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City of Pleasanton 2023-2031 (6th Cycle) Housing Element Update CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations FirstCarbon Solutions 97 Https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480022/FOF/21480022 Pleasanton Housing Element FOF.docx The project applicant or sponsor shall ensure that, if development of habitat occupied by special-status species, migratory or nesting birds must occur as determined by a qualified Biologist and/or Wetland Regulatory Specialist, species impacts shall be avoided or minimized, and, if required by a regulatory agency or the CEQA process, loss of wildlife habitat or individual plants shall be fully compensated on a site. If on-site mitigation is not feasible in the City’s or regulatory agency’s discretion, it shall occur within the City of Pleasanton Planning Area whenever possible, with a priority given to existing habitat mitigation banks. Habitat mitigation shall be accompanied by a long-term management plan and monitoring program prepared by a qualified Biologist and include provisions for protection of mitigation lands in perpetuity through the establishment of easements and adequate funding for maintenance and monitoring; the time frame for the funding shall be detailed in the long-term management plan and monitoring program completed prior to disturbance of occupied habitat. Facts in Support of Findings: There were 19 special-status plant species and 29 special-status wildlife species within approximately 5 miles of the potential sites for rezoning. The habitats these sensitive plant species are usually located in (chaparral, serpentine soils, riparian woodland, marshes, or swamps) are not generally found within the potential sites. Similarly, the potential sites for rezoning do not generally contain habitat that would support most sensitive wildlife species. Rather, sensitive wildlife species would most likely be found in the surrounding undeveloped hillsides present in the Planning Area (e.g., potential oak woodland habitat that could occur within Site 1). Wildlife species adapted to urban environments, such as birds and bats, may find suitable nesting habitat in urbanized areas within buildings and other human-made structures where most of the rezoning is proposed. Rezoning would primarily occur on infill parcels that have been previously developed. However, Sites 1 (Lester), 3 (PUSD-Donlon), 14 (St. Elizabeth Seton), 21a and b (Kiewit), 22 (Merritt), 26 (St. Augustine), 27 (PUSD-Vineyard), 29 (Oracle) and portions of Site 24 (Sonoma Drive) are vacant. Therefore, subsequent development consistent with the Housing Element Update could result in the direct/indirect loss or indirect disturbance of special-status plant or animal species or their habitats. The General Plan includes policies and programs specifically designed to address potential impacts on special-status species. Chapter 7, Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan, Policy 1 requires the preservation and enhancement of natural wildlife habitats and wildlife corridors and Programs 1.1- 1.6 provide policy-based mitigation for special-status species. Program 1.1 requires the completion of a comprehensive study of the ecosystems and habitat areas within the Planning Area. Program 1.2 requires the identification of land within the Planning Area which could be reclaimed as viable wildlife habitat, study methods to re-establish viable plant and animal communities in these areas and development of standards to accomplish habitat reclamation to ensure the protection and use of wildlife corridors. Program 1.3 helps to preserve wetlands through project development design measures. Program 1.4 outlines measures to preserve wildlife corridors and establish mitigation requirements which minimize the barriers across wildlife corridors. Program 1.5 requires investigation of existing incentive programs that encourage property owners to cooperate in the preservation and restoration of wildlife habitat. Program 1.6 requires the analysis of