RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-033
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO THE 2035 GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR A GENERAL PAN AMENDMENT TO UPDATE THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN FOR THE PERIOD OF 2023-2031 WHEREAS, to comply with State Housing Element Law, as part of a comprehensive General Plan Update, the city has prepared the Housing Element Update 2023-2031 (the Housing Element); and WHEREAS, as provided in Government Code Section 65350 et. seq., the Housing Element constitutes a General Plan Amendment. General Plan Amendments are considered three times per year in accordance with existing General Plan policy; this General Plan Amendment package includes only the Housing Element; and WHEREAS, an Addendum to the General Plan 2035 Environmental Impact Report (EIR), certified on November 3, 2009, was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and concluded that the EIR adequately addresses the potential physical impacts associated with implementation of the City's Housing Element update and that none of the conditions described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have occurred, therefore, no additional analysis is required; and WHEREAS, on January 26, 2023, the Planning Commission conducted a duly and properly noticed public hearing, reviewed the Housing Element and all pertinent maps, documents and exhibits, including HCD’s findings, the City’s response to HCD’s findings, the staff report and all attachments, and oral and written public comments and determined the Housing Element to be consistent with State law and the General Plan of the City of Sant Rosa; and WHEREAS, CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 provides that when a project was previously analyzed and approved pursuant to a certified EIR, an Addendum to the EIR may be appropriate to analyze proposed modifications to the project; and WHEREAS, the Addendum was prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 and concluded that the draft Housing Element would not cause new significant environmental impacts or substantial increases in the severity of significant effects beyond those previously identified as part of the City’s environmental review process and none of the circumstances under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 were triggered, therefore, no additional analysis is required; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission made the follow findings for the draft Housing Element:
A. The proposed amendment, which is an updated Housing Element, ensures and maintains internal consistency with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan in that since the adoption of the Santa Rosa General Plan 2035 multiple sites from existing inventory have been developed, and all existing policies are complementary to the new Housing Element policy.
B. The proposed General Plan Amendment to update the Housing Element maintains consistency between the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance because no sites are being rezoned as part of this effort and all policies and programs were reviewed for potential conflicts and the draft Housing Element will not result in any obstruction of attainment but rather harmonize and complement the existing policy documents.
C. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City because the Housing Element was drafted in the best interest of the public pursuant to Government Code Section 65358(a).
D. That the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) staff reviewed the City's Draft Housing Element as required by Section 65585(b) of the Government Code, and the City's responses to HCD's comments have been included as part of the draft Housing Element; and the adopted draft Housing Element will be resubmitted for review and certification prior to its effectiveness.
E. The draft Housing Element has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Addendum to the General Plan EIR adequately documents that it is appropriate to rely on the EIR for the proposed General Plan Amendment in that adoption of the Housing Element would not result in new or more severe significant environmental impacts compared to the impacts previously disclosed and evaluated in the 2035 General Plan EIR. Consequently, no additional environmental review is required. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(c), an addendum need not be circulated for public review, but can be included in or attached to the Final EIR or adopted MND. Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(d), the decision-making body shall consider an addendum with the adopted Final EIR prior to making a decision on the project; and WHEREAS, the Addendum was prepared pursuant to CEQA and all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred; and WHEREAS, on February 14, 2023, the City Council of the City of Santa Rosa held a duly noticed public hearing and considered the Addendum together with the previously certified 2009 EIR, the draft Housing Element, all comments made at the public hearing, and all other information in the administrative record, and the Council has determined that all potentially significant environmental effects of the draft Housing Element were fully examined and mitigated in the previously certified 2009 EIR and the Addendum was prepared in accordance with CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa, based on the materials and evidence presented, hereby resolves, declares, determines and orders as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. Compliance with CEQA. The draft Housing Element has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Addendum to the General Plan 2035 EIR adequately documents that it is appropriate to rely on the EIR for the proposed General Plan Amendment in that adoption of the Housing Element would not result in new or more severe significant environmental impacts compared to the impacts previously disclosed and evaluated in the 2035 General Plan EIR. Consequently, no additional environmental review is required. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(c), an addendum need not be circulated for public review, but can be included in or attached to the Final EIR or adopted MND. Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(d), the decision-making body shall consider an addendum with the adopted Final EIR prior to making a decision on the project. The City Council further finds that the Addendum and administrative record have been completed in compliance with CEQA and the Addendum reflects the City’s independent judgment.
SECTION 3. Approval of Addendum. The City Council hereby approves and adopts the Addendum to the General Plan EIR for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update.
SECTION 4. Notice of Determination. The City Council hereby directs staff to prepare, execute and file a Notice of Determination with the Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder’s Office within five (5) working days of the approval of this Resolution.
SECTION 5. Custodian of Records and Location of Documents. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which this Resolution is based are located at the City of Santa Rosa, Planning and Economic Development Department, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3, Santa Rosa, California, 95404, and are available online here: https://www.santarosaforward.com/HE The custodian for these records is Amy Lyle, Supervising Planner.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 14th day of February, 2023.
AYES: (6) Mayor N. Rogers, Vice Mayor MacDonald, Council Members Alvarez, Fleming, Okrepkie, C. Rogers
NOES: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Council Member Stapp
ABSTAIN: (0)
ATTEST:_________________________ APPROVED:______________________________ Deputy City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
City Attorney
Exhibit A –Addendum to the General Plan EIR for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, January 2023 Reso. No. RES-2023-033