RESOLUTION NO. 2024-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VISALIA, ADOPTING MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION NO. 2024-19, WHICH EVALUATES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOR ANNEXATION NO.
2024-02 AND CAMERON RANCH ESTATES TENTATIVE
SUBDIVISION MAP NO. 5598
WHEREAS, the project consisting of Annexation No. 202 4-02 and Cameron Ranch Estates Tentative Subdivision Map No. 5598 (hereinafter “Project”) is a request to annex a 46.01-acres into the City Limits of Visalia in order to facilitate the subdivision of
43.6-acres into a 178-lot single-family residential subdivision. The property is located on the south side of East Caldwell Avenue between the future South Ben Maddox Way alignment and South Pinkham Street within the jurisdiction of the County of Tulare; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Visalia, after t en (10) days published notice, held a public hearing before said Council on August 5, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, on the basis of this Initial Study, a Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared for the Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project were prepared and noticed for review and comment for 20 days beginning on May 30, 2023, and ending on June 19, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Visalia did receive one comment on the Initial Study and Negative Declaration from the from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC); and,
WHEREAS, upon reviewing the letter with the project applicant, the applicant provided a copy of the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, which was performed by Krazan & Associates, Inc. on July 13, 2022. The results of the Phase 1 noted that no Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) were identified. In addition, no structures, mixing/loading/storage, drainage ditches, farmhouses, outbuildings, smudge pots, or any other chemical of concerns were identified on the site; and,
WHEREAS, to further address the comments raised in DTSC’s letter the following conditions are incorporated in the project’s conditions of approval as follows:
a. That prior to site disturbance, the developer/homebuilder will consult with Krazan & Associates, Inc. on recommendation for obtaining soil samples to test for OCP’s and arsenic. If suggested to be performed, developer/homebuilder shall have Krazan & Associates, Inc. perform the soil sampling per Interim Guidance for Sampling Agricultural Properties from DTSC. The developer/homebuilder shall provide the Planning and Community Preservation Director with a copy of all correspondence Resolution No. 2024-41
between the developer/homebuilder and Krazan & Associates, Inc. that details the required direction/recommendation on soil samples to test for OCP’s and arsenic.
b. All imported soil and fill material shall be tested to ensure that any contaminants are with DTSC’s and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) Regional Screening Levels (RSLs); and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Visalia considered the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and found that the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration contain and reflect the independent judgment of the City of Visalia.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City of Visalia Environmental Guidelines.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Visalia hereby finds, on the basis of the whole record before it, that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment and hereby adopts Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2024-19. The documents and other material which constitute the record of the proceedings upon which the decisions based are located at the office of the City Planner, 315 E ast Acequia Avenue, Visalia, Californi a, 93291.