04 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND The Pleasanton General Plan 2005-2025, which was adopted in July 2009, included the certification of a Program EIR to address the potential environmental effects related to implementing the General Plan. Subsequently, in 2012, the City Council adopted a Supplemental EIR to address the environmental effects of implementing changes to the Housing Element, adoption of a Climate Action Plan, and rezoning of housing sites and associated General Plan Amendments. On April 15, 2014, the City Council authorized the establishment of an economic development zone program and the initiation of a pilot economic development zone along Johnson Drive encompassing up to eleven parcels. The certification of an EIR is required to approve the Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone and meet the requirements of CEQA. Staff has determined that a consultant could most efficiently and comprehensively prepare the EIR which would utilize the analysis conducted as part of the Program EIR and Supplemental EIR mentioned above. The Planning Division sent a Request for Proposals (RFP) to six consulting firms: FirstCarbon Solutions - Michael Brandman and Associates, ESA, RBF Consulting, Dyett and Bhatia, PlaceWorks, and Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC). Only First Carbon Solutions — Michael Brandman Associates and ESA submitted a proposal. Attachment 1, Exhibit A provides pertinent project details from the selected consultant's submittal. DISCUSSION ESA specializes in environmental planning, regulatory compliance, natural resource management, cultural resources management, replanting and restoration services, air quality services, water resource management, noise and acoustics, and sustainability planning. It has provided contract environmental, sustainability, and natural resource management services planning for hundreds of public agencies, including the City of Pleasanton. ESA prepared the Supplemental EIR for the City's Housing Element and Climate Action Plan General Plan Amendments and Rezoning in 2012, which is mentioned above. After careful review of the submitted proposals, Staff believes that ESA's proposal is superior for the following reasons: • ESA has successfully completed similar tiered environmental review documents for the City of Pleasanton and other agencies; • ESA has substantial experience preparing environmental review documents in the City and is familiar with the community and its environmental review concerns; • The proposal would allow for the use of previously-prepared environmental documents, resulting in more efficient analysis; and • The proposal focuses on the issues of most interest to the community, includes visual simulations to assist readers in understanding the aesthetic implications of the project, and best meets CEQA requirements. Page 2 of 3