2023-051 - Adopting Local CEQA Guidelines

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Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Ouality Act (2023) NEGATIVE DECLARATION 6.14 CONTENT OF NEGATIVE DECLARATION OR MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION. A Negative Declaration must be prepared directly by or under contract to the City and should generally resemble Form "E." It shall contain the following information: (a) A brief description of the project proposed, including any commonly used name for the project; (b) The location of the project and the name of the project proponent; (c) A finding that the project as proposed will not have a significant effect on the environment; and (d) An attached copy of the Initial Study documenting reasons to support the finding. For a Mitigated Negative Declaration, feasible mitigation measures included in the project to substantially lessen or avoid potentially significant effects must be fully enforceable through permit conditions, agreements, or other measures. Such permit conditions, agreements, and measures must be consistent with applicable constitutional requirements such as the "nexus" and "rough proportionality" standards established by case law. The proposed Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration must reflect the independent judgment of the City. (Reference: State CEQA Guidelines, § 15071.) 6.15 TYPES OF MITIGATION. The following is a non -exhaustive list of potential types of mitigation the City may consider: (a) Avoidance; (b) Preservation; (c) Rehabilitation or replacement. Replacement may be on -site or off -site depending on the particular circumstances; and/or (d) Participation in a fee program. (Reference: State CEQA Guidelines, § 15370.) 6.16 ADOPTION OF NEGATIVE DECLARATION OR MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION. Following the publication, posting or mailing of the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration, but not before the expiration of the applicable twenty (20) or thirty (30) day public review period, the Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration may be presented to the decision -making body at a regular or special meeting. Prior to adoption, the City shall independently review and analyze the Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration and find that the Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the City. If new information is added to the Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration after public review, the City should determine whether recirculation is warranted. (See Local 2023 City of Santa Ann Local Guidelines 6-13 OBest Best & Krieger LLP