins, R.C. 1954 Amphibians and reptiles of Western North America.
McGraw-Hill, New York. 536 pp.
Zweifel, R.G. (ed.) Catalog of American amphibians and reptiles. Soc for Study
of Amphib. and Rept. Periodic Series.
Birds
American Orntthologist's Union 1957 Checklist of North American birds. Fifth
Edition. A.O.U., 691 pp.
Eisenmann, E. 1976 Thirty-third supplement to the American Ornithologists'
Union checklist of North American birds. Auk 93(4): 875-879.
· 1973 Corrections and additions to the "Thirty-second supplement to the
'~hecklist of North American Birds" Auk 90(4): 887.
1973 Thirty-second supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union
'~hecklist of North American Birds. Auk 90(2): 411-419.
Mammal s
Bond, S.I. 1977 An annotated list of mammals of San Diego County, California.
San Diego Soc. Nat. Htst., Trans. 18(14): 230-247
Hall, E.R. and K.R. Kelson 1959 Hammal s of North America. Ronald Press,
New York.
Jones, J.K., Jr., D.C. Carter, and H.H. Genoways 1975 Revised checklist of
North American mammals north of Mexico. Texas Tech. Univ., Occ. Pap.
No. 28:1-14,
-ll -
ATTACHMENT IV
REFERENCES FOR SENSITIVE SPECIES
(CITED FOR INFORr~ATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY)
Botany
Greenwalt, L.A. 1976 Proposed list of endangered and threatened plant species.
Federal Regist. 41(117): 24524-24572.
Powell, W.R. (ed.) 1974 Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of
California. Calif. Native Plant Soc. Spec. Publ. No. l, 65pp.
Smith, Cole & Sa~er 1980.
Smith, lgB1.
Ripley, D.S. 1974 Report on endangered and threatened plant species of the
United States. Smithson. Instut., Report to Congress of the U.S.,
Dec. 1974
U.S.D.I. 1975 Threatened or endangered fauna or flora: Review of status of
vascular plants and determination of "critical habitat". Fed. Regist.
40(127): 27828-27924.
Invertebrates
Greenwalt, L.A. 1975 United States butterflies: Review of status. Fed.
Regist. 40(55): 126gl.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Ashton, R.E. (Comm. Chrm.) 1976 Endangered and threatened amphibians and
reptiles in the United States. Soc. Study Amphib. and Reptiles, Herpet.
Circular No. 5.
Bury, R.B. 1971 Status report on Call fornia's threatened amphibians and
reptiles. Calif, Dept, Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Admin. Report
No. 72-2: 31pp.
Stewart, d. 1971 Rate, endangered, and depleted amphibians and reptiles in
California. Herpetology 5(2): 2g-35.
Birds
Arbtb, R. 1977 The blue 11st for 1978 Amer. BIrds 31(6): 1087-1096.
Tare 1980 Blue list for 1981.
General Toptcs
California Dept. Ftsh and Game 1976. At the crossroads 1976: A report on
Callfornla's endangered and rare Ffsh and Wfldltfe Sacramento, 1 01 pp.
Hood, L. (ed.) 1975 Znventory of California natural areas. Vol. 1. Callf.
Nat. Areas. Coord. Counctl, Sonoma.
WPC O091P
SA:dl
Acoustical Report Guidelines
These guidelines are designed to help those who prepare acoustical reports for
projects, which may result in or be subject to noise impacts in excess allowed
by the City of Chula Vista Performance Standards or Noise Element of the
General Plan.
Because there are so many different combinations of noise sources and
receivers (people impacted by those sources), it is virtually impossible to
develop guidelines that cover all situations. Nevertheless, the guidelines
should help bring some consistency to the way noise information is presented
in environmental documents and offer suggested formats to contain basic
information.
1. Goals
Goals of the Acoustical Analysis Report and, indirectly, these guidelines
are as follows:
A. To promote an efficient presentation of information for adequate and
effective envi tonmental review in meeting the requirements of CEQA.
B. To increase the efficiency of the environmental review process, to
prevent unnecessary time delays, to standardize surveys and reports,
and to define the minimum information necessary.
C. To provide the project applicant sufficient information in a timely
manner to permit appropriate planning decisions prior to finalizing
project designs.
D. To identify areas of potential noise impacts and to develop necessary
mitigation programs.
E. To ensure that information collected in past projects can be used in
evaluating future projects in similar circumstances.
2. Report Format and Content
Types of acoustical reports and data presented may vary according to the
types of projects involved.
The following format is suggested for the typical acoustical report, which
involves noise evaluation and development of a noise mitigation program.
For some projects, involving only a lot split or similar application
(tentative parcel maps, zoning permits, etc.), where precise noise
mitigation program cannot be developed at the present stage of project
design, some points listed below may be omitted.
A. Cover Page
Include a signature block of the principal investigators and the name
of the project, including the initial study number.
B. Summary of Findings
Briefly state the results of the acoustical analysis, the acoustical
conditions present and forecasted, the impacts anticipated, any
feasible measures to reduce or eliminate these impacts, the
compatibility of the project with the Noise Element of the City of
Chula Vista General Plan, the performance standards {municipal code
section 19.66.070} and any other applicable noise laws or ordinances.
C. Introduction
Briefly describe the proposed project, its size and location. Two
scale maps should be included: One'showing the existing conditions
in the project area.with'adjacent land uses, receptors, and noise
sources identified, and the second map showing the future conditions
(use a time span of no less than 15 years, unless the project's life
span iS less) with the proposed project and proposed land uses,
receptors, and noise sources identified.
Physical characteristics of the property and vicinity must also be
discussed (topographic characteristics, vegetation, commercial,
residential or industrial uses, and other specific data related to noise
impacts).
D. Methods of Evaluation and Equipment
This section or part should contain a description of the methods used
for an acoustical analysis and evaluation of existing and forecasted
acoustical conditions. Include reference to noise prediction models
used (e.g., FHWA-RD-77-108, etc.). If corrections to a standard
model are made or empirical modeling is used, discuss the procedure
in detail. Identify the noise measurement equipment used for field
testing by manufacturer, model, and serial number. Sources of
information about existing and forecasted surface traffic
characteristics, road design, airport noise contours, commercial or
industrial activities, etc., shall be reported.
E. Description of the Existing Noise Environment
For a quantitative description of the existing noise environment, a
noise survey should be carried out and the details included in the
report. The survey is toestablish the existing ambient noise level
and may then be used to evaluate compliance of the proposed project
with applicable City standards.
1) The noise survey should encompass the proposed project area and
must include any noise sensitive receptors, both near and far.
The rationale for the selection of noise survey sites should be
included in the report.
2) The survey should cover the time periods when the noise
environment would be affected by the proposed project.
3) The survey should encompass enough data to be representative of
the existing normal noise environment.
The existing noise environment should be evaluated and the
results should be summarized by providing a noise contour map or
table showing the location of equal noise levels in 5 dB CNEL
(or Ldn) steps, extending down to CNEL (Ldn) equal 60 dB.
F. Future Acoustical Conditions
The future noise environment for selected project alternatives shall
be discussed. The scope of the analysis and the metrics used will
depend upon the type of project (the project may result in noise
impacts to surrounding noise sensitive areas, or noise sensitive
areas wiTin the project may be impacted by noise from surrounding
land uses), but as a minimum the following informa~T6~ must be given:
l) Discussion of the type of noise sources and their proximity to
potentially impacted areas.
2) Operations/activity data:
a) Average daily level of activities (traffic volume, flights
per day, etc.)
b) Distribution of activities over day and night time periods,
days of the week, and seasonal variations.
c) Composition of noise sources (% of heavy trucks, machinery
type, aircraft fleet mix, etc.).
d) Any unusual characteristics of the sources (impulsivehess,
tonality, etc.).
3. Future noise levels with and without the project shall be
calculated and the results should be summarized by providing
noise contour maps or tables showing the location of equal noise
levels in 5 dB CNEL (or Ldn) steps, extending down to CNEL
(Ldn) = 60 dB.
-3-
G. Impact
Quantify anticipated changes in the noise environment by comparing
information about the noise environment with and without the
project. Evaluate the changes in light of applicable city
standards. Identify direct impacts that would result from project
· implementation. Discuss and evaluate indirect impacts anticipated on
and off site as a result from project implementation.
H. Mitigation Measures
Discuss in detail any feasible mitigation measures which would reduce
anticipated significant noise impacts to insignificant levels, and
where practical, design alternatives. The effectiveness of the
proposed noise mitigation measures shall be substantiated by
corresponding acoustical calculations and/or field tests. If it is
known, indicate which mitigating measures are being proposed by the
applicant and which are not. Specific design of recommended
mitigations should be indicated on at least one copy of the project
map.
Discuss any noise impacts that cannot be mitigated, and why
mitigation is not feasible. Clearly identify the locations and
number of people affected when mitigationis not feasible.
I. Qualifications
Persons preparing or responsible for acoustical technical reports
should have the following qualifications:
l) Sufficient formal educational background in appropriate
technical areas of study (acoustical engineering, physics, etc.)
to understand specific problems, related to noise reduction and
control.
2) Sufficient local experience in identification of the noise
sources, evaluation of noise impacts and an understanding of the
City of Chula Vista noise regulations.
WPC O090P
DL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Traffic Impact Section
The traffic section of the EIR must discuss, but not be limited to the
following topics:
1. Statement of the existing street system, traffic control devices
and transit routes in vicinity of proposed development.
2. Trip Generation and Distribution - if specific land uses are not
available, a range of trips generated is acceptable.
a. trips generated in 24 hour period and during the peak hours (s)
[identify hours(s)]
b. inbound/outbound split (to development) during peak hours(s)
c. trip distribution by direction (on existing and planned
circulation system)
d. a diagram is usually helpful to summarize traffic volumes
3o Traffic Impact on circulation system
a. existing traffic volumes [24 hour and peakhours(s)'] on adjacent
streets and at nearby intersections by direction
b. capacity analysis of street and intersections. Compare the
existing and future traffic volumes against the capacity.
c. level of service of existing street and/or intersection
d. level of service of street and/or intersection using future
traffic data
4. Mitigating Measures
a. any planned improvements to circulation system not related to
project (by City, County, State, etc.)
b. planned improvements to be accomplished in conjunction with
the project (e.g. street widening, driveways, traffic control
devices, etc.)
c. potential for non-automobile use - transit, bicycles, etc.
d. other
NOTE: All data and procedures must be referenced, and all assumptions
must be stated.
October 21, 1982
To Mayor and City Council:
1. The Economic Development Committee of the Chula Vista Chamber
of Commerce reviewed the proposed revisions to the Envi~nmental
Review Procedures that will streamline the process and the
Committee supports the suggested changes. In addition the Chamber
of Commerce wishes to thank and compliment the City on its efforts
to keep this process as short and as efficient as possible.
2. The Chamber of Commerce has two concerns that are not addressed
in the current revisions:
A. There should be more direct involvement of the project
applicant in the selection of the consultant preparing
an E.I.R. since the project applicant is underwriting
the cost.
This could be done by permitting the project applicant to
eliminate unacceptable consultants prior to sending out
the Requests. for Proposal.
Another way this could.be handled would be by permitting
the project applicant to select the consultant from those
who have submitted proposals acceptable to the City.
B. There should be a process when other parties receive benefit
from an E.I.R. paid for by another applicant a reimbursement
process would be available similar to a reimbursement agree-
ment for a sewer or water line.
~hase, Chairman
Economic Development Committee
BC/lb
~ -"TEN CO
~,,~_,_,t c( LF'[CIL MEETING
C .i~L.~
Fourth Ave.