RESOLUTION NO. 07-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY OF PLEASANT HILL, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL 2040 GENERAL PLAN, EXCLUDING THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT, AND CERTIFICATION OF
AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
WHEREAS, California state law requires each city to adopt a general plan for the "physical development of the city and any land outside its boundaries which bears relation to its planning area'' (California Government Code section 65300 et seq.); and WHEREAS, the general plan expresses the City's development goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses both public and private; and WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill last comprehensively updated its General Plan in 2003;and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill initiated an update of the City's General Plan in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan was prepared according to the requirements and guidelines set forth in California Government Code sections 65300 et seq.; and WHEREAS. the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill established a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) to guide the review of the proposed new Pleasant Hill 2040 General Plan and make its recommendations to the City's Planning Commission and City Council; and WHEREAS, the GP AC held 23 public meetings from 2019 through 2023 to discuss the 2040 General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a study session on the draft 2040 General Plan update on February 14, 2023, where all persons interested might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a study session on the draft 2040 General Plan update on March 20, 2023, where all persons interested might appear and be heard; and WHEREAS, a Final Environmental Impact Report, Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, a Statement of Overriding Consideration, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program were prepared for the project; and WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on May 3, 2023, regarding the proposed 2040 General Plan, at which time all interested parties were invited to provide comments on the proposal; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill recommends approval of the 2040 General Plan (Attachment D of the May 3, 2023 Planning Commission Staff Report) based on the following findings:
2040 General Plan
1. The proposed 2040 General Plan been completed in compliance with applicable State of California provisions.
2. The potential impacts of the proposed 2040 General Plan have been assessed and have been determined not to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. The City prepared an Environmental Impact Report that assessed impacts of the 2040 General Plan and 2023-2031 Housing Element.
3. The Planning Commission has requested the following modifications/additions to the City Council for inclusion:
a. Continue to follow up on a potential ban on new gas hookups (for appliance purposes), including completing a study on a ban if appropriate.
b. Support of exploring provisions related to "Reach Codes," while considering financial implications with codes that exceed State requirements. c. Consider incorporating additional provisions related to airport impacts to residents, diversity and home schooling.
d. Incorporate the modifications noted in Attachment E of the May 3, 2023 Planning Commission Staff report that included incorporation of mitigation measures from the Environmental Impact Report and the input provided by a Native American Government, with the provision that the requests by the Native American Government would only apply for projects that require preparation of a Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report
4. The proposed project has been processed in accordance with the applicable provisions of CEQA. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of Pleasant Hill intends to certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project. The Draft EIR prepared for this project was available for public review from January 30, 2023 through March 15, 2023, and the Final EIR prepared for this project is currently available for review at the Planning Division and on the City of Pleasant Hill webpage at www.pleasanthillca.org. After mitigation measures are incorporated, the project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, Greenhouse and Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Noise, Public Services & Recreation, Transportation and Traffic and Utilities and Service Systems. All other impacts, after mitigation measures are incorporated, would not be considered significant or unavoidable or cumulatively considerable.
The Final EIR and associated Mitigation Measure Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) were also prepared for the project after the public comment review period closed.
Multiple public comments/responses were received and included in the Final EIR.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill recommends the City Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report, adopt the Environmental Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, adopt a Statement 2040 General Plan
of Overriding Consideration, and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Per the Draft City Council CEQA Resolution-Attachment C of the May 3, 2023 PC Staff Report).
ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill, at a Special Meeting of the Planning Commission, on the 3rd day of May, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Cheney, Chiang, Field, Khalfin, Key, Wyler, Khalfin
None
None
None
TRO FUJI OTO, Secretary
Planning Commission