HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-28 PC Resolution PC RESOLUTION NO. 2020-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF TEMECULA MAKING A FINDING OF
CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN FOR THE
AMENDMENT OF FISCAL YEAR 2021-2025 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ("CIP"), TO ADD ONE NEW
PROJECT CALLED NICOLAS ROAD MULTI-USE TRAIL
EXTENSION, AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION
UNDER SECTIONS 15061(B)(3), 15262 AND 15378(B)(4) OF
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
("CEQA") (LONG RANGE PLANNING PROJECT NO.
LR20-0971)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Procedural Findings. The Planning Commission of the City of Temecula
does hereby find, determine and declare that:
A. The City of Temecula originally adopted a comprehensive General Plan in 2005,
which has been amended to include specific policies and objectives for infrastructure,
construction and maintenance of public facilities; and
B. Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65402 and 65403, the Planning
Commission is required to review the Capital Improvement Program to determine that it is
consistent with the City's adopted General Plan;and
C. Staff is proposing to add the Nicolas Road Multi-Use Trail Extension to the Fiscal
Year 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program. Staff has reviewed the General Plan and has
determined that the project is consistent with the provisions of the Circulation Element of the
adopted General Plan. On September 16,2020,the Planning Commission of the City of Temecula
held a public meeting to consider whether the Nicolas Road Multi-Use Trail Extension is
consistent with the General Plan.
Section 2. Environmental Findings. The Planning Commission hereby makes the
following environmental findings and determinations in connection with the adoption of this
resolution:
A. The Fiscal Year 2021-25 Capital Improvement Program is not a "project" within
the meaning of Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines, and is therefore exempt from the
requirements of CEQA. Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines states that a project does
not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities
which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially
significant physical impact on the environment. The Planning Commission's review and
determination that the amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021-25 Capital Improvement Program is
consistent with the City of Temecula General Plan, does not result in the construction nor cause
the construction of any specific CIP project, and will have no effect on the environment, and
therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary. Moreover, if the Planning
Commission's determination that the amendment to the CIP is consistent with the General Plan is
determined to be a project under CEQA,then it is categorically exempt from environmental review
pursuant to Section 15262 of the State CEQA Guidelines which provides that a project involving
only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions, which actions the City has not
approved,adopted,or funded, does not require preparation of an EIR or Negative Declaration,but
does require consideration of environmental factors. In reviewing this amendment to the CIP and
conducting public hearings on it,the Planning Commission has considered relevant environmental
factors. The City, as the lead agency for environmental review pursuant CEQA,has reviewed the
scope and nature of this amendment to the CIP and has concluded that the planning and
prioritization process comprising this activity is not a project pursuant to CEQA because it does
not order or authorize the commencement of any physical or other activity that would directly or
indirectly have a significant effect upon the environment. The CIP merely establishes a listing of
priority and allocates funds for the City to commence the necessary planning studies, including
review pursuant to CEQA, at a future unspecified date. The future planning studies will be
conducted at the earliest possible time so as to ensure thorough review pursuant to CEQA.
Recognizing that the protection of the environment is a key factor in the quality of life within the
City and to further the City's strict adherence to both the spirit and letter of the law as regards to
CEQA, the Planning Commission has also considered this amendment to the CIP as if it were a
Project pursuant to CEQA. The Planning Commission concludes the Project is exempt from
review under CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with
certainty that this prioritizing and fund allocation program cannot and does not have the potential
to cause a significant effect on the environment. No physical activity will occur until all required
CEQA review is conducted at the time the physical improvements prioritized in the CIP are
undertaken.
Section 3. The Planning Commission hereby finds that the Nicolas Road Multi-Use
Trail Extension is consistent with the General Plan. Specifically, this project is consistent with
provisions of the Circulation Element's non-motorized and alternative travel modes and traffic
safety sections. Circulation Element Policies 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 6.3 support the addition of the trail
extension to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety in the City.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City of Temecula Planning
Commission this 16th day of September, 2020.
d7"
Lance urley-Tr ' , Chairper. 1
ATTEST:
frl,t
L e Watson
Secretary
[SEAL]
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE )ss
CITY OF TEMECULA )
I, Luke Watson, Secretary of the Temecula Planning Commission, do hereby certify that
the forgoing PC Resolution No. 2020-28 was duly and regularly adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Temecula at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of
September,2020, by the following vote:
AYES: 5 PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Guerriero,Telesio, Turley-Trejo,
Watts, Youmans
NOES: 0 PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: None oh...
Luke Watson
Secretary