Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/28/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 4.A. (PALMSA O A. u .n C�[IFOTLitk CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: May 28, 2008 UNFINISHED BUSINESS SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF REVISED SCHEDULE AND TIMELINE FOR REVIEW OF MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC PLAN FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Planning Department SUMMARY On May 21, 2008, the City Council directed staff to revise the proposed schedule for review of the proposed Specific Plan for Museum Market Plaza with the purpose of reducing the overall processing time. Staff has met with Nicole Criste of Terra Nova and identified a new schedule which would reduce by about two months the processing time for the project. The revised schedule is attached for Council consideration and approval. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve the attached revised schedule for processing the Plan. 2. Providing other direction to staff, as determined by the City Council. STAFF ANALYSIS: Staff believes that this schedule would provide the shortest reasonable time-frame without potentially compromising the quality of the EIR. The most significant reduction is derived from holding the Planning Commission hearings during the public comment period on the Draft EIR, rather than after a Final EIR is produced. It allows the Commission to be a conduit for EIR comments, adding more transparency to the environmental process. It is permissible under CEQA and results in the Commission holding its Specific Plan hearings during October / November 2008. The project can then be brought to the Council in January 2009 (following the holidays). Other proposed changes include: - Reduce time for preparation of Initial Study Accelerate date of Scoping Meeting Provide concurrent staff review of Screencheck Draft during EIR preparation Item Na. e A . City Council Staff Report May 28, 2008 Schedule for Review of Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan Page 2 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. ig �rfg, AICP Thomas J. Wil$on Direct"of Planning ices Assistant City Manager, Dev't Svcs David H. Ready City Manager cc: Revised Draft List of Milestones and Proposed Schedule ppLM Sp OF R� " c v n M'o • lFO RN`o-R Milestones and Proposed Schedules for Processing Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan (May 28, 2008) 1. Preparation of Initial Conformance Report Staff June 4, 2008 2. Preparation of Initial Study/NOP Consultant / Staff June 13, 2008 3. Filing Notice of Intent to Prepare EIR Consultant / Staff June 13, 2008 4. Scoping Meeting Consultant/ Staff July 1, 2008 5. Preparation Draft EIR Consultant 100 days 6. Screencheck EIR for City review Consultant October 1, 2008 7. Review by Architectural Advisory Comm. Staff (during prep of EIR) 8. Release of Draft EIR for Public Comment Staff October 15, 2008 9. Public comment period 45 days 10/15/2008-12/112008 10. Planning Commission Public Hearing1 Staff/ PC 30 days Oct-Nov 2008) 11. Preparation of Response to Comments2 Consultant/ Staff 20 days 12. City Council Public Hearing and Action Staff/ CC 30 days (= Jan-Feb 2009) It is anticipated that the Planning Commission will conduct at least two public hearings, following which it will adopt its recommendation on the project. 2 Preparation of Response to Comments will allow issuance of a Final EIR for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. 4 It is anticipated that the City Council will conduct at least two public hearings where it will consider the Final EIR and the Planning Commission recommendation- 3