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Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions related to the 2010 El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan Update:
1) Certify the California Environmental Quality Act Addendum to the 2005 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2010 El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan Update; and
2) Adopt the 2010 El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan Update. (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
Resolution 169-2010
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost associated with certification of this Mitigated Negative Declaration.The project is funded through Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funds Carryover.
These actions are based upon the following:
A. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document on file with the Clerk of the Board and on the Department of Transportation (DOT) website http://www.edcgov.us/DOT/index.html was prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 21000 et. seq., and the CEQA guidelines.
B. There is no substantial evidence that the project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C. The Addendum to the 2005 Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2010 El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan Update reflects the lead agency's independent judgment and analysis.
Reason for Recommendation:
Project Background: The Board of Supervisors adopted the El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) on January 25, 2005 and certified the accompanying Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). The purpose of a BTP is to provide a blueprint for a countywide bicycle transportation system consistent with policies set forthe in the 2004 El Dorado County General Plan. It also enables the County to be eligible for State Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funds pursuant to the Caltrans Streets and Highways Code §890-894.2, appendix b. Projects identified in an approved BTP are eligible for BTA funding for five complete funding cycles following adoption after which time it must be updated. This project represents the required five-year update.
The Addendum to the 2005 MND takes into account any potential environmental impacts that may be associated with the BTP update to comply with the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), PRC §21000, et seq. The County concludes that no new information of substantial importance has occurred since adoption of the 2005 MND and no additional impacts will occur as a result of the BTP Update, thus justifying the use of an Addendum pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15164 (e). This Addendum addresses the minor differences between the 2005 BTP and the currently proposed 2010 BTP.
Location: The Plan encompasses the west slope of El Dorado County from approximately the area of Pollock Pines west to the County line in El Dorado Hills.
Project Purpose and Objectives: The BTP, in addition to providing a blueprint for a countywide bicycle transportation system, enables the county to be eligible for five annual rounds of BTA funds following adoption pursuant to the Caltrans Streets and Highways Code sections 890-894.2. After five years, the BTP must be updated to qualify for subsequent funding cycles.
Project Description: The ultimate bikeway system and tiered list of proposed projects outlined in the BTP provides a uniform network of on and off street bikeways throughout the western slope of El Dorado County which will support facilities and programs that encourage bicycling. Several projects identified in the 2005 document are now completed and several new projects are proposed in the 2010 document. It should be noted that the proposed 2010 BTP (and the current 2005 BTP) do not grant automatic approval to construct the proposed projects listed within them. Each project will be required to undergo individual project approval processes, including individual CEQA documentation.
The proposed 2010 BTP includes recommended changes to the existing 2005 BTP in various areas as indicated below. The original project need, objectives, locations, and existing environmental setting have not changed.
2010 Bicycle Transportation Plan - New Projects
Map 1 - El Dorado Hills Area
Class I bike path parallel to the east side of Latrobe Road from 1,000 feet south of Suncast Lane to approximately 4,000 feet south of Investment Boulevard.
Class I bike path in the SMUD powerline corridor from Silva Valley Parkway to Alexandra Drive/Promontory Community Park.
Map 3 - Latrobe Area - No new projects.
Map 4 - Diamond Springs / Placerville Area
Class II bike lanes - Pleasant Valley Road from Big Cut Road to Newtown Road. The 2005 plan included a one mile section of Class II near the elementary school on Pleasant Valley Road.
Class II bike lanes - Newtown Road from Parkway Drive to Fort Jim Road.
Class I bike path - parallel to north side of Missouri Flat Road from Perks Court to Forni Road.
Map 5 - Pleasant Valley / Camino / Pollock Pines Areas
Class II bike lanes - Newtown Road from the east end of Fort Jim Road to Pleasant Valley Road.
Class III bike route - Fairplay Road from Mt. Aukum Road to Omo Ranch Road.
Class III bike route - Sly Park Road from Pony Express Trail to Pleasant Valley Road.
Map 6 - Coloma-Lotus / Georgetown / Cool Areas
Class III bike route - entire length of Prospectors Road.
Class II bike lanes - Marshall Road from Prospectors Road to Garden Valley Road.
Class III bike route - Marshall Road from Black Oak Mine Road to SR 193.
Class II bike lanes - SR 193 from Marshall Road to SR 49.
Class I bike path - parallel to north side of SR 193 from SR 49 to Auburn Lake Trails.
The 2010 BTP Update and maps can be found on the El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC) website at edctc.org and a hard copy can be found at the DOT offices at 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville.
CEQA Document
El Dorado County is the lead agency for the project for purposes of environmental review under CEQA. This Addendum addresses the minor differences between the 2005 BTP and the currently proposed 2010 BTP as demonstrated in the attached CEQA Checklist. The County concludes that no new information of substantial importance has occurred or was discovered as a result of this analysis and no new mitigation measures are warranted since adoption of the 2005 MND. Additionally, because the BTP is a planning document used to develop a countywide bicycle transportation system, all projects identified will require project-specific CEQA review as part of the future project-specific approval process, thus justifying the use of an Addendum pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15164 (e). This CEQA section also states that an addendum to an MND need not be circulated for public review. The public will be able to participate fully in each project specific CEQA process as individual projects come forward for approval (see attached Addendum for more detail).
The Addendum to the 2005 CEQA MND is attached and can also be found on the County DOT website at http://www.edcgov.us/DOT/index.html, or a hard copy can be obtained at the DOT offices at 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville.
Public Input for the BTP: The following workshops and public meetings were held to solicit public input on the 2010 BTP update process:
Public Workshop at Cameron Park Library - June 30, 2010
El Dorado County Transportation Commission - August 5, 2010
El Dorado County Trails Advisory Committee - August 9, 2010
El Dorado County Planning Commission - August 12, 2010
El Dorado County Parks and Recreation Commission - September 16, 2010
The minutes to the El Dorado County Planning Commission meeting are provided as Attachment D.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) The Clerk will have the Chair sign the Resolution and will send one copy of the Resolution to the DOT.
Action to be taken by DOT following Board approval:
1) File a Notice of Determination for the CEQA Addendum with the office of the County Recorder/Clerk.
2) Finalize the Draft Bicycle Transportation Plan, make copies available to the public and post the document on the County Website.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: