CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
August 20, 2024 {{section.number}}a
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL INITIAL STUDY AND
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH PREPARING A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE CHABAD OF CORONADO PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
Review the Initial Study and determine that the project description is complete, that the project would not have a potentially significant effect with proposed mitigation, and direct staff to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND:
The City of Coronado CEQA Guidelines require that Initial Studies be considered by the City Council at a noticed public hearing. In accordance with Section 3.7 of the Guidelines, the City Council will review the Initial Study to determine:
• Whether the project description is complete and adequate; • Whether the project may have potential significant environmental impacts; and • Whether to proceed by Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or Environmental Impact Report.
Staff has determined that the proposed project does not qualify for a CEQA exemption or a Negative Declaration because it may result in impacts to/from cultural resources, geology and soils, and noise, which require further analysis and mitigation to make a less than significant finding. As described in the Initial Study, all potential environmental effects of the project would be reduced to a less than significant level through the incorporation of mitigation measures.
Accordingly, the project would not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report.
Therefore, staff recommends the City Council direct staff to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The proposed assembly use in the R-3 Multiple Family Residential zone requires approval of a Major Special Use Permit, Parking Plan, and Coastal Development Permit, which would be decided by the City Council after a Planning Commission recommendation in a public hearing.
Standard of Review
CEQA requires preparation of a Mitigated Negative Declaration when “…the initial study has identified potentially significant effects on the environment, but (1) revisions in the project plans or proposals made by, or agreed to by, the applicant before the proposed [Mitigated] Negative Declaration and Initial Study are released for public review would avoid or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effect on the environment would occur and (2) there is no substantial evidence in light of the whole record before the public agency that the project, as revised, may have a significant effect on the environment.” If the City Council agrees with staff’s assessment that adequate and effective mitigation measures can be incorporated into the project to avoid a potentially significant effect on the environment, they should direct staff to proceed with a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
ANALYSIS:
The Chabad of Coronado project consists of demolishing two existing office buildings which total 4,874 square feet and construction of a new two story, 13,064 square foot synagogue. Vehicle parking would be provided in an underground parking garage with valet service. A total of 50 subterranean parking spaces are provided, which complies with parking requirements (46 vertically stacked vehicles, 2 compact spaces, 1 ADA van space, and 1 ADA space). Hours of operation will vary daily. Weekday activities will start no earlier than 8:00 A.M. and finish no later than 9:00 P.M. Weekend activities will start no earlier than 9:00 A.M. and finish no later than 1:00 P.M.
Development of the project would involve clearing and grubbing of the site, demolition of the existing office buildings, grading for the new structure and associated garage, and construction of the new structure. Typical construction equipment would be used, including but not limited to an excavator, drill rig, crane, and heavy trucks.
Based on the Initial Study, the proposed project may result in potentially significant impacts to/from cultural resources, geology and soils, and noise. All other issue areas were found to have either no environmental impacts or less than significant impacts.
Potential impacts to cultural resources, geology and soils, and noise have been identified as a result of the proposed project. These environmental areas have the potential to be affected and may require mitigation to achieve a “less than significant” finding.
Based upon the project description and preliminary analysis completed, staff recommends the City Council direct staff to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration and circulate the document for a 30-day public review and comment period. The Final Mitigated Negative Declaration would be subsequently presented to the City Council for adoption at a later date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The proposed expenses associated with completing environmental review are fully borne by the applicant and funds to cover the cost of preparing the CEQA document have been provided by the applicant.
ALTERNATIVE:
The Council may direct staff to prepare an Environmental Impact Report.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
The project requires an environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. The CEQA process is intended to identify and publicly disclose any and all potential significant impacts that the proposed project may have on the environment. A draft Environmental Initial Study has been prepared that evaluates the potential environmental consequences of the project (Attachment 1).
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Public notice was posted at City Hall at least 10 days prior to this hearing and published in the Coronado Eagle/Journal on August 7, 2024 in accordance with the City’s CEQA Guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Initial Study
Submitted By: Community Development Department / Marisa Smith