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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-25 CC Reso - Cert. EIR for Talmage Rd/Hwy 101; Adopting Findings of Fact; Adopting Statement of Overriding Considerations; Approve Alt 2; dopt Mitigation Monitoring RESOLUTION NO. 2015-24 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE TALMAGE ROAD/SOUTHBOUND U.S. 101 ON-OFF RAMP REALIGNMENT PROJECT, ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE ("PRC") SECTION 21081 AND CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ("CEQA") GUIDELINES SECTION 15091, ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRC §21081(b) AND GUIDELINES §15093 APPROVING THE PROJECT (ALTERNATIVE 2) AND ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21081.6(a). WHEREAS: 1. The Summary of Major Findings contained in the Circulation and Transportation Element of the 1995 General Plan indicates that improvements to the interchange of U.S. 101 and Talmage Road would eventually be constructed as part of build-out of the Airport Industrial Park; and 2. On September 8, 2014, the City released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Talmage Road / Southbound U.S. 101 On-Off Ramp Realignment project and circulated it for a 45-day public review and comment period, ending on October 23, 2014; and 3. The EIR identified certain significant effects on the environment that, absent the adoption of mitigation measures, would be caused by construction of operation of the project; and 4. The EIR proposed all feasible mitigation measures and a range of reasonable alternatives to substantially lessen or avoid most significant project-related environmental effects; and 5. Some of the project's air quality and greenhouse gas-related environmental effects cannot be feasibly avoided or substantially lessened and would therefore remain significant and unavoidable; and 6. On October 15, 2014, the City Council conducted a public hearing to receive oral comments on the DEIR; and 7. The City has carefully reviewed, considered, and responded to all substantive comments on the DEIR, which are set forth in the Final EIR (FEIR). Responses to all commenting public agencies and individuals were provided to those agencies on June 19, 2015; and 8. The EIR concludes that project Alternative 2, which is also the design preferred by the California Department of Transportation, is the environmentally superior alternative; and 9. The City Council has also considered the CEQA Findings of Fact And Statement of Overriding Considerations ("Findings & SOC"), attached hereto as Attachment 1, which explain the disposition of every significant impact identified in the EIR, before and after the implementation of mitigation, and the reasons why the City considers the project benefits to outweigh its environmental effects; and 10. The City has also considered the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), attached hereto as Attachment 2, which will ensure that mitigation measures adopted by the City will actually be carried out; and 11. Notwithstanding the significant and unavoidable environmental effects of the project (including Alternative 2), the City Council believes that the benefits of the project as described in the SOC outweigh the environmental effects. 1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that based on the foregoing FEIR, Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations, and the entirety of the administrative record for this project, the City Council of the City of Ukiah: 1. Finds that the FEIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA. 2. Finds that the FEIR was presented to the Council as the decision-making body of the City, the lead agency for the Talmage Road /Southbound U.S. 101 On-Off Ramp Realignment project, and that the City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in the FEIR prior to approving the project. 3. Finds that the FEIR reflects the City's independent judgment and analysis. 4. Certifies the FEIR for the Talmage Road/Southbound U.S. 101 On-Off Ramp Realignment Project. 5. Adopts the Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations, attached as Attachment 1. 6. Approves the Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting Program, attached as Attachment 2. 7. Approves Alternative 2 as the preferred Project. 8. Directs the Public Works Director to: a. Submit final plans and specifications to the City Council for adoption pursuant to Public contract Code § 22039. b. Apply to Cal Trans for an encroachment permit to construct the Project; c. Seek City Council award of bid for the project; and d. Seek final approval from the California Department of Transportation ("Cal Trans") for required encroachment permit. Adopted on July 1, 2015, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilrnembers Mulheren, Doble, Brown, Scalmanini, and Mayor Crane NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN-None � Douglas F. Crane, Mayor ATTEST: Kristine Lawler, City Clerk 2