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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASPPC20211026 -5.1 PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT 5.1 TO: Chair and Planning Commission October 26, 2021 SUBJECT: Public scoping session to allow for public and Planning Commission comments regarding the scope of a Draft Environmental Impact Report which will be prepared for the Town of Danville 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. The Housing Element is a state-mandated policy document that is a component of the Town of Danville 2030 General Plan. The Housing Element contains policies and programs that support and create the framework for the production, preservation, and maintenance of the Town’s housing stock for all income levels. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION As the Lead Agency, the Town of Danville will prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. This programmatic EIR will address the environmental impacts associated with the adoption and implementation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. The Housing Element is a state-mandated policy document that is a component of the Town of Danville 2030 General Plan. The Housing Element contains policies and programs that support and create the framework for the production, preservation, and maintenance of the Town’s housing stock for all income levels. Regional Housing Needs Assessment The foundation for the Housing Element is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), in which the State estimates each region’s housing needs for all income groups every five to eight years. For the upcoming planning period, the State has determined that the Bay Area must plan for an additional 441,176 new housing units. In February 2021, ABAG released their draft RHNA allocation to all the cities and counties in the Bay Area, including the Town of Danville, for the 2023-2031 Housing Element planning period. The Town’s draft RHNA for the 2023-2031 planning period is 2,241 units, allocated to specific income groups Housing Opportunity Sites The Housing Element must demonstrate the Town’s ability to accommodate the RHNA either through production or the availability of properly zoned land that can accommodate additional growth. If adequate sites cannot be identified within the existing Housing Element Scoping Session 2 October 26, 2021 zoning, the Town is required to rezone sites that can accommodate the remaining need at a minimum density of 30 dwelling units per acre (for the low and very low income units), which is the default density set by HCD. The Town is not required to build dwelling units in order to meet its RHNA allocation, only to identify potential sites and create the framework to allow the market the opportunity to develop these units. The Housing Element will explore opportunities to accommodate the RHNA through current production, entitled units, or the availability of properly zoned land that can accommodate additional growth. The Housing Element will further identify and address potential and actual governmental and nongovernmental constraints on the development of housing for all income levels. Potential Environmental Impacts of the Project The PEIR will identify the significant environmental effects anticipated to result from development of the project as proposed. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as warranted. The EIR will discuss the project’s significant environmental impacts on the following specific environmental categories: •Aesthetics •Land Use and Planning •Agriculture and Forestry Resources •Mineral Resources •Air Quality •Noise •Biological Resources •Population and Housing •Cultural Resources •Public Services •Energy •Recreation •Geology and Soils •Transportation •Greenhouse Gas Emissions •Tribal Cultural Resources •Hazards and Hazardous Materials •Utilities and Service System •Hydrology and Water Quality •Wildfire The PEIR will also evaluate the potential for the project to cause direct and indirect growth-inducing impacts, as well as cumulative impacts. Alternatives to the proposed project will be evaluated that may reduce impacts that are determined to be significant in the Program EIR. Mitigation may be proposed for those impacts that are determined to be significant. A mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) will also be developed as required by Section 15097 of the CEQA Guidelines. Housing Element Scoping Session 3 October 26, 2021 PUBLIC CONTACT Notice of the public scoping session and a copy of the Notice of Preparation were submitted to the California State Clearinghouse and Contra Costa County Clerk and mailed to all potentially effected responsible agencies and surrounding jurisdiction. Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. Prepared by: David Crompton Chief of Planning Attachment: A - Notice of Preparation “Small Town Atmosphere Outstanding Quality of Life” 5 1 0 L A G O N D A W A Y , D A N V I L L E , C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 5 2 6 Administration Building Engineering & Planning Transportation Maintenance Police Parks and Recreation (925) 314-3388 (925) 314-3330 (925) 314-3310 (925) 314-3310 (925) 314-3450 (925) 314-3410 (925) 314-3400 NOTICE OF SCOPING MEETING AND PREPARATION OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE Date: October 12, 2021 To: State Clearinghouse, Agencies, Organizations and Interested Parties Subject: Notice of Scoping Meeting and Preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report for the Town of Danville 2023-2031 Housing Element Update Scoping Meeting: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 5:00 p.m. (Teleconference Only – see instructions below) Project Description: The Housing Element is a state-mandated policy document that is a component of the Town of Danville 2030 General Plan. The Housing Element contain policies and programs that support and create the framework for the production, preservation, and maintenance of the Town’s housing stock for all income levels. Comment Period: October 12, 2021 to November 12, 2021 As the Lead Agency, the Town of Danville (Town) will prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. This programmatic EIR will address the environmental impacts associated with the adoption and implementation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. Information regarding the project description, project location, and topics to be addressed in the Draft EIR is attached. Additional project documents and information are available at: Danville Town Office, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526 and https://www.danville.ca.gov/886/2023--2031-Housing-Element Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82351203156 Webinar ID: 823 5120 3156 ATTACHMENT A October 12, 2021 Page 2 According to State law, the deadline for your response is 30 days after receipt of this notice. However, responses earlier than 30 days are always welcome. If you have comments on this Notice of Preparation (NOP), please identify a contact person from your organization, and send your response to: Town of Danville Planning Division Attn: David Crompton, Chief of Planning 510 La Gonda Way Danville, CA 94526 Phone: (925) 314-3349, email: dcrompton@danville.ca.gov October 12, 2021 Page 3 NOTICE PREPARATION OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE October 2021 Introduction The purpose of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is to inform decision-makers and the general public of the environmental effects of the proposed project that an agency may implement or approve. The EIR process is intended to provide information sufficient to evaluate a project and its potential for significant impacts on the environment; to examine methods of reducing adverse impacts; and to consider alternatives to the project. The EIR for the proposed project will be prepared and processed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended, and the requirements of the Town of Danville. In accordance with Sections 15120 et seq. of the CEQA Guidelines, the EIR will include the following: •A summary of the project; •A project description; •A description of the existing environmental setting, probable environmental impacts, and mitigation measures; and •Environmental consequences, including (a) any significant environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the project is implemented; (b) any significant irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources; (c) the growth inducing impacts of the proposed project; and (d) cumulative impacts. The EIR also will discuss a reasonable range of alternatives to the project that could reasonably attain most of the basic objectives of the project and would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant environmental effects of the project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6[a]). Project Setting Incorporated in 1982, the Town of Danville (Town) is a small, residential community located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County. It is located just 30 miles east of San Francisco and comprises 18 square miles with a population of approximately 43,582. The Town of Danville is characterized by its pleasant semi-rural ambiance, presence of single and multiple family housing, proximity to employment centers in the Bay Area, and its scenic beauty. October 12, 2021 Page 4 The Town is bordered by the unincorporated town of Alamo and Blackhawk community to the north, the City of San Ramon and unincorporated Contra Costa to the south, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park to the west, and the Diablo Range to the east. Major roadway access to the Town is provided by Interstate 680. Project Overview and Background The Housing Element is a State-mandated policy document that is a component of the Danville General Plan. The Town of Danville adopted its current General Plan (Danville 2030 General Plan) in March 2013. The Housing Element must make adequate provision for the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The Housing Element establishes goals, quantified objectives, and policies, accompanied with a detailed work plan (i.e., implementation strategies). The Town’s current Housing Element (2014-2022 Housing Element) was adopted by the Town Council in April 2015 and certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The adopted Housing Element covers the planning period from 2014 to 2022. Staff is currently implementing the respective actions and programs for the current planning cycle. The next housing cycle (6th Cycle) will cover the planning period from 2023 to 2031. To comply with State law, the Town’s Housing Element must be updated to ensure the Town’s policies and programs can accommodate estimated housing growth need identified in the Bay Area Association of Government’s (ABAG) Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for the 2023-2031 planning periods. 2023-2031 Housing Element Update Components The 2023-2031 Housing Element Update will consist of five main components: 1.Assessment of Town-wide Housing Needs and Opportunities; 2.Drafting Goals, Policies, Programs, and Objectives 3.Preparation of CEQA Environmental Review documents 4.Preparation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element; 5.Coordination with HCD to Obtain State Certifications Completion of these five components and local adoption process are envisioned to take place from October 2021 through January, 2023, and will include opportunities to provide direction October 12, 2021 Page 5 regarding the content of the Housing Element, including information workshops and events, online community surveys and, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and Town Council. To meet these statutory deadlines, the local Danville approval process will need to be completed by 2023. Regional Housing Needs Assessment The foundation for the Housing Element is the RHNA, in which the State estimates each region’s housing needs for all income groups every five to eight years. For the upcoming planning period, the State has determined that the Bay Area must plan for an additional 441,176 new housing units. In February 2021, ABAG released their draft RHNA allocation to all the cities and counties in the Bay Area, including the Town of Danville, for the 2023-2031 Housing Element planning period. The Town’s draft RHNA for the 2023-2031 planning period is 2,241 units, allocated to specific income groups as shown in Table 1. Table 1: Town of Danville Draft RHNA Allocations by Income Category Very Low (<50% of AMI) Low (50 to 80% of AMI) Moderate (80 to 120% of AMI) Above Moderate (>120% of AMI) Total RHNA Housing Units Needed 652 376 338 875 2,241 Source: ABAG. Regional Housing Needs Allocation Draft Methodology: San Francisco Bay Area, 2023-2031. February 2021. Housing Opportunity Sites The Housing Element must demonstrate the Town’s ability to accommodate the RHNA either through production or the availability of properly zoned land that can accommodate additional growth. If adequate sites cannot be identified within the existing zoning, the Town is required to rezone sites that can accommodate the remaining need at a minimum density of 30 dwelling units per acre (for the low and very low income units), which is the default density set by HCD. The Town is not required to build dwelling units in order to meet its RHNA allocation, only to identify potential sites and create the framework to allow the market the opportunity to develop these units. October 12, 2021 Page 6 The Housing Element will explore opportunities to accommodate the RHNA through current production, entitled units, or the availability of properly zoned land that can accommodate additional growth. The Housing Element will further identify and address potential and actual governmental and nongovernmental constraints on the development of housing for all income levels. Required Approvals Actions to be taken by the Town include: •Certification of the Program EIR •Adoption of General Plan amendments and Rezonings to update the Housing Element Following adoption, the updated Housing Element will be submitted to HCD for certification. Potential Environmental Impacts of the Project The Program EIR will identify the significant environmental effects anticipated to result from development of the project as proposed. Mitigation measures will be identified for significant impacts, as warranted. The EIR will discuss the project’s significant environmental impacts on the following specific environmental categories: •Aesthetics •Land Use and Planning •Agriculture and Forestry Resources •Mineral Resources •Air Quality •Noise •Biological Resources •Population and Housing •Cultural Resources •Public Services •Energy •Recreation •Geology and Soils •Transportation •Greenhouse Gas Emissions •Tribal Cultural Resources •Hazards and Hazardous Materials •Utilities and Service System •Hydrology and Water Quality •Wildfire The Program EIR will also evaluate the potential for the project to cause direct and indirect growth-inducing impacts, as well as cumulative impacts. Alternatives to the proposed project will be evaluated that may reduce impacts that are determined to be significant in the Program EIR. Mitigation may be proposed for those impacts that are determined to be significant. 0 6 123 Miles 80 80 80 280 280 580 580 580 580 580 680 680 680 780 8801 101 101 101 4 4 4 242 123 160 24 13 24 980 Walnut Creek Pleasant Hill Concord Martinez Benicia Vallejo Danville San Ramon DublinCastroValley San Leandro Alameda Oakland BerkeleyBelvedereTiburon Richmond San Pablo San Francisco Daly City AntiochPittsburg Brentwood SanFranciscoBay San PabloBay Suisun Bay Project Site REGIONAL MAP FIGURE 1 Pacific Ocean Monterey Bay San JoséSunnyvale FremontSan MateoRedwood City Livermore Oakland San LeandroSan Francisco Santa Cruz Mountain View Morgan Hill Project Site SanFranciscoBay Walnut Creek 0 3 6 9 12 Miles Contra Costa CountyBoundary Sycamore Valley R o a d Camino Tassajara Crow C a n y onR o a d Black Hawk Road D i a b l o R o a d El Ce r r o B o u l eva r d El C apita n D r i v e Stone Valley Road D o u g h e r t y R o a d 680 680 D a n ville Boule vard Diablo San Ramon Alamo Base Map: GIS Planning, Inc. 0 .25 1 1.5 2 Miles Town of Danville Limits TOWN MAP FIGURE 2