02 - Laserfiche WebLink

requisite findings to document the Housing Element's compliance with State law and self-certify the Housing Element until such a time that HCD can complete its final certification. DISCUSSION California Environmental Quality Act The City determined that a Program Environmental Impact Report is necessary to evaluate environmental impacts of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15168. The EIR is the informational document that identifies the potential environmental impacts of the Housing Element, the mitigation measures for these impacts, and potential impacts that cannot be mitigated and are therefore unavoidable. The Draft EIR (DEIR) focuses on changes to land use designations to accommodate residential uses for sites identified in the Housing Element Update and evaluates the potential environmental impacts of those land use and zoning changes. It also focuses on the implementation of policies and programs included in the Housing Element Update. Less than significant impacts were identified across several impact areas including Aesthetics, Energy, and Wildfire. Potentially significant impacts were identified for Air Quality, Biological Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Waste, and Noise. However, in each case, mitigation measures are specified that would reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level. The DEIR identifies significant and unavoidable impacts in both Transportation and Utilities and Service Systems. In terms of Utilities and Service Systems, the significant and unavoidable impact relates to projected water supply. Regarding Transportation, the significant and unavoidable impact relates to vehicle miles of travel (VMTs). Many of the potential sites for rezoning are located in areas which are expected to generate a home-based VMT per resident above the relevant threshold of significance. The City prepared and circulated a Draft EIR on October 20, 2022, and the document was made available for public comment through December 5, 2022. Throughout the public comment period, staff received seven comments. Subsequently, a Final EIR (FEIR) was prepared which incorporates responses to comments received and includes clarifications and corrections to the DEIR. Additionally, the Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program was prepared. More information on each of these components is provided below. The City Council will determine whether to certify the EIR as complete according to CEQA requirements and adopt the necessary findings of fact and statement of overriding considerations, along with its action on the Housing Element. Page 3 of 14