RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
ADOPTING THE 2024 COTATI ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND
APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT CONSISTENT WITH THE
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2014, the City of Cotati adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update, and has since undertaken a further update of the plan; and WHEREAS, it is desirable and beneficial to update the plan from time to time; and WHEREAS, to reflect and accommodate changes and expansions in human powered mobility choices, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update is now referred to as the Cotati Active Transportation Plan (“Plan”); and
WHEREAS, the Plan provides guidance and implementation measures to improve citywide active transportation circulation; and
WHEREAS, the City initiated an update to the Plan in 2021 and began public outreach at numerous popup events at the Farmers’ Market, a kick-off meeting with the Planning Commission on September 20, 2021, and through development of the 2021 Cotati Local Roadway Safety Plan; and
WHEREAS, in 2023 the City partnered with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (“SCTA”) to have the Plan be developed as a part of an “umbrella” Countywide Active Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, public engagement restarted in 2023 and included popup events at the Farmers’ Market and local retail areas, the publication of a project website and online surveys distributed through social media, mailing lists, the City of Cotati website, and November 2023 newsletter, and SCTA’s website and newsletters; and
WHEREAS, in 2023 the Planning Commission reviewed draft elements of the updated Plan at regularly scheduled public meetings held on June 19, November 6, and December 4; and WHEREAS, the City Council and Planning Commission reviewed the draft Plan and provided feedback at public meetings held on March 12 and March 18, 2024, respectively; and WHEREAS, the Plan consists of the Plan text, tables, and graphics, as shown in Exhibit “A” attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the Plan is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Cotati General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the Cotati Active Transportation Plan at a duly noticed public hearing on April 15, 2024, at which time all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on May 14, 2024, regarding the updated Plan at which time all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, the Record of Proceedings ("Record") upon which the City Council bases its decision includes, but is not limited to: (1) the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3); (2) the Cotati Municipal Code; (3) the City of Cotati General Plan and its related Environmental Impact Report (EIR), adopted on March 24, 2015; (4) the City of Cotati 2023-2031 Housing Element Update and its related Addendum to the City of Cotati General Plan EIR, adopted by the City Council on March 28, 2023; (5) all staff reports, city files, records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the City Council related to the Plan; (6) all documentary and oral evidence received at the public hearings or submitted to the City during the comment period on the Project; and (7) all other matters of common knowledge to the City Council, and the City, including, but not limited to, City, state and federal laws, policies, rules, regulations, reports, records, and projections related to development within the City and its surrounding areas.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the changes to the General Plan text and Figure
2.2 (Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan) are justified to achieve the objectives and policies of the General Plan in that:
A. The proposed amendments ensure and maintain internal consistency with all other goals and policies of the General Plan;
B. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City;
C. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan amendment is the first of four General Plan amendments that are allowed in the 2024 calendar year pursuant to Government Code Section 65358.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati finds that the above recitals are true and correct and constitute a part of the findings in support of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds the adoption of the Plan to be exempt from CEQA pursuant to SB 922 (Wiener, 2022) which amended Public Resources Code Sections 21080.20 and 21080.25 to exempt Bicycle Transportation Plans and projects that meet certain conditions, and the general exemption in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) for projects where it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential for significant environmental effects. The physical improvements included in the updated Plan will be subject to future environmental review when specific projects are proposed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati adopts the 2024 Cotati Active Transportation Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati hereby amends the Cotati General Plan to replace all text references to the “Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan” with “2024 Cotati Active Transportation Plan” where cited in the Table of Contents, Figure 2.1, Action CI 1o, Policy CI 2.1, Policy CI 2.3, Action CI 2a, Policy CI 2.11, and Policy CI 2.12.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati hereby amends the Cotati General Plan by replacing Figure 2.2 of the General Plan with Figure 7 from the 2024 Cotati Active Transportation Plan (see Exhibit “B” to this Resolution).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati authorizes City staff to make minor technical changes as needed to the Plan and to post the final 2024 Cotati Active Transportation Plan on the City’s website.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on May 14, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
NAYS:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney