20 - Laserfiche WebLink

PUBLIC COMMENT & NOTICE Notices regarding the City Council public hearing were mailed to the surrounding property owners and tenants within a 1,000-foot radius of the project site. Staff received 13 emails from the public, the vast majority of which opposed the project due to concerns related to drought, traffic, school capacity, and other issues related to growth. OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS In addition to the applicable fees and requirements, the applicant has offered community benefits, including providing $1,000 per lot ($25,000 total based on the proposed site plan), which can be used for public purposes such as implementation of projects identified in the City's Park and Recreation Master Plan. The applicant has also agreed to repaint the sound wall on Valley Avenue located between Busch Road and Santa Rita Road. These additional items, which have been offered by the applicant, have been included in the project conditions of approval. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT An Initial Study/Negative Declaration has been prepared for the proposed project. Based on the Initial Study, which analyzed the previously-proposed 27-unit residential project, staff believes that the project would not have any significant environmental impacts. Staff, therefore, believes that the Initial Study/Negative Declaration is the appropriate environmental document for review of the project and is in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). If the City Council concurs with this environmental assessment, it must make the finding that the Initial Study/Negative Declaration adequately evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the project prior to taking action on the project. CONCLUSION The applicant has revised the proposed project in response to the Planning Commission's comments, resulting in overall improvements to the streetscape, onsite amenity and open space areas, and overall project cohesiveness. Specifically, the applicant reduced the number of residential units from 27 to 25 and added an 11,000- square-foot passive recreational area that could be used by project residents and the general public. The applicant also increased the number of parking stalls designated for use by Gardens residents from 13 to 22 (including six spaces limited to evening and weekend use), helping meet parking demand at the Gardens. Staff finds that the proposed revisions would improve the overall development and benefit the residents as well as the public. Page 11 of 12