Loading...
101-PC staff report.pdf OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CITY HALL CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255 (408) 777--planning@cupertino.org PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. Agenda Date: May 24, 2011 Application:CP-2011-02, EA-2011-07 Applicant: City of Cupertino Application Summary: Review of the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program, Fiscal Years 2011-12to 2015-16, for General Plan Consistency RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Commission: 1.Recommend a Negative Declaration for the proposed 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), file no. CP-2011-02; and 2.Find that the proposed CIP is consistent with the General Plan as per the model resolution (Attachment 1). BACKGROUND: Each year the City Council adopts a five-year spending plan for capital improvements throughout the City. The CIP is critical because it prioritizes significant city expenditures on capital projects of importance to the City. Funding is not fixed or committed during the five year term. Typically, funding may shift in the second through fifth years as priorities change and project schedules accelerate or decelerate during the lifetime ofthe project. State law and the Cupertino Municipal Code (Section 2.32.070.C –Attachment 2) require the Planning Commission to review the CIP for consistency with the General Plan and make a recommendation on the environmental assessment. The City Council is responsible for setting CIP funding priorities. The draft CIP and staff’s environmental analysis matrixof the CIP are attached (Attachments 3 & 4). The environmental review of the CIP is focused on the first year funded projects as new projects funded in the second through fifth years are not commitments because of possible future changes in City priorities. Attachment 5 lists CP-2011-02(EA-2011-07) Capital Improvement Program, FY2011/12 - 2015/16 May 24, 2011 Page 2 the proposed first year capital projects and staff notes describing how the projects relate to the General Plan. DISCUSSION: Environmental Determination The CIP list for fiscal year 2011-12 includes the following: Projects with previous environmental reviews (see Attachment 4): Stevens Creek Corridor Park (Phase II) – Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted in June 2006. If project aspects change, a separate environmental review will be conducted. The remaining CIP projects included in this review are: Repairs, renovations and relatively minor improvements to City infrastructure and facilities throughout the City Demolition of a swimming pool and bathrooms in order to construct a sports court at the Sports Center. Individually, these types of projects are considered categorically exempt from environmental review under Sections 15301, 15302, 15303 and 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. However, CEQA also requires cumulative environmental analysis of the CIP. On May 19, 2011 The Environmental Review Committee (ERC) examined the CIP and found that there are no significant cumulative environmental impacts. Consequently, the granting of a Negative Declaration for the entire CIP is recommended (Attachment 6). General Plan Consistency The General Plan consistency findings are summarized below: 1.Projects that improve the safety and functioningof the City’s primary circulation system. See General Plan Policies 4-1, 4-3, 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8 Projects in this category include: pavement management andtraffic signal battery backup system. 2.Transportation projects that manage neighborhood traffic, decrease reliance on usage of private cars and promote pedestrian activity. See General Plan policies 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, General Plan text pages 2-51. Projects in this category include: Stevens Creek Corridor Park (Phase II), sidewalk repairs and ADA ramps. CP-2011-02(EA-2011-07) Capital Improvement Program, FY2011/12 - 2015/16 May 24, 2011 Page 3 3.Projects that maintain the usability of the City’s parks and recreation inventory. While much of the Parks section of the General Plan focuses on acquiring and developing new parkland, the plan also recognizes that a well-managed park system enhances the quality of life for its citizens. See General Plan policies 2-69 and 2-86, text pages 2-46, 2-51 and 2-52. Projects in this category include: Stevens Creek Corridor Park (Phase II), Stocklmeir Orchard and Blackberry Farm Golf Course irrigation, Sports Center pool demolition and sports court construction, and Quinlan interior analysis & upgrades. 4.Projects that reduce flood risks. See Flood Hazards General Plan text, starting page 6-25. The projects in this category include: gutter & curb repairs and minor storm drainage improvements. Prepared by: Colin Jung AICP, Senior Planner Reviewed by: Approved by: ______________________________ ___________________________ Gary Chao Aarti Shrivastava City Planner Community Development Director ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Model Resolution Attachment 2: Municipal Code Section 2.32.070.C Attachment 3: Five Year Capital Improvement Program, FY 2011-12 to 2015-16 Attachment 4: Matrix of CIP projects and Environmental Analysis notes Attachment 5: Matrix of CIP projects and General Plan Consistency notes Attachment 6: ERC Recommendation, Initial Study Attachment 7: Excerpts of general plan policies and text G:planning/pdreport/pcCPreports/2011CPreports/CP-2011-02/CP-2011-02.doc