Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 16-033 - Negative declaration for Hakone Master PlanRESOLUTION NO. 16-033 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR HAKONE ESTATE & GARDENS MASTER PLAN The City of Saratoga City Council finds and determines as follows with respect to the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration regarding the Project descnbed below. I. Project Summary The City of Saratoga City Council has reviewed the Hakone Estate & Gardens Master Plan proposed by the City Department of Public Works and shown in Exlubit "A" and incorporated by this reference This Project is an update of the Hakone Estate & Gardens Master Plan to improve the layout of the parkmg/welcoming areas, improve garden features and event spaces, and provide accessible access to the gardens. The Hakone Estate & Gardens are within the General Plan Designation of Outdoor Recreation (OS -OR) and the R-1-40,000 zoning district The proposed improvements include re -grading and modification of the entry sequence, including parking and service dnves, creation of a new entry courtyard that consolidates visitor services and better organizes the entry courtyard, more accessible pathways in the core garden area and enhancements to the existing garden spaces; creation of more indoor event and meeting space; and, new space and buildings for garden operations Implementation of the Master Plan improvements will require grading of the parking lot and garden pathway and other areas to improve access and meet ADA requirements Hakone Estate & Gardens attendance is projected to increase from the current 35,000 per year to 75,000 per year after implementation of all phases of the Master Plan In addition, the Gardens are projected to increase employment from 11 to 23 employees to maintain and operate the improved facilities. (Runyan Associates, 2015). Hakone Estate & Gardens currently provides an event venue for weddings, business meeting, and other functions Based on projections compiled for the Master Plan (Runyan Associates, 2015), implementation of the Master Plan would increase the number of events at Hakone from 225 events pert year in 2015 to 260 events after implementation of all phases of the Master Plan, although implementation of the Master Plan does not propose to increase the maximum number of people allowed on the site for weddings and other events, which is currently 180 people Weddings with receptions are the largest events and are projected to increase from 35 to 40 per year upon full implementation of the Master Plan. Hakone Estate & Gardens operations will be conducted so as not to cause, produce, or allow to be produced noise that exceeds the City noise standards at any point outside its property boundary. Noise levels from implementation of the incrementally increased events under the Master Plan shall not exceed the standards m City of Saratoga Municipal Code (Section 7-30.040, see Table 5 below) and the five additional events involving weddings with receptions shall keep all amplified sound indoors The foregoing proposed work and operation modifications are collectively descnbed as the "Project" m this Resolution 1 II. Environmental Review 1 An Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) were prepared for the Project by the City of Saratoga, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Public Resources Code sections 21000-21177), CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations sections 15000-15387), and any other applicable requirements 2 The IS and a notice of intent to adopt a MND were duly noticed and circulated for a 30 -day public review penod from March 22- April 20, 2016. 3. All Interested Parties desiring to comment on the MND were given the opportunity to submit wntten and oral comments on the adequacy of the MND up to and including the close of the Public Hearing on the Hakone Estate & Gardens Master Plan Project before the City Council on May 18, 2016 4 The IS and MND represents the City's independent judgment and analysis 5 On May 18, 2017 the City Council conducted a Public Hearing on the Project, during which opportunity was given to address the adequacy of the MND All comments on the IS and MND raised during the public and agency comment period and at the Public Hearing(s) on the Project were considered by the City Council 6 The City Council was presented with and/or had the opportunity to review all of the information in the administrative record; and 7 After the conclusion of such Public Hearing, the City Council considered all oral and written comments and a staff recommendation for adoption of the MND and reviewed and considered the mformation m the IS and MND, public and agency comments on the IS and MND, the administrative record, and the staff report for completeness and compliance with CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines, and any and all other applicable requirements 8 The Project has been the subject of a Mitigated Negative Declaration ("MND") under the Cahforma Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant Section 15070 and following of Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 ("CEQA Guidelines") The MND has been completed in compliance with the intent and requirements of CEQA, CEQA Guidelines and any and all other applicable requirements. The City Council has considered the information contained in the MND and the record in considenng the Project and related actions 9. The documents constituting the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based are located in the City of Saratoga Department of Public Works and are maintained by the Director of that Department. 2 10. Mitigation measures as listed in the MND have been incorporated in the conditions of approval for the Project, and a Mitigation Monitoring Plan ("MMP"), which has been attached to this Resolution, has been prepared for the Project, and the City Council has reviewed the MMP, finds it legally adequate, and in order to ensure compliance hereby adopts said MMP for reporting on or monitoring the changes which it has either required in the Project or made a condition of approval to mitigate or avoid significant environmental effects. 11. Pursuant to CEQA and CEQA Guidelines, the City Council finds on the basis of, and after review of, the whole record before it (including the Initial Study, the Mitigated Negative Declaration, any and all comments received, and in light of expert and other evidence submitted), that there is no credible, substantial evidence that the Project as revised and mitigated may have a significant effect on the environment as to any issue raised. III. Adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration After careful consideration of the matter, the City Council hereby adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, which was presented to the City Council on May 18, 2016 and previously circulated for a 30 -day public review period from March 22- April 20, 2016 and is on file with the City Public Works Department. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Saratoga, this 18`h day of May 2016, by the following vote. AYES. Mayor E. Manny Cappello, Vice Mayor Emily Lo, Council Member Mary -Lynne Bernald, Howard A. Miller, Rishi Kumar NOES. ABSENT ABSTAIN- Crysta Bothelio, City Clerk E Manny Cappello, Mayor DATE• J�/o21f/Lo/ 6 3