Agenda Item #14.9
For Council Meeting of: January 9, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES JENSEN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM TO ROSELAND AREA/SEBASTOPOL ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN AND ROSELAND AREA ANNEXATION EIR FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION AT HEARN AVENUE AND BURBANK AVENUE AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution, adopt an Addendum to the certified Roseland Area/Sebastopol Road Specific Plan and Roseland Area Annexation Projects Final Environmental Impact Report for the Traffic Signalization at Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
To comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Addendum to the certified Roseland Area/Sebastopol Road Specific Plan and Roseland Area Annexation Projects Final Environmental Impact Report requires adoption, by resolution, for the Traffic Signalization at Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue Project.
BACKGROUND
The Traffic Signalization at Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue Project will install a four-way traffic signal control system for both vehicular traffic and pedestrian use.
The proposed traffic signal control system will include the installation of two traffic poles with mast arms, six single traffic poles, Opticom video cameras on all traffic directions, and an advanced loop detection system in the eastbound and westbound lanes of Hearn Avenue. The traffic signal poles and pedestrian signal devices are projected to be installed on all four corners of the Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue intersection. The existing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pedestrian curb ramps along with curbs and gutters at the northeast, southeast, and southwest corners will be upgraded to current standards. The pedestrian curb ramp improvements will be accompanied by new crosswalk striping on the east and south legs of the intersection and new limit lines on the west and north legs of the intersection.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On October 18, 2016, the Council adopted Resolution Number 28873 certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (2016 FEIR) for the Roseland Area/Sebastopol Road Specific Plan, Roseland Area Annexation, associated General Plan, Downtown Station Area Specific Plan, Zoning Code, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Amendments, and Rezoning and Prezoning of parcels within the Roseland Area/Sebastopol Road Specific Plan and Roseland Area Annexation boundaries (State Clearinghouse No. 2016012030) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code § 21000 et seq), the State CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14 § 15000 et seq.) and the City’s local CEQA Guidelines (collectively, “CEQA”).
ANALYSIS
This Project’s need was identified during development project reviews and meets the required warrant for the traffic signal installation. Development projects currently impacting the increase in traffic are contributing their fair share to the cost of the signal. The proposed traffic signal control system at the intersection of Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue will improve the safety and efficiency of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The proposed project improvements will significantly reduce delays at the intersection and will also improve access to Southwest Community Park for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Most of the construction impacts from the proposed project improvements are to occur within existing paved areas at the northeast, southeast and southwest corners of the Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue intersection. Impacts to nonpaved areas during this construction will consist of temporarily disturbing existing earth while installing the proposed traffic signal poles, the associated traffic control wiring and work on pedestrian improvements. The areas temporarily disturbed during the installation of the proposed improvements on the northwest corner of the intersection will be restored to their current conditions after construction is complete.
An Addendum to an adopted EIR may be prepared if no significant environmental effects will occur and none of the previously identified effects will increase in severity. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15164). None of the circumstances under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 are triggered; therefore, no additional analysis is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project has been appropriated to Account No. 17639. This project is funded through the Capital Improvement Fund. Sufficient funds were established for this project in the 2023/2024 Capital Improvement Program budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with CEQA. An Addendum to the Roseland Area/Sebastopol Road Specific Plan and Roseland Area Annexation Projects Final Environmental Impact Report (2016 FEIR) (State Clearinghouse Number 2016012030) was prepared in compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164. The document was reviewed by City Staff, who determined that the project would not cause new significant environmental effects or substantial increases in the severity of significant effects beyond those previously identified in the 2016 FEIR.
Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15164(b), an addendum to a previously certified EIR is not required to be circulated for public review, but will be considered by the Lead Agency prior to making a decision about the project. Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(d), the decision-making body shall consider an addendum with the final EIR or adopted mitigated negative declaration prior to making a decision on the project.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution/Exhibit A
PRESENTER
Jose Mederos, Assistant Engineer
ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM TO ROSELAND AREA/SEBASTOPOL ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN AND ROSELAND AREA ANNEXATION EIR FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION AT HEARN AVENUE AND BURBANK AVENUE