§ 1508. Relationship to environmental assessment and environmental impact reporting procedures

A.

Environmental impact assessment: A site plan approved pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be considered in relation to requirements of city policy governing the preparation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs), including initial studies prepared as a basis for a determination for a negative declaration, mitigate negative declaration or an environmental impact report (EIR). It is the intent of this article that an initial study - environmental impact assessment be made concurrently with and as part of the site plan review process, and that a site plan may be approved with conditions that will permit the city council to find that the proposed project will not have significant adverse physical effects on the environment and that a negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration should be prepared.

B.

Environmental impact reports: Where it is determined by the city that an EIR is required for a proposed project, action on a proposed site plan shall be deferred until such time as the EIR has been prepared and reviewed pursuant to provisions of the city's guidelines and state law. The planning commission shall, at the completion of said EIR review, attach such conditions to the approval of the site plan as in their judgment or the judgment of the city council will mitigate or reduce to acceptable levels any of the environmental impacts identified during review of the EIR. The planning commission may deny a site plan if it is found that such mitigation or reduction of environmental impacts is not feasible.

C.

Monitoring program to assure compliance with mitigation measures: As a condition of the agreement between the city and the applicant, or as a condition of site plan approval, the city shall institute an EIR mitigation monitoring program to meet the requirements of Public Resources Code section 21081.6, and as may be amended. Mitigation monitoring shall take place during all successive review procedures of the building construction and land development process, including at the time of plan checking for buildings and public and private improvements, during field inspection of construction, at the time of the issuance of an occupancy permit, and during ensuing operations of the project after project completion.

The ultimate responsibility for the monitoring of mitigation measures shall rest with the city. However, to the extent practical, short-term or on-going responsibility may be shared by the city with the party responsible for project management and operation after project completion, and especially where ongoing operations are required to meet specific standards. The initiation and conduct of an adequate mitigation monitoring program shall apply to a project approved with a "mitigated" negative declaration or with an EIR.

(Ord. No. 2015-01, § 1, 4-8-2015)