RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA REMOVING THE
AGRICULTURAL MITIGATION FOR PRIME FARMLAND
FROM THE CERTIFIED FINAL PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH #202100641) FOR
THE EAST SIDE OVERLAY PROJECT AND ADOPTING THE
REVISED MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Lancaster City Council approved the Lancaster East Side Overlay Project and certified the associated Final Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH# 2022100641) with the required findings and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) on August 22, 2023; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to the certification of the Final EIR it has been determined that the mitigation measure for Prime Farmland is infeasible and unnecessary due to circumstances surrounding agricultural production in the Antelope Valley; and WHEREAS, Section 15074.1(b) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines allows mitigation measures to be modified, replaced, or removed subject to a public hearing and written findings that the action will not cause any potentially significant effects on the environment based on substantial evidence; and
WHEREAS, public notice was published and given as required by law, and a public hearing was held on July 9, 2024, before the City Council; and WHEREAS, substantial evidence was presented that Prime Farmland is converting to non- agricultural uses due to outside forces unrelated to proposed or future development within the Lancaster Eastside Overlay Project including availability of water and an increased demand for housing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to remove the agricultural mitigation measure regarding Prime Farmland and adopt the revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER, AS FOLLOWS:
1. That the foregoing Recitals are true, correct and a substantive part of this Resolution.
2. That the City Council hereby adopts the following findings, in accordance with Section 15074.1(b) of the CEQA Guidelines:
Resolution No.
a. Agricultural land in Los Angeles County, particularly in the Antelope Valley, is being converted to non-agricultural uses due to outside forces unrelated to proposed or future development within the Lancaster Eastside Overlay Project. b. The reduction in groundwater pumping due to the adjudication makes agricultural production of alfalfa, onions, and carrots less feasible due to the water intensive nature of these crops. As a result, land owners are ceasing agricultural production which ultimately leads to the land no longer being eligible for listing as Prime Farmland by the State as it is no longer producing sustained high yields or being irrigated.
c. State mandates and legislation requiring an increase in housing production have placed additional pressure on available land for housing developments, making the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural uses more attractive. d. Conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses is occurring independently of any proposed or future development within the Eastside Overlay area. As such, any potential project would not have a significant impact on agricultural resources (Prime Farmland) and no mitigation is warranted.
2. That the City Council hereby removes the agricultural resources mitigation measure addressing Prime Farmland from the Certified Final Program EIR for the Eastside Overlay Project (SCH# 2022100641),
3. That the City Council hereby adopts the revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Eastside Overlay Project.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
Resolution No.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this ______ day of ___________________, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
______________________________ ______________________________ ANDREA ALEXANDER R. REX PARRIS
City Clerk Mayor
City of Lancaster City of Lancaster
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF LANCASTER )
CERTIFICATION OF RESOLUTION
CITY COUNCIL
I, _____________________________, _________________________ City of Lancaster, California, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution No._____________, for which the original is on file in my office.
WITNESS MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, on this ____________ day of _____________________, _________.
(seal)
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