2004 AGN NOV 16 I01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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concerns regarding the contamination of soils and groundwater, the applicant amended the project to substantially increase the amount of paving on the property to prevent seepage into the soil or groundwater. Many of the comments heard during the Commission workshops and hearings concerned the adequacy of the EIR prepared for the project. The EIR was prepared by the City's consultant - Michael Brandman Associates (MBA). MBA completed a Draft EIR with a primary focus on the following potential impacts: air quality, hazardous materials, water quality, noise, and traffic. The Draft EIR was circulated for the minimum 45-day review period required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In response to a request from Hugo Neu-Proler / Colton Iron and Metal's attorneys, the Planning Commission then directed staff to extend the review period for an additional 14 days, for a total review period of 59-days. A Final EIR, together with supplemental responses to comments and an addendum were prepared and distributed for review. A copy of the Final Draft EIR was made available to the public and presented to the Planning Commission for approval on October 12, 2004. On October 12, 2004, the Planning Commission, by a vote of 4 members in favor -2 opposed and 1 abstention, adopted Resolution R-10-04, certifying the Final EIR and it addendum and adopted Resolution R-11-04 approving the amended conditional use permit and major variance for the project. (See Attached Minutes from Planning Commission Workshops and Hearings) THE APPEALS: Mr. Jess Vasquez, a citizen of Colton, and Hugo Neu-Proler, a scrap metal corporation that operates Colton Iron and Metal opposite the project on M street, timely appealed the Planning Commissiori s decisions. (See attached Letters of Appeal) The City's environmental consultant MBA has prepared a response to the appeal concerns. (See attached "Response to Appeals of the Planning Commission's Approval of Pacific Rail Industries Metal Shredding Operation") FINANCIAL IMPACT: No verified impact. Evidence during the public hearing indicates that there will be positive financial impacts to the City including an increase in property tax, utility tax, utility usage and employment spin-off." ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: A Final EIR was prepared, including minor changes to the DEIR and responses to comments. Supplemental responses to comments were also prepared to ensure that all concerns expressed were addressed as fully as possible. Both were published in September 2004. (See attached Final EIR) As a result of the public comments received and the CEQA process, a stormwater retention tank and a fluff storage building were imposed as additional mitigation measures. In order to analyze the environmental impacts of those mitigation measures without confusing those mitigation measures with the Project description, the City decided to prepare an addendum to the EIR. This addendum, released September 30, 2004, did not find any potentially significant environmental impacts from the mitigation measures and is part of the Final EIR. C:�Documents and Settings�anthony.beaumon�Desktop\#staff report.DOC