RESOLUTION NO. PC - 2024 - 7
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
COTATI RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2024
COTATI 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 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 2022 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 held a duly noticed public hearing on April 15, 2023, 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 Planning Commission 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 Planning Commission 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 Planning Commission, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission 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 Planning Commission finds the adoption of the Plan to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (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 Planning Commission does hereby recommend that the City Council adopt the 2024 Cotati Active Transportation Plan attached hereto as Exhibit "A," and that the City Council consider the following amendments:
• Move Project #24 (W. Sierra Crossing at Hillview) from Tier 2 to Tier 1. • Move Project #27 (E. Cotati Crossing at Arthur/Charles) from Tier 2 to Tier 1. • Add Class 1 pathway from realigned 116/West Cotati intersection to Helman Lane via the eastern corner of the Lowe's property.
Policy 1-6: Change the last sentence as follows: "...and Class IV separated bike lanes should..." to "...and Class IV separated bike lanes shall..." • Policy 1-5: Change "All public streets shall have a sidewalk..." to "All public streets shall have safe pedestrian facilities..."
• Policy 3-2.1: Delete the word "new" from the policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission recommends the City Council authorize 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 Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held on April 15, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT: ADOPTED (UNANIMOUS)
MOVER: Kimberlyn Moffet, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Michelle Berman, Commissioner
AYES: Gilardi, Moffet, Savage, Berman
ABSENT: Long
Dail
Approved:
Chair
Could Rmam
Attest:
Carla Duncan, Planning Secretary