Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board consider the following actions pertaining to the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park Project:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Mitigated Negative Declaration;
2) Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Appendix A of the Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration); and
3) Approve the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park Project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act document. (Cont. 6/28/16, Item 11)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board consider the following actions pertaining to the El Dorado County Historical Railroad Park Project:
1) Adopt the California Environmental Quality Act Mitigated Negative Declaration;
2) Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Appendix A of the Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration); and
3) Approve the El Droado County Historical Railroad Park Project as described in the California Environmental Quality Act document.
The recommended Board actions are based on the following findings:
A) The CEQA document on file with the Clerk of the Board and was prepared pursuant to Public Resources Code §21000 et seq., and the State CEQA Guidelines.
B) There is no substantial evidence that the Project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
C) The MND for the Project reflects the lead agency’s (County's) independent judgment and analysis.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On January 13, 2015, (Legistar #14-0130) the Board accepted a grant award from the Housing-related Parks Program Grant 14-HRPP-9235 in the amount of $158,550 for the construction of restrooms at the El Dorado County Historic Railroad Park in El Dorado. The Parks Division entered into an agreement with Foothill Associates for the conceptual design and environmental review.
Working with the community, the attached conceptual plan and the associated Inital Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) have been prepared and are presented to the Board for approval.
Project Description: Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in additional space for the El Dorado County Historical Museum to display large railroad and logging artifacts. The Proposed Project would develop a new depot building, display building, display yard, engine house shop, children's play area, a two-stall prefabricated restroom, trails, a picnic area, and parking within the existing Historical Railroad Park. The proposed improvements would provide additional recreation and educational opportunities while accomodating museum enthusiasts, pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrian users.
Comments: During the thirty (30) day public comment period, comments that were received were forwarded to Foothill Associates and are included in Attachment C.
ALTERNATIVES
If not approved the project will not move forward and the County will lose the grant funding for the restroom.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Library and Community Development Agency
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office concurs with the recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to approval of the report.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure Component
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders- 621-7538