HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14241 (General Plan 2020 Addendum 4)RESOLUTION NO. 14241
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTING ADDENDUM NO.4 TO THE CERTIFIED SAN RAFAEL GENERAL PLAN
2020 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (FEIR) (SCH# 2003052031)
PREPARED FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS (GPA15-001)
(10 YEAR REVIEW POLICY AND MAP UPDATES)
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2004, the San Rafael City Council adopted Resolution
No. 11664, certifying the San Rafael General Plan 2020 Final Environmental Impact Report
(General Plan 2020 FEIR). The General Plan 2020 FEIR is comprised of the following:
1. Draft EIR prepared by Nichols -Berman Environmental Consultants, February 2004;
2. San Rafael General Plan 2020 Background Report prepared by the City of San Rafael,
April 2001 and updated August 2003; and
3. Response to Comments to Draft EIR prepared by Nichols -Berman Environmental
Consultants, August 2004; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan 2020 FEIR assessed the physical environmental impacts
caused by implementation of the San Rafael General Plan 2020, and concludes that many of the
significant environmental effects can be substantially lessened through adoption of feasible
mitigation measures and that some of these effects would remain significant and unavoidable
despite the adoption of all feasible mitigation measures; and
WHEREAS, the certification of the General Plan 2020 FEIR was supported by the
following findings:
1. The FEIR for the General Plan 2020 has been completed in compliance with CEQA;
2. The FEIR is legally sufficient, not only for approval of General Plan 2020, but for all
subsequent actions such as Rezonings, Pre -zonings, Annexations and revisions to the San
Rafael Municipal Code and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of the
General Plan 2020; and
3. The FEIR reflects the independent judgment of the City of San Rafael and the City
Council of the City of San Rafael; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to certifying the General Plan 2020 FEIR, on November 15,
2004, the San Rafael City Council adopted Resolution No. 11665 adopting the San Rafael
General Plan 2020; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the San Rafael General Plan 2020 was supported by CEQA
Findings of Fact and a Statement of Overriding Consideration (Appendix C to Resolution 11665)
and approval of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP, Appendix B to
Resolution 11665); and
WHEREAS, since 2004, the San Rafael General Plan 2020 has been amended several
times, and in processing and adopting many of the subsequent amendments, the City has relied on
use of the General Plan 2020 FEIR for environmental review and clearance; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the City prepared and adopted an Addendum to the General Plan
2020 FEIR (Addendum No. 1), which assessed a General Plan Amendment to change the Plan -
adopted traffic level of service (LOS) standard at the intersection of 3rd and Union Streets; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the City prepared and adopted an Addendum to the General Plan
2020 FEIR (Addendum No. 2) which assessed a General Plan Amendment (GPA 11-001) which
covered: 1) amending the Housing Element; 2) incorporating a new Sustainability Element; 3)
amending wetlands conservation Policy CON -3; and 4) eliminating the City's Project Selection
Process that allocated limited traffic capacity to new land development projects; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the City prepared and adopted an Addendum to the certified EIR
(Addendum No. 3), which assessed a General Plan Amendment for the Housing Element (2015-
2023); and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the City initiated the current General Plan Amendment (GPA 15-
001) in response to its 10 year review of the General Plan 2020, that includes minor revisions,
corrections, and deletion of policies and programs in the General Plan 2020 deemed appropriate
to keep the document current; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan 2020 10 -Year Status Report can be found at:
httD://docs.citvofsanrafael.orL_ /CommDev/Dlannin2_ /GP2020ReDort/San-Rafael-GP-Status-
Report.ndf; and
WHEREAS, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines, General Plan Amendment GPA15-001 is defined as a `project' and subject to
environmental review; and
WHEREAS, given the components and scope of this project, which consists of updates
to policies and programs in the General Plan 2020 to keep the document current as well as
consistent with existing City land and zoning, it was determined that "tiering" from the General
Plan 2020 FEIR is appropriate and consistent with the CEQA Guidelines Section 15152 in that:
The components of the project and respective environmental topic areas are broadly
covered and analyzed in the General Plan 2020 FEIR. While the addition of a Water land
use designation is a new classification, the Water designation simply reflects existing
regulatory limitations and constraints applicable to the affected properties, including
those contained in the current zoning limitations. In a similar way, the addition of
"Vehicle Miles Traveled" as a new method of evaluation for traffic impacts simply
reflects anticipated changes in CEQA regulations and would not materially change
development capacity or constraints. Finally, the updates to timeframes and
responsibilities, inclusion of additional references to completed planning and policy
documents, and deletion of completed policies and programs do not materially affect the
General Plan 2020 long range planning document. The impacts from anticipated land use
and development including anticipated growth, jobs, housing, infrastructure as well as
program and policy changes called for in the General Plan are analyzed in detail in the
General Plan 2020 FEIR, and the minor amendments proposed do not increase the
impacts or create any new impacts not previously considered and addressed by the FEIR;
and
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2. The project proposes a General Plan Amendment that is not specific to a particular
development project. It addresses amendments to current policies and proposes new plan
policies that are applicable to the entire San Rafael Planning Area. The level of detailed
contained in this tier need not be greater than the program, plan or policy being analyzed;
and
WHEREAS, to further support "tiering" from the General Plan 2020 FEIR, an Initial
Study has been prepared utilizing the most current CEQA Guidelines environmental checklist,
and considering the following factors that constitute the "baseline" for review:
None of the components of the project result in any changes to land use assumptions or
projections currently presented in the San Rafael General Plan 2020 and analyzed in the
General Plan 2020 FEIR. No changes are proposed to land use designations or their
respective density and intensity parameters, nor are any changes proposed to adopted
land use designations for individual sites/properties. Further, the project proposes no
changes to circulation (transportation/traffic) projections, policies or implementing
programs that would result in changes to level of service conditions at intersections or
along arterials;
2. The proposed deletion of policies and programs that have been completed within each of
the 16 General Plan 2020 Elements applies only to those policies and programs that no
longer require any further monitoring or implementation. These items were assessed by
the General Plan 2020 FOR and their completion has been anticipated. Likewise,
changes to the timeframe for completion or assignment of responsibility would not
materially alter the affected program or policy, and relocation of several Conservation
Element policies and programs to the Sustainability Element would have no material
effect on the document;
3. The proposed Circulation Element new Policy C-5.1 and Program C -5.1a for including
Vehicle Miles Traveled as an additional method of evaluating traffic impacts would be
consistent with planned changes to CEQA Guidelines and would not change how traffic
impacts are calculated and modeled in the City. Rather, the amendment is intended to
expand how traffic impacts are viewed regionally; and
4. The proposed Water land use designation would have no environmental impacts. The
designation reflects existing regulatory limitations that already apply to these properties,
and does not grant a land use entitlement to develop or build and is not subject to further
environmental review under the CEQA Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, in preparing the Initial Study, the project was reviewed against impacts
identified and mitigation measures included in the certified General Plan 2020 FEIR (2004). The
purpose of this review was to determine if the project would result in: new significant impacts; an
increase in the severity of impacts; or new or expanded mitigation measures from those analyzed
and determined in the General Plan EIR; and
WHEREAS, the project and the findings of the Initial Study were assessed to determine
whether an Addendum to the EIR, Supplemental EIR or Subsequent EIR would be appropriate to
address environmental review for General Plan Amendment GPA15-001. Public Resources Code
Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 set forth limited situations in which a
Supplemental EIR or Subsequent EIR is required once an FEIR has been certified. Further,
3
CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 provides for preparation of an Addendum EIR if no
Supplemental EIR or Subsequent EIR is required; and
WHEREAS, as demonstrated in the preparation of an Initial Study and comparing the
project activities and actions against the impacts identified and mitigation measures included in
the General Plan 2020 FEIR, none of the conditions analyzed under the General Plan 2020 FEIR
have changed, nor does the proposed project meet the criteria for preparing a Subsequent EIR or
Supplemental EIR. Further, the project will not result in one or more significant effects not
discussed in the General Plan EIR, nor does the project create substantially more severe
significant effects than previously examined in the General Plan EIR. Therefore, the Initial Study
supports and recommends an Addendum versus the preparation of a Subsequent EIR or
Supplemental EIR. Lastly, the project has been analyzed consistent with the provisions of State
CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5. As a result, an addendum to the certified General Plan 2020
FEIR (Addendum) was prepared; and
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2016, Addendum No. 4 to the San Rafael General Plan 2020
FEIR, prepared for General Plan Amendment GPA 15-001, was published; and
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2016, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed
public hearing and reviewed and considered the Addendum No. 4 to the General Plan 2020 FEIR
for General Plan Amendment (GPA15-001), along with the previously certified General Plan
2020 FEIR and all applicable mitigation measures therein; and
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2016, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted
Resolution No. 16-21, recommending to the City Council adoption of the Addendum No 4 to the
San Rafael General Plan 2020 Final EIR; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2016, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing
to consider Addendum No. 4 to the General Plan 2020 FEIR for General Plan Amendment
(GPA15-001), and accepted and considered all oral and written public testimony and the written
report of the Planning Division; and
WHEREAS, the custodian of documents which constitute the record of proceedings
upon which this decision is based, is the Community Development Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts the
Addendum No. 4 to San Rafael General Plan 2020 FEIR for the General Plan Amendment
(GPA15-001) based on the following findings, and hereby reaffirms the findings made by the
City in adopting Resolution No. 11664 (listed above) certifying the General Plan 2020 FEIR:
CEQA Section 21166 and its corresponding CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and
15163, provide that once an EIR has been prepared, no subsequent or supplemental EIR
shall be required by the lead agency unless: (a) substantial changes are proposed in the
project, requiring major revisions in the EIR due to the involvement of new significant
environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified
significant effects; (b) substantial changes arise in the circumstances of the project's
undertaking, requiring major revisions in the EIR due to the involvement of new
significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously
identified significant effects; or (c) new information, which was not known and could not
have been known at the time the EIR was certified, shows any of the following:
2
➢ The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous
EIR;
➢ Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown
in the previous EIR;
➢ Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact
be feasible, and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the
project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or
alternative; or
➢ Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those
analyzed in the previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant
effects on the environment, but the project proponents decline the mitigation measure
or alternative.
2. CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(a) provides that a lead agency shall prepare an
Addendum to a previously certified General Plan 2020 FEIR if some changes or
additions to the certified EIR are necessary but none of the conditions calling for the
preparation of a supplemental EIR have occurred. Based on the analysis and
documentation in Addendum No. 4 and the supportive Initial Study environmental
checklist prepared for the proposed project, none of the situations described in CEQA
Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15163 apply here. Based on
the results of the supportive Initial Study environmental checklist, the City has concluded
that the proposed project would not result in new significant adverse impacts nor an
increase in the severity of impacts identified and studied in the certified General Plan
2020 FEIR. None of the conditions requiring a supplemental or subsequent EIR exists
and the Addendum has been prepared in compliance with CEQA.
3. The Addendum has been prepared in accordance with CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines, and
the provisions of the City of San Rafael Environmental Assessment Procedures Manual.
4. The Addendum has been presented to the Planning Commission and City Council, who
have reviewed and considered the information in the Addendum and the certified General
Plan 2020 FEIR prior to approving the Project Approvals.
The Addendum No. 4 and the certified General Plan 2020 FEIR reflect the City's
independent judgment and analysis.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of said City held on Monday, the 5th day of December, 2016, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
c � /:ZC-C
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
Exhibit - Addendum (No 4) to San Rafael General Plan 2020 Environmental Impact Report
(SCH #2003052031)
5
ADDENDUM (No. 4)
TO SAN RAFAEL GENERAL PLAN 2020
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
(SCH#2003052031)
FOR AMENDMENT TO
San Rafael General Plan 2020 Proposing:
General Plan Update (10 -year review)
Project File No. GPA15-001
Prepared By:
Metropolitan Planning Group
1303 Jefferson Street Ste. 100-B
Napa, CA 94559
Lead Agency:
City of San Rafael
Community Development Department
1400 Fifth Avenue (P.O. Box 151560)
San Rafael, CA 94915-1560
Contact: Paul A. Jensen, Community Development Director
July 8, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 3
B. BACKGROUND................................................................................................................. 3
C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................. 5
D. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS.........................................................................................14
E. INITIAL STUDY CHECKLIST............................................................................................26
I.
AESTHETICS.................................................................................................................28
II.
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES.........................................................29
III.
AIR QUALITY..................................................................................................................30
IV.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES...........................................................................................32
V.
CULTURAL RESOURCES..............................................................................................34
VI.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS..................................................................................................35
VII.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS..................................................................................37
VIII.
HAZARDS/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS...........................................................................38
IX.
HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY...........................................................................39
X.
LAND USE AND PLANNING...........................................................................................42
XI.
MINERAL RESOURCES.................................................................................................43
XII.
NOISE............................................................................................................................43
XIII.
POPULATION AND HOUSING: ......................................................................................
45
XIV.
PUBLIC SERVICES: .......................................................................................................
46
XV.
RECREATION................................................................................................................46
XVI.
TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION......................................................................47
XVII.
UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS.............................................................................49
XVIII.MANDATORY
FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE (CAL. PUB. RES. CODE §15065) ...............50
F. SOURCE REFERENCES..................................................................................................51
G. PUBLIC REVIEW..............................................................................................................52
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 2
A. INTRODUCTION
The City of San Rafael is amending the City's General Plan 2020 document to ensure that the
policies and programs continue to be applicable and relevant to the vision of the General Plan.
The targeted amendments focus on maintaining the established goals and policy directions of
the existing General Plan while making adjustments that respond to changes in the ten years
since the Plan was adopted. The majority of policies and programs would not require revisions,
most notably those with long-term timeframes. Programs with short-term timeframes and those
that have been affected by changing circumstances are updated through this General Plan
Amendment. In keeping with the approach to maintain the framework established in the current
General Plan, most changes consist of minor text and timeframe updates while new programs
and revisions were integrated into the structure of General Plan.
Pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Addendum is considered the appropriate document when "only minor technical changes or
additions are necessary" and which would not affect or otherwise contribute to significant
environmental effects. An Addendum is the most appropriate document pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines because the General Plan Amendment does not introduce any new impacts or more
severe impacts relative to what was previously analyzed and none of the conditions described in
Section 15162 have occurred.
This Addendum has been prepared in accordance with Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines
and analyzes the potential impacts of the General Plan Amendment relative to those impacts
previously identified in the San Rafael General Plan 2020 Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
(SCH# 203052031), which was certified on November 15, 2004 through City Council Resolution
No. 11664. While the General Plan Amendment does include minor changes such as those
outlined below, it is consistent with what was identified in the EIR and would not result in any
new significant environmental impacts or substantially increase the severity of previously
identified significant impacts from those previously identified in the certified General Plan EIR.
The General Plan Amendment has been reviewed against the impacts and mitigation measures
presented in the certified General Plan EIR. As set forth below, this Addendum finds that there
would be no change to the impacts evaluated for housing, population and growth,
circulation/transportation, air quality, noise, biological resources, or other environmental
categories.
B. BACKGROUND
On November 15, 2004, the City Council of the City of San Rafael adopted the San Rafael
General Plan 2020 (General Plan). The General Plan has subsequently been amended with an
update to the Housing Element, the introduction of a Sustainability Element, changes to various
policies, and the redesignation of several land uses.
The City of San Rafael prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to assess the physical
environmental impacts of the General Plan, its policies and implementing programs (SCH
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 3
#2003052031) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
The Final EIR (FEIR) was certified by the City Council on November 15, 2004 (City Council
Resolution No. 11664,). The certified EIR consists of the following volumes:
➢ San Rafael General Plan 2020 Background Report; April 12, 2001/reprinted
December 19, 2003;
➢ San Rafael General Plan 2020 Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR);
February 2004; and
➢ San Rafael General Plan 2020 FEIR/Response to Comments to the Draft
Environmental Impact Report; August 2004
The certified EIR (including the DEIR, FEIR and subsequent amendments) assesses
environmental impacts of the General Plan development projections through 2020 (cumulative).
These impacts include, among others, transportation, air quality and noise. The certified EIR
serves as a program -level environmental document for subsequent City actions that are
deemed consistent with the General Plan. Further, the certified EIR was prepared and deemed
legally sufficient to serve as a project -level environmental document for subsequent actions
such as re -zonings, pre -zonings, annexations and revisions to the San Rafael Municipal Code
and regulations, as deemed necessary or recommended to implement the provisions of the
General Plan.
As noted, since 2004 the San Rafael General Plan 2020 has been amended numerous times.
In processing and adopting many of these subsequent amendments, the City has relied on use
of the Plan's certified EIR for environmental review and clearance. In 2009, the City prepared
and adopted an Addendum to the certified EIR (Addendum No. 1), which assessed a General
Plan amendment to change the Plan -adopted traffic level of service (LOS) standard at the
intersection of 3rd Street and Union Street. In 2011, the City prepared and adopted an
Addendum to the certified EIR (Addendum No. 2), which assessed a General Plan Amendment
for the Housing Element (2009-2014), a New Sustainability Element and Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) Reduction Strategy, an amendment to Conservation Element Policy CON -3, as well as
the elimination of the Project Selection Process (PSP). In 2015, the City prepared and adopted
an Addendum to the certified EIR (Addendum No. 3), which assessed a General Plan
Amendment for the Housing Element (2015-2023).
The General Plan and EIR are available for review at the following location:
City of San Rafael Community Development Department
1400 5th Avenue, 3rd floor,
San Rafael, California 94915
The General Plan is also available on the City's website, which can be accessed at:
http://www.citvofsanrafael.ora/Government/Community Development/General Plan 2020.htm
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 4
C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of San Rafael has proposed the amendment of the General Plan 2020 (General Plan
Amendment No. GPA15-001, initiated 1.13.2016) to update applicable policies and programs in
each of the General Plan Elements. The goal is to bring the text and format of the General Plan
up-to-date, to clarify policies and to remove inaccurate information. The amendments do not
substantially change the established policy framework and direction. The General Plan
Amendment does not propose development nor does it require construction of specific projects.
The purpose of the General Plan Amendment is to reinforce local goals, policies, and programs
to implement the vision of the community.
Prior to the preparation of the General Plan Amendment, the City of San Rafael assembled a
10 -Year Status Report to review the progress of policy and program implementation of the
General Plan, laying a roadmap to streamline and update applicable components of the General
Plan.
The 10 -year review was completed with input from members of a Working Group consisting of
representatives from several city departments. A comprehensive review of short-term and
annual programs was conducted for each of the 16 elements in the General Plan. Additionally,
select long-term and ongoing programs were also included in the review. Through this 10 -year
review, the City of San Rafael has evaluated which programs can be removed due to
completion, what strategies and programs will need to be continued, and where revisions are
needed to reflect changes over the past decade. Recommendations contained within the report
provide guidance to update the policies and programs in the General Plan.
A majority of policies and programs in the General Plan will not require changes and have not
been listed in the table below. Rather, the table below provides a summary of the proposed
changes to the General plan policies and programs. Where policies and programs require
changes as shown in the table, most require minor text updates. Policies and programs that
have been completed or are no longer applicable comprise a portion of the programs that need
to be changed; the changes in these cases are the deletion of the policies and programs.
Revised text and new programs have been included as needed to adequately address changes
since the adoption of the 2004 General Plan. Overall, the General Plan Amendment does not
propose significant change to the vision and direction of the current General Plan.
The table below identifies the changes made in the General Plan Amendment. The actions of
the General Plan Amendment are classified into five general categories: No Change/ Minor
Update, Completed, Deleted, Revised, and New.
• No Change/Minor Update - Many policies and programs will be carried forward into the
Amended General Plan unchanged. The general success or lack of significant action
during the planning period calls for many programs to be continued. Some programs
require minor updates that do not cause any major change to the original text; this
includes reference number updates, changes in responsible parties, or extending
timeframes.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 5
• Completed — Polices and programs that have been completed are proposed for deletion.
• Deleted — Policies and programs that are no longer relevant are proposed for deletion.
• Revised — Some policies and programs require a text update to respond to changes that
have occurred since the adoption of the General Plan. Revisions may be required due to
completion of planning documents, implementation of new projects, collection of updated
information, and other changes. Policies and programs are characterized as revised if
they have been moved to another Element or consolidated with programs in another
Element. A number of programs in the Conservation Element were moved to and/or
consolidated with programs in the Sustainability Element, which merged similar or
redundant programs and relocated programs to Elements where they have a close
logical association.
• New — Policies and programs added through this General Plan Amendment are
considered new.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 6
Table of Changes to General Plan Policies and Programs
Element Program/
Policy
Land Use LU -8
LU -8b
LU -20a
LU -21 a
LU -23c
Exhibit 11
Housing H-11 b
H-12
H -12a
H-15
H-1 9a
Neighborhood Intro
NH -2a
NH -3
NH -15a
NH -16a
NH -18a
NH -21
NH -22
I ntro
NH -34a
NH -36
NH -36b
NH -54a
NH -74a
NH -75
NH -75a
NH -76a
NH -86
NH -86a
Modification
No Change/ Minor Update. Crossed out page number reference,
numbers were not necessary and may change so it avoids
inconsistency.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
Revised. Update program and timeframe to maintain zoning
standards adopted to implement the policy.
Revised. Update program and timeframe to maintain zoning
standards adopted to implement the policy.
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
Revised. Water land use category added.
Revised. Update program and timeframe to maintain zoning
standards adopted to implement the policy.
Revised. Reference Homeless Action Plan.
Revised. Reference Homeless Action Plan.
No Change/ Minor Update. Change Responsibility from
Community Development to Parking Services
No Change/ Minor Update. Specify sustainability program
reference numbers.
Deleted "current' from policy reference.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated resource.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated resource.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated responsibility/ resource.
No Change/ Minor Update. Update program reference.
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
Revised. Downtown District. Delete "which is now partially vacant'
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated resource.
No Change/ Minor Update. Acknowledge initiation of SMART rail
service.
Revised. Add SMART and Downtown Station Area Plan reference.
Revised. Text revised to maintain zoning and revise Timeframe.
Revised. Text revised to reflect completion of Canalfront
Conceptual Design Plan. Added "Public Works" to responsibility
and "State and Federal Grants" as resources
Revised. Amend policy to implement adopted plan, revise
Responsibility and Resources.
Revise. Update program and Timeframe change to Ongoing.
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
Revised. Added Civic Center station area plan reference.
Revised. Added Civic Center station area plan reference.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan
NH-88
Revised. Delete "If rail service is initiated."
NH-94b
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
NH-95
Completed. Delete policy.
NH-95a
Completed. Delete program.
NH-98
Revised. Add "maintain" to indicate continuing landscaping.
NH-118a
Revised. Add "Village at Loch Lomond project approval" reference.
NH-118b
Revised. Maintain program implementation.
NH-118c
Revised. Facilitate program implementation.
NH-119
Revised. Maintain policy.
NH-119a
Completed. Delete program.
NH-126a
Revised. Encourage ongoing implementation of program.
NH-150a
Revised. Added accomplishments. Timeframe changed to long
term.
NH-156a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
Community
CD-1 b
Completed. Delete program.
Design
CD-3b
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-3c
No Change/ Minor Update. Change reference to related program.
CD-4a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-4b
Revised. Added partially implemented accomplishments.
Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-4c
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-4d
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-5a
Revised. Acknowledge completed Canalfront Conceptual Design
Plan.
CD-8a
No Change/ Minor Update. Redevelopment replaced with
Economic Redevelopment as a resource.
CD-10b
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-10c
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-11a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-12a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CD-13
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
CD-15b
Revised. Mentioned thresholds adjusted. Updated Housing
Element program number reference.
Economic
Intro
Revised. Revised outdated numbers
Vitality
EV-2e
Revised. Revised text, timeframe changed to ongoing.
EV-7a
Revised. Examples added, timeframe changed to ongoing.
EV-8b
Deleted.
EV-12b
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
EV-13a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
Updated Housing Element program number reference.
EV-14
No Change/ Minor Update. H-54a reference removed (program
completed)
EV-15b
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
EV-17a
Revised. Expanded on pre-application actions. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
Circulation
Intro
Revised. Revise "Background" and Update Exhibit 19 to add mode
split with 2013 data.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 9
Intro
Revised. Revised "Transportation Successes" to reflect updates,
add Station Area Plan references and Complete Streets Directive
policy adoption.
Intro
Revised. Update to "Transit Services" and remove outdated text.
Intro
Revised. Update to "Paratransit Services" estimated needs.
Intro
Revised. Update to "Bicycling and Pedestrian Facilities" to
reference Complete Streets Policy.
Intro
Revised. Update to "Paratransit Services" estimated needs.
Intro
No Change / Minor Update. Revise "Parking Facilities" sentence
structure.
Intro
Revised. Update to "Funding Needs" to reflect new funding
sources.
Goal 12
Revised. Clarified reference to TAM
C-1 a
Revised. Clarified reference to TAM
C -2a
Completed. Delete program.
(New) C-5.1
New. New policy on VMT for Environmental Review.
(New) C-5.1 a
New. New program on VMT for Environmental Review.
Exhibit 21
Revised. Project list updated.
C-7
Revised. Removed redevelopment as a source.
Intro
Revised. Removed outdated text from "Expanding Alternatives to
the Single Occupant Automobile for Local and Regional Mobility".
C-11 a
Revised. Removed outdated text.
C-1 le
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
Intro
Revised. Removed outdated text from "Improving Transit and
Related Services".
C -14a
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
C-1 7a
Revised. Updated SMART text reference.
C-1 7b
Revised. Updated SMART text reference.
C-20
Revised. Updated SMART text reference.
C -20a
Revised. Updated SMART text reference.
C -29e
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
Infrastructure
Intro
Revised. Removed outdated text
I -4b
No Change/ Minor Update. Removed redevelopment as a source.
I -8b
Revised. Added text on continuing actions
Intro
Revised. Updated "Water and Wastewater Infrastructure" water
supply text, and removed outdated text relevant to LGVSD
1-12
Deleted. Policy no longer considered necessary.
1-12a
Deleted.
1-13
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated program number reference.
Intro
Revised. Revised "Telecommunications" introduction to remove
outdated text.
1-15b
Completed. Delete program.
Governance
G-2
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
G-3
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated Housing Element program
number reference.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 9
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 10
Goal 21
Revised. Added text to highlight efforts to support community
participation.
G-5
Revised. Included reference to Community Engagement Action
Plan.
G-6
Revised. Included reference to Community Engagement Action
Plan.
G-7
Revised. Included reference to Community Engagement Action
Plan. Update Housing Element program reference.
G-8
Revised. Included reference to Community Engagement Action
Plan.
G -9b
Revised. Text on exit interviews.
G-11 a
Revised. Replaced DART with CERT.
G -12b
Revised. Removed outdated text.
Goal 22
Revised. Revised outdated numbers.
G-1 8c
Revised. Added reference to SB 2.
Sustainability
SU -3a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
SU -3b
Completed. Delete program.
SU -3c
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
SU -4
Revised. Integrated with CON -8
SU -4a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
SU -4b
No Change/ Minor Update. Program continues in some form but
responsibility changed to city manager
SU -4c
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
SU -4d
Revised. Revised due to completion. References recent actions.
(New) SU -4e
Revised. Moved from CON -17a.
(New) SU -4f
Revised. Moved from CON -18b.
(New) SU -4g
Revised. Moved from CON -18d Incentives for Solar and Clean
Energy and combined with CON -19a Energy Production.
SU -5a
Deleted.
(New) SU -5b
Revised. Moved from CON -18c.
SU -5b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -5c. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -5c
Revised. Renumbered to SU -5d. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
Integrated CON -20a.
(New) SU -5e
Revised. Moved from CON -20b
SU -5d
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -5f. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
(New) SU -6
Revised. Moved from CON -22.
(New) SU -6a
Revised. Moved from CON -22a.
SU -6
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -7
SU -6a to 6b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -7a and SU -7b.
SU -6c
Completed. Delete program.
SU -6d
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -7c.
SU -7
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -8.
SU -7a
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -8a. Resource
changed to Economic Development.
SU -7b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -8b.
SU -8
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -9.
SU -8a
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -9a. Removed
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 10
redevelopment as a resource. Updated Housing Element program
SU -13a I No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -14a. Incorporated
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 11
reference.
SU -8c
Revised. Moved and modified from PR -16a.
SU -9
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -10.
SU -9a
Revised. Renumbered to SU -10a. Updated program status.
SU -9b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -10b. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -9c
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -10c. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -9d
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -10d.
(New) SU-
Revised. Moved from CON -21 a.
10e
(New) SU -1 Of
Revised. Moved from CON -21 b.
(New) SU-
Revised. Moved from CON -21c.
10g
(New) SU-
Revised. Moved from CON -21d.
10h
(new) SU -10i Revised. Moved from CON -21e.
SU -9e
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -10j. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -9f
Completed. Delete program.
SU -9g
No Change/ Minor Update. No Change/ Minor Update.
Renumbered to SU -10k.
SU -9h
Completed. Delete program.
SU -9i
Completed. Delete program.
SU -10
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -11.
SU -10a
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -1 la. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -10b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -11 b. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -10c
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -11c. Timeframe
changed to ongoing.
SU -10d
No Change/ Minor Update. to SU -11d. Timeframe changed to
ongoing.
SU -10f
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -1 le.
SU -11
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -12.
SU -11a
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -12a. Resource
changed to Economic Development.
SU -11 b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -12b. Timeframe
changed to ongoing. Incorporated CON -17b.
SU -11c
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -12c. Resource
changed to Economic Development.
SU -12
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -13.
SU -12a to
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -13a to SU -13c.
SU -12c
SU -12d
Completed. Delete program.
SU -12e
Revised. Renumbered to SU -13d. Include reference to CCAP.
SU -13
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -14.
SU -13a I No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU -14a. Incorporated
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 11
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 12
CON-23a.
SU-13b
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU-14b. Incorporated
CON-24c.
SU-13c
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU-14c.
SU-13d
Completed. Delete program.
SU-13e
Completed. Delete program.
SU-13f
Revised. Renumbered to SU-14d. Incorporated CON-24d.
SU-13g to
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU-14e to SU-14h.
SU-13j
(New) SU-14i
Revised. Moved from CON-18f. LEED changed to CalGreen
(New) SU-14j
Revised. Moved from CON-24a.
(New) SU-
Revised. Moved from CON-24b.
14k
(New) SU-141
Revised. Moved from CON-25a.
SU-14
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU-15.
SU-14a to
No Change/ Minor Update. Renumbered to SU-15a to SU-15d.
SU-14d
Culture and
CA-1a
Completed. Delete program.
Arts
CA-lb
Completed. Delete program.
CA-2
Revised. Revised text on the Arts Plan
CA-6c
Completed. Delete program.
CA-8
Completed. Delete policy.
CA-8a
Completed. Delete program.
CA-9a
Completed. Delete program.
CA-13a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to long term.
CA-14a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
CA-14c
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
Parks and
Intro
Revised. Removed outdated text
Recreation
PR-7b
Deleted.
PR-11 a
Completed. Delete program.
PR-16a
Deleted. Modified and moved to SU-8c. Originally recommended
for deletion because of completion, but there may be opportunities
to look into standards and permitting processes.
PR-24a
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
Safety
Intro
Revised. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-12
Revised. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-12a
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-12b
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-13a
Revised. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-13b
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-13c
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-14a
No Change/ Minor Update. Responsibility updated
S-16a
No Change/ Minor Update. Updated to reflect CUPA oversight
S-21
Revised. Text updated, refers to sea level rise white paper
S-21 a
New. Changed to local hazard mitigation plan
(New) S-21 b
New. New program
Intro
Revised. Replaced DART with CERT
S-26a
No Change/ Minor Update. Replaced DART with CERT
S-30b
Revised. Updated WUI reference
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 12
No Change/ Minor Update. Replaced DART with CERT
No Change/ Minor Update. Replaced DART with CERT
Completed. Delete program.
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9b. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9c. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9d. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Deleted reference that could not be
located
Deleted. Goal is deleted because policies and programs were
moved to the Sustainability Element
Revised. Policies and programs moved to the Sustainability
Element.
See SU -4e (Regional Energy Office), SU -4f (Zoning and Building
Code Review), SU -4g (Clean Energy Production), SU -5b (Use of
Alternative Building Materials), SU -5d (Water Efficiency Programs),
SU -5e (Water Recycling), SU -6a (Site Design), SU -10e
(Recycling), SU -1 Of (Recyclable Waste Receptacles), SU -10g
(Recycling for Apartments and Nonresidential Buildings), SU -1 Oh
(Demolition Waste), SU -10i (Recycling Education), SU -12b (Marin
County Green business Program), SU -14a (Alternative
Transportation Options), SU -14b (Alternative Fuel for City Fleet),
SU -14d (City Electricity), SU -14i (Civic Buildings), SU -14j (Green
Business Certification), SU -14k (Regional Collaboration), SU -141
(Backup Energy Provision)
Completed. Program not moved to Sustainability Element
Completed. Program not moved to Sustainability Element
Completed. Delete program.
No Change/ Minor Update. Deleted completed reference
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 13
S -33e
S -40c
Noise
N -6b
N -6f
N -10b
N -10c
N -10d
Open Space
OS -2d
Conservation
Goal 32
CON -17 to
CON -25
CON -18a
CON -18e
Air Quality
AW -4b
AW -6c
No Change/ Minor Update. Replaced DART with CERT
No Change/ Minor Update. Replaced DART with CERT
Completed. Delete program.
No Change/ Minor Update. Timeframe changed to ongoing.
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9b. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9c. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Change to N -9d. Wrong numbering/
typo
No Change/ Minor Update. Deleted reference that could not be
located
Deleted. Goal is deleted because policies and programs were
moved to the Sustainability Element
Revised. Policies and programs moved to the Sustainability
Element.
See SU -4e (Regional Energy Office), SU -4f (Zoning and Building
Code Review), SU -4g (Clean Energy Production), SU -5b (Use of
Alternative Building Materials), SU -5d (Water Efficiency Programs),
SU -5e (Water Recycling), SU -6a (Site Design), SU -10e
(Recycling), SU -1 Of (Recyclable Waste Receptacles), SU -10g
(Recycling for Apartments and Nonresidential Buildings), SU -1 Oh
(Demolition Waste), SU -10i (Recycling Education), SU -12b (Marin
County Green business Program), SU -14a (Alternative
Transportation Options), SU -14b (Alternative Fuel for City Fleet),
SU -14d (City Electricity), SU -14i (Civic Buildings), SU -14j (Green
Business Certification), SU -14k (Regional Collaboration), SU -141
(Backup Energy Provision)
Completed. Program not moved to Sustainability Element
Completed. Program not moved to Sustainability Element
Completed. Delete program.
No Change/ Minor Update. Deleted completed reference
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 13
D. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The required environmental review for the proposed General Plan Amendments commenced
with a review of the 2004 certified San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR. An Initial Study checklist
was prepared to determine if the proposed General Plan Amendments would result in any new
significant impacts, an increase in the severity of impacts, or new or expanded mitigation
measures from those analyzed in the General Plan EIR. The following section of this document
provides the rational for the preparation an addendum and a summary of analysis and findings
of the addendum for each environmental category reviewed.
Rational for Preparation of EIR Addendum
Since the General Plan EIR has been certified, the environmental impacts of all subsequent
activities must be examined in light of the impact analysis in the certified EIR to determine if
additional CEQA documentation must be prepared. One of the standards that apply is whether,
under Public Resources Code Section 21166 and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and
15163, there are new significant effects, changes in circumstance or other information that
require preparation of a subsequent EIR or supplemental EIR. CEQA Section 15164 states that,
"the lead or responsible agency shall prepare an addendum to a previously certified EIR if some
changes or additions are necessary but none of the conditions described in Section 15162
calling for a subsequent EIR have occurred."
In determining whether an addendum is the appropriate document to analyze the modifications
to the project and its approval, State CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 (Addendum to an EIR or
Negative Declaration) states:
(a) The lead agency or a responsible agency shall prepare an addendum to a previously
certified EIR if some changes or additions are necessary but none of the conditions
described in Section 15162 calling for preparation of a subsequent EIR have occurred.
(b) An addendum to an adopted negative declaration may be prepared if only minor
technical changes or additions are necessary or none of the conditions described in Section
15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have
occurred.
(c) An addendum need not be circulated for public review but can be included in or attached
to the final EIR or adopted negative declaration.
(d) The decision-making body shall consider the addendum with the final EIR or adopted
negative declaration prior to making a decision on the project.
(e) A brief explanation of the decision not to prepare a subsequent EIR pursuant to Section
15162 should be included in an addendum to an EIR, the lead agency's required findings on
the project, or elsewhere in the record. The explanation must be supported by substantial
evidence.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 14
New significant effects or other grounds require preparation of a subsequent EIR or
supplemental EIR in support of further agency action on a project pursuant to Public Resources
Code Section 21166 and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15163. Under these
guidelines, a subsequent or supplemental EIR shall be prepared if any of the following criteria
are met.
(a) When an EIR has been certified or negative declaration adopted for a project, no
subsequent EIR shall be prepared for that project unless the lead agency determines, on the
basis of substantial evidence in the light of the whole record, one or more of the following:
(1) Substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of
the previous EIR or negative declaration due to the involvement of new significant
environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified
significant effects;
(2) Substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is
undertaken which will require major revisions of the previous EIR or negative declaration
due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in
the severity of previously identified significant effects; or
(3) New information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have
been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the previous EIR was
certified as complete or the negative declaration was adopted, shows any of the following:
(A) The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous
EIR or negative declaration;
(B) Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown
in the previous EIR;
(C) Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact
be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project,
but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or
(D) Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those
analyzed in the previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects
on the environment, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure
or alternative.
This document serves as the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
prepared for the City of San Rafael General Plan. The Addendum has been drafted pursuant to
Section 15164 of CEQA and provides evidence demonstrating that the proposed General Plan
Amendment is consistent with the certified General Plan EIR.
As demonstrated herein, the proposed changes set forth in the General Plan Amendment do not
meet the criteria for requiring preparation of a Subsequent or Supplemental EIR, CEQA Section
15162 and 15163 respectively. The General Plan Amendment will not result in one or more
significant effects not previously discussed in the General Plan EIR, nor does the Amendment
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 15
create substantially more severe significant effects than previously examined. Additionally, none
of the conditions analyzed under the certified General Plan EIR have substantially changed.
The City of San Rafael, as the lead agency, supports and recommends an Addendum rather
than the preparation of a Subsequent EIR or Supplemental EIR. Therefore, the General Plan
Amendment may be approved as an activity covered within the scope of the 2004 certified
General Plan EIR. The purpose of this review is to determine if the project would result in: new
significant impacts; an increase in the severity of impacts; or new or expanded mitigation
measures from those analyzed and determined in the General Plan EIR. The following presents
those General Plan EIR impacts and mitigation measures that are pertinent to the project, and
compares the proposed project activities to these impacts and measures. The discussion is
organized by the chronological order of topic areas presented in the Initial Study:
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 16
Impacts Summary Table
GENERAL PLAN EIR IMPACT GENERAL PLAN EIR RELATIONSHIP TO PROPOSED PROJECT
ADOPTED MITIGATION (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2016)
MEASURE
AESTHETICS
Impact IV. 7-4 Light and Glare
Mitigation Measure IV.7-
No change. The General Plan Amendment would result in no change
4: new projects proposing
that would result in impacts different from those analyzed in the GP
GP EIR determined that development
parking lot improvements
EIR.
facilitated by GP could produce new
to prepare lighting plan
sources of light and glare. Considered
that incorporate
significant before mitigation/ Less than
measures as set forth in
significant after mitigation
CD -19b "Lighting Plan"
AIR QUALITY
Impact IV.3-1. Consistency with Clean Air
No mitigation required.
No change. The General Plan Amendment would result in no change
Plan. General Plan EIR determined that
that would result in impacts different from those analyzed in the GP
there would be a less -than -significant to
EIR. Therefore, this action would have no impact on General Plan
the Clean Air Plan.
consistency with the Bay Area Air Plan.
Impact IV.3-2. Consistency with Clean Air
No mitigation required.
No change. The proposed update to the General Plan Amendment
Plan transportation control measures.
would result in no changes to the adopted Sustainability Element and
General Plan EIR determined that there
GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy, which ensure consistency with the
would be to be less -than -significant
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) CEQA Guidelines
impacts to Clean Air transportation control
for promoting transportation control measures.
measures.
Impact IV.3-3. Odor/toxics buffer zones. Mitigation Measure IV.3- No Change. The General Plan Amendment does not propose a change
3. Adopted Program AW- in development policy from those analyzed in the GP EIR that would
The GP EIR determined that in the 2a (Sensitive Receptors)
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 17
absence of buffer zones from major mobile
sources of toxic contaminants impacts
would be potentially significant before
mitigation.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Impact IV.8-1. Special -Status Plant and
Animal Species. The GP EIR determined
that the 2020 GP could directly and/or
indirectly affect special status plants and
animals before mitigation.
Impact IV.8-2. Sensitive Natural
Communities. The GP EIR determined that
implementation of the 2020 GP may
directly or indirectly impact undeveloped
areas.
required that all projects
considered "sensitive
receptors" (e.g., housing,
schools, child care)
proposed within 500 feet
of the closest lane of US
101 or 1-580 be subject to
review of health risks.
Mitigation Measure IV.8-1
introduced CON -14a
requiring survey of vacant
lots prior to development
approval and CON -14b
requiring minimization of
impacts to special status
species where impacts
found to be unavoidable.
After mitigation Impacts
are Less than significant
Mitigation measure IV.8-2
requires the adoption of
Conservation Policy
CON -10a, which requires
the protection of oak
savanna and oak
woodland habitat when
assessing development in
these areas.
expose "sensitive receptors" to health risks at significant levels.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
Impact IV.8-3. Federally Protected No mitigation required. No change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
Wetlands. The General Plan determined to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected.
that there would be less -than -significant
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 18
impacts to protected wetlands, provided
that Conservation Element policies and
programs were included in the adoption of
the Plan.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Impact IV.9-1 Seismic Ground Shaking.
The GP EIR determined that new
development would likely be subject to
some level of seismic ground shaking and
found this impact to be significant and
unavoidable.
Impact IV. 9-2 Seismic related ground
failure. The GP EIR determined that
exposure to adverse seismic effects would
be a significant impact.
Mitigation Measure IV. 9-
1: Required post -
earthquake inspections of
critical facilities. With
mitigation, impacts would
be less than significant.
(applicable to both impact
categories)
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
Impact IV. 9-3 Land sliding. GP EIR found Mitigation Measure IV.9-3 There would be no change or increase in the severity of the significant
that development consistent with 2020 GP requires that the City and unavoidable impact. The General Plan Amendment does not
could expose people to effects of develop and adopt a City change the policies on land sliding and proposes no new changes to
landslides and this would be a potentially landslide policy. With the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected.
significant impact.
Impact IV.94 Subsidence. The GP EIR
found that development consistent with
2020 GP could expose people to effects of
subsidence and this would be a potentially
significant impact.
mitigation impacts would
be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures IV.9-
4 (a) and 4 (b) requires
that the City amend policy
S-21 Rise in Sea Level
and that the City adopt a
program for S-20 Levee
Upgrading, respectively.
The General Plan Amendment revises Policy S-21. Rise in Sea Level to
expand upon the current policy through monitoring, sea level rise
vulnerability assessments, and coordination for long-term adaptation.
Program S-21 a. calls for the preparation of a local hazard mitigation
plan and Program S-21 b. calls for a vulnerability assessment. Policy S-
20 remains unchanged.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 19
Impact IV.9-5 Erosion
IV. 9-7 Septic Suitability of Soils. The GP
EIR Determined that the installation of
septic systems on inadequate soils would
be a potentially significant impact.
Mitigation Measure IV.9-
5 requires that the City
shall amend Policy NH -68
Shoreline Embankments
With mitigation impacts
were found to be less
than significant.
Mitigation Measure IV.9-7
requires the City adopt a
GP Policy discouraging
the use of septic systems
in the planning area. If no
other alternatives exist
than a soil test is
required. With mitigation
impacts are less than
significant.
LAND USE, POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
Impact IV.1-1. Conflict with applicable land No mitigation required
use or other plans. The GP EIR
determined that there would be less -than -
significant impacts.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
The General Plan Amendment proposes introduction of a "Water" land
use designation for parcels covered by the bay to more accurately
reflect parcels that are not expected to develop because of their
location in the water. As development would not be expected on parcels
under water, the applied "Water" land use designation would not cause
a significant change. No new impacts are expected.
Impact IV.1-2. Incompatible land uses and No mitigation required. No change. The General Plan Amendment would not increase the
changes to neighborhood character. The severity of this impact or result in a new impact. Programs have been
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 20
General Plan EIR determined that there
would be less -than -significant impacts.
carried through to completion: zoning updates have been completed in
policies NH -54, NH -75, NH -95, and NH -119. Programs in policy NH -118
have been updated to reflect progress in planning and development.
The Project would not result in incompatible land uses or a change in
the character of a neighborhood.
Impact IV.1-3. Growth and concentration No mitigation required. No change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to population. The General Plan EIR to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
determined that there would be less -than- impacts would remain at levels below significant.
significant impacts.
Impact IV.1-4. Employment growth rate. No mitigation required. No change. None of the components of the project would result in a
The General Plan EIR determined that substantial increase in the employment projected under the San Rafael
there would be less -than -significant General Plan 2020.
impacts.
Impact IV.1-5. Jobs -to -housing ratio. The No mitigation required
General Plan EIR determined that there
would be less -than -significant impacts.
NOISE
IV.4-2. Increased Rail Noise.
Mitigation Measure IVA-
2. This measure requires
that a detailed noise
assessment be
conducted to assess
noise and vibration
impacts associated with
No change. None of the components of the project would result in a
substantial change in the jobs -to -housing ratio that is projected under
the San Rafael General Plan 2020.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected and all
impacts would remain at levels below significant.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 21
the SMART rail service.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Impact IV.5-3 Release of Hazardous
Mitigation Measure IV. 5 -
Materials. GP EIR indicates that
3 requires that policy S -
development consistent with the 2020 GP
13 be introduced
could cause a release of hazardous
requiring remediation and
materials that would be a significant
cleanup for any sites
impact.
having had past
associated impacts are potentially
contamination.
Impact IV.54 Hazardous Materials,
Mitigation Measure IV.5-4
substances or wastes near schools. The
introduces GP policy S-11
GP EIR indicated that because the 2020
requiring survey of
GP would allow for the transportation,
existing industrial facilities
storage, use and or disposal of hazardous
located adjacent to
materials within'/4 mile of a school the
schools and restricting
associated impacts are potentially
the siting of hazardous
significant.
waste -related facilities
near schools.
PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES
Impact IV.5-6 Police Services. The GP EIR
found that development consistent with the
2020 GP would generate demand for
police services beyond the available
capacity. This was found to be a potentially
significant impact.
Mitigation Measure IV.5-
6(a) and (b) introduces S -
39a, Public Safety
Facilities, to encourage
the Police Dept. to
identify needs and
construct or renovate
facilities. However,
impacts remain significant
Marin County CUPA replaces the San Rafael Fire Department as the
oversight body for hazardous materials. Policy and program changes
involve replacing text noting the responsible party for implementation.
No Change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond
those previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 22
Impact IV.5-8 Parks, The GP EIR
determined that development consistent
with the 2020 GP may further exacerbate
the existing deficiency in park facilities and
this would be a potentially significant
impact.
and unavoidable.
Mitigation Measure IV.5-8
recognizes that impacts
would be minimized
through adherence to GP
policies, however,
impacts remain significant
and unavoidable.
Impact IV.5-9 Library Services. The GP Mitigation Measure IV.5-9
EIR found that development consistent recognizes that impacts
with 2020 GP could increase the demand would be minimized
for library services beyond the current through adherence to GP
capacity which would be a potentially policies, however,
significant impact. impacts remain significant
and unavoidable.
Impact IV.5-11 Wastewater treatment
capacity — South of Puerto Suello Hill. The
GP EIR found that development consistent
with the 2020 GP could generate
wastewater flows that exceed the capacity
of the Central Marin Sanitation Agency.
Mitigation Measure IV.5-
11(a) and (b) require that
that the CMSA perform a
Capacity Management
Alternative Study.
Impact.5-12 Water Supply. The GP EIR
Mitigation Measure IV.5-
found that development consistent with the
12(a) and (b) requires
2020 GP could increase the demand for
that the MMWD research
water in the planning area which would
and implement water
constitute a project specific and cumulative
conservation facilities and
impact.
identify new water supply
sources. However, this
impact remains significant
and unavoidable
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 23
TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC
Impact IV.2-1. Level of Service at
intersections approved to acceptable levels
of service with General Plan 2020. The
General Plan determined that there would
be less -than -significant impacts to
intersections adopted with specific,
acceptable LOS standards.
Impacts IV.2-2, IV.2-3, IV.2-4, IV.2-5.
Impacts to levels of service at specific
intersections. The GP EIR determined that
there would be significant and unavoidable
impacts at specific intersections.
No mitigation required. The General Plan Amendment presents updates to the list of traffic
improvements in terms of description, funding amount for consolidated
projects, and timing of proposed roadway improvements. The total
funding remains consistent with the current General Plan No new
impacts are expected beyond those previously analyzed.
No mitigation measures
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
available or adopted to
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
reduce impacts to
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
acceptable level. Found
previously analyzed.
to be significant and
unavoidable
Impact IV.2-6. Unacceptable City roadway
Impact determined to be
segment level of service resulting from San
significant and
Rafael General Plan 2020. The General
unavoidable. No
Plan EIR determined that there would be
mitigation measures
significant and unavoidable impacts along
available or adopted to
specific roadway segments.
reduce impacts to
acceptable level.
Impact IV.2-7. City roadway segment level No mitigation required
of service resulting from San Rafael
General Plan 2020.
The General Plan determined that there
would be less -than -significant impacts to
selective City roadway segments.
Impact IV.2-9 LOS along US 101 and 1-580 GP EIR determined
Mainlines resulting from 2020 GP. impact to be significant
Implementation of the GP would cause and unavoidable. No
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
No change. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes
to the analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond
those previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 24
some freeway segments to deteriorate to mitigation measures
below significant levels and this is available to further reduce
considered a potentially significant impact this impact
Impact IV. 2-13 Removal of on -street GP EIR determined
parking spaces along Lincoln Avenue. The impact to be significant
GP EIR determined that the removal of on- and unavoidable. No
street parking spaces required to improve mitigation measures
traffic flow would be a potentially significant available to further reduce
impact.
this impact
previously analyzed.
No change or increase in the severity of the significant and unavoidable
impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes no new changes to the
analysis in the GP EIR. No new impacts are expected beyond those
previously analyzed.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 25
E. INITIAL STUDY CHECKLIST
1. Project Title
Initial Study Checklist
General Plan Amendment
2. Lead Agency Name & Address City of San Rafael
Community Development Department
Planning Division
1400 Fifth Avenue (P.O. Box 151560)
San Rafael, California 94915-1560
3. Contact Person & Phone Number Paul A. Jensen, Community Development Director
Phone number: (415) 485-5064
Email: Paul.iensen(cDcitvofsanrafael.orq
4. Project Location The proposed project is not site-specific, but addresses
policies, programs and strategies that are applicable
citywide.
5. Project Sponsor's Name &
Address
Other Public Agencies Whose
Approval Is Required
City of San Rafael
1400 5th Avenue
P.O. Box 151560
San Rafael, CA 94915-1560
None
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 26
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED
None of the following environmental categories would be potentially affected, as indicated by
the following evaluation of environmental impacts.
❑
Aesthetics
❑
Agriculture Resources
❑
Air Quality
❑
Biological Resources
❑
Cultural Resources
❑
Geology /Soils
❑
Greenhouse Gas
❑
Hazards & Hazardous
❑
Hydrology / Water Quality
❑
Land Use / Planning
❑
Mineral Resources
❑
Noise
❑
Population / Housing
❑
Public Services
❑
Recreation
❑
Transportation / Traffic
❑
Utilities / Service Systems
❑
Mandatory Finding of Significance
DETERMINATION
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
❑ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment and a
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
❑ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment,
there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been
made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
will be prepared.
❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
❑ I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially
significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at lest one effect 1) has been
adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has
been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on
attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze
only the effects that remain to be addressed.
® I find that, in preparing the attached Initial Study, the proposed project would not result in any
new significant information, new significant impacts or new mitigation measures that had not
been previously considered, analyzed or disclosed in the San Rafael General Plan 2020
certified EIR (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT). Consistent with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15164, an ADDENDUM to the certified ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT will be
prepared.
Prepared By: Olivia Ervin, Environmental Planner, Metropolitan Planning Group
( y 9,� 2 t) /�7
zae'l td",f
Approved By: Paul A. Jensen, Community Development Director, City of San Rafael
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 27
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
I. AESTHETICS
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of the site and its surroundings? ❑ ❑ ❑
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in ❑ ❑ ❑
the area?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Aesthetics Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. Adoption of the proposed General Plan Amendment will not have a substantial
direct or indirect impact on scenic vistas. Any future development project will be subject to
individual, site-specific environmental review, as required by CEQA as well as all
development standards and building code regulations required by State law and City policy.
b) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment provides policies and programs that are broadly
applied citywide and are not site-specific. Potential environmental impacts to scenic
resources may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered on
a site-specific or project -specific basis. The General Plan contains several policies
regarding the preservation of scenic roads and highways. The individual impacts of these
types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review. No impacts beyond
those identified in the General Plan EIR are anticipated. Thus, the General Plan
Amendment will have no impacts to scenic resources.
c) No Impact. Potential environmental impacts to the visual character or quality of a specific
site and its surroundings may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are
considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of
future development to the visual character and quality of the site will be assessed at the
time of specific project review. Impacts from future growth and infill development
associated with residential land uses have been previously identified in the General Plan
EIR and would be required to be consistent with existing adopted General Plan policies that
preserve the visual character and ensure compatibility. No impacts beyond those identified
in the General Plan EIR are anticipated, and thus the General Plan Amendment would
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 28
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
Would the project:
Significant
with
Significant
No Impact
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
❑
❑
❑
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including,
but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a state scenic highway?
❑
❑
❑
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of the site and its surroundings? ❑ ❑ ❑
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in ❑ ❑ ❑
the area?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Aesthetics Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. Adoption of the proposed General Plan Amendment will not have a substantial
direct or indirect impact on scenic vistas. Any future development project will be subject to
individual, site-specific environmental review, as required by CEQA as well as all
development standards and building code regulations required by State law and City policy.
b) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment provides policies and programs that are broadly
applied citywide and are not site-specific. Potential environmental impacts to scenic
resources may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered on
a site-specific or project -specific basis. The General Plan contains several policies
regarding the preservation of scenic roads and highways. The individual impacts of these
types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review. No impacts beyond
those identified in the General Plan EIR are anticipated. Thus, the General Plan
Amendment will have no impacts to scenic resources.
c) No Impact. Potential environmental impacts to the visual character or quality of a specific
site and its surroundings may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are
considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of
future development to the visual character and quality of the site will be assessed at the
time of specific project review. Impacts from future growth and infill development
associated with residential land uses have been previously identified in the General Plan
EIR and would be required to be consistent with existing adopted General Plan policies that
preserve the visual character and ensure compatibility. No impacts beyond those identified
in the General Plan EIR are anticipated, and thus the General Plan Amendment would
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 28
result in no impacts to the environment due to a degradation of the visual character and
quality.
d) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment provides policies and programs that are broadly
applied citywide and are not site-specific. Potential environmental impacts associated with
new sources of light or glare may be realized or determined when the policies or programs
are considered on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of these
types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review. No impacts beyond
those identified in the General Plan EIR are anticipated, and thus the General Plan
Amendment would result in no impacts to the environment due to introduction of light and
glare.
II. AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning
of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code
section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public ❑ ❑ ❑
Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by Government
Code section 51104(g))?
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of ❑ ❑ ❑
forest land to non -forest use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, could result in ❑ ❑ ❑
conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non -forest use?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Aqricultural and Forestry Resources Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. The City of San Rafael does not contain any prime or unique farmland, nor does
it contain any Farmland of Statewide importance. Adopting the General Plan Amendment
will not result in impacts to farmland or agricultural uses located within the City limits.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 29
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
Significant
with
Significant No Impact
Would the project:
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
El
El
Elshown
on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or
❑
❑
❑
a Williamson Act contract?
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning
of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code
section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public ❑ ❑ ❑
Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by Government
Code section 51104(g))?
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of ❑ ❑ ❑
forest land to non -forest use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, could result in ❑ ❑ ❑
conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non -forest use?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Aqricultural and Forestry Resources Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. The City of San Rafael does not contain any prime or unique farmland, nor does
it contain any Farmland of Statewide importance. Adopting the General Plan Amendment
will not result in impacts to farmland or agricultural uses located within the City limits.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 29
b) No Impact. The City of San Rafael planning area does not contain any land that is zoned for
agricultural use or is under a Williamson Act contract. No impacts beyond those identified in
the General Plan EIR are anticipated, and thus the Project will not have a significant effect
on the environment.
c) - e) No Impact. The City of San Rafael does not contain any land that is zoned for forest
land or is protected under the Timberland Production zone. Impacts to agricultural
resources from future growth have been previously identified in the General Plan EIR. No
lands in the General Plan area designated for agriculture, forestry or timberland will be
rezoned or otherwise affected by the proposed General Plan Amendment. Thus, the
proposed Amendment will have no impact to such resources.
III. AIR QUALITY
Where available, the significance criteria established by the
applicable air quality management or air pollution control district Potentially
may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would Significant
the project: Impact
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which the
project region is in non -attainment under an
applicable federal or state ambient air quality
standard (including releasing emissions which
exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone
precursors)?
d) Exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a
substantial number of people?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7
Air Qualitv Impact Discussion:
Less Than
Significant Less than
with Significant No Impact
Mitigation Impact
Incorporated
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑ ❑
❑ ❑
❑ ❑
❑ ❑
a) - c) No Impact. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is the agency with
regulatory authority for air quality in the Bay Area region, including the City of San Rafael.
BAAQMD has adopted the Clean Air Plan (CAP), which aims to attain air quality standards,
reduce exposure to pollutants, protect public health and reduce GHG emissions. The CAP
identified 55 control measures that are presented in order to reduce air pollution throughout
the Bay Area and includes measures such as promoting mixed-use transit -oriented and
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 30
compact development, dust management, water conservation, VMT reduction, energy
efficiency and waste management, among others.
The City's General Plan is considered to be consistent with the CAP since it supports the
primary goals, includes control measures, and does not conflict with or disrupt
implementation of control measures. Similarly, the proposed General Plan Amendment is
also determined to be consistent with the CAP as there would not be a conflict with CAP
implementation due to updates in proposed policies and programs set forth therein. The
General Plan Amendment is broadly applied citywide and is not site-specific. The potential
for conflict with Bay Area Air Plan may be realized or determined when the proposed
policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis.
The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific
project review.
The proposed General Plan Amendment would not result in a potential for conflict with the
adopted Clean Air Plan since the proposed policies and programs therein would not:
• Change density parameters for General Plan land use designations. The new "Water"
land use designation, applied to certain parcels characterized by their location in the
bay, is associated with a density of zero (0) residential units per acre.;
• Change residential land use projections that would result in new traffic generation or
increased air pollutants from those levels projected under the currently adopted San
Rafael General Plan 2020 or the Clean Air Plan.
In addition, the City recently adopted a GHG Reduction Plan that incorporates the
implementation measures of the City -adopted CCAP, which includes recommendations
such as improving the pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure (NTPP), promoting transit -oriented
development (TODs), supporting transit services, and SMART station planning, which
would reduce vehicle miles traveled, resulting in decreased air pollutants. The subject
General Plan Amendment does not conflict with implementation of the Reduction Plan or
the CCAP.
The potential to violate an air quality standard may be realized or determined when the
proposed policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -
specific basis. The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the
time of specific project review. No impacts beyond those identified in the General Plan EIR
are anticipated. Thus, the Project will have no impact on the environment as a result of
conflict with an adopted air quality plan and/or an individual or cumulative violation of
applicable air quality standard.
d) No Impact. The exposure of sensitive receptors would be realized or determined when the
policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis.
The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific
project review.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 31
The General Plan Amendment does not change or increase housing development
projections for the planning area that would further expose potential housing to substantial
pollutant concentrations beyond what has previously been analyzed. Increased density
proximate to high transit areas could be exposed to elevated pollutant concentrations;
however, site-specific analysis will be conducted at the project level in order to assess
exposure of sensitive receptors.
Policies and programs provide for the protection of sensitive receptors and require site-
specific analysis where concentrations may be elevated. As the plan areas are developed
and more specifics on housing opportunities and recommendations are identified and
formalized, a detailed assessment of exposure to pollutant concentrations will be prepared.
At the time of environmental review, the technical studies will be required to address
potential pollutant concentrations and health risk exposure.
The proposed General Plan Amendment does not introduce any policies or programs that
would conflict with adopted standards to protect sensitive populations to air quality
pollutants. One program to implement an ordinance on fireplace and wood burning stoves
has been completed and is therefore deleted. Therefore, the Amendment will have no
impact under this criterion.
e) No Impact. The creation of potential, objectionable odors may be realized or determined
when the policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -
specific basis. The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the
time of specific project review. Adopting the General Plan Amendments will not create
objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people. No new or increased impact
as a result of the General Plan Amendments will occur beyond what is already anticipated
in the General Plan EIR. Therefore, the Amendment to the General Plan will have no
impact associated with odors.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Potentially Less Than Less than No
Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact
Impact with Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species identified
as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in ❑ ❑ ❑
local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
(Formerly Fish and Game) or U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian ❑ ❑ ❑
habitat or other sensitive natural community identified
in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 32
the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly
Fish and Game) or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the ❑ ❑ ❑
Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh,
vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means?
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or ❑ ❑ ❑
with established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances ❑ ❑ ❑
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation ❑ ❑ ❑
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Biological Resources Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. Adopting the General Plan Amendment will not have a substantial adverse
effect, either directly or indirectly through habitat modifications, on any species identified as
a threatened, endangered, candidate, sensitive, or special status. Potential environmental
impacts to special -status, sensitive or candidate species protected by regional plans,
policies or regulations of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may be realized or determined when the policies
or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The
individual impacts of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review.
Therefore, the Amendment will have no impact to sensitive communities and their habitat.
b) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce any land use changes, zoning
changes or policies that would conflict with the protection of sensitive natural communities
including sensitive oak savannas and oak woodland communities. The goals and policies of
the General Plan serve to protect wetlands, habitat for special -status species, native
vegetation, wildlife habitat, and wildlife movement corridors. Additional biological and
wetland assessments would be required as part of environmental review for future
development. There are no changes to land use that would result from implementation of
the proposed General Plan Amendment. There are no new or more severe impacts that
would occur relative to what has previously been identified in the General Plan EIR.
Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts to sensitive communities.
c) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce any new impacts to biological
resources beyond those identified in the General Plan EIR. Adopting the General Plan
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 33
Amendment will not have a substantial effect on any federally protected wetlands or other
sensitive water bodies. The creation of the new "Water" land use designation in the General
Plan classifies parcels that are covered by the bay and are not intended to be developed.
The amended policies and programs are broadly applied citywide and are not site-specific.
Site-specific analysis of wetlands will occur at the time that development proposals are
submitted and will be reviewed in accordance with adopted policies and programs.
d) No Impact. Potential environmental impacts to movement of corridors for wildlife may be
realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-
specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of these types of activities will be
assessed at the time of specific project review. Adopting the General Plan Amendment will
not result in new or increased impacts beyond those already anticipated in the General
Plan EIR. Depending on the attributes of each individual development proposal, future
development will be subject to additional environmental review and compliance with all
applicable policies related to wildlife species including movement and corridors. Therefore,
implementation of the Amendment will have no impacts to migration or movement
corridors.
e) - f) No Impact. Potential conflicts with the Conservation Element policies and the zoning
ordinance provisions and regulations may be realized or determined when the policies or
programs are considered and applied on a site-specific basis. The individual impacts of
these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review. There are no
adopted local, regional or state habitat protection plans that apply to the San Rafael
planning area. Thus, the Amendment will have no impacts that conflict with an adopted
policy, ordinance or Habitat Conservation Plan.
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the ❑ ❑ ❑
11
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to § 15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique El ❑ ❑
11
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those ❑ ❑ ❑
11
interred outside of formal cemeteries?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 34
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than No
Would the project:
Significant
Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant Impact
Impact p
Incorporated
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
❑
❑
❑
significance of a historical resource as defined in
§ 15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the ❑ ❑ ❑
11
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to § 15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique El ❑ ❑
11
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those ❑ ❑ ❑
11
interred outside of formal cemeteries?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 34
Cultural Resources Impact Discussion:
a) - d) No Impact. Adopting the General Plan Amendments will not directly impact historic,
archaeological, and paleontological resources at a site-specific or project specific basis. In
compliance with State Senate Bill SB18 and State Senate Bill SB52, the City initiated Tribal
Consultation with the Graton Rancheria, Tribal Heritage Preservation Office, by certified
mailed letter (Notice to Initiate General Plan Amendment/Request for Tribal Consultation)
which was sent on September 8, 2015. A request for tribal consultation was not received by
the 90 day time period established for making such requests.
Amendments reflect completion of policies and programs in the Culture and Arts Element,
including completion of cultural programs in policy CA -1, community arts contributions in
CA -6, and cultural facilities in CA -8 and CA -9, leading to deletion of programs. In reviewing
these impacts on site specific projects, the City will continue to rely on review of the City -
adopted Historical/Architectural Survey and CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 to
determine the presence of historic resources.
The City -adopted Archaeological Resource and Protection Procedures, including: a) a
review of the City's Past Finder archaeological sensitivity maps and property priority
ranking to determine proximity to potential resources; b) consultation with the Northwest
Information Center and local Native American tribe representatives for direction on needed
study; c) the preparation of an archaeological resource assessment when deemed
necessary; and d) implementation of protective measures such as avoidance, capping or
relocation of resources, will be utilized for review of impacts associated with future
development proposal.
Adopting the General Plan Amendment will not introduce any new programs or policies that
would conflict with the protection and preservation of cultural resources. Therefore, the
Amendment will have no impacts to cultural resources (including Tribal Cultural
Resources).
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Less Than
Potentially Significant Less than No
Would the project: Significant with Significant Impact
p 1 Impact Mitigation Impact
Incorporated
a) Expose people or structures to potential
substantial adverse effects, including the risk of
loss, injury, or death involving:
Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo ❑ ❑ ❑
11
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 35
other substantial evidence of a known fault?
Refer to Division of Mines and Geology
Publication 42.
ii. Strong Seismic ground shaking?
❑
❑
❑
iii. Seismic -related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
❑
❑
❑
iv. Landslides?
❑
❑
❑
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
❑
❑
❑
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as a result
of the project, and potentially result in on or off-site
❑
❑
❑
landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction
or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table
18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating
❑
❑
❑
substantial risks to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative waste water
disposal systems where sewers are not available for ❑ ❑ ❑
the disposal of waste water?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Geoloqv and Soils Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. Adopting the General Plan Amendment will not expose people or structures to
potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving
rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, or seismic -related
ground failure, including liquefaction and landslides. The San Rafael planning area
contains no earthquake faults delineated on the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning
Map. Impacts to persons and property associated with seismic activity resulting from full
build -out of the General Plan were addressed in the General Plan EIR. Potential
environmental impacts associated with seismic ground shaking, ground failure including
liquefaction, landslides and other direct and secondary effect of seismic activity may be
realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered and applied to a
project or activity, on a site-specific or project -specific basis.
Depending on the attributes of each individual development proposal, future development
will be subject to additional environmental review and geotechnical evaluation.
Conformance with standard Uniform Building Code Guidelines would also minimize
potential impacts from seismic shaking. There are no new or more severe impacts
introduced as a result of the General Plan Amendment relative to what has previously been
analyzed. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impact.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 36
b) No Impact. Adopting the General Plan Amendment will not result in substantial soil erosion
or the loss of topsoil. Impacts to soils resulting from the anticipated growth and
development of the City were addressed in the General Plan EIR. No new or increased
impact will result beyond what is already anticipated and analyzed in the General Plan EIR.
Future development will be subject to additional environmental review and compliance with
all applicable policies related to erosion. Therefore, the General Plan Amendment will have
no impacts due to soil erosion.
c) - d) No Impact. Geologic impacts resulting from the anticipated growth and development of
the City were addressed in the General Plan EIR. No new or increased impacts will result
above what is already anticipated in the existing environmental documents. Future
development will be subject to additional environmental review and compliance with all
applicable policies related to landslides, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction,
collapse, expansive soils and other soil stability concerns. Therefore, adopting the General
Plan Amendment will have no impact under this criterion.
e) No Impact. The San Rafael planning area is served by the San Rafael Sanitation District
and the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, which provide domestic wastewater/sewer
service to all properties. Alternative waste water disposal systems are not permitted within
the urban service area. All future development will be required to connect to the existing
wastewater system. The proposed update does not increase demands or necessitate
additional capacity beyond what has already been anticipated. Therefore, there would be
no impact due to use of alternative sewer systems, as none are permitted.
VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the El El El Z
emissions of greenhouse gases?
Sources: 1, 2, 3. 4, and 7
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact Discussion:
a) - b) No Impact. In 2009 the City of San Rafael adopted the Climate Change Action Plan
2009 (CCAP) in response to AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act. The
CCAP includes strategies for transportation, waste reduction, land use, energy
conservation and sequestration. The City also adopted a "Sustainability Element" to the
General Plan and developed a GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 37
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than No
Would the project:
p 1
Significant
Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant Impact
Impact
Incorporated
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
El
El
El Z
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment?
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the El El El Z
emissions of greenhouse gases?
Sources: 1, 2, 3. 4, and 7
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact Discussion:
a) - b) No Impact. In 2009 the City of San Rafael adopted the Climate Change Action Plan
2009 (CCAP) in response to AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act. The
CCAP includes strategies for transportation, waste reduction, land use, energy
conservation and sequestration. The City also adopted a "Sustainability Element" to the
General Plan and developed a GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 37
The General Plan Amendment does not conflict with implementation of the Sustainability
Element nor does it interfere with implementation of the GHG Emissions Reduction
Strategy. The Amendment proposes the merger of certain policies and programs between
the Conservation and Sustainability Elements, ultimately leading to the deletion of
duplicative programs in one Element so that they can be consolidated in the other Element;
merged conservation programs include CON -17b. Green Business Program, CON -23a.
City Carpool, CON -24c. City Vehicle Fleet, and CON -24d. Renewable Energy Sources in
City Facilities. Other programs within Policies CON -17 to CON -25 are carried over to the
Sustainability Element, unless they have already been completed.
Any new GHG emissions may be realized or determined when the proposed policies or
programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The
individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project
review by either: a) complying with the measures in the developed checklist; or b) through
preparation of an individual GHG emissions assessment.
The GHG Reduction Plan incorporates measures of the City -adopted CCAP, which
includes recommendations such as improving the pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure (NTPP),
promoting transit -oriented development (TODs), supporting transit services, and SMART
station planning, which would increase the performance and safety of public transit, bicycle
and pedestrian facilities. The General Plan Amendment is consistent with all established
State and local GHG reduction strategies and does not facilitate development that would
conflict with the applicable GHG Plan or policies. Therefore, the General Plan Amendment
will have no impacts associated with Greenhouse Gas emissions.
VIII. HAZARDS/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
and accident conditions involving the release of ❑ ❑ ❑ 11
hazardous materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or ❑ ❑ ❑
proposed school?
d) Be located on a site that is included on a list of ❑ ❑ ❑
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 38
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
Would the project:
p 1
Significant
with
Significant No Impact
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
❑
❑
❑ 11
disposal of hazardous materials?
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
and accident conditions involving the release of ❑ ❑ ❑ 11
hazardous materials into the environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or ❑ ❑ ❑
proposed school?
d) Be located on a site that is included on a list of ❑ ❑ ❑
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 38
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a
result, would create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment?
e) For a project located within an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted,
within two miles of a public airport of public use ❑ ❑ ❑
airport, would the project result in a safety hazard
for people residing or working in the project area?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard ❑ ❑ ❑
for people residing or working in the project area?
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere
with an adopted emergency response plan or ❑ ❑ ❑
emergency evacuation plan?
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk
of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to ❑ ❑ ❑
urbanized areas or where residences are
intermixed with wildlands?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7
Hazards and Hazardous Materials Impact Discussion:
a) - h) No Impact. The proposed General Plan Amendment would not result in new or
increased severity in the significant hazard and human health impacts beyond what was
addressed in the General Plan EIR. A revision of Policy S-21, Rise in Sea Level, identifies
sea level rise as a hazard of local and regional concern requiring coordination. New
programs S-21 a. Local Hazard mitigation Plan and S-21 b. Vulnerability Assessment -
BayWAVE Program call for long-term mitigation planning and adaptation, highlighting
efforts that are underway. Other changes include shifting the oversight body for hazardous
materials from the San Rafael Fire Department to the Marin County Certified Unified
Program Agency (CUPA), but policies and programs regarding hazardous materials review
and management have not changed except to acknowledge CUPA as the responsible
agency. No new or increased severity of significant hazard impacts would occur beyond
what was addressed in the General Plan EIR. Therefore, the General Plan Amendment will
have no impact to hazards and hazardous materials.
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Would the project:
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 39
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than No
Significant
with
Significant Impact
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
❑
❑
❑ ❑
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 39
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such
that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a
lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the ❑ ❑ ❑
production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop
to a level which would not support existing land uses or
planned uses for which permits have been granted)?
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern on the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, in a manner that would result ❑ ❑ ❑
in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern on the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or substantially increase the rate or ❑ ❑ ❑
amount of surface runoff in a manner, which would
result in flooding on- or off-site?
e) Create or contribute runoff water that would exceed
the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage
systems or provide substantial additional sources of ❑ ❑ ❑
polluted runoff?
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? ❑ ❑ ❑
g) Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard area as
mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood ❑ ❑ ❑
Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation
map?
h) Place within a 100 -year flood hazard area structures ❑ ❑ ❑
that would impede or redirect flood flows?
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of ❑ ❑ ❑
loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding
as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Hvdroloqv and Water Qualitv Impact Discussion:
a) and f) No Impact. The policies and programs are broadly applied citywide and are not site-
specific. The updates do not change or revise current water quality standards. Further,
potential environmental impacts from development and activities on a site that could violate
water quality standards may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are
considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The General Plan EIR
found that residential development will be located almost exclusively in urbanized areas,
and that consistency with the 2020 General Plan, would ensure that no discernible effect on
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 40
water quality would occur. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce any new
impacts or increase the severity of impacts to water quality beyond what was addressed in
the General Plan EIR. The individual impacts of development will be assessed at the time
of specific project review. Therefore, General Plan Amendment will have no impact to water
quality.
b) No Impact. The policies and programs would neither result in a conflict with groundwater
recharge nor deplete groundwater reserves. Thus, there would be no new or more severe
impacts to groundwater reserves relative to what was analyzed in the General Plan EIR.
Therefore, the Amendment will have no impact.
c) - d) No Impact. The policies and programs would neither result in a conflict with groundwater
recharge nor deplete groundwater reserves. Potential environmental impacts from future
development may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered
and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of these
types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project review.
e) No Impact. Amendments to General Plan policies and programs will not directly create or
contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm water
drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff. Potential
environmental impacts from development and activities will be reviewed and considered on
a site-specific or project -specific basis. The individual impacts of these types of activities
will be assessed at the time of specific project review. The General Plan Amendment does
not result in any new or more severe impacts than what was previously analyzed in the
General Plan EIR.
g) - h) No Impact. Implementation of the General Plan Amendment will not involve the
exposure of people or structures to an elevated flood hazard beyond what has previously
been identified. The sites identified for potential residential development in the General
Plan Amendment could be located within a 100 -year flood hazard area as mapped on a
Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard
delineation map. The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the
time of specific project review. The General Plan Amendment does not result in any new or
more severe impact than what was previously analyzed in the General Plan.
i) -j) No Impact. Potential environmental impacts associated with a seiche or tsunami to
development and activities on a site along the San Rafael bay front or within a FEMA flood
hazard zone may be realized or determined when the policies or programs are considered
and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. Sea level rise and mitigation
planning are being addressed in a revised Policy S-21. Rise in Sea Level and in new
programs S-21 a. Local Hazard mitigation Plan and S-21 b. Vulnerability Assessment -
BayWAVE Program. The General Plan Amendment does not result in any new or more
severe impacts than what was previously analyzed in the General Plan.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 41
X. LAND USE AND PLANNING
Potentially
Less Than
Less than No
Significant
Significant
Significant Impact
Impact
Would the project:
with
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
❑
❑
❑
a) Physically divide an established community?
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy,
or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the
project (including, but not limited to the general ❑ ❑ ❑
plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning
ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation ❑ ❑ ❑
plan or natural community conservation plan?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Land Use and Planning Impact Discussion:
a) - c) No Imaact. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce any new or amended
policies and programs that would divide an established community. Changes in the Land
Use Element are consistent with established policies on land use and neighborhood
character. Zoning amendments have been completed in policies NH -54, NH -75, NH -95,
and NH -119. Programs in policy NH -118 have been updated to reflect progress in planning
and development. Additionally, policy updates acknowledge the completion of the
Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and Downtown Station Area Plan. The General Plan
Amendment proposes introduction of a "Water" land use designation for parcels covered by
the bay to more accurately reflect parcels that are not expected to develop because of their
location in the water. As development would not be expected on parcels under water, the
applied "Water" land use designation would not cause a significant change. The project is
compatible to applicable land use plans, policies and regulations. Therefore, the General
Plan Amendment will have no new impacts.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 42
XI. MINERAL RESOURCES
XII. NOISE
Less Than
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
No
Significant
Would the project: Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant
Impact
Im act
p
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
No Impact
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known
Incorporated
mineral resource that would be of value to the ❑
❑
❑
region and the residents of the state?
levels in excess of standards established in the
❑
❑
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally -
local general plan or noise ordinance, or
important mineral resource recovery site
applicable standards of other agencies?
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or ❑
❑
❑
other land use plan?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne
❑
❑
Mineral Resources Impact Discussion:
noise levels?
a) - b) No Impact. The General Plan does not change
any mineral
resource
designations,
operations or mineral resource goals or policies for the San Rafael Planning
area. Thus,
there would be no impact to mineral resources.
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
❑
XII. NOISE
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 43
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
Would the project result in:
Significant
Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant
Impact
No Impact
Incorporated
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise
levels in excess of standards established in the
❑
❑
❑
local general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies?
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne
❑
❑
❑
noise levels?
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
❑
❑
❑
11
existing without the project?
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
❑
❑
❑
levels existing without the project?
e) For a project located within an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted,
❑
❑
❑
11
within two miles of a public airport or public use
airport, would the project expose people residing
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 43
or working in the project area to excessive noise
levels?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people residing
or working in the project area to excessive noise ❑ ❑ ❑
levels?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Noise Impact Discussion:
a) - b) No Impact. There are no physical improvements proposed as part of the update to the
General Plan Amendment. All future development projects would be subject to applicable
City noise standards. General Plan Amendment will not result in exposure of persons to or
generation of noise levels in excess of established standard. The project proposes no
changes to the current City of San Rafael Noise Ordinance that would impact current noise
standards or limits. Potential environmental impacts from development and activities on a
site that could expose persons to excessive noise levels may be realized or determined
when the policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -
specific basis.
The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific
project review. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts due to excessive noise or
vibration.
c) - d) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not result in a substantial permanent or
temporary increase in ambient noise levels in the City above existing levels. Potential
environmental impacts from future development and activities could be realized or
determined when the policies or programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or
project -specific basis. The individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at
the time of specific project review. Impacts associated with temporary and permanent
increase in ambient noise levels were addressed in the EIR for the General Plan.
Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts due to temporary and permanent
increased in ambient noise.
e) - f) Less than Significant Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not result in an
increased exposure of people residing or working proximate to a public or private airport
beyond what is considered in the General Plan. There are no public airports in the City of
San Rafael and there is one private airport, the San Rafael Airport, which is located in the
Smith Ranch area. The General Plan Amendment does not propose any changes to the
airport that would expose area residents to excessive noise levels. The individual impacts
of future projects proximate to the airport will be assessed at the time of review for any
specific projects. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts associated with noise
exposure proximate to airports.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 44
XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING:
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Population and Housinq Impacts Discussion:
a) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not induce substantial population growth in
the area. No change have been proposed that would require reconsideration of population
projections, housing need, and development densities that were analyzed in the General
Plan EIR. The policy changes proposed do not provide for any additional housing,
businesses or population growth beyond what was previously analyzed. The General Plan
Amendment does not propose changes to the Housing Element beyond reference updates
to program numbers and other documents and does not change the analysis prepared in
Addendum No.3 to the San Rafael General Plan EIR (SCH#2003052031) for the Housing
Element Update (2015-2023). Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts to
population or housing.
b) - c) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not result in the displacement of housing
units or people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. The
proposed policies and programs of the General Plan Amendment are broadly applied
citywide and are not site-specific. Potential environmental impacts from development and
activities on a site that could result in the displacement of existing housing or the need to
construct replacement housing may be realized or determined when the policies or
programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The
individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project
review. Therefore, there would be no impact from the proposed update.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 45
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
No
Would the project:
Significant
Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant
Impact
Impact
p
Incorporated
a) Induce substantial growth in an area, either
directly (for example, by proposing new homes
❑
❑
❑
and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of
❑
❑
❑
replacement housing elsewhere?
c) Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement
❑
❑
❑
housing elsewhere?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Population and Housinq Impacts Discussion:
a) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not induce substantial population growth in
the area. No change have been proposed that would require reconsideration of population
projections, housing need, and development densities that were analyzed in the General
Plan EIR. The policy changes proposed do not provide for any additional housing,
businesses or population growth beyond what was previously analyzed. The General Plan
Amendment does not propose changes to the Housing Element beyond reference updates
to program numbers and other documents and does not change the analysis prepared in
Addendum No.3 to the San Rafael General Plan EIR (SCH#2003052031) for the Housing
Element Update (2015-2023). Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts to
population or housing.
b) - c) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not result in the displacement of housing
units or people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. The
proposed policies and programs of the General Plan Amendment are broadly applied
citywide and are not site-specific. Potential environmental impacts from development and
activities on a site that could result in the displacement of existing housing or the need to
construct replacement housing may be realized or determined when the policies or
programs are considered and applied on a site-specific or project -specific basis. The
individual impacts of these types of activities will be assessed at the time of specific project
review. Therefore, there would be no impact from the proposed update.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 45
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES:
Less Than
Potentially Significant Less than No
Would the Project: Significant with Significant Impact
1 Impact Mitigation Impact
Incorporated
Would the project result in substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with the provision of new
or physically altered governmental facilities, need for
new or physically altered governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
environmental impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response times or other
performance objectives for any of the public services:
a) Fire protection?
❑
❑
❑
Significant
b) Police protection?
❑
❑
❑
Impact
c) Schools?
❑
❑
❑
d) Parks?
❑
❑
❑
e) Other public facilities?
❑
❑
❑
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Public Services Impacts Discussion:
a) - e) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment proposes changes in responsibility for
hazardous materials oversight by adding the Marin County Certified Unified Program
Agency (CUPA) in place of the San Rafael Fire Department in programs S -12a.
Environmental Database, S -12b. Environmental History, S -13a. Potentially Hazardous
Soils Map, S -13b. Hazardous Soils Cleanup, S -13c. Local Implementing Agency. CUPA is
included as an additional responsible party for program S -16a. Safe Transport of
Hazardous Material. No changes proposed would directly impact police protection. There
are no changes proposed that would impact schools or result in the need for new school
facilities. No parks or other public facilities would be impacted by the proposed General
Plan Amendment. There are no new impacts to public services beyond what has been
previously analyzed. Thus, the General Plan Amendment will have no impacts to fire and
police protection, schools, parks and other facilities.
XV. RECREATION
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
Significant
Would the project:
with
Significant No Impact
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
❑
❑
❑ 11
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 46
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of
recreational facilities which might have an adverse ❑ ❑ ❑
physical effect on the environment?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7
Recreation Impacts Discussion:
a) - b) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not impact regional parks or recreational
facilities. No changes are proposed to that would alter recreational amenities citywide. As
no specific project or improvement is currently proposed, a site-specific impact cannot be
analyzed. The individual impacts to parks and recreation will be assessed at the time of
specific project review. There are no new impacts to public services beyond what has been
previously analyzed. Thus, the General Plan Amendment will have no impact on parkland
and recreational facilities.
XVI. TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 47
Less Than
Potentially Significant Less than No
Would the project:
Significant with Significant Impact
Impact Mitigation Impact p
Incorporated
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy
establishing measures of effectiveness for the
performance of the circulation system, taking into
account all modes of transportation including mass
❑ ❑ ® ❑
transit and non -motorized travel and relevant
components of the circulation system, including but not
limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways,
pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit?
b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management
program, including, but not limited to level of service
standards and travel demand measures, or other
❑ ❑ ❑ 11
standards established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads or highways?
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including
either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location
❑ ❑ ❑ 11
that results in substantial safety risks?
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design
feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections)
❑ ❑ ❑
or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 47
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? ❑ ❑ ❑
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs
regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities,
or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such ❑ ❑ ❑
facilities?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Transportation and Circulation Impacts Discussion:
a) - b) Less than Significant Impact. Updates to programs were required due to progress made
in transportation funding, transit service implementation, and in response to Senate Bill
743 which introduces a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) methodology for analyzing impacts to
traffic, as opposed to the traditional level of service approach. Program C -2a. Local
Transportation Tax, which promoted local transportation improvements and passage of a
county transportation tax, was completed with the passage of Measure A; as such this
program was deleted.
The revisions to programs C -17a. SMART and C -17b. SMART Right -of -Way reflect
progress made towards implementation of the SMART commuter rail service in Sonoma
and Marin Counties. Amendments to these programs reflect the forthcoming commuter rail
service along the SMART corridor and the maintenance of the right-of-way for this service.
There are no modifications proposed that would result in a conflict with adopted plans.
Policy C-5.1 and Program C-5.1 a introduces the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) concept as
an alternative to Level of Service (LOS) that may be used in the future once a VMT model
is created and approved. The program calls for the development and adoption of a VMT
model and for the model to be incorporated into the General Plan EIR. Once developed,
and prior to implementation, the VMT model will be evaluated separately to identify any
environmental impacts. The introduction of this new policy is in accordance with State Law
SB 743 and does not grant the authority to apply a VMT metric. Inclusion of the new policy
regarding development of a VMT model does not introduce any new impacts nor does it
establish new thresholds of significance. There are no changes proposed as part of the
update that would result in elevated traffic trip generation beyond what was previously
analyzed in the adopted General Plan EIR.
There are no physical improvements proposed as part of the General Plan Amendment.
The traffic impacts of any future development will be addressed in separate site-specific
studies. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce any new or more severe impacts
relative to what was previously analyzed in the General Plan EIR. Future analysis will be
performed on the VMT model. Therefore, implementation of the General Plan Amendment
updated would have less than significant impact to transportation and circulation.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 48
c) No Impact. There are no changes to land uses that would affect air traffic patterns or
introduce a safety risk. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts on air traffic
patterns.
d) - e) No Impact. No amendments are proposed to the San Rafael General Plan 2020
Circulation Element that substantially increase hazards or result in inadequate emergency
access. There are no physical changes proposed as part of the General Plan Amendment.
Potential impacts of any future development will be reviewed at the project level when
specific site details are defined. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts associated
with design hazards or emergency vehicle access.
f) No Impact. There are no changes proposed that would conflict with the San Rafael Bicycle
and Pedestrian Master Plan. Potential impacts of any future development will be reviewed
at the project level when specific site details are defined. The General Plan Amendment
does not introduce any new or more severe impacts relative to what was previously
analyzed in the General Plan EIR. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impact due to a
conflict with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
XVII.UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve ❑ ❑ ❑
the project from existing entitlements and resources,
or are new or expanded entitlements needed?
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve the ❑ ❑ ❑
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project's projected demand in addition to the
provider's existing commitments?
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted ❑ ❑ ❑
11
capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
disposal needs?
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 49
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than
No
Would the project:
Significant
Impact
with
Mitigation
Significant
Impact
Im act
p
Incorporated
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the
❑
❑
❑
applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?
b) Require or result in the construction of new water
or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of
❑
❑
❑
existing facilities, the construction of which could
cause significant environmental effects?
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm
water drainage facilities or expansion of existing
❑
❑
❑
11
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve ❑ ❑ ❑
the project from existing entitlements and resources,
or are new or expanded entitlements needed?
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve the ❑ ❑ ❑
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project's projected demand in addition to the
provider's existing commitments?
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted ❑ ❑ ❑
11
capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste
disposal needs?
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 49
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste? ❑ ❑ ❑
Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 7
Utilities and Service Systems Impacts Discussion:
a) No Impact. There are no activities proposed as part of the General Plan Amendment that
would exceed wastewater requirements. The General Plan Amendment does not introduce
any new or more severe impacts to water quality relative to what was previously analyzed
in the General Plan EIR. Therefore, implementation of the General Plan Amendment will
have no impacts to wastewater treatment.
b) No Impact. There are no changes to land uses that would alter the water or wastewater
demands evaluated in the General Plan EIR. No expansion of capacity or new facilities
would result from implementing the General Plan Amendment. Therefore, the Amendment
will have no impacts to water and wastewater capacity.
c) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment will not result in any physical improvements
necessitating the construction or expansion of stormwater drainage facilities. There are no
new impacts or more severe impacts due to stormwater relative to what was analyzed
under the General Plan EIR. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impact.
d) - e)No Impact. There are no changes to the General Plan that would alter water supply
resources or require additional wastewater treatment capacity. The General Plan EIR
evaluated water supply demand and wastewater treatment capacity and there are no new
or more severe impacts relative to what was analyzed therein. Therefore there are no
impacts to water supplies and waste treatment capacity.
f) - g) No Impact. General Plan Amendment will not generate solid waste or conflict with solid
waste disposal regulation as no physical development will occur. The Amendment does not
increase demand for solid waste or landfill disposal beyond what has previously been
identified. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts due to solid waste disposal.
XVIII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE (CAL. PUB. RES. CODE §15065)
A focused or full environmental impact report for a project may be required where the project has a
significant effect on the environment in any of the following conditions:
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 50
Less Than
Potentially
Significant
Less than No
Significant
with
Significant Impact
Would the project:
Impact
Mitigation
Impact
Incorporated
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the
❑
❑
❑ 11
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 50
population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten
to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the
number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant
or animal or eliminate important examples of the major
periods of California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively
considerable" means that the incremental effects of a ❑ ❑ ❑
project are considerable when viewed in connection with
the effects of past projects, the effects of other current
projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?
c) Does the project have environmental effects, which will El El Elcause substantial adverse effects on human beings,
either directly or indirectly?
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
(a) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment does not alter policies and programs in a
manner that would degrade the quality of the environment, reduce habitat, or affect cultural
resources. Therefore, the Amendment will have no impacts due to degradation of the
environment.
(b) No Impact. The General Plan Amendment is consistent with the City's General Plan land
use designations and does not result in any changes to land use or zoning that would affect
cumulative conditions. The General Plan EIR previously analyzed potential environmental
impacts from buildout of the General Plan and no new or more severe cumulative impacts
would result from the proposed Amendments. Therefore, the General Plan Amendment will
have no cumulative impacts.
(c) No Impact. The General Plan EIR identified policies, program and mitigation measure to
ensure that implementation would not result in adverse impacts to humans or the
environment. The General Plan Amendment does not propose changes to policies and
programs that would significantly change the analysis performed in the General Plan EIR.
Therefore, the General Plan Amendment will have no impacts due to substantial adverse
environmental effects.
F. SOURCE REFERENCES
1. City of San Rafael General Plan 2020, adopted November 15, 2004; as amended
through December 2015.
2. San Rafael General Plan 2020, Environmental Impact Report, prepared by Nichols
Berman Environmental Planning, August 2004; and as amended through December
2015.
3. City of San Rafael Municipal Code.
a. Title 14: Zoning, adopted September 1994, as amended May 1996
b. Title 8, Chapter 8.13: Noise, adopted 2002
c. Title 15: Subdivisions, adopted 2002, as amended 2009
4. San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan, adopted 2009; Implementation Program
Update May 2011.
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 51
5. City of San Rafael Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, 2011 Update; adopted 2011
6. FHA's Non -Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP); 2009
7. Draft San Rafael General Plan 10 -Year Status Report prepared by Metropolitan
Planning Group, January 2016
8. Draft Amendments to the City of San Rafael General Plan 2020. January 2016
G. PUBLIC REVIEW
Pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines [§15164(c)], this addendum to the 2020 General Plan EIR
does not need to be circulated for public review, and shall be included in, or attached to, the
certified and amended General Plan EIR.
Prepared By: Metropolitan Planning Group Reviewed By: Paul A. Jensen
Addendum (No. 4) to the San Rafael General Plan 2020 EIR for Amendments to the General Plan 52