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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 19-044 MND -saratoga to sea trailRESOLUTION No. 19-044 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA APPROVING THE SARATOGA TO SANBORN TRAIL PLAN AND ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM The City of Saratoga City Council finds and determines as follows with respect to the project described below and the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration regarding that project. I. Project Summary The City of Saratoga City Council has reviewed the Saratoga to Sanborn Trail Plan (also known as the Quarry Park -Sanborn Connector Trail) proposed by the City Department of Public Works shown in Exhibit "A" and incorporated by this reference. This Project would construct an approximately 3 mile public recreational trail connection from Saratoga Quarry Park to Sanborn County Park in western Santa Clara County ("connector trail") or ("trail"). The proposed trail would occur on City -owned and privately -owned land in Saratoga and Santa Clara County. The trail is envisioned to eventually connect to existing County trails within Sanborn County Park and to serve as part of a trail system linking trails in Saratoga to the Skyline - to -the -Sea Trail to form a Saratoga -to -the -Sea trail. The Saratoga -to -the -Sea trail is included as a proposed trail in the City of Saratoga General Plan in Circulation and Scenic Highway Element and also in Open Space and Conservation Element. The proposed alignment for the trail was selected based on a feasibility study conducted in May 2015 and based on input from the City's Trails Advisory Committee, the affected private landowner (San Jose Water Company), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department staff, and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District staff The proposed trail would emphasize the Project site's natural features, connections to adjacent open space, and opportunities for hiking and horse -back riding. The foregoing is collectively described as the "Project" in this Resolution. 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 other applicable requirements. 1 2. The IS and a notice of intent to adopt a MND were duly noticed and circulated for a 30-day public review period from May 17 — June 17, 2019 and was revised in response to public comments. 3. All interested parties desiring to comment on the MND were given the opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the adequacy of the MND up to and including the close of the Public Hearing on the Saratoga to Sanborn Trail Plan project before the City Council on July 3, 2019. 4. The IS and MND represents the City's independent judgment and analysis. 5. On July 3, 2019 the City Council considered the Project, at a duly noticed public hearing 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 during the Council's consideration of 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 public testimony at the July 3, 2019 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 information in 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 California 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 considering 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. 10. Mitigation measures as listed in the MND have been incorporated in the conditions of approval for the Project, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan dated June 25, 2019 ("MMRP"), which has been attached to this Resolution, has been prepared for the Project, and the City Council has reviewed the MMRP, finds it legally adequate, and in order to ensure compliance hereby adopts said MMRP 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. 2 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 July 3, 2019 and is on file with the City Public Works Department. IV. Adoption of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan The City Council hereby adopts the MMRP and directs the Public Works Director to monitor compliance with the mitigation measures required in the Project as specified in the MMRP to mitigate significant environmental effects, as described in the MND. V. Adoption of the Saratoga to Sanborn Trail Plan The City Council hereby adopts the Saratoga to Sanborn Trail Plan attached to the July 3, 2019 staff report accompanying this resolution and directs staff to proceed with final design and construction of the improvements shown on the Plan and to take such other actions as may be required to implement the Plan and MMRP. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Saratoga, this 3rd day of July, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor E. Manny Cappello, Vice Mayor Howard Miller, Council Members Rishi Kumar, Mary -Lynne Bernald, Yan Zhao NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk Manny Cappello, Mayor DATE: 7 r v.to 3