R-8864
e e
RESOLUTION NUMBER 8864
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
MAKING FINDINGS NECESSARY TO APPROVE
THE SAFETY ELEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica adopted its existing
Public Safety Element in July, 1975; and
WHEREAS, the city of Santa Monica adopted its existing
seismic Safety Element in December, 1975; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, the state of California adopted Government
Code Section 65302(g) WhlCh requires that each local government
maintain a comprehensive Safety Element, combining the formerly
required Public Safety and Seismic Safety Elements, that
addresses a variety of natural and human-related hazards and
contains goals and policies aimed at reducing the risks
associated with these hazards; and
WHEREAS, in 1991 the City of Santa Monica began preparation
of a Safety Element of the General Plan in accordance with the
requirements of Government Section 65302(g)j and
WHEREAS, a Draft Safety Element was produced that satisfied
the requirements of Government Code section 65302(g)i and
- 1 -
It e
WHEREAS, the public health, safety and welfare is promoted
through the policies of the Safety Element which aim to reduce
the risks associated with natural and human-related hazards; and
WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared
in July, 1994 in compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), and the City of Santa Monica CEQA Guidelines;
and
WHEREAS, the Final EIR determined there are no significant
impacts from adopting the Safety Element after mitigation; and
WHEREAS, the Final EIR determined there are beneficial long-
term safety-related impacts from adopting the Safety Element in
the areas of Earth Resources, Flooding/Inundation, Risk of Upset,
Land Use, Housing, Population, Transportation, Utilities, Public
Services, and Cultural Resourcesi and
WHEREAS, the city council has reviewed and considered the
contents of the Final EIR in its decision-making process; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the
Safety Element on November 16, 1994;
- 2 -
e e
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The city Council finds that the Final EIR
for the Safety Element identifies potential short-term adverse
environmental impacts that are offset by beneflcial long-term
environmental impacts in the areas of Earth Resources,
Flooding/Inundation, Risk of Upset, Land Use, Housing, Population,
Transportation, utilities, Public Services, and Cultural Resources.
SECTION 2. The city Council finds that the project is
consistent with the other elements of the City's General Plan.
SECTION 3. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on Earth Resources. Consistent
with Article VI, Section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and Section
15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to Earth
Resources:
( 1) The city will require compliance with applicable
City and other regulations for projects on and around unstable
and/or steep hillsides to ensure that construction activities are
- 3 -
e e
performed in a safe manner.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential short-term
significant environmental impacts on Earth Resources and thus
mitigate or avoid the potential significant environmental effects
identified in the Final EIR, Section 5.1.
SECTION 4. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential
significant adverse impacts on Flooding/Inundation. Consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the city CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential significant
environmental effects identified with respect to
Flooding/Inundation:
(1) The city will contact and encourage the appropriate
seismological agencies or institutions to conduct studies to assess
the potential impacts from undersea earthquake activities within
Santa Monica Bay.
(2) The city will consult and cooperate with appropriate
state agencies to work to allev1ate any unusual or extensive
erosion of beach sand.
- 4 -
e e
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Flooding/Inundation and thus mitigate or
avoid the potential significant environmental effects identified in
the Final EIR, section 5.2.
SECTION 5. The Final EIR identified potential
significant adverse impacts in the discussion of Risks of
Upset/Human Health. However, all impacts with respect to Risk of
Upset/Human Health are beneficial or are mitigated by
implementation of the programs in the Safety Element that address
disaster response and long-range planning related to hazardous
materials. Therefore, the City finds that no changes or additional
mitigation measures are required in the project to avoid or
substantially lessen significant environmental effects identified
with respect to Risk of Upset/Human Health, section 5.3 of the
Final EIR.
SECTION 6. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse lmpacts on Land Use. consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the project
which will avoid or substantlally lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to Land
Use:
- 5 -
e e
(1) The City will minimize both short-term and long-term
impacts to existing land uses from Safety Element programs by
assessing, in an annual report to city Council, those existing land
uses at risk from Safety Element programs and those efforts
necessary to minimize significant environmental impacts.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Land Uses and thus mitigate or avoid the
potential significant environmental effects identified in the Final
EIR, section 5.4.
SECTION 7. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on Housing. consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and Section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the project
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Housing:
( 1) The city will preserve existing housing units to the
greatest degree possible during the implementation of Safety
Element programs. city staff will assess, in an annual report to
city Council, those existing housing units not already covered by
relocation programs and thus at risk from safety Element programs.
- 6 -
e e
The report will also address those efforts necessary to minimize
significant environmental impacts through the preservation of
housing units or through assistance in providing replacement
housing for occupants.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Housing and thus mitigate or avoid the
potential significant environmental effects identified in the Final
EIR, Section 5.5.
SECTION 8. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on Population. Consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the city CEQA Guidelines and Section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the City finds that the
fOllowing mitigation measures have been required ln the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Population:
( 1) The city staff wlll assist local residents and
business owners that would be impacted by programs of the Safety
Element in finding suitable replacement housing or workplaces
within the City in order to minimize potential short-term adverse
impacts. city staff should assess, in an annual report to City
Council, those requests for assistance and the results of
- 7 -
e e
relocation or other assistance provided.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential short-term
significant environmental impacts on Population and thus mitigate
or avoid the potential significant environmental effects identified
in the Final EIR, Section 5.6.
SECTION 9. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on Rights-of-Way. Consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the city CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the City finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Rights-of-Way:
(1 ) The Environmental and Public Works Management
Department staff will develop a master plan for
remediation/ improvements to City-owned utility lines which traverse
identified hazard zones.
(2) Remediation/improvement acti vi ties will be scheduled
to coincide with planned street and other right-Of-way improvement
projects so as to minimize construction-related impacts on rights-
of-way.
- 8 -
e e
(3) The impacts of acquisition of additional rights-of-
way (where necessary) will be appropriately assessed and mit1gated
during project review by the city.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential short-term
significant environmental impacts on Rights-of-Way and thus
mitigate or avoid the potential significant environmental effects
identified in the Final EIR, Section 5.7.
SECTION 10. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on Transportation. Consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Transportation:
(1) The City will minimize traffic-related impacts from
the implementation of Safety Element programs by scheduling
construction activities during off-peak hours or weekends and by
properly posting traffic signage.
(2) All construction projects will be subject to City
development review and construction permit processes.
- 9 -
e e
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential short-term
significant environmental impacts on Transportation and thus
mitigate or avoid the potential significant environmental effects
identified in the Final EIR, Section 5.8.
SECTION 11. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential short-
term significant adverse impacts on utilities. consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proJect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
utilities:
(1) The City will schedule major utility relocation or
reconstruction projects to minimize disturbances to local resldents
and businesses and to preclude the curtailment of multiple major
services concurrently unless there are safety, logistic or economic
considerations.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential short-term
significant environmental impacts on utilities and thus mitigate or
avoid the potential significant environmental effects identified in
the Final EIR, Section 5.9.
- 10 -
e e
SECTION 12. The Final EIR identified potential
significant adverse impacts in the discussion of Public Services.
However, all impacts with respect to Public Services are beneficial
or are mitigated by implementation of the programs in the Safety
Element which address public safety concerns regarding fire
protection and disaster preparedness. Therefore, the city finds
that no changes or additional mitigation measures are required in
the project to avoid or substantially lessen significant
environmental effects identified with respect to Public Services,
section 5.10 of the Final EIR.
SECTION 13. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential
significant adverse impacts on Fiscal Resources. Consistent with
Article VI, section 12 of the city CEQA Guidelines and section
15091 of the state CEQA Guidelines, the city finds that the
following mitigation measures have been required in the proj ect
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential significant
environmental effects identified with respect to Fiscal Resources:
(1) city staff will prepare a list of Safety Element
projects for review by the City Council during each fiscal year
including capital and on-going maintenance projects. The City will
utilize alternative funding sources as available to finance Safety
Element projects to minimize impacts on City financial resources.
- 11 -
e e
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Fiscal Resources and thus mitigate or
avoid the potential significant environmental effects identified in
the Final EIR, section 5.11.
SECTION 14. The Final ErR identified potential
significant adverse impacts in the discussion of Cultural
Resources. However, all impacts with respect to Cultural Resources
are beneficial or are mitigated by implementation of the programs
in the Safety Element which address the mitigation of hazards of
unreinforced masonry buildings, including historic structures.
Therefore, the city finds that no changes or additional mitigation
measures are required ln the project to avoid or substantially
lessen significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Public Services, section 5.12 of the Final EIR.
SECTION 15. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potential
significant adverse impacts on Aesthetics. Consistent with Article
VI, Section 12 of the City CEQA Guidelines and section 15091 of the
state CEQA Guidelines, the City finds that the following mitigation
measures have been required in the project which will avoid or
substantially lessen the potential significant environmental
effects identified with respect to Aesthetlcs:
(1) The city will maintain the overall visual integrity
- 12 -
e e
and characteristics of the Palisades bluffs area to the extent
feasible during implementation of Safety Element programs should
major changes to cliff faces or prominent visual features be
proposed. City staff shall undertake a public process prior to the
start of any such work outlining the nature of proposed changes.
(2) The city will consider, during development review,
any aesthetic changes or impacts that result from Safety Element
programs that occur within designated scenic corridors.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Aesthetics and thus mitigate or avoid the
potential significant environmental effects identifled in the Final
EIR, Section 5.13.
SECTION 16. The Final EIR determined that without
mitigation the proposed project could result in potent1al short-
term significant adverse lmpacts on Neighborhood Effects.
Consistent with Article VI, section 12 of the city CEQA Guidelines
and Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the City finds that
the following mitigation measures have been required in the project
which will avoid or substantially lessen the potential short-term
significant environmental effects identified with respect to
Neighborhood Effects:
(1) The City will hold a hearing before the City council
- 13 -
It e
to take testimony prior to initiating work on any City-wide program
that has the potential to remove or disturb any significant
neighborhood landmarks or other resources. For actions or programs
which could have a direct negative effect on neighborhoods or
portions of neighborhoods, city staff will prepare a staff report
detailing potential impacts. A Neighborhood Advisory Committee may
be convened by the City council to work with city staff on the
implementation of Safety Element programs should significant
impacts occur.
These measures will mitigate or avoid potential significant
environmental impacts on Nelghborhood Effects and thus mitigate or
avoid the potential significant environmental effects identified in
the Final EIR, Section 5.14.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081.6, the mitigation
measures required by this Resolution shall be monitored by the City
to ensure their compliance during project implementation in
accordance with the requirements of the Project's mitigation
monitoring program.
- 14 -
--- --- --
e e
SECTION 17. The city Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Resolution, and therefore and thereafter the same shall be in
full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
M~=
City Attorney
f:\ppd\share\reso\safeeir
- 15 -
e e
Adopted and approved thlS 21st of February, 1995
~~
Mayor
I hereby certIfy that the foregomg ResolutIon 8864 (CCS) was duly adopted at a
meetmg of the CIty CouncIl held on the 21st of February, 1995 by the followmg vote
Ayes CouncIlmembers Abdo, O'Connor, Ebner, Greenberg, Holbrook,
Rosenstem, Genser
Noes CouncIlmembers None
Abstam CouncIlmembers None
Absent CouncIlmembers None
ATTEST
~~
CIty Clerk