A.
On May 19, 1992, the city council of the city of Winters approved and adopted its general plan (the "general plan") identifying proposed growth within the city limits and further identifying the impacts of said growth upon health, safety and public facilities within the city including the impacts on flooding and the city's drainage system.
B.
City of Winters General Plan, Land Use Policy No. 1.A.9, states that, "No new development may occur within the flood-overlay area shown in Figure II-1 until a feasibility and design study for a comprehensive solution to the 100-year flooding problem has been completed and a fee schedule has been established or financing program adopted which includes all affected and contributing properties for financing the comprehensive flood control solution." Further, General Plan, Health and Safety Policy VII.B.4, states that, "To mitigate flooding impacts associated with Moody and Chickahominy Sloughs, the city shall require property owners who are affected by or contributing to such flooding to participate in the development and implementation of a comprehensive solution to the flooding problem in proportion to their relative contribution to the flooding problem or benefit from the program adopted."
C.
General Plan, Public Facilities and Services Element Goal IV.D, states that it is the city's goal, "To maintain an adequate level of service in the City's storm drainage system to accommodate runoff from existing and future development and to prevent property damage due to flooding." General Plan, Health and Safety Element Goal VII.B, states that it is the city's goal, "To prevent loss of life, injury and property damage due to flooding."
D.
The city of Winters commissioned the engineering firm of Wood Rodgers, Inc., to prepare the Moody Slough Sub-basin and Putah Creek/Dry Creek Sub-basins Drainage Reports, dated September 9, 2009. These reports identify a comprehensive flood solution, including the storm drainage facility requirements and estimated costs of the facilities needed to serve new development within the flood overlay area. The Draft Storm Drainage Costs Allocation Report, prepared by Wood Rodgers, Inc., and dated September 9, 2009, contains a cost allocation of the needed facilities within the various zones of the flood overlay area, through build-out of the city's general plan. These reports are collectively referred to as the "Wood Rodgers Reports."
E.
In order to further determine the need for drainage facilities created by new development and to spread the cost of such facilities among those who create the need or benefit from such facilities, the city commissioned the firm of Economic and Planning Systems, Inc., to prepare the Flood Area Storm Drainage Development Impact Fee Nexus Study, dated November 4, 2005. This study, utilizing information contained in the Wood Rodgers Reports, calculated the fees for the various zones within the flood overlay zone needed to fund the requisite facilities.
F.
Analysis of the land uses expected at buildout of the city pursuant to the general plan makes it possible to estimate the level of residential, commercial, industrial and other development. It is therefore possible to arrive at a fee which equitably spreads the burden of financing drainage facilities to those who create the need for, or benefit from, such facilities. It is the intent of this chapter to create such a fee. The purpose of this chapter is to implement the requirements of the general plan and, under the authority of Article XI, Section 7, of the California Constitution, and consistent with the provisions of the Mitigation Fee Act (California Government Code Section 66000 et seq.), to establish the appropriate method of ensuring that sufficient funding for drainage facilities is available to serve residential, industrial, commercial and other growth in the flood overlay area of the city. The flood overlay area as shown in Figure II-1 of the general plan is referred to in this chapter as the "flood area."
G.
The failure to impose the conditions and regulations of this chapter relating to payment of the fee on final maps or building permits would jeopardize residents of the community, in that it would permit construction and development to proceed without adequate drainage facilities or means of financing such facilities.
H.
The cost estimates set forth in the Flood Area Storm Drainage Development Impact Fee Nexus Study ("nexus study") are reasonable cost estimates for constructing the drainage facilities specified therein, and the fees which may be generated by new development will not exceed the total of these construction costs made necessary by such new development. The fees established by this chapter have been calculated in the manner called for in the nexus study in order that the cost of needed facilities is borne by the type of development causing the need.
I.
Based upon all evidence and testimony presented, including the Wood Rodgers Reports and the nexus study, the city council hereby finds that there is a clear and demonstrated relationship between the use of the fees provided for herein, namely the construction of drainage facilities, and the types of projects upon which the fees are to be imposed. Development will generate a need for additional drainage infrastructure as described in the nexus study.
J.
Based upon all evidence and testimony presented, including the Wood Rodgers Reports and the nexus study, the city council hereby finds that there is a reasonable relationship between the need for drainage facilities, and the type of development projects upon which the fee is to be imposed, namely new residential, industrial and commercial construction. From careful consideration of the matter, the city council finds that (1) new development will adversely impact the drainage within the flood area, (2) will create a need for additional drainage facilities, and (3) the construction of drainage facilities, as set forth in the Wood Rodgers Reports and the nexus study, are appropriate to serve such new development in light of these impacts.
K.
Based upon all evidence and testimony presented, including the nexus study, the city council finds that there is a reasonable relationship between the amount of the fees as provided for in this chapter and the cost of drainage facilities, made necessary by new development. Further, the city council finds that the manner in which the fee is allocated upon new development is fair and does not exceed the cost of providing drainage facilities for new development.
L.
The establishment of this drainage impact fee is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15273, in that there is no possibility that the establishment of this fee may have a significant effect on the environment, and further because the purpose of establishing this fee is to assist the city in maintaining services within its jurisdictional boundaries. This exemption is specifically based upon the following facts:
1.
The environmental impacts of the facilities described in the nexus study, including cumulative and growth-inducing impacts, have been identified in the Final Environmental Impact Report (the "EIR") prepared for the 1992 General Plan and certified by the city council in Resolution No. 1992-13.
2.
The establishment of this fee will not create a need for additional drainage facilities.
3.
Prior to action on site-specific new development or drainage infrastructure, subsequent environmental review will be undertaken as necessary pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
4.
The establishment of this fee does not commit the city to any definite course of action and does not dictate how funds will be spent, or in any way narrow the field of options and alternatives available to the city.
M.
The fee established by this chapter is in addition to any other fees or charges or taxes required by law or city code or as a condition of development.
(Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))