HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-1992 PC Discuss Eastern Dublin DRAFT EIRA GENDA_ STATEMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 15, 1992
SUBJECT: Planning Commission Discussion of the Eastern Dublin Draft
Environmental Impact Report
PREPARED BY: Brenda A. Gillarde, Project Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS: Letters Received to Date on Draft EIR:
1. Sierra Club, dated 9/21/92
2. John Anderson, dated 9/23/92
3. Carolyn Morgan, dated 9/23/92
4. James Stedman, dated 9/23/92
5. City of Pleasanton, dated 9/28/92
6. James Stedman, dated 9/30/92
7. Alameda County Congestion Management Agency,
dated 10/5/92
8. California State Department of Conservation,
dated 10/6/92
RECOM MENDATION:
1. Hear Staff presentation
2. Receive any further public testimony on the Draft EIR,
General Plan Amendment or Specific Plan
3. Close public hearing on Draft EIR, General Plan
Amendment and Specific Plan (Note: Written corn merits
on the Draft EIR only will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on
October 29, 1992.)
4. Begin discussion of Draft EIR, focusing on the issues
outlined in this agenda statement and the September 21,
1992 agenda statement
5. Indicate to Staff, by straw vote, any modifications or
clarifications needed in the Draft EIR
6. Continue public meeting to Wednesday, October 21, 1992
BACKGROUND
The first six meetings held on the Eastern Dublin project have been devoted to
receiving public testimony on the Draft EIR, General Plan Amendment and Specific
Plan. Tonight's meeting marks the closure of this phase of the planning process.
The next phase involves Planning Commission discussion of the three documents;
direction to Staff on desired modifications or clarifications; and adoption of
resolutions recommending certification of the Final EIR and approval of the Draft
General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan.
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DISQUSSIQN
1. M eetinr:: Form at
As mentioned above, the next set of meetings for Eastern Dublin are designed to
receive input from the Planning Commission on the Draft EIR, General Plan
Amendment and Specific Plan. The discussion will begin with the Draft EIR, and
move through the General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan. Any direction
provided by the Planning Commission to Staff needs to be given via straw votes.
Until the Com mission has recommended City Council certification of the Draft EIR,
no final decisions about the project (the GPA and Specific Plan) should be made.
Staff will prepare agenda statements for upcoming Commission meetings, as
necessary, to provide guidance for the discussion. The Commission should then
proceed with the discussion and direct Staff accordingly, via straw votes.
2. Items for the October 15th Meetings
a. Written Comments on the Draft EIR
To date, eight letters have been received on the Draft EIR (see Attachment
1). Per City Council action, the deadline for receipt of written responses on
the Draft EIR was extended to October 29, 1992. Staff will provide a
complete packet of responses to written comments for the Commission
meeting on November 16, 1992.
Commission Action Required: Indicate to Staff questions about any of the
letters. No further action required until Staff responses are received for the
November 16 meeting.
b. all Adequacy
The purpose of the Planning Commission's review of the Draft EIR at this
juncture is to determine whether it has adequately addressed the issues
associated with the proposed project (the Draft General Plan Amendment and
Specific Plan). The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires
that an EIR provide sufficient analysis to inform decision -makers of the
environmental consequences of a project. The analysis does not have to be
exhaustive but of sufficient scope to provide the critical known information
about specific issues. EIR adequacy is not based on the severity of the
impacts but whether the information has been presented in accordance with
State requirements.
Commission Action Rewired:, Begin review of the Draft EIR, chapter by
chapter. Adequacy issues to consider include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1) has the project has been fully described in terms of location,
boundaries, physical characteristics, and intended uses;
2) does the summary section clearly describe the proposed actions
and consequences; are areas of environmental controversy
identified;
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3) have the significant environmental effects been described; has
sufficient information been provided to understand the issues;
4) have mitigations been identified to minimize impacts; and
5) were alternatives to the project described and evaluated.
The Commission should focus their comments on these and related Draft EIR
issues and questions. The Commission should ask Staff questions and request
clarification of information in the Draft EIR. The Commission should also
indicate to Staff, via straw vote, any desired modifications to the Draft EIR.
The Commission should be aware that any substantial changes could require
recirculation of the Draft EIR.
No discussion of the General Plan Amendment or Specific Plan policies
should take place at this time. This discussion is reserved for a subsequent
m eeting.
c. Next Public Meeting
The next meeting for Eastern Dublin is scheduled for October 29, 1992.
Discussion on the Draft EIR should continue, if any, and be completed. If
time remains, discussion on the Draft General Plan Amendment should begin
and be completed, if possible.
Commission Action Required: Continue the public meeting to
October 29, 1992.
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