HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/26/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (2) RESOLUTION NO. 2005-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
REQUESTING THAT THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXTEND THE PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD
ON THE DRAFT COACHELLA VALLEY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT
CONSERVATION PLAN AND RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 45 DAY
PERIOD TO FACILTIATE PUBLIC REVIEW AND INPUT
WHEREAS, The Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (The
Plan) is the culmination of a 10-year planning effort by the Coachella Valley Association
of Governments (CVAG) and the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC);
WHEREAS, The Plan is intended to satisfy the legal requirements for the issuance of
Permits that will allow the Take of Species covered by The Plan;
WHEREAS, The Plan will, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize and mitigate
the impacts of the Taking by establishing and providing funds to monitor and manage a
reserve system that will conserve habitat for 27 covered species, as well as 27 natural
communities;
WHEREAS, The Plan creates a series of 21 conservation areas, four of which are
located within and adjacent to the City of Palm Springs (City).
WHEREAS, The Plan will add more than 200,000 acres to existing local, state, federal
and private conservation lands to the 725,000 acre reserve system;
WHEREAS, a substantial amount of the land to be conserved is within or adjacent to
the City;
WHEREAS, The Plan would significantly influence land use planning within the City;
WHEREAS, The Plan could have substantial negative impacts on trails in and around
the City that are important to both its citizens and the tourist industry;
WHEREAS, the City is concerned that The Plan does not contain adequate measures
to protect City revenues;
WHEREAS, The Plan does not adequately address the impact on public works projects;
WHEREAS, the public review period to provide comments on The Plan expires on
February 2, 2005;
CrJ I 2-6, G
WHEREAS, the City has not had adequate time to review The Plan or the
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Study (EIR/EIS) due to their
expansiveness and complexity;
WHEREAS, the City has lost key staff resources over the past two months further
complicating its review of The Plan;
WHEREAS, the City feels that additional time is needed to properly review and analyze
the impacts of The Plan;
WHEREAS, if additional time is not provided the City may not participate in The Plan;
and
WHEREAS, the success of The Plan relies on the participation of all cities in the
Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, California, request that the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
Executive Committee extend the public review period on the Draft Coachella Valley
Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and related documents for an additional 45
day period.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs held January 26, 2005.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Ron Oden
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
James Thompson Doug Holland
City Clerk City Attorney