2010/05/11 City Council Resolution 2010-51RESOLUTION NO. 2010-51
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK,
CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE INITIAL STUDY/ NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR THE 2007 -2014 DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT (PL2007- 007GP)
WHEREAS, state law requires cities and counties to prepare and adopt a General Plan to
guide the future development of a city or county; and
WHEREAS, a General Plan must contain certain elements, including a Housing Element
which sets forth goals, policies and programs to encourage the development of housing for all
income groups and persons with special needs; and
WHEREAS, state law requires that cities and counties comprehensively update their
General Plan Housing Elements every seven years to ensure their plans can accommodate future
demand for housing; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2009, the Draft Housing Element was submitted to the State
Department of Housing and Community Development for review and comment; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2009, after reviewing the City's response, HCD issued
certification of the 2007 -2014 Draft Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, the City prepared an Initial Study on the Draft Housing Element update per
the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act; said analysis concluded that the
Draft Housing Element would have no significant environmental effects on the environment; a
Negative Declaration was prepared and duly noticed for public review and comment between
August 24, 2009 and September 24, 2009; no comments were received; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2010 the City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission, having
considered the evidence and public testimony, approved RESOLUTION NO. 2009-30 .
recommending approval of the Negative Declaration for the Draft 2007 -2014 Housing Element
Update and recommending adoption of the 2007 -2014 Housing Element Update; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park has reviewed the evidence
submitted including the Draft 2007 -2014 Housing Element Update, the associated Negative
Declaration; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed all environmental evidence submitted in
connection with the Draft Housing Element Update, including: (1) the Environmental Initial
Study; (2) all staff reports; (3) City files and records and other documents prepared for and/or
submitted to and /or approved by the City Council, and City relating to the Draft Housing
Element; the City of Rohnert Park General Plan, its related EIR and the Rohnert Park Municipal
Code; (5) all plans, studies, data and correspondence submitted in connection with the Project;
(6) all documentary and oral evidence received at the public hearings or submitted to the City
during the comment period on the project; (7) the recommendation of the Planning Commission;
and, (8) all other documents and evidence which are part of the record of proceedings.
WHEREAS, all evidence of records, the Draft Housing Element, staff reports,
correspondences, the initial environmental study and Negative Declaration are on file in the
offices of the City of Rohnert Park;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby approve the
2007 -2014 Draft Housing Element Negative Declaration based on the following:
• The 2007 -2014 Draft Housing Element Negative Declaration (attached as Exhibit A)
is consistent with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
• There is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the
environment and the Negative Declaration reflects the City Council's independent
judgment and analysis;
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED on this 1 lt' day of May 2010, by the City of
Rohnert Park City Council by the following vote:
Attest:
City
A
Pte-.- .
Mayor, City of Ro ert Park
BELFORTE: AYE . BREEZE: AYE CALLINAN: AY CKENZIE: AYE STAFFORD: AYE
AYES: (5) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)
Exhibit A
Resolution No. 2010 -51
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK GENERAL PLAN,
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
INITIAL STUDY & NEGATIVE DECLARATION
August 2009
Review Period: August 31, 2009 to September 29, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Background
1
2 Sources
2
3 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
2
4 Determination
2
5 Background and Introduction
4
6 Project Description
4
7 Discretionary Action
8
8 Environmental Checklist
9
I. Aesthetics
9
II. Agriculture Resources
10
III. Air Quality
11
IV. Biological Resources
12
V. Cultural Resources
13
VI. Geology and Soils
14
VII. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
15
VIII. Hazards and Hazardous Materials
17
IX. Hydrology and Water Quality
18
X. Land Use and Planning
20
XI. Mineral Resources
20
XII. Noise
21
XIII. Population and Housing
22
XIV. Public Services
22
XV. Recreation
23
XVI. Transportation and Circulation
24
XVII. Utilities and Service Systems
25
XVIII. Mandatory Findings of Significance
26
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
I BACKGROUND
1. Project Title: City of Rohnert Park General Plan, Housing Element Update
2. Lead Agency Name and Address: City of Rohnert Park
Development Services
130 Avram Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
3. Contact Person and Phone Number:
4. Project Location:
5. Project Sponsor's Name and Address:
6. General Plan Designation:
7. Zoning: N/A
Suzie Azevedo
City of Rohnert Park
707.588 -2236
The City of Rohnert Park
City of Rohnert Park
Development Services
130 Avram Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
N/A
8. Project Description Summary:
The proposed project is an update of the Housing Element of the City of Rohnert Park General
Plan. See further discussion that follows in the "Background and Introduction" and "Project
Description" sections.
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Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
2 SOURCES
The following documents are referenced information sources utilized by this analysis:
• City of Rohnert Park General Plan, 2000 -2020 (July 2000; as amended to present); and
• City of Rohnert Park General Plan Environmental Impact Report, SCH #99062114
(July 2000).
3 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project,
involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact." A more detailed
assessment may be found on the following pages.
❑ Aesthetics ❑ Agriculture ❑ Air Quality
❑ Biological Resources ❑ Cultural Resources ❑ Geology /Soils
❑ Greenhouse Gases
❑ Land Use & Planning
❑ Population & Housing
❑ Hazards & Hazardous Materials ❑ Hydrology/Water Quality
❑ Energy & Mineral Resources
❑ Public Services
❑ Transportation & Circulation ❑ Utilities /Service Systems
4 DETERMINATION
❑ Noise
❑ Recreation
❑ Mandatory Findings of
Significance
On the basis of this initial study:
X I find that the Proposed Project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the
environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
❑ I find that although the Proposed Project could have a significant effect on the
environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the
project have been made by or agreed to by the applicant. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION will be prepared.
❑ I find that the Proposed Project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or
"potentially significant unless mitigated" on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has
been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards,
and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as
described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required,
but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
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Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
❑ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the
environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately
in an earlier General Plan EIR pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided
or mitigated pursuant to that earlier General Plan EIR, including revisions or mitigation
measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(c)(2) and CEQA Guidelines Section
15168(c)(1), the City of Rohnert Park, as lead agency for the proposed project, has prepared an
initial study to make the following findings:
1. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, the proposed activity is adequately described
and is within the scope of the General Plan EIR.
2. All feasible mitigation measures developed in the General Plan EIR have been
incorporated into the project.
3. There is no substantial evidence before the lead agency that the subsequent project, as
revised, may have a significant effect on the environment.
4. The analyses of cumulative impacts, growth inducing impacts, and irreversible significant
effects on the environment contained in the General Plan EIR are adequate for this
subsequent project.
5. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21157.6(a), having reviewed the General Plan
EIR, the City of Rohnert Park finds and determines that:
a. no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under
which the General Plan EIR was certified, and
b. that there is no new available information which was not and could not have
eral Plan EIR was certified.
Ron Bendorff, Director of Communi , Dev.
Printed Name
3
August 24, 2009
Date
City of Rohnert Park
For
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
5 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
This Initial Study provides environmental analysis pursuant to the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) for the proposed City of Rohnert Park General Plan Housing Element
Update (proposed project).
The project site to be affected by the Housing Element Update is the area within the City's
Sphere of Influence (SOI), which also includes all land within the present City limits (see
attached map). The Planning Area for this Housing Element Update is identical to the Planning
Area of the City's current General Plan.
This Housing Element Update is required by State law (Section 65580 — 65589.8 of the
California Government Code). The Draft Element identifies residential sites adequate to
accommodate a variety of housing types for all income levels and needs of special population
groups defined under State law (Section 65583 of the California Government Code), analyzes
governmental constraints to housing maintenance, improvement and development, addresses
conservation and improvement of the condition of the existing affordable housing stock, and
outlines policies to promote housing opportunities for all persons.
The Initial Study focuses on whether the proposed project may cause significant effects on the
environment. In particular, consistent with Section 21083.3, this Initial Study is intended to
assess any effects on the environment that are peculiar to the proposed project or to the parcels
on which the project would be located that were not addressed or analyzed as significant
effects in the General Plan EIR, or which substantial new information shows will be more
significant than described in the General Plan EIR. Implementation of any mitigation measures
identified in the General Plan EIR that apply to the proposed project will be required as part of
the project.
No new housing sites, beyond .those already identified in the current General Plan, are
proposed as part of this update. The Housing Element Update does not include any changes to
land use designations, zoning, building heights and intensities, or residential densities. Other
proposed developments in the city that do not currently have City entitlements (such as the
Sonoma Mountain Village project) are not included in this Housing Element.
6 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Housing Element Overview
The Housing Element is a comprehensive statement by the City of Rohnert Park of its broad
and specific commitments to facilitate the development of housing in the City. The Housing
Element is one of the seven General Plan elements mandated by the State of California, as
articulated in sections 65580 to 65589.8 of the Government Code. State law requires that the
Housing Element consist of "...an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing
needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial resources, and
scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement and development of housing." The
residential character of the City is, to a large extent, determined by the variety of its housing
and the locations and maintenance of the housing. The Housing Element is an official response
to the need to provide housing for all economic segments of the population, establishing goals
4
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
and programs that will guide City decision making, and set forth an action plan to implement
these housing programs through 2014.
Government Code Section 65583 requires that Housing Element include the following
components:
• A review of the previous element's goals, policies, programs, and objectives to
ascertain the effectiveness of each of these components, as well as the overall
effectiveness of the Housing Element.
• An assessment of housing needs and an inventory of resources and constraints related
to the meeting of these needs.
• An analysis and program for preserving assisted housing developments.
• A housing sites inventory that provides a unique geographic identifier for parcels that
will fulfill the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
• A statement of community goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the
maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing.
• A program which sets forth a five -year schedule of actions that the City is undertaking
or intends to undertake, in implementing the policies set forth in the Housing Element.
City of Rohnert Park's Housing Needs
Several factors influence the demand for housing as well as the type of housing demanded in
the City of Rohnert Park. Major "needs" categories considered in the Housing Element
include: housing needs resulting from population growth in the City and the surrounding
region; housing needs that result when households are paying more than they can afford for
housing; housing needs of "special needs groups" such as the elderly, large families, female
heads of households, households with persons with disabilities, and the homeless; and housing
needs resulting from overcrowding in existing units.
The RHNA reflects the California Department of Housing and Community Development's
(HCD) determination of the housing needs in a region, broken down by income level. The
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is tasked with allocating this regional RHNA
amongst the jurisdictions in the nine Bay Area counties, including those in Sonoma County.
Rohnert Park's RHNA is 1,554 housing units as shown in Table 1. As part of the 2007 -2014
Housing Element update, a housing sites inventory was created to demonstrate Rohnert Park's
ability to fulfill its RHNA.
5
Rohnert Park Housing.Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
Table 1: Rohnert Park Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA): 2007 -2014
Income Category
RHNA
Percent
Very Low (<50% of AMI, <$38,500)
371
23.9
Low (50 -80% of AMI, $38,501 - $61,500)
231
14.9
Moderate (81 -120% of AMI, $61,500- $93,400)
273
17.6
Above Moderate (> 120% of AMI, >$93,400)
679
43.7
Total
1,554
100
Sources: ABAG Final Regional Housing Needs Allocation. 511512008," and "Official State Income Limits for 2008." HCD,
212812008."
Sites
To fulfill this housing needs allocation, as well as its long -term planning objectives, the City
has identified sites in the current General Plan that can accommodate 5,129 housing units, as
shown in the Quantified Objectives table, taken from the Housing Element (Table 2).
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Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
Table 2: Rohnert Park Quantified Objectives (January I, 2007 to June 30, 2014)
Source: City of Rohnert Park, 2008.
The City's housing sites consist of urban infill (Creekwood, the Old City Hall. site, Vida
Nueva, City Center, Southwest Shopping Center, and the Stadium Area PD) and development
in growth areas (University District, Southeast Area, Northeast Area, and Northwest Area
specific plans), as identified in the current General Plan. Creekwood has already been
approved, but has not yet been constructed. Vida Nueva, a permanent supportive housing
development, opened its doors in December 2008. The University District has already been
approved and the area annexed to the City, bringing it within City limits, while the other areas
are currently outside of City limits, though within the LAFCO- approved SOI.
7
Income Category
Extremely
Very. Low
Low
Moderate
Above
Low (less
(between
(between
(between
Moderate
than 30%
30 -50%
50 -80%
80 -120% of (over 120%
of AMI)
of AMI)
of AMI)
AMI)
of AMI)
Total
New Construction
University District
315
1,456
1,77.1
Creekwood Apartments
14
82
96
Old City Hall Site
55
0
55
Vida Nueva
24
0
24
City Center (mixed use)
15
85
100
Southwest Shopping Center
15
85
100
Southeast Area SP
71
404
475
Northeast Area SP
164
926
1,090
Northwest Area SP
135
765
900
Stadium Area PD
53
305
358
Total
861
4,108
4,969
Rehabilitation
Owner - Occupied Housing
Rehab Program
w 6
7
18
2
0
33
Rebuilding Together
61
66
0
0
0
127
Total
67
73.
18
2
0
160
Conservation /Preservation
0
0
0
0
0
0
Grand Total (New
Construction, Rehab, and
Conservation/
Preservation)
1,019
4,110
5,129
RHNA 2007 -2014
602
952
1,554
Source: City of Rohnert Park, 2008.
The City's housing sites consist of urban infill (Creekwood, the Old City Hall. site, Vida
Nueva, City Center, Southwest Shopping Center, and the Stadium Area PD) and development
in growth areas (University District, Southeast Area, Northeast Area, and Northwest Area
specific plans), as identified in the current General Plan. Creekwood has already been
approved, but has not yet been constructed. Vida Nueva, a permanent supportive housing
development, opened its doors in December 2008. The University District has already been
approved and the area annexed to the City, bringing it within City limits, while the other areas
are currently outside of City limits, though within the LAFCO- approved SOI.
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Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
The infill sites are all zoned for residential development (a mixture of Residential High
Density, Mixed Use, and Planned Development). The specific plan areas all carry a Specific
Plan zoning designation. Moreover, all of the housing sites shown in Table 2, above, are
described and incorporated in the 2000 General Plan and thus are consistent with that
document. Therefore, no new environmental impacts are associated with the Housing Element
Update as compared to the 2000 General Plan EIR.
Housing Element Organization
The City of Rohnert Park's Housing Element is organized into five primary sections as
outlined below:
• Demographics, Housing Characteristics, and Needs Assessment (9.2, 9.3, and 9.4):
These sections analyze current demographic and housing market trends in order to
ascertain the greatest housing needs in the City of Rohnert Park. The results of the
needs assessment and the constraints analysis (described below) form the basis for the
policies put forth in the document.
• Housing Opportunities and Resources (9.5, includes Sites Inventory): This section
includes an inventory of the sites available in the City that can accommodate the City's
RHNA and analyzes their development capacity and appropriateness for a variety of
housing types. In addition, a summary of quantified objectives for housing production
and rehabilitation is provided.
+ Housing Development Constraints (9.6) This section includes a summary of possible
constraints on housing production, attributable to both governmental and non -
governmental factors. This analysis chapter helps inform the policies and programs that
aim to remove constraints.
• Housing Goals, Policies and Programs 9.7Z This section identifies housing goals,
policies and objectives. Funding sources are identified and schedules for
implementation are set forth.
• Program Accomplishments (Appendix A): This section includes an evaluation of the
City's housing programs and implementation actions from the previous Housing
Element cycle and analyzes the appropriateness of the City's existing goals and
policies.
7 DISCRETIONARY ACTION
Implementation of the proposed project would require the following discretionary actions by
the City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission/City Council:
• Approval of a Negative Declaration;
• Approval of the Housing Element for the City of Rohnert Park.
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
8 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
The following section adapts and completes the environmental checklist form presented in
Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines. The checklist is used to describe the impacts of the
proposed project.
For this checklist, the following designations are used:
• Potentially Significant Impact: An impact that could be significant, and for which no
mitigation has been identified. If any potentially significant impacts are identified, an
EIR must be prepared.
• Potentially Significant With Mitigation Incorporated: An impact that requires
mitigation to reduce the impact to a less - than - significant level.
• Less - Than - Significant Impact: Any impact that would not be considered significant
under CEQA relative to existing standards.
• No Impact: The project would not have any impact.
By way of information, it should be noted that the General Plan EIR had identified unmitigable
impacts for air quality and transportation topics. As no land use changes are proposed as part
of the Housing Element Update, no new impacts would result. For information purposes, a
discussion of greenhouse gases is also provided in the checklist.
1. AESTHETICS
Would the project:
Potentially
Potentially Significant With Less-Than-
Significant Mitigation Significant
Issues Impact Incorporated Impact No Impact
a. Have a substantial adverse effect ❑ ❑ ❑ x
on a scenic vista?
b. Substantially damage scenic
resources, including, but not
limited to, trees, rock ❑ ❑ ❑ x
outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a State scenic
highway?
c. Substantially degrade the existing
visual character or quality of the ❑ ❑ ❑ 1C
site and its surroundings?
d. Create a new source of
substantial light or glare which ❑ ❑ ❑ x
would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
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Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
a -d. No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing. development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Design review of future housing projects will continue be carried out to ensure that existing
views and aesthetic conditions are preserved, and that the projects are consistent with all
General Plan goals, objectives, and policies. Adherence to such requirements would reduce
potential impacts associated with this issue to a no impact level.
II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES
In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects,
lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment
Model prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in
assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.
Would the project:
b. Conflict with existing zoning for
agricultural use, or a Williamson Act ❑ ❑ ❑ K
contract?
c. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to. their
location or nature, could individually ❑ ❑ ❑ K
or cumulatively result in loss of
Farmland to non - agricultural use?
a -c: Very little farmland currently exists within the city, and none of the sites identified in the
Housing Element are zoned for agricultural purposes. However, open space and agricultural
resources surround the city on all sides except for the southwest, where Rohnert Park abuts
Cotati. The General Plan established an Urban Growth Boundary to ensure compact
development to minimize impacts to the surrounding agricultural lands and open spaces. This
Housing Element does not propose any expansion of the City's Urban Growth Boundary or the
Sphere of Influence, and no new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element
Update beyond those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does
not include specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future
housing development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the
current General Plan. All greenfield sites in the Housing Element are those that are already in
10
Potentially
Potentially Significant
Less-Than-
Significant
With Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique
Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide
Importance (Farmland), as shown on
the maps prepared pursuant to the
❑
❑
❑ K
Farmland Mapping Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-
agricultural use?
b. Conflict with existing zoning for
agricultural use, or a Williamson Act ❑ ❑ ❑ K
contract?
c. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to. their
location or nature, could individually ❑ ❑ ❑ K
or cumulatively result in loss of
Farmland to non - agricultural use?
a -c: Very little farmland currently exists within the city, and none of the sites identified in the
Housing Element are zoned for agricultural purposes. However, open space and agricultural
resources surround the city on all sides except for the southwest, where Rohnert Park abuts
Cotati. The General Plan established an Urban Growth Boundary to ensure compact
development to minimize impacts to the surrounding agricultural lands and open spaces. This
Housing Element does not propose any expansion of the City's Urban Growth Boundary or the
Sphere of Influence, and no new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element
Update beyond those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does
not include specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future
housing development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the
current General Plan. All greenfield sites in the Housing Element are those that are already in
10
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
the current General Plan and within the City's adopted Sphere of Influence, that was amended
following the General Plan adoption. Furthermore, all of the greenfield sites require
preparation of specific plans with complete EIRs, where all environmental issues, including
loss of any agricultural resources either already has or would be examined in detail. Therefore,
the proposed project would have no impact on agricultural resources.
III. AIR QUALITY
Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management
or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations.
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No Impact
a. Conflict with or obstruct
implementation of the applicable
❑
❑
❑
X
air quality plan?
b. Violate any air quality standard
or contribute substantially to an
❑
❑
(]
x
existing or projected air quality
violation?
c. Result in a cumulatively
considerable net increase of any
criteria pollutant for which the
project region is non - attainment
under an applicable federal or
❑
❑
❑
x
State ambient air quality
standard (including releasing
emissions which exceed
quantitative thresholds for
ozone precursors)?
d. Expose sensitive receptors to
substantial pollutant
❑
❑
❑
�(
concentrations?
e. Create objectionable odors
affecting a substantial number of
❑
❑
❑
k
people?
a -e: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future development anticipated under the Housing Element shall comply with
the density and intensity standards outlined in the Land Use Element of the General Plan and
the City's current Zoning Ordinance. Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to
11
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
ensure consistency with local, State, and federal air quality standards and consistent with the
goals, policies, and standards established within the other elements of the General Plan that are
intended to protect air quality. Adherence to such standards and guidelines would reduce
potential impacts related to this issue to a no impact level.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Potentially Significant With Less -Than-
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
a.
Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or
❑ ❑ ❑ :C
regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by
the California Department of Fish and Game
or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b.
Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
❑ ❑ ❑ x
plans, policies, or regulations or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or
US Fish and Wildlife Service?
c.
Have a substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section
404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but
❑ ❑ ❑ x
not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal,
etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means?
d.
Interfere substantially with the movement of
any resident or migratory fish or wildlife
species or with established resident or
❑ ❑ ❑ �(
migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the
use of wildlife nursery sites?
e.
Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a
❑ ❑ ❑ x
tree preservation policy or ordinance?
f.
Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Conservation Community Plan, or other
❑ ❑ ❑ K
approved local, regional, or State habitat
conservation plan?
a -f: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
12
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to ensure consistency with local, State,
and federal regulations and all General Plan goals and policies intended to protect biological
resources. Adherence to such requirements would reduce potential impacts associated with this
issue to a no impact level.
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Signif cant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less -Thon-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as
❑
❑
❑
K
defined in Section 15064.5?
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a unique archaeological
❑
❑
❑
K
resource pursuant to Section 15064.5?
c. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource on site or
❑
❑
❑
x
unique geologic features?
d. Disturb any human remains, including
those interred outside of formal
❑
❑
❑
K
cemeteries?
a -d: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to ensure consistency with
local, State, and federal regulations and all General Plan goals, objectives and policies intended
to protect cultural resources. Adherence to such requirements would reduce potential impacts
related to cultural resources to a no impact level.
13
0
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a. Expose people or structures to potential
substantial adverse effects, including the risk
of loss, injury, or death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist -
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map
❑
❑
❑
K
issued by the State Geologist for the
area based on other substantial evidence
of a known fault?
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
❑
❑
❑
x
iii. Seismic - related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
❑
❑
❑
K
iv. Landslides?
❑
❑
❑
x
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss
❑
❑
❑
x
of topsoil?
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as
a result of the project, and potentially result
❑
❑
❑
)(
in on- or off -site landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
e. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
❑
❑
❑
x
Table 18 -1 B of the Uniform Building Code?
f. Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems
❑
❑
❑
k
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater?
a -f No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Furthermore, all new housing development and rehabilitation that might result from Housing
Element implementation would be required to be consistent with existing State and local
building codes which are designed to ensure that new construction does not expose people to
significant geological impacts. Therefore, geological hazards would have no impact on the
proposed project.
14
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONSI
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a
❑
❑
❑ K
significant impact on the atmosphere?
b. Conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency adopted for the
purpose of reducing the emissions of
❑
❑
❑
greenhouse gases?
a -b: At the time of the 2000 General Plan EIR, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were not an
issue area that jurisdictions were tasked with considering as part of their environmental
analysis. Therefore, GHG emissions were not analyzed in the General Plan EIR. While final
CEQA guidelines on GHG emissions have not yet been released, draft GHG emission
guidelines do exist. While adoption of the Housing Element will not result in any change in the
overall development capacity or distribution in the city and no new housing sites, beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan, are proposed as part of this update, the following
provides further discussion about greenhouse gases for information purposes.
Legislative Context
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32)
In September 2006, the Governor signed AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act
(Health and Safety Code Section 38500 et. seq.). The Act codifies the executive order
reduction of statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. This change, which is
estimated to be a 25 to 35 percent reduction from current emission levels, will be accomplished
through an enforceable statewide cap on GHG emissions that will be phased in starting in
2012.
SB 375
On September 30, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 375 into law. This
legislation links transportation and land use planning with the CEQA process to help achieve
the GHG emission reduction targets set by AB 32. Regional transportation planning agencies
are required to include a sustainable community strategy (SCS) in regional transportation
plans. The SCS must contain a planned growth scenario that is integrated with the
' Based on Appendix G in the Preliminary Draft CEQA Guideline Amendments, developed by the
Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) for public workshop and approval, as announced January
8, 2009.
15
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
transportation network and policies in such a way that it is� feasible to achieve AB 32 goals on
a regional level. SB 375 also identifies new CEQA exemptions and stream lining for projects
that are consistent with the SCS and qualify as Transportation Priority Projects (TPP). TPPs
must meet three requirements: 1) contain at least 50 percent residential use; commercial use
must have floor area ratio (FAR) or not less than 0.75; 2) have a minimum net density of 20
units per acre; and 3) be located within one -half mile of a major transit stop or high quality
transit corridor included in the regional transportation plan.
City of Rohnert Park Actions
Even before the passage of AB32 and SB375, the City of Rohnert Park initiated actions to
reduce GHG emissions and become more sustainable overall. These actions include:
• Green Building Ordinance 2007 -782 (July 2007)
• Energy Efficiency Ordinance 2007 -779. This ordinance also established Title 14-
Sustainabilty, in the Municipal Code (March 2007)
• City Council adopted resolution 2004 -111, which sets a goal for GHG reductions of 20
percent by the year 2010 for internal City operations (baseline year 2000) (May 2004)
• City Council adopted resolution 2005 -233, which sets a goal of green house gas
reductions of 25 percent by the year 2015 for community -wide use, private and public
(baseline year 1990) (July 2005)
The City has also prepared a Draft Sustainability Element that further addresses energy
efficiency /green energy and sustainable building techniques.
The City has implemented the provisions of Title 24 of the State Building Code that require
new residential buildings to meet a comprehensive set of standards for energy conservation.
Builders of these units may achieve compliance either by calculating energy performance in a
prescribed manner or by selecting from alternative component packages that prescribe a fixed
method of compliance. All proposed residential units are checked by the Building Department
to ensure that their design and construction complies with Title 24 energy standards. Additions
and alterations must also meet these standards if they increase the heated or cooled floor space
of a building.
Opportunities for improving energy conservation in the design of residential development
include ensuring the consistency of tentative tract maps with Section 66473.1 of the
Subdivision Map Act, which requires the designs of subdivisions to provide for future passive
or natural heating or cooling opportunities, and requires the planting of trees along streets and
in parking lots to reduce heat.
Homes constructed in the City between 1956 and 1975 probably need to be insulated or have
supplemental insulation installed. The ownership and rental rehabilitation programs funded by
the CDCRP cover such energy conservation retrofitting as insulation and weather- stripping.
Conclusion
The actions that the City has taken, summarized above, show a commitment to reducing GHG
emissions through green design and energy efficiency. The housing sites listed in Table 2 of
16
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
the project description are either infll and/or compact and mixed use in nature, and therefore
support the goals of AB32 and SB 375. No new housing sites are proposed as part of the
Housing Element Update —the housing sites identified in the document are entirely consistent
with those included in the current General Plan therefore the same number of housing units
can be constructed in the city with or without the Housing Element Update. City policy
requires EIRs from all specific plans, thus ensuring that any potential changes from the
General Plan go through their own full environmental analysis, including greenhouse gasses.
Therefore, there is no impact to the environment. .
VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Would the project:
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-Than-
Significant No
Impact Impact
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport,
❑
❑
❑
use, or disposal of hazardous materials?
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable
upset and accident conditions involving the
❑
❑
❑ 1t
likely release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
❑
❑
❑ x
waste within one - quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school?
d. Be located on a site which is included on a list
of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant
to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as
❑
❑
❑ �(
a result, would it create a significant hazard to
the public or the environment?
e. For a project located within an airport land
use plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport ❑ ❑ ❑ x
or public use airport, would the project result
in a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the project area?
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project result in a safety ❑ ❑ ❑ x
hazard for people residing or working in the
project area?
g. Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency response ❑ ❑ ❑ K
plan or emergency evacuation plan?
17
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
Potentially
Potentially Significant With Less-Than-
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Issues Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
h. Expose people or structures to the risk of loss,
injury or death involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to ❑ ❑ ❑ �(
urbanized areas or where residences are
intermixed with wildlands?
a -h: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Actions to implement the goals, policies, and programs included in the Housing
Element must be consistent with the goals, policies, and standards established within the other
elements of the General Plan that are intended to protect the safety of the community.
However, review of future housing projects will continue to be carried out to ensure that
development of housing does not result in potentially significant hazards or expose people to
potential health hazards and for consistency with local, State, and federal requirements and
guidelines. Adherence to such requirements would reduce potential impacts associated with
this issue to a no impact level.
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Would the project:
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, in ❑
a manner which would result in substantial
erosion or siltation on- or off -site?
18
❑■
X
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Violate any water quality standards or waste
❑
❑
❑ x
discharge requirements?
b. Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that there would be a net deficit
in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local
groundwater table level (i.e., the production
❑
❑
❑ K
rate of pre- existing nearby wells would drop
to a level which would not support existing
land uses or planned uses for which permits
have been granted)?
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, in ❑
a manner which would result in substantial
erosion or siltation on- or off -site?
18
❑■
X
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less -Than-
Significant No
Impact Impact
d.
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river,
❑
❑
❑ x
or substantially increase the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner which would result
in flooding on- or off -site?
e.
Create or contribute runoff water which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or
❑
❑
❑ K
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?
f.
Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
❑
❑
❑ �(
g.
Place housing within a 100 -year floodplain, as
mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary
❑
❑
❑ x
or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood
hazard delineation map?
h.
Place within a 100 -year floodplain structures
❑
❑
❑ x
which would impede or redirect flood flows?
i.
Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding,
❑
❑
❑ x
including flooding as a result of the failure of a
levee or dam.
j.
Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury, or death involving
❑
❑
❑ )(
inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
a j: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan. The
City's ongoing environmental review process requires the evaluation of residential
development for potential violation of standards relating to hydrology and water quality.
Furthermore, all local, State, and federal rules and regulations on these issues would be
followed, ensuring that any potential impacts would be reduced to a no impact level.
19
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
X. LAND USE AND PLANNING
Would the project:
Potentially
Potentially
Potentially
Less-Than-
Potentially
Significant With
Less -Than-
Issues
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Physically divide an established community?
❑
❑
❑ K
b. Conflict with any applicable land use plans,
policies, or regulations of an agency with
jurisdiction over the project (including, but not
❑
❑
❑ x
limited to the general plan, specific plan, local
❑
❑
❑ )(
coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted
for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating on
environmental effect?
c. Conflict with any applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural communities
❑
❑
❑ K
conservation plan?
a -c: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to ensure consistency with
local, State, and federal regulations and all General Plan goals, objectives and policies intended
to protect established communities and land uses. Adherence to such requirements would
reduce potential impacts associated with this issue to a no impact level.
XI. MINERAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
a -b: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to the
❑
❑
❑ K
region and the residents of the State?
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site
❑
❑
❑ x
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan,
or other land use plan?
a -b: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. The General Plan EIR scoping process did not identify any potential mineral
resources in the city, and there is no reason to believe this condition has changed. Potential
impacts associated with this issue are at a no impact level.
-XII. NOISE
Would the project result in:
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Exposure of persons to or generation of noise
levels in excess of standards established in the
❑
❑
❑ x
local general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies?
b. Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive groundborne vibration or
❑
❑
❑ K
groundborne noise levels?
c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
❑
❑
❑ )t
existing without the project?
d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
❑
❑
❑ �(
above levels existing without the project?
e. For a project located within an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport or
❑
❑
❑ x
public use airport, would the project expose
people residing or working in the project area
to excessive noise levels?
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
❑
❑
❑ x
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
a -f No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to ensure that residents and employees
are not exposed to unacceptable noise and vibration levels, and that the projects are consistent
with all General Plan goals, objectives, and policies, and the City's Noise Ordinance.
Adherence to such requirements would reduce potential impacts associated with this issue to a
no impact level.
21
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
XII1. POPULATION AND HOUSING
Would the project:
a -c: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future developments anticipated by the Housing Element Update would be
constructed on vacant and underutilized land, and existing housing would not, be displaced.
The proposed housing would be developed to meet the needs of the City. Project impacts
would therefore be considered no impact.
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES
Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision
of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered
governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental
impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios,. response times or other performance
objectives for any of the public services:
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less -Than-
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Induce substantial population growth in an
Incorporated
Impact
Impact
area, either directly (for example, by proposing
❑
❑
❑
new homes and businesses) or indirectly (e.g.,
❑
❑
❑ X
through projects in an undeveloped area or
k
c. Schools?
❑
extension of major infrastructure)?
❑
K
d. Parks?
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing
❑
❑
X
housing, necessitating the construction of
❑
❑
❑ �C
replacement housing elsewhere?
c. Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement
❑
❑
❑ K
housing elsewhere?
a -c: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future developments anticipated by the Housing Element Update would be
constructed on vacant and underutilized land, and existing housing would not, be displaced.
The proposed housing would be developed to meet the needs of the City. Project impacts
would therefore be considered no impact.
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES
Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision
of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered
governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental
impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios,. response times or other performance
objectives for any of the public services:
22
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant
No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact
Impact
a. Fire protection?
❑
❑
❑
X
b. Police protection?
❑
❑
❑
k
c. Schools?
❑
❑
❑
K
d. Parks?
❑
❑
❑
X
22
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
a -d: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Future housing projects will continue to be reviewed to ensure the adequate provision of public
services through the adequate facilities policies already in place in the City, reducing the
potential impacts to a no impact level.
XV. RECREATION
Would the project:
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact Impact
a. Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial
❑
❑
❑ K
physical deterioration of the facility would
occur or be accelerated?
b. Does the project include recreational facilities
or require the construction or expansion of
❑
❑
❑ x
recreational facilities which might have an
adverse physical effect on the environment?
a -b: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. All future residential development would be reviewed to ensure consistency with
the Rohnert Park General Plan —which includes parkland acreages for the specific plan
areas —and the community's open space and recreational needs. Fees, land dedications, or
improvements are also required in most instances by the City of Rohnert Park to provide an
adequate supply of public parkland. Adherence to these measures would reduce impacts
associated with this issue to a no impact level.
23
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
XVI. TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION
Would the project:
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant
No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated
Impact
Impact
a. Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial
in relation to the existing traffic load and
capacity of the street system (i.e., result in a
❑
❑
❑
x
substantial increase in either the number of
vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on
roads, or congestion at intersections)?
b. Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a
level of service standard established by the
❑
❑
❑
x
county congestion management agency for
designated roads or highways?
c. Result in a change in air traffic patterns,
including either an increase in traffic levels or a
❑
❑
❑
x
change in location that results in substantial
safety risks?
d. Substantially increase hazards due to a design
features (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous
❑
❑
❑
x
intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm
equipment)?
e. Result in inadequate emergency access?
❑
❑
❑
K
f. Result in inadequate parking capacity?
❑
❑
❑
K
g. Conflicts with adopted policies supporting
alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts,
❑
❑
❑
K
bicycle racks)?
a -g: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for'in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Future development anticipated under the Housing Element shall comply with
all regional and local transportation plans and policies, the Rohnert Park General Plan, and all
applicable City ordinances. Adherence to such requirements would reduce potential impacts
associated with this issue to a no impact level.
24
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
XVII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Would the project:
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With Less -Than-
Signi ficant
Mitigation Significant
No
Issues
Impact
Incorporated Impact
Impact
a. Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of
the applicable Regional Water Quality Control
❑
❑ ❑
K
Board?
b. Require or result in the construction of new
water or wastewater treatment facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the construction
❑
❑ ❑
k
of which could cause significant environmental
effects?
c. Require or result in the construction of new
storm water drainage facilities or expansion of
❑
❑ ❑
x
existing facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental effects?
d. Have sufficient water supplies available to serve
the project from existing entitlements and
❑
❑ ❑
x
resources, or are new or expanded
entitlements needed?
e. Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve
the project that it has adequate capacity to
❑
❑ ❑
x
serve the project's projected demand in
addition to the provider's existing
commitments?
f. Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted,
capacity-to accommodate the project's solid
❑
❑ ❑
�(
waste disposal needs?
g. Comply with federal, State, and local statutes
❑
❑ ❑
K
and regulations related to solid waste?
a -g: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond
those already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include
specific development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing
development beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current
General Plan. Development anticipated in the Housing Element Update would be consistent
with General Plan goals and policies as well as local, State, and federal regulations related to
utilities and services. Demand for utilities facilities and services would continue to be
addressed primarily through existing adequate facilities requirements. Project impacts would
therefore be considered no impact.
25
Rohnert Park Housing Element Initial Study & Negative Declaration
XVIII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Issues
a. Does the project have 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 a
plant or animal community, reduce the number
or restrict the range of a rare or endangered
plant or animal or eliminate important examples
of the major periods of California history or
prehistory?
b. Does the project have the potential to achieve
short -term, to the disadvantage of long -term,
environmental goals?
c. Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? ( "Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a 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)?
d. Does the project have environmental effects
which will cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
a -d: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Development projects would continue to be subject to existing requirements for specific plan
or project -level review. Due to the lack of change in conditions from the last General Plan
Housing Element, the impact would be considered no impact.
26
Potentially
Potentially
Significant With
Less-Than-
Significant
Mitigation
Significant
No
Impact
Incorporated
Impact
Impact
❑
❑
❑
x
❑
❑
❑
x
❑
❑
❑
X
❑
❑
❑
x
a -d: No new housing sites are proposed as a part of this Housing Element Update beyond those
already identified in the current General Plan. The Housing Element does not include specific
development proposals that elaborate on or change the nature of future housing development
beyond what was known and accounted for in the preparation of the current General Plan.
Development projects would continue to be subject to existing requirements for specific plan
or project -level review. Due to the lack of change in conditions from the last General Plan
Housing Element, the impact would be considered no impact.
26