RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
NOMINATING VERONDA-FALLETTI RANCH, LAGUNA DE SANTA ROSA AND
COTATI CREEK, AND MCGINNIS OPEN SPACE AS PRIORITY CONSERVATION
AREAS AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA
GOVERNMENTS
WHEREAS, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has updated the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) planning framework which creates a regionally consistent approach to designate key areas for conservation and nature-based improvements; and WHEREAS, PCAs include diverse landscapes such as nature preserves, farms, ranches, trails, urban parks, and areas that benefit from urban greening or nature-based climate adaptation solutions; and
WHEREAS, the PCA planning framework includes locally nominated PCAs as locations to coordinate local and regional planning for the conservation of regionally significant areas which are adopted by the ABAG; and
WHEREAS, the PCA designation provides opportunities for grant funding to support conservation, restoration, and recreational projects, helping to achieve both local and regional conservation goals; and
WHEREAS, the updated PCA criteria adopted by ABAG in 2024 aim to ensure alignment with regional sustainability and conservation priorities; and WHEREAS, Veronda-Falletti Ranch provides urban green space, urban agriculture, wildlife habitat, and publicly accessible recreation facilities that contribute to the ecological, recreational, and climate resilience needs of Cotati and the greater Bay Area; and WHEREAS, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Cotati Creek are riparian corridors that provide urban green space, wildlife habitat and corridors, publicly accessible recreation facilities, and water quality benefits that contribute to the ecological, recreational, and climate resilience needs of Cotati and the greater Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, the McGinnis Open Space provides urban green space, wildlife habitat and corridors, stormwater retention, water quality benefits, and native oak woodland that contribute to the ecological, recreational, and climate resilience needs of Cotati and the greater Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Cotati is working with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sandy Loam, Sonoma Water, and other community partners to design and implement projects that enhance the proposed PCAs; and WHEREAS, the designation of a PCA does not alter existing land use designations, zoning, or the local jurisdiction’s land use authority; and
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Recitals.
The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.
SECTION 2: Record.
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the City Council related to adoption of the resolution nominating VerondaFalletti Ranch, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Cotati Creek, and McGinnis Open Space as Priority Conservation Areas and authorizing submission to the Association of Bay Area Governments.
SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency.
The City council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the designation of Priority Conservation Areas is consistent with the General Plan, including the following policies:
CON 1A Protect Cotati’s natural setting and habitat for sensitive plant and animal species.
CON 1.1: Sensitive habitats afforded protection and special consideration in this General Plan include wetlands, vernal pools, riparian areas, wildlife and fish migration corridors, native plant nursery sites, waters of the U.S., sensitive natural communities, and other habitats designated by state and federal agencies and laws.
CON 1.2: Preserve and enhance those biological communities that contribute to the City’s and the region’s rich biodiversity including, but not limited to, annual grasslands, freshwater marshes, wetlands, vernal pools, riparian areas, aquatic habitat, oak woodlands, and agricultural lands.
CON 1.5: Conserve existing native vegetation where possible and integrate plant species native to the region into development and infrastructure projects where appropriate.
CON 1B Protect and Enhance Local Riparian, Wetland and Aquatic Habitat.
Policy CON 1.8 Conserve riparian habitat along local creeks, including but not limited to the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Cotati Creek, in order to maintain suitable habitat for native fish and plant species.
CON 1C Protect Areas with High Water Recharge Capability and Surface Water Quality in the City’s Creeks, Streams, and Waterways
Policy CON 1.9 Protect and enhance streams, channels, seasonal and permanent marshland, wetlands, sloughs, riparian habitat, and vernal pools through sound land use planning, community design, and site planning.
CON 1.10 Support rehabilitation of open existing channelized waterways, as feasible, to remove concrete linings and allow for a connection with the stream channel and the natural water table. Avoid creating additional open channelized waterways, unless no other alternative is available to protect human health, safety, and welfare.
CON 1.11 Where feasible, support restoration of existing channelized waterways to a more natural condition. Restoration efforts should provide for naturalized hydraulic functioning. Restoration should also promote the growth of riparian vegetation to effectively stabilize banks, screen pollutants from runoff entering the channel, enhance fisheries, and provide other opportunities for natural habitat restoration.
CON 2B Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from City Operations and Community Sources CON 2.11 Preserve, protect and enhance, as appropriate, the City’s carbon sequestration resources, also referred to as “carbon sinks,” to improve air quality and reduce net carbon emissions.
CON 3B Enhance Cotati’s Micro-Climate
CON 3.7 Encourage tree planting, including widespread use of trees as windbreaks to maximize the effects of cooling westerly winds and planting of deciduous trees to help reduce summer temperatures, either in conjunction with new development or through private sector participation.
CON 3D Enhance Cotati’s Present Landscaping in a Visually Pleasing Manner while Promoting Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation, and Native Plants CON 3.20 Encourage and promote programs that teach Cotati residents about native and low-water use plants and landscaping materials, and encourage the use of such plants and materials throughout the City.
LU 1.2: Assignment of land use designations throughout Cotati.
OS 1A Ensure the Provision and Preservation of Diverse and Accessible Open Spaces OS 1.2 Preserve designated open space for conservation, recreation, and agricultural uses.
OS 1.4 Where possible, integrate open space and stream corridors, such as the Laguna de Santa Rosa, with trails and other recreational open space in an environmentally sustainable manner.
OS 1.5 Recognize urban open space as essential to maintaining a high quality of life within the City limits.
OS 1.6 Support regional and local natural resource preservation plans of public agencies that retain and protect open space within the City, Sphere of Influence, and Urban Growth Boundary.
OS 1.7 Encourage public and private efforts to preserve open space.
OS 2A Maintain and Expand the Park and Recreation Network.
OS 2.1 Provide a comprehensive and integrated park, recreation, and open space network and improve access to existing facilities shown on Figure 9.2, where feasible.
OS 2.2 Develop new park and recreation facilities in areas which are accessible and convenient to the community, prioritizing areas lacking these facilities.
OS 3A Protect Cotati’s Citizens and Businesses from Flooding.
SA 3.8 Encourage and accommodate multipurpose flood control projects that incorporate recreation, resource conservation, preservation of natural riparian habitat, and scenic values of the City’s streams, creeks and wetland/riparian areas. Where appropriate and feasible, the City shall also encourage the use of flood and/or stormwater retention facilities for use as groundwater recharge facilities.
SA 3.9 Encourage flood control measures that respect natural drainage features, vegetation and natural waterways, while still providing for adequate flood control and protection.
SECTION 4: Consistency with the California Environmental Quality Act.
The City Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed resolution nominating Veronda-Falletti Ranch, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Cotati Creek, and McGinnis Open Space as Priority Conservation Areas and authorizing submission to the Association of Bay Area Governments is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as the proposed ordinance is consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11) and that this ordinance is consistent with and implements the City’s adopted General Plan; therefore no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA Section 15183, and therefore pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, as such no further environmental review is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cotati:
1. Endorses the nomination of Veronda-Falletti Ranch, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Cotati Creek, and McGinnis Open Space as Priority Conservation Areas to be adopted by the Association of Bay Area Governments, recognizing their regional and local significance; and
2. Authorizes staff to complete and submit the required PCA nomination form and any supporting materials to MTC/ABAG;
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 27, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT: MOVER:
SECONDER: AYES:
Approved:
Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk
Approved as to form:
City Attorney