Title
Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve the use of a Funding Agreement Template (Attachment B), approved by County Counsel, for the collection of a deposit from applicants processing development projects requiring an Environmental Impact Report; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 100-2025, authorizing the Director of Planning and Building Department to execute these Funding Agreements, when in a form substantially similar to Attachment B, for the collection of a deposit from project applicants, including any amendments thereto, and administer the deposit accounts, including tracking and refunding any remaining balances.
FUNDING: Applicant Funded - 100%.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) allows the County to enter into agreements to prepare environmental documents for a proposed project, including preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Further, CEQA allows the County to collect fees to recover the costs for preparation and processing of these environmental documents.
Currently, the Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, (Department) enters into agreements with consultants for the preparation of environmental documents. Invoices are paid by the County and later reimbursed by the applicant through time and materials monthly billings. The existing process presents a financial risk, as most development projects requiring an EIR involve substantial processing costs, and there is no mechanism in place to safeguard repayment of these costs incurred by the County for staff time or consultant costs.
On April 25, 2025, the Board approved and adopted Ordinance No. 5224 (Ordinance), an Uncodified Ordinance Amending Ordinance 5213, El Dorado County Schedule of Fees and Charges for the Planning and Building Department; included with this Ordinance, a newly required fee to a...
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