Item 15 - On-Call Environmental Review Services for Federally Funded Programs

Home Browse Search

RFP #21-017: On-Call Environmental Review Services for the Housing Division City of Santa Ana Community Development Agency 3 63675 Scoping Meeting and/or consultations with agencies are not required by CEQA, but can be a useful tool to supplement required scoping periods. Chambers Group will coordinate with the City, and other agencies deemed appropriate to identify the environmental areas to be evaluated, and the methodological approaches to be used, if requested. A Public Scoping Meeting may be held to present the proposed project to the public and provide them with an opportunity to relay their concerns and suggestions for the environmental studies. A record of these meetings and consultations will be included in the CEQA document. Prior to each meeting, a flyer will be distributed notifying interested persons of the workshop. The focus of these meetings will be to gather concerns of the: • Project stakeholders; • property owners/occupants adjacent to the project site, and • public interest groups, and other concerned individuals. The information gathered during scoping meetings and public comment meetings are helpful in gathering the required information to properly analyze the environmental document for a project, whether it is a Negative Declaration (ND), Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and/or Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Final EIR. Kick-Off and Scoping Meetings After receiving a notice to proceed (NTP) for a project from the City, Chambers Group will be prepared to meet with the City and other relevant parties such as the City consultants and project Applicant(s), at a Project Initiation/Kick-off Meeting to discuss the project and receive all available project information. Chambers Group will work closely with the City to determine what additional data, if any, must be collected in support of the appropriate CEQA document. In addition to CEQA documents, Chambers Group will provide additional related tasks to assist the City such as collaboration with various consultants, State and local agencies, and coordination with the City departments such as the Planning and Building Agency, the Public Works Agency, and the Community Development Agency. CEQA Document Preparation Chambers Group’s will provide the City with a tailored approach that adapts to changes in CEQA case law and any CEQA Guideline updates. Our experienced group of environmental planning staff has an in-depth understanding of CEQA that ensures that we are able to determine the correct CEQA document for the project. For example, the Berkeley Hillside Preservation v. City of Berkeley case gives deference to the lead agency for determining when a project may be exempt from CEQA. The summaries below highlight the general approach of CEQA, other technical services, and general administrative support to the City. Preparing the Initial Study (IS) Preparation of an IS Checklist will be completed to confirm the appropriate environmental documentation for a given project. The IS will be prepared using the most recent revision of the IS Environmental Checklist Form suggested in the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G in compliance with CEQA Section 15063. Chambers Group will identify issue areas where no impacts, less than significant impacts, or potentially significant impacts would result from the proposed project. Further analyses will be provided for specific resource areas that may be of concern based on the project area or based on technical analyses provided by outside consultants. These include analyses on a project’s consistency and applicability to the City’s General Plan policies, zoning, and specifications. The IS will be used as a guide in the decision as to the appropriate environmental documentation to prepare for the project. Chambers Group will provide a recommendation for the appropriate level of CEQA documentation. We understand the importance of being good stewards of public funds and will use our CEQA expertise to ensure that the City is preparing the appropriate CEQA document based on the project impacts and project type. Notice of Exemption (NOE) Chambers Group, in consultation with the City, will determine if there is an appropriate exemption for a project. A project will be analyzed whether it would qualify for a Statutory Exemption (per Article 18) or a Categorical Exemption (CE) under the CEQA Guidelines. Exclusions granted by the Legislature would be considered statutorily exempt. An IS may be prepared to confirm the preparation of an exemption or provide supplemental environmental analysis for the project. The exemption may also include other technical studies if required by the project. Chambers Group will file the NOE with the Orange County Clerk Recorder. EXHIBIT 2