Following preliminary review and a finding that a project is subject to CEQA, the CEQA administrator shall conduct an initial study to determine whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
(Ord. 404 (Exh. A), 1987)
In addition to a description of the proposed project the project sponsor shall complete and submit an environmental information form (CEQA guidelines Appendix H) and any supporting data deemed by the CEQA administrator to be necessary to properly complete the environmental check list (CEQA guidelines Appendix I).
(Ord. 404 (Exh. A), 1987)
Within thirty days following certification of an application or project proposal to be complete (forty-five days with the consent of the sponsor), the CEQA administrator shall review the project, consult with all responsible and trustee agencies, complete the initial study and make a determination as to whether an EIR is to be required or whether a negative declaration is to be prepared.
(Ord. 404 (Exh. A), 1987)
Pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15065, an EIR shall be required where any of the following conditions occur:
A.
The project has the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory;
B.
The project has the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals;
C.
The project has possible environmental effects which are individually limited but cumulatively considerable. As used in this subsection, "cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of an individual project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects;
D.
The environmental effects of a project will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.
(Ord. 404 (Exh. A), 1987)
Pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15070 a proposed negative declaration shall be prepared for a project when either of the following conditions occur:
A.
The initial study shows that there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment; or
B.
The initial study identified potentially significant effects but:
1.
Revisions in the project plans or proposals made by or agreed to by the applicant before the proposed negative declaration is released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly no significant effects would occur; and
2.
There is no substantial evidence before the agency that the project as revised may have a significant effect on the environment.
(Ord. 404 (Exh. A), 1987)